With rugged watches, durability and functionality are not just a plus but also a must. ProTek is one of those brands that have tried to satisfy this demand with a range of reliable, performance-driven timepieces intended for those who need more from their gear. Be it across unforgiving landscapes, in emergency responses, or simply an active lifestyle, ProTek provides a cogent mix of utility and design.
The grab-and-go quartz watch is a trope in this hobby. Similar to the line of thinking that “I have to have a chronograph, and a dive watch, and a dress watch,” the grab-and-go quartz is there to fill a niche, one which relegates the quartz watch to one of last resort. It’s a grudging admission of the functional superiority of the movement type, but doesn’t give it the dignity of something you would choose, if you had time.
In watch culture today, “tool watches” are those meant for physical activity; the gym, swimming, scaling Mount Everest, setting new freediving records – you know, the things we all do, all the time. In reality, every watch is a tool, regardless of its water resistance rating or its ability to survive a drop from a three-story building. Organizing human activity is a major logistical challenge, and many require timing and coordination, though the degree to which that’s true varies. Timing military operations to achieve maximum pressure on the objective needs a little bit more coordination than meeting with some friends for lunch across town (though that may depend on the friend group).
The uniform is uniform, but the watch remains an expressive blend of utility and aesthetic style unique to that military professional. Not exclusive to, but prevalent within the Special Operations community is the facilitation of relationships through common interests. The first SOF Truth states: “humans are more important than hardware”. For the Special Operations professional, people—not equipment, make the critical difference. Ironically, many of us are bonding over hardware…our watches.
It’s been almost ten years since we’ve started the Two Broke Watch Snobs podcast and when I sit back to think about that, I can’t help but realize how much this hobby has monopolized my time and headspace. It’s not really a bad thing, well not all the time. But this year I really tried to be mindful about how much this deep interest impacted my day-to-day life, especially all the time that it takes up between family and work obligations. The truth is—and I think deep down we all know this—watch collecting is an exceedingly unnecessary endeavor when you think about life at a macroscopic scale.
In a shadowy world of spies, double agents, black ops soldiers, and even zombies, watches can be essential tools used to coordinate attacks, anticipate timed explosives, and a variety of other tasks, especially when it’s 1991. But in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and real life 2024, they are primarily a fashion statement.
When it comes to provenance, nothing has less of it than an AliExpress homage. On this online platform based in China that sells inexpensive Chinese products, there are plenty of watch brands (or should I say manufacturers?) offering copycat versions of watches with actual provenance. Selling everything from look-alike Seiko Turtles to Omega Seamasters, these brands specialize in affordable (often in the $100 to $300 dollar range) versions of popular watches.
Watch budgeting is a funny thing. For most collectors, it involves a significant amount of mental gymnastics as money is moved in and out of an imaginary bank. We say things like “sorry, no funds in the watch bank” when our friends are selling a watch we don’t want to buy. But when Jomashop is offering a deal on that Seiko we’ve been lusting over, funds are magically ready for immediate withdrawal. Sometimes this is because we’ve recently sold some watches and actually have a positive balance in the watch bank. But often, we buy that new Seiko on “credit” with a self-promise to liquidate the current collection to restore financial balance.
Swiss watch brands are generally synonymous with luxury, fine craftsmanship, and status. But there are two issues everyone must consider when evaluating these brands: (1) “Swiss Made” is a very specific designation that is government-regulated; and (2) not all Swiss watch brands are created equal…
A new brand is carving its niche in the world of affordable luxury timepieces. Established in 2019, Oceaneva has swiftly garnered acclaim, delivering a fusion of craftsmanship, innovation, and adventure. As the brand marks its fifth anniversary this year, we invite you to delve into their steadfast commitment to excellence and our relentless quest for perfection.