W.O.E. Tests the Myth that Shooting a Firearm Damages a Mechanical Watch
“How does shooting affect a mechanical watch?”
This is a question we are asked often. Use Your Tools is about using watches as intended. Whether we’re talking about practitioners in the military and law enforcement or regular guys who just enjoy a weekend at the range, this is a viable question.
The pervasive theory in the world of watch collecting is that shock and vibrations from shooting regularly can damage or even disable a mechanical watch movement. We have always found this challenging to believe, considering that mechanical watches were the only option for warfighters up until the advent of quartz technology in 1969. This means World War II and most of the Vietnam War were waged by soldiers wearing exclusively mechanical watches, many of whom did a whole lot of shooting. So were all of their watches damaged?
Instead of waxing theoretically about it, we decided to test it out. Last year, we purchased a new Tudor Pelagos FXD and gave it to our friends at GBRS Group to wear it on the range as they fired an assortment of long guns and pistols over the course of six months. We sent it to Greg Petronzi of True Patina to inspect and measure the watch before and after the stress test, and the results may surprise you.
Of course, with a single watch, this is not exactly a scientific experiment, but it does give a baseline understanding of how a modern watch will hold up to extensive time on the range.
Finally, we are now raffling off the watch to benefit Third Option Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the paramilitary officers and families from CIA’s Special Activities Center (learn more about our raffle HERE).
To get it out there front and center, this test was not sponsored by Tudor, GBRS Group, the US Government, or anyone else. Beyond buying the watch, which we did with our own money, not one dollar changed hands. A lot of people volunteered their time and resources to make this possible, and for that, we are grateful.
The number I was stuck on was 10,000 rounds, which is a lot, but I had a plan. For the watch, I wanted something with modern legitimacy in our community that also feels connected to the old-school mechanical watches of war. My answer: The Tudor Pelagos FXD.
Why the Tudor FXD?
The Tudor Pelagos FXD was designed in collaboration with the French Commando Hubert Combat Swimmers.
My reasoning was simple. The FXD is popular in our community and arguably the most “tool watch” of Tudor’s current lineup, but it still falls squarely in the luxury category. The original FXD was designed in collaboration with the French Commando Hubert Combat Swimmers, one of the only instances of a modern tool watch being developed with special operations end users in mind. In addition, Tudor’s history with military organizations dates back to the 1950s, when early versions of the Submariner were issued to French and US units, including the Underwater Demolition Teams that would become the SEAL Teams.
Times have changed. The majority of practitioners now trust Digital Tool Watches, and the modern Pelagos FXD we used in our test comes in at $4,900, which is a lot of money by any standard. Still, the watch feels connected to that golden era of tool watches and the Tudor Subs used by SOF in Vietnam and beyond. The modern Pelagos has also been selected as a Unit Watch by several modern SEAL Teams, and the combination of heritage and modern relevance makes the watch a great option for our test. We enjoy getting to the range, but to get to 10,000 rounds, I knew we’d need some help. Luckily, I know some guys.
GBRS Group
Cole and DJ putting the Pelagos FXD through its paces. (Photo Credit: GBRS Group)
The brainchild of former Navy SEALs DJ Shipley and Cole Fackler, both of whom served with SEAL Team Six, GBRS Group provides training and gear informed by the founders’ collective service in special operations. In addition, GBRS Group has a popular YouTube Channel where the founders and other members of the team dispense firearms instruction and gear reviews. In short, these guys do a lot of shooting and, important to our cause, DJ and Cole are passionate watch guys with impressive collections. When I asked DJ and Cole whether they’d be interested in helping us torture test the FXD for the sake of science and charity, they didn’t hesitate.
The 10,000 Round Torture Test
The rules for our torture test were relatively simple: to wear the watch while shooting 10,000 rounds. For the most relevant results, we asked the guys to stick to small arms, no 50 caliber or heavy artillery. Beyond that, we said, anything goes. Cole and DJ are intimately familiar with the Use Your Tools ethos, and we knew the watch would be in good hands. But before we let GBRS start the test, we sent the FXD to a watchmaker with close ties to our community to ensure it was in perfect working order and to establish some baseline values for the movement’s functioning.
Greg Petronzi - True Patina
Greg Petronzi is a qualified Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and the founder of True Patina, a watch repair and restoration business specializing in vintage military timepieces, including the Rolex and Tudor Submariners issued to the French Marine Nationale and the British Ministry of Defence. Greg is also the creator of TrueDome, which produces acrylic watch crystals to fit select Rolex and Tudor references. In addition to his work with private clients and being the personal owner of a Rolex MilSub, Greg also services rare watches for Hodinkee, prolific vintage dealer Eric Wind, and auctioneers like Philipps. Given how closely Greg’s interests align with W.O.E., we developed a friendship over the years, and he was also quick to jump at the opportunity to help us out with this unique project.
Tudor FXD Raffle to Benefit Third Option Foundation
Whatever shape the FXD is in after the test, we knew we’d have an awesome watch with an incredible story to tell, and raffling it off was always one of the most important aspects of this project. After the test, we engraved the caseback with an insignia designed by our friend Matt Ludvigson, whose grandfather served with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. The FXD is no longer in perfect condition, with many scratches and scars from the torture test, but that’s exactly the way we like it. The watch will be accompanied by all of the boxes, papers, and additional straps you would have received from the dealer, as well as a few extra W.O.E. goodies.
To give the watch a good home while benefiting Third Option Foundation to the fullest degree, we decided to set up a straightforward raffle with 100% of the proceeds going directly to TOF. We covered any costs, including buying the watch.
For a chance to win the watch, please consider purchasing a raffle ticket HERE. To create the most upside for Third Option Foundation, we’re not going to limit the number of raffle tickets sold, so try to think of your purchase as a donation that comes with a chance to win an extremely cool watch.
2 comments
Another great video, use your tools!
Raffles of Espionage…