Survival watch - priorities

philwar said:
What characteristics should a watch posses in case the S really HTF?
I want it to be powered independantly. It needs to be rugged, as in shock resistant, water resistant, with tough glass.
Do extra functions matter? (compass, altimeter, depth meter, gps, etc) Do you have a preference for types of mechanism, and why? (electronic is bad during EMP, mechanical has short reserve, etc).
What type of band do you prefer and why?

You thoughts please.
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I think too many extra functions is not necessarily a good thing. I do like Casio G-Shock as they have a good alarm, timer and stopwatch. Unfortunately, I prefer analog watches that are automatic. Since I'm usually up at 0400 and on the track by 0530, I like having the tritium feature; also helps when you're pinched into a Blackhawk seat and trying to gauge your flight time but can't move much and a quick turn of the wrist show the time without necessary illumination.

My ultimate SHTF watch is the Marathon GSAR:

MarathonGSAR.jpg


EDC-22008.jpg


Automatic, analog, tiritium markings, waterproof and almost bomb-proof. I don't know want quantifies as "SHTF", but combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan are pretty tough on any piece of equipment and my GSAR still looks like new.

ROCK6
 
my view is that a "survival" or more generally an outdoors watch should have/be: (in order of importance)
1) reliable. there's no use having a watch that stops at inoportune moments, or doesn't keep good time
2) tough. invariably, if you have a vunerable watch, it will break.
3) analogue. I don't like using digital watches while I'm in the outdoors. an analogue watch can be used as a rough compass in an emergency.

other nice features are it having either a backlight or tritium/GITD hands and numerals so you can use it in the dark and the watch beingself-powered (solar, self winding or whatever) so you don't have to worry about batteries.

my view on adding fancy additions is that apart from basic Time - date - alarm, anything else is best left out. digitial altimeters ect built into watches often don't really serve much purpose, and are often pretty rough guides anyway (compared to purpose designed devices) I suppose a magnetic compass could have value, if it wasn't affected by the rest of the watch mechanism.
 
Reliability, and durability. The Casio G Shocks are used by a vast number of the best of the best our military has to offer, and for good reason-they're cheap, reliable, super durable. I went with a Suunto X Lander Military and the crystal looks like it did when I bought it-the casing and band are a little beat up, but after all it's been through I have expected to have had replaced it by now. I never notice it's there, very comfortable. If you take the initiative to zero the temperature, altitude and pressure every once in a while it stays pretty darned true, and the digital compass is accurate for on-the-go headings.
 
If it wasn't a traditional mechanical watch it would be either one of my solar watches, Citizens SkyHawk or most likely my Solar G-Shock, not so much for the bells and whistles although they are both great chronographs with lots of usable features, (Stop watch, Timer, Calender) they've both proven themselves over the last 5 years.
 
My G-Shock solar and atomic died on me, the watch guy told me it was a throwaway but I found an on-line primer to replace the battery and re set it. It works fine now but...

This one has been working for 44 years, it was my Dad's, my brother gave it to me a few years ago and I had it serviced and some parts replaced, it can be fixed, the watch repair guy told me it was made to last a long time, generations.

This is a before and after picture,
2996045610033885154S600x600Q85.jpg



If I had to buy one today I would strongly consider the Omega Terra-X with the co-axial movement.
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This is my every day watch, it has a few weaknesses like not having a screwdown crown but it is a solid mechanical watch at a decent price made by Hamilton.
2199841160033885154S600x600Q85.jpg
 
I'd say go with the casio g-shock/protrek (more expensive though). Tough. cheap, reliable. I got a protrek prg70, with the titanium band, love it. Tough and it has the advanatge of solar power, so the battery won't need to be replaced for about 10 years, as it keeps recharging, and even just a small amount of sun light will keep it charged, but if you were to go to a environment with absolutely no sun, it can last for a while, not exactly sure how long.

I have a question about if an EMP were to occur, would it also screw up the battery in your analog watch, as the battery is part of an electrical circuit isn't it? so wouldn't an EMP screw that 'circuit' in your watch up anyway?

EDIT: here's my watch

PRG-70YT-1V-watches-1242648405.jpg
 
How bad is the S when it hits the Fan?

Much as I love my G-Shock, I'm afraid it might fail if what everyone feared during the Cold War actually happens--an EMP burst from a nuke might just fry its circuits. :eek:

Of course if that were to happen, I'm sure I'd have other things to worry about than whether my Casio kept accurate time or not.

Probably better to go with a watch powered a mainspring in that case.
 
JCK said:
I have a question about if an EMP were to occur, would it also screw up the battery in your analog watch, as the battery is part of an electrical circuit isn't it? so wouldn't an EMP screw that 'circuit' in your watch up anyway?
Click to expand...

It possibly would if it was a quartz watch but it wouldn't hurt a mechanical watch.
 
theedge13 said:
why a watch for survival? in a survival situation is being able to tell exactly what time it is that important? im not trying to be an ass or anything..just an honest question...
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For less precise use, a watch would be helpful for meeting-up with others, on radio or
in person.

Navigators can find their Latitude (N/S), with a number of methods, and a clock is
not critical.

The reason that navigators have long wanted accurate clocks is for determining
Longitude. Today's quartz watches provide this accuracy. Use a watch and a
sextant to measure angles of a object (star) as it passes due south. The Time, that the
star is highest (due south), can be easily converted to Longitude.
This is Northern-Hemisphere description, of course. You would need a
few data sheets of star positions, but stars are so consistent with each other that this
would not be bulky.

The "Noon Shot" on ships, is a special case of this, using the Sun instead of a star.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitude_by_chronometer
 
1] Basically, you'd want a chronometer [i.e. a mechanical watch] that self winds with your wrist movements. A manual wind would be a close second, though not as convenient, they're much, much cheaper.

2] Waterproof [or resistant]

3] Stainless steel band or something crazy tough/strong

4] Synthetic sapphire crystal

Rolex, Omega etc. meet all these requirements, but they are very expensive. That said, they're very very tough and reliable. I've had a chronometer for 12 years and it has never quit or failed and has never required servicing despite enduring a tough tough life.
 
I own a Casio G-shock Dw-9052 and currently im wearing a all-black G-shock dw5600-MS1.

I definitely recommend G-Shocks.Theyre ultra-tough, totally waterproof, reliable, cheap and they have the most basic functions. Get one and you'll have one less piece of gear to worry about. It'll never let you down no matter what you put it through!

Plus there are so many models youre bound to find one you like, and with the functins you want.

dw-5600ms-1-1.jpg
 
lwt210 said:
I can certainly vouch for the Seiko Monster automatic diver.

I have worn mine for about a year now on duty at the PD job and it has done extremely well. Mine has great accuracy for an automatic. Depending on how I rest it at night, it keeps perfect time with the Atomic clock. If it does gain or lose, it is to the tune of +/- 1 or 2 seconds per day.

Mine has the stainless band which is a fabulous watch band. It can be a bit aggrivating to remove links due to the pins and teeny tiny matching couplers but it is possible to do at home if you are paying attention and have the band over a table with good lighting.

The watch has a day/date function and a rotating bezel. Screw down crown and a Hardlex crystal....which is a fancy word for mineral crystal. I would prefer sapphire but sapphire is more likely to shatter rather than scratch like Harlex and that is the mentality behind using mineral.

Not sure if the black dial is still in production but the orange Monster seems to be the crowd pleaser and I can still find it on the net.

http://www.princetonwatches.com/shop/SKX781.asp
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+1:thumbup: I really like my Orange Monster. Extremely tough.

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I've been using this trick for a while too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UdurZmsLPo&feature=related

[youtube]UdurZmsLPo[/youtube]
 
I collect watches and even moderate several watch collecting forums.

Bottom line, get a solar and atomic G Shock.

Tough as nails, always accurate, and no batteries to worry about changing.

My second choice would be a Suunto (then again I collect Suuntos) :).

If you want an analog watch, Seiko and Citizen both have great models that are super tough. TO ME the Seiko monster is just too bulky. I prefer the older SKX 173-175 models. Eco Drives are awesome for field use... no batteries.

I usually want a field watch to be on a rubber or fabric strap. That way in case of an injury the watch can be easily cut off, and when I hike my wrist size goes up and down. Metal bracelets look AWESOME at work... but in the field I want function over looks.
 
jeff_c said:
I collect watches and even moderate several watch collecting forums.

Bottom line, get a solar and atomic G Shock.

Tough as nails, always accurate, and no batteries to worry about changing.
Click to expand...

Can you provide more details on which solar or atomic G Shock to get?
 
I'm not incredibly worried about the nuclear war aspect so protection from electro-magnetic pulse isn't a big priority for me.

Things I do want:
renewable power such as solar, winding, etc.
an alarm
luminesence
water resistance
date display
a timer
a stop watch
general toughness against grit, mud, and rough wear

The watch I settled on was the G-Shock model 6900-1
casio-g-shock-gw-6900-1er.jpg

Absolutely badass watch.

•Hourly Time Signal
•Auto-Calendar Pre-Programmed until the year 2099
•Tough Solar Recharge
•Module 3179
•Approx. Battery Life 10 months on full charge (without further exposure to light)
•Display Digital
•Atomic Timekeeping, Multi Band 6 remote update
•Battery Storage battery: Solar rechargeable battery
•Power Saving Function
•Countdown Timer
•Backlight Full Auto EL Backlight with Afterglow
•Water Resistant Up to 200M Water Resistant
•12/24-Hour Formats
•Accuracy +/-15 seconds per month
•World Time 31 times zones (48 cities + UTC), city code display, daylight saving on/off
•Battery Power Indicator
•Stopwatch 1/100 Second Stopwatch, split time
•Shock Resistant
•4 Daily alarms, One snooz alarm
•Simultanious Home time and World time display



I love it. Definitely my favorite of the G-Shock line.
 
I got my good ole 100 year old pocket watch that keeps great time and doesnt need any battery so I will stick with that
 
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