Best Tactical Watches [Buyers Guide]

Tactical watches have been around for a while. Most of us probably have a drawer full of watches and most of them fall into that category.

If you’re like us and aren’t opposed to spending some of that hard-earned cash on a badass tactical watch, then you need to keep reading!

With inspiration from the Special Ops community, these military-style timepieces feature exotic alloys, carbon fiber, and a heavy dose of sex appeal.

Summary of the Best Tactical Watches

• Casio G-Shock Rangeman
• Suunto Core
• Garmin Fenix
• Garmin Tactix Delta
• Casio Pro Trek
• MTM Cobra
• Citizen Pro Master Tough
• MTM US-744X Dive Watch

Best Tactical Watches

Casio G-Shock Rangeman GW9400

A popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and military personnel. It’s known for its rugged design, Triple Sensor technology (altimeter, barometer, compass), solar-powered charging, and resistance to shock and water.

The Casio G-Shock Rangeman GW9400 is a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts and military personnel. With exceptional durability, its rugged design thrives in demanding environments. Notably, its Triple Sensor tech incorporates an altimeter, barometer, and compass, essential for navigation and environmental data. Embracing sustainability, it utilizes solar charging, ensuring accurate timekeeping without frequent battery changes, bolstering its longevity for extended journeys.

The watch’s robustness extends to shock and water resistance, making it ideal for intense outdoor activities and aquatic adventures alike. The G-Shock Rangeman GW9400 perfectly blends cutting-edge tech with rugged endurance. Whether on uncharted trails, daring expeditions, or military service, it remains a symbol of reliability, innovation, and lasting appeal.

Suunto Core

This watch offers a variety of outdoor features including an altimeter, barometer, compass, and weather tracking. It’s known for its durability and easy-to-read display.

The Suunto Core is a standout watch tailored for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive set of tools like altimeter, barometer, compass, and weather tracking. An essential companion for adventurers, its altimeter accurately measures altitude for navigating diverse terrains.

The barometer tracks atmospheric pressure changes, aiding weather anticipation. The built-in compass ensures course accuracy in unfamiliar areas, while weather tracking provides real-time meteorological data for informed decisions.

Durability is a hallmark of the Suunto Core, designed to endure tough outdoor conditions with resilience against impacts and weather. Its user-friendly display swiftly conveys critical data, enhancing efficiency and safety during outdoor pursuits.

Garmin Fenix Series

Garmin’s Fenix series watches are highly regarded for their GPS capabilities, long battery life, and extensive tracking features. They offer advanced navigation, fitness tracking, and outdoor-specific tools.

The renowned Garmin Fenix Series has gained acclaim for its robust GPS capabilities, prolonged battery life, and extensive tracking features. These watches embody Garmin’s commitment to providing outstanding tools for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes.

At its core, the Fenix series excels in GPS accuracy, aiding navigation through unfamiliar terrain and tracking progress for activities like hiking, running, and cycling. Its extended battery life ensures uninterrupted usage during lengthy expeditions, alleviating concerns about power depletion.

The series’ standout feature is its comprehensive tracking suite, encompassing advanced fitness metrics like heart rate monitoring, step counts, and training analysis. Beyond fitness, it equips users with outdoor-specific tools such as altimeters, barometers, and compasses, ideal for conquering diverse outdoor challenges.

Garmin Tactix Delta

Part of Garmin’s tactical lineup, the Tactix Delta offers robust GPS features, tactical tools, and fitness tracking. It’s designed for military and law enforcement use.

The GARMIN Tactix Delta, a standout in Garmin’s tactical lineup, embodies innovation and functionality, catering to the specific needs of military and law enforcement. It seamlessly combines advanced GPS capabilities, tactical tools, and fitness tracking within a single, versatile watch.

The Tactix Delta boasts robust GPS features for navigating complex terrains and precise missions. Its reliable technology ensures confident course-plotting, waypoint marking, and location access.

Beyond navigation, the watch offers tactical advantages like night vision compatibility, stealth mode, and jumpmaster functions. These specialized tools enhance situational awareness and operational efficiency for military and law enforcement personnel.

Incorporating fitness tracking, the Tactix Delta caters to the physical demands of professionals, with heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and training metrics. This aspect ensures optimal readiness and health monitoring.

Crafted for military and law enforcement use, the Tactix Delta exemplifies precision and adaptability, harmonizing advanced technology with practical tools. From its robust GPS to tactical features and fitness tracking, this watch underscores Garmin’s commitment to empowering professionals in demanding fields.

Casio Pro Trek Series

Similar to the G-Shock, Casio’s Pro Trek watches offer features like altimeters, barometers, and compasses. They are designed for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers.

Casio’s Pro Trek Series, akin to the renowned G-Shock line, exemplifies the brand’s dedication to innovation and practicality. Designed for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers, these watches encompass crucial elements such as altimeters, barometers, and compasses.

The Pro Trek Series adeptly integrates these essential tools into a wristwatch format, offering a versatile companion for outdoor pursuits. The altimeter aids in navigating diverse landscapes, be it scaling peaks or descending valleys, by accurately measuring altitude.

Barometers offer insights into atmospheric pressure changes, enabling wearers to anticipate weather shifts and unexpected conditions. Meanwhile, compasses ensure accurate course direction in uncharted terrain, essential for traversing dense forests, open plains, or rocky paths.

Durably crafted, these watches withstand outdoor challenges while maintaining their functionality. Their rugged build aligns with their outdoor focus, ready to tackle various activities and environments.

MTM Cobra

This hefty timepiece arrived in a tactical Pelican-style hard case and is individually numbered. The large 47.5mm case sculpted from a block of titanium is neither subtle nor covert. In fact, it’s the largest watch I own.

Although the MTM website states a weight of 7.1oz, my Cobra tipped the scales at 6.3oz after removing a few links from the bracelet. Which is surprisingly light for a watch this size. Thanks in part to the lightweight titanium construction. Removing the metal links from a watch band typically involves a trip to the jeweler.

Not so with the user-friendly band from MTM. Link removal was a breeze with the supplied tools taking me no more than 5 minutes to dial in the size.

The MTM Cobra is a great daily driver looking good in various environments. Subdued enough not to compromise your position in a tactical setting, yet classy enough to accompany you for a night on the town. MTM Watch offers not only DLC Black, but brushed silver and sandblasted gray for a more traditional look.

"The MTM Cobra is a pilot watch that contains a classic slide rule bezel for aviators. It can be used for aviation related calculations that can provide valuable metrics with out a calculator, such as flight time & distance, fuel consumption, the rate of descent/climb and more." -specialopswatch.com

MTM Predator II

Although my need for a "tactical watch" is practically zero nowadays, the functionality and style remain my favorite features. Large easy-to-read analog faces and robust cases made from titanium or stainless steel.

Capable of use while in and around water, i.e. scuba diving, kayaking, etc. But what sets the MTM line apart from other tactical watch companies is the ability to heavily customize the look of the watch.

The Predator II is no exception. With options for stainless steel or titanium cases, along with three case finishes, two hand colors, twelve dial configurations and a whopping 34 available bands. There is virtually no way you can’t dial in the look you want when ordering a Predator II.

The Predator II does possess two key features that we really like.

First is the very precise Swiss Ronda 5040.D Quartz Chronograph movement. In a couple of months, it’s only varied by a few seconds against my atomic clock.

Second is the gas-filled tritium tubes on the hour and minute hands. Tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, creates visible light by emitting electrons through beta decay. The same material is found in night sights for a pistol or other firearm. Unlike the traditional luminescent dials that require external light to capture and produce a glow, these tritium tubes provide a green glow for up to 25 years on their own.

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Tough

Citizen’s Promaster series includes the Tough models, which are designed for outdoor and tactical use. They feature Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology, which charges the watch using light.

Citizen’s Eco-Drive Promaster Tough models stand out within the Promaster series, embodying outdoor and tactical excellence. These watches seamlessly blend rugged functionality with innovative technology, serving adventurers and tactical professionals.

Tailored for challenging environments, the Promaster Tough watches effortlessly transition from outdoor exploration to tactical use. Robust construction ensures durability in nature and tactical scenarios.

At the core of the Promaster Tough series lies Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology, a symbol of sustainable innovation. This tech harnesses light—natural or artificial—to power the watch continuously, eliminating the need for battery changes and ensuring reliability in remote settings.

Merging Promaster’s rugged durability with Eco-Drive’s sustainability, the Promaster Tough models redefine watch capabilities. They offer precise timekeeping and resilience for scaling mountains, traversing deserts, or tactical missions. In essence, the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Tough series showcases the brand’s ingenuity, catering to those seeking unwavering performance and reliability in their timepieces.

MTM US-744X Dive Watch

Inspired by the elusive Virginia class attack submarines, the US-744X is a tier-one diver’s watch. Machined from solid Grade 5 Titanium, the 45mm x 16mm case and bracelet weigh only 6.5 ounces combined.

A sleek multi-colored brass dial incorporates tritium-gas tubes in lieu of numerals to provide readability in low light conditions. The hands are also equipped with tritium-gas-filled tubes making them easy to read underwater.

The second hand smoothly sweeps across the elegant dial giving the US-744X a very classy feel. A feature typically found on higher-end watches.

A unidirectional ratcheting bezel also features a tritium insert at the twelve o’clock position. Additionally, the US-744X is rated to an incredible depth of 1640 feel below the surface. Which is far beyond the depth a diver would find themselves but a good measure of the watch’s capability to withstand extreme pressures.

Finally, a thick multi-coated, anti-reflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protects the layered brass dial below.

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Conclusion

the world of tactical watches is a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability. These timepieces have evolved beyond traditional roles, becoming indispensable tools for those who embrace challenges head-on.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast seeking reliable companionship on your treks or a professional navigating complex missions, the array of tactical watches offers something for everyone. As technology advances, we can only anticipate more innovative features and enhanced durability in the next generation of these watches.

So, if you’re ready to equip yourself with a timekeeping companion that’s as tough as you are, take the time to explore the options available. Consider your needs, preferences, and specific features that align with your activities.

From rugged designs to cutting-edge functionalities, tactical watches are here to guide you through your most demanding endeavors. Choose your tactical watch wisely, and let it be a testament to your spirit of adventure and determination

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