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by bloodyplonker22 1358 days ago
I had one of these and wore it every day. Interestingly, one day I wore it to work and my co worker said it was a favorite amongst terrorists. He said that Bin Laden, himself, sports one. I thought he was joking, but later that afternoon, I did some quick research online. He was not lying. Apparently, it is a favorite because it is extremely cheap and easily modifiable to set off remote bombs.
4 comments

It was more likely a favorite because, in addition to being cheap, reliable, and sturdy, it is extremely common and easily available. The same model has been produced since 1989, and millions are produced every year. They're everywhere. It's apparently consistently the #1 top selling watch on Amazon, and the first result for "digital watch".

Possession of an F-91W being used as evidence of being a terrorist trained in bomb-making for purposes of detention at Guantanamo Bay was highlighted as something ridiculous because of how common the watches are. There's ample evidence that al Qaeda bomb-makers were quite fond of the watch, yes. But as prisoners at Guantanamo pointed out, apparently in vain, many guards there wore the same watch. It's just that common.

Not remote so much as time-delayed. Remote triggers for decades generally functioned via radio signals, or more recently are often cell phone based.
btw, the timer maxes out at 23:59:59

For anyone from wanting to go on vacation to Guantanamo bay: strap a few of those on you wrist when crossing the border /s

Obama wore it as well