Best Tactical Watches [Hands-On]: All Budgets

Looking for a tactical watch? Something that looks cool and has withstood hard military use?

I shamelessly admit that I've done that Google search...and bought a couple of them throughout the years.

Though I didn't wear mine into battle, they've spent long days and nights with me on backpacking trips, range shoots, and keyboard warrior-ing.

Here are my picks of the best tactical watches, across a couple of different budgets. Plus, some honorable mentions.

By the end, I hope you'll know which one to get for boot camp, real missions, or for the office.

Tactical Watches Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Tactical Watches

To come up with this list, we gathered a handful of tactical watches from various companies and some we even own to assess their capabilities.

Earning a spot on the list meant that all watches had to meet a few criteria:

• Work well in tactical (range, training, etc.) or CQB style environments
• Have controls that are easy to use and manipulate
• Watch face must be durable and easy to read
• Features must stand out from competition

Every watch has been worn and tested by one of staff members here at Pew Pew Tactical. All watches have been worn for a few weeks, if not more, and have been tested while doing various activities like exercising and shooting at the range.

We also included watches at every price point so there's truly something for everyone here regardless of your wallet.

Best Tactical Watches Under $200

1. Casio G-Shock - Best Budget Watch

Best Budget Watch

G-Shock Watch

$52

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$52 at Amazon

Specs & Features

• Display Type: Digital
• Dial Window Material: Mineral
• Case Material: Resin
• Case Diameter: 46.4 mm
• Case Thickness: 14mm
• Water Resistant: Yes, 200 M
• Movement: Quartz
• Special Features: Alarm, electro-luminescent backlight, auto calendar, countdown timer

No surprise here...the Casio G-Shock is the watch that is mentioned the most.

It has everything you need...can survive almost anything...and costs less than $50.

However, it's the one I wear the least.

But that is my bad...I went with the coolest-looking black-on-black. And you CANNOT see any useful info unless the room is brightly lit and you're at the right angle.

I found myself having to use the illumination button to see it every time.

Besides that...it rocks:

• Shock resistant
• 200 meters water resistant
• Great backlight
• Stopwatch, alarm, and tons of other features
• Battery life of 2+ years

My only nit-picky thing is that the metal clasp is too shiny in that "cheap" kind of way. But there are always replacement bands if it bothers you too much.

If you're looking for a functional watch that has everything you need...but might be a little common...the G-Shock is the way to go.  Plus, the price is so good you won't feel too bad if you lose or manage to break it.

My advice is not to get the black-on-black..if I could choose again, I'd go with the matte black (screen) on black.

2. 5.11 Pathfinder - Best Analog Watch

Best Analog Watch

5.11 Pathfinder Watch

$100

at 5.11

Prices accurate at time of writing

$100 at 5.11

Specs & Features

• Display Type: Analog
• Dial Window Material: Mineral Crystal
• Case Material: Stainless Steel with matte Ion Plated finish
• Case Diameter: N/A
• Case Thickness: N/A
• Water Resistant: Yes,100 M
• Special Features: Scratch/chip resistant, luminous markers

The Pathfinder is, at its core, simple. And in the best ways possible.

This is a no-nonsense watch that delivers exactly what you need in a good timepiece and nothing else. From the 22mm NATO band to the watch face, its goal is to be utilitarian and functional.

Luminous markers make it fairly easy to see and read in the dark, but deep, inky blackness kind of dark makes it a challenge to read.

A stainless steel body, Japanese movement, and mineral crystal display all lend to this being a pretty robust unit that can take a fair amount of abuse and still look and work great.

Plus, it's rated for 100 meters/330 feet of water. More than enough for the average user.

3. Suunto Core - Editor's Pick Under $200

Editor's Pick Under $200

Suunto Core (Military)

$199

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$199 at Amazon

Specs & Features

• Display Type: Digital
• Dial Window Material: Mineral Crystal
• Case Material: Composite
• Case Diameter: 49.1 mm
• Case Thickness: 14.5 mm
• Water Resistant: Yes, 30 M
• Special Features: Altimeter, barometer, compass, temperature, storm alarm, depth meter, user-replaceable battery

The Suunto Core comes up a lot, too, and is my top choice that I've been wearing for 3+ years.

It looks super cool, especially in the "military" black-on-black model. And no, it's not like my G-Shock...you can actually read everything still.

It also comes with an altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer.

Which works pretty well...but the compass tends to eat a lot of juice.

It helped a lot during my longer hikes, and it's what I wore to train and summit Mt. Whitney (the tallest peak in the continental U.S.).

I also love how it has the "lockout" feature, so you stay on whatever mode/screen you like. Plus, it has a rolling trend for barometric pressure, so you can spot some inclement weather heading your way.

One negative I mentioned was that the compass sucks up a lot of battery. I found with a hike or two a month and using the compass sparingly...I still had to swap out batteries every year.

Not terrible...but I would have expected more.

Another negative is that the strap has started to break after 3 years. It's been through a lot, and I did spray it with some 95% DEET while in the Amazon that scuffed it up pretty good.

So it's not THAT big of a deal...especially since there are a lot of replacement options, too.

Otherwise, it's my favorite pick.

What's your take on the Suunto Core? Rate it below!

4. 5.11 Tactical Field Watch 2.0 - Best Looking Budget Tactical Watch

Best Looking Budget Pick

5.11 Field Watch 2.0

$180

at 5.11

Prices accurate at time of writing

$180 at 5.11

Specs & Features

• Display Type: Analog
• Dial Window Material: Mineral Crystal
• Case Material: Stainless Steel with matte Ion Plated finish
• Case Diameter: 44mm
• Case Thickness: N/A
• Water Resistant: Yes, 100 M
• Special Features: Scratch/chip resistant, luminous hour/min/sec hands, date window, unidirectional ratcheting dive bezel

One of our editors has been testing the Field Watch 2.0 for a while now, and it quickly became his go-to EDC watch.

Why? Because it's basically the Pathfinder but plused up in almost every way.

The case is slightly larger at 44mm, so the Field Watch retains the stainless steel body and Japanese movement, and even the 22mm NATO band. But it also adds a date window, ratcheting unidirectional dive bezel, and an easier-to-read, brighter dial face.

Everything about it makes it just a little better than the Pathfinder. This really helps make the Field Watch a great EDC choice for when you need a good watch without a lot of frills, but don't want to blow rent money on a time teller.

Another nice thing about both the Pathfinder and the Field Watch is that 5.11 really kept their branding down to a minimum.

If you replace the band with something a little more classy, both watches could easily pass as something much higher-end and be perfectly at home with a suit and tie.

Best Tactical Watches $200-$1,500

5. Garmin Instinct Solar 2X Tactical - Best Overall Tactical Watch

Best Overall Tactical Watch

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar

$399

at Garmin

Prices accurate at time of writing

$399 at Garmin

OpticsPlanet (see price)

Gunmag Warehouse (see price)

Specs & Features

• Display Type: Digital
• Dial Window Material: Power Glass
• Case Material: Fiber-Reinforced Polymer
• Case Diameter: 50 mm
• Case Thickness: 26mm
• Water Resistant: Yes, 100 M
• Special Features: Solar, GPS, barometric altimeter, compass, built-in sports app, dedicated tactical features

This watch is likely the most technologically advanced on the list.

While it isn't as fancy and doesn't have the pedigree of some of the luxury watches, it has more features than any of them.

At its base, the Instinct is a GPS watch, meaning it connects with satellite networks to give you your location in real-time. You can see it represented on a map and use it to navigate to waypoints or find your way home.

The outer edge of the face is lined with photovoltaic film, which soaks in solar rays to power the watch. The Instinct is also a smartwatch, meaning total synch up with your phone for notifications and other options.

There are a ton of features that allow users to track their health and exercise, and the Instinct gives you live readings of your heart rate and pulse oximetry.

The watch faces are changeable and can be customized with the use of different widgets to give you data like weather and sunrise/sunset.

Tactical features abound in this watch, such as Jumpmaster Mode, Stealth Mode, Kill Switch, and more. Shooters can even access the Applied Ballistics suite to access the calculator, though there is an unlock fee.

One of my favorite features is the light, and I use it frequently because I always have my watch on. It's bright enough to get you around in dark scenarios.

The Instinct is extremely tough and holds up well, but the screen is only black and white and doesn't feature the colors of the Fenix series. Battery life has lasted around 30 days, depending on sunlight.

6. Garmin Instinct 2s - Best Women's Tactical Watch

Garmin Instinct 2s GPS/Solar Watch

$237

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$237 at Amazon

Garmin (see price)

Specs & Features

• Display Type: Digital
• Dial Window Material: Corning Gorilla Glass
• Case Material: Fiber-Reinforced Polymer
• Case Diameter: 32 mm
• Case Thickness: 13.3 mm
• Water Resistant: Yes, 100 M
• Special Features: Solar, scratch resistant, 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, GPS, health/sleep monitoring, built-in sports apps

Now, one for the ladies…or anyone else looking for a slimmer tactical style watch. 

Building on the Instinct model, the Instinct 2s offers a similar vibe as the 2X but with a smaller build. Like the 2X it offers a durable, rugged design that can handle shoots at the range, classes, and even competition stages that might have you rolling around in the dirt or moving from area to area. 

Not to mention, while you’re doing all this training, the watch is logging your steps, heart rate, and even flights of stairs if you’re doing that sort of thing. 

GPS means that if you’re out on a hike, your family can stay on top of our location while the long battery life supplies up to 21 days for the non-solar version and 51 for the solar option. Solar will cost you more, though, at $399 vs. $299 for the standard. 

The buttons are pretty easy to use, but admittedly, take some time to get used to if you're coming from something like an Apple Watch. That said, I’ve been wearing one for a couple of weeks, and it’s been useful to track my health stats, sleep, and movement — on top of doing the things most watches these days do, like handing off texts and the like. 

My only gripes are the color limitations for the solar version and the watch band. First, the colors. If you want solar, you’re stuck with either black or an off-gray color. If you can live without solar, then you have a few more options. 

Next…the watch band. While it has proven itself durable (and I do like the many notches to use to tighten), it kind of has a mind of its own and likes to shimmy out from the free loop (a fancy way to say those loops on the band that keep the band in place). Having the band sticking out like a sore thumb is kind of annoying. Not a deal breaker, though, as you just have to tuck it back where it belongs. 

Overall, the Instinct 2s is perfect if you want a GPS-capable, rugged watch that doesn’t take up too much space on your arm. 

7. Marathon TSAR - Best Mid-Tier Watch

Best Mid-Tier Watch

Marathon TSAR 41mm

$1080

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1080 at OpticsPlanet

Specs & Features

• Display Type: Analog
• Dial Window Material: Sapphire Crystal
• Case Material: 316L Surgical-Quality Stainless Steel
• Case Diameter: 41 mm
• Case Thickness: N/A
• Water Resistant: Yes, 300 M
• Special Features: Scratch resistant, dial can be read under direct sunlight, self illuminated 24/7 tritium gas tubes 

My latest addition and current non-electronic favorite for everyday wear goes to the Marathon TSAR 41mm.

Mil-spec and built for diving...the TSAR stands for "Tritium Search And Rescue," it straddles the perfect line of a little military but is still appropriate for a dress shirt.

There are a couple of different sizes, and for me (and most), the 41mm is perfect. There's a 36mm version, but it's definitely on the smaller side.

The tritium vials are bright, and the 12 o'clock marker is an extra bright Maraglo.

So far no scratches on its sapphire glass...but I'll update with more range trips!

Or, to check out the other versions (size, movement, no government markings, etc)...click here.

Best Tactical Watches $1,500+

9. Panerai Luminor - Best Luxury Tactical Watch

Best Luxury Tactical Watch

Panerai Luminor

$6100

at Panerai

Prices accurate at time of writing

$6100 at Panerai

Specs & Features

• Display Type: Analog
• Dial Window Material: Sapphire Crystal
• Case Material: Polished Steel
• Case Diameter: 44 mm
• Case Thickness: N/A
• Water Resistant: Yes, 100 M
• Special Features: Clear backing

My favorite luxury tactical watch is the Panerai Luminor.

Born from Italian frogmen way back when...

It's still popular in watch circles but isn't overtly recognizable unless you're in the know with its famous crown guard and lever device.

It's chunky but not TOO big, even for my average wrists.

It's what I wear when day shooting becomes night drinking on the town.

Plus...it has a clear back, so you can look at the gorgeous movement.

If you've got the coin...you can't go wrong with Panerai.

But my luxury watch days are over...now that I'm into firearms (RIP wallet also). Because these watches can't shoot bullets!

9. Rolex Submariner Date - Best High-End Analog Tactical Watch

Best High-End Analog Watch

Rolex Submariner Date

$9295

at Rolex

Prices accurate at time of writing

$9295 at Rolex

Specs & Features

• Display Type: Analog
• Dial Window Material: Sapphire Crystal
• Case Material: Oystersteel
• Case Diameter: 41 mm
• Case Thickness: N/A
• Water Resistant: Yes, 300 M
• Special Features: High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers

Ok...let's ball it up a little bit with the Rolex Submariner Date.

Rolex might be the most recognizable luxury watch brand out there...but it has its military roots when it was issued to the British Ministry of Defense (Milsub), U.S. Airforce (Turn-O-Graph), and more.

It's robust, submersible to 300m, non-electronic, and holds value.

Plus, it looks classy with a suit or out in the field.

One of my favorites for something that will turn heads AND do its job as a timepiece.

Honorable Mentions

There are a lot of other great tactical watches out there.  Here are some popular affordable ones that I've seen and handled...but don't currently own.

But I want to pick up some time!

10. Luminox 3051 EVO Navy SEAL

Okay...it has Navy SEAL in the name, but the Luminox 3051 EVO ($284) it isn't some gimmick.

It's super visible during the day and has colored dials that really glow in the dark for low-light situations.  Plus, 200m water resistance.

11. Marathon Navigator

Mil-spec and really popular before and now. The Marathon Navigator ($420) was designed for pilots and paratroopers.

Comes with a date function, tritium gas illumination tubes, and water resistance up to 200 feet.

Why You Should Trust Pew Pew Tactical

Leading the research and reviewing of this article is Pew Pew Tactical Founder and CEO Eric Hung. Eric is an NRA-certified pistol instructor and a USPSA/3-Gun/NRL22 competitor. On top of that, he has written and researched over 250 articles and reviews on guns and gear. Not to mention, he's a big watch guy -- most of the guns listed here Eric has tested and personally owned at one time or another.

Editing and adding to this article is PPT Content Producer Sean Curtis. Sean has been shooting since childhood but began to delve into guns during his law enforcement career. He spent over two decades in law enforcement, where he became a POST-certified handgun instructor and NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor and received CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training and AR-15 armorer training. He has since attended a variety of training, including Tactical Performance Center Handgun Mastery & Carbine Mastery, and earned USCCA rifle instructor certification. Aside from training and prior to joining the Pew Pew Tactical team full-time, Sean wrote for several gun publications evaluating and testing guns and gear and has written hundreds of articles. Being on the range doesn't exclude him for needing to tell time, so Sean has experience testing watches while working on gun reviews. For this article, Sean evaluated and tested the Garmin Instinct 2X.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. She uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical. For this article, Jacki added the Garmin Instinct 2S after extensive testing.

Final Thoughts

Whether you need a budget watch to get you through range days or you want something that easily transitions from daytime to nighttime, we think you'll be happy with any of the above watches.

How did I do?  Any other ones I should check out and add to Honorable Mentions?  If you're looking at other EDC gear...check out our other hands-on articles: Best EDC Flashlights and Best EDC Knives.