Watches With Military Roots for the Veterans In Your Life

Each year, America celebrates Veterans Day on November 11. This federal holiday is a celebration of the incredible courage and bravery displayed by our armed forces as they fight for our values and freedom across the globe.

As part of our reflection on the immense gratitude and debt that we owe these tenacious service members, we have put together a list of some truly special watches that have military connections of their own. These timepieces have seen combat around the world, standing the test of time to triumph over our enemies. They signify honor, dignity, and fortitude of spirit.

Many of watchmaking’s most prestigious brands have a history of creating exceptional watches for military purposes. Brands like Breitling, Rolex, and Panerai all have rich backgrounds in crafting timepieces for special forces and military standouts. Today, we are going to dive into some of the most memorable watches that carry with them a military reputation fit for the history books. Any one of these elite timepieces would be the perfect gift for the Veteran or military history enthusiast in your family.

Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11, no matter which day of the week that date falls on. Why? Well, the story goes back to World War I, known at the time as “The Great War.” Although WWI officially ended on June 28, 1919, the fighting actually stopped seven months earlier, back in November 1918, due to an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany. This armistice, which means a temporary cessation of hostilities, went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year: 11 o’clock on November 11.

In 1938, November 11 was made an official holiday known as “Armistice Day.” It was primarily a day dedicated to celebrating Veterans of World War I. Then, in 1954, as new law replaced “Armistice Day” with “Veterans Day,” a holiday aimed at honoring Veterans from all wars. This date is important due to its historical significance, but also because it reminds us to solemnly recognize the patriotism, love of country, willingness to serve, and sacrifices of Veterans throughout all different periods of the United States’ history.

Serving in the military is a profession that demands being on time. In fact, you might have heard the expression, “early is on time and on time is late.” For anyone who has dedicated all or part of their life to serving our country, punctuality is often an important value. Honor their commitment and sacrifice with a gift that will make them feel seen and understood. Plus, the unique military history of these watches will always give them something to talk about.

You cannot write an article about military watches without touching on the Rolex Submariner, which is perhaps the best-known luxury watch gone military of all time. Beginning with the first Submariner reference in 1954, these watches were a staple of the British Ministry of Defense. Models crafted for actual military use from this time period are extremely coveted and can sell for tens of thousands of dollars (or more) on the secondary market.

The good news is that you can buy a civilian model of the Rolex Submariner for much less and have nearly all of the same features. Submariner watches are known for their incredible water resistance, legibility, and functionality. They are versatile and comfortable, and they are just as popular with celebrities as they are with rugged adventurers. Later models, like the Deepsea, pushed the advancements of the Submariner even further, introducing enhanced water resistance secure enough to accompany James Cameron to the bottom of the Mariana Trench (the deepest known point in the ocean).

In 1967, Tudor became the official watch supplier of the U.S. Navy, producing a watch called the “Commando.” Although the Commando was never mass-produced, it served as the blueprint for the ever-popular Black Bay model. With many military watches, you will see some standard features: legibility for low-light conditions, high levels of water resistance, and impressive durability. The modern Tudor Black Bay has all of that and more.

From diving adventures to everyday wear, the Black Bay is sure to become a standout member of any watch collection. This gorgeous watch has 200 meters (650 feet) of water resistance and a lengthy power reserve. The eye-catching red bezel perfectly complements the sleek black dial and luminous hour markers that make it easy to tell the time. The 41 mm size is versatile and wearable, and the stainless steel construction adds heavy-duty protection. Whether you are treating yourself or shopping for someone with Naval history on your holiday gift list, you cannot go wrong with a Tudor Black Bay.

You might have seen Panerai watches featured in the Sylvester Stallone action film Daylight, but this watch has a history of military action far beyond the 1990s. The Florence-based brand was founded in the 1860s and was initially a supplier of timepieces for the Italian Navy. In the more than 150 years since its inception, the company has also been commissioned to craft timepieces for many other armies, including Egypt’s national force. Why? Its endlessly masculine watches are built to withstand the toughest conditions without sacrificing an adventurous yet classic look.

In the late 20th century, Panerai transitioned away from military watchmaking and sought a foothold in the luxury space. Still, its exquisite timepieces (such as the Panerai Radiomir pictured above) epitomize the brand’s dedication to precision timekeeping, versatility, durability, and sophistication. Anyone who loves military history or has served in the military themselves will certainly appreciate the history and elegance of a Panerai timepiece.

Although Breitling was founded in 1884 in Switzerland, it was not until the 1930s and 1940s that its foray into military watches truly began. In these war-torn decades, Breitling became an important supplier for pilots around the world. The previous two watches we spotlighted were important for naval exploration, but Breitling was focused on aviation. Its Chronomat and Navitimer lines became essential wristwear for pilots who needed to perform navigational calculations on the go.

Today, Breitling combines this rich heritage in aviation with modern takes on its classic designs. You are just as likely to see a Breitling watch on the wrist of a commercial airline pilot as you are on a red carpet. In fact, the Breitling Galactic and Chronomat have both been photographed on high-profile wrists recently. Breitling has amassed an impressive roster of celebrity partners, ranging from Charlize Theron to Austin Butler to Adam Driver. We would consider ourselves lucky to be considered part of that group, and we bet you will, too.

Of course, Breitling did not have a total monopoly on pilot’s watches for the armed forces. The Rolex GMT-Master has also proven to be a favorite, and its easy-to-use dual time zone function is much-loved by both military and commercial pilots. If you are shopping for a gift for someone who has served in the U.S. Air Force, a Rolex GMT-Master watch is a no brainer.

Although Rolex has since discontinued the original GMT-Master line, you can still find some of these classic vintage watches on the secondary market. Luckily, the brand revamped this iconic silhouette with the GMT-Master II line, which adds a modern spin to the original collection. Whether you opt for an GMT-Master or a GMT-Master II, you will see an eye-catching dual colored bezel, luminous hands and hour markers, and a high-contrast dial to ensure legibility. Made for wherever the wind blows, a GMT-Master watch is an instant classic.

This Veterans Day, shop for a truly special gift that recognizes the sacrifice, commitment, and patriotism of the Veterans in your life. Whether you choose one of the military watches listed above or opt for another elite timepiece from our inventory, our dedicated customer service team is here to help you pinpoint the perfect piece. We specialize in world-renowned watches from brands like Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex. Plus, we even have our very own collection of Avi & Co. watches and a collection of fine diamond jewelry. In other words, your holiday shopping has never looked better.

Make an appointment today to shop with us in person at any one of our three boutique locations: Find us in Aspen, New York City, and Miami. We cannot wait to welcome you into the Avi & Co. family!