CWC G10

[tribe125]

In general

An odd thing, the G10. For British watch enthusiasts, they're like curiously shaped pebbles on the beach. Without knowing quite why, you find you've put one in your pocket and taken it home. Older tritium examples are hard to resist when they're cheap.

You don't buy a G10 because you like it, but because it's an artefact. I do like the battery hatch, though - and the whiff of bare bones economy. In some ways, the austerity of the G10 represents the end of the line for the British military watch, and that's probably why I picked it up and took it home.

Most of the servicemen they were made for can't imagine why anyone would want one, unless they were handed out for free. But for an army-cranky and consumer-resistant watch with fixed 19mm lugs it can't be beat.






In particular

This is an issued example from Anchor Supplies, a military surplus store. The numbers on the back (0552) indicate that it was procured for the Royal Navy in 1990. There are signs of wear ('NATO rash', a couple of minor scuffs) but it's pretty clean. My sailor must have been the elite kind that doesn't bump into things. The acrylic crystal is unmarked but Anchor Supplies may well have fitted a new one.

And now I think about it, there isn't much point in having one that wasn't issued. A fresh one is less of an artefact - and you're paying too much for an odd thing.





In spite of my faint praise I find I like it - much more than I was expecting to. I once had a modern Precista version but this one prompts a different and warmer response. It's because it's real, and it's been used as intended.

On the wrist, I like its lack of physical presence, and its air of 'nothing more than is strictly necessary'. I like the tritium lume contrasting with the numerals. I like the careless scratches on the battery hatch. The ETA quartz movement does a decent job of hitting the markers.

It also helps that I have an affection for CWC, especially after visiting Silvermans, the offbeat emporium in East London that owns the brand. Anchor Supplies is a similar outfit, happy to sell you Land Rover camo netting or a gas mask as a 'gift idea'. From conception and procurement to disposal, the watch is impregnated with Britishness - of the faintly ramshackle kind. You couldn't buy a Swiss watch that was less Swiss.

I like my Grey Funnel Line watch, all plain and ordinary.

It came on an 18mm NATO, as specified by the MOD, but the trademark gap is more authenticity than I can take. I'm using a 19mm strap from Watch Gecko with the NATO loop removed.

[watchdaddy1]

I like this. Is this the £95.00 1 on there site?

[is that my watch]

I like them that much I bought two and they ant let me down yet and would love one of there early mech's and or a chrono one

[is that my watch]

oh pic

[tribe125]

I like this. Is this the £95.00 1 on there site?

That's the one. 'A Grade' rather than 'Unissued'.

[is that my watch]

I like this. Is this the £95.00 1 on there site?

for the £95 I would look for a second hand fatboy as these have a higher following and are more sort after

[watchdaddy1]

​Im hovering over the buy now button.

[is that my watch]

​Im hovering over the buy now button.

you can get them cheaper I bought a 2005 and a 2006 last year for under £50 each so if you are to shop around as silvermans is a tad expensive if you want I will hunt up the link to the guy I used his prices was well reasonable

[tribe125]

for the £95 I would look for a second hand fatboy as these have a higher following and are more sort after

Too fat. Thin is good. Never mind rarity.

[Smeagal]

The nato strap is from 1991 but the G10 watch is a lot later, small but very striking will not part with I left the army in 1991 after Op Granby others would know it as desert storm