Tested: The Best Perpetually Glowing Tritium Watches

Most folk in all probability don’t take low-light illumination into consideration when looking for a watch and we predict that’s an enormous mistake. In any case, there are simply as many daytime as there are night time ones — which implies (particularly in case you spend plenty of time awake after sunset) having a watch you may learn at the hours of darkness could be fairly essential. There are all kinds of illumination varieties — from glow-in-the-dark coatings to built-in LED lights. However we wished to check out what some take into account the king of all watch illumination varieties. That’s why we’ve wrangled up the next watches with a purpose to get arms on with every and put them via their paces for this curated information to and hands-on assessment of the perfect tritium watches.

Choice & Testing

In comparison with different extra widespread watch varieties reminiscent of subject watches, divers, or GMTs, tritium timepieces are way more uncommon. Consequently, once we first got down to uncover the perfect choices in the marketplace, we first scoured the area with a purpose to discover just about each out there choice at present on the market. After discovering the few dozen manufacturers that make tritium watches, we then reviewed every model’s catalog, deciding on one or two watches from every earlier than narrowing this bigger record all the way down to round 12 watches.

These dozen watches have been primarily chosen on the energy of their design and dimensions, motion kind, dial structure, water resistance, and materials choice. We additionally intently scrutinized every watch’s use of tritium, from the kind of tritium to the quantity used to the areas the tritium is positioned in. To be able to uncover how these watches really carry out and put on on the wrist, we managed to get our arms on every timepiece on our shortlist.

To check every watch, we arrange a rotation the place every reference was worn for a number of days, permitting us to take notes on space like consolation and construct high quality. We additionally carried out a low gentle trial to check every watch’s tritium, it’s effectiveness, and the way nicely it glowed.

Throughout every watch’s flip in rotation, they have been additionally stored on a nightstand whereas the tester slept, permitting its tritium to be additional examined in an actual world setting. As soon as this testing course of was full, we then in contrast our notes and findings with a purpose to slim the dozen timepieces we examined all the way down to a ultimate collection of what this assessment course of proved to be the perfect tritium watches that cash can at present purchase.

Wrist Dimension: We also needs to point out that our tester has a wrist diameter of round 8″, so maintain that in thoughts when evaluating it to your individual wrist.

Luminox Navy SEAL Army Watch 45mm 

Greatest Tactical Watch: In 1992, an officer in command of procurement for the U.S. Navy SEAL groups was despatched to a watch commerce present in hopes of discovering an ultra-tough tactical timepiece for the groups for each day and night time missions. The officer picked up a myriad of watches to check earlier than ultimately deciding on Luminox, which shortly after turned the official watch provider for the U.S.’ Navy SEALs groups. From there, Luminox spent the following two years growing what would turn into its watershed timepiece, the 3001 Authentic Navy SEAL Watch. Quick ahead to this present day and this watch stays one of the vital common tactical choices on the market — and for good motive. 

The Good

The watch is constructed round a 45mm case crafted from Luminox’s proprietary CARBONOX composite. Water-resistant all the way down to 200 meters, the case contains a screw-down crown and a screw-in 316L stainless-steel caseback that’s engraved with the SEAL Trident. Mated to the case is a 24mm rubber strap that has some attention-grabbing texturing to it, in addition to embossed Luminox branding. The watch can also be secured utilizing a 316L dual-prong clasp with a milled-in Luminox emblem. Due to the CARBONOX development, the whole factor ideas the scales at simply 71 grams (or 2.5oz). 

Although the case is just 14mm thick, the beefy crown that sits atop it offers it a a lot thicker really feel. With that mentioned, it nonetheless feels prefer it wears fairly near the wrist. The CARBONOX case is extremely light-weight, but doesn’t have an affordable or plasticky really feel to it. sIts design has some fairly blatant tactical and navy vibes, although I nonetheless discovered the watch to be surprisingly versatile, doing a superb job of mixing in with regular on a regular basis outfits, and never wanting misplaced within the workplace or city settings. 

Supplementary Strengths

The very fact this watch continues to be utilized by what’s arguably the world’s most elite preventing power — regardless of 30 years having come and gone since its debut — little doubt speaks volumes about its sturdiness, simple legibility, and simply the general high quality of its design. And, whereas I positively respect the extra elaborate mechanical nature of automated watches, there’s nonetheless admittedly one thing good in regards to the set-it-and-forget-it expertise that this watch’s quartz motion presents. Upkeep is so simple as simply swapping out the battery as soon as each 50 months. 

The dial sports activities daring white numbers in opposition to a black background, plus Luminox’s Luminox Mild Know-how tritium tubes on every of the arms and at every hour marker. Encompassing the dial is a unidirectionally-rotating bezel with a tritium inlay at 12 o’clock. Beneath the dial is a Swiss-made Ronda 515 quartz motion. The dial additionally sits underneath a hardened mineral crystal rated at between 550-650 Vickers for hardness. This watch additionally ships in a mini Pelican-like case.

The Not So Good

I did have a couple of very minor points with this tactical timepiece. Is like that you just get tritium on the seconds hand, although it’s a really, very small piece that’s more durable to see or learn than the hour markers or hour or minute arms. Much more troublesome to see is the teeny tiny tritium tube set at 12 o’clock on the bezel. One other minor draw back to this watch is that Luminox makes use of T25 tritium moderately than the extra premium, brighter-glowing T100. Except for that, it’s a extremely terrific watch.

Verdict: The official watch of the U.S. Navy Seals since 1994, the Luminox Navy SEAL Army Watch 45mm is an ultra-tough, Swiss-made tactical timepiece that’s been adorning the wrist of a number of the world’s most elite operators for 3 a long time. With an excellent legible dial, an excellent rugged but light-weight CARBONOX case development, and night time mission-ready tritium on every hand and hour marker, it’s not laborious to see why this watch stays the SEALs’ go-to reference. 

Protek Titanium Discipline Collection 3000

Most Versatile Watch: After creating the U.S. Navy SEALs official watch model, Barry Cohen would later step away from Luminox with a purpose to set up a brand new model underneath the banner of Protek Watches. Like Luminox, Protek’s timepieces are tough-as-nails and might deal with nearly no matter you may throw at them, nevertheless Cohen’s newer model additionally delivers some fairly distinctive worth — as evidenced by references just like the Titanium Field Series 3000.

The Good

Provided in inexperienced, blue, white, or black dial variations, Protek’s Titanium Discipline Collection 3000 begins with a 40mm titanium case earlier than receiving a screw-in titanium case-back, a set titanium bezel, and an O-ring-secured crown. Beneath an AR-coated sapphire crystal is a high-legibility, minimalist dial with a Protek emblem, a three-hand-set, and indices are each hour. By way of lume, this watch makes use of Swiss-made self-ppowered Professional-Glo T100 tritium on its arms and at each hour marker — i.e. the biggest tritium tubes at present out there.

This tritium is neatly built-in into the dial and is just seen to the bare eye on the arms. Due to using T100-based Professional-Glo, this tritium shines extremely shiny — and noticeably brighter than the Luminox watch above. Water-resistant all the way down to 100 meters, this watch additionally sports activities 20mm lugs and a thickness of solely 11mm — permitting for a reasonably compact on-wrist expertise. I beloved retaining this watch on my bedside desk at night time, too, because it made it ridiculously simple to learn the time with only a fast look due to the brightly-glowing T100 tritium set within the dial. 

Supplementary Strengths

Weighing in at simply 48.4 grams (or 1.7oz), the watch additionally features a waterproof Italian leather-based strap with an identical titanium buckle. Inside, the case homes an ultra-accurate Japanese-made Miyota Tremendous 2035 quartz motion which presents 4 years of life on a single battery. The dial on the Titanium Discipline Collection 3000 seems gorgeous, particularly within the blue dial model that we examined ((Mannequin PT3001). I personally opted to toss this watch onto a blue NATO strap earlier than continuing to make use of it as my on a regular basis watch, even after testing had ended — it truly is that good. 

I used to be additionally stunned by simply how versatile this watched proved to be, lending itself to every thing from daily-wearing to outside use to even formal settings due to its good-looking leather-based strap and blue dial. Its immense versatility is only one of a number of elements that make this watch so particular in my eyes — with the others being its unimaginable bang-for-your-buck, and its really phenomenal construct high quality. It’s significantly troublesome to overstate simply how well-crafted and well-executed Proteks watches are. The eye to element can also be completely spectacular, from the Italian leather-based strap’s accent stitching to using titanium for its crown, bezel, and case again, it’s simply actually clear that this isn’t a watch the place corners have been reduce. 

The Not So Good

My gripes with Protek’s Titanium Discipline Collection 3000 are few and much between, however there have been a couple of nonetheless. Contemplating the roughly $500 MSRP, I wouldn’t thoughts seeing this watch obtain an auto motion, and the push-pull crown doesn’t encourage a ton of confidence relating to really getting within the water with this watch in your wrist. With these two points apart, that is nonetheless a very unbelievable timepiece with a premium materials choice and a degree of construct high quality that’s usually reserved for watches costing a number of grand. 

Verdict: The Protek Titanium Discipline Collection 3000 is an inexpensive priced subject watch that delivers distinctive bang-for-your-buck with its high-end supplies and world-class construct high quality. It additionally occurs to be one of the vital versatile subject watches at present on the market, making it tremendous simple to justify its value. 

Traser P68 Pathfinder GMT

Greatest GMT Watch: The Traser watch model was first established in 1989. Dubbed the P6500 Kind 6, its inaugural timepiece — which was designed in response to a request from the U.S. Military to satisfy their MIL-W-46374F navy specs — represented the world’s first-ever self-illuminated watch. Roughly three-and-a-half a long time since its inception and Traser continues to be going sturdy as ever, persevering with to broaden its horological catalog with distinctive timepieces just like the Traser P68 Pathfinder GMT.

The Good

Constructed round a 46mm stainless-steel case with a PVD coating, the P68 Pathfinder GMT watch options an built-in compass ring that’s managed through a secondary crown at 8 o-clock. There’s additionally a date window and first crown on the conventional 3 o’clock location. The dial is busy and has loads happening, but it’s nonetheless pretty simple to learn. The usual three-item hand-set has additionally been joined by a fourth hour hand with an arrow tip. On every of the 4 arms at over the indices at every hour are Trigalight tritium tubes that proved to glow brightly in pure darkness or low gentle settings. Sitting underneath an AR-coated sapphire crystal, the dial has additionally been supplemented with Swiss Tremendous-LumiNova luminous paint — thereby providing one thing of the perfect of each worlds. 

Supplementary Strengths

Whereas it’s not fairly on the identical degree of the Protek watch above, I nonetheless discovered Traser’s total craftsmanship and construct high quality to be spectacular. With a case spanning 46mm, that is additionally the biggest be careful of all of the tritium timepieces we examined. The built-in compass ring additionally cranks up this watch’s performance and utility, whereas additionally giving it a cool horological social gathering trick of types. I additionally actually like that, along with producing this watch in a number of dial colours, Traser additionally sells the factor with the client’s choice of a color-matched NATO strap, a rubber strap, or a chrome steel bracelet. 

The Not So Good

Traser’s P68 Pathfinder GMT has loads going for it, although it’s on no account an ideal watch. Most of its points, nevertheless, stem from its immense measurement. Not solely does a really feel fairly substantial on-wrist, however its outsized look additionally fairly vastly lessens its versatility and leaves it wanting misplaced in any extra formal eventualities. And, when you think about the stellar titanium-cased, auto-powered sub-$500 watches at present out there from manufacturers like Timex and RZE, it’s laborious for me to not take challenge with the Traser’s quartz GMT motion, as I’d actually want to see an automated merchandise at this value level. 

Verdict: The Traser P68 Pathfinder GMT is a tough-as-nails subject watch-style GMT with over-sized proportions, stellar construct high quality, and a fourth hand for monitoring a second time zone. Although it’s a bit missing in versatility, it’s unequivocally one in all, if not the one nicest tritium-equipped GMT watch on the market proper now.  

Marathon 36mm Officer’s Mechanical

Greatest Discipline Watch: Well-known the world over for his or her capability to merge Swiss engineering with mil-spec sturdiness and resistances, Marathon’s watches are designed in Canada and delivered to life in Switzerland. In 1941, the corporate developed a subject watch that was first issued to Allied soldiers, although roughly 40 years after its debut, this tried-and-true timepiece was reissued, giving strategy to the Marathon 36mm Officer’s Mechanical — often known as the Common Objective Mechanical or simply GPM for brief. 

The Good

The Marathon Common Objective Mechanical consists of a 36mm case that’s delivered to life in premium 316L stainless-steel with a Parkenized end. Water-resistant all the way down to 50 meters, the case’s compact dimensions proceed with a good 16mm lug and a thickness of solely 11mm. Retaining the factor ticking is an 18-jewel Sellita SW210-1 automated motion. The case comes paired with a NATO-style strap that’s reduce from ballistic-grade nylon and fitted with {hardware} comprised of parkerized metal. 

Sitting beneath a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, the dial is extremely easy — and is the epitome of conventional military-style setups, with each common and navy time, in addition to a Marathon emblem, a radioactive image, and the watch’s motion’s variety of jewels. Legibility couldn’t be simpler at the hours of darkness due to generously-sized H3 tritium tubes at each hour marker and on the GPM’s arms — together with its seconds hand. Supplementing the tritium tubes is MaraGlo lume, as nicely. 

Supplementary Strengths

Above and past its traditional navy look, this timeless-looking subject watch can also be largely characterised by its excessive sturdiness — in spite of everything, the factor was constructed to face up to the acute rigors and abuses of fight and warfare. That is owed to each the design of its case, in addition to its motion’s Incabloc Shock Absorber system. For being a navy watch, I used to be additionally stunned by how well-crafted the watch is — which shouldn’t come as an enormous shock contemplating its manufactured in Switzerland. 

At round $600 all advised with tax and delivery, I wouldn’t say this watch presents the greatest worth, however it’s on no account horrible both. And, whereas it’s guarantee could solely cowl two years, the rugged materials choice and construct high quality of this watch virtually ensures that it’ll provide years and years of reliable use. Lastly, whereas I’m personally keen on the 316L mannequin, it’s value noting that Marathon additionally produces the GPM in a composite fibershell-cased model — in addition to in additional compact 34mm variants. 

The Not So Good

There’s an excellent motive that the GPM has remained a staple within the subject watch area for the higher a part of the final half-century — although it’s not with no few minor points right here and there. For starters, the tritium on the dial isn’t a lot built-in into the dial as it’s slapped on high of it, giving it a extra uncooked, utilitarian really feel — which can be high-quality for each day carrying and outside use, however positively limits its versatility in additional formal settings. My larger challenge with this watch is its measurement, because it’s fairly small at simply 36mm throughout — plus it seems even smaller as its dial doesn’t lengthen all that near the perimeters of the case, giving it the looks of a good smaller timepiece. This impact is much more noticeable when worn by somebody with a bigger or thicker wrist. 

Verdict: Initially produced for Allied forces in WW2 earlier than being revived within the Eighties, the Marathon 36mm Officer’s Mechanical is an ultra-minimalistic, tried-and-true, tough-as-nails subject watch that’s built to military-spec standards. It’s an especially compact timepiece at simply 36mm, although that is its solely actual Achilles heel, and is in any other case a terrific watch. 

MTM Silver US-744X

Greatest Dive Watch: The Virginia-class — often known as the SSN-774 class — is the USA Navy’s newest and best class of nuclear-powered cruise missile quick assault submarines. Helmed by 132 crew and displacing a whopping 7,800 tons when submerged, this huge vessel was what straight impressed the design of the MTM Silver US-744X.

The Good

Constructed like an absolute tank, MTM’s Silver US-744X is constructed round a 45mm vast, 16mm thick case that’s been machined from solid grade 5 titanium. This titanium case has been complemented through an identical Ti-6Al-4V titanium bracelet and a ratcheting unidirectional bezel. Adorned in an MTM Dagger Insignia, the watch’s case again contains a sapphire crystal exhibition window that places its motion on full show. 

Provided in a number of coloration choices, the dial consists of brass and is made up of a number of layers. Fortified beneath a 5.5mm-thick scratch-resistant, multi UV and AR-coated sapphire crystal, the dial additionally sports activities a hand set and hour markers fitted with U.S. NRC-approved tritium fuel tubes. MTM doesn’t cite what variety, however primarily based on how brightly they glow, my hunch is T100. The arms have been additionally designed particularly to be learn whereas underwater, plus the outsized nature of the watch and its dial make it tremendous simple to learn at only a fast look. 

Supplementary Strengths

On the coronary heart of MTM’s restricted version Silver US-744X is a Seiko Caliber 6R20 motion. This Japanese-made automated motion options 29 jewels and an influence reserve of 45 hours. Boasting a excessive beat of 28,800 vibrations per hour, this motion is correct to inside 15 to +25 seconds per day. The motion additionally represents yet one more high-end side of this completely utilitarian dive watch. 

There are a couple of surprisingly sensible features of this watch that I wasn’t anticipating after I first acquired my arms on the factor. In lieu of regular chronograph sub-dials, the US-744X options on sub-dial that exhibits the day of the week and one other displaying the day of the month. The ultimate third sub-dial shows the watch’s remaining energy reserve. I additionally actually like how this watch’s titanium bracelet could be adjusted or have hyperlinks eliminated utilizing an included Allen key. Moreover, I additionally completely respect that factor additionally ships in a watertight, crushproof Pelican-style laborious case that features a supplementary rubber strap in addition to a Velcro-secured ballistic nylon strap.

The Not So Good

Although it’s acquired loads going for it, I did take challenge with a couple of side of MTM’s Silver US-744X. First off, whereas it does have a reasonably good-looking look, it merely isn’t anyplace close to as elegant as another high-end dive watches, and stands out like a sore thumb in additional formal settings. This isn’t solely owed to its design but additionally its dimensions — which frankly isn’t a shock contemplating the watch is impressed by a large Virginia-class submarine spanning 377’ in size and 34’ in width — with an outsized 45mm case with and an equally substantial 16mm thickness. What’s extra, even with its liberal use of grade 5 titanium, the sheer proportions of this watch additionally lead to a reasonably hefty weight of 5.5oz. Lastly, at $3,225, it doesn’t come low-cost — neither is it assured to carry its worth like equally priced luxurious watches from bonafide heritage manufacturers like Tudor, Omega, or Ball.

Verdict: MTM’s Silver US-744X is an over-sized, over-built tackle a tritium-equipped dive watch that sports activities a full titanium development, 500 meters of water resistance, a premium automatic movement, and a degree of sturdiness seldom seen outdoors of watches that say G-SHOCK on the dial. 

Ball Engineer M Pioneer

Greatest Luxurious Decide: The overwhelming majority of tritium watches are extra tactically-minded and military-focused, nevertheless, there may be one bonafide luxury watch brand that’s well-known for producing tritium fuel tube timepieces, and that’s Ball. And whereas the Swiss label’s catalog is filled with premium tritium watch choices, few seize and epitomize its expertise fairly just like the Ball Engineer M Pioneer — particularly within the Rainbow tube model that we acquired hands-on with for this assessment. 

The Good

Water-resistant to 100 meters, the whole watch is development round a 40mm vast, 12.05mm thick case with a set bezel and a 904L stainless-steel development — the identical materials used for the watch’s matching H-link bracelet. Each the case and bracelet additionally sport a mixture of brushed and polished finishes, making for an much more eye-catching design. It does have an roughly 46.6mm lug-to-lug measurement, although it wears fairly compact on the wrist. 

The Engineer M Pioneer is stored ticking through one in all Ball’s personal in-house  Manufacture caliber RRM7309-CS actions. Beating at 28,800vph, this COSC-certified chronometer boasts a silicon hairspring and a beneficiant 80-hour energy reserve, plus the whole factor is on show through the watch’s Sapphire crystal clear case again. And, whereas it’s clearly an elegant-looking timepiece, this watch can also be surprisingly rugged due to using its patented Amortiser anti-shock system. It’s additionally proof against magnetic fields of as much as 200,000A/m (or 2,500 Gauss). 

My favourite side of this watch, nevertheless, is definitely its micro fuel tubes. Sitting beneath an AR-coated sapphire crystal, the numbers adorning the dial seem like your common numerals, although actually conceal 48 micro fuel tubes that permit the numbers to glow in a low gentle settings — and accomplish that in an excellent distinctive white, yellow, inexperienced, and purple colours. The minute, hour, and seconds arms additionally get their very own yellow micro fuel tubes, as nicely. 

Supplementary Strengths 

One other one of many Engineer M Pioneer’s main highlights is its versatility. This go-anywhere, do-anything watch lends itself to simply about any scenario possible, and matches in simply as nicely on the workplace or pub as it could a black tie affair. It’s only a actually good-looking watch with an understated magnificence to it. And, a you’d count on from a real Swiss luxurious model, the Engineer M Pioneer’s total craftsmanship and construct high quality is solely off-the-charts. Its premium construct high quality turned all of the extra obvious when seen side-by-side with the opposite tritium watches I examined for this writeup. 

This explicit reference can also be a restricted version that’s restricted to simply 1,000 models worldwide. Not solely does every one sport a singular #-of-1,000 serial quantity, however Ball even permits you to choose your required restricted version quantity — plus it’s offered with free non-compulsory engraving as somewhat added bonus. I additionally love the simple-looking nature of the dial structure and arms, and the additional little bit of appeal, character, and sophistication afforded by the hand-set’s second hand’s Ball-crest counter balance.

The Not So Good

So far as tritium watches go, the Ball Engineer M Pioneer is about as near excellent because it will get. Positive, it could lack a number of the excessive sturdiness provided by its mil-spec counterparts, however it greater than makes up for this in nearly each different space. With that mentioned, we do have to handle the value. At round $4,000, it’s on no account low-cost, however when you think about every thing that your cash will get you, I’d really argue it presents some fairly first rate bang-for-your-buck — plus it’s virtually assured to carry its worth, making for a stable funding and a better buy to justify. 

Verdict: A completely top-shelf, luxurious tackle a tritium watch, the Ball Engineer M Pioneer is a high-end GADA-style timepiece that options an eye catching rainbow tritium fuel tube design. Positive, it prices a bit greater than the opposite choices on this record, however we’d argue its MSRP is absolutely justifiable contemplating every thing it presents. 

Tritium Watches Comparability Chart

What Precisely Is Tritium?

Even in case you’re unfamiliar with its title, there’s a reasonably good probability you’ve seen one thing with tritium illumination — otherwise you’re not less than eager as to what tritium does. You see, this glow-in-the-dark substance is definitely a fuel. To be extra precise, it’s a uncommon radioactive isotope of hydrogen — often known as tremendous heavy hydrogen — which accommodates a nucleus with one proton and two neutrons, versus only one proton or only one proton and one neutron (as in hydrogen-1 and hydrogen-2), which was first found by Ernest Rutherford, ML Oliphant, and Paul Harteckin in 1934.

Nonetheless, the fuel alone doesn’t produce illumination. Quite, it have to be paired with phosphorous and, collectively, sometimes sealed inside a hermetically-sealed glass tube — often called a GTLS (Gaseous Tritium Mild Supply). These tritium-and-phosphorous tubes create a radioluminescent gentle supply that can glow, with out the necessity for any type of “recharging,” for someplace between 10-20 years — though there are some claims that it’ll final even longer (extra on that beneath). They’re not affected by gentle, temperature fluctuations (inside motive), movement, and are even waterproof and visual via as a lot as 60-meters of H2O.

How Lengthy Does Tritium Final?

Chemists have estimated that tritium’s half-life is roughly 12 years, that means it can turn into about half as shiny as soon as it hits that 12-year mark. Some fast math will inform us that after 24 years the brightness shall be at 25%, after which 12.5% after 36 years, advert infinitum.

Is Tritium Protected?

For those who’re apprehensive about security — in spite of everything, we did point out that tritium is a radioactive isotope — don’t be. Research have proven that, in case you have been to interrupt open a tritium watch and take up 100% of the radioactivity, it could be no extra harmful to you than consuming a banana each different day. The truth is, the power produced by tritium isn’t even sturdy sufficient to penetrate human pores and skin, thus making it excellent to be used in wearable gear — like watches, after all.

The Execs & Cons Of Tritium 

As you would possibly guess, tritium’s main use within the trendy age is to perform as illumination inside wristwatches. And plenty of would say, due to the truth that it has been measured as much as 100 occasions the brightness of different types of watch illumination (like SuperLuminova coatings), it’s by far the perfect kind of watch illumination. Nonetheless, that does come at a value. You see, not like different coatings and LED lights, tritium is an efficient deal dearer — which is mirrored within the MSRP of any tritium watch — due to its rarity. That being mentioned, the advantages, particularly when contemplating dive watches, greater than makes up for the added value.

What To Contemplate When Buying For A Tritium Watch

For those who actually wish to go into the weeds and get into the nitty-gritty, there are dozens of things that may be taken into consideration when buying a tritium watch. With that mentioned, there are a brief record of areas that trump all others by way of significance — all of which we’ll be breaking down straight beneath.

Watch Kind: Tritium watches are merely timepieces that use tritium of their dial. Consequently, these watches present throughout a variety of varieties, from GMTs to GADA watches. Due to their navy connection, essentially the most commonly-seen forms of tritium watches are subject watches and dive watches. 

Case Dimensions: You’ll at all times wish to assessment the dimensions of the case on any watch you’re contemplating. This contains the case diameter, in addition to the case thickness (or top) and lug-to-lug measurement. 

Case Materials: It’s not simply the case’s measurement that you just’ll wish to have a look at, but additionally the material used to construct it. Case development performs a significant function in a watch’s weight, sturdiness, and luxury — in addition to its value. 

Tritium Use: One of the vital essential areas to contemplate when shopping for a tritium watch is the tritium itself. Extra particularly, the kind of tritium used, the quantity used, and the areas the place it’s used on the dial reminiscent of for the hour markers and arms. 

Motion Kind: Similar to when buying any kind of watch, you’ll wish to take note of the type of movement used inside a tritium watch — whether or not its quartz or mechanical, and, if the latter, whether or not it’s hand-wound or automated. On high of taking part in a significant function within the pricing of a watch, its particular motion may also straight decide areas reminiscent of accuracy and energy reserve. 

Band or Bracelet: Whereas not as essential because the case — as a watch’s bracelet or band can at all times be swapped out for an aftermarket merchandise — it’s nonetheless value wanting into the kind of band, strap, or bracelet that comes paired with a watch. It’s additionally value noting that a great deal of tritium watches ship with a number of included straps, bands, or bracelets. 

Resistances: When looking for a tritium watch, you’ll additionally wish to issue total sturdiness into your resolution, in addition to every watch’s water resistance ranking. 

Honorable Mentions

Whereas that is admittedly an unorthodox choose, we’d be remised if we didn’t take a second out to shine a lightweight on the Charles-Hubert Paris T100 Hunter’s Case Tritium Pocket Watch. Utilizing a chrome steel Hunter’s Case, this tritium pocket watch contains a matching metal cowl with a push-button launch and an engraveable case-back. The black dial employs T100 tritium on its hour and minute arms and at each hour marker — make it a chic different to regular, tactically-inspired tritium timepieces. Due to the unconventional nature of this tritium pocket watch, we’ve relegated it to an honorable point out. 

Although the corporate doesn’t have fairly as in depth of a historical past as different mainstay subject watch-makers — having solely been based in 2003 — the Bertucci model nonetheless makes a number of the greatest value-laden military-style timepieces in the marketplace. The Bertucci A-5S Ballista Field Watch ticks the entire model’s normal bins, although sees its 45mm metal case and black dial bestowed with tritium inserts on the hand-set and at each hour. Whereas it’s an ideal tritium watch that we’d advocate not less than contemplating when purchasing on this area, the truth was that we merely most well-liked the picks from Marathon and Protek a bit extra, ensuing within the A-5S Ballista solely being featured as an honorable point out — albeit a very honorable one. 

For those who’re searching for a extra understated tritium dive watch choice than our choose from MTM, we’d urge you to take a look at the Isobrite ISO1211 Naval Series T100 Amphibian Edition. Providing some fairly spectacular bang-for-your-buck, this Naval Collection Amphibian Version timepiece is constructed round a 44mm 316L case with 1000’ of water resistance, a ceramic bezel insert, and an onboard Swiss-Made Ronda 715Li quartz motion — all for simply $550. What’s extra, the factor additionally boasts a 60-click unidirectional ratcheting diver bezel with a tritium elapsed minute marker, and 16 T-100 tritium markers adorning the dial and arms. 

Although it prices simply $40 greater than the above choose from Isobrite, the MWC Automatic Military Divers Watch represents a fairly main step up. For underneath $600, you get a 40mm metal case with an AR-coated sapphire crystal, a ceramic bezel, and the identical 1,000’ of water resistance. What separates it from the Isobrite is its 21-jewel Cal. 8215 automated motion and use of Gaseous Tritium Mild Sources — or GTLS. There’s a little bit of controversy surrounding the MWC model, although that’s a subject for a distinct day. 

In some ways, the Nite Alpha Crest is a extra good-looking model of the above choose from MWC, solely with a extra fashion-forward design and considerably higher construct high quality. Similar to with the Isobrite, you get a Swiss-made Ronda quartz motion, a ceramic bezel, 1,000’ of water resistance, and T100 tritium on the hour markers and on the arms. Pieced collectively round a middle-of-the-road 42mm case, the Alpha Crest additionally makes for an distinctive daily-wear and GADA watch. And, whereas it didn’t make the reduce to obtain a spot on the primary record, that is one other notably honorable point out that we’d nonetheless advocate contemplating when purchasing within the tritium watch area. 

Examined: The Greatest Army & Tactical Watches for Excessive Sturdiness

You probably have an affinity for the timepieces featured on this information, you’ll nearly definitely additionally respect the ultra-rugged references present in our information to the best military and tactical watches for excessive sturdiness, the place we get hands-on with 9 of the most recent and best mili and tac watches on the market proper now.