Special forces watches

[Bob_Defly]

What is the UK equivalent of the German issued Sinn UX S GSG 9 (EZM 2B)





And is there a list of watches issued to different branches of the UK forces?

[CouncilFerrari]

The ubiquitous CWC G10 would be the issue equivalent, I guess.

https://www.cwcwatch.com/collections/general-servi...

Watches for SF types tend to be personal choice, G-shocks, Suunto's etc. Much like boots and the rest of their equipment.

[SlimJim16v]

There was a Royal Marines watch, though I don't know if it was issued or available to anyone.



There were RAF issued Seiko and Pulsar chronographs.

[geezerbutler]

For actual military issue, I believe the Elliott Brown Holton would be the closest thing as it has a NATO stock number '6645-99-303-0677: Time-measuring instruments; United Kingdom' and features a sanctioned broad arrow on the dial:

https://elliotbrownwatches.com/products/holton-101...

[SlimJim16v]

RAF issue watches. I have the civy version of a Seiko and Pulsar, which don't have the stock number on the back. Issued ones are worth more.

[Fallingup]

geezerbutler said:

For actual military issue, I believe the Elliott Brown Holton would be the closest thing as it has a NATO stock number '6645-99-303-0677: Time-measuring instruments; United Kingdom' and features a sanctioned broad arrow on the dial:

https://elliotbrownwatches.com/products/holton-101...

Having a NSN doesn't mean it's issued. Just that it meets certain requirements. The Holton is a great watch and may have been a squad purchase but it is not issued by the MOD. The nearest equivalent to the above Sinn would be the CWC Sbs divers watch. That is ussued.

[Sciurus]

Bob_Defly said:

What is the UK equivalent of the German issued Sinn UX S GSG 9 (EZM 2B)

And is there a list of watches issued to different branches of the UK forces?

As previously mentioned, issued watches are few and far between and generally are the likes of the CWC.

The EB Holton was commissioned by a certain unit and some purchased, some didn't as I understand it.

Other units will commission their own - this can be from a wide array of different watch manufacturers. Omega tend to be very popular.

There will be instances where certain watches can only be serviced at certain dealerships for a number of reasons. None of which would be advisable to discuss on an open forum.

The RN Clearance Diver branch commissioned one a while back. It can be seen here - https://www.maunderwatches.co.uk/shop/preowned-wat... and there is a historical link to Rolex where they were issued to clearance divers back in the 1970s. They're absolutely silly money nowadays - https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/herita...


Here's a very recent example that EB did for Royal Navy & Royal Marine Warrant Officer Class 1s'. I believe they commissioned about 250 of them (going off the number on the back!).




If you're willing to lose days of your life, then I highly recommend Watches of Espionage on Instagram....

[TeaNoSugar]

geezerbutler said:

For actual military issue, I believe the Elliott Brown Holton would be the closest thing as it has a NATO stock number '6645-99-303-0677: Time-measuring instruments; United Kingdom' and features a sanctioned broad arrow on the dial:

https://elliotbrownwatches.com/products/holton-101...

That’s a really decent looking watch. Nice a clean looking, the black/PVD style and the font & colour works very well. Nice neat date window too.

Unfortunately at 43mm it’ll be too big for my decidedly un-military wrists, but if there was a 39-40mm version I’d be very tempted by one of those. Available with matching bracelet, or various webbing straps as well.

[Bob_Defly]

CouncilFerrari said:

The ubiquitous CWC G10 would be the issue equivalent, I guess.

https://www.cwcwatch.com/collections/general-servi...

Watches for SF types tend to be personal choice, G-shocks, Suunto's etc. Much like boots and the rest of their equipment.

Those CWC watches are pretty basic, and the water resistance isn't great either. The Elliot Brown's look much nicer, albeit they aren't as technically advanced as the Sinns, but they are significantly cheaper.

[dudleybloke]

A Russian copy of a Timex digital watch.

[Bob_Defly]

Interestingly, I just found out that Ian Elliot (from Elliot Brown) is the guy behind Animal Watches from the 90s!

[Badda]

SF aren’t issued watches. Bremont did a few which required proof of being in regiment to get one and sold a lot, more as investments.

[Fallingup]

Badda said:

SF aren’t issued watches. Bremont did a few which required proof of being in regiment to get one and sold a lot, more as investments.

Don't let reality get in the way of marketing.

[visitinglondon]

Fallingup said:

Don't let reality get in the way of marketing.

Quite; does anyone really take any of the bullst Bremont come up with seriously?

Ridiculous brand whose watches are owned by ridiculous people who have fallen for the ridiculous hype.

[Sporky]

visitinglondon said:

Ridiculous brand whose watches are owned by ridiculous people who have fallen for the ridiculous hype.

I bought my Solo because I thought it was a very nice looking pilot-style watch.

I'm not sure that's terribly ridiculous.

[Sciurus]

visitinglondon said:

Quite; does anyone really take any of the bullst Bremont come up with seriously?

Ridiculous brand whose watches are owned by ridiculous people who have fallen for the ridiculous hype.

For a while, there was some investor/ ownership overlap between them and Thrudark which explains a lot...

[Pebbles167]

A guy I knew commissioned Bremont to make a limited run of regimental watches based on the S500.

Looked pretty nice, was about £2k if I remember.



As for issued watches, it would either have to be a very small and exclusive group of recipients, or a very cheap watch.

I've heard that in the Second world war, British soldiers were all issued with a Rotary. Many countries did something similar with a brand of choice.

I don't think a soldier is issued a watch any more, CWC G10 will be available in all regimental shops though.

[Ace-T]

Sporky said:

visitinglondon said:

Ridiculous brand whose watches are owned by ridiculous people who have fallen for the ridiculous hype.

I bought my Solo because I thought it was a very nice looking pilot-style watch.

I'm not sure that's terribly ridiculous.

I bought my teal face bronze Broadsword because it's a really pretty watch. I think that is more shallow than ridiculous.

Folks buy watches for all sorts of reasons, there's no real need to be so oddly sniffy about any persons taste in them I think.

[andy tims]

The Sinn UX is an oil filled HEQ. I don't think any UK issued watch compares from a technical perspective.

The CWC SBS has been issued in the past & is available in black PVD

https://www.cwcwatch.com/products/cwc-sbs-issue-di...

Of course, in the past Rolex Submariners were issue to the Royal Navy

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex/submariner/milit...

Edited by andy tims on Sunday 4th February 11:32

[Jamescrs]

Badda said:

SF aren’t issued watches.

Was about to post the same thing, most active specialist soldiers wear basic Casio watches because they are fairly robust and cheap to replace when they get broken