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Anyone who works in law enforcement or is a police officer will know that it is the most unpredictable job in the world. Some days can be relatively low-key and almost boring, whereas others you will not believe what you saw.
In any case, as a police officer, you’re often going to be dealing with the worst people in society – or at the very least, people who are having a terrible day.
It goes without saying then, that if you work with violent criminals, you are going to get in a few scuffles and be put in some situations you didn’t particularly want to be in. This could be life threatening, or it could just be wrestling someone to the floor. None of these people or situations care about what watch you’re wearing, this is pretty much 0 on their list of concerns.
Therefore it makes sense that the best watch for cops is one that is both inexpensive and durable. If you’re a police officer and you wear a watch – it is going to take a beating. This is not a matter of if, but when. Due to this fact, 95%+ of watches are completely ruled out, whilst they may look nice, they are simply not suitable for anyone who has a career in law enforcement.
The best watches for law enforcement officers are digital and rugged. These are mostly produced by Japanese brands such as Casio and Timex, with the well known G-Shock and Ironman series being the most respected models for taking a beating.
Table of Contents
What Watches Do Police Officers Wear?
There is no specific watch that police officers wear – within reason you can wear whatever you want at your own risk.
It makes no sense then that you would wear a nice mechanical dress watch, as within a week, it’s going to get scratched, scuffed, and then eventually broken.
As previously mentioned, if you’re a cop, you want a watch that is both discrete, functional, and durable. Having a timer and alarms can be useful, but more so than this, you want a watch which can take being smashed to the concrete. Thankfully there are several brands that make watches just for this purpose.
Can Cops Wear Smartwatches?
Yes – but it is not recommended. Smartwatches are extremely useful and are pretty much a more mobile extension of a cell phone. They have a variety of apps and functions that regular watches simply cannot keep up with. These include the ability to take phone calls, play music and make contactless payments. A digital watch still uses 1980’s technology, so does not have these functions.
However, smartwatches are simply not durable enough to be worn by a police officer. If you’re going to sit at a desk all day and fill in paperwork, then they are 100% ideal, but as a cop, this isn’t going to happen every day.
Sooner or later you will be involved in a physical altercation whether you like it or not. At this point your smartwatch is going to get destroyed along with all your useful apps. It should also be noted that smartwatches are significantly more expensive than rugged digital watches.
In short, something that is both more prone to breaking and more expensive should not be considered as a good watch to buy for police work.
Best Watches For Police Officers
Casio G-Shock G5600E-1
Quite arguably the best G-Shock watch for police officers, the G5600E-1 is protected on all sides for any kind of impact, as well as extra guards on each corner to reinforce the buttons.
It has been well publicized how G-Shock test their watches, so no matter what anyone does to you on the job, you know that your watch is going to survive. Every G-Shock model has been tested extensively including tests such as being dropped off the top of buildings.
In summary, this watch is going to handle anything that police work throws at it and more. It comes with a bunch of useful timers and alarms, is solar powered, so will never need a battery replacement, and is reasonably priced too.
Timex Ironman
Most famously worn by Jocko Willink, the Timex Ironman is aptly named for its ability to keep going under any circumstances. It has a very easy to read and large display, alongside functions such as 3 alarms, a lap counter and a giant 100 hour chronograph. So if you are a cop who likes to train and exercise whilst not working, this watch is also very convenient for your personal life.
Perhaps the main selling point about the Ironman is that it is significantly cheaper than any other rugged digital watch you can buy. Of course, there are some unknown Chinese brands selling watches around this price, but those are unproven on the battlefield so can be disregarded. All in all, you will not find a better and more durable watch than this for under $150.
Nixon Regulus
A great looking tactical watch for police, the Nixon Regulus is a bit more stylish than the Casio G-shock models and also has a display that is a lot easier to read without using the backlight.
The watch has been designed with input from special operations personnel, so is not quite built to a military standard, but has been influenced by men who know what it’s like to need a watch for outdoor and dangerous situations.
Much like the Casio G-shock, the regulus is water resistant, shock resistant, and has been built to take quite a battering. It does come in a variety of colors, although the black casing is a little more lowkey than any of the other options.
Best Watch For Female Police Officers
Casio G-Shock GMAB800-8A
The great thing about this particular G-Shock model is that it has a touch of femininity without being over the top and decorating everything with pink or rose gold.
As with all G-Shock watches, you can bet your bottom dollar that this watch is going to take whatever you throw at it. It’s also water resistant and has useful functions such as alarms and a chronograph. The analog display alongside the digital screen allows you to tell the time in an instant by simply glancing down at the dial.
