Celebrating 10 years of use: Nixon Footsoldier Watch
Battered but not broken
It occured to me the other day that the time piece on my wrist has been with me for over 10 years now. Bought when I was at University, I put a small bit of my 2nd years student loan on the table. Granted it’s been well used and no longer looks that great but I still love it.
Its been through 2 original straps, the 1st just broke up and the 2nd one dissolved when I got covered in hydraulic fluid replacing some brake components on the Land Rover. I have lost count of the battery changes, many occurring in foreign countries. Its been services by Nixon Europe 2 or 3 times too. The face and body are littered with scratches and peppered with dinks and chips. I rarely take it off to fix things or service the truck. Its been in the Atlantic, Pacific, Black and Mediterranean Seas along with countless rivers.
I even wore it on a confined spaces course many years ago that required crawling around in the pitch black wearing full breathing apparatus. The pin snapped and it fell off my wrist, I only noticed because my knee came down on it as I was crawling along.
I should probably buy a new one to replace it but Its been to over 40 countries on 3 continents with me and its still ticking along, I can’t really bring myself to do it. Lisa bought me a stainless steel Nixon Tide Rover a few years back so that is my ‘wearing out’ watch. Its a lot smarter than the Footsoldier but its not a daily wearer, not for me atleast.
So I think I will just get a new strap for it in Australia and continue to enjoy it. Here’s to 10 more years of travel and enjoyment from my Nixon Footsoldier!
Lisa
Griff
Sirocco Overland | Сирокко Оверленд 
Continue to treasure the watch! The watch has ticked off the minutes/hours/days/years of the memories you have experienced in your adventures.
I had a similar watch, that had been through college years, officer training, all foreign adventures, etc until some smuck stole it in a home burglary.
A trusty companion it has been and will be in future adventures. 🙂
22/03/2015 at 07:03
Funny you say that Rob. About 6 months after writing that article the watch completely gave up on me! Changed the battery out twice in one month. Shame really. I now have a Traser which seems to ve of excellent quality. At least the Land Rover goes on!
22/03/2015 at 07:07
It is a “Footsoldier” afterall…a durable workhorse that can adapt and overcome any unforeseen situation with a little time.
22/03/2015 at 07:09