Military watches are built with sustainability and robustness in mind. These watches are a great fit if you love to brave the outdoors like hiking, mountaineering, swimming or even scuba diving.
However, selecting these tactical watches may differ from one individual to another due to the different needs arises from different job functions. A navy seal may require a watch with different time zones and tide graphs while a police officer may only require a watch with basic functions.
As a rule of thumb, all tactical watch has to be easy to read no matter day or night. These watches must be able to withstand repeated shocks and impacts as well as waterproof for it to survive the outdoors. Mineral crystal dial window is usually selected due to its strong and scratch-resistant properties.
If you are looking for additional features like an Altimeter, Barometer and Compass, Thermometer and Sunrise data, you can check out the best survival watch article here.
Here’s our top 6 picks for the best military watch
Top 6 Military Watch Comparison
| Image | Name | Weight | Battery Type | Water Resistant | World Time | Price | Benefits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Casio GW7900B-1 Solar Atomic | Click for latest price | 2.5 ounces | CTL1616 rechargable | 200 m | Yes | $$ | Best pick for military watch for its tide graph and tough solar panel. |
  | Casio DW6900-1V | Click for latest price | 2.4 ounces | CR2016 lithium-ion | 200 m | No | $ | Best price for a no- frills G-Shock watch |
  | Casio GA-100 Military Series | Click for latest price | 2.6 ounces | CR1220A lithium | 200 m | Yes | $$ | Anti-magnetic watch suitable for those who work on the field. |
  | Timex T49905 Expedition | Click for latest price | 2.7 ounces | CR2016 lithium-ion | 100 m | No | $ | Suitable as an everyday carry watch. |
  | Fossil Men's Nate Stainless Steel | Click for latest price | 10.4 ounces | SR621SW silver oxide | 100 m | No | $$ | Stylish appearance with three separate sub-eyes on the watch face. |
  | Infantry Military Tactical | Click for latest price | 2.1 ounces | LR44 alkaline | 50 m | No | $ | Most budget tactical watch that offers the basic functions. |
6 Best Military Watches Under $100 Review
Casio G-Rescue GW7900B-1 Solar Atomic Watch
Background – CASIO G-Shock was first conceptualised in 1981 when a Casio engineer Kukuo Ibe accidentally broke a pocket watch gifted to him by his father. The G-Shock was created based on the concept of triple 10 resistance. This means that the watch has 10 years of battery life, water-resistance rating of 10 bar and could survive a fall of 10 meters.
Weight – 2.5 ounces
Solar Battery – With an approximate battery lifetime of 9 months on full charge assuming no further exposure to sunlight after charge, the Casio G-Rescue Solar Atomic offers a great bargain for a solar watch.
Full Auto Electro-Luminescent (EL) Backlight with Afterglow – The Auto EL function here illuminates your watch face automatically when you tilt your wrist 40 degrees or more. Meanwhile, the after-glow function allows the light to remain on for 5 secs or longer before it actually switches off.
Multi-band Atomic Timekeeping – The Casio G-Rescue Solar Atomic automatically receives time calibration radio signals which keeps the displayed time accurate. The watch has auto-receive function up to 6 times per day or you could manually receive the signal to keep your watch time synchronized.
In case you are wondering, these frequency stations are located at United States (Fort Collins, Colorado), United Kingdom (Anthorn), Germany (Mainflingen), Japan (Mount Otakadoya, Fukushima) and China (Shangqiu).
Tide Graph and Moon Chart – After inputing your current coordinates and longitude, the tide graph and moon chart would be useful for planning outdoor activities especially surfing, fishing and kayaking. A high tide and low tide would make a difference of a 5m beach or a 100m beach.
At new or full moon, you will get a spring tide because the gravitational force of the sun and moon are combined. This point, we will experience extremely high tides and extremely low tides.
Seven days after the spring tide, the sun and moon will be at right angle to each other forming a neap tide where the moon gravitational pull is weakened by the Sun. This point, we will see much lower high tides and lower low tides.
Material:
- Plastic resin band
- Mineral crystal dial window
- Case diameter: 50 mm
- Band Width: 30.5 mm
Power & Display:
- CTL1616 solar rechargeable battery powered and rechargeable by solar panel built into the face of watch
- Quartz movement with digital display
Features:
- World time in 48 cities or 31 time zones
- Full Auto EL Backlight with Afterglow
- Tough Solar Power
- Md6 atomic keeping
- Water-resistant rating: 200 m (suitable for recreational scuba diving)
What is the watch suitable for – Navy Seals, Military, Tactical watch, Fishing, Surfing or Bugging out survival watch
Things to look out for – Solar batteries for this model (CTL1616) needs a replacement every 2 to 4 years depending on usage. Even though it does not cost a large sum, it is something to keep in mind when purchasing this watch.
My take – The Casio G-Rescue Solar Atomic makes a great pick for a military watch under $100. This watch packs all the features you would need when braving the outdoor environment like shock resistance, water resistance to 200m, 31 different time zones data at an amazing price. I personally think this is a great pick for solar atomic watch if you do not require the ABC functions in a survival watch.
Casio Men’s G-Shock DW6900-1V Sport Watch
Background – Born from the dream of “creating a watch that never breaks”. G-shock watches are designed to resist high impact force, centrifugal force and high-water pressure. These watches are trusted by military personnel, law enforcement due to its durability.
In the G-shock history, DW6900 is part of the evolution from the initial release of Casio DW6600 in 1994. Hence, the DW6900 is definitely the most classic watch you could ever get.
Weight – 2.4 ounces
Shock Resistant – The Casio watch are designed in a way that if the watch is dropped or hit on something, the kinetic energy from the drop will be evenly distributed from the internal module to prevent any damage.
During bugging out, the chances of hitting or dropping your watch are high so shock resistance is a must-have for your timepiece.
Flash Alert – G-shock flash alert here means that the watch flashes with a buzzer for wake up alarm, stopwatch alarm and hourly time signal. The flash is useful in situations where you cannot hear the alarm especially when you are wearing ear muffs or ear phone.
Material:
- Black resin band
- Mineral crystal dial window
- Case diameter: 50 mm
- Band width: 24.5 mm
Power & Display:
- Battery CR2016 (lithium-ion) that has a lifespan of approximately 2 years
- Quartz movement with digital display
Features:
- EL Backlight with Afterglow
- Shock Resistance
- 20-bar or 200m water resistance (suitable for water activities like swimming and surfing)
What is the watch suitable for – No-frill tactical watch, budget traveller watch
Things to look – Since this is the no-frills version of G-shock, the display time is only for a single time zone. You will need to adjust your watch time according to the location you have been deployed.
My take – The Casio Men’s G-Shock DW6900-1V is the basic no-frills watch that can last for many years. The functions available are basics but sufficient if you only wanted a digital watch with stopwatch, countdown timer, alarm and water-resistant.
Casio Men’s GA 100-1A1 Military Series Watch
Background – Another G-shock brand again due to their high reliability and durability. The GA-100-1A analog-digital combination watch takes on a refreshing look with additional metal elements that give the watch face a different feel.
Weight – 2.6 ounces
Time zones Switch – There are 29 time zones or 48 cities with coordinated universal time for keeping track different time for different locations. The GA 100-1A1 Military Series also offers a Home city or World time city swapping which makes it much more convenient.
Magnetic Resistant – The GA-100 is an anti-magnetic which also means that you could wear this into an MRI machine. These anti-magnetic watches are often favoured by people who deal with high magnetic fields.
A magnetic resistant watch is created by making the moving parts to be insensitive to the magnetic fields or through housing the entire movement into a case made of magnetically conductive material preventing the magnetic fields from forming inside the watch. With this specification, the GA-110 can resist exposure to a direct current magnetic field of 4,800 A/m without affecting the watch accuracy.
Material:
- Plastic resin band
- Mineral crystal dial window
- Case diameter: 50 mm
- Band Width: 29 mm
Power & Display:
- CR1220A lithium metal battery that has an approximate battery life of 2 years
- Analog-digital
Features:
- World time in 48 cities
- Auto LED light switch with selectable illumination duration and afterglow
- 200m water resistance
What is the watch suitable for – Military or tactical watch
Things to look out for – The black buttons may be too dark and you might find it hard to read the watch display if not under direct sunlight.
My take – There have been many compliments about this GA-100-1A, so I would recommend giving it a good look. The watch offers great features such as shock-resistant, anti-magnetic and water-resistant up to 200m, it is a bargain to get it at the current price level.
Timex Men’s T49905 Expedition Field Chronograph Watch
Background – Started all the way back in 1854 in Connecticut, Waterbury Watch manufactured the first inexpensive mechanical pocket watch in 1880. During World War II, Waterbury renamed itself as the US Time Company.
In 1950, Timex wristwatch was introduced and advertised for its durability. Inspired by military design, the Timex has a slogan that spells “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking”
Weight – 2.7 ounces
Indiglo Back Light – First introduced in the Ironman series, the indiglo back light functions as an electroluminescent panel on the Timex watch. These backlights would illuminate a greenish-blue color and evenly light the watch dial for easier reading.
To grasp the science behind it, the dial is actually coated with a compound of zinc sulphide mixed with copper. This substance would illuminate once an electric charge is applied when the button is pushed.
Chronograph – A chronograph is basically a stopwatch built into the watch movement that enables you to measure elapsed time where the precise length of time needs to be known. The Timex Men’s Expedition Field Chronograph Watch has a 30-minute chronograph that measures to 1/20th second.
Material:
- Leather band
- Scratch-resistant mineral glass window
- Brass case material
- Case diameter: 43 mm
- Band width: 21 mm
Power & Display:
- CR2016 lithium metal battery that can last up to 5 years
- Quartz Analog display
- Three sub-dials that track minutes, seconds, and 1/20 of a second for up to 30 minutes
Features:
- Indiglo back light
- Water-resistant rating of 100m (suitable for swimming and snorkelling)
What is the watch suitable for – Everyday carry watch
Things to look out for – There are users that mention that Timex is unable to get the chronograph hand to line up properly which is to rest at the “zero” position.
My take – For a reasonably priced watch,you would receive a stylish looking watch with 100m water resistant and Indiglo night-light technology. Timex claims that their patented blue electroluminescent lighting technology uses less battery power than other illumination system resulting in your watch battery to last longer.
If you like this watch, I would recommend getting the SquareTrade 4-Year watch protection plan that only cost a few dollars. The protection plan offers coverage for product breakdowns and malfunctions as well as free shipping on all repairs with no deductibles.
Fossil Men’s JR1401 Nate Quartz Stainless Steel
Background – Founded in 1984 as Overseas Products International, Tom Kartsotis first imported moderately-priced fashion watch as their main products. They then went on to introduce leather goods under the Fossil brand in 1990 which led to its public offering 3 years later.
The Fossil group also has many other brands under their belt. Their brands include Fossil, Relic, Michele Watch, Skagen Denmark, Misfit, WSI, and Zodiac Watches.
Weight – 10.4 ounces
Three Separate Dials – The quartz movement are built into three separate sub-eyes on the watch face to display the day of the week, date of the month and 24-hour time. To ensure accurate time display, you will need to tune your watch according to the atomic clock.
Material:
- Black plated stainless-steel case
- Mineral crystal window
- Case diameter: 50 mm
- Band width: 24mm (interchangeable with Fossil straps)
Power & Display:
- SR621SW silver oxide battery
- Three-hand Quartz
Features:
- Water-resistant rating of 100m (suitable for bathing, swimming or snorkelling)
What is the watch suitable for – Everyday carry watch, Stylish watch
Things to look out for – This stylish watch does not offer a backlight so you would need an external light source to read the watch surface in dark area.
My take – The main difference between the Fossil and other watch brands is its stainless steel casing and bracelets which are durable and can last a lifetime if maintained properly. However, the watch weighs the heaviest and does not offer many features for tactical purpose.
Infantry Waterproof Men’s Military Tactical Field Watch
Background – Infantry Co. was founded in 2011 by a group of Hong Kong-Canadian designers who are passionate about adventure and style. The Infantry design concepts are demonstrated through its unique appearance, choice of materials and technology involved.
Weight – 2.1 ounces
Glow in Dark – The watch does not have an indiglo dial. However, the watch hands will be bright (relatively easy to read the time) at dark places after the watch surface has been exposed to sunlight beforehand to energise it.
Others – Interestingly, the infantry waterproof tactical watch offers a day and date calendar display that supports both English and Spanish language. The manual has instructions on how to set up the English or Spanish by pulling out the crown and turning the minute hand.
Material:
- Stainless-steel case
- Black nylon band
- Anti-scratch mineral crystal window
- Case diameter: 40 mm
- Band width: 22mm
Power & Display:
- LR44 alkaline battery
- Analog Japanese Quartz
Features:
- Water-resistant rating of 50m (suitable for hand washing, swimming and raining)
What is the watch suitable for – Budget watch, Casual watch
Things to look out for – The black coating of the watch may come off after exposure to water. There have been few cases where the setting knob broke-off while the Infantry watch was worn when exercising.
My take – Comparable to the Timex, the infantry offers a lower tier and budget type of tactical watch. The nylon bands are comfortable and the watch surface is easy to read. However, I personally would not choose it as a military watch but rather an everyday carry or casual watch instead due to its stylish appearance.
Similar to the Timex, I definitely recommend getting the SquareTrade 4-Year watch protection plan that only cost a few dollars. This is to ensure that you have full coverage for any product breakdowns and malfunctions as well as free shipping on all repair works.
Conclusion
After comparing the G-shock, Timex, Fossil and Infantry watches, we can conclude that the G-shock watches reign champion among these brands. This is due to their amazing feat of features such as shock resistance, tough solar power and water resistant at an affordable price range.
Personally, I would select the Casio G-Rescue Solar Atomic Classic due to its multi-band atomic time keeping and solar charging options which makes this watch a great bargain under $100. Additional features such as water resistance to 200m and 31 different time zones data would be very useful when you are braving the outdoors.