A paramedic’s or EMT’s job is downright hectic and unpredictable. As an emergency care provider, you are constantly put in high-pressure situations which means you need all the help that you can get. In the field, one of the most important tools that you can have is a watch.
But not just any watch.
You’ll be constantly moving around, so you need a watch that can take the abuse. At some point, you’ll be measuring someone’s pulse, so you need an accurate timepiece. Essentially, you want a rugged, durable, and accurate watch.
To help you out, we have made a list of the best watch for EMT that can stand up to the specific challenges of the profession.
Best Watch for EMT | Key Features | Our Rating |
| Casio G-Shock GW6900-1 Tough Solar | Shock resistant construction, 20-bar water resistance, EL Backlight, Atomic timekeeping, Solar powered | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ |
| Garmin Tactix Charlie | 1.2” high-resolution, sunlight-readable display, Preloaded TOPO mapping, Black diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated titanium bezel, Built-in navigation sensors include GPS and GLONASS, Up to 12 days battery life | ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ |
| Casio G-Shock Rescue Concept | Shock-resistant, Chronograph with 12 and 24-hour formats, 50 mm resin case with mineral dial window, Red resin band with buckle closure, Water resistant to 200 m (660 ft) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ |
| Citizen BM8180-03E Eco-Drive | Stainless steel, Japanese-quartz movement, Mineral crystal dial window, Luminosity, Textured crown, Water resistant to 330 feet (100 M) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ |
| Speidel Original Scrub Watch | Designed for medical professionals, Easy to read white dial, Easy to clean 100% Silicone band, Available in a variety of scrub matching colors | ★ ★ ★ ★ |
| Timex Expedition Scout 40 | Water Resistant, Adjustable green 20 millimeter nylon strap, Black dial with date window at 3 o’clock, Gray 40 millimeter brass case, Water resistant to 50 meter (165 feet) | ★ ★ ★ ★ |
Best Watch for EMT
1. Casio G-Shock GW6900-1 Tough Solar
The Casio G-Shock has always been my go-to for watches that can deliver in terms of durability, legibility, and functionality. The Casio G-Shock GW6900-1 Tough Solar is exactly that and more.
Won’t Let You Down in the Field
The Casio G-Shock GW6900-1 is about as basic as you can get as far as tough watches go. However, it does offer a number of other functionalities that make it a worthy pickup.
Obviously, the main draw of this watch is its toughness. It features a shock-resistant construction which makes it highly resilient against vibration and impact. Just by feeling the watch alone, you can see that it can withstand the rough nature of an EMT’s job.
On top of the excellent durability and toughness, the watch also features 20-bar water resistance. From the shower to emergency water rescues, your watch will not give in just because it came in contact with water.
The GW6900-1 is also solar-powered which means that as long as you are wearing it, replacing the battery is a non-issue. The watch can still work even after 5-23 months of not receiving any light.
Best of all, the GW6900-1 is an affordable timepiece that’s currently on-sale for less than $100.
2. Garmin Tactix Charlie
The Garmin Tactix Charlie is somewhat of a premium pick. It’s not the most affordable in this best watch for EMT list but it’s an easy recommendation for those who are looking for a watch with a ton of features.
One Tool Watch to Rule Them All
The Garmin Tactix Charlie is described as a premium GPS watch – you can expect no less than Garmin.
Is it tough enough to handle an EMT’s job?
Well, the case of the Tactix Charlie is reinforced polymer with a titanium back plate. Plus, the bezel is DLC coated titanium while the watch is protected by sapphire crystal. As you can see, the Tactix Charlie is not playing around as far as durability goes.
After all, it’s a watch that’s designed for tactical purposes.
The main selling point of the watch is the navigation features. The watch comes with GPS/GLONASS along with pre-loaded topo maps. Many Garmin GPS staple features are here such as the ability to set project waypoints. You can also easily save your location in a hurry. The navigation features should come in handy if you are responding to a rural or unfamiliar location.
And one thing, it’s also an excellent activity tracker and fitness tool.
The Garmin Tactix Charlie is by no means a cheap watch but it offers a mind-blowing number of features that many EMTs should appreciate.
3. Casio G-Shock Rescue Concept
If you want the best watch for EMT with a thematic twist, the Casio G-Shock Rescue Concept is worth looking into. Don’t get me wrong, it’s more than just a watch with eye-popping red color.
Thematic Twist to a Tough Watch
One look at the Casio G-Shock Rescue Concept and your eyes will be drawn to the beautiful red color. When mine arrived, I was so pleased that it looks even better in person. This is a colorful alternative for EMTs who are tired of the same old black watches.
Since this is a G-Shock model, there’s no surprise (or rather a shock) here when it comes to inherent toughness. Casio’s construction is always on-point. The watch feels appropriately weighty and it just provides a solid feel overall. You just know that it’s a watch that won’t fail you in the field.
The G-Shock Rescue Concept comes with a decent list of features such as moon/tide graphs, auto EL backlight, low temp LCD, flash alert, world time, and daily alarm. It’s no Tactix Charlie or the Suunto Traverse Alpha but it’s hard to go wrong with the price.
In conclusion, the Casio G-Shock Rescue Concept is an excellent rugged watch with a color scheme that fits the EMT theme.
4. Citizen BM8180-03E Eco-Drive
Citizen’s Eco-Drive collection has always impressed me. They’re some of the most robust and well-respected watches in the industry. The Citizen BM8180-03E Eco-Drive is no exception.
Quality EMT Watch for a Great Price
The Citizen BM8180-03E Eco-Drive is one of the best-selling watches on Amazon, and it’s not surprising at all.
The BM8180-03E is a military-inspired watch and a stylish one at that. While it’s indeed a rugged military watch, it features a nice and clean design. The army green color scheme of the strap contrasts rather well with the stainless steel case and black dial.
Speaking of the dial, I love the BM8180-03E’s black dial. It’s just so clean and immediately readable. The red second hand adds an interesting contrast against the black dial face. Plus, you can easily use the seconds from timing a patient’s pulse and the like. When things get dark, the hands and numerals are lumed and it’s is pretty good.
Being an Eco-Drive model, the BM8180-03E is solar powered and it’s one of the better solar-powered watches available. It can be charged both in sunlight and artificial light sources like lamps. In case you run out of solar power, the watch also comes with a reserve battery which is a nice bonus.
All in all, this is a great-looking watch with sufficient ruggedness and functionality to offer for a great price.
5. Speidel Original Scrub Watch
The Speidel Original Scrub Watch is a watch specifically designed for doctors, nurses, surgeons, and of course EMT workers. This watch is simple, durable, and easy to read – sometimes, that’s all you ever need from a watch.
A Medical Professional’s Watch
I’ll be frank: the Speidel Original Scrub Watch is simply a basic analog watch. Don’t expect it to sync with your smartphone or count your steps. The idea here is to keep the basic timekeeping needs of medical professionals.
With that said, the dial features large Arabic numbers and a bright red second hand, emphasizing “at a glance” readability. True enough, the Speidel Scrub Watch boasts excellent readability regardless of the lighting conditions. The bright red second hand comes in handy when counting a patients pulse or breathing.
The watch is available in many different colored wristbands which you can match with your scrub uniforms, hence the name. The silicone band takes a bit of getting used to. However, it does provide a good bit of comfort and doesn’t make my wrist itch which is a plus. The silicone band is very easy to clean as well.
Overall, the Speidel Scrub Watch gets the job done and does it well. It’s a basic watch every step of the way and it doesn’t pretend otherwise. Luckily, the watch is available for a good price.
6. Timex Expedition Scout 40
Timex is a brand known for its budget-friendly and durable watches. The Expedition collection is more of a field watch and it’s perfect for an EMT’s everyday wear. The Timex Expedition Scout 40 is one the best entries in that particular collection.
Affordable and Durable Choice for EMTs
Like the Citizen Eco-Drive model earlier, the Timex Expedition Scout 40 is easy to read with clear white Arabic numbers on a black dial. The numerals and hands just pop out and you can easily tell the time at first glance. The numerals are bold and large which is always a plus for readability.
The Expedition Scout 40 also features the Indiglo illumination technology which I am a big fan of. When it comes to timekeeping in the dark, you won’t have a problem with this watch. The Japanese Quartz movement is always reliable and offers enough practicality for the timekeeping needs of emergency responders.
The Timex Expedition Scout 40 is a watch that EMT workers can buy with confidence. Plus, it’s hard to go wrong with the sub-$50 price tag.
Found Your Next EMT Watch Yet?
This wraps up our roundup of the best watch for EMT professionals. Hopefully, we have helped you find a watch that can serve you well while on the field.
Should you wish to get a specific review of the best watches for firefighter EMT, click here.
