The best watches for the military are also some of the best everyday watches for men. They’re practical and available at every price point. Here are our choices!
Have you noticed that when it comes to style, most men’s essentials have military roots? Think trench coats, service boots, and, of course, timepieces. In fact, it’s thanks to soldiers that men even wear wristwatches today (more on that in a moment). It’s one of the many, many reasons we should be grateful to our boys in uniform!
The best military watches for men come in all shapes and sizes. There’s a model for everyone, and I personally feel every man should have one. Or at least consider one.
Now, let’s ask an important question to get us all on the same page: What exactly are military watches?
What are Military Watches: A Brief History
Manufacturers build men’s military-style watches to handle everything a soldier may encounter on the field. And when I say field, I mean the trenches, in wet environments, and up in the air as well. This means they’re durable, accurate, shock-resistant, impact-resistant, water-resistant, dust-resistant, and highly legible. A soldier in the trenches might have mere seconds to check his timekeeper. It would be highly detrimental if he couldn’t read his watch at a glance.
Remember when I said that we wouldn’t even have wristwatches if not for the military? Well, once upon a time, pocket timekeepers were the go-to for men. Many considered wearing one on your wrist feminine.
In the late 19th century, soldiers realized pocket watches were far too inconvenient on the field. Yet, manufacturers designed so many wristwatches delicately to accommodate women. Often, men just took their pocket watches and strapped them onto their wrists using a leather strap. They also wore them on their inner wrists to further protect the watch face.
The style took a few years to proliferate into the civilian world. However, many considered them a bit too feminine. Around World War II, non-soldiers realized how much better built these timepieces were (and are). By the 1960s, the dominance of pocket watches started to decline, all thanks to military wristwatches.
How to Choose the Best Military and Tactical Watch
You really can’t go wrong with real military watches. If they can withstand the stress of war, they can withstand everyday life. A model that can handle explosions and diving excursions will be just fine if you accidentally bang it against your desk at work. Still, not all military tactical watches are the same.
First, consider your budget. Of course, more expensive models often have more advanced features. However, you can find a perfectly good basic tactical watch at low prices. You might consider Timex or Seiko for some great sub-300 options. I support one’s decision to invest in a timepiece, but don’t skip bill payments for one.
Second, consider your lifestyle. If you’re a carpenter, you definitely want a dust-proof watch. If you’re around water a lot, perhaps you’re a dolphin trainer or a ferry captain, make sure to go for water-resistant pieces. Not all divers are military watches. Meanwhile, military watches vary in their level of water resistance.
If you need full, undistracted mobility of your arms, you might need a lightweight option. Classic military watches are robust, but they can sometimes be heavy. Find a model made of lightweight titanium, or consider simple military field watches that are complication-free.
And, of course, consider the look and style of the watch. Sure, military watches are well-built, but not all are designed with fashion in mind. Even if you don’t care about aesthetics, remember you can’t wear a big, brawny G-Shock with a tuxedo. You need something more versatile if you want a military model for a one-watch collection. The look and functions will vary depending on what branch the timepiece is designed for (air force, navy, or army).
This brings us to our next topic!
Types of Men’s Military Watches
Remember that our boys aren’t just in the trenches. Sometimes, they’re in a submarine or fighter jet. They might be in the sun and sand, mud, swamp, or water. What watch does the military use? It depends on the branch — and the mission.
Of course, most of us will never face the same challenges as a soldier. However, depending on your job or life, you might want a timepiece made for land, sea, or air. Here’s a quick rundown of the types of good military watches.
Land
During World War I, military watches for land were also called trench watches. These days, the terms military watch and trench watch are interchangeable. However, the latter is often used to describe timepieces modeled after these vintages. This is also the case with the term field watch. Land-based army men might be in a field, trench, or trekking around the desert.
So, land-based models are highly durable often made with stainless steel. They’re simple, bold, and high-contrast. They’re usually water-resistant, but elite-level resistance isn’t necessary. Being able to handle rain and splashes is sufficient. This is why land-based men’s military watches are easy to find on the cheap! Other important features include shock- and impact-resistance, lume, and dust-proofing.
Sea
Navy men wear dive watches or just highly water-resistant timepieces, depending on how submerged they are. If you’re in a submarine, you might not need 300 meters of water resistance since you aren’t diving. However, you might want to consider emergencies.
Timepieces designed for military divers will have all the hallmarks of a diver: Intense water resistance, a unidirectional bezel, and lume. Divers don’t typically come with bidirectional bezels. Remember that you use the bezel to time your dive. If you accidentally bump your unidirectional bezel, it’ll indicate a shorter diving time than you might have. This is far safer than if you think you have more time than you do.
A bracelet with an extension is also necessary. This way, you can wear it over your diving gloves. NATO straps are a lightweight option, perfect for hot weather, while rubber straps are strong and soak-resistant. Soldiers in mud and swamps will likely go for a sea-based military timekeeper, too.
Air
Men in the Air Force need a leveled-up aviator watch. When you’re piloting a fighter jet, you need a large dial and lume to quickly glance at it to get the time. These gents don’t have the luxury of taking their eyes off the sky road for too long. Bold markings and contrast are of the utmost importance with an air-based timepiece.
Just as a dive watch needs a dive extension, an air-based military watch needs an oversized crown. Pilots often wear thick, strong gloves, and the big crown allows them to operate the timekeeper even with these gloves on.
An Air Force watch might also have a chronograph and tachymeter scale, which allow you to calculate time and distance. Like many field watches, it needs to be able to withstand extreme temperatures and high altitudes.
Best Military and Tactical Watches for Men
Now, without further adieu, here are some of the best and most popular military watches for men! They’re in no particular order. However, there’s a wide range here. Land, sea, and air are, of course, all represented. So, regardless of your lifestyle, budget, or personal style, you’re sure to find the model for you.
Timex Ironman Rugged Black Full-Size Watch
Price: $50
Case Size: 44 millimeters
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Pros
Look at that price! The Timex Ironman Rugged is definitely the budget banger of the military watch world. Regardless, Timex fills it to the brim with specs and functions. It’s a fully competent tactical timepiece with a strong, authoritative look.
You get a 100-hour chronograph, military time, and two time zones with a month, date, and day — among others. And while you can’t wear this watch diving, it’ll survive a proper swim, snorkel, and certainly rain.
Overall, this guy is hard to beat for the money.
Cons
I don’t have the best eyesight. And while you can wear this watch while swimming, it’s a bit dim to read in the water.
Casio G-Shock Mudman Solar Black G9300GB-1
Price: $190
Case Size: 53 millimeters
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Pros
The Casio Mudman is the beater of the century. And while it comes in several variations these days, the G9300GB-1 is the quintessential G-Shock. It’s brawny and commanding, with a touch of pizazz via the gold gears and dials, adding contrast and legibility.
This reliable piece of gear is the perfect choice if you expose yourself to rough-weather environments. It can handle water, snow, mud, snow, and dirt. Off to the desert? Going on a snow hike? Go for this watch.
Cons
At 53 millimeters long and 50 millimeters wide, this watch is incredibly bulky. Of course, that’s G-Shock’s MO, and there’s something to feeling the substance on your wrist. However, it’s not great for guys with extra skinny wrists.
Luminox Men’s 3051 EVO Navy SEAL Colormark Watch
Price: $260-$495
Case size: 44 millimeters
Water resistance: 200 meters
Pros
The Luminox 3051 EVO is one of the best watches for military diving. This makes it an excellent watch for civilians in everyday rain situations.
This purpose-built, Swiss-made tool boasts a downright nuclear lume that will light up for 25 years. You can definitely read the dial underwater. Despite a pretty big case size, Luminox makes this watch out of a strong and lightweight carbon material. It’s comfortable to wear and has an undeniably cool look.
Cons
Considering how stacked this watch is in functions, I’m surprised there’s no alarm or stopwatch.
Garmin Tactix Delta
Price: $700
Case size: 51 millimeters
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Pros
Need a smartwatch that can take you from the pool to the trails? Check out the Garmin Tactix Delta. It features everything you need from a wearable, including maps, navigation, and even climbing features, poured into a tactical construction.
It’s water resistant and built to MIL-STD-810 military standards. Thanks to its black DLC-coated bezel and sapphire crystal, it can handle the harshest environments and high-impact transportation. You can even calculate high-altitude release points according to military guidelines. Most of us won’t be skydiving any time soon, but this is a testament to just how much this watch can do.
Additionally, there are tons of privacy options. Stealth mode lets you use your watch without storing or sharing your GPS position. Meanwhile, kill mode allows you to wipe user memory quickly.
Cons
This watch doesn’t have a touchscreen, which doesn’t feel state of the art. I do understand that customizable buttons are more convenient for some lifestyles if you wear gloves often, for example. However, this quality makes the Tactix Delta perfect for some and not ideal for others.
Suunto Core
Price: $200
Case size: 49 millimeters
Water resistance: 30 meters
Pros
Going off-grid? This compass-equipped, electroluminescent Suunto Core is the model for you.
With all its weather features, it can prepare you for the unexpected. Fishing or studying marine life? This watch indicates sea level pressure and even offers a sea level pressure graph.
Planning your camping trip? Check out the sunrise and sunset timer and the weather trend indicator. There’s even a storm alarm.
Perhaps you’re going on a climb. This watch offers air-pressure-based total ascent and total descent. If this timepiece can prepare soldiers on the field for what’s coming, it can prepare civilians for trips and adventures.
Cons
Despite how great the Suunto Core is at preparing you for weather, the water resistance isn’t the best. You might be able to wear it in the shower, but I wouldn’t, just to be safe. Fortunately, it’ll be fine in moderate rain.
Seiko Prospex SRPE99
Price: $400
Case size: 45 millimeters
Water resistance: 200 meters
Pros
Now, here’s a military timepiece that’s also stylishly sporty and perfect for horology buffs on a budget. A solidly built diver with top-notch specs and a workhorse automatic movement in the ~$400 price point? It’s remarkable, but it’s what Seiko does.
Also known as “The Turtle” because of its cushion case, the distinct silhouette has become quite legendary in the watch world. It’s a model that practical functionalists and fashion lovers can get behind. And while 45 millimeters isn’t tiny, it’s a lot more wearable than it looks because of the shorter lugs.
The PADI, or Professional Association of Diving Instructors, also certified the Seiko Prospex SRPE99. This means the world’s largest association of ocean explorers and divers considers it professional diving equipment.
Cons
At this price point, I think a sapphire crystal is necessary. Seiko tends to overstretch their proprietary Hardlex crystal too far into higher prices.
Hamilton Khaki Field
Price: $600
Case size: 38 millimeters
Water resistance: 50 meters
Pros
In all its iterations, the Hamilton Khaki Field line is popular for its high-value construction and classic military style. The contrast and 24-hour dial are all there, with attractive syringe hands that ensure you know exactly where they’re pointing. The black dial’s contrast is bolder, but the green dial offers that essential military aesthetic.
I personally love the 38-millimeter case. It suits any wrist size. Hamilton built the Khaki with good, honest quality. The H-50 caliber is reliable and flaunts an 80-hour power reserve. Some might think its manual winding operation is inconvenient. I think it allows you to get to know your watch better. It ups the engagement factor.
Cons
Though Hamilton’s H69439933 is a classic Khaki Field, it doesn’t have anti-reflection on its glass. Now, if you aren’t actually in the army, this isn’t that big of a deal. Still, it does seem like a strange oversight.
Vaer C3 Dirty Dozen
Price: $300
Case size: 36 millimeters
Water resistance: 100 meters
Pros
Vaer was inspired by the now-iconic and highly sought-after Dirty Dozen watches when they built the C3. These were the first non-civilian timepieces worn by the British forces, making them essentially one of the first true, purpose-built military timepieces. So, the C3 has a classic field watch look that is timeless and iconic.
This ruggedly constructed watch has an AR-coated domed sapphire on the outside and an Ameriquartz movement inside. The movement is a precise, accurate quartz caliber that’s fully assembled in the US. The watch itself is even assembled in the US.
Cons
The single-domed sapphire distorts the dial at certain angles. I find this charming as it channels vintage domed mineral crystals in a modern construction. However, I’ve noticed that this blur doesn’t show up in product shots. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, so this is more of an FYI.
Bremont Armed Forces Line
Price: ~$4,000
Case size: 40-42 millimeters
Water resistance: 100 meters
Pros
Bremont watches also take inspiration from the Dirty Dozen. The Dirty Dozen refers to 12 field watches from 12 Swiss manufacturers made for World War II. Today, Bremont works directly with Britain’s Ministry of Defence to create their luxury watches for the armed forces.
Bremont makes these watches to withstand everyday wear and high-impact situations. However, they’re so chic and elegant that you can definitely wear them in formal situations, too.
This watch is so versatile it’s perfect for a one-watch collection. Bremont makes this watch in the UK, which is incredibly rare. Its case back features the heraldic badges of the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, and the Army.
Cons
This premium watch comes with a premium price. You may not get the life-long instant heirloom quality with cheaper pieces or the heritage. However, you don’t really need a $4,000 military watch when you can get one for $1,000.
Features to Consider When Buying a Military Watch
Military watch brands consider many features when building their specific models. After all, one military watch can’t have it all. Sometimes, lightness in weight gives way to durability. You might get reliable, excellent GPS, but that with several functions at once can be a battery drain. Meanwhile, legibility and stealth are a tough balance.
As such, here are the features you should consider when buying a military watch.
Durability
What’s your watch made of, and how is it made? Fortunately, even budget brands make their watches from durable stainless steel, which resists tarnishing and corrosion. For a premium, you might find a titanium watch, which is also lighter than stainless steel. Diamond-like carbon is a treatment that ups a watch’s strength.
Brands like G-Shock use clever engineering to increase a watch’s strength. Casio makes most of its models of resin, but the hollow case structure with a floating module provides elite shock resistance.
Depending on your personal style and lifestyle, the material or construction may be more important.
Water Resistance
How much water resistance do you need? A case with 30 to 50 meters of water resistance can withstand splashes and light rain. Some models can even withstand light swimming.
A case with 100 meters of water resistance can withstand most lifestyles. You can certainly swim with this level of water resistance.
Most high-luxury divers have 300 meters of water resistance. This can handle true-blue diving. Beyond that, there are deep divers, like the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea, which has 3,900 meters of water resistance. Most people won’t need this.
Battery Life
Consider long-term battery life for quartz watches and short-term battery life for smartwatches.
You need a longer battery life if you need to use several apps and functions simultaneously. You don’t want your watch to die if you’re off the grid.
For battery-powered quartz watches, cheaper models might have 3-5 years of long-term battery life, while more expensive models can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years.
Readability
Size and contrast are important to readability. This is why most military watches feature a stark contrast between the dial and the applications.
In addition to this, you need to consider how often you’ll be using your watch in the evening. If that’s the case, how good is the lume? How long will it last? Perhaps it’s like a Timex Indiglo that you can turn on with a push of a button.
Additional Functions: GPS, altimeter, barometer, compass, etc.
While all military watches are strong and legible, you might need extra features.
Tactical smartwatches are popular for off-grid adventurers because of their GPS offerings. Many even have additional navigation features like GLONASS. GPS and Galileo are great for vertical accuracy and are perfect for climbers. GPS and GLONASS are effective at horizontal accuracy.
You might want an altimeter, which detects altitude via air pressure. Or, you might need a barometer, which measures atmospheric pressure to predict weather.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to finding the best military watches, it’s a matter of lifestyle and personal preference.
Honestly, if you’re in the market for a timekeeper and you’re at a loss, start your journey with military timepieces. From a practical perspective, these are some of the most durable models on the market. Style-wise, as mentioned, military wristwatches are menswear classics.
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