When you think of survival gear the first thing that comes to mind is probably not a watch. But the time pieces we’ll be highlighting in this article offer up some pretty impressive technologies. They allow you to keep tabs on your location, possible inclement weather conditions, sunrise and sunset, and of course accurate time. They’re a prepper’s dream.
There are plenty of manufacturers out there claiming to have the best survival watch, but I can attest, these are NOT all created equally. Reliability and durability are as important as any of the above mentioned features when you’re out in the wilderness, and some “survival” watches just don’t stack up.
Our Top 10 Prepper Survival Watches
| NAME OF PRODUCT | NAVIGATOR | WATER RESISTANT | DURABLE | SURVIVAL KIT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Fenix 3 | GPS | HIGH | HIGH | NO | $$$ |
| CASIO G-SHOCK RANGEMAN | GPS | HIGH | HIGH | NO | $$$ |
| Suunto Core | GPS | HIGH | HIGH | NO | $$$ |
| Casio PRW2500-1A Digital ProTrek Pathfinder Black Watch | GPS | HIGH | HIGH | NO | $$ |
| Casio G-Shock Mudman | GPS | HIGH | HIGH | NO | $$ |
| Timex Expedition Shock Digital Compass Watch | DIGITAL COMPASS | HIGH | MODERATE | NO | $$ |
| Columbia Singletrak | DIGITAL COMPASS | HIGH | MODERATE | NO | $$ |
| Ohsen Tactical survival watch | COMPASS | LOW | HIGH | YES | $ |
| SharpSurival watch | COMPASS | LOW | HIGH | YES | $ |
| Thermometer Paracord Survival Watch | COMPASS | LOW | HIGH | YES | $ |
Garmin Fenix
For most people Garmin is only and well very known for their navigation products. But they also do produce high quality survival watch, with some advanced features. One of their watch model is Fenix 3. This is one of the most wanted watch among serious explorers because of the various features that it covers and it is also robust and very durable.
This watch does not have the typical survival watch appearance, it has more modern and sophisticated design compared to most tactical watches available in the market. Although it looks modern this watch is a little bulky and designed for bigger wrist. But in time you would get used to it.
As we all know survival watches are usually completed with an altimeter, barometer and a digital compass, this watch also has these features. But what sets the Garmin Fenix 3 apart from the others is their additional healthy features. Yes you read that right the health feature. Not only this watch will be able to navigate you when you’re lost but it is also finished with options for step counting, calorie tracking and sleeping monitor. Which is an amazing offer to active outdoor lover.
This is indeed a smart survival watch, sometimes while spending times outdoor you will not be able to have your phone or gadgets with you, but with Fenix 3 it allows Bluetooth and WiFi connection permitting you to receive notification from your phone. To me personally the most remarkable feature about this watch is, you are able to install a different app on your watch if you link it to the Connect IQ app store.
Allowing you to monitor all important information in a state of emergency at the tip of your wrist.The disadvantage of this product is, being originated from a navigation company their GPS is not the most accurate. Nevertheless I still feel this is one wonderful smart survival watch that every explorer should have one.
Casio G-Shock Rangeman
This watch is one of the top rated survival watch. The Casio G-Shock Rangeman is a device created to be reliable in the roughest environment. It has all the remarkable features to deliver all the important information. The features of this is watch is quite in depth, if you’re not used to these advance watches, take time and read thru the manual diligently. This would be a great assistance for you to operate your watch.
Well I’m going to share with you some of the great functions of this watch. With this watch you will never have to predict the weather as you would be alerted with its digital barometer which is able to detect a range of 260 to 1100 HectoPascals. This watch also has amazing ability to alert you when there are pressure changes in the atmosphere, the thermometer of this watch detects at a minimum range 14° to 140° F. For the price it comes with various useful features like the altimeter, compass, tide indication, and exact sunrise sunset times.
The best part about this watch is, it is solar powered. For explorers that like to stay out all day long this is a plus point for you, as the watch is able to self-charge from the sun. You will also never have to worry about adjusting your watch when traveling across your local time zone as the atomic time keeping will self-adjust and corrects the time automatically. Ideal if you travel a lot around the globe. Making this watch a popular pick among the military personnel.
This watch is design with a negative display. However, some users find it difficult to read the display during the day as it gets dim during the day, you would need eagle’s eye to read the display. It is also specially designed not to snag on clothing or any equipment.
The G-Shock Rangeman is definitely one of the best survival watch available. You will never be dissatisfied as this watch will be able to withstand all kind of rough conditions with various outstanding features.
Suunto Core
Looking for a watch that would be able to conquer it all with your expedition. Let it be the highest peak in the world or in the darkest deepest ocean, this is the ideal watch for all your adventure. Suunto is a leading company for extreme sports and they surely have the best survival watch. As they understand the needs of an explorer.
This watch design is not like any other classic survival watches in the market. It has a more chic design. The bezel of this watch has a clean finish with a compass indicator around the dial. You will be able to rotate the bezel to set your compass directions.
Here I will share a few intelligent features of this watch. Ever heard of a watch that could operate in multiple language, well the Suunto Core is able to function in 4 languages, English, French, Germany and Spanish. Now that is really an amazing yet unique feature of this watch. The barometer on this watch has high abilities to measure the atmosphere beyond the walls even when you’re indoors. This would be great help if you’re planning for an activity as the barometer on your watch will keep you updated on the weather forecast. It is also able to track the weather forecast for the next few hours, you can turn on the built in weather trend indicator.
The Suunto Core also has altimeter, which would contribute to your expedition by keep you informed of the conditions of the surroundings. The altimeter will alert you the elevation and you will be able to search a good position for yourself during activities like hiking or rock climbing. If calibrated accordingly the altimeter can be accurate.Other additional features of this watch are, dual times, date display, presents the tides and moon information.
The matters concerning the batteries are not solar powered, so you will need to change your watch batteries every 6 – 12 months. Another minor disadvantage of this watch is, it is not very durable for the price that it comes. Some users had experience with faulty bezel. However with all the intelligent features this is indeed a great watch to be missed.
Casio Pathfinder
The Casio Pathfinder is a terrific companion to any outdoor enthusiast. With the price that it comes, this is definitely a must have watch.
The visual appearance of this watch is no much difference from any ordinary survival watch. It looks masculine and rugged. Most outdoor explorer would prefer this kind of design to any fancy over attractive watches. But, most important what are the key functions that would come useful in the wilderness. At times, some people might find the design of this watch is quite complex, with the triple sensor buttons. And few more buttons for adjustment of the watch light. Operating a watch would be a pretty easy task to anyone, however I suggest reading the manual once for better understanding of the watch configurations.
One of the incredible feature of this device is the solar powered battery. For any avid outdoor enthusiast, this would be a great match for you as the watch needs to be exposed to the sunlight to keep it powered. Besides this, the watch is also completed with a barometer, altimeter and a compass. These three are the most crucial features for a survival watch to have. Certain people always worry about reading the compass as it can be challenging when you’re lost in the wild, less that will not be the case with this watch. As the compass is easy to use, only press the button on the right side of the watch, indicator for each direction of the wind indicating north and now you would need to move around and figure your path.
The altimeter of the watch is able to notice even a small shift in the altitude. Your watch will notify you the changes within seconds. The altimeter will refresh its altitude every two minutes. And having the barometer on this watch is like having a little live weather news caster on your wrist. Needless to say more this watch can really take the beat of any extreme outdoor activities and will still work fine.
All the other basic features, like the countdown timer, thermometer, calendar, stop watch and alarm should function as they should. The alarm on this watch is loud enough to keep you alert of any situation. Overall this is an amazing watch with no major disadvantage that would bother you.
Casio Mudman
Most Casio watches are very reliable and built to last. Their survival watches are designed to take the beat. One of their best is the Casio Mudman. No matter how rough your expedition is the the Casio Mudman will never disappoint you. This watch is able to survive everything let it be the extreme low temperature or hitting it against hard surface this watch will last.
Now I’m going to share some of the awesome features of this watch, all in all this watch is equip with a thermometer, please keep in mind that the thermometer of the watch would work accurately when you are not wearing the watch, as the thermometer would confuse the temperature with the body heat. This watch also has a moon graph that would update you on the moon phases. This would be a great assistance to you if you are observing the moon, and planning your activities according to the moon phases. The Casio Mudman also has a compass that will suffice your needs for directions in any kind of survival scenarios.
As an outdoor enthusiast you will never be limited to on ground activities only, I’m sure you will always be exposed to wet surroundings. Let it be river, lake or muddy pathways due to rain this watch will be able to take it all. It is great shock resistant, water resistant and mud resistant watch.
The appearance of this watch, it might look like any other casio watches. It is built with 5.3cm diameter and 5.1 thickness it is neither too big nor small. I would say this is a decent size watch.
This watch is great choice if you’re a serious outdoor extremist and requires and tough and rugged watch. It would last despite of the extreme conditions that it would go through. Overall this would be a safe pick and worth your money, as this watch does not have much flaws to it.
Timex Expedition Shock Digital Compass Watch
Timex has been a very well known American watch makers for more than 150 years. And they definitely have incredible watches to offer. One of their tactitcal watch is the Times Expedition Digital Compass Watch.Firstly of course, the price of this watch is definite a good bargain with all the features it has and the durability of it. With that being said this makes the Timex Expedition watch, one of the most sought for among the military personals.
For the price it offers, this watch is very durable. You can swim through salt water, submerge in fresh water, completing a challenge in a muddy course or even try to smash anything to it. This watch will take it all and you would not have any problems with it. This watch aesthetically pleasing, easy to read and quite lightweight. And for some eyesight issue the display font of this watch is helpful as it is big and clear. You would not need your reading glasses with all the time.
The design of this watch is simple suitable for those who does not like fancy watches. This watch comes in charcoal colour it could easily camouflage with the surrounding without being to flashy. For a survival watch it does not look bulky or has numerous complex buttons. But don’t under estimate the simplicity of this watch, it may looks simple but it is completed with all the features that an explorer would need. This watch is completed with a digital compass which a great plus point if you are confuse or lost in the wild. It also has amazing water resistant capabilities and timing and stopwatch features too.
However, the disadvantage of this watch, some users are not comfortable with the digital display, as they find it difficult to read the watch display indoors, outdoor during the day time the display is readable. Someone with good vision would actual love this watch.
In a nutshell, I would say this a decent watch with the price it offers and the features it has. It is a good survival watch compared to other survival watches in the same price range.
Columbia Singletrak
If you’re looking for a modest survival watch, yet it is robust to take the extreme conditions in the wild. Then the right choice for you would be the Columbia Singletrak. Not to forget that, the price of this watch is very reasonable. The Columbia Singletrak is definitely is a watch that anyone could afford. This would will allow you to meet your needs without having you to compromise on your budget.
While in the wild you always need to be prepared for the worst. You would never know when you will lost track of your movement from your trekking group or camp. With the Columbia Singletrak you will never have to worry. As you will be having a great navigation device just on your wrist. This watch digital compass is one of the best that are available. Not only that, along with the digital compass this watch is completed with the Trakbak technology. Trakbak technology is a unique feature that is able to detect the slightest off route per the compass coordinates.
Furthermore, this watch has a thermometer. A great feature when exploring outdoors. You will be able to always stay prepared when there are changes in the temperature. But always keep in mind, when testing thermometer ensure the watch is not attach on your wrist as your body temperature would make the results inaccurate. This watch is a great for an elderly explorer too as their big display are easy to read.
Truthfully, the only setback of this watch is, some users have experienced issue with the backlight. The backlight does not work sometimes. Hence always check the conditions of the watch before you leave for an expedition. Otherwise this is indeed a simple watch with a very reasonable price tag to it.
Ohsen Tactical Survival Paracord Watch
If you remember earlier in this article I have mentioned about 2 types of survival watches. And this would be a pick of a paracord survival watch. The concept of the paracord survival watch is so great and has more physical assistance compared to a modern survival. Modern survival watch allows you to collect data on your surroundings however the paravord watches have more practical features to assist you in the wild.
Let me share with you some amazing features of the Ohsen paracord watch. This watch is completed with the dual time twelve hours and twenty four hours digital clock along with an easy to read analog watch. It also has a calendar to keep you updated with the current date. It also has a stopwatch function.
Having a paracord watch would safe your time and some space in your bag to pack several backup tools. This watch has a compass that would that is able to navigate to your route if you ever get lost in the wild. This watch also has a small knife that would come handy for you to cut ropes or strings without searching through in your back pack for a knife.
For me this is the coolest function about this watch, this watch also has a fire starter kit. Yes you read that right a fire started kit. It is attached along with the whistle. Though you would need to practice a lot with it. The only minus point here is, due to safety issues the fire start kit is not easy to use. With a tremendous efforts of practice you will be able to master it.
This watch also has a whistle and a flashlight too. With all these important tools that an explorer needs that comes in one watch I would say, it is definitely worth it to own one of these paracord watches. It could save lives in matters of crisis.
Sharp Survival Watch
For an avid outdoor explorer you would want to be equipped with all your gears at all times. Being in the wild you would need to be ready to face any misfortune. For these kind of explorer paracord survival watch are the best option for you. Paracord watches are always full of surprises and it will never fail to rescue you in time.
With the Sharp Survival watch you will not have to look further. With a minimal cost you will be able to have a watch on your wrist that comes along with an ultimate survival kit. This watch have a very modest appearance and an easy to read dial.The paracord band on this watch is draped with two pieces military high quality paracord with total of more than 12 feet length of rope.
In any unexpected event that would happen in the wild, this watch would really come to your rescue with the loud whistle attach at the end of the band. You can easily use to scare some animals away or blow the whistle for your team to identify your location if you’re lost in the wild.
This watch also has a magnesium fire starter kit, in case you are strained in the wild at night. The fire starter on this kit would be a great help to keep you warm all night. Other features that is offered in this watch is the, removable high quality compass and water resistant feature.
I would definitely recommend this watch for the beginners’ outdoor explorers and scouts as the price of this watch is certainly cheap and it is completed with all the basic needs of a paracord survival watch.
Thermometer Paracord Watch
Whether you’re fishing, hunting or just camping in the wild. You must ensure you are geared entirely for any unexpected in the wild. Unlike any other paracord survival watches in the market, this watch has something really different to offer. This paracord watch comes with a thermometer, this is indeed are special feature that is offered in a paracord watch.
With a thermometer attached on your watch, you will always be alerted when there are changes in the weather temperatures. This will help you to dress accordingly if it gets too cold in the wild. Seriously in the wild the temperature do have a vast difference during the day and night. It can be sunny and hot during the day and it could get cold pretty fast as night falls.
The analog display on this watch is easy to read, and it also has a small removable knife. It is able to cut through various items. It would be a great tool to cut ropes or to be used to mark trees during your trekking in the jungle.The paracord bracelet might be a little stiff for some and it can be fairly loose on smaller wrist. This watch is also completed with a fire starting kit, a whistle and more than 12 foot length heavy duty nylon paracord rope.
The only disadvantage of this watch is, it is not completed with a flashlight. If there is a flashlight on it, it would have been a perfect survival paracord watch.
Whether you’re fishing, hunting or just camping in the wild. You must ensure you are geared entirely for any unexpected in the wild. Unlike any other paracord survival watches in the market, this watch has something really different to offer. This paracord watch comes with a thermometer, this is indeed are special feature that is offered in a paracord watch.
With a thermometer attached on your watch, you will always be alerted when there are changes in the weather temperatures. This will help you to dress accordingly if it gets too cold in the wild. Seriously in the wild the temperature do have a vast difference during the day and night. It can be sunny and hot during the day and it could get cold pretty fast as night falls.
The analog display on this watch is easy to read, and it also has a small removable knife. It is able to cut through various items. It would be a great tool to cut ropes or to be used to mark trees during your trekking in the jungle.The paracord bracelet might be a little stiff for some and it can be fairly loose on smaller wrist. This watch is also completed with a fire starting kit, a whistle and more than 12 foot length heavy duty nylon paracord rope.
The only disadvantage of this watch is, it is not completed with a flashlight. If there is a flashlight on it, it would have been a perfect survival paracord watch.
Important Features
When picking a survival watch there are few features for you to consider. As survival watches are not just like any of those fancy watches. You need to carefully plan ahead and imagine that you are in a survival or in a crisis situation and how, will your survival watch would come useful in these circumstances. You would need a watch that would be able to provide information to help you for your survival. A watch that would survive any extreme condition of heat, cold, sand or even water.
In general, there are two types of survival watch. The modern survival watch and the other one is the paracord watch.
The modern survival watch can provide you more information than just time. Some additional features to consider when selecting a modern survival watch are, the temperature gauge, altimeter, barometer, chronograph, GMT indicator, date and time. While the paracord watches comes with additional features of mini survival kit. The mini survival kit will include an analog compass, fire starter and a compass.
Now you would be wondering, which is the best option for your survival? Both do tell time but they have very different survival features. However the modern and paracord survival watches have a vast price difference. However in this article we will be discussing on both modern survival watch and the paracord watches. Before that, you might want to check out our checklist for the complete wilderness survival gear and also our 21 basic wilderness survival skills.
Water Proof/Resistant
When you’re out in the wilderness you could never predict any kind of a misfortune. You could be caught in a thunderstorm, wall into a pond or river. Hence you would need a watch that is able to resist all these mishaps and still function properly.
When looking for this feature on a watch, you need to be mindful of the difference of waterproof or water resistant. Water proof watches are designed to completely resist water when the watch is submerge in water whereas water resistant watches are only able to resist water in a humidity situation not excessive condition like dipping it in to a pool of water.
Battery Life
Battery is very essential feature for a watch. For a survival watch it is very important to have a good lasting battery life, because batteries might die at a very wrong moment.
Advantage of having a good quality batteries are, you might not have the opportunity to recharge or replace your batteries when you’re out in the wild. Some higher end survival watches are mechanical, they are kinetic or solar powered thus one need not to worry about dead batteries. Just ensure to keep the mechanical watches wounded and it will keep on working.
Appropriate Design
Survival watches does not look very appealing as the usual fancy watches. It is recommended to look for negative display watch. Negative display means the background of the dial is black and the text on the watch is in white. With this you will not have to switch on the back light or changing your position upon checking your watch.
Most survival watches are designed not to stuck on any materials, buttons or any equipment, as the bezel of the watch is designed much rounder than other watches.
Durable
This is a crucial feature for a survival watch. It needs to durable to go through extreme conditions in jungles, desert, or some extreme temperature. The bezel can be constructed from various materials ranging from titanium, carbon fiber or high grade plastics.
And the bands are built from materials like silicone or paracord. For survival watches it is best to avoid metal or leather material bands as they are not durable in extreme conditions.
Additional Features
Barometer – Most people might overlook this feature, as we all think we are able to tell how the weather is by just looking up in the sky. But sometimes, when you’re lost or trekking in an area that is new or different, the altimeter of the watch would be a good guidance to alert you on the weather changes. If you’re alert about an upcoming storm you would be able to look for shelter. This could even safe someone from getting a hypothermia.
Sunrise/sunset times – When you’re in higher altitude the sunset is earlier than usual. With this feature you will know how much time you have before it gets dark.
Thermometer – Having a thermometer in your watch will be a great advantage if you’re exploring areas with extreme temperature. Be mindful, as the watch is always attached on your wrist, your body heat could affect the accuracy of the temperature.
GPS – Having a GPS is a smart investment for anyone who spends time in the woods. If you ever get lost, a GPS you can easily route your way back to civilization.
Finally, having a good survival watch is crucial. Being lost in the wild is not a funny thing. Having a simple navigating device would be a great help. And having a good water proof watch is an important element too as if you are surrounded by a lot of water like in a swamp or rain.
These are some element that you should consider while looking for a survival watch. You will have a lot of choices out there, but if you have planned the features you need in a watch, you will definitely find a perfect match.
More Survival Resources
We Pick the Tastiest and Best Survival Foods
Best Survival Water Filters on the Market
We Rank the Top Survival Flashlights