Tough. Resilient. Able to take a beating and comes out strong, still ticking. These are timepieces that anyone from the military, law enforcement or first responders can appreciate.
They’ve been rigorously tested, from withstanding the pressure of being ejected from an aircraft to getting run over by a 64-ton tank, here are five watches that will surely answer the call and maybe even outlast you.
Luminox Navy SEALs 3600 series
Created with input from one of US’ elite forces – the Navy SEALs, none can doubt this watch’s toughness. After all, no better watch is suited for an elite military unit whose strict selection process is dubbed “hell week”.
However, what truly attests to this watch’s hardiness is that it was created with direct input from US Navy SEALs. Everything from the case back design to the extremely durable yet light Luminox’ Carbonox™ material was intentionally designed for the SEALs.
This collection is also the first to feature Luminox’s proprietary light technology that uses tritium light tubes. Unlike other watches that require an external light source to charge and illuminate, the 3600s’ illumination comes in-built and lasts up to 25 years no matter the condition. Interestingly, these are the same light tubes found on military gun sights.
Count on it to come out unfazed from any abuse you put it through.
The Luminox Navy SEALs 3600 Series is available in black with yellow accents, olive green with red accents and blue with orange accents from $800 at leading department stores (TANGS at Tang Plaza and VivoCity, Robinsons The Heeren, OG Orchard Point, OG Albert). For more information, click here.
Casio G-SHOCK MUDMASTER
Merely looking the part is half the battle won when it comes to surviving the abuse of the elements. But the MUDMASTER GG-B100 is more than just looks.
Casio’s newly developed Carbon Core Guard structure allows this watch to make no sacrifices on toughness while being the lightest Gravitymaster yet at 72 grams. The large textured buttons have been engineered with quality seals that ensure that the watch is… The master of mud.
It’s not just all brawns either, the GG-B100 is the first G-Shock watch to feature “Quad Sensor” technology as well as Bluetooth connectivity – allowing it to integrate with the G-Shock app.
When you combine the watch’s ability to take atmospheric, temperature and accelerometer readings with your phone’s GPS, you’ll get access to a mission log, step-tracking, and location data. A watch with both brains and brawns? Yes, please.
The Casio G-SHOCK MUDMASTER GG-B100 will be available at all G-SHOCK Boutiques from July onwards. Price TBA. For more information, click here.
Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X
To celebrate Victorinox’s 130th anniversary and the release of its new INOX watch collection, the company collaborated with the New York Fire Department and put its INOX watches through 130 extreme endurance tests. These tests were specially designed to showcase the “made to last” and “exceptional resistance” value of the latest INOX timepieces.
Basically, they tortured the watches. They were boiled then instantly frozen, dropped from 10m, blasted with sand, washed at 90 degrees temperature for two hours in a washing machine, had a fire truck ran over it followed by a 64-ton tank, put in a 12 G-force centrifuge, poured with corrosive liquid, and much more. Check it all out here.
If that alone doesn’t speak volumes of the watch’s durability and hardiness, I don’t know what will.
Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X is available from $810 at Zalora. For more information click here.
Bremont MBIIÂ
Few watches can handle being ejected out of an aircraft at 1,300km/hr in less than two seconds, but the Bremont MBII can. After all, this timepiece was designed in partnership with ejector seat maker Martin-Baker (MB). So it’s obvious just how reliable these watches are as they’ve been engineered to withstand ejection seat tests by MB.
It’s not just the rigorous testing by MB but Bremont too focuses on the build quality and over-engineering of all its products, hence their slogan: tested beyond endurance. Materials are over-engineered such as the super-hardened steel and aircraft grade aluminium used in its case.
For people who like their watches to take more abuse than we can dish out, the Bremont MBII over qualifies. And you can be sure it’s probably the toughest watch in the room at any time.
The Bremont MBII can be purchased at these shops here from $6,779. For more information, click here.
Tag Heuer Aquaracer Camouflage 300 Metres – Calibre 5
Military style-like printed camouflage has always been in fashion. But when you apply them to watches, it becomes more than that. There’s a need to “walk the talk”, to make sure the watch is what it looks – rugged, durable and resistant to extreme conditions. The Aquaracer Camouflage being a case in point.
In 1892, founder Edouard Heuer filed the first patent for watertight cases in watchmaking history and since then, the Aquaracer collection developed into a timepiece resistant to extreme conditions and not just deep diving (it is water-resistant up to 300m). You can trace the watch’s diving roots from the solid case-back engraved with the antique diving helmet.
As part of the tactical theme, the hardy yet lightweight watch case is made from sandblasted Grade 2 titanium with a matte black PVD. It also features the highest form of watch face protection with its sapphire crystal glass.
Spend more time in the water than on land? This watch will feel right at home on your wrist.
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Camouflage 300 Metres Calibre 5 is available in 3 colourways: Arctic and Khaki at all Tag Heuer stores from $3,950. For more information, click here.Â
