Far Cry 3, which was launched at the end of November, is what is described as an open world tropical first person shooter game from Ubisoft Montreal and Massive Studios. Essentially, once you load it into your X-Box, you are quickly held captive on a vast tropical island which you can explore at will – that’s assuming you manage to escape from your hostage takers. Your mission is to rescue your friends held hostage by the pirates who have captured them. But that’s just the beginning.
Along the way you’ll get involved with hunting wild game in order to make bags out of their skins. You’ll be buying guns, bagging money, syringes and other valuables each of which require their own special container, and each type of container can only be made from the skin of one particular species of animal.
There is also a vast arsenal of weapons you can buy and an endless supply of vehicles of all types from motorcycles to jet skis that you can simply borrow or steal to get yourself from point A to B.
Along the way there is plenty of naked wrist action, as you steer cars, ride bikes, fire sub machine guns, swim, and of course, skin wild animals. It presents the watch lover with plenty of opportunities to contemplate which watch would be appropriate for each scenario.
Here for you further education and entertainment, we feature a few scenarios and make our suggestions as to which watches could fit the bill.
Scenario 1: Jet ski escape
In this scenario you steal a jet ski that is lying around. Your mission could be to grab some shark skin in order to make a bag, or you could be simply escaping some unhappy islanders. Either way, you need a watch capable of handling all the spills and thrills.
Our choice: Sea-God GMT III
Described as the reference watch for travellers and professionals who fly around the globe, this tough 46mm diver has 300 metres water resistance and is made from 316L stainless steel. Sea-God watches are designed for a robust life on the sea, and come with a ten year warranty. Just don’t let it get swallowed by a shark.
Scenario 2: Surprise village ambush
You can stealthily creep up on an unsuspecting village housing all manner of miscreants, and blast the blue blazes out of them with your sub-machine gun of choice. They will shoot back of course, but provided you have picked the right weapons and are fast enough on your feet, you should be able to dispatch them.
Our choice: Wenger Commando 70893
A popular Wenger stalwart, the Commando series of Swiss watches combines outstanding form with diverse functionality. Like all good commandos, the 42mm Swiss Raid Commando 70893 adapts to its environment naturally and with quiet confidence – emphasis on quiet because all hell will let loose if you are heard by the villagers.
Scenario 3: Off road motorbiking
Steal a motorbike, switch on the engine, and in no time your traversing all kinds of tough terrain in your search for more animal skins. The bike will take you just about anywhere, but be ready for a bumpy ride.
Our choice: Auricoste Type 20 Flyback
French watchmakers Auricoste make this magnificent 42mm military watch. The name Type 20 originates from a French Ministry of War directive which ordered that all of its military units be equipped with chronographs which had a flyback function. This function provided sailors and pilots with a quick and reliable device with which they could rely, notably for precisely calculating when to change course – an occurrence that happens all too frequently in Far Cry 3. The watch runs on a Dubois Depraz 42021 DD/57 Jewels movement with a 42 hour power reserve, just in case you ar in for a marathon session.
Scenario 4: Out of luck gambling session
You could get involved in a gambling session, and if you are down on your luck, bad things could happen. Far Cry 3 is always a battle for survival, dealing with a number of unsavoury types, many of whom haven’t changed their shirts in weeks. You could lose yours very easily unless you keep your wits about you.
Our choice: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date President
If the cards are not going your way, this is no time for something rare and exotic. If you are down on your luck you need a name and a watch model on your wrist that is as good as currency all around the world. Like it or not, few watches do this better than the Rolex Day Date President in 18ct gold. This is probably one of the most copied watches in the world, so you’ll need to let them bite down on it to prove it’s kosher. Settle your debts with it and live to see another day.
