Watches - Outdoor Gear Advice

You Are Here:

Home >> Gear >> I need a watch for smokejumping. Can you help?

View the entire 300-plus collection of must-have gear items tailor-made for your adventurous lifestyle. PLUS: A special section on womens gear.

Today's Question
What happened to external-frame backpacks? answer

What pack should I use for a multi-day ski touring trip in Patagonia? answer

Today's Question
What are the best lightweight, warm-weather hiking boots? answer

Can you recommend clothing with insect repellent in the fabric? answer

Online Favorites

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

March 18, 2005

I need a watch for smokejumping. Can you help?

Skyhawk Eco-Drive
(courtesy, Citizen)

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

Got your own gear question?

Express yourself in the Gear Forum

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".

•	Subscribe to Outside and get a FREE Gift!

•	Give the gift of Outside Magazine!

•	Subscribe to Outside Online's free weekly e-mail newsletter featuring gear reviews, fitness advice, galleries, podcasts, and more.

RECENT QUESTIONS

What happened to external-frame backpacks?

What pack should I use for a multi-day ski touring trip in Patagonia?

What should I wear while backpacking in the Grand Canyon?

Know of a watch with both a pedometer and an altimeter?

Is the Marin Kentfield FS a good beginner bike?

GEAR GUY FEATURES

Check out the bio of Douglas Gantenbein, aka the Gear Guy.

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.

MORE GEAR

The Outside Gear Blog

2005 Buyer's Guide

State of the Art: 2005 Bikes

Many of the items reviewed by the Gear Guy can be found at REI.com. Click here to find the internet's biggest selection of outdoor gear and apparel.