“War, huh, good god. What is it good for?” once asked Edwin Starr. Well, watches for a start, Edwin. Conflict has long been an accelerator of technology and timepieces are no different. The need to make watches more resilient, more water resistant and more convenient led to numerous leaps in development that arguably wouldn’t have happened in peace time. But what exactly makes a military watch?

“Most military men and women need a watch that is both tough and accurate,” explains retired Air Force Colonel Richard “Nemo” Sweeten who now works on Bremont’s military and special projects.

“It needs to be able to withstand extreme environments and rough treatment. It should be able to withstand shock and vibration, temperature and pressure extremes and not be susceptible to magnetic and electro-static forces. From a soldier in the field to a pilot in a fighter cockpit, the traditional wrist watch is still important. Even though technology and systems like GPS and smartphones put the exact time at our fingertips, a watch is always a useful back up, and it’s always with you.”

But, off the field, military watches are just plain cool, and can carry a kudos and simplicity of design that other watches lack. Even if the only battle you’ve fought is the supermarket checkout queue, a military watch is a desirable bit of kit that will improve your style credentials tenfold.

What Is A Military Watch?

Broadly speaking military watches are round, have large, legible superluminescent numerals, a 24-hour track for all-night operations and matte or bead-blasted cases because shiny surfaces reflect light and could give away your position. NATO or G10 watch straps – the fabric strap specially designed by the MoD to be easily adjustable and with a looping construction that would keep the watch on the wrist even if the spring bar broke – aren’t a must but they do add some extra authenticity.