Survival watch - priorities

Well for a tough watch its hard to beat a casio g-Shock, although i broke a strap and lost my old one...

Suunto have all the bells and whistles although i broke the two i owned.

Currently i own a Seiko orange moster and its a beast, i have no doubts that it will last, although i hear you should have it serviced every 5 years or so.
Screw down crown, roatating bezel, tough expandable stainless strap, 200 metres water proof (as opposed to water resistant), and the best glow in the dark i have ever seen on a watch!
hard to beat.
 
For a survival situation, a simple reliable watch should be enough, just like other equipments.
For a general outdoor purpose, I've found a watch with altitude sensor is sometimes useful.
 
I try not to wear a watch during fat and happy days; can't say I see the need for a survival watch. On vacations I never wear a watch. The exception being when diving. I do like to keep track of time when diving--analog is my preference. And water resistant.
 
JCK said:
I got a protrek prg70, with the titanium band, love it.
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I have the earlier PRG60T and think it's a great watch. All the same features. It's taken a few knocks and seen a few different terrains and apart from some minor marks (the face isn't marked at all, don't know how) is still 100%. My only complaint is they made the hour marks GITD but not the hands :confused: Doesn't really matter as it has illumination but just seems odd.
 
personally, i'd want a watch with a traditional dial on it so you can do the old compass trick with it.

but by and large, the "best" SHTF clock would be a sundial.
 
Foilist said:
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.
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Telling time:confused::p

Nemoaz also discounts a watch for survival...I agree; only that it isn't necessarily an essential, but it is still a useful tool. A decent analog watch with rotating bezel can be used as a rudimentary compass. I'm dependent on time...my occupation requires it, so time is important as I plan events, time activities, etc. I could see its use to time coal covered cooking, tides, checking trot lines/traps, etc. Survival is a mental challenge as much as it is a test of skills and physical stamina. Keeping calm and maintaining your sanity are critical and since we are creatures of habit, it helps (with good habits) to develop those day-to-day "battle rhythms" and a good watch can facilitate that.

I think we can all agree that efficiency is critical to survival. For me, I can set up a very efficient schedule with a watch...not something I want to do for recreational backpacking, but efficient when needed. My son has a G-Shock and I have him set his alarm when he runs off to the lake or woods. Without it, I probably wouldn't see him for a couple of days:D If there is more than one in the party, it's much easier to synchronize activities and chores. Distance and time are always important. A watch can help you measure how far you can travel, whether you need to backtrack or make it to a specific destination before sundown.

A watch isn't essential but is a very helpful tool; so for me a watch is important enough to include in my EDC when I'm outdoors or in situation that could potentially turn south.

ROCK6
 
rockspyder said:
+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.
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G-Shock adaptors!!!

westcoastime_2105_14474494
 
It adds some security, since you would have to lose both springbars before you'd lose the watch.

Thanks for the link, Reorx. I was aware of those adapters, and have a few of them. I even managed to trim, cut, squeeze, etc., and get them attached to the new Riseman. Which then uses the screws to keep them attached. The are pretty secure on even the Riseman, though.

I even managed to track a version of them down for my favorite G, the ... um... 2300? or G-2301? Anyway, it is solar-powered, but not atomic. Tough as all get-out. But I don't have them ON it at this time, because I could only source them in metallic gray, whereas the G-230x that I have is black. So they are going to look a little funny on it, when the strap wears out and I have to go to the gray adapters.

But for the most part, I wear analog, whether battery/solar quartz, or automatic.
 
kmm said:
But does that add security if the springbar fails? It dosent look like it...a shame cos id really like to try one of those.
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A spring bar can fail with or without an adapter. The advantage of a 1 piece watch strap is that if 1 springbar fails, you don't lose the watch (the other springbar holds). I have never heard of 2 springbars failing simultaneously although I can imagine that it can happen it is just much rarer. The circumstances required to cause a double springbar failure would have to be severe - think > if the springbars didn't fail, you would be in danger of losing the hand...
 
rockspyder said:
It adds some security, since you would have to lose both springbars before you'd lose the watch.

Thanks for the link, Reorx. I was aware of those adapters, and have a few of them. I even managed to trim, cut, squeeze, etc., and get them attached to the new Riseman. Which then uses the screws to keep them attached. The are pretty secure on even the Riseman, though.

I even managed to track a version of them down for my favorite G, the ... um... 2300? or G-2301? Anyway, it is solar-powered, but not atomic. Tough as all get-out. But I don't have them ON it at this time, because I could only source them in metallic gray, whereas the G-230x that I have is black. So they are going to look a little funny on it, when the strap wears out and I have to go to the gray adapters.

But for the most part, I wear analog, whether battery/solar quartz, or automatic.
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You are welcome for the link... have a look around that website (WestCoasTime) - they have a lot of useful stuff. The guy who runs the site (Howard Marx) has an excellent reputation in that genre of the watch world. There is another similar website located in the UK - TimeFactors run by Eddie Platts (another great guy in this genre of the watch world). I have done business with both in the past - never had any problems with either.

I too prefer analog watches these days... In the watch world, Casio and other similarly designed watches are referred to as a group using the abbreviation - CBP. I think almost every guy with an interest in watches owns at least one or 2 CBPs along with an assortment of analog quartz and mechanicals... I use my CBP as a beater - works great and, if I destroy it, it's no great loss - I think I got my current G-shocks (I think I have 2 somewhere around my house) for about $20 to $30 or so...

CBP is short for Cheap Black Plastic! :D
 
Roger the CBP. :thumbup:

Also, Westcoasttime has received a bit o' my money over the past year or two. :D And again, :thumbup: to Howard.
 
nemoaz said:
Survival tactical watch? Been watching I am Legend?

A watch isn't part of survival.
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Yes it is, Nemo. With it you can find direction, signal, document events on game trails for food gathering, know (accurately) how much time you have before sundown/sunrise, schedule water/food intake, the list goes on, my friend... As Rock pointed out, it isn't essential but its sure welcomed.


Rick
 
It's right on my list with my survival IPOD and survival laptop.

I will say that if I was telling myself that I was buying a "survival" watch, it would at least be something like one of those Casios with an electronic compass. I'm not sure how accurate those are but backups are always helpful.

Just checked my "survival" checklist again and "survival" watch isn't on it.

Look in the mirror and say, "I am a gearwhore."
 
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If you cannot see the convenience and multiple uses of a watch in wilderness or even urban survival, I don't know what else to tell you. Knowledge comes with experience, Nemo. I do not consider wearing a watch to be the sign of a gearwhore. Lately, you seem only interested in posting inflamatory remarks that lack reason, understanding and basic civilized manners.

Rick
 
I don't understand that way of thinking. ^^ nemoaz^

I can't stand not knowing the time. If you just read some of the responses already given you'll have your answear as to why having a good watch in a SHTF situation is a good thing.

I guess you wouldn't mind not knowing time or direction on a clowdy day. Or waking in the middle of the night and having no clue as to how long you've slept, and how long till dawn.

Also, what if you are in a group situation and you need to meet back up at a specific time? Or trade off on equal night watch shifts? ...plenty of uses for knowing the exact passage of time, if you think about it.

Anyway, Personally I would choose a kinetically charged watch with a solid steel or titanium band. All the sport watches I've ever owned, have had the bands rot off within only a year or two.
 
I also have a Marathon GSAR and Marathon Navigators Watch. The GSAR is a beast and tough as nails for a mechanical, no nonsense watch. THere is also a quartz version the TSAR. This is a great site fro Mil watches.

http:\\www.broadarrow.net
 
nemoaz said:
It's right on my list with my survival IPOD and survival laptop.
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You saying you wouldn't want those if you had the choice?

Just checked my "survival" checklist again and "survival" watch isn't on it.
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Right. When you even suspect your survival skills and gear might be called upon, you're gonna take off your watch and leave it at home. :thumbup:

Look in the mirror and say, "I am a gearwhore."
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Must be that time of the month. :rolleyes:
 
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