recommended watch

Does anyone have any advice on a watch they would highly recommend for BEAST this year? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

I personally have a casio G Shock. Great watch and very durable. Ironman watches are good too but they have a velcro band and I prefer a rubber watch band.

jake s said:

I personally have a casio G Shock. Great watch and very durable. Ironman watches are good too but they have a velcro band and I prefer a rubber watch band.

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I second that. I just bought a Casio G-Shock and received it in the mail yesterday. I haven't had time to mess around with it or wear it yet, but it seems to be a top-quality watch for the price. Also had great reviews and features all the functions necessary for Beast.

On sale at REI for $37.95. Has what you will need:
-alarm
-dial light
-24 hr

http://www.rei.com/product/798922/timex-ironman-triathlon-30-lap-digital-watch-full

I have an iron-man Timex watch from REI, it was only about 50 dollars. It's water resistant, has the ability to set multiple alarms, has a dial light and a rubber wrist band. Overall a quality watch that I've worn basically every day since I got it about two months ago.

Getting back to the Casio watch...

I saw over 20 models of G Shock - some were old and some were new.

For those who have purchased one, which model did you get?

slacker said:

Getting back to the Casio watch...

I saw over 20 models of G Shock - some were old and some were new.

For those who have purchased one, which model did you get?

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The black one.

In all seriousness, I don't think it matters. Just get one that's low profile on color scheme and that has a rubber wrist band. Avoid the neon orange ones they sell. Cadre wouldn't like that.

My watch is a g-shock, but it has a metal band. Water resistant and very durable. Its also digital. Is the metal band allowed?

I'm sure metal bands are allowed; I just prefer a rubber band when doing strenuous activites (Beast, for instance). Sorry for the confusion.

How much did the G shock cost you?

casio g-shock watches are really durable and reliable. you're probably going to have to spend about $130-ish, give or take $20. At least $100. But I'd say it's worth the investment, a good watch like this will last you for quite a while

Allow me to interject...

When you buy a watch, look at it from an adult perspective (quality, reliability, durability) and from a military perspective (tactical sense). Personally, I don't buy things like watches with the intent of throwing them away. Hence, I don't own a $30 watch.

Here is what I consider when thinking about this:

-Durability (can I bang this against a barracks doorframe as I move frantically without it breaking? Is my buddy going to snap it off my wrist when he grabs my arm to pull me up an obstacle, etc.)

-Wearability (Pool? Lake? Dust environment? Mud? What about when I sweat? Would I be proud to wear this in a dress uniform?)

-Usability (To me, this is most important. You want something you can see in all environments, read quickly without straining, and that will support the tactical basics of noise & light discipline. Nothing makes you look like an ass like giving away your position in an ambush or evasion scenario because your digital watch beeps).

Based on my experience, these are the best watches in terms of value and meeting all the above criteria...

Luminox Navy Seal 3000 Series (I know, I know, Beat Navy). My father got me this watch before Beast. I wore it for 8 years, to include all of West Point, NTC, and 24 months overseas. It was absolutely indispensable in the cockpit in Iraq. The illuminated dots WILL NOT fade over hours as they do on many more expensive watches. It's easy to read in all evironments. Believe it or not, when you're under stress and your hands are full, a naturally illuminated analog dial is a hundred times easier to read than having to push an indiglo button and trying to read a digital watch. Your brain instinctively processes the analog readout faster. No thinking. This watch has the added bonus of offering an optional rubber strap with a super sturdy metal clasp closure instead of a weaker buckle-type closure. About $175 dollars and worth every penny.



Here's how it looks at night. Easy to read, but won't give your position away like that silly indiglo.



If you want to spend more coin and really desire a timer function, the Luminox Dive Chrono is a great choice, too.

Great Watches

All the watches mentioned here are great watches. It is very important that everyone have one. No cellphones during training.

G Shocks are what are what the Army issues (if you can figure out how to get your unit supply sergeant to order them, another issue). Casio has been the Army brand for decades. Not saying they are better than the Iron Man or the Navy Seal watch, which I am sure are outstanding.

NSNs:

Casio G-Shock 5600: NSN 6645-01-356-5944
Casio G-Shock 6900: NSN 6645-01-441-2762

GoArmyBeatNavy said:

All the watches mentioned here are great watches. It is very important that everyone have one. No cellphones during training.

G Shocks are what are what the Army issues (if you can figure out how to get your unit supply sergeant to order them, another issue). Casio has been the Army brand for decades. Not saying they are better than the Iron Man or the Navy Seal watch, which I am sure are outstanding.

NSNs:

Casio G-Shock 5600: NSN 6645-01-356-5944
Casio G-Shock 6900: NSN 6645-01-441-2762

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Last I checked, they were on a restricted list.

scoutpilot said:

Last I checked, they were on a restricted list.

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true. most likely controlled at the Brigade PBO/SSA. A BDE S4/Chief could probably get them if the BDE/BN CDRs asked for them.

Sad that a watch is not an issue item for Soldiers/New Cadets.

My cadet had a $40 Timex Expedition for Beast.

For Christmas, he asked for a better watch, so he now has a Luminox.

The only thing about the luminox is that it does not have an alarm. I have a cheaper watch for my time at beast that has an alarm, but I plan on using the luminox for many years to come. Just have to replace the watch band that has the Navy SEALs logo on it haha

And what I will probably do is wear my luminox in the field, and just use the alarm watch when needed.

Velcro watch band will in the long run wear out the left cuff of your long sleeve shirt.

When I was buying running shoes at fleet feet, I also purchased an ironman.
http://www.amazon.com/Timex-Ironman-Triathlon-Light-Black/dp/B004PQD3XQ

$50, no velcro.