The 10 Best Durable Work Watches That Can Stand Up To Almost Anything

Looking for heavy-duty watches for work? There are many options available. We’ve condensed this guide to show ten of the most durable.

If you’re a guy exploring the market for durable watches for work, you may have a tough job on your hands. The industry is overcrowded with luxury watch manufacturers, all claiming their watches are the most durable. But how do you know which are the best? 

This guide to ten durable work watches will help simplify things. 

If you have a physically demanding job or you work in tough outdoor environments, a hardy watch is essential. As well as being durable and functional, your wristwatch also needs to be accurate and reliable.

The Best Durable Watches for Work

The good news is that durable watches aren’t hard to come by. There are plenty to choose from on the market. Here are ten of my favorites.

Sinn EZM 7 Mission Timer Watch Ref 857.030

Stainless steel is always a good option when it comes to building out a tough watch. But even with this material at a hardness of 200-400Hv on the Vickers scale, it’s still prone to scratches. 

Sinn takes a tough-as-nails approach to watchmaking. Its steel has been subjected to the brand’s innovative Tegiment hardening technology. The chemical process hardens the surface of the steel. 

As such, one of its toughest watches is the EZM 7 Mission Timer. Whether you work in the construction industry or just want a tough watch, it won’t let you down. 

Its design was made for the German Fire Brigade and features a legible dial and bezel. These features are ideal for timing durations needed for breathing apparatus.

 Despite this super hard case and a diameter of 43mm, the watch isn’t too cumbersome either. 

Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Watch Ref 241682.1

The Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X is quite an affordable option if you’re shopping on a budget. This durable work watch may appeal to you if you spend a lot of your time outdoors. It took a total of 7 years to create its rugged design. 

It was then subjected to 130 tests, deeming it worthy of getting a mention in watch guides like this one. 

The 43mm stainless steel watch has a simple time and date layout thanks to a reliable Sellita movement. 

Despite being strapped to an Olympic bobsleigh and being dropped onto a hard surface, the watch has a sapphire case back. Victorinox even invited a bunch of people to do their absolute worst to this watch. No one managed to break it. 

Casio G-Shock Rangeman Watch Ref GW-9400Y-1ER

Another affordable yet durable work watch, this Casio G-Shock impresses with its full toolkit. It features a compass, altimeter, temperature, and biometric readout feature, plus it’s also solar-powered. 

Wherever you go and wherever you take this watch, you’re unlikely to be struck with a low battery. The watch has also been developed with a Hollow Core guard that protects the movement from shock and vibration. 

Its durable resin outer shell is a material that Casio uses throughout its G-Shock range. This model is a great all-purpose tool to watch for any kind of outdoor pursuit. 

Ball Engineer II Green Berets Watch Ref NM2028C-L4CJ-BK

The Ball Engineer Green Berets watch has been designed for use by elite military operatives. To meet these needs, it is both legible and accurate. 

The 43mm watch is crafted from lightweight titanium, so you’ll barely feel it on the wrist while at work.

It features a sleek matte black carbide-coated case that is screwed down to guarantee 100-meter water resistance. Of course, being a Ball watch, its hands and hour markers are made from tritium-filled microgas tubes. 

These illuminate the dial, offering superior illumination that doesn’t fade. To complete its stealthy aesthetic, this Ball Engineer II watch comes fitted on a brown military-style strap. 

Bremont MBII

If you’re looking for an understated yet elegant watch for the office or outdoors, consider Bremont. The watchmaker has models like the MBII in its catalog. 

The MBII can survive being ejected from a plane and has been designed in collaboration with Martin Baker specialists. It has undergone a gauntlet of tests to prove its shock, water, and corrosion resistance.

The watch is also manufactured using the British company’s hardened stainless steel DLC Trip-Tick® case construction. 

With a roto-click bezel operated by the crown and 100-meter water resistance, this watch can hold its own. 

Perfect for all work-related tasks, it even features a case back inset with a bronze-colored military challenge coin. The feature nods to its use by special forces and groups that have used the watch while on duty. 

Seiko 5 Sport Cement Collection NATO 42.5 mm Watch Ref SRPG61K1

This watch has been inspired by cityscapes and features a Hardlex mineral glass to keep costs low. 

The Seiko 5 Sport Cement Collection watch has a grey NATO strap that is both durable and comfortable. It complements an all-grey aesthetic. 

This durable watch for work is a great option if you’re shopping on a budget. 

The watch features a unidirectional rotating bezel, luminous hands and markers, and a legible date at 3 o’clock.

 As with any steel watch, however, it’s good to bear in mind that its surface can get scratched. With that in mind, this watch is great for those who don’t subject their watch to a lot of impact. 

Bell & Ross BR 03–92 Diver Watch Ref BR0392-D-BL-ST/SRB

The Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver is pretty indestructible, and it’s not the most common dive watch. If you like outside-the-box designs, this dive watch features the circle-within-a-square design.

It makes for a pretty unusual aesthetic. Its steel case is reinforced with anti-magnetic technology to protect a reliable automatic movement within. 

This BR 03-92 Diver watch is fitted on a heavy-duty synthetic canvas strap. When venturing down to 300-meter water depths, the dial remains legible at all times. 

A vibrant orange minute hand can be seen against a luminous hour hand for perfect readability. 

Breitling Endurance Pro Watch Ref X82310281B1S1

Breitling watches from the brand’s Endurance Pro collection are known for their Breitlight cases. This proprietary material has been developed by Breitling to offer several advantages. 

It is strong, lightweight, anti-corrosive, resistant to scratching and hypoallergenic. Its sporty style is perfect for those whose work consists of plenty of outdoor pursuits. 

You can use the chronograph feature whilst on the go, along with central hours and minutes and a date function. Inside the watch is Breitling’s COSC-certified SuperQuartz™ movement, promising ten times better accuracy than a standard quartz. 

This durable work watch is finished on an embossed rubber strap in bright blue to match the dial elements. 

DOXA SUB 300 Watch Reference 821.10.351.10

The DOXA SUB 300 watch is one of the most popular options in the dive watch community. The brand has a history steeped in excellent, rugged dive tools. 

There are seven dial colors to choose from in this particular model, yet the orange is by far the most iconic. It quickly rose to prominence when it became the watch of choice for prolific underwater diver Jacques-Yves Cousteau. 

You can choose to enjoy this dive watch on a supple, vividly colored orange rubber strap. On the other hand, the beads-of-rice stainless steel bracelet gives the watch its instantly recognizable look. 

The watch is 300-meter water resistant and features a tough sapphire glass front. Accompanying this is a unidirectional rotating bezel for intuitive timekeeping underwater. 

It’s an ideal tool for you if you spend lots of your time near or underwater when at work. 

Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Chronometer Watch Ref 227.90.55.21.99.002

The last to feature in this guide to the best durable watches for work is the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M. Whether you need to use the watch to its full water-resistant capacity or not, it’s great for outdoor use. 

You won’t bash up the rotating dive bezel since it’s made from scratch-resistant ceramic. In addition to this, its 1200-meter water-resistant case prevents helium atoms from penetrating its surface.

Its steel dimensions of 55mm x 48mm create a huge wrist presence. Be sure you want the extra attention before opting for this watch for work. Its bold pop of orange color demands attention, as does its crown protection system. 

Its co-axial escapement movement is chronometer-certified for unmatched reliability. Plus, with this mesh-like bracelet, it can complement a suit just as easily as heavy work gear.

Takeaway: Workwatches are Affordable and Practical 

There are so many durable workwatches to choose from out there. From affordable to high-end, this guide has covered everything from shock-resistant wristwatches to anti-magnetic models. 

Whatever you decide, the key features to consider when it comes to durable men’s watches for work remain the same. 

Consider water resistance, durability, legibility, and accuracy. By factoring in these values, you’re sure to find a great all-around watch to meet the needs of your job.

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