What Watch do you wear when you hunt?

[BeeMaa]

Not many folks out there who would still know how to use a watch as a compass. First learned in Boy Scouts and then reinforced in Ranger School. Those analog lads were pretty amazing fellows. I heard they even went to the moon!

Yeah, and it was an Omega that timed the burn that brought them back on Apollo 13.
Omega was awarded the Silver Snoopy award by NASA for the safe return of the Astronauts.
Also called the 14 seconds of fame.

 

[Longrifle]

Tudor Black Bay Stainless on a NATO strap. This my everyday wear and it never leaves my wrist. I retired my Omega Sea Master GMT because it had been a few places and shows the scars proudly. It was also a Sea Master 50th Anniversary Edition so I wanted to preserve it. The Tudor has proven itself to be an excellent and durable time piece.

 

[Chago]

I am rather surprised no one has mentioned GPS watches.

I started this thread by saying the suunto Traverse Alpha is good for nothing lol. Battery life in gps mode is 5-6 hours maximum. Which is ridiculous for a watch marketed at hunters. My Garmin 66i hand held gps Will run 200 hours in power saving mode. And 40 hours in normal mode but I typically get more then advertised. I can charge every second day ultimately. I carry a 24,000mah battery. My local hunts have no cell signal or power. So this battery can charge my gps handheld, headlamp etc.

But I have also tried the Garmin GPS watch. Battery was much better. But the Fenix watch is more expensive then my 66i handheld. And the 66i has a much larger screen, and has inreach capability so I can text home every evening. It send my wife 10 minute updates automatically with my location etc. That way if anything happens she can provide that info to whomever needed to come find me. And again all that is less money then a Fenix watch. So for me it's a no brainer. Run my 66i. And bring out my Swiss watch lol.

 

[Chago]

Yeah, and it was an Omega that timed the burn that brought them back on Apollo 13.
Omega was awarded the Silver Snoopy award by NASA for the safe return of the Astronauts.
Also called the 14 seconds of fame.

I swore I would buy that watch. But then I found one for sale and saw the price...... And was like ya nevermind I would rather go hunting 2-3 maybe 4 times.

 

[rinehart0050]

I wear a blacked out Oris TT3 chronograph. it's been on multiple deployments and I've hunted with it on 3 continents. And yes, it's a mechanical watch.

 

[BeeMaa]

I swore I would buy that watch. But then I found one for sale and saw the price...... And was like ya nevermind I would rather go hunting 2-3 maybe 4 times.

This is my Speedmaster that belonged to my Father.
He broke the crystal at work in the early 90's, put it in a drawer and picked up a TAG diving watch.
Without him knowing, Mother had it repaired and gave it to him as a gift.
He preferred the quartz movement of the TAG and it sat in a drawer for several years.
I can't remember if it was a birthday or Christmas gift, but here it is...
Again, it's one of those watches I've deemed TOO HEAVY for hunting.

Omega Speedmaster MK 4.5 from 1974

• BeeMaa
• Jun 8, 2020
• 2

Omega Speedmaster MK 4.5 from 1974
Uses a MK 4 case with a MK 5 movement.
Calibre 1045 based on...

 

[Chago]

This is my Speedmaster that belonged to my Father.
He broke the crystal at work in the early 90's, put it in a drawer and picked up a TAG diving watch.
Without him knowing, Mother had it repaired and gave it to him as a gift.
He preferred the quartz movement of the TAG and it sat in a drawer for several years.
I can't remember if it was a birthday or Christmas gift, but here it is...
Again, it's one of those watches I've deemed TOO HEAVY for hunting.

Omega Speedmaster MK 4.5 from 1974

• BeeMaa
• Jun 8, 2020
• 2

Omega Speedmaster MK 4.5 from 1974
Uses a MK 4 case with a MK 5 movement.
Calibre 1045 based on...

Too heavy??? Oh come on. It weighs less then your scope rings lol.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Well said red leg, quality and fine craftsmanship come from an age when care was the measure of a person. There was great pride in the result by the doer and great appreciation by the user. Functionality was a given, but aesthetics were important. Here is the good news, it still exists! Look for it, it is there and it is in a few of us too. Plastic has never made me smile.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Ridge, there is absolutely nothing wrong with your point of view. But I personally like nice watches, I like nice guns, I like nice glass on my guns, I like wearing good gear, I like driving a full loaded truck, I like smoking nice cigars..... Yes I am physically capable of hunting without a watch, yes I can kill everything I hunt with a Remington over a custom, yes tasco scope will work... Sorta, yes a base model truck will get me from A to B and yes smoking shitty cigars will still expedite my potential for cancer lol. And for those who like those latter options. Great, good for you. Nothing wrong with that. I don't think anyone here is suggesting you physically can't hunt without a Rolex GMT. We are just discussing what everyone's flavour is.

Now just out of curiosity. You don't hate muzzle brakes, hornady and tipping by chance do you??? Lmao

Actually I dislike muzzle brakes, I use Hornady, Barnes, North Fork, Magnus, Nosler, and Woodleigh bullets. Tipping depends on service. When a tip is warranted, I tip generously.

I like my fully loaded with leather seats, 4x4, Chevy Blazer, but rather drive my 5 speed manual, 4x4, extended cab, Ford Ranger pickup with limited options.

My firearms range from off otc Rugers, Winchesters, Mossbergs, Remington, Taurus, to Pedersoli, Magnum Reseach, and custom made. Except for the muzzle loaders, M1 Garand, and handguns all have high quality glass mounted on them.

I stopped smoking my custom made pipes, specially blended pipe tobacco, hand rolled cigars years ago.

Still drink 18 year old single malt scotch.

For those that like wearing and collecting watches that's great. After 50+ years dictated by time, I no longer have an interest or need to constantly worry about what time it is, especially when hunting, on vacation, etc.

The OP asked for those that do wear a watch, what kind?

My initial response, I use my cellphone, and I have a problem with watches.

Yet threads/comments as in many other post start to show up.....may be, may be not purposefully...... with the intent to patronize others (in the commentor's opinion) use a substandard quality product.

 

[rinehart0050]

I use my cellphone, and I have a problem with watches

@Ridge Runner you know, you're not wrong. Your cell phone tells more accurate time, doubles as a camera/video that's more capable than many dslr, and it's not on your wrist potentially catching glare from the sun or scratching a fine wooden stock.

For me, I like a mechanical watch for nostalgic reasons and for appreciation of the craftsmanship.

I find in many things I gravitate towards both the old/classic and the new/innovative. My guns range from a Blaser R8 to a hammer gun from 1879.

I think it's all good and to each their own.

 

[rinehart0050]

Here's a watch I've had my eye on: the Sinn Hunter 3006. Purpose-built for hunters in a very attractive green with complications including moonlight for illumination considerations. And it looks nice.

https://www.ablogtowatch.com/sinn-hunting-watch-3006-hands/

 

[Chago]

Here's a watch I've had my eye on: the Sinn Hunter 3006. Purpose-built for hunters in a very attractive green with complications including moonlight for illumination considerations. And it looks nice.
View attachment 352550

https://www.ablogtowatch.com/sinn-hunting-watch-3006-hands/

Wow I have never seen this before. Very nice.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Well I’m surprised that it took so long for this thread to come about and not surprised about our mutual administration for watches be it for whatever each persons reasons are.

I have been a automatic watch whore since my late teens and my father started me off with a Rolex as a graduation present. Since then I have accumulated over 20 automatics inculding Rolex, Omega, IWC, Hublot, Ulysse Nardin, and Rado. I love them all for different reasons.

I will admit that I read through this thread to see if I saw a watch to add to my collection and will admit I may have found a couple.

With all that said I usually hunt with my Luminox or Isobrite wrist watches for many f the reasons stated previously.

Great conversation on this thread and I wish all of you a successful return to the bush in the I hope not to distant future. Stay safe and be well!

 

[cls]

I have been a automatic watch whore since my late teens and my father started me off with a Rolex as a graduation present.

My father gave me a Samsonite suitcase and a 6 pack of beer for a grad present.

 

[spike.t]

I started this thread by saying the suunto Traverse Alpha is good for nothing lol. Battery life in gps mode is 5-6 hours maximum. Which is ridiculous for a watch marketed at hunters. My Garmin 66i hand held gps Will run 200 hours in power saving mode. And 40 hours in normal mode but I typically get more then advertised. I can charge every second day ultimately. I carry a 24,000mah battery. My local hunts have no cell signal or power. So this battery can charge my gps handheld, headlamp etc.

But I have also tried the Garmin GPS watch. Battery was much better. But the Fenix watch is more expensive then my 66i handheld. And the 66i has a much larger screen, and has inreach capability so I can text home every evening. It send my wife 10 minute updates automatically with my location etc. That way if anything happens she can provide that info to whomever needed to come find me. And again all that is less money then a Fenix watch. So for me it's a no brainer. Run my 66i. And bring out my Swiss watch lol.

Remember to take it off when you get back home and have a night out with the boys......

 

[wesheltonj]

Not many folks out there who would still know how to use a watch as a compass. First learned in Boy Scouts and then reinforced in Ranger School. Those analog lads were pretty amazing fellows. I heard they even went to the moon!

Eagle Scout and I am sure that I learned that skill, but I cannot remember it.

 

[Alistair]

Well I’m surprised that it took so long for this thread to come about and not surprised about our mutual administration for watches be it for whatever each persons reasons are.

I have been a automatic watch whore since my late teens and my father started me off with a Rolex as a graduation present. Since then I have accumulated over 20 automatics inculding Rolex, Omega, IWC, Hublot, Ulysse Nardin, and Rado. I love them all for different reasons.

I will admit that I read through this thread to see if I saw a watch to add to my collection and will admit I may have found a couple.

With all that said I usually hunt with my Luminox or Isobrite wrist watches for many f the reasons stated previously.

Great conversation on this thread and I wish all of you a successful return to the bush in the I hope not to distant future. Stay safe and be well!

Yeah, I got my first 'nice' automatic as a graduation gift as well. An Omega Planet Ocean. I did have a Seiko 5 beforehand, but whilst I still love it and use it, it's not quite the same.

The Sinn pieces are nice, but I'm holding out in the hope they might do their own in-house movements. Ditto on the Moonwatch really. Omega have recently re-introduced the Calibre 321 in this range and once it's down to 'normal' as opposed to 'limited edition' pricing, I think I might have to get one.

Al

 

[Hank2211]

Allright. Earlier I posted that I wear a Timex Expedition while hunting. And since I've been shamed by all the Rolexes, Omegas, Breitlings, Tags, etc. So from now on, I will be wearing my "dress watch" on all further hunts.

Herewith, on the same lion's head as before:

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Flip Hank2211, what a relief to get to the end and learn that it's on a lion - i was thinking heck, this okes got hairy arms!

 

[Adam Stevens]

Wore my normal watch over there. Doxa 4000T. Alittle heavy but I have it on a Od green strap.

I never even thought about theft, something while going through Johannesburg, my spidey senses were tingling, so I took of my wrist while going through security and put back on after. For no real reason besides some internal hunch. And probably a wrong one.

Doxa’s have been my go too since I was able to afford one. Growing up my father and I read all the Dirk Pitt series written by Cliver Cussler in which the hero wears a Doxa dive watch.