14 Best Tactical Watches (Review) In 2021

First on our list is the very humble Expedition Field watch by Timex. This chronograph timepiece features an authentic design and subtly draws inspiration from vintage military watches – in terms of appearance, that is. Its technical ability matches today’s advanced technology and although it comes in at an extremely modest price, the device conveniently includes the most modern tactical elements.

A durable beige nylon performance strap secures the dial and analog-quartz movements of this military field watch comfortably to your wrist and the neutral tones are subtly complimented with orange-flecked hands. Three sub-dials track minutes, seconds, and one-twentieth of a second for up to 30 minutes. The battery-powered timekeeper also includes a window reflecting the date and stopwatch functionality.

The GW9400Rangeman G-Shock Solar reminds us of RoboCop. It comes jam-packed with all the essential features and looks like it’s ready to fight crime (minus the laser beams)! Casio is one of the better-known brands on the market and this model upholds their reputation for manufacturing quality timepieces.

The better brand and numerous features come at a price, however, and this is definitely one of the costlier military-style watches on the market. Our thoughts; it’s worth every penny! This solar-powered digital timepiece is made from stainless steel and is dotted with textured pushers, multiple display screens, and a protective mineral crystal dial window. More than just a time and date-keeper, the GW9400Rangeman also works as a compass, altimeter, barometer, and stopwatch – to name but a few. Perfect for your everyday sportsman to those in law enforcement.

Sleek and as black as night, the Suunto Core has been distilled to include the pure essence of adventure. Keeping to a practical appearance, the only hint of color in this army-style watch are the dashes of luminous green that line the dial. It’s functionality, on the other hand, does not follow suit with its’ modest aesthetics.

The Core is a wrist-top computer that happily tags along for the ride. It boasts waterproof buttons, an extremely accurate altimeter, and barometer, and what we think is one of the easier-to-use interfaces. With this tactical watch you can confidently navigate the outdoors, prepare yourself for weather conditions, and oh yes, it tells the time too! Coming in at a reasonable price, the Core is one of our favorite watches for both tracking and storing information.

While we do find this watch to be a tad over-priced, perhaps you’ll find it to be worth its’ value. At first glance, the bold numbers might be a sight for sore eyes but once you get used to the functionality, then you can appreciate the layout and style.

Swiss quartz movements are what make this fella tick and the carbon reinforced polymer injection molded case is what ensures that it will keep on ticking for years to come. Luminox has brought forth a tactical watch that’s extremely durable, conveniently lightweight and of course, multi-functional. Designed with soldiers and law enforcement in mind, the XS-3051-L fits the bill for being a reliable tactical watch that features accurate functionality. Make sure to also check our guide to the best sports watches for more great timepieces.

Like always, Casio manages to impress and we have yet to stumble upon one of their watches that hasn’t been superbly built. Designed for rough terrain and extreme weather conditions, the G-Shock GG-1000-1A5CR surmounts to being one of the best men’s tactical watches. The only thing that eliminates this timepiece from being THE watch of all watches is that it forfeits GPS functionality – oh well!

This ruggedly handsome device is both mud and shock resistant and comes equipped with a backlight for night-time trekking. The quartz timepiece also includes a stopwatch as well as a countdown timer, a digital compass and an hourly time signal. A user-friendly interface allows you to set and navigate your way around the digital dial, leaving you with a pleasurable experience overall.

If you’re keen to accessorize with military gear but still prefer a more classic style, then you might find yourself quite attracted to Hamilton’s Khaki Field tactical watch. Amazon describes this model as “a timekeeper that has returned to its roots with a bold design true to the original 1969 “Hack” watch”. Other than its vintage heritage, the Hamilton Khaki will also appeal to those who are not a fan of bulky accessories.

The dial is appreciated for its uncluttered look and luminescent hour markers that light up at night. The watch remains traditional and mechanical, although functionality is minimal. The Khaki Field is more of a collector’s item that’s worn for style and a love for the authentic rather than a tactical watch made to handle and navigate extreme outdoor excursions.

Built to strict military specifications, Marathon’s Military Navigator has been designed to meet the demanding requirements of pilots, law enforcement agents and “boots on the ground” military recruits. The watch’s functionality depends on high-torque quartz movements which are accurate to the T and are protected by the device’s fibre shell high impact case and stainless-steel backing. Handsome and plain in structure, this tactical military watch is lightweight and does the job without the frills.

A unique feature of the Military Navigator Pilot’s Quartz is the inclusion of Tritium gas tubes which work to provide constant visibility in low light situations. These gas tubes are self-illuminating and contain an isotope of hydrogen. This means that they will not dull down in brightness like “glow in the dark” paint does.

The Eco-Drive found its birth in Japan and includes the nation’s ability to pay strict attention to detail. Featuring a stainless steel case and a green canvas strap, this military tactical watch is both modest in appearance and in price. Sitting slightly heavier than it looks, we give this device a thumbs up for being a comfortable fit.

This quartz timepiece, whilst humble in appearance, ticks all the boxes for including tactical functionality and is a perfect match for your typical outdoor enthusiast. A window conveniently displays both the date and the day of the week (perfect for the forgetful types) and sits neatly on the dial without complicating the very basic layout and design. A textured crown and a luminous red hand give the watch a touch of flair while adding to the device’s practical use.

Allow us to introduce the most elite of our top tactical watches; the Breitling Cockpit B50 Night Mission. While your jaw might drop at the price, we can assure you that every penny spent will be well worth the functionality that this machine of a watch delivers. As the name suggests, the Cockpit B50 was engineered with pilots in mind and thus features an analog and digital-display quartz movement that’s been specially designed for aviation.

At just a glance, the Hurclean dial of the Night Mission suggests that the watch is a genuine technical spectacle, and this judgment is certainly accurate. The watch lavishly features all of the properties that have become standard for aerial missions. The chronograph is equipped with flyback and a split-time function and other components include a second time-zone display, a perpetual calendar, two alarms and both a stopwatch and countdown timer. This is a serious watch for a serious watch enthusiast.

Vostok is renowned for producing relatively inexpensive watches and the Amphibian Automatic falls exactly into this category. We urge you not to judge the quality by its price, however, as the timepiece is appreciated for its accuracy and reliability –it’s also a popular diver’s watch (water resistant up to 200m).

This budget-friendly timepiece is encased in stainless-steel and attaches to your wrist with a 22mm woven strap. While it might not look like the most modern device in the world, the mechanics date back to the 1940s and have evolved to be regarded as one of the most robust and reliable timekeeping engines. With an easy-to-read dial and user-friendly settings, the Amphibian remains a classic that falls in the favor of many avid watch collectors.

Military watches have evolved over the years and the WristLight series is an example of how some tactical timepieces have wandered to include more original features. This device, for instance, magnificently combines the legibility and reliability of a Swiss Luminox quartz watch with a high-performance LED sidelight.

This rugged fella simply looks like he is ready for action and the unique take on the watch has grabbed the attention of many hunters, hikers, and nightlife enthusiasts. Simply refuel the LuminoxSureFire by charging it through a USB cable – a full charge can give up to 13 hours of light. The round dial sits securely on a square foundation and if the sidelight doesn’t intrigue, the original design just might. This handy gadget comes at a reasonable price and gets our nod of approval.

Quality tactical digital watches that come in at a reasonable price are far and few between, but allow us to introduce the Suunto Travers Alpha. This military-style watch will keep you on track with GPS/GLONASS navigation, while unique features like hunting and fishing components provide useful tools for the serious sportsman. And if this isn’t enough, the Traverse Alpha also comes conveniently complete with automatic shot detection, a moon phase calendar, sunrise alert, weather trend alerts, and a snazzy red backlight for night time shenanigans.

This watch looks as hardcore as it sounds and like many of its digital counterparts, the design sticks to the traditional black case while the rest of the device is colored in with shades of grey. With a built-in logging system, the Traverse Alpha takes the cake when it comes to storing info and mapping coordinates. And the cherry on top of that cake; a discreet built-in flashlight that illuminates your surroundings.

Coming in as the most budget-friendly tactical watch on our list, the brawny Expedition Digital is perfect for those who want the features of a typical military watch without taking out a small loan to compensate for the new gadget. A nylon and leather strap firmly grips a sturdy resin case, giving the watch a perfectly masculine look – there’s no doubt that this is a timepiece built for men and solely for men.

The Expedition Digital is also one of the lightest watches on our list and is ideally suited for those who are not into the bulkier styles. The chronograph functionality allows you to track your personal bests and the timekeeper also comes complete with the usual military components i.e. stopwatch, countdown timer, and alarm. The revolutionary Indiglo back-light brightens up the evening so that your digital companion becomes just as accommodating at night time.

Loaded with functions for multiple sports and day-to-day requirements, the action-packed Pathfinder will easily become your most relied upon utensil. While the multiple buttons might take some getting used to, once you’ve mastered how the settings work, you’ll be in awe of the device’s accurate functionality.

Featuring a digital compass, an altimeter, barometer and weather tracking components, this rugged Solar watch is sure to keep you on course. The solar-powered device might not appeal to those who like less complicated aesthetics but if it’s a partner in crime you’re after then you might have just met your match. Great for casual days, even greater for adventurous days!