Tough Watches

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Discussion

T5SOR

Original Poster:

1,991 posts

224 months

Tuesday 19th May 2015
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I have always fancied a Suunto watch as a tough outdoors watch that could be worn doing anything. In my mind this is climbing mountains, cutting down great big trees and living on a secluded mountain, in reality it would be more for wearing at the gym, bike rides and ironing, but I will stock with the former. What are the recommendations nowadays? Suunto, G-Shock etc.?

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Tuesday 19th May 2015
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I suspect Suunto aren't as tough as Gs. I know I could hit any of mine with a hammer and they'll still work. Suuntos, while useful in the wild, don't look particularly rugged (ok, they're more rugged than a Rolex Sub "tool watch"). In a game of watch conkers, mine will win.

Jakarta

566 posts

141 months

Tuesday 19th May 2015
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I have a Suunto Ambit (and a D9 Tx), G-Shock and have had other G-Shocks in the past.
The Suunto is as rugged as you would ever need a watch to be, I have worn mine on numerous trail runs that have involved a high amount of literally beating the crap out of it. Slips, trips, bashing it against rocks, mud etc. is really no problem. It is quite a bit bigger than a G-Shock though.
Also depends what functions you want. I for one, will probably migrate to the Garmin Fenix for my next trail running watch.
Horses for courses really, but the Suunto will be plenty tough enough.

Beachbum

2,507 posts

230 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
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I have a Marathon CSAR. Its not resin, but I'd suggest its as tough as any of the G-Shocks out there.
Any of the Marathon's would suit your needs

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
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Beachbum said:
I have a Marathon CSAR. Its not resin, but I'd suggest its as tough as any of the G-Shocks out there.
Any of the Marathon's would suit your needs
I love them but would you dare throw your watch at a brick wall?

bobbybee

872 posts

153 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
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A pre-ceramic Submariner.
I've had my Sub-Date for 19 years, a daily wearer been up mountains, under the sea, by the pool, running, cycling, in the gym, even the toughest of pass times weight lifting a pint.
Serviced twice in all that time, and still looks a s good as the day I bought it

Adrian W

13,848 posts

227 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
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I would suggest that it would be very difficult to hurt a DSSD

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
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Adrian W said:
I would suggest that it would be very difficult to hurt a DSSD
Do you have a hammer?

5+ ways to fk up the movement if not the metal case: https://youtu.be/VSaciL-tNg8

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
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How about a Ballistic watch? https://youtu.be/nm2DAumuyFU

I'm happy to drive over your "rugged" Rolex.

Beachbum

2,507 posts

230 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Hoofy said:
Beachbum said:
I have a Marathon CSAR. Its not resin, but I'd suggest its as tough as any of the G-Shocks out there.
Any of the Marathon's would suit your needs
I love them but would you dare throw your watch at a brick wall?
I wouldnt throw it, but wouldnt be too perturbed if I hit it against a wall/rock whilst climbing.

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Beachbum said:
Hoofy said:
Beachbum said:
I have a Marathon CSAR. Its not resin, but I'd suggest its as tough as any of the G-Shocks out there.
Any of the Marathon's would suit your needs
I love them but would you dare throw your watch at a brick wall?
I wouldnt throw it, but wouldnt be too perturbed if I hit it against a wall/rock whilst climbing.
Didn't think the 7750 movement was that resilient.

Beachbum

2,507 posts

230 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Hoofy said:
Beachbum said:
Hoofy said:
Beachbum said:
I have a Marathon CSAR. Its not resin, but I'd suggest its as tough as any of the G-Shocks out there.
Any of the Marathon's would suit your needs
I love them but would you dare throw your watch at a brick wall?
I wouldnt throw it, but wouldnt be too perturbed if I hit it against a wall/rock whilst climbing.
Didn't think the 7750 movement was that resilient.
Two and bit years into ownership, used pretty much every day and for all sorts of outdoor stuff and apart from a few dinks, the thing is still going strong. No issues to date, thankfully. But then that statement has now most probably cursed it

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Beachbum said:
Two and bit years into ownership, used pretty much every day and for all sorts of outdoor stuff and apart from a few dinks, the thing is still going strong. No issues to date, thankfully. But then that statement has now most probably cursed it
Interesting. I just wonder how tough mechanical movements really are. Mind you, I have dropped a couple of automatics and it has changed nothing so I guess they're not too bad.

Debaser

5,665 posts

260 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
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G-Shock

T5SOR

Original Poster:

1,991 posts

224 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
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I like the Suunto Core All Black and Suunto Core Ultimate Black. What is the real difference? Anyone have either of these?

benny.c

3,472 posts

206 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
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Find somewhere to try one on if you can. They are big watches and you may find them a little bulky for the gym, cycling etc. If you need the features then great but otherwise I'd stick with a G-Shock.

I've had an Ambit. Superb bit of kit but I didn't need most of the features so it didn't make much sense in the end.

traffman

2,263 posts

208 months

Thursday 21st May 2015
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Hoofy said:
I suspect Suunto aren't as tough as Gs. I know I could hit any of mine with a hammer and they'll still work. Suuntos, while useful in the wild, don't look particularly rugged (ok, they're more rugged than a Rolex Sub "tool watch"). In a game of watch conkers, mine will win.
Really? My 14060 Sub is pretty dam tough. Feels as though it will never wear out.

mikeveal

4,557 posts

249 months

Thursday 21st May 2015
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From my mid to late 20's and through to my mid 30's my life was a steady stream of weekends white water kayaking, caving, hill walking and paraglding. Often I was camping at the weekends.

I wore the same watch every day, whether it was to the office or on a overnight caving trip. It never picked up a deep scratch, although it did get a few minor scuffs and it never missed a beat.

Rugged watches do not have to look rugged.


I never drove over my watch, threw it at a wall, hit it with a hammer or shot at it with a 12 bore. I don't understand why you'd do that. It is a watch, not a sleeping policeman, ball, nail or a clay pidgeon.

Edited by mikeveal on Thursday 21st May 08:30

daddy cool

3,996 posts

228 months

Thursday 21st May 2015
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OP, i have a few G-shocks - latest is the ultimate special-ops type one, the Rangeman, and the japanese version in Black with a negative display. It has a digital compass, thermometer, barometer and altitude sensor. It also picks up the atomic clock radio signals every day so it is always 100% accurate.

Note that this one is gloss black - and i have already scratched it revealing white resin underneath, which is a disappointment. The standard UK version (positive display) has a matt black case which appears to be matt-black resin.

I still have a Mudman. This is cheaper, but does without altitude/barometer (which i rarely use) but does have the compass (which i actually do use). The UK version also does without the atomic clock signals, though you can source an import version that has that.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-G-Shock-Mudman-Digit...

Note that this is the matt-black resin, which will stand up to being battered around better. For the money, i actually prefer this watch. They are both big though - i can barely carry them off on my fairly dainty wrists!

Hope thats of interest smile

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Thursday 21st May 2015
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traffman said:
Hoofy said:
I suspect Suunto aren't as tough as Gs. I know I could hit any of mine with a hammer and they'll still work. Suuntos, while useful in the wild, don't look particularly rugged (ok, they're more rugged than a Rolex Sub "tool watch"). In a game of watch conkers, mine will win.
Really? My 14060 Sub is pretty dam tough. Feels as though it will never wear out.
Click on those videos. Give your Sub the G-shock test.

PS Place your order at your friendly AD for a replacement watch.