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I'm a serving infantry soldier and have been extensively researching the best military watch. I have not found a watch that I believe meets 100% the criteria that would, in my opinion at least, be the ultimate true military watch. I think only very vew manufacturers come anywhere near a proper military watch and only two (Casio and Suunto) that come close to the ultimate military watch. My criteria for the accolade of the ultimate military watch is:
Physical Charcteristics (Stealth and Durability)
Watches that meet the above criteria?
The only watches I have found that come anywhere close to meeting the above are the Casio Protrek series (e.g. PRG-130Y-DR)
), Suunto X-lander and Suunto Core Black Military watches.
However, it is the Suunto Core that has most of the above Criteria. I have owned one for three years and have exposed it to withering machine gun operation, hot and arctic environments, bangs, scrapes and encounters with my webbing, numerous dunkings in the sea, rivers, swamps and lakes not to mention my local swimming pool- even after two field battery changes. I never take it off for hot showers either. It's proved amazingly resilient and continues to be so.
I have used the Suunto Core ABC functions on numerous occasions and have relied on the Sunrise/ Sunset function as input to patrol planning. The barometric functions have helped me to accurately predict on the spot local weather. For this reason, my next watch is another Suunto Core since the current one, although 100% functional, is looking like it's been through the wars and my wife is commenting on it when we go out to smart dinners together!
The Suunto Core Military does not however have the following features (although it is 30M water resistant). Essential/ must have features in red:
In conclusion, IMO, I think the Suunto Core all black Military watch is the Ultimate Military Watch. It also looks the business |>
P.S. The above features not found on the Suunto is my list of things for Suunto to add to the Core watch
Physical Charcteristics (Stealth and Durability)
- Black Inverse/ reverse LCD screen for stealth (e.g. Suunto Military/ Suunto Core Black)
- Red backlight LED to maintain natural night vision (like some casio 'military' versions)
- Black Titanium or Carbon Fibre case for light weight and durability (like Suunto X-lander Military and Suunto Core)
- Rubber ribbed strap with screw on hinges (e.g. like Sunnto military strap found on Suunto Core military version)
- Low Temperature operation for arctic operations (e.g. Casio Protrek series)
- At least 100M Water resistance (just so there are no doubts if it's dunked or exposed to seriously heavy waterfalls)
- Large Recessed buttons with textured surface to avoid getting caught in webbing straps (e.g. Casio Protek series)
- Solar Powered (e.g. Casio Protrek) or at least field/ self change battery (e.g. Suunto Xlander military and Suunto Core)
- Depth Meter (e.g. Suunto Core Military)
- Rotating Bezel marked with cardinal compass points
- Large form factor for using with cloves- small watches will not do.
- 24 Hour time format (like most sport watches)
- Countdown timers (found on Protrek, Suunto and many other sport models)
- Selectable Flashing Alarm mode (since audible alarms can cost lives in a tactical environment- Casio 'Military' versions have this)
- Selectable vibrating alert/ alarm (overcomes audible and visible issue in a tactical situation- not found on any watch)
- World times (Convenient in planning and changing zone when travelling- e.g. Casio protrk & Suunto XLander/ Core )
- Sunrise/ Sunset times (really important/ essential stuff to know in a military context- e.g. Suunto slander and Suunto Core)
- Quick Global silent setting- a single option to kill all audible functions on the watch (not found on any watch AFIK)
- Electronic Compass (Casio Protrek Protrek PRG-130Y-DR and Suunto X-Lander and Suunto Core)
- Compass 3D mode (like more expensive Suunto sports watches)
- Compass readings in MILS (not found on any watch)
- Barometric Monitoring (Casio Protrek PRG-130Y-DR and Suunto x-lander/Core)
- Altimeter (Casio Protrek and Suunto x-lander/Core)
- Manual or automatic switching between Barometric and Altimeter readings
- Storm Alert (e.g. Suunto Core)
- Temperature sensor
- Wind chill factor indication (Not seen on any watch I have found so far)
- Moon Phase (really important from time to time to know in a military context)
- Tide phase/ prediction (really important form time to time to know in a military context)
- Separate battery to normal watch battery (i.e. two batteries so that if GPS battery dies, the watch continues to function)- not found on any watch
Watches that meet the above criteria?
The only watches I have found that come anywhere close to meeting the above are the Casio Protrek series (e.g. PRG-130Y-DR)
), Suunto X-lander and Suunto Core Black Military watches.
However, it is the Suunto Core that has most of the above Criteria. I have owned one for three years and have exposed it to withering machine gun operation, hot and arctic environments, bangs, scrapes and encounters with my webbing, numerous dunkings in the sea, rivers, swamps and lakes not to mention my local swimming pool- even after two field battery changes. I never take it off for hot showers either. It's proved amazingly resilient and continues to be so.
I have used the Suunto Core ABC functions on numerous occasions and have relied on the Sunrise/ Sunset function as input to patrol planning. The barometric functions have helped me to accurately predict on the spot local weather. For this reason, my next watch is another Suunto Core since the current one, although 100% functional, is looking like it's been through the wars and my wife is commenting on it when we go out to smart dinners together!
The Suunto Core Military does not however have the following features (although it is 30M water resistant). Essential/ must have features in red:
- Red backlight LED to maintain natural night vision (like some casio 'military' versions)
- At least 100M Water resistance (just so there are no doubts if it's dunked or exposed to seriously heavy waterfalls)
- Selectable Flashing Alarm mode (Casio 'Military' versions have this)
- Selectable vibrating alert/ alarm (overcomes audible and visible issue in a tactical situation- not found on any watch)
- Compass 3D mode
- Compass readings in MILS ( Not found on any watch)
- Wind chill factor Indication (Not seen on any watch I have found so far)
- Moon Phase (really important form time to time to know in a military context- Casio pro trek series have this)
- Tide phase/ prediction (important form time to time to know in a military context- Casio pro trek series have this)
- GPS with separate/ dedicated battery for GPS functions (not found on any watch)
- Quick Global silent setting- a single option to kill all audible functions on the watch (not found on any watch AFIK)
In conclusion, IMO, I think the Suunto Core all black Military watch is the Ultimate Military Watch. It also looks the business |>
P.S. The above features not found on the Suunto is my list of things for Suunto to add to the Core watch