Looking for a good watch for survival/outdoor use

I had an Omega Seamaster. It was losing about 5 minutes a day after 3 years. Cost me $300 to have it repaired.
My Seiko automatic has been much more reliable and I only paid $150 for the watch.

With that said though I've had a lot less trouble out of my Casio Pathfinder.
The atomic time set, solar battery, and all the other features of the watch I don't think you can find a better watch for the price.
 
Seiko Orange Monster or Black Monster with NATO strap wil be a great choice.
 
if you like gadgetry the profinder is the way to go. Otherwise you would need to buy a T-touch to get all those features or a Suunto which are most expensive. Forget mechanical watches. If you want something to tell time a regular Gshock is a fan favorite and Timex weekenders/Ironman watches. My Gshock classic has been with me 17 years and I've only changed the battery once.

It has been all around the world with me for various reasons. The strap looks like crap but it still runs great.
 
G 8900 love.....

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I've had a whole slew of watches over the years ranging in price from $50 to $800. I had autos, quartz, tritium illuminated, swiss movements, "tactical bands" and just about everything in between. When it was all said and done, I always come back to wearing one of my Casio's (Protrek or G-Shock). I work outdoors everyday in what some would call tactical situations and I've never needed anything other than my G-Shock. If you're dead set on an auto (diver style) for the looks, take a look at the Seiko monsters (Review here), they're nice watches for a reasonable price. For a little more you can pick up a Reactor Watch with tritium. The ultimate tritium auto watch in my book if you are willing to spend a chunk of change is marathon. The new prices are insane so I'd look for a used one on a certain watch forum. Like I said before though, unless you just want a watch for looks, the G-shock or protek's are the ticket.
Guess I'll add a picture of mine :)
DragonGshock.jpg
 
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I have been wearing a Casio G-Shock for about eight years. It's done everything from hiking, camping, hunting, mtn. biking, swimming, skiing (both water and snow) etc. etc...............

I have yet to even have to replace the battery. Other than a scuff or two it's still in great shape. Never had a water leak or moisture of any kind. Not a single scratch on the face. It's both digital and analog with all of the bells and whistles. I paid around $50 back then and would imagine it would still be less than $100 today. Just an awesome watch.
 
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For under $75 there is the Timex Expedition series which has worked great for me in my hunting, fishing, and camping use. For a bigger budget I love the G-shock, It is more resistant to wear and just seems to hold up. Along with the G-shock is the Pathfinder series, and from my experience I find the Pathfinder to be superior or at least meet my need better. The Pathfinder and G-shock series you can find under $200 at you local sportinggoods stores usually.
 
Two $25 Timex quartz jobs with new or fresh batteries. And separated from each other (one in a sealed bag/sleeve and tucked away) in case the primary gets lost or broken. That's only my thinking of course and will not impress onlookers or bystanders, if that's really what you want to accomplish.
 
I like Timex for the INDIGLO mode. The one I wear outdoors is the T499289J. It's not very expensive either. I love it and I've beat on it, worn it in the ocean, pools, lakes, streams, showers, and it just keeps on ticking.
 
filedog said:
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.
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You need to find another watchmaker. I've collected watches for a long time and still have close to 50 mechanicals. No way would I pay more than $100 to simply service a time-only and many of mine are vintage Omegas.
 
leghog said:
You need to find another watchmaker. I've collected watches for a long time and still have close to 50 mechanicals. No way would I pay more than $100 to simply service a time-only and many of mine are vintage Omegas.
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Nope, the mechs are all gone. I can do everything I need to on my Gshocks myself, for free : )
 
It sucks but going rate in NYC is $175 for a regular ETA, Valjoux 7750's are $250 if you go to say Swiss Watch repair which is factory authorized to do most of the major SWATCH brands. If it's a Rolex and you get a factory service they run around $500 and up, same for all of the regular brands like Omega.

leghog said:
You need to find another watchmaker. I've collected watches for a long time and still have close to 50 mechanicals. No way would I pay more than $100 to simply service a time-only and many of mine are vintage Omegas.
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cchu518 said:
It sucks but going rate in NYC is $175 for a regular ETA, Valjoux 7750's are $250 if you go to say Swiss Watch repair which is factory authorized to do most of the major SWATCH brands. If it's a Rolex and you get a factory service they run around $500 and up, same for all of the regular brands like Omega.
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I'd never use factory service unless for warranty. Most of my Swiss wristwatches are from the 40s and 50s with a few newer so warranty is not an issue.
 
Smithhammer said:
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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:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Cutty73 said:
I have been wearing a Casio G-Shock for about eight years. It's done everything from hiking, camping, hunting, mtn. biking, swimming, skiing (both water and snow) etc. etc...............

I have yet to even had to replace the battery. Other than a scuff or two it's still in great shape. Never had a water leak or moisture of any kind. Not a single scratch on the face. It's both digital and analog with all of the bells and whistles. I paid around $50 back then and would imagine it would still be less than $100 today. Just an awesome watch.
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Here's a picture of my watch #G100-1BV, in case you were wondering which one I have. Just saw it online at $52.00
A0PMgNk.jpg
 
If I were to ever again return to a battery powered cheap black plastic (CBP) watch in the field, I'd return to my Casio DW340. Last used it when I deployed in 2003 as a second watch because it has a two timezone function set with a 24 hour clock option. I wore two watches set for three timezones. One on each wrist. C (where I was) on my primary watch wrist (right for me since I'm left handed); and Z (UTC)and R (HQ back home/reachback) on this Casio on my left wrist. Bought this at the Fort Campbell Military Clothing Store in 1985 back when it was still in one of those wood clapboard WW2 structures now long since gone. Still have this watch.

28 year old Casio DW340. Don't believe Casio has made any CBP water resistant to 300M in a long time.
DW340.JPG
 
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G-shock - for digital
Luminox - for dial type face

I think it will be hard to beat the G-shock. It might be the toughest watch at any price.

The thing I liked about the Luminox was when I was camping I could just glance at the watch for the time without pressing a button. The Tritium is always on. If I was sleeping in a hammock I just rotate my wrist a bit, find out the time, then go back to sleep. Also the illuminated Tritium made it easier to find the watch at night among all the gear inside the tent. The G-shock does have a large button to turn on the light but that is a negative (another task, potential for failure, etc) compared to the Luminox. Many years ago, I seem to remember having a button finally go kaput. It's even possible to use the tiny glow of the Luminox Tritium as a very limited but useful light source when it's extremely dark.

I imagine Timex and others are pretty strong too so there are lots of choices.
 
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