The people in law enforcement are involved in a rough and tumble job. Thus, it’s not surprising for police officers to have their personal items subjected to significant abuse.
With that said, it’s easy to recommend a cheap watch for members of the police force. After all, why invest in a watch that costs a lot when it’s going to break in a few months?
Well, there are many timepieces that can handle the rough nature of a police officer’s job. The best police watch is not just the toughest but it offers features that make their job a little easier.
For today’s list, we round up some of the best watches for members of law enforcement. I have been testing several watches for a few weeks now and these models are the cream of the crop.
Best Police Watch | Key Features | Our Rating |
Casio G-Shock DW6900BB Black Out Basic Series | Shock Resistant, 200 Meter Water Resistant, 12 and 24 Hour ( Military Time) Formats, Full auto-calendar, EL Backlight with Afterglow, Multi-function Alarm, 1/100 Second Stopwatch Measuring capacity | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ |
Luminox 3051.BO Navy Seal Colormark 3050 Series | Swiss quartz movement, Durable mineral crystal, Pc carbon reinforced case, Water resistant to 660 feet (200 M), Case diameter: 45 mm | ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ |
Citizen BN0151-09L Promaster Professional Diver | Unidirectional bezel, Blue dial with a date window at 4 o’clock, Eco-Drive technology, 48 mm stainless steel case, Molded polyurethane band with buckle closure, Water-resistant: WR200/20Bar/666ft | ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ |
Casio G-Shock GA 100-1A1 Military Series | Stopwatch, Countdown timer, Full auto-calendar, Designed to resist mechanical shock and vibration, 10-meter free-fall endurance, 10-year battery life | ★ ★ ★ ★ |
Seiko 5 Automatic | 37 mm stainless steel case, Hardlex mineral dial window, Precise 21-jewel automatic movement with analog display, 40 hours of power reserve | ★ ★ ★ ★ |
Timex Expedition Gallatin | Rugged resin outdoor construction, Lightweight, Easy-Set Quick-Date, Green Double Layer Nylon Slip-Thru Strap, Indiglo Light-Up Watch Dial, Water resistant to 50m (165ft) | ★ ★ ★ ★ |
Best Police Watch
1. Casio G-Shock DW6900BB Black Out Basic Series
Honestly, we could easily fill this list of the best police watch with G-Shocks and call it a day. G-Shocks are fairly popular with members of law enforcement and it’s not hard to see why. One of the best models of the bunch is the Casio G-Shock DW6900BB Black Out Basic Series.
Stealthy and Tactical
The G-Shock DW6900BB model does a great job of mixing digital and analog displays.
Perhaps the most standout feature of this G-Shock is its superior shock resistance. Casio has engineered a timepiece that suits the lifestyle of a police officer. Over the past several, this watch has received several impacts and exposure to moisture like you wouldn’t believe. The face is quite scratch-resistant as well.
The digital display is negative LCD which means that white font is used against a black background. My main concern with negative displays is legibility but I didn’t have such a problem with the DW6900BB. The electroluminescent (EL) backlighting works well for low light conditions.
The Black Out profile allows you to check the watch without giving away your position. This is, of course, a boon for officers during night operations.
The G-Shock DW6900BB watch is the very definition of a beater watch. It’s a heavy-duty timepiece with enough features to get you going.
2. Luminox 3051.BO Navy Seal Colormark 3050 Series
I am quite a fan of Luminox, particularly of the 3050 Series. The Luminox 3051.BO Navy Seal Colormark 3050 Series is already on our list of the best military watches, so it’s no surprise that it’s found its way here.
Navy Seal Pedigree
Police officers need a watch that will survive the rough and tough nature of their profession. However, the watch needs to be lightweight enough so it will not be weighed down.
It’s a good thing that the Luminox 3051.BO Navy Seal Colormark is the Polycarbonate carbon-reinforced case and the durable mineral crystal that protects the watch from scratches.
This all adds up to a tough as nails watch but still manages to be lightweight.
A tough watch doesn’t have to be ugly, and I believe Luminox agrees. The Luminox 3051.BO is a beautiful watch and its black matte finish really adds a tactical feel to it. Unlike the previous watch, this timepiece boasts excellent luminosity. Whether you’re in darkness or underwater, you’ll have no problem reading the watch. Thanks to the tritium in the hands and markers.
We’ve highlighted the Black Out model since it’s the most stealthy and tactical in the 3050 series. It’s not the most affordable watch on this list but it’s sure worth the asking price.
3. Citizen BN0151-09L Promaster Professional Diver
Why would I recommend a dive model in a list of the best police watch? Well, the best dive watches are some of the toughest timekeeping tools out there. Besides, the Citizen BN0151-09L Promaster Professional Diver is more than just a tough dive watch.
Low Maintenance Timepiece
Cops prefer a watch that they can just wear and forget – something that they can wear on a daily basis without worries. The Citizen BN0151-09L Promaster Professional Diver might be a dive model but it’s an excellent watch for everyday wear.
For a diver, the BN0151-09L Promaster is a lightweight watch. It’s easy to forget that you have it on as you about your duty. It has a thickness of about 12mm which is quite slim. You have the option of using the stock strap or the NATO, the latter will make the watch stand up more.
The Eco-Drive technology means that you don’t have to worry about changing the batteries.
The dial is perhaps my favorite part of the BN0151-09L Promaster. It just oozes cleanliness and all the design elements are well-arranged. The date window is located at 4 o’clock which is a nice break in tradition.
The watch is made of stainless steel. If you’re not a fan of brushed brass or plastic chassis, this is the best police watch for you. The steel construction adds a great deal of solidity to the watch. Based on my tests, it did well to repel most impacts.
4. Casio G-Shock GA 100-1A1 Military Series
Due to their inherent toughness and tactical features, there will be an overlap between police and military watches. Although the Casio G-Shock GA 100-1A1 Military Series is a watch that’s designed for military specifications, it’s also a solid choice for police officers.
Best Police Watch for the Money
The Casio G-Shock GA 100-1A1 Military Series is a classic tactical timepiece from Casio’s uber-popular G-Shock line.
Just from the look of the watch, you’ll know that it’s a tactical timekeeping tool. Like the previous G-Shock watch, this one comes with both analog and digital displays. The black matte finish is beautiful and adds a great deal to the watch’s sturdy look.
The black colorway means that you wear it outside of law enforcement duty. Like most G-Shocks, the GA 100-1A1 excels in durability, making it an ideal watch for hardworking officers of the law. The 10-year battery life also means that you’ll be wearing this watch for a long time.
However, the watch is far from perfect. For instance, it’s a fairly large watch that might turn off some people. The biggest drawback to this watch is definitely the legibility. The all-black face makes it harder to read in low light conditions and the LED light is not bright enough to illuminate the whole face.
Despite the shortcomings, the watch more than makes up for it with its excellent price point and overall reliability.
5. Seiko 5 Automatic
If you want the best police watch, you don’t have to settle with just the G-Shocks. The Seiko 5 Automatic looks and performs like a high-end watch but without the exorbitant price.
The Value Proposition
One look at the Seiko 5 and you’ll see that it’s an aviation-inspired timepiece.
The watch features a matte finish on the front and sides. The watch exudes an elegant military aesthetic and reminds me of some of the best pilot watches I’ve seen.
For this watch, legibility is the name of the game. There’s a lot going on with the dial but it’s not overly cramped or busy. Each of the white hour and the minute hand is applied with Seiko’s LumiBrite paint so you won’t have problems using this watch at night. The clean white lines not only adds to the legibility but also prevents the watch from looking generic.
It might be an elegant-looking timepiece but the Seiko 5 is a tough one. The Hardlex crystal does a great job of keeping scratches and bumps at bay. Plus, it features a fair water resistance rating.
Officers who are in the market for an aviation-inspired watch without the absurd price tag should check the Seiko 5 out.
6. Timex Expedition Gallatin
When it comes to tough watches, it’s hard to go wrong with Timex’s offering. The Expedition line is known for its excellent durability, reliability, and low price. The Timex Expedition Gallatin is an excellent and inexpensive all-rounder watch for members of the police force.
Heavy-Duty All-Rounder Watch
The Timex Expedition Gallatin is my workhorse. This is the kind of watch you wear if you don’t want to think too much about your timepiece.
Whether you’re hitting the gym or training in the field, this watch is a reliable companion. One thing I really like about this watch is that it’s lightweight. Most of the time, you won’t even notice that it’s there.
Police officers will surely appreciate the toughness offered by the Gallatin. The mineral glass is fairly scratch-resistant and the 100m water resistance means it’s good to wear for some water sports. The nylon strap adds another layer of ruggedness to the watch but it can get a bit stinky after some use.
It’s not the most feature-rich model on this list but at this price point, it’s hard not to recommend this watch to officers who are looking for a tough, beater watch.
Officers Deserve the Best Police Watch
This concludes our buying guide for the best police watch. Our top picks are durable, discrete, and offer good value for the money-making them ideal for law enforcement needs.