Best emt watch

Emergency medical technicians require the best tools and the best accessories to help them do one of the toughest jobs in the world today. And a key tool in any EMT’s arsenal is a durable watch that’s water-resistant, shock-resistant, and combines outdoor elements and classic watch features into an easy-to-use package.

Rest assured, top EMTs deserve the right medical equipment for every job. A simply good watch just won’t do. Paramedics require highly functional watches with key specs like an easy-to-read display (including both analog and digital display options), sturdy watch strap materials, key additions like a countdown timer and hourly time signal, and useful structural elements like a screw-down crown.

With that being said, what exactly is the right watch for an EMT? State-of-the-art smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 6 may seem like a good fit, but don’t be so sure. Only the toughest watches will do for paramedic work, and the potential to damage an Apple Watch’s touchscreen keeps it off our list.

We’ve scoured and tested plenty of contenders for you, creating our in-depth list of the 6 Best Watches For EMTs In 2021.

The 6 Best EMT Watch Options To Buy In 2021

6) Seiko Men’s Excelsior Stainless Steel Solar Watch

The elegant curvature of the Seiko Excelsior Solar Watch frames a reliable watch that runs circles around more expensive watches with similar looks. The stark black analog dial is a perfect background for luminous hands that pop in the dark. An affordable watch that looks like it costs more than it actually does, this Seiko stunner is an interesting take on a proper EMT watch. The hour markers are clean, the three-dial chronograph function is useful, and the overall presentation is flashy without being gaudy.

Specs

Display Window Material: Hardlex Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Fold-Over Clasp w/ Double Push Button and Safety

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 43 mm

Case Thickness: 12 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 22 mm

Strap Color: Silver, Black

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Movement: Japanese Quartz

Water Resistance: 100 meters

Pros

• One of the more unique-looking watches you’ll find at this or any price point, this timepiece does it’s own thing and does it with style.
• The bullet-style hour markers are a really nice touch.
• The Japanese quartz movement loses time slower than most. Clock drift isn’t as big of an issue as it is with other watches in its price range.

Cons

• The date window kind of blends into the dial.
• The band finish wears off quickly with everyday wear.

5) Luminox Quartz Navy Seal Dive Watch

A great EMT timepiece must be a waterproof watch perfect for whatever a workday throws one’s way. And with the Luminox Quartz Navy Seal Dive Watch, you know you’re getting peak water resistance and impact resistance from a timepiece beloved by military personnel around the world. The analog display is uncluttered and easy to read in low light thanks to luminous hour and minute hands. The basic features of this watch are great, but it’s the overall tough construction that makes it EMT worthy.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle Clasp w/ Safety

Case Material: Polyurethane

Case Diameter: 43 mm

Case Thickness: 23 mm

Strap Material: Polyurethane

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 22 mm

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Polyurethane

Movement: Swiss Quartz

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Pros

• The inclusion of tritium tube technology keeps this watch glowing brightly for decades.
• Everything about this watch’s construction screams durability.
• You can submerge this timepiece in water for long periods and still not see any adverse effects.

Cons

• The polyurethane strap is the least durable part of this EMT watch package.
• The watch face design is a bit plain and cramped.

4) Armitron Sport Resin Strap Digital Watch

For emergency medical technicians on a tight budget, the Armitron Sport Digital Watch is a prime pick. It features one of the easiest-to-read digital displays we’ve tested at its price point, and a powerful backlight that can be utilized with the simple press of a button. And thanks to a breathable, perforated watch strap, the rectangular watch face comes off less cumbersome than most of its shape. Add in the cheapest price point on this list, and you have a water-resistant budget timepiece that’s one heck of a value.

Specs

Display Window Material: Acrylic

Display Type: Digital

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Resin

Case Diameter: 31.2 mm

Case Thickness: 12.9 mm

Strap Material: Plastic

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 24.7 mm

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Resin

Movement: Quartz

Water Resistance: 100 meters

Pros

• This is a fantastic value proposition. It’s a great paramedic watch for an extremely low price.
• The digital watch face features big, bold numbers and letters
• 100 meters of water resistance and a precise quartz movement? What more could you want?

Cons

• The acrylic dial window is the least scratch-resistant option on this list.
• The plastic band feels kinda flimsy.

3) Casio Men’s Sport Combination Solar Watch

Effortless combining analog and digital displays to peak proficiency, the Casio Men’s Sport Combination Solar Watch is a true game-changer for paramedics. With the inclusion of an extremely accurate solar-powered quartz movement, constant battery changes and maintenance are a thing of the past. It also has the Casio feature we all want including a dual countdown timer, sturdy mineral crystal dial window, auto-calendar, and powerful LED light. And if you’re hard on your watches, you’ll love how the watch case resists sudden impacts with ease.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog/Digital

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 46 mm

Strap Material: Resin

Strap Width: 26 mm

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Black

Movement: Quartz

Water Resistance: 100 meters

Pros

• This is an extremely low-maintenance watch. You won’t have to take it to the watch or jewelry shop for servicing very often, if at all.
• Casio does solar power better than most low-cost watch brands.
• The inclusion of a dual countdown timer is perfect for timing pulses and other on-the-job EMT situations.

Cons

• The analog watch display lacks a second hand.
• The alarm function is pretty short and doesn’t have a snooze option.

2) Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Stainless Steel Watch

Light on features but heavy on gravitas and durability, the Citizen Eco-Drive Quartz Watch is a straight-to-the-point standout that will last you for years. The real star here is the Citizen Eco-Drive Japanese quartz movement. With just a little bit of artificial or natural light, you can power the eye-catching black dial and accompanying date window for days at a time. The Arabic numerals on the dial are large and easy to see, and the luminescent hands resonate when it gets dark out. Citizen makes fantastic cost-effective watches, and this is one of their very best.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 37.2 mm

Case Thickness: 9.5 mm

Strap Material: Nylon

Strap Length: 7.5 inches

Strap Width: 18 mm

Strap Color: Green

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Movement: Japanese Quartz

Water Resistance: 100 meters

Pros

• The green canvas strap is jerky tough and quite comfortable for most wrist sizes.
• The date display is perfectly sized.
• This is a no-frills field watch that gets the job done every time.

Cons

• If you change the date while the hands are in the top portion of the dial, things get screwed up.
• We’d prefer this watch to include full dial illumination.

1) Casio G-Shock Rangeman GW9400 Watch

Our top pick among the very best watches for EMTs, the Casio G-Shock Rangeman Watch is an absolute beast of long-lasting power and precision. Other paramedic watches simply can’t match its solar-powered dual digital display, top-of-the line shock resistance, and included Triple Sensor technology that packs an altimeter, barometer, and thermometer into one easy-to-use presentation. A favorite of search-and-rescue teams around the world, the Casio G-Shock Rangeman might very well be the toughest watch ever produced.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Digital

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Resin

Case Diameter: 54 mm

Case Thickness: 18.2 mm

Strap Material: Resin

Strap Width: 27 mm

Strap Color: Green

Dial Color: Black

Movement: Quartz (Solar)

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Pros

• Voted the best watch for a zombie apocalypse in a recent article, this G-Shock goliath is built to last.
• The solar-powered quartz movement keeps time extremely well and doesn’t take much light to charge.
• G-Shock watches are beloved for a reason. They have an unapologetic style that’s really admirable.

Cons

• It’s quite bulky and definitely not one of the lightest watches out there.
• The backlight turns off with every press of a button to look through features.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best EMT Watches

What is the highest-paid EMT?

According to a recent study, emergency medical technicians in Hawaii command the highest average salary at $56,610 per year. Technicians for emergency medical services in Washington ($56,140), Maryland ($50,750), and Alaska ($50,640) average over $50,000 a year in salary plus benefits. Also, medical professionals and technicians in specialized fields (like conducting search-and-rescue missions) tend to make more as a general rule.

With the crazy demand of EMT work in all fields, it pays to invest in paramedic watches with the right watch features for such a high-pressure profession.

Can EMTs wear watches?

Yes! In fact, most EMTs are encouraged to wear timepieces. Watches for paramedics/EMTs can’t just be normal accessories. Only the best watches will do for a true medical professional. Key features to look for in the best watches for paramedics include long battery life, a full auto calendar and stopwatch, super durable construction elements like a sturdy acrylic dial window and stainless steel case, luminous hands, night vision tubes and/or tritium gas tubes for easy night reading, a multi-function alarm, and an accurate timekeeping mechanism such as a high-quality automatic movement or Japanese quartz movement.

Closing Thoughts

For medical professionals in search of a no-fuss watch with all the features necessary for an EMT’s daily grind, the six watches above won’t let you down in a pinch. If you want a straightforward timepiece and a reliable timepiece that serves as the ideal watch when days and nights get long, the best watch for you is somewhere on the countdown above. Other medical professionals have long sworn by these watches. Now it’s your turn to see what all the five-star reviews are all about.