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Ultimate Grey Man Watch

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26K views 125 replies 95 participants last post by  avramd02  
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#1 ·
Hi All,

I have been reading lately about the "Grey Man" concept of trying to blend in and not stand out (concealing your true Jason Bourne/James Bond/Dirk Pitt/John McClain/Mitch Rapp nature of course).

In the watch world I wonder what everyone would consider as a grey man watch? I would think something that is not luxury brand, fairly conservative looking, unmemorable, however something that is tough, durable, water resistant etc.

G-Shock is a bit obvious and usually big and loud, so perhaps something like a Damasko?
 
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#7 ·
That is very logical, and correct, but I am thinking something that I (and perhaps people who frequent places like this) will look at and get some enjoyment and sense of real quality, which I just wouldn't get from the Timex Ironman (which is probably a great choice). I know I not being particularly logical but hopefully you get what I mean.
 
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#77 · (Edited)
A "grey man" watch can't be a high quality distinctive piece or it becomes highly noticeable to those who know. The concept is that it's entirely forgettable and blends in without being distinctive at all.

Any cheap quartz without any taste at all is what we see on the masses. Not a Branded, interesting frugal watch.

What are the most produced, common designs out there seen on a thousand wrists? That is the grey man watch, something so dirt common it's the watch a timepiece aficionado would avoid like the plague. A watch which has as it's one redeeming quality, it tells the time.

A cheap two tone datejust homage in quartz by Casio, Timex, or Armitron, purchased off the rack at a mass market discount store. Second, a black square digital by the same makers.
 
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#20 ·
My JLC Geophysic is my current grey man watch... Unless you really know watches, it's just a tame, white dialed, conservatively sized watch.

That said, the 'end of days' grey man watch would be a Rolex Explorer (I or II). Neither are as recognizable as a Sub, but both are great watches that have a muted quality to them that don't really warrant a second look. Combine that with the fact that they are damn near indestructible tools and are about as close to liquid currency as you could get with a watch, which if ever necessary, could be bartered or traded easily in a sticky situation.
 
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#45 · (Edited)
bradfordcharles said:
My JLC Geophysic is my current grey man watch... Unless you really know watches, it's just a tame, white dialed, conservatively sized watch.

That said, the 'end of days' grey man watch would be a Rolex Explorer (I or II). Neither are as recognizable as a Sub, but both are great watches that have a muted quality to them that don't really warrant a second look. Combine that with the fact that they are damn near indestructible tools and are about as close to liquid currency as you could get with a watch, which if ever necessary, could be bartered or traded easily in a sticky situation.
Click to expand...
Umm. So, the explorer actually says "Rolex" on it. Not sure if we were aware of that.

Edit - reread your post. I see what you mean.
 
#25 ·
If I have this straight, you are looking to blend in, but to still have a "secret handshake" watch that will tell others in the know that you are different. Isn't that a bit paranoid and don't you think if you truly need to blend in that those secret handshakes will be known by the folks who are most dangerous to you?
 
#26 · (Edited)
You need something to keep track of time bombs ... Hamilton is really the perfect brand because they're sold retail, and rugged enough to handle a parachute jump from an exploding plane, or diving into the water to remove a limpet mine on the ferry with the annual Nuns & Orphans Cruise to Catalina. I'm gonna suggest a Khaki Pilot Pioneer b/c of the countdown timer and 100M WR, 80-hour power reserve, and mainly b/c it's what I wore yesterday, and I have a picture of it handy.

One poster recommend Vostok, and I'm a big fan and own way too many of them, but I don't know if an American Grey Man would wear a Russkie watch. But I do agree on the Timex ... it's now a Dutch company, but an iconic American brand, and this Weekender Chrono is about as ordinary yet versatile as you can get. Has a 1/10th sec sub-dial, split timing, and military time on the outer dial. It's not too rugged like an Expedition, so it won't arouse suspicion, and if it gets crushed by a getaway car or grazed by a bullet, you pop into CVS and buy a new one for $39.99.
 
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