I need to vent... I'm on my thrid Luminox Navy Seal watch already. I fear for life of our Seals if they are using these watches to keep time. I had a Citizen watch I used but if hands were not "recharged" by light they kind of didn't work in the middle of the night. I needed someting with continious glow, strong, durable and not light dependant. Obvious choice was Luminox with their design. I was amazed by clarity of the face and strong even glow. I admit first watch went thru hell and had a right to crack. But on two other ones front just cracked for no reason after three months of use. I guess EMS job is more demanding and physical than Navy Seals. Also coating on the back of the watch gets easly dissolved by sweat, and reacts with your skin. But the matter of fact is I need a new watch. Any recommendations? It has to be easy to read and show time <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. I don't really need pressure/temperature/moon phases readings. I need clear big hands and if there is an electronic display it needs to be backlighted.

Matt

I bought a tritium watch that's probably the same as yours but in the UK they're sold under the brand Traser. It hasn't broken during a year of abuse, but I did get that bad reaction to the back coating. In the end I scrubbed it off and it seems OK now. When this does die I won't be buying another, I think I'll go back to Casio (had an alti-barometer thing that was OK) or maybe try the Timex Expedition range.

I'd say go for a Casio G-Shock. I have been able to ruin a Sector Watch before but not a G-Shock yet. When I was in UK for rescue boat training I broke my Sector. Then my friend gave me a an Army watch which only lasted one and a half days. The very same day I bought a G-Shock. I am stil using it. I have done lots of heavy field work with it. The best part is it is cheap.

Burak

I, too, used to be a devotee of the Casio G-shock (there have been LOTS of models by this name). I've probably got three of them in drawers...

They lost me when they kept adding junk to the display and case that "looked neat" but didn't do anything worthwhile. It got ridiculous, there were things flashing and moving that had no apparent significance whatever.

I've been quite taken with the Suunto line. I wear a "Yachtsman" when I need a watch on weekends (what with a Palm and mobile phone that both tell time, I've given up wearing a watch most days). Large numerals, easy to read, backlit (electro-phosphorescent mumble), has been very sturdy so far, and though it's bulky, they're VERY lightweight (much lighter than the Casio) and the rounded contours mean that they intefere with sleeves much less- generally more comfortable.

Mine has a compass, barometer, and a bunch of timers of interest only to sailboat racers, but they seem to have dozens of models, one for almost every taste- unless, of course, you're locked into analog watches.

I prefer analoge watches for the simple reason that you are able to navigate with them (and what a great technique it is!).

Also quite a fan of Traser (hey McNab promotes them). BUT dont buy them on the high street. They are so over priced. It is the same with standard issue british army watches (if there is such as thing) on civvy street they cost £75 (source: FHM).

reinhardt

I am using this simple one:



Burak

]Polak187[

The Luminox watch that you have used is different to the one issued to the military.

History of tritium watch.
http://www.khs-watch.com/english/index.php?action=id11_story

Usually, I use a Gshock & rarely use my Luminox as I prefer a watch that has a date view.

Matt:

Try these guys. I have not bought a watch from them but they do stand behind what they sell.

Countycomm

The Marathon watches look nice and tough.

Chris

My personal selection is a Seiko Kinetic. Never needs a battery, self winding, glows all night using the slight electrical charge stored inside, waterproof, and has always been tough enough for me.

Costs a little more, but IMHO well worth every penny.

http://www.seikousa.com/Technology/TechHome.aspx?technologyId=2

You see I want a simple watch. I want nothing from it except to show time, be water proof to 100 meters and be very bright at night. I can settle for backlight but would prefer natural way. And that damn thing needs to be durable and take abuse. Yeah that marathon looks awfully similar to my watch. It's a gov't issue but I don't know if it is made any better than civilian version.

Matt