Reader John Greysmith wrote us, asking about a watch so bright it can be used to “signal aircraft.” Crazy hype or best watch ever? Feel free to write us at [email protected] and let us know what you think—and if you can find it cheaper than 400 clams.
John’s email after the jump.
UPDATE after jump.
Last month I bought a watch from www.specialopswatch.com for my brother in Iraq. This watch was the heaviest watch I have ever held. It has the brightest light ever put into a watch that can be seen up to 1 mile away in the dark. My brother says they use it light up maps and signal to each other in in the dark and to signal aircraft. It had it’s own electromagnetic charging system.
The company claimed that they do not sell to stores and I have not been able to find any stores carrying it, The price was $400 not bad but I am wondering if you have seen it being sold cheaper anywhere else. Half of my brothers company wear them. He is in a special forces unit now in Iraq.
Product Page [SpecialOpsWatch]
UPDATE – Rusty writes:
I have seen this watch before, at kiosks run by the Dakota Watch Company in
my local mall, as a “Torch” model. Well, not THIS watch, this particular
face and band I have not seen. But induction-charged watches with
dual-function LEDs in that triple-mount, absolutely.
The real giveaway that we’re dealing with the same watch is the induction
charger. If you hunt around on the Special Ops site, you’ll see an image of
the charger identical to the drawing on Dakota’s page.
This is the watch’s manufacturer:
REQ, or “Ricoh Elemex Corporation.” No idea if that’s the same Ricoh that
makes copiers. REQ appears to be entirely an OEM manufacturer. REQ’s page
pictures a different version of the charger, probably a first-generation
version. I’ve seen that version at the Dakota kiosks. I haven’t handled
one of these watches, but I imagine the weight is due to the induction
charger and battery setup (plus the beefy band/bezel.)
It’s hard to tell if the Dakota watches are less “tough” than the Special
Ops version, and they certainly don’t look quite as butch, but I have no
doubt that the specs (and internal workings) are identical. The Dakotas
sell for $195-$250, and the $195 versions do look a bit manlier.
Dakota has a reputation for very high markups. So yes, I imagine the
double-Dakota’s-already-inflated-price Special Ops watch is in keeping with
the time-honored tradition of gouging the military. But a useful military
design, I would think.
