Digital G-shock
eco-drive diver or promaster tough

 

Years ago, I bought a g-shock for $45. I mean, maybe 15 years ago. The only thing it needed was a battery replacement....

 

Hello,
I have been a casual watch enthusiast and I am looking for something a bit different. I have a few cheaper pieces, but also some in the high-ish range.

I am looking for the one watch that is a lifetime buddy that is more or less guaranteed to not break. I prefer manual watches. But, think end of the world scenario. If you had one watch to get you through anything, which one would it be?

Which watch would withstand abuse, banging, dropping, winding and just keep on going...

If you’re looking for ultimate toughness nothing beats a solid state watch w/digital display.

If you’re looking for a tough mechanical watch, the Tudor Pelagos is hard to beat. I’ve put mine through hell and it’s still one of the most accurate watches I own.

EDIT: mee dunt rite tu gud

 

For me, any automatic is disqualified. It would have to be a quartz, preferably digital, with alarm/timer functions. So with that, there isn't anything better than one of the many different G-Shocks available. I'd take my G-Shock square GW-M5610U-1CJF to hell and back.

There is also this that Will Smith rocked in the end of civilization scenario:
Victorinox Swiss Army ST 4000 chrono - Will Smith - I Am Legend | Watch ID (watch-id.com)

If insist on an automatic, maybe any of the 300m divers would be tough enough? Or a Formex with it's suspension system

 

For me, any automatic is disqualified. It would have to be a quartz, preferably digital, with alarm/timer functions. So with that, there isn't anything better than one of the many different G-Shocks available. I'd take my G-Shock square GW-M5610U-1CJF to hell and back.

There is also this that Will Smith rocked in the end of civilization scenario:
Victorinox Swiss Army ST 4000 chrono - Will Smith - I Am Legend | Watch ID (watch-id.com)

If insist on an automatic, maybe any of the 300m divers would be tough enough? Or a Formex with it's suspension system

Automatic is DQ because of the auto mechnisms...

There is no such thing.

I had an original G-shock from the 80s, lasted ten years after years of accompanying me on my harsh life.

Mechanical watches (manual wind as you stated) can only take so much abuse.

While a G-shock module will survive, the resin case won’t. On the contrary, steel cases might be the answer but you’re looking for mechanical watches, so no, no such thing.

I am asking as I do not know, so please educate me. I'd generally avoid a digital watch because of the need for a battery.

The real question is, is there something that does not need a battery, that requires little to no maintenance over a 20-30 year period and is very reliable? I doubt it, but I am asking anyway.

 

Hello,
I have been a casual watch enthusiast and …
I am looking for the one watch that is a lifetime buddy that is more or less guaranteed to not break. I prefer manual watches. But, think end of the world scenario.
Which watch would withstand abuse, banging, dropping, winding and just keep on going...

There is no such thing.

I had an original G-shock from the 80s, lasted ten years after years of accompanying me on my harsh life.

Mechanical watches (manual wind as you stated) can only take so much abuse.

While a G-shock module will survive, the resin case won’t. On the contrary, steel cases might be the answer but you’re looking for mechanical watches, so no, no such thing.

 

My G-Shock was always a reliable companion through all the adventures, so if you thinking about anything to use as a beater it's given. I am not sure what's your budget but a tegimented Sinn will last a lifetime and it can take the abuse while it still looks cool.
Welcome to the forum, stick around so we can change whatever you decide to get lol...

 

This thread will have everything you need:

https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/some-may-wonder-why-am-i-so-extreme.5312435/

(To answer your question, I vote Vostok Amfibia.)

 

TRONA!!!!

 

Gotta be a G shock for indestructability.

 

Guiness must be running out of ideas for records...

 

You beat me to it

 

Solar powered digital Gshock...

Or, realistically, any seiko or citizen eco drive. I'd expect any of those to work essentially indefinitely (decades for sure).

My uncle has worn the same seiko quartz every day since the 80s. He was a cook, then a woodworker, now a chef. It's beat to hell and needs a new battery every few years, but it works just fine. An eco drive or solar watch will be the same except without the battery part.

 

Submariner.

That's my go to watch when I visit the Trona mines.

 

Marathon GSAR for a mechanical. But it will need service at some point after the apocalypse.

 

There are loads of quartz. So I'll stick to mechanical.

Relatively affordable

More expensive

Getting more expensive.

More expensive yet.

Getting up there.

Insanity is setting in.

Insane.

 

Ray Mears Citizen Eco Drive or Winfield Mission Timer quartz w/10 year battery.

 

A tegimented Sinn

 

 

Why do we even have these threads? The only answer is a solar G-Shock. Get an all steel one if you must, but the resin cases are amazing. Try driving a truck over your sub or moonwatch.

 

Try driving a truck over your sub or moonwatch.

I’m so tired of having my watches run over by trucks. Once would be bad enough but it seems to happen with alarming frequency. 😐

 

Something along these lines, provided it has a higher end ETA quartz movement and a battery replacement compartment that doesn't require you to open the watch (you don't want to rely on a case back opener in your end of world scenario). Of course, you would need to rely on a bunch of lithium batteries.

 

Sinn. Affordable? Marathon or Lum-Tec.

 

The King.

 

In a SHTF scenario I grab the go bag, a rifle and ammunition and my G-Shock.

 

Marathon. Marathon. Marathon.

 

I don't think my Marathon will take as much abuse as my G-Shock.

 

There is only one true EXTREME test for a "hell and back" watch. You better pick something that can last there.



Someone had to do it.

 

Haven't been back yet so I'll let you know.

 

Citizen eco-drive Ray Mears variant is probably the toughest analog watch. G-Shock digitals are likely more durable.

 

Anybody that is answering G-Shock to end of all scenario watch is clearly missing that resin straps and bezels are made to be changed and deteriorate when exposed to elements constantly.

This is not too belittle G-Shocks they are awesome, but in this case the resin ones are not the best option if you won't have replacements easily available. The completely metal ones on the other hand are a better option. Specially the Titanium ones that won't rust.

Another thing I don't watch in such a watch is springbars, these are just not made to stand tough environments.

So I'm my book it will have to be: shock resistant, made of titanium or some other non rust material, and not rely on springbars.