Watches for EMT workers and paramedics

Saving lives is no easy task. EMT workers and paramedics depend on reliable and quality tools to assist in their high-stress jobs of saving lives each and every day. And beyond the standard equipment a paramedic needs to get their job done well, a reliable and sturdy watch goes a long way for people who work on the front lines.

For EMT workers, time is truely of the essence. And if you’re looking to gift a watch to the hero in your life (or purchase one for yourself), you’ll need to consider how well it can perform on the job.

What Should Paramedics or EMT Workers Look for in a Watch?

• Durability and reliability: the watch needs to perform at all times, because paramedics won’t have and spare moments to fuss around with broken straps, cracked faces, or a watch that won’t tick.
• A lightweight and compact design: essentially, you won’t want to even know the watch is on your wrist until you look at it. A bulky watch is sure to get in the way, become caught on something, or weigh you down.  
• Easy-to-read faces and second hands: paramedics and EMTs need to be able to get in quick glances at their watch, as well as clear second reads for situations like counting a pulse or breaths.
• Water-resistance: you never know where a live-saving job could take you, or into which elements the job can lead you, so your watch needs to be prepared for getting wet.

And it isn’t enough for a paramedic’s watch to have just one of these features; the watch should boast all of these and be able to perform under various conditions. So, you could shop in the higher-priced range of tactical and outdoor watches. However, some watch brands can help you get your job done on a budget. We’ll list a few watches that consider a few different budgets.

Luminox Men’s 3001 Quartz Navy Seal Dive Watch

You are paying for precision and durability in the Luminox Navy Seal Dive Watch. This superb watch is worth every penny with a Swiss-Quartz movement and a carbon-reinforced polyurethane case. It also checks all the other boxes when it comes to a reliable EMT workers/life-saving watch: it boasts a water-resistance rating of 20atm, a compact 43mm case, with the dial enclosed by the case, and a much brighter display than some of Luminox’s competitors. So, while this watch is a bit up there in price, it will last, and it won’t get in your way.

Pros:

• Reliable and precise time- enough for the NAVY SEALS!
• Durable body and case
• Bright and super easy-to-read illumination on the watch face
• Includes a date function

Cons:

• The rubber wrist band can be an awkward fit for some wrists

Timex Men’s Expedition Gallatin Watch

The Gallatin Watch is an overall comfortable choice to wear on a fast-paced job like emergency services in terms of how it feels on your wrist and wallet. The Timex brand is usually a good bang for your buck type of watch brand, and the Gallatin is a great example of what you can expect from Timex. This watch is a reliable and sturdy timepiece choice that offers a clear display via its Indiglo feature: this allows the hands and numbers to automatically illuminate in low-light areas.

Pros

• Fair price
• Lightweight at 42 grams
• Water resistant up to 50 meters

Cons

• Not as advanced as other watches on the market

Seiko Diver’s Automatic Deep Blue Dial

The ion-plated and stainless-steel case on Seiko’s Deep Blue Dive watch tells you right away that this is a tough and reliable watch that won’t crack under pressure. Just like you, or the EMT workers you know, this watch is ready to get the job done under many situations with water resistance up to 200m, a thick rubber wristband, and a scratch-resistant dial window. This watch also runs on a spring mechanism rather than batteries, so it is unlikely to stop working on you.

Pros

• Durable case, strap, and window
• Automatic movements
• Date marker/calendar

Cons

• Expensive
• Could be considered large or bulkier than other watches like it

Learn more about the Seiko lineup of Divers’ watches from one of our 2020 articles.

Citizen Eco-Drive Watch

This unisex Eco-Drive watch is an incredible purchase at Citizen’s mid-range price. In addition to being great for any EMT workers or paramedics, this watch is also great for an active lifestyle. The Eco-drive feature lets you know you’ll always have light: this watch stores all real and fake light to power its illumination system. You’re also getting a certain level of quality and reliability from Citizen in their tactical watches, as this one in particular features a double-stitched canvas strap, a stainless-steel case, and Japanese quartz movement.

Pros

• Water resistance of 10ATM
• Lightweight
• Affordable

Cons

• Canvas strap may become uncomfortable over long periods of time

Conclusion

We’re confident you’ll be happy with whichever watch you choose from this list; however, our personal favorite is the Citizen Eco-Drive for its practicality and stylish look.

While you’re here, take a look at our pick of the best watches for nurses or police.

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Last Updated on January 5, 2022