Good Watch Cap Repro?

[EmergencyIan]

I know that the Buzz watch caps are pricey, but they are really well made....very high quality. But, as mentioned they are darn expensive. I own the Navy and the USAAF version.

- Ian

 

[Boyo]

The Rising Sun Jean company has recently put out its version of the wool knit cap. They're calling it "The Watchman"




$85 Made in the USA....

 

[rocketeer]

Now, to me these hats only have a practical use and that is to keep your head warm. Walking the dog, sorting my shed and working outside during nightshift on a cold winters night. I dont re-enact or dress in full WWII correct winter issue kit so accuracy is never a problem and they last years unless one fell out of my pocket on the train to work, then I am cursing a cold head that night.
Yes they are acrylic, yes they pill up a bit after a year or 2s constant wear but the moths keep their distance and they are cheap. I do pay good money for hats, £150 for a Stratoliner replica and £80 for an everyday fedora, I would probably go to a £10 for something a little better[Watch cap] but no more. But I am sure all the big companies selling a simple wooly hat for £50 are laughing all the way to their granny's knitting basket. After all, it is not a dress item, no one has told me my hat looks sh*t in the street, I would not wear it to a retro dance but may if I am building a snowman in the car park. Then again the original post was for a quality repro so mine doesn't really count

Have fun, but keep your heads warm

 

[Edward]

Given recent mothing to the knits on my Buzz B15C Mod (I'll have to figure out how to get them replaced now, damnit!), I'm really warming to acrylic... Somebody really should work on creating a genetically modified sheep, the wool of which repels moths....

 

[rocketeer]

Given recent mothing to the knits on my Buzz B15C Mod (I'll have to figure out how to get them replaced now, damnit!), I'm really warming to acrylic... Somebody really should work on creating a genetically modified sheep, the wool of which repels moths....

+1

 

[Justhandguns]

Given recent mothing to the knits on my Buzz B15C Mod (I'll have to figure out how to get them replaced now, damnit!), I'm really warming to acrylic... Somebody really should work on creating a genetically modified sheep, the wool of which repels moths....

Unfortunately there is only this GFP (Green fluorescent protein) sheep available at the moment..... Not sure if you want to become a human light house in the middle of the night.

P.S. You need to shine UV on to see the green glow, and it is probably only on the skin of the sheep, not the fur......, so no human lighthouse.... still....

 

[Gromulus]

Now, to me these hats only have a practical use and that is to keep your head warm. Walking the dog, sorting my shed and working outside during nightshift on a cold winters night. I dont re-enact or dress in full WWII correct winter issue kit so accuracy is never a problem and they last years unless one fell out of my pocket on the train to work, then I am cursing a cold head that night.
Yes they are acrylic, yes they pill up a bit after a year or 2s constant wear but the moths keep their distance and they are cheap. I do pay good money for hats, £150 for a Stratoliner replica and £80 for an everyday fedora, I would probably go to a £10 for something a little better[Watch cap] but no more. But I am sure all the big companies selling a simple wooly hat for £50 are laughing all the way to their granny's knitting basket. After all, it is not a dress item, no one has told me my hat looks sh*t in the street, I would not wear it to a retro dance but may if I am building a snowman in the car park. Then again the original post was for a quality repro so mine doesn't really count

Have fun, but keep your heads warm

DITTO!

I can't imagine spending more than $20 for a knit cap, but whatever makes your boat float. I have a 100% wool OD watchcap I got on ebay for $8 that filts the bill. For an acrylic cap I have had good luck with Carhartt - and they come in many colors.

 

[DAJE]

About six months ago I bought three wool caps on eBay for a total of around AUD$50 delivered to Australia from the US. The seller claimed they were US military spec, and I see no reason to doubt it. They're definitely all-wool. I've worn one of them a lot (keeping the others in reserve) and I am entirely satisfied with it.

A quick check of eBay shows that seller (gearmil) and others have plenty available for well under US$15. Seriously, you'd be nuts to pay any more than that.

 

[winterland1]

As others have mentioned the repros are expensive because of the attention to the details. Remember this is a Fedora lounge where we spend extra for the details.
I only seem to be able to wear merino wool watch caps as otherwise I get itchy.
This one isn't an actual repro but is merino wool and decent price.
http://store.tripleaughtdesign.com/Apparel/Watch-Cap
.

 

[Feraud]

About six months ago I bought three wool caps on eBay for a total of around AUD$50 delivered to Australia from the US. The seller claimed they were US military spec, and I see no reason to doubt it. They're definitely all-wool. I've worn one of them a lot (keeping the others in reserve) and I am entirely satisfied with it.

A quick check of eBay shows that seller (gearmil) and others have plenty available for well under US$15. Seriously, you'd be nuts to pay any more than that.

Agreed.

 

[bretron]

Devils in the details, boys. The BR and similar repros, that cost 20+ times what your average wool cap goes for (or even should go for!), feature the six panel crowns, single seam, reinforced edge trimming, and name/rank/mfg tag. If these little details don't matter to you, by all means don't waste your hard earned money. But to me it's the same argument as "Why buy a Goodwear when Avirex makes an A-2?" Why? Because we're nerds!!!

 

[Meerkat]

Devils in the details, boys. The BR and similar repros, that cost 20+ times what your average wool cap goes for (or even should go for!), feature the six panel crowns, single seam, reinforced edge trimming, and name/rank/mfg tag. If these little details don't matter to you, by all means don't waste your hard earned money. But to me it's the same argument as "Why buy a Goodwear when Avirex makes an A-2?" Why? Because we're nerds!!!

If one is prepared to pay a ridiculous sum for an intrinsically cheap product then that is exactly why they are set at such a price point. The Emperor that wore the invisible suit was certain that he was wearing serious kit too lol

 

[IXL]

A sheet of writing paper is a very cheap thing, but if one wants one that has been produced from hand-cut reeds harvested from the river Nile, having been worked by presses made only from Lebanese cedar, and cut to size with blades forged from iron found locally around Mt Vesuvius, it's gonna cost a little bit more. It is however, still just a piece of paper in function.

To some folks it's the details that are important, while others merely want something on which to jot a grocery list.

 

[Feraud]

100% wool, 8 bucks USD, and Made in the USA if that's your thing.

 

[IXL]

^^^^ That is my thing, exactly. Thank you, sir!

 

[Feraud]

Glad to help. I'm going to order one myself.

 

[IXL]

I'm also going to order the wool scarf.

 

[Plumbline]

as mentioned before got one of each ( Black and Olive) almost 2 years ago (£5.95 posted in the UK) ... they are awesome and practically indestructible .. only four panel but with the right weave and weft pattern and a GREAT fit. For this sort of money they're almost disposable

 

[Meerkat]

A sheet of writing paper is a very cheap thing, but if one wants one that has been produced from hand-cut reeds harvested from the river Nile, having been worked by presses made only from Lebanese cedar, and cut to size with blades forged from iron found locally around Mt Vesuvius, it's gonna cost a little bit more. It is however, still just a piece of paper in function.

To some folks it's the details that are important, while others merely want something on which to jot a grocery list.

I think my keyword was 'intrinsically'

 

[Grayland]

Devils in the details, boys. The BR and similar repros, that cost 20+ times what your average wool cap goes for (or even should go for!), feature the six panel crowns, single seam, reinforced edge trimming, and name/rank/mfg tag. If these little details don't matter to you, by all means don't waste your hard earned money. But to me it's the same argument as "Why buy a Goodwear when Avirex makes an A-2?" Why? Because we're nerds!!!

The only question that should be asked is: what would Jack Nicholson wear?