Survival watches are a must-have accessory for anyone who spends the majority of their time outdoors. We have put together this list of our top 10 survival watches to help you to find your perfect model. This kind of timepiece is designed to be incredibly reliable. They often become the wearer’s closest companion and can provide life-saving information in an emergency. Due to this, the wearer has to be able to depend on their timepiece entirely.
Watch manufacturers build survival watches to be resilient to drops and knocks and to be water-resistant to a reasonable level. Survival watches tend to have luminous features and are often built with ABC Technology. This means that the watch is equipped with an altimeter, barometer and compass. Some survival watches have GPS technology, but this is not a defining feature of this kind of timepiece. If you are searching for your perfect adventuring companion, keep reading for our top 10 survival watches.
Our Top 10 Survival Watches
Timex Expedition North Field Solar 41mm Black Dial Black Fabric Strap TW2V03800
The all-black design of this Timex model makes it a great piece to wear every day as well as an excellent companion on outdoor adventures. The watch features a black dial with dark indices and a date aperture. The hands are filled with luminous material to ensure they can be seen in the dark.
The Timex Expedition models are designed for the outdoors both aesthetically and structurally. A dark grey plated stainless steel case houses the quartz movement that powers this watch. This case measures 41mm in diameter, meaning that it can be read easily at a glance. This timepiece is secured on the wrist using a black fabric strap that will be comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. The watch is water-resistant up to 100 metres, meaning that it can be worn for some water-based activities. This is a more simple example of a survival watch, perfect for those who love going back to basics.
Garmin fenix 7X Sapphire Solar | Black DLC Titanium | Black Silicone Strap 010-02541-23
The fenix 7X was a long-awaited launch from the Garmin brand. This model is Garmin’s most advanced activity watch and is favoured amongst many outdoor enthusiasts. The watch is equipped with a huge number of workout features with guided workouts and HIIT sessions. The watch is built with multi-GNSS support, meaning that the GPS is incredibly accurate and the wearer’s location can be tracked with a high level of detail. This limits the risk of the wearer getting lost when out and about.
ABC sensors will aid in this accurate tracking and provide the wearer with more information about their whereabouts. Preloaded maps and up ahead technology will keep the wearer informed of what checkpoints they can expect to see on their travels. This model is also built with a solar-charged battery, extending the battery life of this model. The watch features a power sapphire lends which is surrounded by a titanium bezel. The watch case is made from fibre-reinforced polymer whilst the strap is a comfortable black silicone.
Casio G-Shock Rangeman | Blackout Tough Solar Radio Controlled | GW-9400-1BER
The unique feature of this model is that it is radio-controlled. This means that the watch will almost always keep perfect time. The watch is also powered by a solar movement, meaning that it is powered by light. This means that the watch is more sustainable and far less likely to run out of power whilst the wearer is on an expedition.
The watch is equipped with an alarm, an altimeter, barometer and a stopwatch function. It also has a calendar, a countdown timer and a world timer. The sunrise and sunset display will also keep the wearer informed of when it will begin to get dark. This model features a digital display that can be read easily whilst on the move. Hard mineral crystal protects the display, giving this timepiece a good This watch features a large black resin case with a matching black bezel. To create a coherent look, the watch is finished with a black resin strap.
Citizen GPS Navihawk Satellite Wave | Black Super Titanium | CC9025-51E CC9025-85E
This Citizen watch has an incredibly complicated dial at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes easy to read and can provide a huge amount of valuable information. This watch has a weekday and date display with a 24-hour display, a stopwatch and a world timer. This model is also equipped with automatic hand correction, GPS positioning, a shock detection function and a perpetual calendar. A satellite timekeeping system and local time alert will always keep the wearer informed of the precise time of day.
This watch is powered by Citizen’s famous Eco-Drive technology which uses light to power the watch. This particular watch has a power reserve of up to 540 days. The black dial of this timepiece is framed by a black-plated super titanium case. Titanium is a very desirable material in watches as it is both lightweight and durable. A black super titanium bracelet secures the watch on the wrist. For additional durability, the case and bracelet both have a Duratec coating.
Luminox Men’s Bear Grylls Survival Master 3741 Black Orange Strap XB.3749
This watch stands out from the crowd as it features a compass as part of the strap. The small compass is detachable and can be threaded onto the orange PU strap. This watch is the product of an ongoing collaboration between Luminox and Bear Grylls. This means that it has been designed especially for survival by a survival expert.
The black dial exhibits three sub-dials and a date aperture with hands and indices that are lit using Gas Tube illumination. Sapphire glass protects the dial, giving the watch a good level of durability. A black Carbonox composite case houses the quartz movement that powers the watch. This material provides the watch with a tough and lightweight finish. This model is water-resistant up to 200 metres, meaning that it can be worn for quite a lot of water-based activities. This level of water resistance is enhanced by a double security gasket protected crown.
Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Carbon Limited Edition 241927.1
The camouflage pattern of this watch makes it a fun choice for a survival watch. The Victorinox brand is best known for its Swiss Army knives. This watch comes with a matching green and black Swiss Army knife to make this set the perfect pair of survival tools. The watch features a green camouflage print dial with bold white Arabic indices. The second hand is red, making it easy to track short time periods. The dial is protected by a triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal and framed by a lightweight carbon composite case. This material is specially selected as it is very resistant to scratches.
The watch comes with two straps which can be changed based on the occasion or wearer’s preference. One of the straps is made from black rubber, making it a great choice if the wearer is planning on utilising the 200 metres of water resistance that this watch has. The second option is a camouflage-style paracord strap.
Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar | Black Silicone Strap T1214204705102
This model is equipped with a huge number of features that can all be accessed using the low energy MIP digital screen. The watch has ABC technology alongside a perpetual calendar, timezones and an automatic daylight savings time function. This timepiece also has weather trends, connection alerts and can track steps and distance travelled.
This timepiece also has some traditional smartwatch functions and can keep the wearer connected with their contacts whilst on an adventure using call and message notifications. The watch is powered by a solar quartz movement that has a power reserve of up to 6 months, meaning that the wearer will not be left without their all-important watch whilst on an expedition. This timepiece features a rose gold PVD plated titanium case and a black ceramic bezel which provide the watch with an incredibly lightweight, yet very durable finish. This watch is secured on the wrist using a black rubber strap.
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Tidal Blue Silicone Strap 010-02627-06
Garmin’s Instinct watches are designed to be tough, making them the perfect survival watch. These watches have built-in sports apps to track workouts and movement alongside smart notifications that will keep the wearer connected. This model is water-rated to 100 metres and is also thermal and shock-resistant, making it suitable to wear in almost all conditions. For added durability, the display of this watch is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. This watch also has a practically unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode due to the solar charging function that it is equipped with. ABC sensors and Multi-GNSS support ensure that the wearer is unlikely to get lost whilst wearing the watch as their location will be tracked with a high level of accuracy. This model features a vibrant case that is made from fibre-reinforced polymer and the strap is in matching blue silicone.
Seiko 5 Sports Field Green Nylon Strap SRPG33K1
Although this watch may not have the same technological features as a high-tech modern survival watch, it is perhaps one of the most reliable options in this list of top 10 survival watches. This watch is powered by an automatic movement, so as long as it is worn, it will have power. This makes this watch very dependable.
This timepiece takes us back to basics and simple has time, weekday, date and seconds-stop functions. The watch exhibits a green dial with silver Arabic indices and matching silver hands. Each of the hands features some luminous material to ensure that the time can be read in the dark. The movement is housed in a stainless steel case which provides a rather durable finish. This watch is secured on the wrist using a green nylon strap that takes inspiration from historical military field watches. The simple design of this timepiece makes it a great choice for everyday wear as well as adventuring.
Victorinox Swiss Army | I.N.O.X. V | Women’s | Grey Paracord Strap | Grey Dial 241920
This women’s watch features playful touches of a bright pink shade to add a fun feminine touch to an otherwise incredibly practical survival watch. This timepiece features a grey dial with clear and easy to read indices. The second hand is pink, making it stand out from the dial. A stainless steel case frames the dial. The watch is provided with a pink bumper for the case which can be used when knocks and bumps are anticipated. A pink flecked grey paracord strap finishes this watch. The paracord is supersoft, ensuring comfortable wear. Additionally, in an emergency, the cord can be unwound and used. This watch is powered by a reliable Swiss-made quartz movement and is water-resistant up to 100 metres. The watch has been specially designed to keep pace with adventurous life and can withstand temperature shocks whilst being practical, robust and resilient.
What do you think of our top 10 survival watches? Which one of the recommendations caught your eye? Let us know in the comments!
