How do intel and SOF afford Tudor/Omega etc?
First, not every HUMINT collector or military “operator” wears a mechanical timepiece, let alone a luxury watch. It is easy to get this impression given the content at W.O.E., as there is a clear selection bias for the stories we tell. Today the vast majority of “operators” rely on digital tool watches (DTWs).
That said, there is a strong watch culture in both the mil and intel circles, and the percentage of individuals that have mechanical and even luxury “tool watches” likely exceeds that of the civilian counterparts. The reason for this is just as much (if not more) culture than anything else.
So how do we afford them? The short answer is, the same as everyone else. They work hard and save up. If you have spent the last 10-20 years in an operational capacity, you have likely spent several years deployed to a conflict or other hardship post and the government has compensated you (relatively) appropriately. Some reenlistment bonuses were in the $10-40k range. While you will not become rich from this calling, you will likely have earned enough disposable income and it can be used at your discretion to fund your hobbies and interests. Many choose to use some of the funds to purchase a watch.
While a CIA salary does not support an extensive watch collection, when officers deploy for an extended period, their pay can almost double while their personal expenses are minimized. After returning from a deployment or LTTDY, some officers take a portion of their savings and purchase a watch to discreetly commemorate the accomplishment.
Also, some of the unit watches are discounted by the brands, which is always cool.
-W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtools
NEW YouTube: Tudors Of Espionage: A Military Watch Icon (link in bio)
Only one Swiss watch brand can claim to have been worn by everyone from Navy SEALs in the Vietnam War to the modern US Secret Service Counter Assault Team and the French Commando Hubert Combat Swimmers, and that brand is Tudor.
While the broader industry trends toward luxury, Tudor continues to carry the proverbial tool watch torch.
In our new episode, we discuss Tudor’s links to the military while also unpacking the modern phenomenon of Tudors of Espionage or T.O.E.
Bottom line up front, the Shield protects the Crown.
Enjoy episode twenty-seven of W.O.E. TV.
Happy Hunting,
-W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtoolswisely
What products would you like to see from W.O.E.? At Watches of Espionage, we are our first customer. Our product development model is to partner with true professionals, masters of their craft, to develop distinct and highly-functional products that honor our community and our core belief that you should “use your tools.” If it doesn’t follow our mantra, it doesn’t get made. We design products for ourselves. I am really proud of everything we have put out and it’s cool to see and feel support from the community. Thank you. We have some exciting things in the works for this year, both new tools and additional iterations. So, what else would you like to see? Happy hunting, -W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtools
NEW VIDEO: Watches of Artemis II & Space Exploration
When the Artemis II astronauts blasted off on mankind’s first trip to the Moon in over fifty years, they wore notable watches from Breitling and Omega.
The internet did its thing, W.O.E. and others were on it, and the astronauts and their watches went viral, which was great to see.
Like the military, special operations, and the intelligence community, astronauts have a long history of using timepieces as tools that dates back to the earliest days of space exploration.
In our new video, we discuss the watches used as tools by astronauts both then and now, because in space, a watch is never just a watch.
Enjoy episode forty-four of W.O.E. TV.
Happy Hunting,
-W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtools
Not Sponsored - I often see people chirpin, especially on our videos, that our content is sponsored and/or paid coverage: “This is clearly a commercial for (insert watch brand) chirp, chirp”.
I want to be very clear: We have never accepted a penny from any watch brand. W.O.E. coverage is earned. We cover brands that have strong adoption in our community, not because a marketing suit is writing us a check.
I do think there needs to be more transparency in “watch media” and what is paid coverage. There is a certain irony about the CIA guy preaching ethics in journalism, but getting paid to cover watches is a conflict of interest. You cannot truly be objective if you are accepting money from brands you cover. That might give some people big feelings, but it is true.
We are fortunate to have a community that supports us, so we don’t have to suck on the teet of the watch industry. That is something I am proud of and think there are very few, if any, other content creators of our size and influence that can say that (humble brag).
Thank you for attending my TED talk.
-W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtools #notanad
Jack Carr - Former SEAL turned best-selling author, recently visited Vietnam with MACV-SOG veterans and wore a “SOG Seiko,” one of the four nonattributable watches issued to Recon Men during the conflict.
I have gotten to know Jack over the past few years, working on several projects, and he wrote a section for our upcoming coffee table book on his Sea-Dweller that he received after finishing BUD/S. Suffice to say, Jack is one of us. He appreciates watches for all the right reasons and has masterfully worked them into his books.
This week, Jack released his most recent book, The Fourth Option, about a SEAL turned Agency officer. I was fortunate to read an early copy and just received this incredible case.
Thanks so much, Jack. It’s inspiring to see your success and all you have done for the community. W.O.E. would not exist in its current form without your early and steadfast support.
-W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtools @jackcarrusa
Graduation Watches for the W.O.E. Community (Dispatch Live)
“Hey W.O.E., my son/daughter is graduating next month, and I want to get them a watch to commemorate the achievement. What do you recommend?”
This is a question we are commonly asked, and whether your grad is coming out of a service academy, a military training pipeline, a traditional university, a trade program, or even high school, we would argue that a watch is one of the most meaningful gifts you could give.
With that in mind, this week, we share a comprehensive guide full of great timepieces for the graduate in your life, all tailored to the needs of the W.O.E. Community.
We have included some commemorative / unit watches for several academies, fun fact, USNA is sketchier than West Point.
Enjoy the read,
-W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtools
Why wear a luxury watch in combat? A blend of culture and utility.
Former Marine/CIA Paramilitary officer Elliot Ackerman discusses watch culture in the Special Operations community during a recent interview for W.O.E. TV.
-W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtools
US Army redacting watches?
Recently we have noticed a trend, official DOD photographers are redacting watches. As a borderline sociopath/narcissist, my first thought was they are trying to make my job harder. But Occam’s Razor suggests this is likely an acknowledgement to the CI risks of the information displayed on the screen.
This picture of SOF snipers during a training course in Germany in December appears to show a Garmin. Some of the information that could be visible on smartwatches includes real-time health, fitness, and communication data, including heart rate, sleep tracking, GPS navigation, messages, calls, and calendar notifications.
Overall, the acknowledgment of the CI risks of smartwatches is a good thing, just please don’t cover up our unit watches.
-W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtools
The Watches of General Dan “Razin” Caine (Link in bio)
If there is one thing we have learned, it is that watch nerds are everywhere, from the military to special operations and the highest levels of government.
Today, there is perhaps no better example than General Dan “Razin” Caine. This week, we unpack the Joint Chiefs Chairman’s impressive timepiece collection, which includes notable timepieces from Rolex, Breitling, and JLC.
Caine is, without a doubt, one of us.
Enjoy the read,
-W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtools
A SEAL’s Rolex Sub On Operation Neptune Spear
SEAL and dog handler Will Chesney wore this Rolex Submariner on the raid that brought the architect of 9/11 to justice 15 years ago. Why wear a Rolex on this operation?
Chesney, believed he was going to die that night in Pakistan. He reasoned that he might as well take his most meaningful watch with him for his final ride. He bluntly told me that, “the watch would burn up with me.”
Chesney’s Sub was a late-2000s no-date 14060, often considered the last of the classic Submariners. He bought it after passing selection for Naval Special Warfare Development Group in 2008, later engraving the caseback with the Red Squadron “Red Man” insignia, the same emblem he carried into the raid.
We have an article on Chesney and his Rolex on the site. I also recommend reading No Ordinary Dog, a powerful read that explores the genuine emotional bond between a warrior and his military working dog.
The box behind the watch/Trident contains Cairo’s ashes. @willcheeese
-W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtools
NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO: The Rolex Explorer II of a CIA Paramilitary Officer, Marine, & Best-Selling Author
Our friend Elliot Ackerman is a former Marine Infantry Officer, Marine Raider, and CIA Paramilitary Officer who went on to become a best-selling author.
The one constant throughout Elliot’s incredible life of service was the Rolex Explorer II on his wrist.
In the newest episode of W.O.E. TV, I sit down with Elliot to talk about the weathered Rolex he has used as a tool every day for twenty years. We get into some fun topics including watch culture in SOF, the early days of MARSOC, life in Ground Branch and Case Officer training at the Farm.
Enjoy episode forty-five of W.O.E. TV and thank you to @elliot.ackerman
Happy Hunting,
-W.O.E.
#watchesofespionage #useyourtools
