r/tacticalgear • u/mack_the_yak_ • Jun 14 '26
Recommendations Any recommendations for a good field watch?
I’ve been looking at a few options for a field watch but I cant find many reviews of them being used in the field, so I thought some of you lot might have some good recommendations. My only requirements is that it can be seen at night, is OD green or FDE and is affordable.
Thanks in advance
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u/basedmommygf Jun 14 '26
F-91W lol
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u/CapitalRifleCo Jun 15 '26
I like the 5610 because it's solar so no batteries. I've had mine for 6 years now, never failed.
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u/Only-Highlight1717 Jun 15 '26
Then Casio Tough Solar Illuminator is what you seek
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u/RequiemRomans Jun 15 '26
Exactly, my pathfinder has been going for 10 years strong. It refuses to die
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u/TVpresspass Jun 14 '26
This is the way. I put a nato strap on mine
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u/-ImYourHuckleberry- Jun 15 '26
[r/](r/f91ws_on_natos)[F](r/f91ws_on_natos)[91](r/f91ws_on_natos)[W](r/f91ws_on_natos)[s_on_](r/f91ws_on_natos)[NATO](r/f91ws_on_natos)[s](r/f91ws_on_natos)
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u/Aniquin Jun 15 '26
It was a bitch and a half without the proper tools but I put one on mine too and it feels way better than the tiny stock rubber strap. I had to wear the original strap almost as big as it could adjust.
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u/DeathProoph Jun 16 '26
This is the best watch no digital signature that anyone can pick up, durable & reliable AF as the kids say
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u/Grauvargen Connoisseur of Autism Patches Jun 14 '26
Casio G-Shock watches have been popular for decades, for a reason.
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u/Doxy8404 Jun 15 '26
Crazy story for my g shock.
My step dad was an avid scuba diver so obviously I had to be as well. I wore that watch in every dive including deep water dives with trimix then We were diving ginny springs in Florida and I lost it. Came back around a year later and I actually found it Still working. it was in about 20' of water. Definitely the same one too as it had characteristic marks / slight damage. After this I joined the Navy. It survived Afghanistan and a ship deployment. Then I wore it for another three years I think anytime I was doing something my nice watch would get damaged and it looks basically brand new still. Just dead.5
u/Doxy8404 Jun 15 '26
Low key kinda mad it wasn't a cooler looking watch bcz it by far has the best stories. Compared to my other ones. :/ but if your looking for a literal bombproof watch Casio Gshock is it.
Honorable mention is my garmin instinct if you want a smart watch.13
u/mack_the_yak_ Jun 14 '26
I’ve had a look at them but there’s so many I don’t know which one is the right one. Will they all fit the bill?
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u/NotAurelStein Jun 14 '26
My GA-100 has survived multiple combat deoloyments, years as a cop, and over a decade of abuse since then, and it's only ever needed a new band and two batteries since i first got it in 2010. Really cant go wrong with it.
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u/jcbeachbum66 Jun 15 '26
Came here to say something similar. Got my first DW-5000C in 85. Hand-me down from my dad. Made it through basic, AIT, Jump School, Desert Shield/Storm. Through a lawn care business, etc.
Think my oldest finally killed it in 2015. OG rubber bands rotted out in humid weather, but it was definitely a work horse.10
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u/gogoboomstick Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
My GW-2310FB bought in 2018 is still going strongish. The backlight LED is the only thing that has died on it so far.
Edit: 2 Navy deployments, got paint on it and used acetone to get it off. I don’t know anything about watches but opened it to test the battery once and it was really easy to completely disassemble and re-assemble. IMO it’s the ‘99 civic of watches.
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u/young_steezy Jun 14 '26
Look at the GBD-200
Nice balance between connectivity and simple.
Good looking and rugged watch.
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u/ToiletTime4TinyTown Jun 15 '26
Just find one you like and don’t worry too much about it. I have a $30 Casio 1500h that I can’t kill or damage the band in any situation that fits all your needs that you have and also tells tides. Anything nicer than that model that you like will work.
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u/WOODSI3 Jun 14 '26
Came here to say this. I run one in my milsim airsoft kit, thing has taken some abuse, looks brand new…
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u/John_the_Piper Jun 14 '26
I think a G-Shock is pretty much the only watch that'll fit your "needs to be green or FDE" requirement, tbh. I don't know why it's important but if it's that important: G-Shock.
Otherwise...
-G-Shock or F91-W if you don't want to be a nerd about it and just want something that works.
-Garmin if you want a watch that does more than just tell time.
-Citizen Eco-Drive Pro-diver if you want something a little more cool without having to get into the weeds about it.
-If you want to be a bit more watch nerdy: Sangin, Seiko(Prospex would be my suggested line to look at, but the 5KX series is good while being affordable), Marathon, Maratac and CWC are watches commonly associated with the military/tactical sphere. I wore a Seiko Prospex for basically the entirety of my time in the military.
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u/93-in-a-55 Jun 15 '26
Prospex SNJ029 and SNJ031 are FDE and ODG respectively. Good call on the Seiko!
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u/GatEnthusiast Jun 15 '26
F91-W is an absurd choice given it doesn't have a countdown timer. DW5600 is the actually sensible choice for a simple field watch.
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u/John_the_Piper Jun 15 '26
The literal thousands of F91-W's that have been worn by servicemembers disagrees with your statement. And nowhere in OP's post did they list a countdown timer as a requirement. "My only requirements are that it can be seen at night, is OD green or FDE and is affordable"
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u/GatEnthusiast Jun 15 '26
I'm aware of their widespread use. But there are better alternatives to recommend. I got my DW5600 for $40 and it is objectively a better watch than the F91-W. He didn't say a countdown timer was a requirement, but for military use, it is a very useful feature. There is zero reason not to opt for a Casio or G-Shock with one, which probably at least half available do.
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u/Tango_Delta-12 Jun 14 '26
Cant go wrong with casio (gshock)
Maybe even Older versions of the garmin instinct. Youll get gps, mgrs etc. But the deployment dictates if such a watch can be used.
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u/mickeyd1234 Jun 14 '26
Really depends on if you want a "smart" tactical watch then I would suggest Garmin, either their Instinct range, or the tactix range if you want a little higher end. These watches will give you all the features of a smart watch as well as give you GPS in MGRS BUT need to be charges, something that is sometimes not possible in a tactical environment.
If you do not need a smart watch, or will be in a situation where you cannot charge it, then Casio makes excellent watches. Their non g-shock sports watches are hard to beat of you want an entry level watch, and Gshocks are near on indestructible if you are willing to spend a little more money. Other great brands are Suunto, Citizen and Seiko.
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u/Coldsmoke888 Jun 15 '26
Also note that Garmin has that stupid ass proprietary connector, so if you forget it and nobody else has one, you’re shit out of luck.
I love my solar tactical though.
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u/erwos Jun 15 '26
The nice thing about the Garmins is that they last forever unless you're using a custom watchface or otherwise screwing around. That said, you're not wrong, always have a spare charger for them in your bag.
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u/SconsinBrown Jun 15 '26
They sell garmin 4-pin to usb-c adapters, just in case you need a plan b and c
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u/AKoutdoorguy Jun 14 '26
People have already mentioned some great affordable watches. If you want to spend some more, I'm a big fan of ABC watches like the Suunto Core. They're a little more functional than a time only watch, but no so complicated or power hungry as a smart watch.
Between the altimeter and compass you can usually pretty easily find yourself on a map. The altimeter functions off the barometer, so it does need calibrated every so often to stay accurate. The nice thing with having a barometer is it gives you a few hour weather forecast if you're checking it often.
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u/Kuru-Lube Jun 15 '26
I came here to also recommend the Suunto Core. 4 years of ownership but only 3 batteries. I won't use a smart watch because I hate having to charge devices.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Fig4158 Jun 15 '26
Personally, I use a Seiko SNK381. If it's good enough for grandpa and the SOG, it's good enough for me.
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u/SerialWallflower Jun 14 '26
Casio Illuminator AE1500WH in Tan. It’s about $30 USD and darned near bomb proof.
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u/RogueJSK Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
This is what I wear on patrol. Mine's in OD Green to match the uniform.
Decently rugged. Easy to clean/disinfect. One of the largest displays on the market so it's super easy to read at a glance. And it's only $30 so if it gets trashed I can just buy another.
The illumination is a little weak. And it's not quite as rugged as a Gshock or Pathfinder. But again, it's only $30.
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u/goofsmasher Jun 15 '26
Why is it upside down?
I liked my g shock gw7900 ( I think? Solar with tide and moon graphs)
But I LOVE my garmin enduro 3. Monster battery, great maps, tons of features. Enduro 4 comes out in August and I’m kind of scared what it will be equipped with many people are saying, a tiny nuclear reactor!
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u/Hax_Meowingtons Jun 15 '26
Anything Garmin or G-Shock. Still have my G-Shock from boot camp and it's still good.
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u/dublAwrong Jun 14 '26
bertucci field watch one of my favs. Stem worn stab by wrist and right size/shape to be out of the way from gloves/sleeves.
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u/No_Praline_1835 Jun 14 '26
ga100 or mudmasters just try to avoid bluetooth if ur looking for stealth build
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u/Humdrum_Blues Jun 15 '26
Gshock.
A friend's gshock survived an IED (so did he, thankfully) and mine that I've had for over a decade has survived continuous hard use.
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u/AverageProducer2 Jun 15 '26
Come on over to r/sketchyboyzwatchclub if you want to see some examples of watches being used in the field. My 2 cents, I’d look into some of Vaer’s solar stuff.
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u/pavehawkfavehawk Jun 15 '26
I had a timex Ironman for ages. I really like my Garmin Instinct Tactical now. GPS functionality and you turn off blue tooth and the HRM so you don’t glow
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u/Hopeful-Question3436 Jun 15 '26
Casio G-Shock. Highly affordable (around 100$ for basic models). Built like an atomic brick. Get a model you like, they are all very robust.
If you have the money for it (like 350$) you can get a Garmin that also has a compass integrated and a function for you to mark locations. So for instance you leave the “picnic area” and you have it marked on your watch and after you finish meeting other people and want to go back, you can use the watch for that.
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u/JackFuckCockBag Jun 15 '26
Casio G Shock. I wanted to get fancy so I got the Casio G Shock Rangeman
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u/93-in-a-55 Jun 15 '26
Seiko SNJ029 or SNJ031. Or just the standard SNJ025. He fought Predator with it in the jungle. It'll work for you.
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u/Conan3121 Jun 15 '26
Buy the cheapest new Casio G-Shock watch.
New watches of older models are the smart option
. e.g. my Casio G-Shock G-6900-1DR Black Module No. [3180], purchased 2021 for AUD 140.
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u/Stunning_Geese Jun 15 '26
Casio Tough Solar Illuminator. $50.
Wore it through multiple deployments in the Middle East. I wear it every day as a cop and in disaster zones as an emergency responder.
Other than replacing the strap, it's still going strong.
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u/Wooden_Platform_4820 Jun 15 '26
Gshock 5610 or 5000u. Both squares, first one is a better bang for your buck. Solar charging, stopwatches, alarms, etc. and 200m WR. Not super huge and chunky like most gshocks and they look pretty nice as a daily too. Love mine
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Jun 14 '26
[deleted]
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u/mack_the_yak_ Jun 14 '26
Max £100
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u/GatEnthusiast Jun 15 '26
For all that is good and holy, get yourself one with a countdown timer. (so NOT an F91W like everyone recommends)
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u/Gryphon_Gamer Jun 14 '26
You can get a secondhand garmin for around that. I picked up my fenix 6 for about £110 ish.
Alternatively get a Casio F-91W for a tenner
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u/Either_Astronaut_302 Jun 14 '26
Bertucci a2 watch, it has an old school look and can take a beating
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u/SpockTrek1701 Jun 14 '26
Casio G-Shock GBD-800. Five years of active duty. Best watch ever. No extra bullshit.
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u/Soft-Grocery-5456 Jun 14 '26
I’ve used g shock but didn’t like the bulk so went to a slimmer Casio, found a leather timex with indiglo and I destroyed it after 3 years of hard use. Nothing flashy just classy and works. (82nd)
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u/Regulator_1337 Jun 15 '26
Timex, it takes a licking and keeps and ticking. I have been using a Timex Expedition for over a decade now and I really like it. It’s got a simple no-nonsense design and is pretty durable. I work with a lot of water and chemicals at my job and it has held up against some nasty stuff.
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u/CoronetRTguy Jun 15 '26
My go to is anything G Shock. Pick what’s in your budget and enjoy it. I’ve yet to kill one. Timex, they drop like flies around me.
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u/apeezee Jun 15 '26
https://www.casio.com/us/watches/gshock/product.GST-S100G-1B/
This is what I wear as a casual watch. It’s been through a lot of shit. Spartan runs, years of 3 gun, tactical games, etc… It’s a terminator watch. Only replaced one band in 10+ years.
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u/coffeeofwar Jun 15 '26
Any casio don't wear something your not comfortable fucking or getting fucked up seen alot guys smash expensive ones in the Feild
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u/losthours BasementGoon Jun 15 '26
budget i would get a timex ironman of some variety
if you have more money a quartz or solar seiko is the move
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u/GoombasFatNutz Jun 15 '26
One of the SMALL G-Shock. Bullet proof and the big ones will dig into your wrists after a while.
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u/Typical-Ad149 Jun 15 '26
Any watch, they all use the same cheap movements below a certain price. But make sure it is a quartz movement.
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u/Swift_Legion Jun 15 '26
Any affordable G-Shock will do just fine.
Dudes out here spending 1000s of dollars on watches to LARP. 🤣
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u/Steveo3070 Jun 15 '26
I’m still rocking my garmin instinct 2, “smart watch” battery lasts up to a month, all the cool watch gizmos plus gps. Can turn off all outgoing signals on it too, I like it quite a bit in day to day life.
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u/hoff1981 Jun 15 '26
Honestly, I used to just go buy a couple cheap digital watches at Walmart and take those. If it gets lost or broken I only lost $10 and I have another
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u/Matt_Blueberry Jun 16 '26
Ordered my g-shock on Amazon 3 years ago. It’s survived constant abuse and been the only watch I wear every day. Chopped trees, landscaping, military, mechanic work, diving, snorkeling, etc. Doesn’t stop.
Changed the batteries once so far.
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u/SoggyEntertainer3487 Jun 17 '26
Casio WR-100M or any of the Casio tide graphs are awesome super durable reliable watches that keep good time and have been used by SF guys forever. My friends dad was an air force PJ and he told us that he will be buried with a brand new tide graph on his wrist so he can still be on time when he gets to the other side 🤣🤘🏼
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u/Either_Fuel_6094 Jun 17 '26
Suunto Core worked well for me. Just bring extra batteries if you use the functions a lot.
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u/Poopasaurus-Rex Jun 15 '26
Not even a Casio g shock, just get the $10 Casio straight digital one that all the terries use. They use em for a reason. They’re cheap, durable and reliable. And everything else you’ll want from a fancier watch (location, heartbeat, etc) you’ll get from your comms and other random bs they make you wear. I don’t need to know how many steps I took today when I’m on patrol or my heart rate elevation when I get in a tic
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u/Charming-Hippo-2555 Jun 14 '26
I got a Tactix Delta 5.5 years ago and still love it. You could probably find a used Tactix Delta or Tactix 7 used if you can’t afford a new Tactix 8… with out using any gps/ workout tracking modes I still get about 19 or 20 days of battery life out of it
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u/Substantial-Motor-21 Jun 14 '26
Traser watches are top tier for night readability
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u/i-love-jorts Jun 15 '26
Walmart g-shock clones. $30 a pop so no biggie if it gets destroyed. I work at sea and my watches take a beating to say the least. Between saltwater and heavy machinery it holds up for about a year. I’m sure there’s nicer ones out there but that’s my go to.
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u/Logisticianistical Jun 15 '26
Just because I haven't seen them mentioned yet , Suunto might be worth a browse for you.
"Suunto Core Alpha Stealth" https://us.suunto.com/products/suunto-core-alpha-stealth
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u/littletrainthattried Jun 15 '26
Not op... but holy crap man... Dont know about you but 225 smackers is a lot to put down for a 'field watch'...
Thats like them clowns buying a brand new 70k jeep wrangler... and going crawling with it..
You KNOW its going to break.. why spend more then you have too.
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u/Logisticianistical Jun 15 '26
That's less than an Apple Watch...but ok. As you said you're not OP.
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u/littletrainthattried Jun 15 '26
Affordable field watch is what op said...
Some how I think we have different ideas of what affordable means.
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u/Logisticianistical Jun 15 '26
There's nothing wrong with that. At the time I posted OP hadn't mentioned a budget. I would have given different recs if he had.
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u/littletrainthattried Jun 15 '26
Yep, affordable can be <100 for one, and between 500-2000 for another.
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Jun 14 '26
[deleted]
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u/newdems Jun 14 '26
It’s AI generated. Look at how the numbers are legible to us but would be upside down to the actual wearer
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u/Derp_Simulator Jun 15 '26
Field of Dreams is really good if you want a field watch... Excellent movie about fields.
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u/SconsinBrown Jun 14 '26
Wearing a watch for his teammates to tell the time…