G-Shock military watch design allows them to remain functional for decades so long as you care for them adequately. However, while purchasing these watches, ensure you adhere to the military dressing code of your specific branch of operation. Failure of which might result in you landing in trouble.
It is important to note that though manufacturers label these watches as military watches, you can also acquire them regardless of whether you are military personnel or not and still use the watches comfortably.
Best G-Shock Watches for Army Soldiers
In the world of watches, we have normal watches, luxury watches then we have G-Shock watches.
G-Shock watches are renowned for their rugged, waterproof, and shockproof design is the go-to watches for individuals like sports-oriented people, interested in high-performance watches that will not cost you an arm and a foot.
G-Shock has also branched out to design watches suitable for military use. Military G-Shock watches, unlike ordinary G-Shock watches in the market, come with additional features that make them priceless in combat situations.
These additional features include:
Larger buttons that enable easy operation even with your gloves on;
Mute the button beep that allows you to operate without having a beeping sound marking your location to the enemy
Hand-free backlight that allows you to use the watch in dark situations without pressing buttons
Survival features such as:
- Compass to help maintain your direction
- Silent vibration alarm to help protect your location from adversaries
- Barometer to help you keep an eye on the atmospheric pressure
- Sunset/sunrise times
- Altimeter to help you keep an eye on the elevation
- Solar battery to minimize reliance on lithium-ion batteries
However, with a variety of military G-Shock watches in the market, you might find it challenging to select the best watch for your selected line of military work. Therefore, you will find below some of the best G-shock watches I recommend as they have the best quality at a relatively affordable price.
Top 10 best military watches
- Casio G-Shock Rangeman GW9400-3CR
- G-Shock GG1000-1A5 Mudmaster-Analog
- Casio G-Shock GD350
- Casio G-Shock G9300 Mudman
- Casio G-Shock G9000
- Casio G-Shock GA 100-1A1 Military Black Series
- Casio G-Shock GD-400 Military Watch
- Casio G-Shock DW6900-1V
- Casio G-Shock GWM5301-1
- Casio G-Shock DW9052
1. Casio G-Shock Rangeman GW9400-3CR
If you go to any reputable G-Shock watch outlet and ask for a survival watch, this is what you expect the salesperson to present to you.
The watch comes with an insane amount of survival technology in it, as you will see shortly:
a) Enhanced triple sensory technology
The watches enhanced triple sensory technology equips you with:
- Thermometer
- Barometer
- Altimeter
- compass
Moreover, you get 40 data slots on which you can record time and sensor readings that allow you to keep track of whichever data you are interested in, particularly in reconnaissance.
However, militaries tend to have these data already but having your backup data makes the watch attractive to soldiers.
b) Multi-Band6
The watch comes with an automatic time calibration that ensures the time it displays will always be as accurate as possible.
c) Solar battery
The watch comes with a solar battery that ensures if things go out of the plan, you need not worry about losing the watch’s functionality.
Pros
Triple sensor
Solar battery
Military functionality
Cons
Lack of a multi-time display
Relatively large. Therefore, it is unsuitable for individuals with small wrists.
The watch lacks a vibration alarm. The lack of a silent vibration alarm poses a risk to detection by enemies if the alarm goes off.
Take away
The Casio G-Shock Rangeman GW9400-3CR manufacturers unveiled it back in 2014. Therefore, you need not worry about the price as it has fallen a bit.
The watch also comes with a black design from which you can choose from
From the numerous military features incorporated in this watch, you see why people rank it as the best military watch you could buy.
2. G-Shock GG1000-1A5 Mudmaster-Analog
If you want the most durable watch you could lay your hands-on, this is the pick for you.
The watch is popular amongst law enforcement agencies and comes with various features incorporated in it as below:
Pros
Hands-free backlight
Twin sensor
World time
Enhanced resistance to vibration, dust particles, and mud
Analog compass technology
Cons
The watch lacks a solar battery
The watch lacks atomic time
Take away
The G-Shock GG1000-1A5 Mudmaster-Analog’s association with law enforcement and soldiers attest to its durability and functionality. The watch’s pros undisputable outweigh the drawbacks making it a worthwhile investment.
Moreover, if you feel its lack of a solar battery is something you find disheartening, you could opt for the Mudmaster GWG-1000.
3. Casio G-Shock GD350
If you are in the market for an affordable tactical watch with the best features possible, this is the watch for you.
What makes this watch stand out from the rest are:
a) Dedicated timer button
With this watch, you can directly access the countdown timer with a single button press. Moreover, the watch has a dedicated screen for this exact purpose.
b) Silent vibration alarm
While in a combat situation or behind enemy lines, an alarm going off from your watch can compromise the entire mission. Consequently, you know how valuable a silent vibration alarm is as it will enable your timing to be spot on without betraying your location.
c) Additional features
- Big buttons for easy operation with gloves on
- Hands-free backlight
- Five alarms
- World time
- Button sound mute
Pros
World time
Silent vibration alarm
Dedicated timer button
Cons
The G-Shock GD350 is not as versatile as you might expect
Non-solar movement
Considerably large. Therefore, the watch unsuitable for smaller wrists
Take away
The watch typically retails at prices under a hundred dollar mark. Therefore, the watch is quite affordable. The watches, as you have noted, come with numerous features making them the best tactical military watch.
The watch is also affordable to most individuals.
4. Casio G-Shock G9300 Mudman
Unlike earlier mentioned watches, this watch incorporates resin-coated case back edges and rubberized buttons to protect the watch, enhancing its durability hence, a mudman construction.
Like most military G-Shocks, this watch has:
- Compass
- Twin sensors
- Thermometer
- In addition to the above features, the watch also has durable solar movement.
Pros
Solar movement
Twin sensors mudman construction
Affordability
Cons
The watch does not incorporate multi-band six radio calibrations.
Take away
The watch entails numerous features that far outweigh the minor con of lacking a multi-band six radio calibrations. Moreover, owing to it retailing at just over a hundred dollars, you will see the watch is worth its price.
5. Casio G-Shock G9000
Like the earlier mentioned G9300, this watch has a rugged design. However, unlike its predecessor, this watch incorporates neither a twin sensor nor a solar battery.
Nevertheless, it has a unique all-black design.
Features
- Dedicated button for backlight
- Button beep off
- Hand-free backlight
Pros
Affordable
Mudman construction ensuring durability
Attractive design
Cons
The G-Shock G9000 lacks numerous advanced features
Take away
The Casio G-Shock G9000 is a classic of the army yet quite affordable. For a relatively low cost, you get various military features that make operating easy. Moreover, with numerous soldiers and police officers utilizing it, what more proof do you require to see its worth?
6. Casio G-Shock GA 100-1A1 Military Black Series
If you prefer analog watches yet want a military G-Shock watch, this is the watch for you.
The watch has a durable design coupled with a black and white contrast for beauty. Moreover, the watch is most of the time sold at discounts meaning you are likely to save money with this watch than most other G-Shock brands.
Features
- Dual time display
- Hands-free backlight
- Five alarms
Extra features
- magnetic resistance
- Pilot tools (mach indicator, speed, or distance input amongst others)
Pros
Affordable
World time display
Multi-time display
Various design options to select from
Cons
The watch lacks solar movement
The watch lacks a dedicated backlight button
Lack of a silent vibration alarm
Take away
The deal sealer for me when it came to this watch was its analog display. However, you can get a watch with better functionality at the same price by opting for the GD350.
7. Casio G-Shock GD-400 Military Watch
Unlike other G-Shock watches in this list, the Casio G-Shock GD-400 Military Watch has protective bull bars that make it rugged and durable.
Though generally considered a cousin to the G350, the G350 manufacturers equipped it better as it has a silent alarm and a button dedicated to the timer.
The watch, however, incorporates a silent mode that attempts to make up for its lack of military features.
Features
- Four city time display
- Hands-free backlight
- Five alarms
- Low battery warning
- World time
Pros
Incorporates bull bars that give it a rugged look
World and multi-time displays
Silent mode
low battery warning
Cons
you might find it challenging to read the screen
the watch lacks numerous military survival features
Take away
The best thing about this watch is its design. Aside from that, its functionality is not quite up to military standards, in my opinion.
If manufacturers incorporated additional military-specific features into the watch, it would be higher on this list.
8. Casio G-Shock DW6900-1V
The Casio G-Shock DW6900-1V is a watch that, back in the nineties, was used by the US Navy Seals after the Rolex Submariner. The shift was due to the Casio G-SHOCK DW6900-1V being more reliable and affordable.
Because back then, the advanced military features incorporated in military G-Shock watches were not available, this watch only has basic features. However, its durability is unparalleled.
Pros
The watch prides itself on its Navy Seal heritage
The watch has a dedicated button for the front light
Affordable
Cons
It only incorporates one alarm
The watch does lack advanced military features
The watch is outdated. Therefore, you can get a better watch with more advanced features.
Take away
Though a good watch, the watch does not fit into the life of highly active military personnel as it lacks advanced military features. The watch is thus rendered useful only for tracking time.
9. Casio G-Shock GWM5301-1
If you find the earlier mentioned watches as bulky for your hands, you will find the Casio G-Shock GWM5301-1 is the watch for you.
The watch is relatively small in size, measuring 16.2 mm in thickness, and is 46mm in width. Moreover, the watch weighs roughly two ounces.
However, let the size not fool you. The watch is still one of the toughest atomic and solar G-Shock watches in the market. Yet, it still maintains its affordability.
Features
- Hands-free backlight
- Five alarms
- World time
- Silent mode
- Front backlight
- Solar battery
- Radio Controlled precision
Pros
Solar battery
Radio Controlled precision
Affordable
The watch has a smaller size that makes it suitable for various wrist sizes
Cons
Fewer military features than earlier mentioned G-Shock military watches
Take away
Though the watch does not incorporate many features at its size and price; you will find it is nearly faultless.
10. Casio G-Shock DW9052
With its roots in the 90s, this watch has a classic design that is popular amongst soldiers. Moreover, of all the watches listed, this is perhaps the cheapest watch worth your time and money.
It is rugged, affordable, and is simplistic in design. However, do not expect much from the watch aside from its basic features listed below:
- A dedicated button for the front light
- A single alarm
- An attractive time display that constantly moves while counting the seconds
- The watch is also considerably large with a 47mm width and weighing 2.08 ounces.
Pros
The watch enables you to set alarm weeks or even months ahead
An attractive time display that constantly moves while counting the seconds
Affordability
Cons
The watch lacks a significant amount if not all military features
The watch only has a single alarm
Take away
The DW 9052 is arguably the most basic of all military G-Shock watches in the market. It lacks military features hence should be used as a last resort. However, considering it is from the nineties, you do not expect much from it currently also. Therefore, maybe utilize it for simple operations within the base and not in combat situations.
FAQs
Do military watches have warranties?
Yes, depending on where you buy the watch, you will find a warranty.
Are military watches only for military personnel?
It is important to note that though manufacturers label these watches as military watches, you can also acquire them regardless of whether you are military personnel or not.
How long do military watches last?
Military watches, like most watches, durability depends on how you use the watch.
Can you bring a watch to army basic training?
Yes, you can wear a watch in army basic training. please read From AR 670-1 para 3-4.a
