Watch Caps come with many names: Knit Watch Cap, Navy Watch Cap, Toque (Canadian), Beanie, Skull Cap, Skully, and Ski Cap, just to name a few. Though associated with sailors and military people, watch caps are often worn for fashion reasons and can readily be modified to include badges and insignia of sports teams and other military organizations.
Watch caps are usually made to be light weight. Most are knitted or crocheted, and do not have the brim of a traditional hat. Well made watch caps are "breathable" to avoid complications of perspiration. You will find watch caps in a number of styles including Lone, Ski Mask, and Cuffless.
Watch caps are very often worn by maritime personnel and are typically dark blue or black. When you see a watch cap worn level and square on top of the head, the bottom cuffed once or twice, and the cuff set close to the eyes you are almost always reminded of a sailor. Of course the Watch Cap is also commonly worn in colder climates, and many skiers wear watch caps.
Watch Caps have been worn by sailors the world over for at least 100 years. The cap is noted for its simplicity of design, efficient use of material, and functional ability to provide warmth and protection for seamen in extreme weather conditions.
United States Navy regulations typically allow for wearing of a knit Watch Cap on military installations as well as when in transit between military installations. Watch Caps may be worn in military locations such as exchanges, commissaries, and other locations that may be outside of the main installation.
The Watch Cap is called for in the Navy regulations to be worn during "cold weather conditions", and is usually worn by enlisted personnel outdoors. When ashore, a watch cap is usually officially allowed to be worn only with authorized working uniforms. Wearing of a Watch Cap is not normally allowed for wear with a uniform in the general public.
The official Navy description of "correct wear" of a Watch Cap is: " Wear squarely on the head, double folded approximately 2-1/2 inches - 3 inches, with the bottom edge parallel to and 1-1/2 inches above the eyebrows."
Note that local command guidelines may give specific directions on where, how, and with what uniforms a Navy Watch Cap may be worn. Navy uniform regulations specify that rank or other insignia are not normally permitted to be displayed on the Watch Cap.
The Navy cap is designed to be relatively tight fitting, and the government issued Watch Cap will be made of 100 percent navy blue or black wool. Wool caps are considered to be of the highest quality and provide the warmest cover. A watch cap is light weight, helps manage perspiration by being "breathable", and will usually stretch to fit.
While the watch cap also goes by many other names in the civilian world, any veteran of the United States Navy will always know and recognize an official GI watch cap. With its light weight, ease of storage, and cold weather protection, this versatile headgear style is regarded as one of the most useful and functional types for use in any outdoor activities.
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