According to the redondancy principle, I guess you should wear two of each !
Don't you have two wrists and two ankles ?? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Good thread. I have been thinking of getting a watch with a compass, but having never had one--are they really any good??? It would be great to have a good compass in your watch--IF they work!

A few years ago, I bought a Seiko kinetic. Nice looking and the kenetic system appealed to me. The price was then in the 450-500 US dollars range.
I was very disappointed when the kinetic system failed after about 3-4 years.
It has been repaired, but I don't know how long it will keep working.

My previous Seiko, much cheaper - coin cell operated - is still working, after some 25 or 30 years. At least the analog part is OK ; but I no longer can set the digital time and date ! I haven't tried to get it fixed.
Anyway, it worked correctly for a looong time and is well paid off...

I don't know if it's any good, but I like the looks of the LL Bean "Field Watch" ($89) with a black face:

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...onent=undefined

I am with you on having a less expensive watch for the field! I can't tell you how many semi-expensive watches I beat to death in the Army! I also have a St. Moritz "Zero" model on a nylon strap. They are ok timpieces. One thing to keep in mind about watches, some that offer "Swiss movements" and all that are good watches however, some of those Swiss movements are not that expensive. What I mean by that is, there are loads of $200 and up watches that have $30-$70 movements, usually ETA Swiss movements. They are good movements for sure, but why pay $400 for a watch that really could be priced at $150? Always do some research on potentially expensive purchases! I learned the hard way over the years!
Even the new Omega Seamaster Pro that sells for close to $2K retail only has a modified $300 movement in it.
Anyways, I think your field watch choices are good ones!
Cheers!

Frenchy:

You have to be very careful about wearing (2) watches.

People might think you are a two-timer! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bountyhunter

Or that it's 2 o'clock. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Two watches reflecting your image at the same time would make you TWO-FACED.

Bountyhunter

Fordwillman,

I just set it on my desk, and it's pointing north. Granted, it's button-compass sized, but it's better than nothing. In a true survival situation I'd want a real compass.

Check out Countycomm Government Products Group for some current issue US military watches. Also, Harold Marx at West Coast Time has some interesting stuff...