Survival watch - priorities

[22-rimfire]

I also would choose a Casio G-Shock. Even the ones with batteries have a 10-year battery life. The solar powered ones work just fine and are reliable. I'm no watch expert, but the G-Shocks are just very dependable watches; waterproof, shockproof within reason, and accurate.

 

[jeff_c]

Can you provide more details on which solar or atomic G Shock to get?

Well its preference really... Honestly some of the NON atomic and solare are just as awesome. Im a fan of the classic 6900 model.

here are some of my Atomic and Solar models.
Atomic Solar Mudman:

Here it is with the non-solar atomic version:

This is a "higher end" GIEZ model. Very nice!

Here is the Riseman... Has an altimeter, thermometer, and barometer!

Atomic and Solar Gulfman... with its non atomic /solar brother underneath:

But if you want a classic G Shock... You cant go wrong with the plain old, non atomic, non solar 6900:

Or if you like the more streamlined look of a 5600:

Of course now days there ARE Solar and Atomic versions of both the 5600 and 6900. So thats an option... Basically G Shocks come in so many styles, you are bound to find one you like!

And if you dont you can always custom mod yours... here is my "stealthed out" 6900:

 

[jeff_c]

Not all Gs have 10 year batteries. The original G Concept called for 10 year battery life, but over the years many were produced with 7, 5 and even 2 year battery life projections.

Then again, changing a battery is easy as pie.

 

[ejes]

I'll divulge a little more about myself in this post than I normally do because the topic of watches and what people's opinions on them has fascinated me over the last 20 years. The reason being is that in my line of work, the opinions and experience truly run the full spectrum.

For just everyday use in which I'm just doing normal human stuff, but never know what situation I'll get into, I prefer a analog for use as a compass in a pinch. Been wearing a St. Moritz Atlas the last few years. Got it for about $80 I think. Titanium case, LARGE easy to read luminous dial, water resistant with a screw down crown. Nice features for what you pay. What I mainly look for in a watch is this: Cheap enough that I'm not going to be over-conscientiousness in wearing it, yet it is reliably functional for what I need it to do. In other words, I don't want even a millisecond of second thought about my damn watch if I have to grab for a ledge to keep my ass out of a crag.

I had to wear bulky "tacti-cool/highspeed" watches out of necessity for work for too many years. So, now, I dislike the pretentiousness of those watches for everyday wear. The Atlas is nice enough for any type of daily, routine sheeple activity, yet tough and practical enough to take in the field. I've had this watch in all kinds of climates and environments around the world, and it has never missed a beat.

http://www.st-moritz.com/pages/products-models.php?family=Atlas

Been a really good watch so far. Replaced my $30 Timex that lasted about 10 years with it because I didn't like any of their new offerings. The only thing I've added to it was a Maratac silicon watchband from County Comm which I highly recommend to anyone that likes resin or rubber watch bands. They are absolutely fantastic: http://www.countycomm.com/silicone.htm

Another watch I still have that has been running for 12 years now without a hitch has been a Seiko Kinetic. It is a dressier watch, so I've never worn it in the field for hikes or anything, but it is one hell of a tough watch. I do dignitary protection work and it has survived everything from TSA handling (which should be a torture test requirement for anything in my book) to riding in and on military transports owned not only by the US, but other countries as well (some of you know what I mean). I've been amazed at what it has taken. Looks a little worse for wear, but is still nice enough and it keeps time with the guys who I sit next to on some of those transports who sport watches costing 10-20 times more. For some reason, many guys in this business are complete watch freaks and spend thousands on watches. They will sit around and compare them for hours at "choir practice" afterward, but my Seiko is as tough as they come IMO.

If I had the luxury of knowing I was going to a bad place and knew I was going to be in the "chit" for quite some time, I might invest in a Casio Mudman beforehand if I wanted to try a digi. It is the only one that interests me. I'd still put the Atlas or Seiko in the kit as a back-up, though. I just find the MM too big and bulky for everyday wear.

 

[Frank Barron]

Your in Holland, go with a swiss made automatic mechanical watch. Cost is what you want to pay. In a SHTF situation, the odds there is an EMP pulse powerful enough to penetrate a metal cased quartz watch is really slim or you got a lethal dose of Radiation. So the good the watch will be will be to mark your TOD.
My EDC watch is a Seamaster Chrono.
The watch I fly with is a Casio G shock Solar, the only problem with the Casio, is the rubber watch band was chewed by my puppy. Its a great watch too and won't get my arm cut off in a foreign land.

 

[Pilot1]

I'm in the old school, mechanical watch crowd. Either self winding (automatic) or hand wound. I've got the Marathon GSAR auto also, but if you are on a budget Marathon also produces a quartz SAR as well as a quartz "Navigators" watch which I also have as a "beater". They are all tough as nails. Nothing wrong with the G-Shock though, just make sure you have spare batteries.

 

[eygen]

I would prefer a watch without extra functions like an alto meter, compass etc because it obscures the watch face and always is a compromise of two different things. Take a chopper knife for example: it will not slice but is good for chopping. A compromise between that and a food preparation knife is a 'camp' knife but it does not excel at either task, instead it performs reasonably but not nearly as good as a dedicated knife would.

With that in mind I don't have a distinct preference between a mechanical or digital watch. A reputable watch company will get you a good watch that will survive anything.

 

[gander6]

Having had both digitals and analogs, I like analogs. This is my Citizen Eco-Drive dive watch and I couldn't be happier with it.

I added a watch band adapter that doesn't use spring bars and lets me use a Zulu watch band instead of the provided rubber watch band.

Pros:
- no batteries or winding required.
- waterproof
- rugged
- large diameter face, easy to read
- timing bezel
- bezel stays where put and isn't easily changed when bumped
- glow-in-the dark easy to read at night and stays strong all night
- can't lose it by a spring bar failure
- rock solid accuracy (it rarely needs adjustment and stays within seconds over very long periods of time).

Cons
- double digit dates can be hard to read (for aging eyes)
- no day of week indicator (and I actually do lose track of the day of week if on the trail long enough)

Re: comments on the Seiko Monster. I had one for a few years. Loved the watch, but hated the time it gained. I was gaining a few minutes per week. I understand they can be calibrated, but after having the Eco-Zilla I perfer it over the Seiko.

 

[Harayasu]

I would choose a digital and solar powered watch that is very tough. That's why the Casio G-Shock GW-M5600 is my choice. An analog watch may be easier to use to find directions, but with a little bit more effort, a digital watch can be used for that purpose too. The battery in a solar powered watch has to be replaced at some day, but the lifetime is still many years.

 

[dogboye]

SHTF how? SHTF like Katrina? Or SHTF like the apocolypse, total breakdown of civilization? Or just something in between, where you have to make it with what you're got for perhaps a couple of months? What kind of warning do you have?

I hate disposable watches, which it seems all to many are today. I mean, take the G-Shock. MOST of them nowadays are plastic cased. OK, maybe the case will hold up, but almost ALL of them are polymer covered, with integrated straps that are impossible to source anywhere except Casio/G. To me, that is disposable. Nothing I hate worse than a 10 year battery or a 15-20 year solar capacitor in a watch whose cover (skin) and strap are going to rot in 8 years. If it weren't for that, though, a G-solar would be THE watch, IMO, for ANY shtf scenario.

But that being the case, my choice would be either a solar Citizen, preferably with a timing bezel, or a mechanical auto, again with a timing bezel. The watches I wear the most nowadays which were bought with the above logic in mind are a Citizen BN-0000, a Seiko SKX-007, and a Seiko SKX-171.

 

[Foilist]

I swear I am not being facetious or trolling, but in a true apocalyptic, SHTF situation, what use would a watch be? Aside from psychological comfort, I mean.

 

[goodeyesniper]

Question on watch fitment. I've never been much of a watch guy, but have been looking into something like the GShock. I'm pretty thin, and have thin wrists, and have found many watches to be ungainly feeling on my arm. Part of it is probably just something to get used to, much like carrying a larger folder in your pocket or IWB. But are there any with a bit smaller cases and straps, without feeling like a McDonalds happy meal watch?

For instance, I really like the looks of this one
http://watchgrabber.com/Casio-Mens-GShock-Classic-AnaDigi-Watch/M/B000AR7S3A.htm
but without trying one on, I wouldn't want to order it.

 

[philwar]

Question on watch fitment. I've never been much of a watch guy, but have been looking into something like the GShock. I'm pretty thin, and have thin wrists, and have found many watches to be ungainly feeling on my arm. Part of it is probably just something to get used to, much like carrying a larger folder in your pocket or IWB. But are there any with a bit smaller cases and straps, without feeling like a McDonalds happy meal watch?

For instance, I really like the looks of this one
http://watchgrabber.com/Casio-Mens-GShock-Classic-AnaDigi-Watch/M/B000AR7S3A.htm
but without trying one on, I wouldn't want to order it.

I own that one, and have relatively thin wrists. You should be ok.
That's a very good watch for the money by the way. The only thing not perfect is how the hands obscure the digital display at certain times (not at ten past ten though )

 

[PropThePolecat]

Question on watch fitment. I've never been much of a watch guy, but have been looking into something like the GShock. I'm pretty thin, and have thin wrists, and have found many watches to be ungainly feeling on my arm. Part of it is probably just something to get used to, much like carrying a larger folder in your pocket or IWB. But are there any with a bit smaller cases and straps, without feeling like a McDonalds happy meal watch?

For instance, I really like the looks of this one
http://watchgrabber.com/Casio-Mens-GShock-Classic-AnaDigi-Watch/M/B000AR7S3A.htm
but without trying one on, I wouldn't want to order it.

The 5600 series have a relatively slim case compared to other G-shocks. And the black version with negative display is anything but a McDonalds happy meal watch.

I used to wear a DW 9052 which i absolutely loved, but it was pretty bulky. I evetually got used to it, after all i wear my watch 24/7 and never take it off, but it was still annoying when wearing a long sleeved shirt or anything else that was tight at the wrist. I loved the big buttons though and especially the light button. all of them could be operated easily while wearing gloves.

Then i got a DW-5600 MS1 (pictured earlier in this thread), and its much smaller and slimmer than the DW9052. It feels less obstructive and much lighter but just as tough. The 5600 series is my new favorite G-shock.

But in the end its like you say, nothing more than a habit. Youll get used to it. Ive seen the watch you link to, and i considered buying it too. I handled it at the store and it looks great on the wrist!

A camo version of the DW5600

And the DW-9052

Pics courtesey of http://watchshock.com

 

[kilua]

I use a Suunto Core...love it. Has never failed me while i am out and about or in a pinch!
Here are its features:
Altimeter
Accurate to 30,000 feet, the Suunto Core altimeter is a valuable tool for mountaineering, backcountry skiing and wilderness travel. It displays your current elevation, shows how much you’ve climbed or descended, and records your entire session for later analysis.
In the field
How high is this bluff? How high is my friend’s penthouse apartment? How high are you? These and other curiosities are answered with a simple turn of the wrist.
If you’re on or near an obvious feature (like a ridge, trail or creek), you can use your current elevation to find your position on a topographic map. If you plan on climbing a slope to a certain elevation and then traversing, an altimeter is an ideal tool for staying on course.
You can also use elevation to gauge your progress. The Suunto Core displays elevation gained and lost between a given point (a trailhead or belay station) and your current position.
Simplifying altimeter use, the Suunto Core includes a unique start-from-zero function that eliminates the need for entering a reference altitude. With the single push of a button, the altimeter will begin tracking your ascent and descent.
* Automatic Alti/Baro switch
* Lockable logs
* Altimeter/barometer lock
* Logbook function
* Temperature compensation
* Altitude range -500m - 9000m/-1600ft - 29500ft
* Automatic 7 day Alti-Baro memory
* Difference measurement
* Log graph
* Resolution: 1 m
* Real-time vertical cumulative value
Barometer
A veritable weather station on your wrist, the Suunto Core barometer measures and records air pressure to help you predict changing conditions, from sunny skies to hair-bending electrical storms.
In the field
Soft shell or rain shell? Onward ho or high-tail it back to the car? And, more importantly, are the fish biting? These and other questions can be answered with a quick look at the Suunto Core barometer.
In general, low pressure brings inclement weather, while high pressure brings stability and clear skies. If you’ve arrived at camp and notice the pressure starting to plunge, it’s probably a good idea to secure the tent and crawl in. Likewise, if you’re on a climb, it would be a prudent to find shelter or retreat.
When you’re hiking in a canyon or dense forest without views of the horizon, a barometer can “see” into the distance, keeping you posted of changes in air pressure that can lead to ugly weather. Even at home, the Suunto Core barometer looks beyond office walls, skyscrapers and nearby hills to help you plan for upcoming activities.
* Chronograph
* Countdown timer
* Stopwatch
Auto Alti/Baro
An altimeter measures air pressure to determine altitude, while a barometer measures air pressure to determine barometric pressure. If you leave your watch in altimeter mode while hanging out at camp, an incoming low-pressure front will read as a gain in altitude. Thus, it’s important to choose the right mode for your activity: altimeter for climbing, and barometer for hanging out at camp. The Suunto Core makes it easy to manually choose the proper mode for your activity.
The Suunto Core features an automatic Alti/Baro mode that senses movement or lack thereof, switching between altimeter and barometer accordingly. When you’re climbing, it records changes in elevation. And when you stop to rest, it records changes in barometric pressure. A drop in air pressure while you’re sleeping under the stars will be recorded for what it really is: a change in barometric pressure, not altitude.
Compass
The digital compass on the Suunto Core is a great tool for keeping track of direction while skiing, hiking or exploring a new city. You can set and follow a bearing with a traditional rotating bezel, or simply point the top of the watch toward your intended destination and lock it in.
* Bearing tracking
* Declination setting
* Guided calibration
* Heading in degrees
* Cardinal directions
Special
* Languages: 4 language menu (DE,EN,ES,FR)
* Rotating bezel
* Button lock
Watch
* Storm alarm
* Temperature
* Temperature resolution: 1°C/1°F
* Trend indicator
* Sea level pressure
* Temperature range: -20°C - +60°C/-5°F - +140°F
* Barometer range: 8,9 -32,4 inHg/300-1100 mbar
* Trend graph
* Altimeter/barometer lock
* Barometer resolution 0,05 inHg/1 mbar
Power
* Low battery warning
* User replaceable battery
Other
* Backlight option for night use
* Backlight type: Electro-luminescent Display
* Dot-matrix display
* Mineral crystal glass
* Operating temperature: -20°C - +60°C/-5°F - +140°F
* Selectable metric/imperial units
* Storage temperature: -30°C - +60°C/-22°F - +140°F
* Menu-based user interface
* Water resistance: 30m/100ft w uw buttons

 

[Reorx]

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.

<Listen up guys - former watch geek here>

In terms of the watch, pick your favorite although it needs to be durable. I don't find the argument against quartz watches (electric watch bad in EMP) very compelling but it you do, so be it - get a mechanical (automatic). OR get 2 (2 is 1; 1 is none!) one of each... I have a few watches but my favorite in this genre is a Seiko Quartz Diver Perpetual Calendar - 10 year battery, accurate to 20 seconds per year, very robust design and case, screw down crown, 200 meter water resistance...

In terms of straps, there is only 1 real choice - it is a Rhino / Zulu - my favorite is a 2 ring 1 piece. I usually customize the strap with a different buckle, cut & heat seal it so there is no extra length, and remove one of the rings... The straps are available in a viariety of colors (including popular survivalist colors - black, OD green, desert tan, international orange, etc) and widths. A good place to start looking is WestCoasTime. They have straps and mil / mil-style automatic watches.

Good luck with your search. If you have any specific questions for me, use e-mail...

Carry on...

 

[Kermit]

Ti or s.steel case and bezel, crystal glass face not plastic, rubber strap with Ti or s.steel deployment clasp, preferance towards automatic movements but I really like the idea of the solar powered stuff which is hitting the market, I personally also like seeing which day of the week im on in the watch face you know Mon Tue Wed etc. The face needs to be clear so Roman numerals arent my thing and the glow in the dark epoxy on the number and hands has to be large enough to be readable in the dark. Last but not least it has to be waterproof to something reasonable but nothing insane. 100 meters is fine, 200 is better. Waterproofing tells me how tough the device is out of the sea so the higher its rated the better.

Yep id also suggest a few Seiko divers models, they are cheap-ish and cheerful however a Rolex submariner is the standard to judge by in my opinion.

 

[jeff_c]

Good Man... GO TEAM SUUNTO!

 

[dogboye]

In terms of straps, there is only 1 real choice - it is a Rhino / Zulu - my favorite is a 2 ring 1 piece. I usually customize the strap with a different buckle, cut & heat seal it so there is no extra length, and remove one of the rings... The straps are available in a viariety of colors (including popular survivalist colors - black, OD green, desert tan, international orange, etc) and widths. A good place to start looking is WestCoasTime. They have straps and mil / mil-style automatic watches.

+1!
Zulu's are AWESOME. Look great in one form or another on just about anything from Timex to Rolex, and wear like nothing else. And are yet another reason I tend away from G-Shocks anymore: it is so darn difficult to figure out a way to get a Zulu strapped to a G.

 

[nemoaz]

Survival tactical watch? Been watching I am Legend?

A watch isn't part of survival.