Looking for a good watch for survival/outdoor use

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Eightleggedfreak

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Nov 11, 2013
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Can anybody recommend a good sub200.00 watch for survival and outdoor applications? Also , what key features should I be looking for if I see a watch I like?

Thanks for the tips
 
I go with something automatic. Water resistance/ water proof is another quality I'd want. I like having a timer/ stop watch and seconds hand. I wear a citizens eco drive. Don't recall the exact model but a search with "military style" would bring it up. Pretty much my all around watch. Not an automatic, eco drive charges with light.
 
Take a look at Casio's Pro-Trek/Pathfinder range. They're equipped with compass, barometer, altimeter, sunrise/sunset, timer, stopwatch and a load of other features that are perfect for outdoor applications. Completely waterproof too. Ive owned both the old PRG-40 and the pictured PRG-240 which i still wear to this dat.

Ive also owned 2 Suuntos and theyre were both crap.

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I've got a Casio G-shock that has a solar cell for recharging, an on board atomic clock, a stopwatch, an alarm, a timer, a calendar, a dial light, a waterproof case, and a shock proof housing. All for >$100.
 
tiguy7 said:
I've got a Casio G-shock that has a solar cell for recharging, an on board atomic clock, a stopwatch, an alarm, a timer, a calendar, a dial light, a waterproof case, and a shock proof housing. All for >$100.
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Added to christmas list!
 
I recently bought my first Casio G-Shock watch, and I'm very pleased with it. It's waterproof, shock-resistant, comfortable (I chose a slightly smaller model) and has enough features to suit my needs - stop watch, countdown timer, world time of major cities, alarm clock with three alarms, and small data storage base for passwords and such. I pored for hours over reviews of different models on good ol' amazon and settled on mine. The battery even has a supposedly 10-year life. It retails for $95, but I found it for just south of $60. For my wilderness watch, I'm pleased with G-Shocks.
 
Should charge itself, be water resistant enough for swimming (100m) and a compass is useful too.
So yes Casio's Pro-Trek/Pathfinder with solar cells, which PropThePolecat suggested cells is a good one.
 
People were spending time outdoors and "surviving" just fine, long before it was possible to strap a computer to your wrist. This has become my favorite. It's light, simple, reliable and it tells time. All for about $30, which leaves more $$ for knives. :D

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Not so much what you should look for but what you should avoid ---- Nothing requiring batteries. No kinetic type movement either (can't tell you the number of people I've seen with such that failed in the field but it has been many).

Get a mechanical movement - automatic or handwind. Can't go wrong with a Seiko using the 7S26 automatic movement. Bullet proof and utterly reliable. Can be found in Seiko watches at several price points.
 
I had plenty mechanical (auto) watches, which are fun and all, but they require expensive overhauls every few years,

will stop and need to be reset if not worn, and are relatively fragile. Then I found Gshock.

Was it Levi's motto "can't bust 'em"? That pretty much sums it up. Go protrek if you want a compass (they're on the big side though).

Atomic time and solar charge are available, my fave is the G8900 series, but they're all tough and light, with lots of useful features.

I don't know about you guys, but in the course of a day I can be working on machines, getting dirty, etc. With a Gshock, none of that matters.

Magnets? Grease? Physical impacts? No prob. If it's dirty, hose it off, and you're ready to go again.

When the band and bezel wear out, they're easily replaceable. And comfortable? Best I ever tried.
 
I concur with filedog, sideways, Jim, trout, et al - I really, really like my G-Shock. I have the DW-6900. You can find them for less than $50 new on the web. Tough as nails, waterproof, night lite, long battery life. I've had a couple Nixons that I liked, but this watch has just been bulletproof. I don't think I'll ever buy another brand after having this guy. Hard to go wrong with one imo.
 
filedog said:
I had plenty mechanical (auto) watches, which are fun and all, but they require expensive overhauls every few years,...
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Not the Seiko 7S26 . You can get a LONG time without servicing (nothing but cleaning, inspection, and lube --- if you need an "overhaul", you're abusing it) it. A LONG time. Matter of fact, I don't even get a 7S26 serviced until it won't keep proper time.

The key with mechanical watches is to find a LOCAL competent watch maker. Emphasis on competent. And don't go to jewelry stores as they likely farm it out to that local watchmaker and mark up your cost to twice what they pay the watchmaker. I've seen that scenario too many times.

The most frequently I have any mechanical watch serviced is every seven years. Not my Seiko 7S26s though. They go longer. And for a time-only movement I pay less than $100 for a simple service. Even at 7 years that's equates to less than $1.20 a month.

G Shocks are good, but too many times have I seen guys in the field without a working watch because of a failed battery and an inability to get a replacement.
 
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Just looked it up. You can buy a replacement 7S26 movement (on the off chance you'd ever need one) for $75.
 
I'm still wearing a Suunto I got soon after the original came out, I think. Mid 1990ish I'd guess?

Since then its been on countless backpacking trips, mtb rides(and crashes), and whiltewater kayaking. Been a great watch. I do have to replace the battery about every yr.

The watch has consistently shuts down (with fresh battery) right at zero degrees.

And the watch is pretty dang big.

I'm waiting for the o-rings to give up first while kayaking. Lots of pressurized water.
 
leghog said:
Not the Seiko 7S26 . You can get a LONG time without servicing (nothing but cleaning, inspection, and lube --- if you need an "overhaul", you're abusing it) it. A LONG time. Matter of fact, I don't even get a 7S26 serviced until it won't keep proper time.

NOT trying to argue with you, had many Seikos and loved 'em. However, what I call an overhaul is what you are calling service - clean, inspect, lube, goes for over $100. If you wait till it's not keeping time, it's not really a serviceable piece of gear for the field.

The key with mechanical watches is to find a LOCAL competent watch maker. Emphasis on competent. And don't go to jewelry stores as they likely farm it out to that local watchmaker and mark up your cost to twice what they pay the watchmaker. I've seen that scenario too many times.

I had one, great little shop, did good work, not cheap though.

The most frequently I have any mechanical watch serviced is every seven years. Not my Seiko 7S26s though. They go longer. And for a time-only movement I pay less than $100 for a simple service. Even at 7 years that's equates to less than $1.20 a month.

That's true, many of them are never serviced and run fine for decades.

G Shocks are good, but too many times have I seen guys in the field without a working watch because of a failed battery and an inability to get a replacement.
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Take a battery and a small screwdriver? Or, replace the battery every year, to be on the safe side?
 
leghog said:
Just looked it up. You can buy a replacement 7S26 movement (on the off chance you'd ever need one) for $75.
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I've replaced a few movements, a bit fiddly, as the brits say, removing and reinstalling the hands. If you pay your watch guy to do it, the total will be more than a new one.

Don't get me me wrong, mechs are great, had a bunch, vintage Seiko divers, Chronos, even a Rolex. Just couldn't stand banging it into things (which happens regularly to me).

I know people love 'em, and I can tell you do too. That's cool - but once I found Gshocks, I lost interest. So, FOR ME, I think G's are best.
 
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