Top 5 Reasons to Own a Watch while on Active Duty (2022)
USS Wisconsin BB 64
Photo Credit: Author
Are you on active duty and have ever wondered if you should purchase or own a watch?
Do you have a smartwatch and feel like it lacks character and the ability to highlight your personality? I’ve heard these questions come up in conversations within my circle and thought I would provide you with five reasons why you should own a wristwatch while on active duty.
1. Operational Security:
a. Until someone can hack or track your Omega Speed master, it’s a safe bet that wearing your Speedy vice a “smartwatch” greatly improves your operational security. Smartwatches can provide location data via GPS or be hacked.
b. While the rest of this article will take on a humorous tone, I am dead serious about this recommendation. A mechanical watch will not disclose the location of you or your unit. Be safe out there but be smart too. Check out these articles below that highlight some instances of smartwatches gone bad:
The Garmin Ransom Case: From Medical Data To Military Secrets
2. Not Tech Dependent:
a. Let’s face it; a mechanical watch doesn’t require updates, virus scans, or tech refreshes. To keep your mechanical watch working, you don’t have to track down a plug or a converter for international outlets. Also, how much time would you save while on liberty if you didn’t have to find a place to charge your watch and your phone? More time=more fun.
3. Personality:
a. Back when I joined the Navy, expressions of personality while in uniform were limited to your literal personality. As times have changed, uniform regulations have adapted to allow avenues in expressing one’s personality via their hair, tattoos, and jewelry. Why not express yourself with a timepiece that screams “you”?
4. Dependability:
a. Most mechanical watches require manual or automatic winding, and voila! They work. Some higher-end Swiss COSC certified timepieces run within -4/+6 seconds a day. Do you want to be at your appointed place on time? A wristwatch can help you get there. If you desire dependability, go with a quartz watch. They are the most accurate watches ever made and most batteries last years. Change out the battery before deployment, and you’re good to go.
b. Being on time will increase your dependability as well. Just saying.
5. Legacy:
a. Whether you’re a one-tour wonder or a lifer like me, having a timepiece by your side to commemorate your service and possibly pass it on to someone is priceless. Even if you do your first tour and roll out, a nice watch can celebrate the occasion and mark the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Conversely, having a timepiece for the whole ride engrains the stories and lessons learned during your enlistment into something you can wear. The watch is a companion, a tool, and a reminder of all that you accomplished. It’s part of your legacy.
Knowing what I know now, I regret not having a timepiece as a companion during my career. It's never too late for you, though!
I hope these five recommendations help you figure out if you should own a wristwatch while on active duty.
