The vintage military watches are often seen as collection pieces unsuitable for the modern everyday use.
But the truth is that these timepieces are nothing but a practical, durable and sober expression of the modern tactical watches manufactured according to the modern trends.
And as odd as it may seem, the models of vintage military watches for men enjoy a huge popularity.
The reasons that stand behind the choice of such a timepiece are two, the desire to enrich a well-curated collection or the desire to wear a watch that is classy yet extremely functional.
If in the first case, the buyer will always search for an original vintage military timepiece, while the consumers in the second category often prefer choosing vintage-inspired pieces that are more affordable yet equally sophisticated and accurate as the best swiss military watch.
We aim to address both categories, and for this reason, our vintage military watches reviews include both original and vintage-inspired timepieces.
Our Reviews Of The Best Vintage Military Watches
#1 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116506 Watch
Our first pick is the Cosmograph Daytona by Rolex. The manufacturer launched the Daytona collection in 1963 and even if the line received a few updates during the years, Rolex Daytona watches are unanimously considered true vintage pieces.
Rolex dedicated this line to professional pilots, the Cosmograph Daytona 116506 being probably the most stylish of the collection.
This watch is made of platinum and impresses with its ice-blue analog dial protected by a scratch-resistant anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
The motion is ensured by a self-winding mechanism, the watch presenting a second hand and a tachometer on the outer rim.
Apart from the tachometer, this watch is also water resistant at 330 feet.
Although the price may be considered by many quite prohibitive, a lot of users still appreciate the everlasting characteristics of the brand.
Daytona’s most appreciated features are the accuracy and reliability of the watch, even if some argue that, from an aesthetic point of view, the manufacturer could have done better.
If you’d ask us, the Cosmograph Daytona is a dependable timepiece that’s not only ideal as a men’s watch, but is also perfect for the women’s military watches category.
#2 Bertucci A-2T Vintage Watch
Bertucci is a rather young company.
The manufacturer only launched its first military watch in 2003 and in 2008 it launched its first and most popular vintage-inspired military watch, the A-2T, a timepiece that follows the lines of the vintage infantry watches.
The analog dial is simple, yet the watch perfectly combines the benefits of today’s technology with the classy elements of the past.
As such, the dial has super luminous marks and the hands are also self-illuminated.
The movement is ensured by a Swiss quartz mechanism and the dial is protected by a hardened mineral crystal window.
The watch is water resistant at 330 feet; apart from this, it doesn’t have any other tactical features but it still is a wonderful choice if what you’re searching for is a vintage inspired piece.
#3 Timex Weekender Chronograph Watch
Another model to consider is the Weekender Chronograph. We’re impressed with how Timex designed this classic watch since they mostly manufacture rugged watches.
This watch is a beautiful vintage-inspired military timepiece characterized by a traditional round dial with Arabic numbers and 24 hours marks.
A date window is located at 4 o’clock and the chronograph function makes this watch a great alternative to the modern tactical watches.
The model is manufactured in a wide range of colors and the users can also choose the preferred wristband from the available options, that range from genuine leather to canvas.
According to the users’ reviews, the only drawback of this watch is the low water resistance, that is only 100 feet.
#4 Fossil Men’s Grant Stainless Steel Chronograph Quartz Watch
Another vintage-inspired timepiece that impressed us is the one-of-a-kind Grant watch by Fossil.
This watch strikes with its vintage look – a navy blue dial paired with a shiny rose gold-tone plated stainless steel case and chronograph movement.
The design is completed by a brown genuine leather wristband which can be interchanged with any Fossil 22 mm straps.
The Fossil Grant is water-resistant up to 165 feet and its quartz mechanism ensures the high precision and reliability of the timepiece.
Sold at an affordable price, it is easy to understand why many users consider it a top vintage military watch.
Not into classic ensembles? We got you! Here’s our take on the best military digital watches.
#5 Victorinox Infantry Swiss Watch
We can only end our list with a watch inspired by the Victorinox signature vintage Infantry Swiss Military watch.
The upgraded version pays tribute to the original, the manufacturer respecting the vintage design.
This watch has a traditional round stainless steel case and an analog dial with beautiful Arabic numbers that mark the hours a magnifying window for the date is positioned at three o’clock and the look is completed by the genuine leather wristband.
The motion is ensured by a quartz mechanism, but Victorinox manufactures the same model in two other versions, among which we can also find a mechanical one.
The watch is water resistant, scratch resistant and extremely accurate. The second hand and the self-luminescence are further characteristics that define the manufacturer’s reliability.
If you want watches with long-lasting glow-in-the-dark features, check out our article on tritium watches.
They didn’t make it to our top five, but as we all know, Casio and SUUNTO Core also make the toughest watches. They may not be vintage, but they’re equally accurate and sturdy. Here they are if you’re curious; G-Shock military watches, Casio G7900 review, and SUUNTO Core all black review.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear that the best vintage military watch available on the market is the Rolex Daytona 116506 watch.
The brand’s name is synonym with everlasting watches, fine precision technology, and opulent luxury.
Many may argue that this watch is not for everyone since there are a lot of other military watch brands out there. And in fact, it’s true. But when it comes to choosing a vintage timepiece, Rolex has no competitors.
Beginning with the style and ending with the durability and reliability of Rolex watches, there are plenty of reasons why investing in one is a wonderful idea.
Check out our guide on the best military watches for a list of incredibly functional and reliable watches. We’ve also put together articles about special forces watches and the US military watch standard issue for those who want watches made under military standards.
If you love going on camping and hiking trips, you’d need a tactical GPS watch with tools you can use in the wild. You can also take a look at our top outdoor watches picks this year.
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Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product API
