Top 10 Best Tough Watches [Most Durable Watches]

Top 10 Best Tough Watches [Most Durable Watches]

Different watches are made for different purposes. And there is truly an endless number of different watches to choose from. Pilot’s watches, dress watches, dive watches, racing watches, and many more.

Then, of course, we have watches that may or may not be made for a particular purpose, but still have a special design characteristic that defines them. In this article, we will look closer at the toughest and most durable watches on the market. This is not necessarily a type of watch, but they are often divided into the categories of sports watches, tool watches, or outdoor watches.

There are no real criteria for what defines a ”tough” watch other than the fact that they should be just that – tough. This type of watch should be robust, durable, and able to take a beating. They should be able to handle harsh conditions and stand up against shocks, bangs, and extreme weather without breaking. There are many reasons and situations where you may want a tough watch. The one closest to mind is for outdoor use, but also for those who often find themselves in tough conditions that subject their watch to situations that may put a lot of stress on the watch, and where a more sensitive watch may break. For example, for those who are working outdoors and with demanding tasks.

In general, there are a few things that we are looking for in a watch that is ”tough” and durable. They should be able to handle shocks and bangs, handle extreme temperatures, and they should also be able to handle water, dirt, and grime.

If you are looking for the toughest and most durable watches, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will focus on tough watches at affordable prices, because let’s be honest, whilst there are ”luxury” watches that are built to be tough, you don’t really want to wear a watch that costs thousands of thousands to situations where you know you will subject it to a lot of stress, scratches, and damages. With more affordable watches, you won’t have to worry too much about this. In addition, many of the toughest and most robust watches are also affordable, so we’re not really leaving out any gems anyway.

Best tough and durable watches

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Casio G-Shock DW5600E-1V

First up, we have what is one of the most popular G-Shocks ever made. In addition, it is also one of the most durable and tough watches that Casio offers. As a matter of fact, this Casio G-Shock earned the Guinness World Records title for the Heaviest vehicle to drive over a watch. To achieve this, it had to be run over by a 20-metric-ton truck, and its accomplishment represents the brand’s ethos of “Absolute Toughness”.

The watch has a simple and clean, rectangular case design made in resin with an integrated resin strap. Thanks to its relatively slim profile and small size, it works great for most wrists. And this is also one of the reasons why it is so popular since it doesn’t have the classic bulky and clumsy G-Shock design. Thanks to the resin case, it offers great shock resistance and durability. The water resistance of this watch is actually quite good as well at 200m/660 feet, meaning you can go diving and swimming with it with no issues. It is equipped with a mineral crystal on top. Like all G-Shocks, it is powered by a quartz movement.

The case measures 45mm in diameter, but since it is rectangular, it naturally wears differently compared to a watch with a round case shape.

This watch also has quite a few useful functions. It’s not as packed as some of the most advanced G-Shocks, but for everyday wear, it has a lot to offer. The functions include a multi-function alarm, 1/100-second stopwatch, countdown timer, hourly time signal, auto calendar, and 12- and 24-hour formats. For good legibility in all environments, it has an afterglow backlight.

https://www.gshock.com/g-latest/news/casio-g-shock-officially-breaks-guinness-world-records-title

Specifications

• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Movement: quartz
• Diameter: 45mm

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Casio Pro Trek PRG-270-1 Tough Solar

Next up, we have the Casio Pro Trek PRG-270-1 Tough solar. This is a watch that, as the name suggests, is built specifically for the outdoors. And as such, you can expect it to be tough, robust, and durable.

This watch is packed with functions and also has a robust and durable design. The watch is powered by a solar quartz movement, meaning it gets its energy from solar and ambient light and has a power reserve of 9 months when fully charged. This is a nice feature as it means you won’t have to replace its battery. It has a decent water resistance of 100m/330 feet and is also resistant to temperatures as low as -10 C.

As mentioned, it has a lot to offer in terms of functions, and first and foremost, it is a triple sensor watch, meaning it has a barometric pressure reader and can measure altitude as well as direction readings via the digital compass. The barometric pressure alarm will also warn you in the case of sudden changes in pressure readings. It also has the ability to measure temperature. All of these functions can be truly useful when outdoors.

In terms of design, the watch screams sportiness and durability and has a robust case with large buttons on the side which protects the watch but also makes them easy to use.

In addition to these, more advanced functions, it incorporates all of the classic functions that you can expect in a tough digital Casio watch, including a full Auto Calendar, 5 Daily Alarms, World Time with 31 time zones, a city name display, and more.

To make it easy to use and read in harsh conditions, it is equipped with a Full auto LED (Super Illuminator) screen with afterglow. An additional function includes a countdown timer 

Specifications

• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Battery life: 9 months
• Movement: Solar quartz

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Casio G-Shock GW6900-1 Tough Solar

The Casio G-Shock GW6900-1  is a tough and durable sports watch with a stainless steel case with a diameter of 41mm and a mineral crystal on top. At the same time, thanks to its signature G-Shock construction, it weighs only 63 grams. The case is built to be shock-resistant as well.

The watch is powered by a Japanese quartz movement and features an LED backlight for improved legibility in low-lit conditions.

This watch has all of the classic G-Shock functions that you can expect and then some, including day, date, and time display, atomic timekeeping, world time, daily alarm with snooze, and 12, and 24-hour formats.

All in all, this is a tough and durable watch built to handle even the harshest conditions.

Specifications

• Diameter: 41mm
• Movement: Japanese quartz

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Garmin 010-02064-00 Instinct

If you’re looking for a smartwatch, the Garmin Instinct 010-02064-00 is a watch that combines the functionality of a smartwatch, and the durability of a sports watch. This smartwatch is built to withstand the toughest environments – all at the same time that it provides you with key information and data, and lots of interesting functions. Its durability is supported by the fact that it is constructed to U.S. Military standard 810G for thermal, shock, and water resistance. The depth rating is also quite good for a smartwatch, meaning you can go swimming with it.

And when we say that this watch has a lot to offer, we mean it. The Garmin Instinct has a built-in 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, and multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, Glonass, and Galileo) 

Since this is primarily built as a fitness watch, it also has several features that are meant to help you track your health and fitness. It allows you to monitor your heart rate, activity, and stress, and also allows you to track your training.

Another convenient thing is that the watch can connect to your smartphone and provide smart notifications. Thanks to this, you can also upload your data to the Garmin Connect online fitness community in case you want to follow your fitness progress.

All in all, this is one of the best (and toughest) smartwatches out there built for fitness, harsh conditions, the outdoors, and extreme conditions.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet

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Luminox 3051 EVO Navy SEAL

If you want a tough and durable timepiece, but prefer an analog watch over a digital one, the Luminous Eco Navy Seal 3051 is a great choice. This watch features a large, robust, and sporty 44mm case made in Polyurethane which helps it resist shocks and bangs, and on top of the case sits a mineral crystal. The watch is equipped with a unidirectional bezel, and to go with the sporty theme, it naturally has an emphasis on legibility. It has luminous markers and hands to also helps with legibility. As a matter of fact, the lume of this watch glows 100 times brighter than other luminous watches, according to Luminox.

Overall, this watch is just as tough as it looks, so after just a glance, you know exactly what to expect from it. The water resistance is also really great at 200m/660 feet, meaning you can go diving and swimming with it without any issues.

The watch is powered by a Swiss quartz movement and offers a water resistance of 200m/660 feet.

The dial incorporates a date function at the three o’clock position, which can be handy to have.

Specifications

• Water-Resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Diameter: 44mm
• Crystal: Mineral glass
• Movement: Swiss quartz

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Casio PRO TREK PRG-600YB-3CR

The Casio Pro Trek model line consists of timepieces specifically made for the outdoors. With that said, it is built to be tough, durable, and handle harsh conditions. What some people will enjoy is that it is not purely digital but also has a regular analog time display. But on the dial, it also has an LCD screen incorporated above 6 o’clock.

The watch has a rugged and robust design with a steel bezel and large crowns for protecting the crown. Whilst it looks almost like a regular analog watch, it still has a lot to offer in terms of functions and performance.

Overall, the analog dial does exactly what it is supposed to do, which translates to exceptional legibility. It has large hands with luminescence and large markers. It is also equipped with double LED light for the face and backlight. Another practical feature of this watch is that it is powered by a solar quartz movement, meaning it gets its energy from solar and ambient light, meaning you won’t have to replace its battery. The power reserve when fully charged is 7 months.

The watch is built to handle low temperatures down to -10C to survive in the most demanding conditions. It has a digital compass and an auto home position correction with an altimeter that measures between –700 to 10,000 meters.

Naturally, this type of watch has a bulky and large design, and this one has a diameter of 52mm. The water resistance is also what we can expect at 100m/330 feet.

In Casio’s own words” Everything about this model is designed and engineered to create functions and designs for outdoor activities.”

Specifications

• Battery life: approximately 7 months
• Movement: quartz
• Diameter: 52mm
• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet

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Casio GGB100-1A3 Master of G Mudmaster

The Casio G-Shock Master of G Mudmaster GGB100-1A3 is just as tough as it looks. It has been designed to endure the toughest environments.

First off, it has a carbon core guard structure case in black with grey accents which not only looks good and sporty but also protects the watch from shocks. It is built with metal buttons and button protectors which protect them from dirt and mud.

Its design is undeniably sporty, but it still has a lot to offer in terms of tech which may come in handy when out in the field. It has a quad sensor which means a compass, altitude/barometer, thermometer, and accelerometer, with the latter helping you keep track of your step count. Another smart solution that G-Shock has incorporated is its connectivity capabilities via Bluetooth with a special G-Shock app that helps with the configuration as well as records altitude data, route information, and step counts.

The watch also has a great water resistance of 200m/660 feet which means you won’t have to worry about getting this watch wet.

It is not purely a digital watch like many other G-Shocks, but also has an analog display with large markers and hands for excellent legibility. The watch is equipped with a double LED light as well for low-lit conditions. It can also keep track of sunset, and sunrise times, as well as a world timer with 38 timezones.

As you can see, this is a watch that offers just as many useful functions as the toughness it has. This one is built to last and will be able to withstand virtually any situation.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

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G-Shock Mudmaster GG-1000

The Casio G-Shock GG-1000 is one of my favorite outdoor tool watches for the times when I need something practical and tough yet functional. It has a pretty nice design with an analog display combined with digital LCD screens. It has large hands and markers which help with legibility.

The case is made in resin and has large shock absorbers to make it more durable, as well as crown protectors and protectors for the pushbuttons. It has a mineral crystal on top as well as super auto LED light for low-lit conditions. The watch can handle temperatures as low as -10 ºC. The case is naturally robust and large with a diameter of 55.3mm and a thickness of 17.1mm. The water resistance is also great at 200m/660 feet.

Looking at the functions, it has a world time function and can measure up to 29 different timezones. It has a built-in compass, thermometer, stopwatch, chronograph function, 5 daily alarms, and much more.

If you want a bulky and masculine durable watch with a nice design that can handle any situation you may find yourself in, this is definitely a watch I can recommend.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

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Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X.

For those who are looking for a more classic watch with a traditional (yet durable) design, the Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Watch is a great choice.

This watch has a bulky stainless steel case with a diameter of 43mm which is crafted in hypoallergenic steel. It has a large protruding crown guard and a fixed brushed bezel. For a sporty, more versatile look, it is presented on a stainless steel bracelet. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most versatile watches on this list, whilst also being extremely durable. On top of the case sits a sapphire crystal which has been triple-coated.

The watch is powered by a Swiss quartz movement which has proven to be tough and able to handle all kinds of different occasions. The water resistance is also really good at 200m/660 feet.

The dial design is simple and clean with a black background and applied metal hour markers filled with luminescence material. The hands are also made quite large as well. A date function is also discreetly tucked in between 4 and 5 o’clock.

All in all, this is a watch that has a sporty design and robust construction, but at the same time, works extremely well for many different occasions. Perhaps more casual, but also for everyday wear. This is a durable outdoor watch for those who want toughness but without the unpractical elements of a bulky and clumsy timepiece that goes all-in on durability.

Specifications

• Diameter: 43mm
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Crystal: scratch-resistant triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal

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Citizen Promaster Tough Eco-Drive

Last but not least, we have the Citizen Promaster Tough Eco-Drive. Its name gives away what it is all about, but in many ways, it reminds of the Victorinox watch we just looked at. It has a classic analog design, made as a regular watch, but is built with more toughness and durability in mind.

It has a large and bulky stainless steel case with a satin finish and large crown guards which protect the crown. To make it more robust and durable, it has a monocoque case (2-piece construction resulting in no case back) resulting in extreme rigidity, shock resistance, and anti-magnetism. The case also has a super titanium coating on the stainless steel bracelet to increase the resistance against scratches.

Since it isn’t a dive watch, it is not equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel. To go with the sporty style, it has a robust stainless steel bracelet. On top of the case sits a sapphire crystal.

The watch has a black dial with an emphasis on legibility with large applied hour markers filled with a generous amount of lime as well as large hands. For a splash of color to the otherwise monochrome dial, it has a red seconds hand. Positioned at 4 o’clock, you also have a date window.

The watch is powered by Citizen’s Eco-Drive quartz movement caliber E168 which is charged by ambient and solar light which is a nice and practical aspect.

Specifications

• Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire
• Movement. Eco-Drive quartz

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Functions

People often buy tough watches as tools and companions for demanding situations. This may be hiking, exploring, or other outdoor activities. With that said, whilst toughness and durability are extremely important, they can also be useful in these situations to have practical functions. As a matter of fact, some functions can actually help keep you safe.

Due to the nature of tough watches, they often (but certainly not always) come with additional functions. This is of course only true for digital watches. The most common (and useful) functions that you may find good use from if you plan to wear it on your outdoor activities are:

GPS: a GPS can be an extremely useful and important function. It will help you navigate and keep track of your route to keep you from getting lost. A compass is a great start, but a GPS function is much more accurate and provides far more detailed information about your location.

Altimeter: An altimeter gives you information about your current level and position. This can be important for staying within a reasonable level where the oxygen level is still good. The higher you get, the thinner the air becomes.

Barometer: a barometer measures the atmospheric pressure and helps you keep track of changes in it. This can be really important when you are outdoors so you can be prepared for rapid weather changes and even upcoming storms.

Performance out in the field

The best testimony of a watch’s toughness is how it performs in practice. A watch can look and give an impression of being tough, but the best proof of concept is to see how the watch actually performs out in the field. Many watch brands put their watches through plenty of different tests to ensure it functions the way it was intended.

Certifications: With the above said, a common way for brands to prove their watches’ toughness is through various certifications. Victorinox, for example, highlights all of the tests that their watches have been put through before hitting the market. That way, they have proof of concept that the watch is just as tough as they built it to be. In addition, many brands use various certifications, oftentimes by independent sources.

Partnerships: In some cases, watches are developed through partnerships by organizations or teams that operate within the fields that the watches are built for. For example, Seiko has partnerships with PADI, a diving organization, and what better way to prove a dive watch’s performance than to have professional divers test the watches out in the field? Other brands like Luminox makes watches for the military. This is excellent proof that these watches can last. Because if they are good enough for professionals, they should be tough enough for us too.

Water-Resistance

Naturally, water resistance is an important aspect of a tough watch. A durable watch should have at least a relatively good water resistance because the chances are high that you will sometimes use it around water. Diving, swimming, boating, and so on. Therefore, you need to be able to rely on its water resistance.

Ideally, you should look for a watch that has a water resistance of at least 100m. That way, it is suitable for swimming and on most occasions that you will wear it for. Regardless of the watch, you opt for, just make sure you double-check the water resistance to make sure it is up to par. And also, consider how you plan to use it. If you know you will go diving, it is a good idea to choose a watch with a water resistance of at least 200m.

Crystal

The crystal is an important aspect of a watch for the structural integrity and robustness of the watch. It is what protects the dial, keeps the watch water-resistant, and also protects its insides.

Most watches use either Acrylic, mineral, or sapphire crystals. In general, the most affordable options will use acrylic and the more expensive alternatives will use sapphire crystals. Naturally, sapphire crystal is the toughest of them all.

Acrylic: Acrylic is a type of plastic that is cheap. It scratches easily and can also crack. The benefit however is that it doesn’t shatter. It’s affordable to replace an acrylic crystal, but it’s still worth knowing that it’s not as tough as other alternatives.

Mineral crystal: Mineral crystal is a type of hardened glass that is naturally tougher than acrylic. It is also more scratch-resistant and doesn’t scratch that easily. However, mineral crystals can still get scratches. This is the type of crystal that you find in most watches in the middle price range.

Sapphire crystal: This is the toughest crystal of them all. Sapphire is extremely tough and is very difficult to scratch, if you want something that is extremely durable and robust, this is what you should opt for. Just keep in mind that sapphire is most often found in the more expensive alternatives, so you will generally have to pay more to get a watch with a sapphire crystal.

Other tough and durable watches