Battle of the Titans: The World’s Toughest Analog Watches Rough It Out at $200 Price Class

With the coming of the digital era, a significant portion of our life has been undergoing digital transformation. On one hand, the benefit of digital technology is clear as it helps improve our productivity and efficiency.

Yet, certain things existed long before the coming of digital age and they are certainly being missed. In most cases, we missed them because of the aesthetics or uniqueness that is becoming less common in the world of digital.

This cannot be more true than in the world of watches. The oldest watches were analogue. Analogue watches have a stunning beauty of their own. They represent simplicity and elegance. One look at the analogue watches, offered by famous brands, such as Seiko and Marathon, would confirm the fact.

There are still a large number of watch afficionados who still stick with their analog watches for various reasons. Some love the sheer beauty that cannot be found in digital watches while others simply love the ticking sound of the hands on their watches.

If you’ve been thinking that you cannot afford a decent ‘tough’ analog watch for $200, think again. After a process of intensive watch hunt, I’m proud to present you the 3 best tough watches you’d be proud to own.

And the best part? These watches cost less than $200.

Setting Up the Rules for a Fair Match

It is very tempting to jump straight into the discussion. But let me first highlight one imporant point.

Just like in professional sports, boxing for instance, it is not fair to pit every boxer against each other. There are boxers who are naturally of smaller built while there are those who are naturally of more gigantic built.

It is only fair to divide them into different weight classes. Each weight class will have its own champion!

The same is true when we are picking the World’s most rugged analogue watches. What good does it do to you to know of a watch that beats every other watches in terms of toughness but only to cost thousands of dollars?

For this reason, we’ve grouped all the rugged watches that we could find based on their price tags. In this edition, we are going to pit every watch – either claimed to be tough or recognized as being tough by real users – with a price tag of $200 and below, against each other.

If $500 is your budget range, you may find this list a bit underwhelming. We’ll get into that but not before we pick the winner for the $200 price range. (Update: Battle of the toughest for $500 has been posted. Click to find out.)

Ready for some action? Let’s start.

Top 3 Contenders for World’s Toughest Analogue Watches

Seiko Orange Monster SKX781

Are you looking for a watch that fits into your budget but still offers immense toughness and design?

If you are, Seiko Orange Monster SKX781 is the perfect choice. Price just slightly below $200, this is a super affordable watch. Superb price. Excellent toughness. Simply elegant.

Heavy-Duty Crown

When you put Seiko Orange Monster SKX781 on your wrist, the first thing that will make you reluctant to take it off is its perfectly sized and weighted case.

Too small it will make people wonder if you are wearing your wife’s watch. Too big it will be awkward.

Too heavy it will be uncomfortable wearing it. Too light it will feel like a ‘toy watch’.

Don’t be deceived by its simplicity. Tough watch afficionados called this watch a classic example of ‘brilliant tough watch designed to perfection on every little detail‘.

The one way rotating bezel also has a very nice design which is part of the global design of the watch the inward curving will protect the actual surface of the bezel and the bezel will protect the crystal and is also a very smooth moving bezel and the 120 clicks are relatively well aligned.

Hardlex Crystal Exclusively Seiko

The crystal is rather large and domed but it is a rather strange material listed as Hardlex in some Seiko descriptions. It is not a normal glass but a type of hardened crystal mineral that is used exclusively in Seiko watches.

The debate between Hardlex and Sapphire crystal has been raging on and you will find mixed opinions on this. Generally speaking, Hardlex is more impact resistant compared to Sapphire but it is less scratch resistant.

I know some would whine with the fact that it is still not a sapphire! But let’s face it. It is almost impossible to get a high quality tough watch made of sapphire crystal and still cost you $200. If you have it, let me know.

In my opinion, any comparison that ignores the price variable is definitely not a fair one.

Unless the metrics are properly defined such as impact resistant per dollar value or something, I would think it is best to assume that it is one of the best material one can get for a tough watch that is going to cost $200 or less.

My Pitch for the Champion

I know not everyone will agree with me in crowing Seiko Orange Monster SKX781 as the toughest watch champion. But I bet those who disagree will be able to come up with better candidate than this one.

Seiko’s track record speaks for itself. Given the company’s previous history of producing some of world’s legendary watches (eg. Seiko BFK SKA371), investing in the Orange Monster SKX781 carries with it less downside than upside.

Marathon WW194013

The next contender is Marathon WW194013. The watch is widely used in high altitude operations in the military and law enforcement.

It has a Bi-Directional Time Zone Ring which makes it ideal for tough situations. The most basic features of the watch are the analogue dial with two time scale and are completely water resistant. The stop second feature is specially made for high torque movement.

The casing is a fiber shell high impact waterproof and dustproof case that has a stainless engrave back and it uses Hesalite crystals to counter excessive external pressure changes making it to be known as one of the world’s toughest analogue watch.

Just to give you a bit of perspective, Hesalite is a trademark owned by Omega and according to the official site, this crystal was chosen by NASA in place of Sapphire crystal because it does not break into fragments on impact.

Marathon truly shines with its sturdiness and longevity. Thanks to its waterproof and dustproof features, you are getting a watch that can withstand the rough and rugged lifestyle (if ever you do have that kind of lifestyle).

Luminox Evo Navy SEAL 3051

The main features of the Luminox Evo Navy SEAL 3051 are the carbon reinforced polymers which are injected in the case itself. The 44 mm case diameter makes it an ideal watch to handle heavy situations. The black carbon reinforced case back secured with stainless steel crews gives the watch the toughness it needs to be considered as one the world’s toughest analogue watch.

While Marathon WW194013 boasts NASA’s chosen Hesalite, Luminox has a reputation of making watches that are worn by the World’s most elite force, US Navy SEAL.

Like all other watches it is also water resistant and has a battery life of 45 months. Obviously we need a watch that could definitely last for period of time and comes for just a very affordable price, Luminox Evo Navy Seal 3051 is the perfect fit for such description.

Looking for specific Luminox watch? Try our ultimate Luminox watch collections

Conclusion

Many people made a mistake by thinking that the best tough watch cannot be that good.

I beg to differ. After seeing these 3 great choices, I think you would too.

Personally, if I had only $200 to spend, Seiko Orange Monster SKX781 is my clear choice.

But if I can afford to buy all (I’m still waiting for that day to come), I would definitely snap them all and add them to my wardrobe collection.

Photograph courtesy of Mad House Photography and timeslive