Those who’ve experienced being in the front line would attest that wearing a watch that is not designed for such extreme stressful conditions would mean a disadvantage. In a scenario where a split second mistake could mean your life, tactical watch products make the big difference. And since it is a game changer for dangerous occupations, soldiers, police forces or law enforcement personnel prefer to have the best tactical watch that not only keeps them informed of the time but also of the different types of additional data that could prove to be useful in battle or in tactical set ups.
Military men and those involved in outdoor activities have more complicated requirements for their timepiece than most individuals. The wristwatch that they use should not only display the time but also the different changes happening in the weather. In fact, there are some tactical watches constructed in order to aid shooting performance and accuracy by as much as 1,000 yards.
Tactical/military watches are unassuming and it should contain a number of functions that can meet essential outdoor requirements. This makes the timepiece for the military and tactical purpose different from those that you normally see from the other watches. But of course, it is still a watch. This is the reason why tactical watches are still classy that can fit the most discerning tastes of men who love the outdoors and those with dangerous professions like cops and military personnel.
The Top 10 Tactical Watch
We researched and tested plenty of the major vendors of tactical watches out there; Casio, Invicta, Armitron, and Timex, just to name a few and found plenty of differences between these manufacturers.
Tactical Watch | Band Material | Color | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Smith & Wesson Men’s SWW-11B GLOW Lawman Black Nylon Strap Watch | Nylon | Black | $$ |
Casio Men’s G-shock GA 100-1A1 Military Series Watch | Resin | Black | $$$ |
Armitron Men’s 408209BLK Chronograph Black Digital Sport Watch | Resin | Black | $ |
Casio Men’s MRW200H-1BV Black Resin Dive Watch | Resin | Black | $ |
5.11 Tactical Field Ops Watch | Hard Rubber | Black | $$$ |
Timex Men’s T49612 Expedition Trail Series Shock Digital Compass | Resin | Green/Black | $$ |
Humvee Men’s HMV-W-RCN-BLK Recon Tan Nylon Strap Watch | Nylon | Brown | $$ |
Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout Mens Watch 3051 | Rubber | Black | $$$ |
Invicta Men’s 2770 Force Collection Stainless Steel and Leather Military Watch | Pig Skin Leather | Black | $$$ |
Invicta Men’s 1328 Chronograph Black Dial Two-Tone Stainless-Steel Watch | Stainless Steel | Black | $$$ |
Features of the Best Tactical Watch
There are different features to what the best action timepiece is. It has to not only be durable but it should also provide you with different tools in order to come in handy in different situations. Whether skydiving or being stuck in the unforgiving heat of the Afghan desert, these are the things that you need on your tactical watch. These features not only make the best timepiece but also the best survival tool essential.
Magnetic Compass
Military men find a number of uses to the tactical watches. One of the essentials of surviving the elements is to have an idea of your location. Most tactical watch brands utilize different types of location features such as a compass in order to provide the end user with the confidence to traverse the different elements without the threat of being lost anywhere in the world. Also, some watches were designed to have declination adjustment.
Barometer
The barometer is one of the most widely used equipment that can predict short term weather forecast. Pressure tendency can essentially affect the overall weather. Given the line of job people with tactical watches have, this is a feature worth having. With the slightest adjustment in the weather becoming crucial in an operation, an accurate forecast could mean early adjustment on the part of the end user.
Heart Rate Monitor
What makes a heart rate monitor a good thing to have for your tactical watch? It simply makes you aware of how your physical well being is doing. Are you nervous? Or are you composed? Though not all tactical timepieces have it, this can be a great bonus to be included in your timepiece.
Water Resistant
Given the terrain, the number of climate considerations and that the best tactical watch has to go through, this becomes an important factor to consider. Water resistance adds up to the durability and the flexibility of a product’s function. In fact, some of the watches are even used for diving purposes.
Altimeters
The elevation is great information to be handed over by a tactical watch. With the GPS function of some watches, it can also provide altitude display and it could provide users with information in both meters and feet.
The Best Watches you Can Choose From
Suunto Core All Black
Suunto core all black contains that unassuming exterior together with the best array of technical features that only the best tactical watch has. The Suunto core all black contains weather trend indicator and altimeter to keep you aware on the level of elevation. Also, it is useful in the wilderness and in different environments with its compass and depth meter. And of course, this tactical watch is not just meant for the outdoors but can also for the casual urban setting.
5.11 Field Ops Watch
This 5.11 Tactical Watch is a great product that attests to 5.11 Tactical’s reputation for providing the best in military-related gear. The 5.11 Tactical Field Ops Watch can stand out on the market of tactical/military watches given its features and reasonable price. With sureshot ballistic calculator, durable high-density polycarbonate frame, these are only few things that make the 5.11 Tactical a great compliment to a military’s occupation. This can easily provide shooting adjustments calibrated accurately up to 1,000 yards.
Luminox Navy Seal
Luminox made this particular timepiece meant for naval duties. Unlike most watches that are mainly for aesthetic purpose, this type of product is made of black carbon reinforced polymer case in order to incorporate a lightweight but sturdy design for the worst conditions. Also, this watch was designed to not only be water resistant up to a few meters but it cold withstand depth and pressure of up to 660 meters.
g shock ga 110
Casio has been in the watch industry for the longest time. The timepieces that they have created stand at par with the best in the market. This time around, they produced the G-Shock X. A shock resistant, anti-magnetic tactical watch wrapped in one with its versatile 200-meter water resistant feature, the Casio G-Shock is simply something that most military men would love. G-shock had its share of success for the past years, but this tactical watch can easily be used also as a casual futuristic and stylish watch that men would love.
Invicta Chronograph
Invicta Chronograph Stainless Steel tactical watch is made of stainless case that can easily attract the market with discerning taste on military watches. This can hang with some of the best tactical watch products for the reason that it combines superior mechanics and material with functionality. The Specialty Black Chronograph Carbon Fiber Dial Polyurethane watch is a heavy duty tactical timepiece that has been designed for precision. Among its features include a water resistant capability that can go as deep as 330 feet.
The Best Tactical Watch with Tritium Technology
Soldiers, policemen and security personnel all invest on the best high end apparel and equipment that could help them perform better at what the job requires of them. Getting the right timepiece for these people not only means an idea what time it is. The best tactical watch should also have what it takes to withstand the environment , not to mention provide all the necessary tools that the job would require. There are different brands today that would claim that they have what it takes to be the best tactical watch. A lot of these watches utilize tritium technology. So what is tritium technology that it is best utilized for different tactical watches?
Tritium Technology and Other Technologies
Tritium illumination is the use of a gaseous radioactive isotope that creates visible light through decay of electrons. This technology has been found useful by so many watch manufacturers because of the efficiency in energy that it provides. It doesn’t consume on the batter plus, it has a number of practical emergency applications.
Tritium watches have been around for quite some time. In fact, the modern tactical watches today are using tritium technology because of the different military situations that require usage in low light environments. Given the illumination that tritium technology could give, it enables the end user to have an idea of what the time is, not to mention see the other functions of the watch.
There are different brands that have dominated the tritium watch market. Over the years, the 5.11 tactical watch products have catered not only tritium, as means of illumination but also functional additions such as an altimeter, barometer and other tools that can help in determining the weather. Also, these time pieces can be taken not only in dry environments but also in the water. Some watches could go deep underwater by as much as 99 feet. Besides helping the user have an idea on what to expect in the environment, some of the best military watches in the market today are also aiding the users to increase their accuracy in shooting. This provides a great help especially during real combat situations.
Smith and Bradley Sans 13 Tritium Tactical Watch
This tritium watch is the epitome of serious workmanship with the blend of functionality. A crowd funded project that It makes use of full tritium illumination technology to provide the time even in the darkest environment. This makes it possible to make the tactical watch function for the long haul without draining the batteries.
Traser Type 3 Tritium Tactical Watch
Made in 2011, the Traser Type 3 Tritium tactical watch is one of the best out there in the market today. Upon first glance, this could potentially be the best tactical watch that utilizes tritium light technology. Made of durable materials, it has the capacity to withstand tough weather conditions and designed for individuals with demanding occupations such as the police, the military and the security personnel. The material is made of stainless steel and could easily withstand a 30 meter depth.
Despite its classification as a military watch, this time piece can also be adaptable to the normal conditions. It can also be used on your casual wear. With classy and slick design, its unassuming appearance will make it appear just like any other classy watch. What makes this watch extra special is that it has a number of functions that any military personnel would love to have.
Smith and Wesson SWW 12T R Soldier Tritium Tactical Watch
Smith and Wesson is one of the best companies that have spent years of research in order to create the best military watch in the market today. They have invested a large amount of time testing the durability and the ability of the watches to meet and surpass expectations by those who are operating in the field.
Smith & Wesson has developed a name when it comes to their technology in the military and tactical equipment. As for the SWW 12-T R Soldier Tritium Tactical watch, it has a scratch resilient feature that can also be used up to 330 feet underwater. With its tritium technology, it provides the watch with proper illumination without relying on the batteries. Also, the tritium illumination technology used on the watch can last up to 20 years according to the manufacturer.
Smith & Wesson SWW 900 Tritium Tactical Watch
The Smith & Wesson SWW 900 watch is an even better underwater timepiece. In fact, it can be taken up to the depths of as much as 660 feet. With its tritium light source that can provide 2 decades worth of illumination and a one year warranty to top it all off, this is a great purchase for anyone looking for a durable and tested military watch.