7 Best Military Special Forces Watches Brands-Buyer Guide 2022

Recon For a Special Forces Military Watch

In the market for a special forces watch?

The recon for a Special Forces Military Watch is not an easy one.

Not even for those in the military. But you don’t need to worry.

I have taken care of all the grunt work and made a list of the best special forces watches for you.

Special Forces (Special OPS) Gear needs to be ‘special.’ That includes the special ops watch that they wear.
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“The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.” General George S. Patton
So if you’re set on having a real Special Forces Watch, feel free to browse through my list of favorite Special Forces Watches. You will find the top military watches for men who need a Special Ops watch.

Functions to Look For in a Military watch

Some things to consider when shopping for a Military type watch, are the functions…
Top of the functions list for military watches for men should be, end of battery life warning.

This little feature lets the wearer know that the battery is on its last leg. Giving the wearer ample time to have the battery replaced before the watch is rendered in. (Inoperative for the civilians out there.)

Other features that are nice to have in a military watch are those features that make it “tough.” A tough feature would be, unidirectional ratcheting bezels. If you go past the mark, you can just go back, instead of all the way around again.

Crown protectors, they do just as they say, protect the crown, but also give the watch a distinct “tough” look.

A scratch resistant crystal (a Sapphire crystal is a great find.) And a screw down case back is your best, safe bet for a tight watch. Slap all that together, and you come close to having a much more dependable military watch.

If you wish to find a watch with the functionality and dependability that can meet or surpass the strains and rigorous demands brought on by military duty, it is best to stick with the classics or specialized brands.

These are the ones with a history and reputation of having the characteristics and distinct functions sought after by those in the know… Our great service members, who I would like to give a big “Thank You.”

Luminox Special Forces Watch

Luminox Men’s 3053 EVO Navy SEAL Colormark Watch

Each troop, soldier, sailor, marine, or airman has a unique mission. The same can be said for the watch that they use to complete those missions.

The watch that a military member wears has to be more than your average ‘Joe Show’ fashion statement.

So if you’re looking for Special Forces type gifts for your back yard warrior, an SF watch would be an excellent gift to give.

There is only one thing that could be considered a common requirement in a watch that a service member uses, that one thing is Dependability.

The watch above is a Luminox Men’s 3053 EVO Navy SEAL Colormark Watch If you would like to take a closer look at it.

TIMEX MEN’S T49961 “EXPEDITION SCOUT” WATCH​

In most military watch reviews, Timex invariably features as one of the world’s favorite brands of military watches. On our list, the Timex Men’s T49961 “Expedition Scout” Watch is proudly made in the USA.

It has a round dial in classic black and white tones.

The seconds hand is a distinctive yellow, and the band is made of durable nylon.

The watch features precision quartz movement and an analog display.

The dial window is made of mineral crystal.

This military watch is waterproof and can be used up to 50 meters water depth, so it does not need to be taken off while showering or swimming in a pool. 

If you are still not sure about the quality of this product and are wondering if it is worth paying $36.00 for, then continue reading.

Timex is a well-known American company that made the first Mickey Mouse clock.

Timex watches were first introduced to the public in 1950.

Advertisements for Timex watches showcase their durability, design, and performance. The brand is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and military personnel.


Beyond dependability, is functionality. Without functionality, all you have is a ‘dime store’ watch. The function must match, or surpass, the mission requirements at hand. Take for instance a Navy Seal swimming in murky waters with a military timepiece that sports “low glow” markers.

That murky water could make it difficult, if not impossible, for the Seal to see the time or settings on the watch face. And if his watch isn’t up to snuff, that watch is useless.

Useless to the Seal, and to the mission. This could be worse than the Navy Seals Hell Week. In some cases, the watch a Seal wears can be even more important than the Navy Seals weapons.

Use the proper tool for the mission at hand. Like a black ops watch…
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Would you not drop an atomic bomb on your lawn to get rid of an ant hill? Or attack a battle ship with a B-B gun would you?

Maybe you would. I don’t know you, but the tool would not match the mission. Match the tool to the mission.

VICTORINOX Swiss Army Watches

Number One on this list of fine military watches has to be the VICTORINOX Swiss Army brand.

Their watches are world renowned with such versions as the Night Vision, Officer, Garrison, Maverick. And Infantry lines. One can even afford a Swiss Army watch on military pay.

The Swiss Army not only has the Alps, but they also have a fine line of watches that offer a classic military look, grade-A technological features, and great durability.

If this is what you are searching for, then you can find it in a Swiss Army watch.

Luminox Military Watches

Luminox Military Watches are back to the basics with a twist.

The Luminox Field Series watches have three hands on the dial to let you see the time down to the second.

All Luminox watches have a self-powered illumination system. It is a costly and time-consuming endeavor, but it is what makes Luminox watches special.
 
Each watch employs tiny self-powered micro gas lights developed by the world leader in the luminous compound industry. These micro gas lights (borosilicate glass capsules) are installed into the hands, hour markers, and when necessary, bezels of our watches.

Luminox watches need no external light source to “charge” the paint on the dial or hands to glow as do conventional luminous watches. Nor do they require the push of a button to light the dial as do watches with electroluminescence.

The U.S. military has long recognized the advantages of micro gas light sources and their use is specified in procurement specification MIL-W-46374F.

The watch’s scratch-resistant crystal makes sure the face is an easy read. The Army Field Series watches are smaller, lighter, and more comfortable than many of the other bulky military watches.

This watch is great for Special Ops, such as DELTA Force or the Navy Seals. If you want to run with the big dogs. Go with Luminox

Citizen Blue Angels Military Pilot Watch

For something a little bit more up to speed, take a look at the Citizen Blue Angels Military Pilot Watch.

The Citizen Blue Angels Eco-Drive Skyhawk watch just about has it all. It offers a solid titanium case and bracelet, this makes the Skyhawk light but very durable.

The patented Eco-Drive feature enables this watch to be charging whenever in sunlight or even indoor light. The chronograph is accurate to within 1/100th of a second.

The watch sports a rotating bezel with a slide rule, three World Time Alarms, time and calendar for 22 different time zones and more. Great to have on pilot watches.

The Skyhawk is as close as you can get to an all-in-one military watch. If you are the kind of troop who likes to be on time, this fine piece of gear is what you need to get the job done.

TRASER Military Watch

Do you know what a Tracer Round is? Tracer ammunition (tracers) are special bullets that are modified to hold a small pyrotechnic charge in their base. Ignited upon firing, the composition burns very brightly, making the projectile visible to the naked eye. Looks a bit like a trail.

This enables the shooter to follow the bullet trajectory relative to the target to make corrections to his aim. This may be where our next brand, TRASER get’s its name.

If you are a “by-the-book” kind of guy than the Traser is your brand. Odds are you will not find one of these puppies in a military surplus pile.

They offer the Traser Authentic US Military Spec Watch P6500 Type 6. This watch meets MIL-W-46374F Specifications. This means that it meets the high military requirements of the DOD.

Type 3 and type 6 are authentic US – military watches designed and built according to specifications defined in MIL-W-46374 F. These are the first military timepieces ever to be equipped with the patented MB-micro tec H3 permanent light technology.

Thousands of these two traser H3 models have been issued to the men and women of the US Armed Forces. But it is now available to civilians with the only change from the military version being the addition of a date window.

Torgoen Professional Pilot Watches

Torgoen Professional Pilot Watches are also known as the ‘pilot’s best friend.’ They meet the highest quality standards.

Every watch passes strict quality control procedures to ensure precision, water resistance, and endurance. The watches are tested under various extreme conditions including temperature variation, dust, humidity, impact, and vibration.

Great Pilots trust Torgoen. Shouldn’t you?

Vostok Military Watches

“Vostok” watches are for Military reliability and durability.

The Vostok watch making tradition dates back to 1942 when one of the Moscow watch-making plants were evacuated to Chistopol – a little town located on the Kama River in the central region of Russia.

All manner of Defence equipment was made at the factory during the war years. As soon as the war was over, however, they started to make mechanical wrist watches – the main production ever since.

In 1965, the factory became an official supplier of the Soviet Union Department of Defence.

Functional and clear-cut design invoke a feeling of belonging to the tough world of combat professionals! The latest models have great new designs, more peaceful, but keeping all the best characteristics of their military predecessors!

Vostok offers high precision, excessive reliability, and durability, water resistant up to 660 feet! Your best friend for the harshest conditions imaginable! via www.vostok.ch

Garmin Forerunner 10

This black and red themed Garmin Forerunner 10 tops our list of the best GPS watches.

It is aesthetic, has a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, and an easy-to-use button-operated design that works well for both men and women.

You also get a virtual pacer that matches current pace to target, an auto lap feature, and a built in activity tracker that records speed, position, calories burned, and distance travelled.

Garmin Forerunner 10 is shock and water-resistant and has a large backlit display.

Bushnell Neo XS GPS Watches

Light, easy to read, and manufactured using durable and non-irritant materials, Bushnell Neo XS is a professional-grade GPS watch that ships ready to use.

It is durable, has approximately 33,000 preloaded courses in over 30 countries, and an auto course recognition feature that saves users time when searching courses.

It also has a novel Auto Hole Advanced feature, a powerful and rechargeable battery pack, a USB sync and charging technology, and a 1-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.

Polar M400 GPS Sports Watch & Activity Tracker

Polar M400 is a multifunctional activity tracker and sports watch that doubles as a heart rate monitor.

It is durable works 24/7, and has an intelligent system that offers accurate and helpful data that you can use to improve your training and or lifestyle.

It, for instance, tracks steps, pace, calories, and distance.

It also generates inactivity alerts; tracks length and quality of sleep, and has a water-resistant Bluetooth enabled system with applications for sharing data and metrics to device and web services.

Garmin Vivoactive Black

Popular is top 10 best GPS watches reviews, Garmin Vivoactive Black is a sought after GPS watch worldwide for several reasons.

It large display, for instance, is colored sun-readable, and has a high-resolution build that comes in handy.

It also has a built-in GPS adapter that benefits golfers, biking, and running, and a smart notifications feature that pairs with smartphones and delivers timely text, email, and call alerts.

You also get a high three-week battery life (10 hours in GPS mode), a built in sports application, and a Connect IQ feature for downloading watch faces, data field, widgets, and even applications free of charge.

What Makes a Military Watch?

A military watch is designed to be highly durable and reliable. They are often constructed out of hardy materials such as stainless steel or titanium. The watches are also built to be resistant to water, shock and movement. Some models even offer night vision capabilities for use in low light situations. The watches will also have a chunky design to protect them against damage in the field. There are many different types of military watches available that are designed for different purposes.

How choose Best Military Special Forces Watches?

A good watch is always a must-have for any man.

To help you in your buying decision, we have put together this guide that will assist you in your search for the best military watches.

You can spend $5,000 and up on a special forces watch that has all the bells and whistles and is of excellent quality. But for those who don’t have $5,000 to spend, there are some great options available starting at under $200.

That’s why we created this guide to help you choose the best military watch for your needs.

In this guide, we will discuss:

What to look for in a military watch

STYLE

The first thing to consider when choosing a new watch is the style. Do you want an automatic or quartz movement? A leather strap or metal band? An analog or digital display? There are plenty of styles out there that may suit your preference better than others, so it’s important to think about what kind of look will work best for your needs before making a purchase.
Water-resistance

The first thing that you’ll want to check is the water-resistance rating. For military use, you’ll want something that can easily withstand submersion in water. The best military watches will have water-resistance ratings of at least 100 meters, but 200 meters is preferred.

It’s important to note that water resistance ratings are tested in ideal conditions, which means that it’s possible for the watch to perform worse than its rating in real life. It’s also worth noting that the water resistance of a watch can degrade over time, particularly if you regularly expose it to saltwater or high temperatures. This is why it’s important to get your watch checked by a qualified professional every couple of years.

Impact and scratch resistance

If you are looking for a military special forces watch, then it must be shockproof. Whether you are in the army or navy, your watch will be subjected to various impacts and scratches. It is important that the watch has a tempered glass which is resistant to scratches so that it can last longer.

Compass/ GPS

Most of these watches have compasses which help in providing direction. They have features like digital compass, altimeter, barometer and thermometer which are helpful during hiking or camping trips.

Illumination

The watch must have good illumination so that it can be read in darkness easily. The illuminator must be bright enough for easy reading but not too bright which may affect night vision.

Lightweight:

It is important that the watch is lightweight so that it does not feel heavy on your wrist. The weight should be evenly distributed so that it does not cause irritation to your skin. A heavy watch would make you feel uncomfortable if you have to wear it for long hours.
Lightweight:

One of the most important traits that makes any military watch worth buying is its weight. Nobody wants to wear a heavy watch, especially if they’re already carrying a lot of other gear as well. If you’re looking for a lightweight watch that won’t weigh down on your wrist or your pocket, then this is definitely something that you should take into consideration.

Durable:

Another very important trait that any good military watch should have is durability. A good military watch has to be able to withstand virtually anything that it might encounter during its time in active service. It should be able to take some abuse and still keep on ticking. This is why it might cost more than some other watches out there, but the price is worth it in the long run because it can last