The benefits of having a dependable timepiece on your wrist are obvious. Not only can the right watch supply you with the time and date accurately and reliably, but some models can also give you important data, such as your exact location anywhere on the planet or important weather updates.
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Though practicality comes first for most of us, there’s no reason you can’t opt for a quality watch that pleases the eye as well. Here are six tactical watches trustworthy enough to get you to your appointments on time and rugged enough to get you out of a disaster zone when the proverbial s#&% hits the fan — all while doing it in style.
Garmin Tactix Bravo
- Style: Black with nylon straps
- MSRP: $699.99
- URL: garmin.com
Notes: The Tactix Bravo is equipped with GPS plus altimeter, barometer and compass functions as well as Garmin’s Tactical features, which include Jumpmaster activity (fancy a HALO jump anyone?), projected waypoints and a dual-position-format GPS Coordinate Data Page that supports MGRS, Degrees Minutes Seconds and more. This watch includes a host of other features for fitness training, outdoor navigation and more.
Resco Instruments Manus
- Style: Grey dial, PVD
- MSRP: $1,185
- URL: rescoinstruments.com
Notes: Founded by a U.S. Navy SEAL, Resco Instruments is a company that builds watches for rugged use in the field. Built and tested in Coronado, Calif., Resco’s watches are currently worn on the wrists of more than 100 active-duty SEALs. How’s that for an endorsement? The Manus features 13-jewel, Swiss Ronda quartz movement and a 316L stainless steel case with a black DLC finish. The watch is rated to a depth of 200 meters for water resistance. It has a slightly domed sapphire crystal with a single inner anti-reflective coating.
Bravo Company USA BCM Mk15 Tritium Watch (Limited Edition)
- Style: Brushed black PVD
- MSRP: $650
- URL: bravocompanyusa.com
Notes: Housed in a 316L stainless steel case, the Mk15 is water-resistant to 200 meters and features 13-jewel, gold-plated Swiss chronograph movement. It has a real carbon-fiber dial and is finished in brushed black PVD. Its hands and hour markers are each tritium-illuminated and protected by a sapphire scratch-resistant crystal. The watch comes with a stainless steel band as well as an optional rubber diver’s band. Each Mk15 is laser-engraved with a unique serial number and comes encased in a reinforced hard case, adding to its collectability.
Casio G-Shock GLS-8900AR-1DR
- Style: Black
- MSRP: $130
- URL: gshock.com
Notes: Casio G-Shock watches are well known for their rugged resilience. This model is in the G-LIDE series and features low-temperature resistance (to -4 degrees Fahrenheit), which makes it a perfect choice for cold-climate operations. It is shock-resistant and water-resistant up to 200 meters, and comes with automatic LED “Super Illuminator” face illumination for easier reading under the harshest of conditions.
Nixon Unit SS
- Style: Matte black/camo
- MSRP: $250
- URL: nixon.com
Notes: The Unit SS contains all the essentials you’d typically need and then some for daily use or outdoor adventures. Features include time, day, date, alarm, chronograph, countdown timer, thermometer for air temperature readings and water resistance to 100 meters. Built to last, its band, bezel, dial ring and three-link bracelet are constructed of tough, surgical-grade 316L stainless steel. The digital display can be user-customized for a positive or negative LCD display.
Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark – 3053
- Color: Black
- MSRP: $395
- URL: luminox.com
Notes: Military watch aficionados need no introduction to Luminox. A longtime favorite of operators around the world, Swiss-made Luminox watches see use under the harshest of conditions. The Navy SEAL Colormark has a carbon-reinforced polycarbonate case, case back and unidirectional ratcheting bezel. Its face is self-illuminating and is protected by a tempered, scratch-resistant mineral crystal. Living up to its name, this watch is water resistant to 200 meters.
