Smartwatches are a security risk. Tracking your runs and monitoring your heart rate can be handy features, but an internet-enabled device on your wrist could be a gateway for an adversary. Even worse, uploading personal data can provide open-source intelligence for targeting. Inspired by a renewed military interest in watch culture, veteran-owned Stirling Timepieces is making watches worn by operators, generals, and everyone in between.
Tom Stafford started Stirling Timepieces while he was actively serving in the British Army. With over a decade of military service, he began his watch journey with digital watches and quickly fell in love with analog watches.
Digital watches, such as the venerable Casio G-Shock, are so tough and reliable that they have been issued to the Navy SEALs and NASA. However, their battery-powered screens lack the mechanical soul of ticking timepieces. Before the quartz age, watches powered by springs and gears were trusted to endure the rigors of military service, including highly prized Rolex watches.
In a time when men of action had epic mustaches, before it became the standard for finance bros and yuppies on Wall Street, the five-pointed crown could be seen on the wrists of professional military divers. The Rolex’s association with operators persisted into the 21st century, with some using the purchase of a Rolex watch to commemorate a service anniversary or passing a selection. This kind of watch culture has seen a revival across the military and is being fueled by companies like Stirling.
What many people may not realize is that, before the Swiss and Japanese watch industries took over the market, British watchmaking was a global leader. After messing around with cases and designs, Stafford worked with the company’s co-founder and a local friend to get UK-based Stirling up and running in 2021.
Since then, Stirling has grown immensely in popularity and reputation, especially with the UK and U.S. militaries. Some models have even received NATO Stock Numbers. Stirling watches have been seen on the wrists of infantrymen, EOD techs, and even the U.S. Commander of Security Assistance Group – Ukraine, Lt. Gen. Curtis Buzzard.
By offering a tough and stylish tactical watch, Stirling has become what Rolex and Tudor used to be. Unlike a G-Shock or Apple Watch, a stainless steel Stirling Durrant on a bracelet can be worn for everything from kicking down doors to walking down the aisle.
Seriously, don’t wear a G-Shock to a wedding.
To ensure that Stirling Timepieces have the performance to match their looks, the company collaborates with service members to test and develop watches before releasing them on the market.
“The testing process initially started on friends,” Stafford told We Are The Mighty. “Now, I’ve got a contact list…I can give [a watch] to a certain unit and they can give me feedback… from serious diving.”
Stirling offers a variety of timepieces for different military needs and troop preferences, from GMTs to dive watches. Quartz movements are available for those wanting a more affordable and accurate option, while automatic movements provide the winding interaction and mechanical heartbeat appreciated by the true enthusiast. And in addition to supporting the military community with watches, Stirling supports military charities.
“We donate 10% of profits to [a charity] called Combat Stress,” Stafford said. “They support soldiers and veterans struggling with PTSD.”
Stirling has also collaborated with the Green Beret Foundation and Everyday Patriot to offer limited edition watches with proceeds going to these charitable organizations.
Speaking of bespoke watches, Stirling can even fulfill special orders for unit watches with a custom dial, caseback, hands, or lume. If your unit has a badass insignia, Stirling can put it on a watch for you.
Rolex and Tudor watches have been spotted in the wild on the wrists of Green Berets and SEALs. Breitlings have been rocked by sketchy people doing sketchy stuff. Check out Watches of Espionage, run by a former CIA case officer, for more tactical watch-spotting and insight on timepieces in the military and intel communities.
For troops who don’t get HALO pay, Stirling Timepieces offers affordable watches that will get you a nod from both the maid of honor at the wedding reception and the bearded operator passing through your base on his way to a black site.
