I've looked for a year now to find a sturdy watch for my smokejumper. Money isn't the object. I'm looking for simplicity in functions: time, waterproofness, stopwatch (and, made in this decade!). A date display is OK, too. Sounds easier to find than it is, so I come to you.
— Kary Boise, Idaho
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Not as difficult as you think. My first recommendation: The St. Moritz SLK ti (www.st-moritz.com). It's a super-rugged digital watch that sports all the basic functions—day/date, alarm, countdown alarm, illuminated dial (push-button). It has a titanium case that is essentially indestructible, a very tough mineral glass crystal face, and is available with a sturdy Kevlar band. It's also waterproof to 300-plus feet. I've had its predecessor watch for years, and have been unable to put a dent in it despite all kinds of abuse. Only $100 with the Kevlar band.
Or, for something more stylish, take a look at the Citizen Skyhawk Eco-Drive (www.citizenwatch.com). It's got a traditional analog face—very handsome—then uses digital features and subsidiary analog dials for a stopwatch, countdown timer, and more. It recharges in sunlight so will never need a battery. Waterproof, too. Comes in a stainless-steel cast ($450) or titanium ($500) and is available at places such as Amazon.com for hundreds less than the list price.
Lastly, Seiko's Coutura Alarm Chronograph (www.seikousa.com) is, like the Citizen, a stylish take on the "chrono" style of watch, popular with aviators and the like. Similar in basic functions to the Citizen, but cheaper—$395 retail but a street price not far above $200. Waterproof, stainless-steel case, tough crystal. A very fine-looking piece, indeed.
The watches of the year unveiled in Outside's February 2005 issue in "Steel Time".
Readers' Mailbag: The Gear Guy digs into some of your more bizarre, obscure (and let’s face it, downright weird) posts from years gone by to see if he can make sense of it all, or if it’s just time to run up the white flag. Previous column: Beat the Cost of Gear.
The Gear Guy reports from the 2005 Outdoor Retailer summer trade fair, with his rundown of ten products to watch in 2006, plus the inside scoop on what shook down at the bi-annual gearapalooza.
Not as difficult as you think. My first recommendation: The St. Moritz SLK ti (www.st-moritz.com). It's a super-rugged digital watch that sports all the basic functions—day/date, alarm, countdown alarm, illuminated dial (push-button). It has a titanium case that is essentially indestructible, a very tough mineral glass crystal face, and is available with a sturdy Kevlar band. It's also waterproof to 300-plus feet. I've had its predecessor watch for years, and have been unable to put a dent in it despite all kinds of abuse. Only $100 with the Kevlar band.
