Tactical Watches Under 200
A good tactical watch will sustain deep diving, frequent manual labor, and pretty much anything you can throw at it. Tactical watches are designed for use in military theaters, and are typically among the most durable models on the market. They also usually include a variety of useful features for the most ambitious of life adventures. The five watches explored in this article are all worthy of consideration, and feature unique sets of strengths and weaknesses.
#1: Luminox Navy SEAL Blackout
The Navy SEAL model is the watch that started it all for Luminox. The piece was first produced specifically designed to be worn by Navy SEALs during night missions, and has since gained a reputation in the consumer market for excellent lume and lightweight durability. The case is built of reinforced PC carbon, an extremely strong and light material that is unlikely to dent or scratch. The band is supple leather, comfortable to wear, and sure to withstand the elements. Swiss quartz movement, great water resistance, and famous lume are the icing on the cake, and ensure that the SEAL provides maximum bang for your buck.
#2: Casio Men’s GA100-1A1 Black Resin Quartz Watch
The GA100-1A1 is a solid choice, and comes in at a much lower price point than the others on this list. Casio is well known for producing shock proof and resilient watches, and is thus a natural fit for tactical time pieces. In addition to the standard hour and minute hands, digital displays feature a full auto calendar, a 1/1000th second stopwatch, and automatic world time. The case on this model is especially large, a quality well suited for larger individuals or just those with larger personalities. Some owners have complained of poor night time lighting on this model, however this setback is easily remedied by adjusting the illumination settings.
#3: Suunto Men’s Core Multi-Function Black Watch
The Suuno core is an awesome tactical watch built specifically for outdoor lovers. One of its coolest features is the ability to sense oncoming storms through changes in barometric pressure, and warn the wearer via a weather alarm. Other useful features include an altimeter for elevation, compass for navigation, and thermometer for temperature. Not only is the watch extremely useful, it also has a very polished and attractive appearance. With a look of subtle modern simplicity, the Suuno core can easily be worn at the office, the club, or during a weekend mountain adventure.
#4: Wenger Men’s Classic Field Watch
Wenger has supplied tactical watches to the Swiss Army for decades, and the Swiss Army brand as a whole has become quite popular across the world. The consumer models are built with the same distinguished style as those produced for the army, and Wenger takes great pride in creating watches that will take you from the field to the boardroom. The Wenger field watch has a sleek stainless steel elegance that is clearly quite different from the other models on this list. The movement is Swiss Quartz, and will likely keep ticking for decades.
#5: Seiko Prospex Men’s Military Alarm Watch
Seiko has provided tactical watches to the Japanese military since before the beginning of World War II, and continue to build effective durable time pieces that stand the test of time. This model pairs a lovely fabric band with a traditional face, and includes chronograph minute and alarm functions in addition to a date window at the 3 o’clock. The watch is powered 100% from sunlight, a useful feature for those who do not want to deal with battery replacements. Artificial light will work for power in addition to natural sunlight. Businessmen and outdoorsmen may both wear this watch on their daily adventures.
The Best Tactical Watches of 2020
Every watch on this list has its pros and cons. The Luminox and Casio are bulky watches that will last quite a while, but their style is not as crisp as the stainless steel models. You will get extremely effective lume with the Luminox Navy SEAL, but it will not have as many useful features as the Sunto Core. There is no right answer as to which tactical watch is best, and the question will need to be evaluated under the lense of individual preferences and needs. At the very least, the models described above have an excellent satisfaction track record, and are among the most coveted in the tactical watches category at affordable prices.
