Men's wristwatches for outdoor activities. Chinese tourist watch with altimeter, compass and other useful functions. Battery life

Tourism watches– the main model among multifunctional sports watches. They are equipped with a thermometer, compass, altimeter (altimeter), barometer and many more useful and necessary functions. Wristwatches with a compass, with rare exceptions, have a high degree of reliability and protection, since their main purpose for a person going outdoors is to be useful in any situation. A tourism watch with GPS satellite navigation will plot the correct course, determine your location with a high degree of accuracy (up to several meters), and calculate the speed of movement. A sports watch with a pedometer will be able to count the entire distance you will walk.

To ensure independence and reliability, many models of multifunctional sports watches are equipped with a solar battery and are made of durable steel or titanium. Their sapphire or mineral glass, as well as shockproof coating, reliably protect the mechanism. If you are involved in water tourism, you should know that sports watch models are resistant to sudden changes in temperature; their water resistance reaches 100 meters. For water tourism, the most suitable watches are those with water resistance of 50 WR; 30 WR will not be enough.

Buyers interested in a travel watch with the features needed in rough terrain will certainly be attracted to the Suunto Ambit. This watch has a big advantage over other travel watches as the battery can last up to 50 hours.

Multifunctional sports watches for tourism most often include: a thermometer and barometer, a high-precision altimeter, a weather indicator and a 3D digital compass. The Suunto Ambit brand has the ability to work with a heart rate transmitter, that is, their owner can monitor their heart rate in real time. The watch case is aluminum and the glass is mineral.

The Suunto Core watch brand is also very interesting. Travel enthusiasts and professional tourists are very fond of watches in this series. They also have built-in useful and always needed functions such as a depth gauge, altimeter, compass and barometer, as well as an additional function - storm warning. You can log your altitude measurements at 1 second, 5, 30, and 60 seconds. This log is stored in the watch's memory. The display of your Suunto Core watch shows changes in readings as a graph.

The online watch store "site" is happy to offer customers both men's models and women's sports watches. The extensive catalog contains the most famous brands of watches not only for tourism, but also diving watches or running watches. All products are certified and have high quality, reliability and durability. Even when purchasing an ordinary and inexpensive sports watch with a pedometer, our client can be confident in the high quality and long service life of this chronometer.

Athletes have to think hard when it comes to choosing a GPS smartwatch for running. These devices are a great support and assistant for runners, tracking distance, pace, heart rate, calories burned and more. But which ones are the best and most suitable?

We have compiled a review of running watches - the top 10 best models with descriptions, characteristics and their pros and cons. Most of them have functions for both running and other sports tracking. With such devices, you can monitor your health, keep data statistics, view your physical activity history and monitor your sleep quality. All of these are smart sports watches with a GPS tracker that you can choose for yourself in 2019.

• Colored topographic maps
• Music player
• Availability of a pulse oximeter
• Accurate measurements
• Large set of activities

• High price
• No signal selection
• Your hand gets sweaty under the silicone strap
• The screen is not touch-sensitive

A sports watch with heart rate monitoring and GPS, as well as color TOPO maps with Trendline calculation of popular routes, this is the Garmin Fenix ​​5X Plus. They are designed specifically for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, and the built-in heart rate monitor has a pulse oximeter - special technology for determining blood oxygen saturation under heavy loads.

Whether you're in the city or on the highway, your Fenix ​​GPS watch has mapping and navigation features to help you navigate your terrain and stay on course.

5X Plus gives you access to physiological metrics and running dynamics to track training statistics and measure your progress. For added motivation, you can download advanced workouts and training plans using Garmin Connect.

The display here is not touch-sensitive, and navigation through the menu is carried out using buttons.

Sport

The Fenix ​​5X Plus GPS watch will not only become a reliable partner while running, but also an indispensable assistant if you are into multisport. Special pre-loaded activity profiles in the watch are designed for sports such as:

• Swimming
• A ride on the bicycle
• Hiking
• Skiing
• Boating
• Kayaking
• And much more

Features and sensors

• Multi-network navigation GPS, GLONASS and Galileo
• Altimeter
• Barometer
• Compass
• Training history
• Sleep monitoring
• Pulse Ox acclimation sensor
• NFC (Garmin Pay)
• Smart notifications
• Music player

Although the Garmin Fenix ​​5X Plus is an expensive running watch with heart rate and pedometer, it is loaded with top-notch features, offering quality materials and accurate performance data.

And this is the most convenient smart watch with GPS maps, which will appeal to lovers of jogging in unfamiliar and beautiful places.

Price: $814.

• For runners with multisport tracking
• Sports recognition
• Accurate indicators
• Lungs
• 24/7 heart rate monitoring
• Waterproof housing
• Smartphone notifications

• Expensive
• The signal is not adjustable
• Inaccurate performance while swimming

The Garmin Forerunner 735XT Heart Rate Running Watch is the best multi-sport device available. They are designed for athletes who need the challenge of running and accurate training data collected.

The reduced form factor and comfortable strap allow you to wear the device all day long. With automatic data uploading to Garmin Connect, you can share your wins and stats on social media.

The special feature of this sports watch is the button control. For some, this may seem inconvenient, but due to the fact that fingers often sweat during exercise, using the watch becomes more convenient without interacting with the touch screen.

Sport

The Garmin Forerunner 735XT GPS running watch is a great companion that will accurately show steps, calories burned, distance traveled, activity time, as well as speed, heart rate zones and more.

The 735XT also recognizes sports such as:

• Running indoors and outdoors
• Skiing and cross-country skiing
• Rowing
• Hiking
• Power training
• Triathlon

In our opinion, Garmin is the best running watch because it recognizes the types of sports you're doing and also detects your heart rate zones, warning you if your heart rate is too high.

Features and sensors

• GPS/GLONASS
• Garmin Elevate Heart Rate Sensor
• Compass
• Accelerometer
• Weather
• Smartphone music control
• Calendar
• Changing watch faces
• V02 Max
• GPS coordinates
• Possibility of use in the pool and in open water

This GPS sports watch will be your recovery partner with daily activity monitoring that tracks steps, calories and sleep. And smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, and real-time tracking make the 735XT the perfect smartwatch for runners.

Price: $334.

• Good battery life
• Intuitive setup
• Easy to use
• Heart rate tracking while swimming
• Great for running

• Not cheap
• Requires frequent recharging during active use

The Garmin Forerunner 935 is a premium running smartwatch that offers advanced running and multisport training features. They're lightweight, just 49g, and comfortable to wear, so you can wear them happily all day. They are compatible with any QuickFit replacement band.

The built-in barometer provides altitude measurement, while the altimeter and electronic compass will help you navigate the area.

An important feature of this smartwatch for runners is the assessment of training status to determine the level of active load so that the athlete does not become overtired.

Biomechanical measurements such as cadence, stride length, base contact time and balance, vertical oscillation and vertical ratio are key to understanding a runner's form. Because of this, we have included Garmin in our ranking of sports watches with GPS and heart rate monitor.

Sport

• Indoor running
• Outdoor running
• Cycling indoors
• Cycling
• Swimming (in the pool and outside)
• Rowing
• Hike
• Power training
• Triathlon

Features and sensors

• Alarm
• Timer
• Stopwatch
• Barometric altimeter
• Compass
• Gyroscope
• Accelerometer
• Thermometer
• GLONASS
• Heart rate sensor
• Phone notifications
• Smartphone camera control
• LiveTrack Security and Tracking Feature

The Forerunner 935 heart rate running watch helps you monitor your training and recovery so you can better prepare for your race or training cycle. Training status is a new performance monitoring tool that automatically evaluates recent training history and performance metrics so an athlete knows whether they are training productively, maxed out, or exceeded their limits.

Price: $334.

• Accurate sensors
• Beautiful and comfortable
• Multifunctional
• Bright and clear display
• Waterproof

• High price
• Short battery life
• Doesn't track sleep
• No support for Android smartphones
• LTE and ECG are useless in our country

Apple Watch Series 4 is a versatile smartwatch for running, everyday use and just for style.

This is an upgraded fourth-generation model with a larger display, improved speaker and an innovative heart rate sensor with ECG reading capability. Although the latter function, along with LTE, does not work in our country.

But even without that, these smartwatches are the best in the wearable device market today, offering a range of accurate sensors for tracking physical activity.

Beautiful appearance, changeable straps, suitable case size (40 mm and 44 mm) with a choice of its color and material give the watch versatility and individuality.

Sport

Smartwatches provide metrics to track health and fitness:

• UV index
• Calories
• Distance traveled
• Pulse
• Number of steps
• Training time
• Physical activity

Features and sensors

• Wi-Fi module
• Positioning using GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / QZSS
• Bluetooth interface
• Optical heart rate sensor
• Electrical pulse sensor
• Water protection 5ATM
• Music player
• Smart notifications
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light sensor
• Gyroscope
• NFC (Apple Pay)

This is perhaps the best GPS tracker watch, offering great looks, slim form factor, light weight and the most advanced technology.

Price – from $406.

• Thin and light
• Especially for fitness
• Accurate indicators
• Choice of interchangeable watch faces
• Receive smartphone notifications
• Compatible with Android and iOS
• Nice bright display
• Suitable for both men and women

• No high heart rate warnings
• Limited features for iPhone
• No bezel

When the choice of a sports watch stops at a device with an elegant design, this is also the right decision. Galaxy Watch Active from Samsung offers a super thin and light design especially for outdoor enthusiasts. The appearance has changed due to the absence of the company's patented rotating bezel, which simplified interaction with the display.

A watch with a heart rate monitor and GPS Active is suitable for athletes who like to run, because thanks to a comfortable fit on the hand and low weight, they are practically not felt during training, and durable Corning Gorilla Glass will protect against accidental impacts. You will be able to see data statistics during active activities and then view them in the Samsung Health app

Running is recognized automatically, and you don't need to look for a special section or widget before running to start the workout. Plus, thanks to GPS, you can track your route. In direct sunlight, the information is clearly visible, which is very important for runners who train outside during the day.

Sport

In addition to running, with the Galaxy Watch Active fitness watch, you can also engage in such active activities as:

• Running on a treadmill
• Walking
• Hike
• Cycling (indoors and outdoors)
• Swimming in the pool and outdoors
• Circuit training
• Power training
• Stretching
• Much more

The screens are customizable so that you can easily see the most important data while exercising, such as goal, distance, speed, pace or calories burned.

Features and sensors

• Continuous heart beat reading
• GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo
• NFC (Samsung Pay)
• Water resistance 5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810G
• 4 GB of internal memory for storing music
• Sleep tracking
• Rewards and motivation
• User Feedback
• Stress tracking feature
• Accelerometer
• Barometer
• Gyroscope
• Heart rate sensor
• Light sensor

The Galaxy Watch Active GPS sports watch is a trusted fitness companion that proactively provides advice to keep you motivated, achieving your goals and setting new challenges to support your healthy lifestyle.

Price: $250.

Sport

Suunto 3 Fitness has built-in modes to track sports such as:

• Swimming
• Bike
• Workouts in the gym
• Much more

As you run, you'll be able to see information on your watch's screen, including speed, pace, and distance based on the accelerometer. Any of your activities will display data on the number of steps and calories burned.

Additionally, sleep quality monitoring and a fitness level indicator influence adaptive training recommendations.

Features and sensors

• Heart rate monitor
• Accelerometer
• Pedometer
• Water resistant up to 30m
• Connected GPS
• Alarm
• Stopwatch
• Timer
• Countdown timer
• Customizable watch faces
• Phone notifications
• Style Options
• Accurate fitness tracking
• Working in the pool
• Music storage (300 songs)
• Long battery life
• Women's health monitoring support

• Thick frame around the display
• No built-in GPS
• Bulky charger

The Fitbit Versa is a super lightweight running smartwatch with over 15 workout modes. They come in 5 beautiful colors and a slim, user-friendly design. 5ATM water resistance allows you to swim without removing the device from your hand.

By connecting Versa to your smartphone's GPS, you can get more accurate data on the pace and duration of your run. In addition, the watch monitors physical activity throughout the day and provides more than 4 days of battery life.

During your run, the device accurately detects when you pause for a short break.

In addition to automatically recognizing workouts and recording all received parameters during sports, there is the ability to monitor women's health. Periods, cycles and ovulation can be recorded and tracked.

Sport

• Swimming
• Cycling
• Tennis
• Other workouts

Features and sensors

• Sleep phase recognition
• Notifications for calls, calendar events and texts
• 15 training modes
• Storage and playback of more than 300 music tracks
• Bluetooth
• Accelerometer
• Gyroscope
• Altimeter
• light sensor
• Heart rate monitor with heart rate measurement 24/7

The Fitbit app provides all the information about the amount of water you drink and your workouts, you can set goals and track all your progress.

"Don't delay him, girl! Do you know how much time is worth? A thousand pounds - one minute!"
They say that "happy hours do not watch." If you don’t look at your watch while hiking or climbing, you can become unhappy. Ernest Shackleton's legendary "Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition" of 1914-16 had 24 chronometers and only one survived during this time. Thanks to him and the sextant, Captain Worsley was able to successfully determine the location throughout the 1.5 years of autonomous existence. Modern watches are already able to determine coordinates and much more, but the main task, like a hundred years ago, is one thing - to show the exact time in any conditions. Today, many wristwatches are microcomputers, well protected by a polymer shell with a brutal design, “dual” power supply, functions of a barometer, altimeter, navigator, thermometer, alarm clock, notebook, and stopwatch.

In this review, outdoor watches mean models classified by manufacturers as series for sports (including professional and extreme), various active recreation and physical activity, as well as watches for special services.

All wristwatches are divided into two large groups: mechanical and quartz/electronic. The first ones come with manual and automatic winding, but due to the nuances of their mechanized filling, since the 1970s they have gradually given way to quartz ones, especially when it comes to extreme use. The latter operate using a quartz crystal and a battery and are electromechanical (with arrows), fully electronic (digital display) or hybrid (time is shown by arrows and numbers simultaneously). The most accurate time will only be shown by a GPS navigator like Garmin, which, when turned on, receives this information from the atomic clocks of satellites, but it is much more convenient to just look at your wrist.
All quartz watches are similar - the quartz oscillator produces a sinusoidal signal with a high degree of frequency stabilization (32768 Hz), which is further divided to a frequency of 1 Hz (1 second) and amplified is fed to the winding of the stepper mechanism that moves the second hand or fed to the processor that processes signal and sends it to the liquid crystal display. The disadvantage of watches with hands is the low speed of reading information (you need to think to understand how many hours and minutes) and the presence of moving elements (two or three hands), which means that overall reliability is lower compared to fully electronic watches, which instantly show not only time, but other information, incl. human pulse, ambient temperature, altitude and more.

- Waterproof
One of the most important characteristics, which tells how long, intensively and deeply the watch can come into contact with water (under thickness, water pressure) without consequences for work. Water resistance is determined according to the standards ISO 2281 (definition of the tightness of a watch case for everyday use), ISO 6425 (professional diving watches), IPxx (the second digit from 0 to 9 indicates the level of water resistance). According to the first standard, watches are available without the WATER RESIST marking, with the WATER RESIST (WR), 30WR, 50WR, WR 100WR, 200WR marking. Naturally, the highest indicators are for diving watches to depths of 300 meters using breathing gas. For normal use, even in heavy rain, a 50WR or 100WR (enhanced Class II waterproof rating for everyday use) rating will suffice. In any case, all manufacturers categorically do not recommend using the crown and pushers under water.

- Battery life
Many watches have an end-of-battery indicator. For example, the second hand begins to move two (or four) seconds at a time or the contrast of the display drops significantly, a special symbol may appear on the display. The life of a watch from a new battery depends on the model and frequency of use of additional functions (backlight, stopwatch, GPS) and ranges from 12 hours to 6 or even 10 years (Tough Battery 10 for Casio). Before replacing the battery, you should always remember which type is used in this model - battery or accumulator. The second one is set if the watch has a built-in solar cell using Eco-Drive or Kinetic/Autoquartz technology (the energy source is the movements of the human hand). Reliable manufacturers of watch batteries: RENATA, VARTA, MAXELL, PANASONIC, SONY, SEIZAIKEN.
Silver oxide watch batteries are divided into 2 groups. In the first group, a gel-like solution of sodium hydroxide – NaOH – is used as an electrolyte. Batteries of this group are used in watches with low constant power consumption (time indication only). In the second group, a gel-like solution of potassium hydroxide - KOH - is used as an electrolyte, due to its high electrical conductivity, batteries of this group are used in watches with energy-intensive functions (sound signal, backlight).
Lithium power supplies (3 volt) appeared relatively recently, but provide uninterrupted power for up to 6 years.
From the instructions for the Suunto Vector watch: “The wrist computer runs on a three-volt lithium battery type CR 2430. The probable maximum period of its operation in the device is about 12-18 months. The low battery indicator turns on when 5-15% of the battery capacity remains. In this case, we still recommend changing the battery. Very cold weather may also cause the low battery indicator to turn on."

- Accuracy when worn on the wrist
The accuracy of quartz watches exceeds that of mechanical ones and averages +-15...+-30 seconds per month. However, it is worth noting that a quartz crystal is subject to aging, which means that sooner or later the clock will begin to rush. The issue of accuracy is partially solved by automatic corrective corrections through ground-based base stations via radio or satellites, but this option is only available in expensive Casio watches with the Hybrid Wave Ceptor (GPS + Multi Band 6) function, etc. “Let's check our watches!”

- Operating temperature
The operating temperature range for watches is usually prescribed by manufacturers from -10..-5 to +50..+60 degrees Celsius. At first glance, this is not enough for harsh conditions, but the watch is always on the hand, which means it is warmed by body heat and covered with clothing. More dangerous, as for any electronics, is a sudden transition from cold to heat. Some models have a temperature sensor (sensor) and are able to show the ambient temperature, but in a limited range.

- Impact resistance
This concept means maintaining the functionality and integrity of the watch structure after the application of various shock and vibration loads, falls, squeezing, and friction. A real breakthrough in this matter was made by Casio with the G-Shock watch in 1983. The design had 10 layers protecting the quartz timekeeping module, including a rubber bumper, a steel case, mineral glass, a screw-down steel case back, and a “floating module” where the quartz movement sits freely in a polyurethane foam frame. The watch can withstand falls from a height of up to 10 meters.

- Availability of backlight
Illumination of the watch dial is possible in several ways: either a built-in LED, or electroluminescent backlight, or an unshaven luminescent coating, i.e. Covering the hands with safe non-radioactive paint that accumulates sunlight and artificial light and releases it in the dark. Giving off the accumulated light, the coating gradually becomes dimmer. Great progress in this matter has been made by Luminox with its proprietary tritium backlight (LLT technology guarantees glow for up to 10 years) and Traser.

- Case and strap material
Mostly reliable cases made of steel and polymer plastic are used, less often titanium and carbon. The back cover is attached to the body by screws or screws. Separately, you need to consider glass materials. These are sapphire (the most expensive and scratch-resistant, but easy to break), mineral (the most popular in the budget segment), and plastic (plexiglass in inexpensive watches). The best is considered to be sapphire glass made from an artificially grown sapphire crystal, which has the hardness of a precious stone and is resistant to mechanical damage. Watch straps and bracelets are an important component - the reliability of fastening the watch on your hand, durability and wearing comfort depend on them. Straps are made of rubber, silicone, nylon, textile, genuine leather, and bracelets are made of steel and titanium. For outdoor use, durable, frost- and dirt-resistant straps and bracelets are preferred.

- Altimeter (altimeter)
A very useful function for climbers, mountain tourists and those who are passionate about flying. Information about altitude can be obtained from the results of barometer measurements of atmospheric pressure, or from GPS sensor data. Typically the measurement range is from -700 to 10,000 m in 5 meter increments (Casio SGW-300H model). The relationship between altitude and air pressure is calculated according to the international standard atmosphere "ICAO" (International Civil Aviation Organization). Before use, it is recommended to carry out calibration at a point with a known elevation (for example, at a GGS point, the elevation of which can be taken from a topographic map).

- Clock caliber
This is perhaps the most important thing in any watch, but... Don't think about it! It is enough just to know that there are only four global manufacturers of high-quality movements: ETA and Ronda from Switzerland, and Miyota (Citizen) and TMI Seiko from Japan. But what exactly is on your watch is not an essentially significant question. The more expensive the watch itself, the better in essence.

A separate topic is smart watches running on the operating systems Android Wear, Watch OS (Apple), Pebble OS, Tizen, Garmin OS. But is it worth taking them with you on a multi-day hike?

Japanese manufacturers (brands)
1. CASIO
Let's start with the leader in production and sales volumes, as well as based on user reviews. Casio was founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1946 as a manufacturer of various electronic devices. The first “indestructible” watch of the G-Shock series (model DW-5000C) appeared after two years of testing in 1983. In 1999, the first ProTrek watches with a GPS module appeared. For any outdoor activity, Casio produces watches in three large groups: G-Shock, ProTrek, Sports.

European manufacturers (brands)
5. Swatch Group AG
The Swatch Group (the name appeared in 1998) produces watches under the brands Breguet, Blancpain, cK Watch, Mido, Longines, Omega, Rado, Certina, Tissot, Swatch, Kassaw, etc. The group also owns a number of companies conducting research work and producing mechanisms and other watch parts. ETA, part of the Swatch Group, is the main supplier of movements for mechanical and quartz watches from other Swiss and European manufacturers.
Let's look at the range of the Certina brand in more detail. In 1888, when creating their watch company in the Swiss city of Grenchen, brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurt defined the fundamental values ​​of the brand: reliability, precision and innovation. A Swiss leader in mid-priced sports watches, Certina aims to produce watches of exceptional quality at an affordable price. Since its founding, the company has shown great interest in the world of sports.
The DS Eagle Chronograph Automatic is a chronograph with a 46 mm case made of 316L steel with PVD coating. Quartz caliber ETA Swiss Made, 200WR.
Model DS Podium Chronograph Lap Timer - the sporty character of the chronometer is emphasized by its appearance. This racing collection is released in honor of the Swiss manufacturer's collaboration with ADAC GT Masters. 42mm 316L stainless steel case with perforated black leather strap, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
The DS Sport Chronograph is a quartz chronograph with a stainless steel case, sapphire crystal and rubber strap. Caliber ETA G10.212, thickness 11.3mm, 100WR.

American manufacturers (brands)
11. Garmin
The Garmin company has gained worldwide fame primarily thanks to its tourist GPS navigators (GpsMap, eTrex, Oregon, Montana, Dakota), car navigators and video recorders, and echo sounders. A logical continuation is to integrate a GPS module into a compact watch case. One of the first models of such watches, the Forerunner 305, was received positively. In 2009, the Forerunner 310XT model, a universal sports watch with a GPS receiver, was launched on the Russian market. This is Garmin's first watch that can be used for swimming and can withstand up to 50 meters of water. The 310XT features long battery life (up to 20 hours of intense training) and a highly sensitive GPS receiver with HotFix technology. In 2011, a new generation of running watches, the Forerunner 610, and the new Forerunner 910XT (accelerometer technology) appear. In 2012, the Fenix ​​travel navigator watch was recognized as the best gadget of the year by National Geographic Adventure due to its stylish appearance, compactness, autonomy and rich functionality. In 2014, the Fenix ​​2 models and the Tactix tactical watches appeared.
Today the following series are offered on the official American website: fitness trackers Vivo (vivofit, vivoactive, vivomove, vivosport, vivosmart), Forerunner (935, 735XT, 35, 235, 25), Fenix ​​(5, 5S, 5X, Chronos), Approach ( S60, X40, S20), D2 (Charlie, Bravo), Tactix Bravo, Garmin Swim.
Garmin FENIX is a new generation multisport watch. An integrated GPS navigator paired with a three-axis compass, barometer and altimeter will help you plan the perfect route for your workout. The high-quality display has a high resolution and does not fade even in the bright sun, and durable glass and a water-resistant case ensure operation even under water. Thanks to the Connect IQ platform, you get a unique opportunity to customize the interface as you see fit.
The Fenix ​​5 is a multisport GPS smartwatch with smart notifications and a built-in optical heart rate monitor on the wrist. Improved fitness features and quick-change straps (QuickFit technology). The watch is equipped with a GPS and GLONASS satellite receiver for tracking location in difficult conditions. Chroma Display with LED backlight and a resolution of 240x240 pixels with a size of 30.5 mm. Battery life is up to two weeks in smartwatch mode (depending on settings), up to 24 hours in training mode. The case size is 47x47mm with a thickness of 15.5mm.
The Fenix ​​5S model is a standard miniature watch model that is aimed at a female audience. The case size is 42x42mm with a thickness of 14.5mm.
The Fenix ​​5X model is the top version of the watch with the ability to use topographic maps and also with the option of plotting routes in the watch + 16GB of memory. The case size is 51x51mm with a thickness of 17.5mm.
The Fenix ​​3 is a GPS sports watch designed for sports and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. EXO antenna made of stainless steel with GPS and GLONASS reception. Elevate technology for wrist-based heart rate measurement (HR index). 1.2" color Garmin Chroma Display. Navigation features include 3-axis compass, altimeter, barometer and TracBack.
The Forerunner 735xt model is a running watch that will be with you 24 hours a day. The watch will tell you your location and help you plan your route thanks to the built-in GPS and electronic compass. It is complemented by a sensitive pedometer, which allows you to count the distance traveled and calories burned. Synchronization with Garmin Connect makes monitoring your workout progress simple and convenient.

13. Multi Time Machine (MTM)
MTM (Multi Time Machine inc.) is a genuine American watch brand since 1980, headquartered in Los Angeles (USA). The brand's proprietary products are a sophisticated blend of cutting-edge design, technology and precision that meet the needs of military, law enforcement and outdoor enthusiasts. MTM Special Ops watches today are represented by the following models: Silencer, Cobra, Air Stryk II and Air Stryk I, Patriot, Vulture, Predator, SEAL, Falcon, Warrior, RAD, Camouflage.
The Silencer is a quartz analog watch housed in 316L stainless steel with a unique digital LED display for enhanced digital functionality. Sapphire crystal, 100WR, rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
The Hypertec Chrono model is a quartz watch in a 44mm 316L stainless steel case with a nylon strap and tempered glass. Water resistance 200WR.
The RAD model is a tactical watch with the ability to measure radiation levels. Released in a limited edition of 1500 pieces only for specialists!
The Vulture model is a quartz watch in a titanium case with an ultraviolet radiation mode. Sapphire glass.

Hiking watches are not the most necessary equipment on a hike, but the fact that they will not make your luggage heavier is for sure. Considering that today many people have a smartphone where they can download a bunch of travel-related applications, we can assume that the watch is morally outdated. Nevertheless, having a watch in business circles is a status, and in the circles of avid travelers it is one of the reliable assistants.

You can make an argument in favor of a smartphone that it is more functional, but the watch is more reliable, and being away from civilization, in the mountains, forests, tundra or desert will be a definite plus. Don't think that tourist "cauldrons" are just time plus a compass. In fact, modern devices have many features that will help you on a challenging hike.

For those who don't know, "boilers" is a slang term for a wristwatch. Actively used in prison slang.

Naturally, given the conditions in which your chronometer will constantly be (trekking routes), it simply must be waterproof and durable (shockproof).

Below we will try to consider in detail the main properties and capabilities that a tourist watch for hiking and forays into the wild should have. And based on this information, you can already make your choice.

What can tourism watches do?

It only seems that a watch is a simple object that shows the time, but in fact, it is stuffed with all sorts of functions that will not only help, but also satisfy your curiosity in certain matters.

• GPS navigator;
• Thermometer;
• Compass;
• Barometer;
• Altimeter;
• Solar module for recharging;
• Depth gauge.

As you can see from the list, the watch cannot only make calls and take photos. But the Apple Watch has not yet received such widespread distribution. Everything is still ahead, and maybe in a few years tourists will not carry cameras and phones with them.

A GPS navigator and compass will help you navigate the area and not get lost in unfamiliar areas. The thermometer will tell you the current temperature, and the barometer will show the atmospheric pressure. Using an altimeter, we find out what altitude we are at and how much distance is left until we reach the summit. The solar charging module will not allow the watch to run out and it will always be in working mode.

A GPS module is most often added to, but for tourism there are very few models that combine all the necessary functions. Off the top of my head, models with GPS: Casio GPW-1000FC-1A9, Casio GPW-1000-1A, Garmin Forerunner 15, but all of them are smart watches for physical activity.

In general, travel models are thoughtful and not useless, as it might seem at first glance.

You will definitely need it on your hike. Choose only a high-quality model!
Be sure to film everything that happens to leave impressions. An action camera is useful for these purposes -

A few more words about two important details - water resistance and shockproof properties.

Waterproof

This indicator is indicated by symbols WR (Water Resist) and accompanying number. Most often, the designation occurs in bars or atmospheres. One bar is equal to one atmosphere, which corresponds to ten meters of water pressure. But this does not mean that they will withstand immersion to such a depth, it means that they can withstand the pressure that is created at the corresponding depth.

For example: marking 1bar = 1 ATM = 10 meters of static pressure of the water column, i.e. pressure one atmosphere.

Here the tightness of the mechanism becomes more important.

Table with water resistance ratings for travel watches

Shock resistance

Another mandatory and necessary condition for a tourist watch. If a tourist is engaged in active recreation, then the watch will constantly be in contact with the external environment. Whether you need to climb a mountain or pitch a tent, break wood or collect stones for a fire, there is always the risk of hitting your chronometer.

Here, as in the case of water resistance, there are no values, and the manufacturer simply indicates whether the watch is shockproof or not. In addition, the material from which the case is made is important.

• The most popular material is plastic, it is quite strong, lightweight and not subject to rust or corrosion;
• Stainless steel - increased strength, lightness, high cost;
• Titanium is the best and therefore most expensive option for watches;
• Brass is the least suitable option for tourism - it is a heavier item and is also susceptible to oxidation.

Choosing the best travel watches

The list was compiled thanks to reviews and ratings on Yandex Market.

Casio PRG-120-1A

This model is quartz, has a digital time display, and is charged from a solar battery. The case is shockproof and made of stainless steel with plastic. Casio PRG-120-1A is waterproof with a rating of WR100 (10 atm), that is, it allows you to swim freely in a body of water and even dive to shallow depths.

In addition to the standard stopwatch and timer, they have more specialized capabilities for tourism: altimeter, barometer, thermometer, compass. There is a backlight. The weight of this model is 62 grams.

Price: 11720 - 13650 rubles.

Casio Protrek PRG-250B-3D

Quartz men's watch with electronic display and solar charging. As befits a high-quality travel watch, it has a strong shockproof case.

Specialized functions: altimeter, barometer, thermometer, compass. In addition, it is possible to set an additional second time zone, and the Casio also shows the phases of the moon. The altimeter determines altitudes in the range from minus 700 to 10 thousand meters.

Ability to work up to 6 months without recharging, and in energy-saving mode up to 23 months. Agree, not a single smartphone in the world with such a set of functions will work even a tenth of this time. Weight is 71 grams.

Price: 16390 rubles.

At first glance, the women's model of the Suunto LUMI-TERRA watch does not look like a tourist model, more like a casual (everyday) model, but this is only at first glance. The watch has such a range of functions that owners of men's models intended for travel may envy them.

In addition to the usual travel features - altimeter, barometer and thermometer, Suunto LUMI-TERRA has a digital compass and a signal warning of an impending storm. The thermometer operates in a temperature range from -20 °C to 60 °C, and the altimeter from 500 to 9000 meters. Another interesting feature is the sunrise and sunset times. The disadvantage of the watch is its low water resistance, only 30 WR, which corresponds to the first line in our table.

Price: 16788 rubles.

This watch is suitable for both men and women. The case of this model consists of light alloy titanium, which has shockproof properties and is waterproof up to 10 Bar (10 atmospheres = 100 meters), which allows you to dive to shallow depths.

There is a barometer, thermometer, compass, altimeter. In addition to the standard functions for a tourist watch, the Polar AXN700 has specialized ones: heart rate measurement, calorie consumption, speed of ascent and descent from the top. Ability to record readings in a diary. Tests of acclimatization and adaptation of the body, frost resistance. The watch is perfect for conquerors of peaks and poles, and for any traveler.

Price: 15640 rubles.

A hiking watch cannot be called the most necessary item used on a hike, but the fact that it will be useful and will not take up much space in your equipment is undeniable. With the advent of functional smartphones, travel watches have not become outdated and still remain relevant and in demand. The clock mechanism is more reliable and less demanding, which will be an undeniable advantage at a distance from the benefits of civilization. Modern hiking models are not just about indicating the time and compass readings; they can have a lot of additional functions that are useful for traveling.
Hiking watches are often used in the most extreme conditions, so their characteristics must be characterized by increased operational reliability and quality. Electronic models used for tourism can have many functions. At first glance, the usual compass accessories are equipped with a GPS navigator, altimeter, barometer, thermometer, depth meter and a built-in solar module for recharging. Therefore, such a watch cannot be unambiguously characterized as simple; in fact, it is a multifunctional device that can provide the traveler with many useful properties. Therefore, without any exaggeration, they can be called an item that will definitely come in handy on a hike.