When a sniper chooses a watch to wear, it needs to be a military-tested model that’s shockproof, waterproof, smash-proof, and virtually indestructible. Add a couple of sensors like an altimeter, barometer, thermometer, and compass, and you get the idea of what a sniper requires from a watch.
What Watches Do Snipers Wear?
- G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400
- Suunto Core Alpha
- Garmin Instinct
- G-Shock DW-6600-1V
- G-Shock DW-6900 Military
- Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout
- Casio Pro Tek
- Timex Ironman Classic
- Timex Expedition
Most modern military personnel favor a Casio G-Shock on their arms. G-Shock fits the bill of what is required from a watch when used in harsh territories and combat situations. Other brands of watches make their way onto a soldier’s arm, but mostly you will see an unbreakable G-Shock on the arms of America’s protectors.
1. G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400
The G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400 is an extremely versatile watch, perfect for snipers working in harsh and unforgiving conditions. Intel gathering is done via a barometer, thermometer, and altimeter while the sun converts even the faintest of light into battery power through its solar power charging.
The Rangeman GW-9400 uses atomic timekeeping (syncs with nearby atomic towers multiple times per day), ensuring that the device shows the perfect time, as even a split-second matter if you’re a sniper. The watch uses a digital compass to point the sniper rifle in the right direction.
The Rangeman GW-9400 is a favorite of many a Special Forces Operator. When we’re talking about one of the best tactical watches out there, the Rangeman dominates most conversations.
2. Suunto Core Alpha
The Suunto Core Alpha (available on Amazon below) is a sniper’s friend fitted with an altimeter, compass, barometer, and weather function that alerts the wearer of incoming storms. The Core Alpha has passed many military tests, including heat, cold, shock, drop, freeze, thaw, humidity, rain, and dust, passing with flying colors.
Water-resistant up to 100 feet (30m), has a battery life of 12 months, and is fitted with a red backlight that night vision goggles won’t spot; the Suunto Core Alpha is available in military black.
3. Garmin Instinct
The Garmin (available on Amazon below) Instinct is built to navigate the most brutal environments and is manufactured according to military standards regarding water, shock, and thermal resistance (MIL-STD-810). The watch’s polymer is fiber-reinforced and chemically strengthened and fitted with scratch-resistant with Corning Gorilla Glass.
The Garmin Instinct features a host of tactical goodies, such as access to global navigational satellites (Glonass, GPS, and Galileo), ABC sensors, an altimeter, a compass, and a barometer. Trackback routing is available to guide the wearer back to any starting point.
The watch is compatible with night vision goggles, monitors the user’s health 24/7, and is water-resistant up to 320 feet. Should the sniper be compromised, the kill switch option wipes the watch of all memory. Solar charging ensures the battery won’t die.
4. G-Shock DW-6600-1V
Chris Kyle wore the Casio G-Shock DW-6600-1V (available on Amazon below). Kyle is the most prolific American sniper to date, ending his career with 160 kills to his legendary name. The durable G-Shock DW-6600-1V is a favorite among military staff as its shockproof and water resistant up to 650 feet (200 m).
Powered by quartz movement, the DW-6600-V1 is fitted with an electro-luminescent backlight, countdown timer, 1/100-second stopwatch, hourly time signal, and a full calendar. The 50-millimeter case and bezel are manufactured from high-quality resin and feature a mineral dial window with 2-year battery life.
The DW-6600 was the official watch issued to the Navy Seals during the 90s, ultimately replacing the Rolex Submariner. The G-Shock DW-6900 is the follow-up on the original DW-6600 range, which has been discontinued.
5. G-Shock DW-6900 Military
The G-Shock DW-6900 Military (available on Amazon below) is the reincarnation of the classic military watch, the G-Shock DW-6600. The DW-6900 is durable as a tank, affordable, and a favorite among Navy Seals and Green Berets. After Navy Seal candidates pass Phase 2 of their training, they get a DW-6900.
The watch doesn’t necessarily come with all the bells and whistles like other models, but it does the basics well and withstands anything you throw at it.
Features include a 1/100-second stopwatch, countdown, backlight, calendar, alarm, and water resistance of 650 feet (200m). The DW-6900 has seen its fair share of combat missions.
6. Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout
The Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout (available on Amazon below) is another high-quality military watch made from durable carbon with a unidirectional bezel and a dial that features a self-powered illumination system (no light source or pushing of buttons required.) The watch is readable in any setting, as light emanates from self-powering tritium gas capsules (25 years life expectancy).
Luminox has developed a reputation as one of the few Navy Seal watches worn by real Navy Seals. It features the sign of the Seals (a trident) engraved into the back of the watch. As expected, the watch can endure diving underwater up to 650 feet (200m) and features a double-security gasket crown and a screw-on casebook.
7. Casio Pro Tek
The Casio Pro Tek PRG-270-1 (available on Amazon below) is another watch that snipers and military personnel love. The Pro Trek ensures that most tactical features are covered, which includes 3 triple sensors: A thermometer, barometer, altimeter, and a digital bidirectional compass.
An integrated solar panel charges the watch’s battery using sun and UV light. The fully automatic LED backlight ensures the wearer has no trouble seeing in low light or at night. A simple wrist turn activates the backlight when the Auto Illumination Feature is activated.
The auto-calendar is pre-programmed until 2099, loaded with 31 world time zones, and the altimeter can measure from –2300 to 32,800 feet. The Casio Pro Tek is water-resistant up to 320 feet (100m).
8. Timex Ironman Classic
Famous ex-Navy Seal Jocko Willink endorses the Timex Ironman Classic. When an actual military figure states that “this watch is the business,” you need to take note. The Ironman Classic is functional, extremely durable, and doesn’t break the bank.
The watch’s features include a stopwatch (30-lap memory), a customizable alarm, a countdown timer, and a light-up watch dial. Wearers can dive into the water for up to 320 feet (100m). The 20-year-plus Navy Seal Willink is currently sporting a Timex Ironman Triathlon (available on Amazon below) on his arm.
9. Timex Expedition
The Timex Expedition (available on Amazon below) is a modern take on a widely used disposable watch worn by many Special Forces teams during the 60s (Timex MIL-W-46374B), made from plastic and USGI-issued. The newer model is designed for more rugged use and comes in a metal casing upgraded to use quartz movement.
The watch is water resistant up to 160 feet (50m). The hands on the watch are luminous and come with a light-up watch dial. Worn by military personnel in the old days, the new version is also quite popular with the new generation.
Conclusion
The watches on the list have build-up a reputation amongst the toughest men in the world. Apart from being extremely durable, the modernization of some of the watchers listed makes them automatic choices for snipers and military personnel. The best thing about military-styled watches is that you can wear them without putting your life on the line.
References
- https://blog.crownandcaliber.com/what-watch-does-christopher-kyle-wear/
- https://manofmany.com/fashion/watches/best-military-watches
- https://luxe.digital/lifestyle/style/best-tactical-watches/
- https://hiconsumption.com/best-tough-watches/
- https://www.watchshopping.com/watch-guide/bes-edc-military-and-tactical-watches/
- https://hiconsumption.com/best-survival-watches/
- https://www.defense.gov/About/our-forces/
- https://work.chron.com/requirements-navy-seal-sniper-20048.html
- https://owlcation.com/humanities/Top-Ten-Deadliest-Snipers-in-History
