What is a survival watch?
When disaster strikes or you are miles away from the comforts and conveniences of home, the best survival watches will be your lifeline that will help keep you safe.
Survival watches are multi-functional accessories specially designed to help you find your bearings and navigate your way through harsh environments. Although luxury watches and high-tech smartwatches can be luxurious, they will not do you a favour in a critical survival situation. All watches serve similar basic purposes – a survival watch is all about your safety. Not only do they tell the time, but they provide a host of other information that can mean the difference between life or death.
Most models these days provide you with a watch, compass, altimeter, thermometer, and barometer functions.
The compass and altimeter are especially useful when you are lost in non-urban environments. They can help you get to safety or give you the information you need to help rescue teams locate you.
Meanwhile, the thermometer and barometer functions help you understand the weather and your surroundings.
More advanced survival watches could go even further by implementing GPS systems and maps!
Beyond these features, survival watches are also rugged with guaranteed craftsmanship. What good are all of these advanced survival features if the watch stops working when you need it most?
This is one of the most notable differences between survival watches and traditional watches. You can sometimes find survival features in smartwatches, however,they’re usually tricky to operate (and understand!) and rely on constant cellular connectivity to work.
This is not the case with a survival watch. They are constructed from tough materials and,furthermore, can better withstand rain, wind, snow, and whatever your environment throws at them! Manufacturers’ design a these construct these watches to confront hostile adverse conditions thereby ensuring they can keep working no matter what!
If your watch is connected to GPS or other apps, you can easily be located by search parties should you become lost or injured. Your watch face can be used like a signaling mirror for low-flying aircraft and if it has a whistle, you can reach out to those close-by.
So what are the benefits of using a survival watch?
In your everyday life, you can use a survival watch just like any other watch. However, in a critical life-changing situation staring at you in the face, it’s a tool that you are going to rely on time and time again.
Say, for example, your city is hit by a natural disaster. Whether it’s a hurricane or an earthquake, your watch can keep you and your family safe. Use it to find out where you are and find a way to the nearest safe zone.
The information that can be provided from a survival watch will prove useful at every step of your journey. Meanwhile, all the extra features hidden in the watch can help you overcome any other long term obstacles that could stand in your way.
How do you choose a survival watch?
Survival watches are designed to help you get out of certain situations unscathed. Therefore, you must choose the watch that will perfectly meet your expectations.
However, regardless of the survival watch, it must have certain qualities that are considered important. Indeed, it must be very resistant and must be able to be operational at any time, as are the majority of survivalist accessories finally such as the blanket or the knife . It should also be multi-functional so that you can handle almost any situation.
Consider watches that …..
- are resistant to water and scratches.
- The watch should be equipped with a barometer, compass, and stopwatch in order for you to effectively manage your time.
- It must be equipped with ATM in order to be able to withstand sudden changes in atmospheric pressure.
- Prefer watches that are discreet, light and easy to handle. The versatility of the watch increases your chances of survival.
- You also have the choice between a digital and analog watch. It will all depend on your preferences and expectations.
Below is a table that summarizes succinctly what a prospective buyer should be looking out for :
Barometer – measures atmospheric pressure and allows you to predict changes in weather Compass – an invaluable tool for anyone in the wild Altimeter – measures altitude, useful for navigating in the mountains or cross-country Luminescence – does it light itself or does it have a back-light? Alarm – you don’t want to sleep late while on a dangerous mission Thermometer – monitors the outside temperature so you know if you are drinking enough water or wearing the right equipment. The movements should also be able to cope with extreme differences in temperature and altitude. GPS – ideal for measuring distances while running, cycling, hiking or skiing Total station – measures speed based on the time you cover a certain distance Bluetooth – enables your watch to be connected to your mobile phone Stopwatch – ideal for tracking progress and setting personal bests Solar charger – converts light into electricity so the watch doesn’t run the risk of running out of battery when you’re out in the wilderness. With tactical watches, you should pay attention to materials that can withstand impacts and are very durable and waterproof : Waterproof – all tactical watches should be waterproof. Silicone rubber – comfortable to wear, waterproof and light Titanium – very light and incredibly durable, stronger than gold and steel Sapphire crystal – strong and scratch-resistant, less risk of it cracking or breaking. |
The Survival Watch is a practical and durable accessory that allows you to maximize your chances of survival in a survival situation.
From previous discussions above, it’s appropiate that we will compare the best tactical watches considering features, functions and design. Before reviewing particular models, let’s first consider this ‘features’, ‘functions’ and ‘design’ aspect.
Finding a watch marketed for survivalists is not difficult. But not all watches are really designed for real survival situations.
You have to cut through the marketing lingo and see what a watch really has to offer. Here are a few things to look for when looking for the best survival watch.
| CONSIDERATION | Comment |
| Time & Accuracy | Believe it or not, not all watches have precise timing capabilities. Complete watches often have multiple components connected to a single power source. This can cause some fluctuations. Losing a second here or there may not seem like a big deal. But a watch with 99.9% accuracy is turned off by about 1 minute and 27 seconds every day. In survival situations, every second counts! Many watch brands provide time accuracy estimates as percentages. This isn’t always the case, but it’s always nice to check. Go for the highest possible accuracy rating. A watch with an accuracy of 99.998% will only be turned off for about 1 second every day. Typically, quartz watches are more precise than their mechanical counterparts. But, advancements in the design of mechanical watches make these deviations almost negligible nowadays. |
| Functions and Features | The more functions there are on the watch, the better! Earlier we talked a bit about some of the common features that you will see on survival watches. This includes basic timing, a compass, altimeter, barometer, and temperature dial. When it comes to finding your position, the compass and altimeter are the most useful. The compass lets you know which direction you are facing while the altimeter shows your altitude. You can also find watches with depth indicators, which might come in handy in ocean or lake settings. The barometer and temperature gauge are perfect for hiking and wilderness adventures. Barometers measure barometric pressure, which could help you get a better idea of the incoming weather. You might also find some extra survival features that you never thought you needed. For example, built-in lights or an illuminated dial can help you once the sun goes down. Meanwhile, the built-in solar panels could keep these features powered on during your travels. Of course, there is also the GPS. GPS watches are the most advanced of all. They connect to several of the 31 operational satellites orbiting the Earth. Once connected, the GPS can triangulate your location. Many GPS survival watches also have built-in mapping features. Depending on the complexity of the watch, you may be able to see topographic maps or notable land features to help you navigate the terrain. |
| Water resistance | Whether you’re wading through mud or walking in a super wet environment, water resistance is a must. Fortunately, water resistant or fully waterproof watches are easy to find. A water resistant construction protects the internal components of the watch. This can prevent moisture from entering and render your watch useless. Some watches are even submersible. You can easily find watches that will continue to operate to depths of up to over 600 feet. |
| Impact resistance and durability | Survival watches should continue to function regardless of the type of bumps or drops they encounter. Keep an eye out for shock resistant watches. Usually, these watches use some kind of protective shell. You might see rubber covering the material or thick plastic covering all of the watch mechanisms. Pay attention to overall sustainability. Survival watches shouldn’t have a problem with light drops or bumps. Having a durable watch lets you rest easy knowing that the information you need is always at your fingertips. |
| Energy source | Many survivalists & preppers do not take into account how a watch is powered. High-tech quartz watches and smartwatches use a traditional battery. For quartz watches, this battery needs to be replaced at some point. If the watch has multiple survival features, chances are good that the replacement will happen sooner rather than later. When it comes to smartwatches, the battery life is noticeably low. Depending on the model, you may only see one to two days of operation. Once the battery runs out, you’re out of luck! Try to buy energy efficient watches. A good option is to choose a mechanical watch : Rather than using a battery, these watches rely on springs to operate. So you have to wind them to keep the watch running. Kinetic mechanical watches are also available. These watches use the movement of your arm to stay powered. Both options can come in handy in a survival situation as there is no concern for the batteries involved. |
| Design | You need to think about the size and general design of the watch. Ultimately, the functionality of the watch is the most important thing to think about. But if the watch isn’t doing well or doesn’t match your personal aesthetism, are you really going to wear it? Survival watches can get pretty clunky. Some brands take physical protection to the next level and include fairly thick cases. These watches are awesome! However, they can also be uncomfortable. If you want to stay comfortable during your adventures, choose an understated and slim design. Keep in mind that a smaller size could mean sacrificing some functionality. Ultimately, size and design are a matter of personal preference. Pick a watch that works for you and comfortable on your wrist. |
| Cost ($, €) | Finally, there is the cost. You can’t put a price on survival. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to get a good survival watch. Prices can vary considerably from brand to brand. In addition to the available features included, the materials largely dictate the price. Cheaper models will use more affordable resin or ABS coated steel cases. These materials, while not as durable as some other options, hold up very well in survival situations. In addition, they keep your spending cost/s low without sacrificing performance. |
The Reviews
We now move onto Part 2 in order to discuss the options available to Adults (Men / Women) and Kids.
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