![]() ![]() Many Marathon watches have available dial options that include "US Government," the Canadian maple leaf symbol, U.S. The Broad Arrow and Other Military MarkingsĬanada-based Marathon is another example, as an official United States General Services Administration contractor. Those days are largely gone, but the "issued" watch remains a potent image in consumers' minds. Vague marketing, however, can lead consumers to imagine the kind of relationship that watch companies had decades ago with militaries. Those soldiers can probably wear whatever watch they want, and they may have chosen one that's particularly well suited to their work. When a brand claims that its watches are "used by" some elite tactical unit or another, this may very well be the case. In a highly structured military environment, not to mention in coordinating operations, a personal watch on the wrist might be even more useful than it is for most civilians. There are many different situations, and certainly some in which a watch might be required for some activities or prohibited for others. While people often speak of "the military," of course, there are many militaries in the world and many services, units, etc., each with their own rules and regulations. "Eccentric or faddish watches are not authorized." Eccentric or faddish watches are not authorized." For the US Marines, for example, "inconspicuous watches are authorized for wear in uniform," while the US Navy Uniform Regulations flatly state: "While in uniform, wristwatches shall be conservative and in good taste. They're mostly concerned with how they fit into dress standards: they are merely tolerated, so long as they conform. Sorry to disappoint, but military regulations related to watches don't appear overly concerned with tough specs and battlefield readiness. How Are Watches Used in the Military Today? There are modern options, but you should understand exactly what a military watch actually means today. ![]() So if you want a modern watch with the same kind of official military links as the issued watches of old, you might be looking at actual vintage watches. While there are endless examples of watches with rugged specs and serious looks available today, soldiers mostly have to purchase their own. That situation makes the idea of a "military watch" easy to understand, but times have changed. Soldiers were issued their kit, which included a wristwatch often made by a historic company but sometimes without even branding on the dial. Adhering to very exact specifications, many of the watches produced for military use in the 20th century have a special place in the imagination of collectors - after all, they had to be very well built, durable, accurate and practical. The History of Issued Military WatchesĪt one time, the military treated watches as any other necessary equipment and contracted out their production. The compelling history of "issued" military watches is echoed in modern watches design and marketing, but those worn by soldiers today have a very different story. What you probably won't find is a watch that the government supplied to service people en masse, as was common in decades past. On a military base anywhere in the world, you'll find a variety of watches on the wrists of personnel. ![]()
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