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Military watches offer a good combination of functionality and looks, which is why they’re worn by military personnel and people who are simply fans of the military-style or who have hobbies that lend themselves to a military watch, such as camping, hunting, or fishing. Regardless of why you want a tactical watch as worn by the military, the key is always to choose a watch that features a durable, reliable design with a movement that will ensure accurate timekeeping.
You need to make sure that a military or field watch includes features such as a compass, altimeter, and barometer so that you can stay safe when in the great outdoors. It doesn’t harm if the watch looks good too, and value-for-money should always be a consideration.
With all this in mind, if you want to find a high-quality, tactical watch that delivers all the important features so that you can spend your money wisely, then consider this list of the ten best watches in the military style, as well as the buyer’s guide and breakdown that follows it.
View The Best Military Watches Below
1. CakCity Screen Large Face Military Watches
This is an excellent, low-priced military watch with a large, legible, digital display that provides you with all the essential information you’ll require when outdoors, including the time, the date, and the day. Despite its low price, this watch is built with durability in mind and is shock resistant. It also offers water resistance up to 50m.
The polyurethane, black band, combines perfectly with the 47mm dial, to deliver gorgeous looks too. To ensure that you get accurate time then it includes a Taiwan-made IC chipset and a Japanese automatic movement. Simplicity is the reason why it’s loved so much by military personnel. It does exactly what’s required from a military tactical watch, all for an affordable price.
Pros:
+ Large Display
+ Backlight
+ Durable
+ Long-Life Battery
+ Affordable Price
Why We Liked It – It offers a lot of quality for the price. It has all the essential features that you’d expect from the best military watches, but it also is durable and looks good.
2. Casio Men’s G-SHOCK – The GA 100-1A1 Military Series Watch
When it comes to the best military tactical watches, the G-Shock series from Casio is generally recognized as some of the best. Why? These watches are simply indestructible. They aren’t just shock absorbant but they’re also able to be submerged in water down to 200 meters and still perform perfectly. Of course, G-Shock watches look great too, and this one is no exception.
It has a large, 51mm diameter case, as well as a thick band that’s got a width of 18mm. Tactical watches need to be secure too, which is why this military watch has a deployment buckle. It features a quartz movement to ensure that you keep perfect time. This watch also has a reputation as well-suited to snipers because of the dark display, which is just light enough to check the time without giving your location away.
Pros:
+ Water Resistant Up To 200 Meters
+ Highly Durable
+ Shock Resistant
+ Dark Display – Ideal for Snipers
+ Reasonable Price
Why We Liked It – It’s a superb, military, tactical watch from Casio built to last and to withstand anything that might get thrown at it. The dark display is an excellent feature, too, as it means you can check the time in darkness without giving your location away.
3. Fanmis Mens Military Multifunction Digital LED Watch
This is one of the best military watches available in the budget price range. It’s got an understated physical appearance with Fanmis focusing on functionality over unnecessary frills. Durability is no issue for this watch, and military personnel can be confident that it will offer long-term performance, regardless of the low price tag.
The case is made from a combination of silicone and rubber, while the mirror is made from mineral crystal. Water resistance is assured too, as long as you don’t take the watch beneath 50m. A nice touch is that the LED backlight can be changed between 7 different colors so that you can find one that suits your style and personality. In terms of battery life, then this watch should perform for approximately 3 years.
Pros:
+ Low Price
+ 7 Colors for LED Backlight
+ Durable
+ 50m Water Resistance
+ Shock Resistance
Why We Liked It – This tactical watch offers excellent value-for-money. You can get a military watch that is durable, great-looking, and highly functional for a low price.
4. Timex Expedition Scout 40 Watch
This Timex Expedition watch is one of the best military watches in terms of looks on the market. Few tactical watches can compete with this watch’s stylish aesthetics, which are down to the large, black dial that’s complemented by Arabic numerals. The 40mm brass case also enhances the looks of this watch while also remaining durable, so that it can be trusted by military personnel when out on missions.
As with all Timex watches, then you are ensured accurate time thanks to its quartz movement. This Timex Expedition watch also offers water resistance up to 50 meters. It has a scratch-resistant mineral dial window too. As a field watch, the Timex Expedition is simply one of the best available on the market.
Pros:
+ Chronograph
+ Great Looks
+ Accurate Time
+ Water Resistance
+ Versatile
Why We Liked It – It’s a beautiful watch that’s as well-suited to being worn as a military watch as it is as a dress watch. The combination of versatility and practicality make it one of our favorite military watches.
5. PALADA Men’s Waterproof Tactical Watch
This sporty, tactical watch offers great value when the affordable price tag is taken into consideration. It ticks all the boxes in terms of features, including an alarm clock, a stopwatch, and an auto-calendar. It also offers water resistance up to 50 meters. The watch is very durable, including an ABS plastic case and a stainless steel clasp.
It has a digital movement so that you can be ensured accurate timekeeping at all times. It’s also got an in-built backlight so that you can check the time, even if you’re out on a late-night, search and rescue mission. The case back is made from stainless steel, which is another feature that adds to this watch’s durability.
Pros:
+ ABS Plastic case
+ Stainless Steel Clasp
+ Low Price
+ Water Resistant to 50 Meters
+ Stainless Steel Case Back
Why We Liked It – It’s a high-quality tactical watch that’s one of the best in its price range. Its key feature is its easy usability and high-grade construction that ensure it’s a safe, reliable long-term investment as a military watch.
6. SUUNTO Core All Black Military Watch SS014279010
This Suunto Core military watch is generally acknowledged amongst military personnel to be one of the most accurate, effective, and reliable tactical watches on the market. One of the reasons that it has such a stellar reputation is down to the wealth of features that it offers. It includes an altimeter for when you’re climbing or descending mountains.
A barometer is also included so that you can ensure that you won’t get caught out by the weather. Then, this military watch has a compass and an in-built feature that will keep you informed of the sunrise and sunset times.
Besides it being one of the best military watches in terms of practicality, it is one of the best looking too thanks to the solid black coloring. The quartz movement also ensures that this tactical watch keeps perfect time.
Pros:
+ Includes a Barometer and Altimeter
+ High-Grade Materials
+ Reliable
+ Superb Reputation
+ Water Resistance to 100ft
Why We Liked It – The SUUNTO Core Military Watch is simply one of the best tactical watches on the market. It has a wealth of features, a durable construction, and offers perfect timekeeping due to the quartz movement.
7. CakCity Boys Camouflage LED Sports Watch
This low-priced, tactical watch has a camouflage color scheme that kids will love. This isn’t a watch for actual military personnel but also for aspiring soldiers of tomorrow or for kids who want to dress up like their Navy Seal mum or dad. Despite being targeted at children, it’s still a functional watch, which includes water resistance to 50m, a backlight, a stopwatch, and an alarm clock.
This tactical watch is also shock resistant, just like professional military watches, so your child can use it when they’re out camping or having fun in the great outdoors. It includes a Japanese automatic movement so that it keeps accurate time too. At only 3.2 ounces, it’s lightweight, and shouldn’t cause any fatigue for a child who wears it for a long period.
Pros:
+ Camouflage Color Scheme
+ Perfect for Children
+ Automatic Movement
+ Stopwatch
+ Alarm Clock
Why We Liked It – It’s one of the best military watches for kids around, as it looks good, keeps accurate time, and includes lots of handy features.
8. Casio G Shock Quartz Watch GG1000-1A5
This is another of Casio’s G-Shock military watches. As with most of the G-Shock tactical watches on the market, this one includes water resistance to 200 meters. It is also resistant to shock, mud, and has a hard-wearing mineral crystal. It features a quartz movement that ensures that time is always accurate.
If you’re out on a search and rescue mission, you may want to take advantage of the digital compass. This military watch also has a thermometer in-built into it that will display the temperature between 14F to 140F. The black, resin case has a diameter of 56.2mm, while it has a depth of 16mm. And the dial is also black.
Pros:
+ Mud, Shock, and Water Resistant
+ Black Dial
+ Temperature Display
+ Compass
+ World Time
Why We Liked It – G-Shock watches make great tactical watches because they’re so durable and hard-wearing, as well as being full of handy features, such as a compass, a temperature display, and GPS.
9. Dayllon Men’s Analog-Digital LED Watch
This is a military watch that’s got a dual analog and digital display. It also has a Quartz movement that ensures perfectly accurate timekeeping. And it’s easy to check the time because the large black dial with luminescent hands and numerals is very easy to read. The case has a diameter of 55mm and is 18mm thick, which gives the watch a very sturdy feel. The materials that this watch is constructed from help to ensure this watch is highly durable too.
It has a stainless steel buckle and a rubber band. This watch offers water resistance up to 50 meters, so there’s no need to worry about it breaking if you get caught in the rain or need to make a quick swim across a river. When the price is taken into account, then this is one of the best military watches in terms of value-for-money.
Pros:
+ Quartz Movement
+ Highly Durable
+ Water Resistant to 50m
+ Stainless Steel Buckle
+ Silicone Strap
Why We Liked It – This tactical watch keeps accurate time thanks to its quartz movement, has a gorgeous camouflage color scheme and is affordably priced, making it a solid, reliable investment.
10. Citizen Men’s ‘Military’ Watch BU2055-16E
This is a stylish, practical, military watch from Citizen. It has a stainless steel, 43mm case that’s perfectly set off by the green, nylon band, which has a width of 19mm. The dial is black and has an analog display that also shows you the day. To ensure that the timekeeping is as reliable as the rest of Citizen’s watches, this includes a Japanese quartz movement.
This field watch can be worn underwater, too, as it offers water resistance to 100m. Remarkably, you never have to worry about battery life with this watch as it features Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology. This form of technology simply converts all types of light – whether that’s artificial or natural sunlight – into power.
Pros:
+ Black Ion-Plated Stainless Steel Case
+ Eco-Drive Technology
+ Water Resistant to 100m
+ Black Dial
+ Stylish Looks
Why We Liked It – Military watches like this one are easy to love. This watch has everything you might need, including great looks, water resistance, and a durable construction, but its best feature has to be the Eco-Drive technology, which means there’s no need for a battery.
Military Watches Buyer’s Guide
If you’ve never looked at military watches before, then it can be difficult to know what features to look out for. In our opinion, durability, functionality, and looks are the three key areas to look out for. If you find a watch that ticks all these boxes, then your money will be invested wisely. We think that the following are the most important features to focus on when purchasing military and tactical watches.
Durable Construction
When it comes to the durability of a watch’s construction, then you need to focus on a few main areas. Firstly, you need to ensure that the case is made from a strong material, such as stainless steel or ABS plastic. If the watch is made from plastic, then you still want the case back to be made from stainless steel. Next, the strap should be made from a long-lasting, durable material, such as silicone or nylon.
You don’t want leather or suede as this will cause your wrist to get sweaty, which isn’t ideal if you’re out on a mission in the baking heat. The crystal should also be made from a hard-wearing material. Either a sapphire crystal or a mineral one will be your best bet, although you may find that a watch with a sapphire crystal will cost you a lot more money.
Water Resistance
Water resistance will be determined in either meters or feet. A standard amount for basic usage is 50 meters, but this will not be sufficient if you intend to wear the tactical watch when swimming. Preferably, you want the resistance to be closer to 200 meters if you’re planning on diving or swimming when wearing the watch.
Barometer
A barometer can keep you informed of any pressure changes, which will mean that you’ll know if the weather is going to change or if rain is coming. This is a very handy feature to have on your watch.
Altimeter
An altimeter will provide you with crucial information related to altitude. If you’re out climbing or involved in a mission that requires traveling over rocky or high terrain, then an altimeter will certainly come in very handy.
Movement
The movement is responsible for the watch’s timekeeping. You must choose a watch that has a reliable movement so that you can be sure that your watch is giving you accurate time at all times. The most common movement that you’ll find in tactical watches is a quartz movement.
Battery Life
When it comes to tactical watches, then there are a few different options in terms of batteries. You’ll have rechargeable, solar-powered batteries, and then you’ll have simple batteries that will have a lifetime of approximately two years. If you’re purchasing a low-priced watch, then make sure to check reviews, as you don’t want to invest your money into a watch that will only provide a limited amount of battery life.
Stylish Looks
It might not be the most important feature, but it is one that must be considered. A timepiece is worn on your wrist, and even if you’re wearing it for work or practical reasons while out hunting or camping, then it’s still should suit your style. There are some great-looking watches out there, so don’t settle for anything less than eye-catching.
Then again, you must always consider functionality, and if you’re planning on wearing it during nighttime missions, for example, then you shouldn’t choose a gaudy color scheme. A simple black color scheme or a camouflage color scheme will usually do the job.
What watches does the US Army wear?
In the past, the US Army used to issue watches to its soldiers, but it currently only gives watches to people working in specialist roles, such as divers. The MIL-PRF-46374 is the standard watch that was last issued to soldiers. This watch isn’t available to non-military, however. Now that the US Army doesn’t give watches to its soldiers, it is down to the military professionals to purchase their own watches.
Perhaps the most common watch that’s worn by soldiers is Casio’s G-Shock series. These tactical watches are durable, shock resistant, and have a good level of water resistance. G-Shocks also include Triple Sensor technology, meaning that the watch has an in-built compass, barometer, altimeter, and temperature gauge, which are all useful features to those in the military.
What watches are worn by Navy SEALs?
In the early 1990s, Luminox released its famous Navy SEAL watch, which ended up becoming closely associated with the SEALs. Of course, being a Swiss-made watch, and having undergone an extremely thoughtful design, this was a tactical watch that was worthy of any Navy SEAL. The issue with this Swiss-made watch – and most Swiss-made watches – is the price.
Not many Navy SEALs are comfortable spending almost a grand on a watch. Most SEALs prefer something more affordable and functional, which is why Casio’s G-Shock series is so popular with them, just as it is with the personnel in the US Army. G-Shocks are durable, including lots of important features thanks to Triple Sensor technology, and they look good. They also cost a fraction of the price of Luminox’s watch.
What is the best military watch?
There are lots of great military watches on the market. The best one for you will be in your price range, offer a durable, reliable design, and include all the tactical features you require. An accurate movement is important too.
One of the most popular tactical watches with members of the military is the G-Shock watch. It offers a good balance of functionality and value-for-money. It can also be purchased in a wide range of colors and styles, including a simple black color scheme or a camouflage color scheme.
Expert Tip
It’s always handy to have lots of extra features and stylish looks but the most important feature of any watch is its timekeeping capabilities. Always choose a watch that has a reliable movement, such as a Quartz movement, so that you can be certain that it will always keep perfect time.
Did you know?
The US Army actually uses a Canadian manufacturer for many of its watches. Marathon has been making watches for the US military for more than half a century.
Conclusion
Choosing a quality tactical watch doesn’t need to be difficult. As long as you ensure that the watch has a durable design – with an ABS plastic or stainless steel case – as well as offers all the important features you require – including an altimeter, barometer, and temperature gauge – then you’ll be onto the right track.
Military watches must offer excellent timekeeping too, and it’s important to keep an eye on what movement is inside the watch so that you can be sure it will offer accurate time. Looks shouldn’t be disregarded either.
As with any watch, it’s essential that the wearer likes how it looks and feels happy wearing it on their wrist. If you’re a fan of black, for example, then go for a black watch, but if you’re more into camouflage, then go for a camo-style watch. It’s crucial that you don’t overpay for a watch too, so choosing a tactical watch that offers good value-for-money should be considered too.