Watches are the perfect blend of fashionability and functionality; they provide the time and, at the same time, add a dash of style to your getup. Since all watches are equally good at telling the time, what sets them apart is usually their aesthetics. The more attractive watches obviously cost more and tend to sell more.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re going to be traveling through some rough terrain anytime soon, and how you would look is the least of your concerns. Well, that should not always be the case as there are rugged watches that are aesthetically pleasing and can take a beating while still able to tell the time correctly.. The only challenge is knowing how to buy the right one for your journey. You can’t just buy the first watch you see upon entering the store. You would need to make a well-informed decision so you’d get your money’s worth.
Below are some tips to help you out:
Know Your Terrain
You should know where you’re traveling to. Will you be hitchhiking? Because you’ll need a durable watch with a reliable battery for that. Will you be traveling through a swamp? Or, does it rain a lot at your destination? You might want to invest in waterproof watches if that’s the case.
The key takeaway is that different rugged watches have different functions. Some watch brands might claim to have all features, but what you want is the brand that is best for your specific journey. Rough terrains like forests, mountains, swamps, and the likes can easily damage watches, so what you need is something that is built to withstand the challenges that your desired terrain entails.
What to Look for in a Rugged Watch?
Some watch brands are famous for their rugged watches, and these are the ones you should look out for. Most of these are military-type watches that are manufactured to be used in rough places. They typically have:
Durable exteriors: These watches can withstand moisture, dust, impact, and other external factors that may potentially damage regular watches. This is perfect for almost any terrain you might be traveling through, and you’ll be at peace knowing your watch can’t be easily destroyed.
User-replaceable batteries: Wristwatches are typically powered by coin cell batteries that can’t easily be replaced by the user. This is bad for someone traveling through rough terrain or anyone traveling at all. A rugged watch features easily replaceable batteries so that in the event that your battery dies, you can easily bring your watch back to life.
Date functions: A good watch for traveling through a tricky landscape must be able to tell the time as well as the date. Say, you’re a mountaineer or a wildlife photographer and you’ll need to be outdoors for an extended period. It is essential that you have a watch that tells the date correctly.
Water-resistant: This is a common feature for rugged watches, although the degree of water resistance varies between watches. Some watches, like the G-Shock GD-X6900MC-3, have water resistance of up to 200 meters. This matters more if you’ll be traveling through places with bodies of water you might have to cross, or if you will be required to dive during your trip.
Compass: A compass is a handy feature on any watch. Since you’ll be outdoors, you’ll want to be able to find your way around without getting lost in the middle of nowhere, and a watch with a compass solves that problem.
LED backlight: A watch with a good backlight offers the advantage of being easily readable at night or in dark places. This way, no matter the lighting condition, you’ll be able to read the time or use any other watch function easily without straining your eyesight.
Timer: A watch with a good timer is useful for situations where you have to operate under specific time conditions. This is a handy tool for outdoor situations.
Time zone feature: This means the watch can display multiple time zones, a convenient feature for anyone who will be traveling.
Concluding Thoughts
- Know the places you’ll be traveling through and select a watch that will be able to adapt to the unique environmental qualities of these areas.
- Know the specific features you need from a watch before you buy it (watches with multiple functions are preferable).
- You’re traversing some rough terrain, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a watch that’s aesthetically banging. Know that there are tons of available watches out there that are both practical and good-looking.
