Watches

[daywalker]

I know there are alot of posts on what you need prior to starting training at CTC, and i've searched but to no avail.

Is it worth buying a GOOD watch before starting training, something like a G SHOCK etc.

Any feed back on whats hot or not?

DW

[Dolly Gray]

You can't go far wrong with a plain old G shock. But stay clear of those with compasses and all the extras on them etc, as long as it tell the time that will do . Get one that is not to expensive, that way the knocks it takes wont cost. Once you pass out you can go 'Gucci' on what is available.

Of course if you are really mercenary,buy a really cheap ,bank your cash and wait to see what comes your way. those that fall in love will sometimes sell their soul to get cash to go ashore with

D

[dannyd]

Do you get issued a watch when you join - i.e. the G10 or whatever it's called.

[rambo]

I've bought myself a G shock for my basic training got it from www.discountwatches.co.uk This site has a range of other watches are good prices too.

[anglo-saxon]

Bought my first G-shock in the NAAFI in Cyprus in 1984. 20 years later I'm on my third one and have never been without one. Damned good watch. Only the straps have been bothersome - they tend to get brittle over time with sweat and mozzy rep, then start to split. Appart from that they're good kit. Some of them even come with GPS built in now. Not recommended.

I bought my last one about six months ago at the Hudson's Bay Company in Calgary - on sale for $28 (about £12.00) - less than I paid for the one in the NAAFI two decades before!

[Artist]

When I joined (1973) You were not allowed to wear a watch unless you were a section commander.

Might have changed now mind. On the Drill Square if you were caught with one on you were in deep cacky.

Want to wear one then suggest you buy a belt attached one. Out of sight out of mind.

Artist

[got1]

[quote="dannyd"]Do you get issued a watch when you join - i.e. the G10 or whatever it's called.[/quote]

dannyd,
I don't know about now, but Junior NCOs and above could draw a G1098 watch. Also signalers.and anybody else [if there was any left].
You could gets some crackers as well, Omega, Longines, Rolex etc.
The only problem was the were what they called registered items [serial numbered] so were always checked in. If you were lucky you could "find " a good one.I

[dannyd]

I don't know about now, but Junior NCOs and above could draw a G1098 watch. Also signalers.and anybody else [if there was any left].
You could gets some crackers as well, Omega, Longines, Rolex etc.
The only problem was the were what they called registered items [serial numbered] so were always checked in. If you were lucky you could "find " a good one

Thanks for the info, I'd wondered about this for a while but thought that it was a bit of a bone question to start a thread with (cheers Daywalker for giving me the opportunity ).

When I joined (1973) You were not allowed to wear a watch unless you were a section commander

I came across this attitude quite a bit in the cadets. I always found it rather strange - people other than Section ICs need to know what the time is. For example, if there are no JNCOs around, what are you going to do? Measure the angle of shadows etc... Can anyone provide a reason as to why this rule prevailed?

On a slightly different point, when I did my ML (Summer) training course at JSATI in Llanwrst, all the instructors had those Suunto watches with the built in altimeter. Pretty gucci I thought, but I doubt I'd understand how to use it. Anyone else got one of these, and what do you think of it?

[rambo]

Yeah i know what watch your on about they do look pretty good. Even includes built in compass aand all that. Mind you they are prett bulcky on the wrist i'd say they were bigger than a G shock.

[Dolly Gray]

I now wear a Suunto Observer - Altimeter I have never used - Compass rarely on projects, barometer very regular to check weather when out on the hills.

They are good watches and not as bulky as most Casios, the only failing is that the straps dont come with a safety clasp and as such I doubt they would be up to going through the tunnel to often.

For the price of one of these you can buy quite a few casios

D

[rambo]

Dont casio do a simmilar version to the suunto? If so i think i maybe mistaken the casio for the suunto.

[Sticky Blue]

Get the G Shock... mine is nearly 5 years old, a record for me and watches. It has been diving, on courses with me and never failed me. Don't get the GPRS, Altimeter, depth, weather, Sat Nav version... just get the bog standard.
SF get issued a watch as do divers... Nods, gravs and most SQs don't, unless you know the storeman!

[daywalker]

Thanks for the help guys!

Think i'd already made my mind up on the G shock but just wanted to hear how everyone else got on with them!

Also found a cheap website http://www.megawhale.com/erol.html

As regards to being able to wear a watch during training, i've just watched a mates video that was filmed during his troops training, and everyone seems to be wearing watches, so shouldn't be a problem!

DW

[rambo]

What type of G shock are you going to go for. Are you going for the resin type of band or the fabric type?

[daywalker]

Think i'm gonna go for the G100 which only comes with the resin straps as far as i'm aware!

Which one did you go for Rambo?

Plus i think i've found the site you tried to direct me to

http://www.discount-watches.co.uk

as the other site (without the - ) wasn't so cheap!