Not all tactical watches offer the same functionality. A watch is a tool and a tactical one even more. So understanding what is available and ensuring you have the right tool for the job is what everyday carry is all about. These are a few of the terms and features you should be aware of. Some watches offer more extra tools beyond telling the time. While Garmin watches aren’t issued by the military, many people from every branch do rely on Garmin as their everyday carry watch. Who makes the best tactical watch? At their cores, military watches are geared toward people who live on the edge of survival. We’re talking soldiers of fortune, paratroopers, marines, extreme sports junkies and anyone else who might need to hop out of a plane or plunge into the water at a moment’s notice. To be clear, that doesn’t mean a regular Joe can’t reap plenty of enjoyment from a solid tactical watch, it’s more to say that tactical watches themselves should be judged according to how well they perform their intended duties. Whether you’re G.I. Joe or Average Joe you’ll want the same thing from your military watch: supreme functionality and resilience. To heed the call, a number of the best military watches incorporate prime materials and a wide range of built-in tools. When looking for a quality tactical watch, you should consider the following:

Extras: For anyone that spends time at altitude, whether for work or pleasure, it might be worth looking at watches that feature a built-in barometer and thermometer. Some are even Bluetooth compatible so that you ensure accurate time by syncing via the internet. Some watches have compass functionality which is handy for anyone that spends time off the grid. Adam Molina is a product review expert and seasoned everyday-carry enthusiast. They have covered gadgets and niche items for almost ten years and are passionate about exploring the ever-evolving landscape of consumer electronics and everyday carry gear. Having always been drawn towards electronics, they began their career reviewing audio gear and personal electronics for outlets like Soundguys, Android Authority, and Business Insider. They are currently a member of MKBHD network of channels, including an executive producer role on the Waveform Podcast. Throughout recent years there has been an increase in the number of current or ex armed forces personnel suffering from mental health conditions such as PTSD. There are currently many ways you can support one another in talking about your problems, but here at Stirling Timepieces we felt we needed to do something to support the community further.Related: Our list of the best luxury watch brands includes more than just Rolex. Image: Racim Amr Different Types of Military Watches Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for every trade, industry, and budget. What is Everyday Carry? Accuracy: A watch that‘s a few minutes off might not be a significant deal on a regular day, but that margin of error can be critical in the field. Accuracy is everything with tactical watches, and the watchmakers on this list take it seriously. Some of the watches on this list connect to your phone via Bluetooth to ensure the time is accurate, while others have tried-and-true high-precision quartz movements, so you know you can rely on them. Analog vs. Digital: This is one of the areas in the watch world where analog and digital watches peacefully coexist. Both are valid options as long as your watch of choice offers the tools you need and won’t break on you while you’re out in the field and need it most.

Is it equipped with tools like a barometer, compass, thermometer, tachymeter, alarm, or tritium gas? A tactical watch will still perform its intended functions even under extreme duress. The term “tactical” is typically used to refer to gear used by military, special forces, or law enforcement, so extending that to watches means that it better be able to handle more than your average bump against the doorframe. Tactical clothing, gear, or tools are intended to give the user confidence that they won’t become a hindrance if things hit the fan. Choosing a Tactical Watch Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.