One type of equipment I have put back is the Vietnam-era US Army-issue watch. As a matter of fact I have a half dozen new ones that I picked up at a gun show for $5.00 each back in the 90s. They are shock-resistant, waterproof, stem wound. Not the most accurate timepieces, but they are impervious to EMP and do not require batteries.
On operations, synchronizing your watch with others is important because every watch is different. So if you find one for sale at a reasonable price, snap it up. If the price is really right, get one for your buddy.
Anecdote from the 82nd Airborne. A trooper told me that in his squad, not everyone had a watch so when it came to night OP duty, one watch would be passed from soldier to soldier. If a paratrooper was lazy, he would reset the watch forward and hand it over. There were a number of goldbricks in the platoon and sometimes the watch would be off by as much as three hours by dawn. So don't trust someone else's watch.
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If a paratrooper was lazy, he would reset the watch forward and hand it over. There were a number of goldbricks in the platoon and sometimes the watch would be off by as much as three hours by dawn.
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I can't imagine anyone doing that during the time I was in without them getting the living shit beat out of them and for good reason.
Not in my outfit! :-)
Seiko 5 and Orient 3 Star automatics are very dependable and can be had for $50-100. (some Vietnam vets have Seiko 5s they bought overseas which are still running with no maintenance, but most of those are pretty much worn out by now)
Autos tend to be a bit more accurate because they are always fully wound except while you're sleeping.
Here's the basic Seiko military automatic:
http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SNK809-Automatic-Black-Strap/dp/B002SSUQFG
2nd on Seiko mechanical automatics, esp. waterproof diving versions. I have picked up many of these at thrift shops and flea sales for $5 or less, needing a strap.
An $80 clean/lube service with new synthetic watch oil puts them back in reliable service for anther 40 years.
TIMEX self-winding watches are frequently found "working", but they are essentially so lacking in value that they are not serviceable and don't keep good time for a week (overnight, yes) even when functioning as designed. Often found in free pile.
In a post-EMP environment, Cellular telephone time will be unavailable. We will synchronize local time with a siren at noon like the good old days.
With some luck, there are Swiss waterproof self-winders for cheap also. I look for time-only models (no date, phases of moon, or other complexity) because they are most serviceable. Most recent find was a PERFEX Air-Vac 400 automatic by Jaquet-Girard for $2. Keeps perfect time.
Cheers.
I hate to say it, but "waterproof" is a misnomer. Watches are rated as water-resistant and ratings are usually given in meters. Another interesting fact is that those ratings are for cold water only.
Further info: There are models with plastic cases and models with steel cases. Of course the steel is much better, and usually have much better movements, capable of accuracy to less than 10 seconds per 24 hrs. These models were often Air Force issue.
The only watch you can really trust for serious water resistance is a diving watch rated to 100m or more, having a screw-down crown.
All in all, these are great watches and I have owned several over the years, but don't expect them to perform like a Rolex or Heuer diving watch. I've owned those models, too. There is a definite difference, but you pay the price, both at purchase and for repairs/maintenance. And I don't think Heuer has made a non-electronic watch for many years.
Carl
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