Eight Outstanding Tactical Watches for Men on a Budget

Your next tactical watch doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s a solid list of eight tactical watches for men that’ll get the job done without slamming you in the face with sticker shock. And yes, we included a G-Shock in the list. (Of course we included a G-Shock.)

Nixon – MK-1 Watch

The MK-1 is only available for military servicemembers and uniformed professionals, which is why it gets top billing on this list. Nixon made the MK-1 tactical watch with input from various military personel, producing a minimalist, masterful digital watch built to withstand unforgiving environments. The digital LCD module is water resistant up to 100 meters and protected by an internal PORON foam to withstand scrapes and scuffs. Put this tactical watch on silent mode and turn the backlight to low or zero brightness for stealth ops. If being stealthy is your thing.

Luminox – Sea Turtle 0300 Series

A favorite among the Navy SEAL community, the Luminox Sea Turtle features the brand’s signature night vision tubes guaranteed to burn bright for 25 years, plus the durable and lightweight CARBONOX case build. Uni-directional rotating bezel is a great feature for athletes and operators, and watch enthusiasts will appreciate the screw-on caseback and double security gasket on the crown. A lightweight and rugged tactical watch that doesn’t overdo it. Nice.

Casio – G-Shock Classic Solar Atomic Watch

Of course, there’d be a G-Shock on this list. It would be a dereliction of duty if there wasn’t. This beefy Casio has that iconic G-Shock look with the durable functionality they’re known around the world for. A solar powered entry in the G-Rescue series, this tactical watch features a solar-rechargeable battery that can run nine months on a full charge (without exposure to light.) Moon data, tidal graph, 31 time zones. It’s worldly. It’s burly. It can be yours for a steal.

GovX – Field Watch

This military-inspired tactical watch is an affordable choice for patriots, pros, and world travelers. The durable case housing is water resistant up to 330 feet, with a hardened, scratch-resistant crystal that withstands scuffs and scrapes. The resilient nylon strap beats a metal link strap every day, with no moving parts for dirt or sand to get stuck in. Wherever you’re going, the Field Watch is ready for it.

Garmin – Instinct Tactical Watch

The Garmin Instinct Tactical Watch is the most expensive on this list of tactical watches for men. But for the sheer amount of watch you’re getting here; I’m frankly surprised it’s not more expensive. Tactical features include stealth mode, waypoint tracking, and duel position GPS formatting. It even includes a “Jumpmaster” mode, which follows military guidelines for calculating the high-altitude release point. The Instinct detects when you’ve left the aircraft and begins navigating toward the LZ using the barometer and electronic compass. Add to that all the standard Garmin features you want like heart rate monitoring, SMS notifications, and activity profiles. Like I said. It’s a lot of watch.

Armourlite – 43.5MM Operator Tritium Watch

With shatterproof Armourglass crystal, the Armourlight Operator was built with durability in mind before any other decision was made. The case is made of reinforced carbon fiber for the ultimate in protection. And the shatterproof Armourglass crystal can withstand up to 6,000 Vickers on the hardness scale. Not really sure what a Vicker is, but 6,000 of them sure sounds like a lot. Anyway. Long lasting illumination is made possible by tritium markers, the same technology found in weapon sights. Precise quartz movement and water resistant up to 330 feet, the Armourlight Operator is ready for your next mission.

Rockwell – Coliseum Fit Phantom Watch

If you’re looking for a basic tactical watch with hidden talents, consider going with a Rockwell. Rockwell proudly supports first responders and military personnel in every watch they design—rugged timetellers made of premium materials with a unique, stadium style double bezel to help protect the lens from scratches and scuffs. You can run the Coliseum over with a truck and it’ll keep ticking. A bonus feature of the Coliseum is the included activity tracker which measures your steps and calories burned.