Top Adventure Watches You Need to Buy in 2024

Having a durable and reliable time-piece is a must for any traveller.

We’ve been travelling with a G-Shock Mudmaster (GG-1000) for several years now, and it has become an essential part of our everyday gear. 

Whether you’re timing a dive, coordinating with a team in the wild or simply on your way to catch a plane, being able to accurately tell the time is essential. Plus, it’s practical to not always have to take your phone out, and it makes you less of a target in risky areas. 

Picking the right watch, however, can be tricky.

To help you choose the best watch to take with you on your travels, we’ve created a list of the 9 best models you should definitely check out in 2024!

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Casio Duro ∙ MDV106-1A

Size and Weight: 48.5 × 44.2 × 12.1mm ∙ 92g

Case and Bezel Material: Stainless steel ∙ Aluminium

Glass: Mineral Glass

Movement: Quartz

Main Features: 200 meter Water Resistance

If what you want is to be able to tackle any adventure while still looking stylish as hell, then the Casio Duro is the watch for you.

At an average price of around $70, you’ll get an incredibly tough, stainless steel watch that is dive-certified, all while fitting perfectly either in the jungle or at a fancy dinner. The battery life of the Duro is also great, averaging 3 years. Putting in fresh batteries is also relatively easy, and can be done at home.

The only downside is that the strap it comes with feels very cheap, so we recommend switching it out for a new one as soon as you get the watch.

G-Shock Mudmaster ∙ GWG-2000

Size and Weight: 61.2 × 54.4 × 16.1mm ∙ 106g

Case and Bezel Material: Resin ∙ Stainless Steel

Glass: Sapphire Glass

Movement: Quartz

Main Features: Barometric Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, Thermometer, Mud Resistant, 200 meter Water Resistance, Atomic Time, Solar Powered Battery, Digital/Analog Hybrid

The G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000 is the watch equivalent of a tank.

Featuring 4 sensors aimed at navigating in the wild, atomic time to ensure your time is always accurate, a solar self-charging battery that should run for at least ten years, scratch-proof sapphire glass and a 200 meter water resistance, there is little to nothing that the Mudmaster can’t survive.

The buttons are even equipped with rubber gaskets to prevent mud and dirt from entering the watch. Whether you’re hiking, camping or out at sea or just travelling the world, you can be sure that this giant won’t let you down. 

With that said, the Mudmaster is not for everyone. For one, the data from the various sensors is displayed on a small tab at the bottom of the screen and is not the easiest to read, particularly with models that have a negative display.

The GWG-2000 is also a ridiculously large watch, and definitely not suited for people with small wrists.

Seiko Prospex “Arnie”

© Hodinkee

Size and Weight: 50.5 x 47.8 x 13.8 mm ∙ 114 g

Case and Bezel Material: Stainless steel ∙ Plastic

Glass: Hardlex crystal

Movement: Quartz

Main Features: 200 meter Water Resistance, Solar-Powered Battery, Multiple Time-Zones Display, Digital/Analog Hybrid

First released in 1982, this watch was made famous by featuring in several action movies on the muscle-bound wrist of Arnold Schwarzenegger, most notably in the classic “Predator"; and just like the movie, this watch still holds the test of time more than 40 years and several versions later.

Apart from looking amazing and its iconic movie appearances, what makes the Seiko Prospex “Arnie” such a must-own watch for travellers is the addition of a handy solar recharging function, allowing it to last for years on end without ever needing a battery replacement, and the ability to display a second time-zone on the small digital screen, so that you can keep track of what time it is back home.

What’s more, since it is designed as a diver watch, the “Arnie” sports a 200m water resistance, along with a tough and rugged build that will ensure it survives all your adventures, no matter how extreme!

G-Shock Rangeman∙GW-9400-1

Size and Weight: 55.2 × 53.5 × 18.2mm ∙ 93g

Case and Bezel Material: Resin

Glass: Mineral Glass

Movement: Quartz

Main Features: Barometric Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, Thermometer, 200 meter Water Resistance, Atomic Time, Solar Powered Battery

If the Mudmaster doesn’t do it for you, then you might want to check out the G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400-1.

It shares the same sensors, lacking only the analog component, sapphire glass and the additional mud resistance. This doesn’t mean that this watch is in any way inferior; It still is built to the same standards as all G-Shocks, which means it is likely to outlive you. 

Being that it is smaller than the Mudmaster, as well as less than half the price, it is more accessible and easy to wear. The fully digital display is also much more practical when viewing the data from the various sensors. 

While it might not be the most fashionable watch on this list, it’s definitely an amazing and rugged tool to bring with you on your travels!

G-Shock “Square” ∙ GWM5610-1

Size and Weight: 46.7 × 43.2 × 12.7mm ∙ 52g

Case and Bezel Material: Resin

Glass: Mineral Glass

Movement: Quartz

Main Features: 200 meter Water Resistance, Atomic Time, Solar Powered Battery

The classic G-Shock Square is a more low-key alternative to the brand’s more overbuilt models.

While it lacks some of the features you might be looking for in an outdoor watch, such as an altimeter and a barometer, it more than makes up for it by being much lighter and slimmer while still being more than able to take a beating. 

The addition of atomic time and a solar powered battery, along with G-Shock’s trademark 200 meter water resistance, makes the GWM5610-1 one of the best travel watches the brand has ever made.

Hamilton Khaki Field Series

Case and Bezel Material: Stainless Steel ∙ Titanium

Glass: Sapphire Glass

Movement: Automatic ∙ Mechanical ∙ Quartz

Main Features: 50 to 100 meter Water Resistance

Hamilton watches have a reputation for being rugged and reliable, and the Khaki Field Series is no exception.

Available both in stainless steel and titanium and equipped with sapphire glass, these watches look smart while still being tough enough to accompany you on more intensive activities. While they are rated waterproof up to 100 meters, we would recommend you only use them for swimming and not diving. 

The Hamilton Khaki Field Series is available with mechanical, automatic and quartz movements. We would recommend the quartz models if you require the best accuracy, however, mechanical and automatic models have the advantage of not requiring a battery while still only losing an average of 7 seconds per day. 

Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar

Size and Weight: 47 x 47 x 14.5mm ∙ 73g

Case and Bezel Material: Fiber-Reinforced Polymer ∙ Titanium

Glass: Sapphire Glass

Movement: Quartz

Main Features: Fully Digital, Touch Screen Option, Partial Solar Recharge, Extensive Training Programs, Heart-Rate Monitor, Barometric Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, Thermometer, Weather Forecast, Full Satellite Navigation, Bluetooth Connectivity, Music Player and Storage, Garmin Pay, 100 meter Water Resistance

The Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar is by far the most feature-rich watch on our list.

While the main functions of this fully digital smartwatch revolve primarily around sport activities and personal training, the addition of Bluetooth connectivity and full GPS map navigation make it an amazing watch to travel with. 

In addition, the Fenix 7 has a built-in barometric altimeter, a barometer, a digital compass, a thermometer and weather forecasts. These sensors, along with the tough titanium bezel and sapphire glass, mean this watch can easily survive the Great Outdoors.

It does, however, have a waterproof rating of 100 meters, meaning it is not dive-certified. 

Finally, the Fenix has a solar-powered battery with an average duration of 22 days in smartwatch mode, way above any other watch in the same category. 

The only real drawback is the price tag of $899,99. If you can afford it however, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a higher-performing watch than this one.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

Size and Weight: 45 x 45 x 14.5mm ∙ 53g

Case and Bezel Material: Fiber-Reinforced Polymer

Glass: Power Glass

Movement: Quartz

Main Features: Fully Digital, Solar Recharge, Heart-Rate Monitor, Barometric Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, Thermometer, Weather Forecast, Satellite Navigation, Bluetooth Connectivity, Music Controls, Garmin Pay, 100 meter Water Resistance

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is designed primarily for outdoor activities, so for one it is extremely light and rugged.

The watch is built to military standards, with a rubberised casing that is shock proof and scratch-resistant Power Glass.

It also has the usual ABC (altimeter, barometer, compass) sensors you would expect from a watch in this range, while also including partial GPS navigation. While it lacks the map view that the Fenix offers, the Instinct still allows you to take your coordinates, as well as a track-back function to guide you if you’re lost. 

Contrary to the Fenix, the Instinct is also capable of fully recharging via solar power. This still requires at least a few ours of exposure to sunlight every day, but it is in theory capable of running indefinitely. 

Suunto Core

Size and Weight: 45 x 45 x 14.5mm ∙ 64g

Case and Bezel Material: Composite Plastic ∙ Aluminium

Glass: Mineral Glass

Movement: Quartz

Main Features: Barometric Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, Thermometer, Weather Forecast, 50 meter Water Resistance

The Core is a great looking, no-nonsense ABC outdoors watch that makes for a perfect companion on any trip.

While not the toughest watch on this list, the Suunto Core still has a slim, rugged build with a highly legible mineral glass screen and reliable sensors. Interestingly, some users have reported using this watch for diving, even though it is only rated to 50 meters. We haven’t tested it ourselves however, so take this with a grain of salt. 

Finally, the battery life is not the best. It should last you a year on average, but it’s luckily very easy to replace.

And there you have it!

These are 9 amazing adventure watches to look out for in 2024.

So, which ones will you choose? 

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