If you work in construction or are likely to be considering a gift for someone who does, it’s worth thinking about the types of watches for construction workers. Construction workers have a harsh environment to deal with every single day. Not only is their job busy, but it’s physically demanding too. And they’re always under pressure to get the job done to a high standard and on time.
Also, there’s the fact that they’ve got to work to health and safety guidelines because they’re surrounded by dangers and hazards all day. So they’re going to need some pretty durable watches on their wrist to keep up with their working lives.
To that end, we’ve come up with a list of the 6 best watches for construction workers that are reliable and durable.
Let’s start the list now…
Casio G-Shock Men’s Mudmaster
G-Shock has a reputation for being one of the most durable brands on the market. In fact, the military use their timepieces, so that’s an indication that they’d also be a great brand of watches for construction workers.
Design and build
The Mudmaster is a good-looking watch with a superb build which is exceptional quality. True to G-Shock nature, it’s bulky at 55mm by 16mm and will resist scratches and bumps that naturally happen throughout the day for anyone in the building trade.
It comes with a digital compass, stopwatch, thermometer, 12 and 24-hour time formats, a world timer for 31 timezones and an automatic calendar. You’ll see the hour, minute and second hands, a subdial, and two digital displays on the dial. Inside is a Quartz movement.
Five press-action buttons are totally solid and cannot be broken, even when used in wet conditions like mud or underwater. It offers a 200m water-resistance rating, which is adequate for submersion and swimming—even some dives.
The bezel is hulking and despite its soft silicone feel it will resist knocks and dents. And the face is protected by mineral glass. On the whole, the design certainly resonates with construction workers.
Available on both eBay or amazon below.
Features
G-Shock is known for its impressive feature list. As the name suggests, this timepiece is mud-resistant as well as shock-resistant. It offers up to five alarms, timer, hourly signal, on/off and low battery tone.
Pros
- Low battery tone is useful
- Rugged design
- Strong build for durability
- Handy features for outdoor enthusiasts like a compass and thermometer
Cons
- There are none, this is a fantastic watch!
You can find the Mudmaster for around $250
G -Shock Rangeman
Get a G-Shock Rangeman on eBay.
Sticking with Casio and G-Shock because they truly are the most rugged watch brand. The Rangeman is the king of tough watches with a design and engineering like no other. It’s very high up on this list of watches for construction workers.
Design and build
Perhaps the best thing about this is that it’s solar-powered, so you get unrivaled performance. For example, like its sibling above, the case is mud-resistant, and the buttons are sealed so mud, dust, and dirt cannot get in.
What sets this watch apart is the unique shock-resistant triple sensor that keeps an eye on the temperature, barometric pressure, altitude, and direction all at the same time. We think these elements are likely to be experienced on a construction site and during any mountaineering adventures!
The huge 60mm case is made from stainless steel with a ceramic case back. On the front, you get sapphire crystal glass (which is the best you can get for scratch resistance) and the band is carbon fiber resin. Plus, it’s water-resistant to 200m and temperature-resistant to -20. All in all, this watch is going to withstand any impact from falling or intense knocks effortlessly.
Features
This watch offers up to 4 alarms, an automatic calendar, built-in GPS with the option to backtrack if you get lost, battery level indicator, Bluetooth, compass, countdown timer, moon phases, sunrise and sunset display, tide information, and more. The list goes on and on and certainly makes this one of the best watches for construction workers.
Pros
- Highly durable, shock, scratch, mud and water resistant
- Solar-powered, no need for a charger
- Packed with features
Cons
- Expensive
Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar
This Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has been specially designed for people who are super into sports, but we also feel it should hold a position in this list of watches for construction workers.
Fenix 7X Design and build
With the Fenix 7X, you get a huge 51mm dust-proof and water-resistant case and a 26mm band. What’s great, and why this watch is on the list, is that it also offers 100m of water resistance, which more than covers the typical splashes you’d expect on a building site.
Of course by the name you already know it’s solar-powered. Another great function for those working outside all day. No need for a charger. In fact, this watch has been carefully designed for those who spend a lot of time outside.
The display is easy to read in direct sunlight, and there’s a useful backlight for when lighting conditions aren’t the best. The display itself is 1.4-inch with 280 x 280 resolution. You’ll find that navigating this watch is intuitive and the buttons and menus are easy to use. What’s more, the Fenix range finally offers a touch screen display.
Features
Garmin is well-known for packing in features and the Fenix 7X is no exception.
There’s a whole host of fitness and health sensors including heart rate monitor, respiration rate, Pulse ox blood oxygen saturation, stress tracking, hydration and much more. If you’re in a physical job like construction, you might be interested in knowing how your body is coping.
It’s also no surprise that it offers all the basics like the others on this list such as alarms, timer, stopwatch, countdown, etc.
Pros
- Long battery life (up to 18 days in smartwatch mode)
- Accurate GPS
- Hard-wearing
- Easy to use
Cons
- Another expensive model
This will set you back around $1,100
Seiko Adventure Solar Watch (SSC081)
For 25 years, Seiko has made quality watches in terms of luxury design and reliability. The SSC081 Adventure Solar Classic sits very much in this space. The Adventure Solar Classic watch from Seiko is a high-quality watch that’s a little more casual than the others on our list, but it offers everything you’d need if you’re in a heavy-handed role like construction work.
Design and build
A matte black dial sat on a 42mm stainless steel case (with 13mm thickness) with a genuine leather band.
The face offers an hour, minute and second hands that are luminous, date window at the 3 position (you might notice there is no number 3 because of this), a compass and two chronograph sub-dials. The second crown at the top-left position is used for rotating the watch while the second crown 9 (at the quarter-hour mark) is used for date and time setting. Inside is a Japanese Quartz movement.
Finally, this has a 100m water-resistance rating, which is great for those on construction sites as it’ll resist things like splashes and submersion in water.
Features
You get a chronograph, it measures seconds, the hands are luminous and there’s a stopwatch.
Pros
- 100m water-resistance
- Good build using strong materials
- Supple leather strap is soft but durable
Cons
- Some don’t like the double crown
- Possibly too casual compared to others on this list
The Seiko Adventure Solar is available on eBay for around $400.
Read more about the best Seiko watches for men, here.
Timex Expedition Rugged Chronograph
This watch also called the T49986, is a rugged chronograph with a leather strap. And if you compare it with the Seiko above, you’ll see how it becomes wholly possible to have a leather strap watch that looks tough, rather than sleek. It’s possible to swap an office shirt for overalls, making it one of the most diverse of watches for construction workers.
Design and build
The 45mm diameter brass case, round face with black dial and brown leather strap make for a gorgeous watch. Worth noting that the brass is particularly durable.
The hour, minute and second hands on the face are a shimmering silver with a luminous tip for easy reading in even low-lighting conditions. Additionally, you’ll be able to utilize Timex’s branded Indiglo backlight at the push of a button. You can read more on this range, here.
Inside, the Expedition Rugged Chronograph has a Quartz movement, which offers spot-on accuracy.
It’s also water-resistant to 100m.
Pros
- A leather watch made for outdoorsy people
- 100m water resistance
- Brass case is scratch-resistant
- Low cost
Cons
- Although leather is durable, not as ideal for construction workers as silicone or resin
You should be able to find this watch well under $100.
Citizen Eco-Drive
The Citizen Eco Drive is available on eBay, among other stores.
Citizen is famous for its reliable and high-quality watches. This Eco-Drive range for men has been designed for everyday use, and we think the Drive belongs on this list of watches for construction workers because it offers excellent protection against the kinds of bumps, dust and splashes these workers would come across.
Design and build
If you like a sportier style that makes a bold statement, the Drive is all-black with punchy red accents. It also has long lugs which serve to add to the wicked design.
The case is a 45mm stainless steel with black dial, protected by crystal mineral glass. The band is a perforated polyurethane strap that is waterproof and scratch-resistant.
On the face you get only 12 and 6 in Arabic numbers, luminous hands and a slim date window at the 3 position, other than that, you get red hour markers and a black aluminum bezel.
Features
Eco-Drive refers to technology inside the watch that works to charge itself by absorbing either natural or artificial light. So, it doesn’t need a battery. This is perfect for construction workers who work inside and out, so they don’t have to worry about needing a charger at the end of the day.
Inside is a Japanese quartz movement, which you’ve likely come to learn is highly precise.
This watch is also water-resistant to 100m.
Pros
- 100m water-resistance
- Never need a charger or battery
- Comfort for all day wear, important for manual labour workers
Cons
- Nothing! This is a luxury brand with, solid build and a bold design for a small cost!
The best part is that this watch costs less than $200.
Garmin Instinct 2
You can get the Garmin Instinct 2 on eBay and Amazon.
The Garmin Instinct 2 is a smartwatch that was built for construction and demolition in mind. It was built to show just how hard you are working but also to show just how hard and tough it is. Garmin keeps you up to date with modern tech but also maintains the features of good old study watches. There’s also a new Instinct Crossover variation that is a hybrid between a classic and a smartwatch. You can get it directly at Garmin here.
Design and build
Rugged is the name of the game because this watch is thick with a few different colors to choose from, including a special camo version. In fact, it was made to military standards to endure hot and cold temperatures as well as a major shock to the watch.
Regardless of what color you choose to sport, the display features a clear black and white dial that makes for easy metric reading. This brings us to all the features you should read.
Features
Starting with the fact that it’s waterproof up to 100 meters the Instinct has a lot to offer. There is a lot to track with a built-in GPS, heart rate monitor, a 3-axis compass, and altimeter.
While you can read it straight from the watch you can also connect it straight to your phone to read all these metrics via Bluetooth. This watch isn’t as fancy as some of their other models as it’s meant to be more functional for the outdoors than it is for tech.
Pros
- 100m water-resistance
- Extremely durable for contractors
- Includes some tech features that traditional watches wouldn’t have
Cons
- Can be a little bulky but overall a great fit!
The watch is mid-range for Garmin at around $360.
Suunto Core Alpha
You can get the Suunto Core Alpha on eBay or Amazon. Get more Suunto deals on this page.
Suunto Core is a perfect outdoor watch made for those who play rugged sports or work rugged jobs. Their Alpha model is tough to beat considering it was designed for the toughest men and women in our country. The Army!
Suunto has been making quality watches for divers, servicemen, women, snd all outdoor types since 1936. Let’s talk about the build and watch such a great option.
Design and build
Made completely in mind with the U.S. Army standards this Suunto Core Alpha watch has a tough look. While there are a variety of colors to choose from they make their textile bands and backlit dials easy to blend in.
You don’t have to worry about getting it banged up because it’s been through every major test. It can handle pressure, shock, cold, hot, and any other potential threat to your watch.
Features
It’s 30 meters water-resistant and has a lot of important features like storm warnings, weather trend indicators, and when the sun rises and sets. This is by far one of the best features for contractors who are often working outside and forget about things like the weather.
But it doesn’t end there. This watch also comes with a barometer, a compass, and an altimeter. This watch is great for those who like a slightly dressed-down old fashion watch that still has some great features.
Pros
- 30m water-resistance
- Passes every kind of durable test out there.
- Includes some tech features that traditional watches wouldn’t have
Cons
- No GPS compared to their other models.
- No bluetooth connectivity
The watch is available for $299.00 on Suunto directly.
Casio G-Shock
Not every watch that is rugged has to be a burden to your bank. The Casio G-Shock is an affordable option for any contractor who needs something reliable and durable. It offers the most practical features with a base that will last you through all kinds of projects.
Get the Casio G-Shock on eBay or find more deals on our G-Shock deal page.
Design and build
This digital and analog watch is used by not only contractors but surfers, law enforcement, the US Army, meaning that it’s one of the most durable options on the market. The all-black build is a powerful look that goes with any occasion.
While its band is made of plastic is a relatively comfortable fit that keeps the price nice and low. Its clasp is an easy buck so there is no complication when it comes to putting it on and taking it off.
It’s also not a huge weight on your wrist as it only weighs 4 ounces. That makes looking at the second-hand specialty feature a lot less strainful.
Features
The way that the Casio G-Shock is made it can handle all sorts of vibrations and shock. It also is up to 20 bars water-resistant. This means that there’s no chance of it getting ruined in the water.
It’s simplistic in its features but the ones they do have come in handy. This includes their backlight for when the job requires a little more light. And for when you need a timer it has that too as well as a 24-hour countdown. This makes staying on track a lot easier.
Pros
- 20 bar water-resistance
- Incredibly affordable
- Easy to use features like backlights and timers
Cons
- No bluetooth connectivity
The watch is available for $52.95
See our Casio G-Shock deal page for other purchase options.
In an emergency
In some construction conditions, a worker may find himself in a dangerous situation where there is a lack of oxygen for example. Sometimes it is impossible to visually see this oxygen shortage in the air or even to smell it. Many smartwatches monitor the SpO2 level in our blood. This is the number of Oxygen atoms that bond to the Hemoglobin in our Blood. Each Hemoglobin protein can hold a max of 4 Oxygen atoms. If the SpO2 sensor of the smartwatch reads a decrease in Oxygen and alerts the construction worker on time, it might save their life.
Conclusion
We’ve covered six watches for construction workers here in the list and we hope you’ve found something of use! Ultimately, what you should be looking for is quality materials that offer resistance to water, dust, scratches and impact.
The best materials to look out for are stainless steel and brass when it comes to the case, sapphire crystal protecting the dial and silicone straps. If you have time, head to our article telling you more about what features to look for in a rugged watch.
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Last Updated on December 23, 2022
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