What watch do you wear in a survival setting?

I love my Timex. :)
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I'm still curious and haven't received an answer yet... just what does a watch do for you all in a survival setting? I haven't worn a watch in years and I fail to see what I'd be missing out on if I ended up in a survival situation. Of course, I'm referring to a watch (one that merely tells time) and not a wrist computer (one that does this, this, this, this, that, and this in addition to telling time).
 
ulmus_fulva said:
I'm still curious and haven't received an answer yet... just what does a watch do for you all in a survival setting? I haven't worn a watch in years and I fail to see what I'd be missing out on if I ended up in a survival situation. Of course, I'm referring to a watch (one that merely tells time) and not a wrist computer (one that does this, this, this, this, that, and this in addition to telling time).
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I chose analog rather then a digital because it's easier to watch how much time has passed at a glance. It's a linear scale rather then just a number.

In a survival setting a watch helps you keep pace, plan ahead, get a rough estimated direction (if you're good. ;) ). Some places night falls pretty fast. I'd hate to get stuck in the dark because I didn't notice what time it was.
 
I have dozens of watches. LOL...

But in the field I am almost always wearing a Suunto or G Shock.
 
ulmus_fulva said:
I'm still curious and haven't received an answer yet... just what does a watch do for you all in a survival setting? I haven't worn a watch in years and I fail to see what I'd be missing out on if I ended up in a survival situation. Of course, I'm referring to a watch (one that merely tells time) and not a wrist computer (one that does this, this, this, this, that, and this in addition to telling time).
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I have read that its a psychological advantage. It provides a point of reference in the day. Our concept of time provides the average person with a point of reference.

I guess the idea is that if Im lost and hurt and struggling, at least the ONE thing I know is that its 1:23. And that little bit of control may (lol or may not) provide a little bit of a hand hold in "reality".

A watch crystal can also be used to signal for help. And knowing the time can help determine direction. http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/nocompass1.html

Just some thoughts... at the end of the day, maybe it does nothing. But my Suunto Core tells me Sunrise sunset data, direction, temperature, weather trends, altimeter... and even tells time.

Of course a Breitling Emergency could signal for help!
 
In survival situation that is what I would use a watch for :

- Tell Time. (keeping a reference of time is important)
-Measure distance by using step counting and time traveled.
-Use it as a compass (Hour hand to the sun, halfway between it and the 12 is North-South, North being the furthest away from the sun, won't get specific on south hemisphere and DST)
-Use my watch bracelet as a lure for fishing
-Use the glass for fire making (that might be a long shot thou)

A watch is one of the most important navigation piece we have in airplanes, so it is in survival situation.

RAT Pack #75
KTA
 
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Many other watches may be 'sexier', but for reliability, I would go for a solar powered fully digital
g-shock. Tough enough to withstand some abuse, and no worries about power running out.
 
Mine is the Citizen Eco-Zilla. It's my 24/7 watch, going with me everywhere, doing anything. It's built like a tank. It's an Eco-Drive, so no worries about batteries. Mine keeps excellent time and needs only rare adjustments. Another nice feature is the illumination is great making the watch easy to read at night. It's waterproof to 300m, which is about 300x deeper than I'll ever go! At least I know it's waterproof and won't give me issues. Lastly it's titanium construction so it's relatively light for a big watch.

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I wear a Traser Super Sport Blue. A little more tactical than survival...but it gets the job done.
 
Seiko automatic diver's 200 m. -- no batteries to crap out, reputation of lasting 15-20 years without cleaning or adjusting, accurate to 3-5 seconds a day, shock resistant.
 
gander6 said:
Mine is the Citizen Eco-Zilla. It's my 24/7 watch, going with me everywhere, doing anything. It's built like a tank. It's an Eco-Drive, so no worries about batteries. Mine keeps excellent time and needs only rare adjustments. Another nice feature is the illumination is great making the watch easy to read at night. It's waterproof to 300m, which is about 300x deeper than I'll ever go! At least I know it's waterproof and won't give me issues. Lastly it's titanium construction so it's relatively light for a big watch.

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The EcoZilla is one beast of a watch. I have owned 2. Moved both out of the collection... Just too heavy for me. I really REALLY wanted to like them. They are built extremely well... but I tried one on the bracelet and one on the rubber. GREAT watches, but big and VERY heavy.

Me and my darn girly wrists. ;)
 
Though not as accurate as quartz, for long term survival, I believe a self winding (wrist action) watch is optimal. Long term you will not be able to procure batteries, yet you could be a situations when if one of you go out for a period of time, you may want to set a number of hours before your mates should come looking if you do not return. Self winding is the only way to go if you're talking survival.
 
jeff_c said:
I have read that its a psychological advantage. It provides a point of reference in the day. Our concept of time provides the average person with a point of reference.
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Agreed :thumbup: Back in the 70's, digital watches became the latest big thing. I had one but found it unsatisfying. An analog or dial watch gives you a plan for the day. Here we are 40 years later and analog watches are more popular than ever.

I'm in boat work and we're not allowed to wear wrist watches (strap might get caught and hang you up) So, here's a cool little number by National Geographic that I got for Christmas:

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It's got a carabiner clip that I can hook onto a lanyard to use as a pocket watch, or clip to a D-ring on my life jacket. The top button on the right activates a red LED light on top that is quite handy for a flashlight that doesn't ruin your night vision.

Edit: The whole casing and clip are made of stainless steel, coated. It's a turnup, it is weighty. With a lanyard, the guys at Practical Tactical will be using it to beat somebody down.
 
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I am also looking for a new G Shock analog solar / atomic watch because I can barely see my old digital G Shock watch. My 20/20 vision is now a thing of the past. I need something I can see at night in the dark easily.
 
Alberta Ed said:
Seiko automatic diver's 200 m. -- no batteries to crap out, reputation of lasting 15-20 years without cleaning or adjusting, accurate to 3-5 seconds a day, shock resistant.
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Yep. Same here. 6309-7049, 1984 vintage. Been literally around the world with it.
 
kta2402 said:
A watch is one of the most important navigation piece we have in airplanes, so it is in survival situation.
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X2. One time had a total electrical failure in my plane. Ended up navigating with my watch, whiskey compass and chart.
 
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