I’ve only got $500 to spend on tough watch and also has tactical features, what exactly should I choose and why? Precisely what kind of toughest tactical watch should I go with? How the hell I actually spend it? One massive, splashy purchase or several inexpensive ones?
This is an issue that regularly pops up on popular watch forums like Watchuseek. And, I have asked so many questions about what to buy and read plenty of questions of other people asking the same thing. I’ve actually asked some stupid questions. But the members of that forum were very friendly and responsive to my questions.
Now, it may not always be the $500 figure, it might be $200 or $1000. Or, someone might be trying to decide between a couple watches. Sometimes it would seem like exciting moments for an ongoing addiction as I started collecting some affordable watches.
It’s quite easy to say “buy 1” or “buy 2” watches, but for people starting up their collections, the real temptation is actually strong to get a couple of items. Some people prefer few and fine, or maybe many as well as cheap. For that reason, part of me believes I would personally fill out my collection a little bit (Casio G-Shock, Luminox, Protrek, Timex, Suunto, etc.) However, I’m usually bought things I can afford and also choose for the things I love to wear.
But, for now, we’ll stick with this budget and look for a good first tough watch, so, here’s my personal advice I would give myself if I were looking to buy my first tough and tactical watch today.
Well, let’s started
THE TOUGH WATCHES FOR UNDER $500
G-Shock GWG-1000-1A3 Mudmaster Series
Yeap, this is my number one pick right now. When I’m decided to buy a watch, besides the design, one of the first things that come up is what’s on the watch. G-Shock GWG-1000 Mudmaster series definitely constructed and designed for a variety severe environments. In other words, it’s designed with toughest structures.
G-Shock GWG-1000-1A3 Mudmaster Series
Not to mention the features; with a Triple Sensor Ver.3; built-in sensors that measure compass bearing, temperature, altitude and atmospheric pressure, tough solar power and water resistance (200m) and also comes with double LED illumination to analog & digital display.
In my experience G-Shock GWG-1000-1A3 is very comfortable and allowing proper stability of the watch on your wrist. As I mentioned before, this watch is BIG; it does dwarf G-Shocks such as The GWA-1100-1A3 Aviator, and The GWF-1000-1 Frogman all of which are pretty big G-Shocks, well the Mudmaster puts all these watches to shame size wise.
The official retail price for GWG-1000 series is around $650 USD. But if you lucky, you can find it less cheap on Amazon.com.
G-Shock GWF-1000-1 Frogman
If you think the latest Frogman Models; The GWF-D1000 Series is too expensive, then perhaps G-Shock GWF-1000-1 Frogman is suited for for you. As you might know, The Frogman series is one of the powerful G-Shock model ever built. While its predecessor utilized Solar Power and Dive Timer as its backbone; Atomic Timekeeping and Tide & Moon Graphs have now been added for Non-Stop, Self-Adjusting performance and also ISO rated for 200m water resistance.
Simply by looking at the pictures, you can tell that this is a watch designed to be sturdy.
G-Shock GWF-1000-1 Frogman
Yes it’s big and while it is heavier than other titanium watch and for some people feel it’s not uncomfortable when wearing it, but personally, I’ll happily walk around with this big ugly watch on my wrist, probably looking a bit ridiculous to everyone but myself.
The price tag for this “giant” G-Shock GWF-1000-1 Frogman Series is around $500 USD. See here for a current price on Amazon.
Victorinox Inox
As I mention in another post, The Victorinox Inox is built to be tough, I mean..like really tough. They have rolled over them with Russian military tank, thrown them into hot waters, shaken them like crazy in high frequencies.. they’ve done all sorts of things that one should never do to a watch to make sure the Victorinox Inox can take a beating in severe conditions
Victorinox I.N.O.X.
The Inox has 43mm wide case is in steel, the crystal is sapphire, water resistant to 200 meters, and inside the watch is a standard Swiss Ronda quartz movement.
Coming in at a price around $500 USD on Amazon, Victorinox Inox are a good deal for a true beater.
G-Shock GWA1100-1A3 Gravity Defier Aviator
I am a fan of both analog as well as analog-digital G-Shock watches. This BIG, BOLD GREEN and analog watch is one of G-Shock Gravity Defier Aviator series from the G-Shock Aviation line. One of popular and favorite G-Shock series, especially for a pilot.
G-Shock GWA1100-1A3 Gravity Defier Aviator
The watch comes with the “Triple G Resist” reinforced design protecting the workings of the watch against shocks, centrifugal forces and vibrations. I must say that with the price around $ 500, G-Shock GW-A1100-1A3 is actually top of the line in every single aspect and just really cool to look at and even you’ll know immediately if you want it. Hop-over to this for more detail.
Marathon Search and Rescue TSAR Military Divers
Marathon is one hell of a well built US government issue Tritium watch for diving Search and Rescue. The Marathon Quartz Search and Rescue Divers Watch *ref.WW194007l (commonly known as the TSAR) is an incredibly capable and tough-as-they-come tool diver. Powered by a precise high-torque quartz movement, the TSAR comes equipped with a complete complement of tritium tubes for the markers and hands.
MARATHON Military Divers Quartz Wristwatch
The tritium tubes enable you to quite simply view the time at night time without needing to charge any is paint using a flashlight or depend on a backlight which might possibly announce your presence to somebody. Readable, fantastic low-light visibility, sturdy construction, and an excellent water resistance mean the TSAR is the no-nonsense option for the tactical mission.
Created for professional and military use as well, you might discover the “US Government” label on the dial – though we are pretty sure there won’t be much left of it.
Price is $500 USD actually has been updated; the price is going up to $870 USD. They are available on a rubber strap and an automatic movement version. You could discover more deail here on Amazon.
Luminox Sea Anu 4200 Series
As I mention earlier, I’m really like this watch. Luminox has always been widely used for being highly legible, durable, and lightweight tough watch. I believe ANU Chronograph 4200 series from Luminox is one of the toughest watches out there and is a relatively inexpensive watch made from relatively cheap materials. Nonetheless, it’s quite sturdy and tough watch (don’t mix up inexpensive with cheap).
Luminox Sea ANU 4200 Series
Luminox Sea ANU (stand for Authorized for Navy Use) 4200 watch series coming with extremely comfortable rubber or silicone band, Stainless Steel casing, the crown is guarded with Double-Security Gasket, and the Sapphire glass anti-reflective coating really should stand up to anything but a hard direct impact.
Luminox is not a watch that requires my help convincing people to pay for. For the price tag roughly $500 USD on Amazon, you can get a solid, reliable, and sharp-looking watch for Luminox Sea ANU 4200 series.
CONCLUSION
This is just my take on it, but if I had $500 to spend on my tough watch, knowing what I know now, one of these watches above are my favorite. So it’s your turn now. How would you spend it on a watch in case you have $500 budget?.
For starter, just browse our site, you can find any tough and tactical watch in the market today. Or let use the price ranges at Amazon’s tactical watch categories as a guide. They have most things, but don’t get too caught up within the details. I’m curious; exactly what kind of tough and sturdy watches you’re currently eyeing off!. Happy hunting!.