Before wristwatches were the norm, the most common way to keep track of time was to use a pocket watch. It was World War I that revolutionized the way people told time. Soldiers found it too cumbersome to fumble through a uniform pocket to locate a pocketwatch to see what the hour was so the wristwatch became their preferred timepiece. War conditions made certain features necessary for a durable and reliable wristwatch. For example: a protective grill around the dial, a sturdy movement to keep the watch running, extra large face for the pilots, and a way to read the time in the dark.

At UncleSamsDEALS on eBay, military style watches are very popular. The Smith and Wesson watches are one of the more popular makes sold. These tritium watches glow in the dark. The tritium light source consists of tiny airtight vials sealed under high pressure. They need no battery source to light the dial and are so sturdy that they function even in extreme conditions. The Smith and Wesson watches are presented in a small steel case- making an impressive gift.

Another popular make of watches sold at Uncle Sam's Army Navy Outfitters in NYC is Luminox. In Latin, Luminox mean "light night" which is appropriate since these watches do not need an external power source or light activation to illuminate the dial. These faces are easily read in total darkness.

The tritium technology used in these watches was discovered by the Swiss and used by Navy Seals for night diving in the early 1990's. Shortly thereafter, other military units contracted for their own tritium watches - tweaking the design to meet their specific needs. Watch companies have since expanded their lines using the military technology and making it available to the consumer market.