JToddH[Moderator]
2670
I'm, honored and humbled.
Sep 01, 2018,11:13 AM
Just a simple story, 35 years in the making ; )
Comments:
view entire thread
Military Watches: A Soldier’s Tale
By: JToddH : August 31st, 2018-18:02
Over the years, I have read countless articles about so-called, “military watches.” Some refer to watches that were issued to or produced especially for the military, while some brands use military trademarks to imply some loose affiliation or perhaps eve...
Great post, Todd...
By: destrodan : August 31st, 2018-18:24
...and thank you for your service. Kind regards, Dan
Great.
By: jomni1 : August 31st, 2018-18:34
At first, I thought shiny watches are a no-no in the military due to operational reasons. But I read somewhere that a Rolex can be used as bargaining tool when you get captured. Is that true?
Amazing story
By: LJC : August 31st, 2018-20:41
A collection of not just metals, but stories of life and service.
It's so weird to think of it as a "story."
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-10:30
It's a big part of my life and watches are an interesting chapter that continue beyond my service. And yes, each watch has an interesting (to me) story.
Super post Todd. Thanks for sharing.
By: Jay (Eire) : August 31st, 2018-21:28
It's amazing to me that in the midst of whatever may have been going on while you were on tour you still, just like the rest of do while sitting at our desks or in traffic, took that same level of enjoyment from a sneaky peek at your wrist. I'm curious as...
Thank you for the kind words.
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-10:40
As I still work for the military in a civilian capacity, I am in awe of the generations coming up. It's in good hands! As soon as I finish with my civilian position, I hope to fully retire, which means dedicating my time to watches and family.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful post.
By: agyzace : August 31st, 2018-22:09
My dad was in the special forces all his life too and the story makes me think of times past. Enjoy your heirlooms in the best of health! Alex
De Oppresso Liber, Alex!
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-10:42
Respect to your Dad, his service and the family that supported him. Being a family member is the toughest job in the military. Thank you for YOUR service an sacrifice!
Wonderful story, Todd!
By: Speedie74 aka Mr. Torquise : August 31st, 2018-23:00
I thought that the guys of the special army are only legends, but now I see they are living together with us! Your kids and family can be proud of you! May I ask you, what kind of watches are in your interest in these days? Yours, Adam
Hi Adam. No legend here, just a tired and retired (ex) SF guy.
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-10:56
As for watches, the aforementioned Seiko has a special place in my heart, though Rolex is what moved me into watches as a tradition. Still, it wasn't until I purchased my first Hublot that I "really" started learning about watches. So Hublot is very impor...
Great story
By: Ambiorix : August 31st, 2018-23:32
great career, and most certanly, great taste in watches!Now i would say, enjoy the retirement, Todd!And maybe we wil see eachother next Basel! Grtz,Dom
Thank you!
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-10:57
Let's make plans to get together at Basel!
You're welcome!
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-10:58
Thanks for the kind words!
Thank you for the encouragement!
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-11:03
I wrote this article over a month ago and was reluctant to post it because I didn't think people would want to read about an old ex-Green Beret and his watches. My wife actually talked me into doing it. I am shocked (and honored) at the responses such as ...
Firstly, thank you for your service to our country
By: reintitan : September 1st, 2018-00:50
Secondly, great story and history that you can be proud of. I love the evolution from the Casio to Seiko to Rolex to Hublot as your military career progressed as well. I love those Arnies! Finally, in the last photo do you know what kind of watch your fel...
Thank you !
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-11:10
While I don't recall what watch he was wearing, I went back to the hi-res image though I still can't tell. If you notice the guys to the right are wearing tan uniforms, different from mine. This was a mission with the "Bone Frogs," members of SEAL Team #2...
Thanks for the close-up shot Todd
By: reintitan : September 1st, 2018-13:00
Now I'm even more convinced it's a Resco Patriot. The company's founder is an active SEAL team member based out of San Diego. rescoinstruments.com This is what I think is the watch in the photo. Notice the large luminous dot on the bezel and the aqua ...
I think you're right.
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-20:30
You can also see pretty clearly the huge detents around the edge of the bezel. Good catch!
Thank you Todd
By: Gelato Monster : September 1st, 2018-01:33
one of the best story of a purist
Superior post ,really really informative
By: Passionata_george : September 1st, 2018-01:35
many thanks for sharing it ,it was really a good read in Saturday i always thought that only black watches are allowed in the army since those shiny SS pieces may grab the attention of the enemies marksman. Thank you Btw here s a piece from french navy (...
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed!
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-11:19
As for the shine, in a desert'ish environment, a brushed stainless watch is not a big deal. If I was crawling through the jungle in a ghillie suit, it might be a different story. Besides, the Chinooks and Black Hawk helicopters we came in on "probably" ru...
Fantastic post, Todd!
By: KMII : September 1st, 2018-01:41
Thanks for sharing the experience of your military horological journey - fantastic article! And I cannot but agree that the era of the classic military watch drew to a close some time ago.
I'm so glad you "got it."
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-11:22
My point wasn't so much about "my" watches per se, but to show how the role of watches in today's military is more personal than practical.
Thanks for a great story
By: BjoernM21 : September 1st, 2018-02:27
Nurturing a desire to acquire a watch for some time makes it so much easier to get attached to it when it can finally to be enjoyed, particularly when it is then so much integrated in your life as you did it with yours. I love to read such well written st...
Indeed, the connection with my Submariner is unique.
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-11:27
People ask what my favorite watch is and I tell them it's like trying to choose between children. That said, I clearly admit that the Submariner is the last watch I would ever get rid of. There is no money, no threat nor, force of God or nature that would...
Fantastic story and write up
By: rnaden : September 1st, 2018-02:40
I enjoyed reading about your journey and has definitely helped me get an inside view into how your watches become a part of you, writing history together. Not something that dramatic that is common people will go through....the toughest places my watches ...
Thanks for the comments.
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-11:30
While I took the Daytona and Hublot, as a matter of tradition, it was ALWAYS my Submariner that accompanied me on every mission. It's hard to explain my connection with this watch. It's not for luck or superstition...anything like that. When I "leave the ...
Ahhhh...the C-80
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-11:30
The first watch I ever became obsessed over. I should've know then.
Truly inspirational!
By: Rhyzen : September 1st, 2018-04:52
This is definitely the best piece I have ever read about military watches, and the experience from a 35-year veteran of the Special Forces is what made this special. The Arnies are inspiring, while having wore the Sub into multiple deployments is perhaps ...
Todd, sincerest gratitude for your Service!
By: MichaelC : September 1st, 2018-06:08
Every time I see a service member I tell them the same. The fact is, we are here talking about watches and everything else because of you, and the other men and women around the world who commit their lives to keeping us safe. THANK YOU. As for this post,...
Inspiring words coming from you, Michael!
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-11:38
And I agree that today, brands producing "military watches," are often "silly," and rarely doing anything that supports the military mission.
Fantastic post Todd
By: emcquillan : September 1st, 2018-06:17
Congratulations on your service and happy retirement. Your pictures and story add real experience to this site. Thanks for sharing something so personal. Kindest regards,
You are welcome!
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-11:40
Oh what the Casio started! Why couldn't I have been into baseball cards or stamps like the other kids?
Superb post, Todd!
By: maxmanzo : September 1st, 2018-08:30
Amazing stories, great write up, incredible pics. Thank you so much for letting us enter in your wonderful world and for sharing your life path with us, Enjoy your retirement and your watches, we'll be waiting for your next posts! Best, Max
An absolutely marvellous post...
By: pplater : September 1st, 2018-19:08
Thank you (and thank Mrs JToddH) for deciding to favour us with it. Presumably you are the chap on the left in photo #11(r): going double-wristed on assignment. Chapeau! Perhaps on another occasion you might walk us through the ribbons? Cheers, pplater......
This photo?
By: JToddH : September 1st, 2018-20:22
Actually, I'm the guy on the right. Look closely and you'll see the Submariner on my wrist. Guy on the left is a Navy SEAL. I wasn't firing in this pic, I had noticed movement in the wood line below and was using my scope when I called him over with the b...
Oops! Sorry...
By: pplater : September 2nd, 2018-03:08
Still: chapeau to the other guy! Cheers, pplater.
I've never been as humbled by a post on this forum . . .
By: Dr No : September 1st, 2018-20:52
. . . as I am now. When we met a few years ago, Todd, my recollection is that you were in public relations - a talking head, so to speak. I'd no idea you'd walked the walk. My respects, sir. A couple of special forces stories I can share. One of our infre...
You make a good point that I failed to mention.
By: JToddH : September 2nd, 2018-17:29
Aside from the regular military, an operator (Special Operations) guy would never wear a watch that identifies him as SoF. That's just dumb. So yeah, whether it's a Seamaster, Submariner, Fifty Fathoms, Zodiac, etc. A SoF guy will display taste and apprec...
Late to the party...
By: sdd7820 : October 20th, 2018-20:19
Few months late here, but as they say better late then never. First and foremost, thank you for your service JtoddH, from one operator to the other. This article is about as real as get's looking into an operator and watches. Myself I wore a Casio during ...
Awesome story Todd!
By: Seeks : September 2nd, 2018-07:01
With its many chapters/ eras of the Seiko and Rolex and Hublot watches. Thank you for sharing ! Warmest regards
Hi Todd, thanks for the story!
By: cazalea : September 2nd, 2018-21:53
As you know I have lots of SEAL acquaintances in San Diego, and like you, they all have stories, but generally don’t shout them from the rooftops. Thanks for the time and energy you spent on putting this together for us. Mike
what an incredible and interesting post
By: ChristianDK : September 6th, 2018-06:27
thank you for sharing telling your story - it was really interesting reading. I also think this is a candidate for post of the year. A US military watch from the past, now living its retirement in a quiet garden in Denmark. ...
Late to muster
By: MTF : September 7th, 2018-10:16
Todd, Apologies for my tardiness but I'm indisposed in faraway places. Thanks for the vignettes of each era in your service and the watches. I'm even more amazed that you have scans from 1983 and the lanky youth portrayed. 😉 I have nothing from that time....
Great post, great story too ^^
By: Ludi : October 20th, 2018-23:55
Not only an article but a whole part of your life you shared with us ... I had a great time reading both your horological and military journey, very much appreciated. Thanks for sharing. Anyway, who said mechanical watches are not meant for service ?!? Wi...