Guess The Best Military Spec Watches This Year
Tactical and military spec watches aren’t only for military personnel. Aside from keeping accurate time, these timepieces are built to withstand the barrage of knocks and beats. They were also made to defy the unforgiving conditions of nature. Deciding what type of watch you will wear depends on what features you need. While they should all be sturdy and shock resistant, they should have other features like having different levels of pressure and water tolerance.
It is critical to keep in mind that quality watches are needed for tactical and military purposes. Before we take a look and know the best tactical watch for survivalists, campers, sports enthusiasts, or regular civilian, we’ll first look at a few products and its features that you might love to have.
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Product | G-SHOCK The GA | Casio G-Shock GMA S110CM- | Suunto Core All Black Military Men's | Timex Men's T5E901 | Luminox |
Price | |||||
Dimensions | 6 x | 1.9 x 1.7 x 0.6 | 1.9 x 0.6 x 1.9 | 4 x 3 x 3 | 6.5 x 3 x 2 |
Some features | Shock Resistant and 200-meter water resistant features with | Shock-resistant and water resistant of up to 200 meters with afterglow backlight, countdowntimer, 12/24 hour formats | Water resistance of 100 feet, Trend indicator, and graph, Temperature, Sea level pressure, and rotating bezel | Thirty Lap Memory, 24-hour Countdown Timer, Indiglo Light and Night Mode, and Water Resistant to 100 Meters | Unidirectional bezel, analog display, water resistant to 200 meters |
Weight | 2.1 ounces | Approx. 4 ounces | Approx. 1.4 ounces | Approx. 3.2 ounces | Approx. 10 ounces |
Ratings | |||||
Read Review |
G-SHOCK The GA 100 Military Series Watch in Black
A rugged watch, the G-Shock GA 100 Military Series has world-class features that shout the epitome of toughness. The timepiece is super durable and can withstand high impacts like beats, knocks, and abrasions. They are resilient and can endure severe environments and weather conditions alike. It’s pretty lightweight, and the user won’t be too troubled with carrying it. It can absorb shock and quite water-resistant of up to 200 meters. You can go for a swim and snorkel, but diving is just impossible.
The Military series is both an analog and digital watch which can be a sigh of relief to some users. One can even format the time between 12 to 24 hours to their needs. Other features of the watch include world time in 29 countries and 48 cities. Heading to a different country? No problem. You can keep in touch with your nation’s time log.
It has an auto LED light to use when you’re in dim-lighted areas or during the night. It has an afterglow that fades nicely after a couple of seconds. The timepiece also has an anti-magnetic structure that can hinder or ruin its performance. Meanwhile, its stopwatch and speed indicator run at 1/1000 per second with a calendar that can run dates until 2099.
All in all, G-Shock GA 100 is a beautiful watch to have on the field, and that can comfortably fit any wrist frames. Its durability and impervious to sand, dirt, and water makes it a formidable band to wear anytime and anywhere.
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Casio Sports Watch DW9052-1V
This Casio Sports Watch is still a G-Chock classic that is designed to handle extreme situations and surroundings. It’s pretty sleek and rugged which makes it an excellent watch for both women and men alike. Whether they are serving the military or not, the watch is created for individuals who are involved in extreme outdoor or sports undertakings. Casio is shock resistant and is made with quality materials that are thick, tough, and thorough.
It’s also water-resistant up to 200 meters and is ideal for activities like swimming and snorkeling – but not diving. Timekeeping and movement are at its best as well. Casio has precise quartz movement and provides a well-rounded chronograph and accurate readings. It has split and elapsed time modes which make training or workouts easier to do. There’s also a stopwatch and countdown timer within a 24-hour range.
Casio is a digital display watch with a 12/24 hour format options. It also has multi-alarms and notification per hour for you to manage your time. It has an afterglow and brightness conducive to dim-lighted areas and situations. The bezel is worth noted to adjust your readability in hazy environs. The LED light seems to use low power to maximize battery savings through controlled consumptions.
Overall, it’s a nice timepiece which is comfortable to wear while providing the user a unique and durable features and functions while on the go. It’s made of resin and mineral crystal that prevents scratches or breakage from happening.
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Suunto Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch – SS014279010
Suunto Core is ideal for the traveler or outdoor person as it compromised of the three needed triple sensors. Both of its altimeter and barometric pressure are in synched and measure long-term pressure and altitude pretty accurate. It’s quite useful when trekking mountainous regions or merely being on the field and outdoors because the sensors can predict weather changes.
Together with its digital compass, it can lead you to safety and survive the elementals attacking you. It provides the user with ascent and descent info and guided calibration when you needed to. One can read the digital compass easily and quickly because it already gives you a heading in degrees. It offers cardinal settings and tracking as well.
The Core’s timekeeping features have impressive recording intervals from one second up to a minute. Moreover, it has a logbook function, a log graph, countdown timer, and a stopwatch. It can measure and record the weather up to seven days and provides tide predictions or information about sea level rises. Nevertheless, it has excellent sunrise and sunset hours, calendar clock, dual time, daily notification alarms, 12/24 format options, and more.
It has a backlight option with anti-glare properties. The display is easy to read despite being in dark areas or dim-lighted ones. Though the watch is shock absorbent, its water-resistant features are only significant for shallow water activities because it can handle up to 100 meters just the same.
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Timex Men’s T5E901 Ironman Classic
The Ironman Classic is an ideal watch for runners, hikers, or people under training and workout. It has enhanced functions like a 100-hour timekeeping, lap and split times of up to 99 counts, 30-lap memory recalls to view and assess your regimen. The countdown timer can be optimized for 24 hours which is complete with repeat features. You can customize it to have 15 reminders of special events, three daily alarms, and a configuration of time zones, in case you’re traveling.
It is packed with innovative technology that is resistant to shock and vibration. Meanwhile, it can hold water and moist of up to 100 meters – a feat perfect for shallow swimming and snorkeling. It makes use of an Indiglo Light with a night mode to provide ease of readability in the dark while consuming low-powered luminous technology. However, the light is not garish but instead has a more controlled glare.
The Ironman Classic has an easy configuration setup where you get to choose your menu items. For example, you can turn off some of them if they do not serve your purpose. But, you can always retrieve them once you reactivate them. Some screen can make your watch easier. You decide which access is more suitable for your needs.
This resin-made watch is lightweight and durable to survive your next venture. It has that classic Ironman look and offers convenience to people who are outdoorsy and living an active lifestyle.
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The Luminox Evo Navy Seal’s band is made from rubber which provides enough comfort and ease when using it on the field during training and or workout. Even when one is merely camping in the outdoors, the watch is pretty lightweight and won’t slow you down for it. The design is quite simple and perfect for those who wanted a minimalistic style to use. It’s the blend of jaggedness and chic that will make any user proud.
It provides a reliable and accurate result for timekeeping both day and night. It can resist water components and can go deep of up to 200 meters. This mean, you can and enjoy yourself with a splash down under. And to have more readability features, its unidirectional bezel will help you with that. The bezel and the watch’s dial is being protected with a sapphire and mineral crystal to avoid scratches and the likes.
The watch’s functionality is spot on. It has daytime and nighttime hours and illumination for use in low-light areas. It has luminous display markers and night vision tubes which can glow for ages. These hands and tubes emit blue and orange light when positioned accordingly.
Overall, it’s a sturdy watch with a nice safety clasp to keep it snuggly in your arms. Luminox is known to have produced quality watches. The EVO Navy Seal is another proof that it can withstand weather and environment issues.
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Different kinds of tactical watches
Standard tactical watches
Standard tactical watches are those created for military workforces and other infantry individuals’ use in training and field. It’s built to withstand desert, jungle, and mountainous environments to assure the soldiers to do their tasks. These timepieces can aid in brightening low-light areas, predict weather changes, and provide notifications and reminders of jobs done.
The watches have all-around features built for soldiers in the land. Their usefulness has caught the attention of sports enthusiasts, campers, hunters, and all outdoorsy people like to use them as well. Even the fashion industry has taken a penchant for their rugged looks and functions.
Aviation watches or Pilot watches
Aviation watches were created for pilots especially during WWII. They were designed to handle the atmospheric pressure coupled with the triple sensors. Pilots can predict weather temperament and altitude and can divert their craft to elsewhere. The timepiece’s display case and window ought to be made with fiber shell and durable glass to endure the pressure above the ground.
The watches are worn over the jackets and have the standard design of a military watch. It has pressure, shock, and vibration resistance for it to survive any ordeals. Not only pilots wear this watch, but also, skydivers, daredevil performers, and stuntmen.
Diver’s watch
Dive watches were ergonomically created to endure wet environments. It was done to serve combat swimmers in the army, and therefore, would need resistance to protect itself from breaking under pressure. Water resistance can come along at 50 to 100 meters, but that’s just for shallow swimming. The most common water-resistant feature we’ve seen is for swimmers and snorkelers of about 200 meters. But one should need around 300 meters for diving purposes.
For people going around 200 meters, the watch can only be used for skin-diving or surface water sports activities. Meanwhile, observations going up to 300 meters are suitable for scuba diving but not for saturation diving. There are specialty watches made for saturation diving because it can handle underwater pressure and mixed gas.
Digital watches
These are the more common ones we can see today. It has innovative features like triple sensors, tide predictions, luminous features, and GPS functions. Navigation with digital watches has become a lot easier. So, if you are military personnel, law enforcement officer, prepper or sports pro, these watches are perfect for navigation uses, durability, and resistance to different elements.
Digital watches are often rechargeable but can be both analog and digital at times. Most often, these watches make use of low-powered applications and source to keep it going for hours. And we mean, 6,000 to 8,000 hours or more. Some of these timepieces are even solar-powered for your perusal. It’s often convenient and easy to use. It’s no wonder why it’s been a favorite of many.
These days, military watches aren’t only for adults. They are loved and wanted by teens and kids because of chic looks. Some brands have created specialty watches for these demographics to win their target market. So, if you’re looking to purchase the best tactical watches, you need to see them all here.
Features of a Military Watch
Each tactical might be different, but mostly, military timepieces are mounted with standard features besides to the timekeeping functions. Among these are the luminous hands and LED backlight, triple sensor functions –altimeter, barometer, and compass, heart monitor, element resistance, solar powered, and more. Listed down here are some features you might want to know.
Ruggedness
Watches ought to be tough and sturdy. Military watches need to look like they are one and perform like one. The ruggedness features are what more people like to see on a watch. It’s often one of the reasons they buy one. From the strap to the display case, each of them has a unique look that can win the hearts of many.
Triple Sensors
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Altimeter. An altimeter would do you right if you like long strides in mountainous regions or being in the sky. It measures the altitude and the changing drop of air pressure. Military personnel or survivalists in the wilderness might find this feature useful.
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Barometer. Need to measure the atmosphere and its pressure? With a gauge, you can now, and predict weather changes. It is often in synch with the altimeter to determine the altitude.
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Compass. It is used to navigate your way in the wild with a north indicator needle. Most compasses nowadays are made digitally, which can give degree readings of your location. Both analog and digital compass are integrated into a military watch. While analog allows you to move to establish direction, a digital compass automatically does it for you.
Some watches make use of these features to predict tide rising as well. Those who work in the navy or on seas will find it beneficial to their careers.
Water resistant
Almost all models are at least 100 meters water resistant. Note, tactical watches that are 30 meters resistant are only good for rain or occasional splashes, while 50 meters are light swimming and shallow water activities. Those running 100 meters is suitable for water sports, swimming, and snorkeling. Meanwhile, 200-meter watches are essential for extreme water sports and skin-diving activities. Scuba diving is allowed at 300 meters, while high-grade watches with extreme features are perfect for underwater assignments.
Date dials
Some watches are analog while others are digital. However, some models offer both analog and digital watches. They are often accompanied by the date and year features that can be automatically displayed until 2099. Some dials have illuminated features for better night vision features in the dark or dim-lighted areas.
Illumination
The watch has backlight features with an afterglow effect. Sometimes, they even have illuminated hands for better readings in the dark. There are watches in the market where they incorporated an inverse lighting. It can prove to be useful for people who don’t want to have garish brightness splashing on their faces.
World watch features
If you’re traveling to another country where time and dates have always been mixed up, then, it’s nice to have a world time display. You can keep track of your home country’s time zone if you’re out from business or leisure. With that, you can call on your family, friends, and coworkers for info and updates.
Tachymeter, countdown timer, stopwatch, split and lap intervals
These features are perfect for training and exercise regimen. For the runner and fitness buff, the tachymeter measures the speed, footfall, and distance of the user. Meanwhile, the countdown timer and stopwatch is used to attest the pace and set of workouts done by the individual. The split and lap intervals are perfect for runners when they are in training or just with someone who’s exercising.
Alarm and hourly signals
People who are too busy will be notified of hourly, daily, and weekly alarms the watch has. One can only configure the settings to their needs and let the watch do its thing. It’s perfect for those who are running on a schedule or to someone who keeps on losing the time.
Heart rate monitoring
Military watches have heart rate monitors strapped to their technology. Frequently, sports enthusiasts benefit it most of the time. One can just strap the watch and see how the application works on your wrist.
There are tons of features a military watch can have. From daylight hours to inverse LCD screen, these functions added more value to the watch and are often wanted and hauled by users. However, it is important to state that that one should purchase a watch out of lifestyle and needs.
Buying guide to military spec watches
What are you looking for in a watch? There are hundreds of military watches available in the market, and you can’t seem to decide one. We have a neat guide for you to discover
Durability and toughness
Our military watches are durable, sturdy, and rugged. We find that this function is quite crucial when buying military spec watches. The timepieces have excellent shock, magnetic, and vibration resistance against elements. They are made with high-grade materials that can prevent themselves from scratches, abrasions, and breaking. The watches are made of resin and fiber or sapphire glass to avoid scrapes and scruffs.
What’s more is that all of them are at least 100 meters water resistant, and are immune to dust, sand, dirt, and grime. The five tactical watches are proven to be the toughest in the market today.
Military watch features
Other than keeping time, the watch has special features like triple sensor (synching altimeter, barometer, and compass).The altimeter is useful for altitude scaling, while the compass is for navigation. Meanwhile, the barometer lets you predict the weather. Some watches also have tide predictions, daylight hour notices, and world timekeeping functions.
Tachymeter and chronograph functions
If you’re a sportsperson or simply living an active lifestyle, having features like a stopwatch and timer can help you achieve your fitness goal. Together with a heart monitor, you can measure and assess your training right there.
Backlight
It’s often the most critiqued feature a watch has. Some users will say that the backlight is too dim or too bright, and the display sometimes gets to their eyes. Each watch has different effects on various people, so it’s wise to purchase a military timepiece with a backlight that’s conducive to your needs.
Long battery life
Watches can go on for two years and more. Today’s tactical watches make use of low-powered luminance to utilize the battery’s potential. More and more people today prefer solar-powered timepieces which they can use for more than 8,000 hours. Of course, that needs to be recharged as well. Users, too, are looking for accessibility of recharging their watches’ batteries in case it’ll die down on them.
GPS
There are users out there that prefer GPS to a compass. Both have its usability, but the GPS function in a watch can help determine your tracks, marks, location, routes, and navigation concerns. It saves all of your tracking points that let you go back to where you’ve started. It also opens new vistas in your GPS application in case you need a new scenic adventure to discover. Moreover, GPS web applications let you contact friends, family, and coworkers at home in case you want to notify them of your whereabouts.
Style and design
Many people prefer their watch to be sleek yet rugged enough to look like a real military watch. It should avoid flashy colors that can catch the attention of many unwanted assailants. Colors go from green, tan, grey, or black. These are the typical military colors you can see in your tactical timepiece. Most youngsters nowadays would also like to have their military watch because it looks cool on their wrists.
Military watches are accessories much wanted and loved by active individuals. It has the features and functions that can aid them in their lifestyle and needs. These top-rated watches have been chosen because of their characteristics that many people have liked about.
Conclusion
Although we have raved about all the watches listed here, we say that among the military spec watches we liked the most; the G-SHOCK The GA 100 Military Series Watch in Black is what we hold dear! It’s tough and can endure abrasions, scratches, and beats from the environment or weather conditions. For pro watersports individuals, you can swim, snorkel, or skin-dive with the GA 100.
It’s one of the different watches that instill analog and digital display. But users can configure the settings to 12/24 for that matter. If you’re away from home and in a new country, you can set your time accordingly because it supports 29 world time clocks and 48 cities. It can dates automatically until 2099. Timekeeping and chronograph functions work at its best because you can log your previous records as well.
While the sound alarms are too quiet and the backlight can be a bit of a problem, we’ve found out that those concerns were more personal than mechanical. Some people found the alarms and backlights alright with o problems. Despite all of that, it has an afterglow that fades a couple of seconds afterward.
