Best SHTF Watch for Preparedness

Are you looking for an EMP proof watch or one that’s better for SHTF?

Many people don’t wear a wrist watch anymore. Why? Because nearly everyone carries a ‘smart phone’ these days. So there’s no need.

However, there are “what if” scenarios that might zap a smart phone. Whereas a good mechanical wrist watch may keep on ticking.

Best SHTF Watch for Preparedness

The “what if” hypothetical scenarios that would turn your iPhone or Android (and possibly electronic watches) into a paper weight are pretty extreme. However there may be a wrist watch that will keep on ticking under many of those scenarios.

SHTF scenarios that are bad for smart phones:

– Electrical grid down for extended time. Modern life as we know it will be changed in a very big way (that’s putting it mildly!).

– EMP (electromagnetic pulse) or CME (Coronal Mass Ejection – from the sun) may bring down the grid for a very long time. And/or fry electronic devices.

– Cyberattack may bring down the grid.

EMP Proof Watch

Will an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) affect a wrist watch? Will your watch still work?

While no one knows for sure (thankfully it hasn’t happened yet!), a kinetic mechanical winding (or automatic self winding) wrist watch will certainly work after EMP.

There is also opinion that a modern solar powered watch and/or one with digital features ‘may’ still work afterwards. Why? Given their very small size, no ‘antenna’ effect, metal enclosure (or partial), and EMP variables themselves – the watch may continue to function. But we don’t know for sure…

Mechanical Watch

In a mechanical watch, gears are turned by a spiral spring. Energy is stored in this mainspring by turning (winding) a knob on the side. All you do is wind it up. The trick is remembering to keep it wound up!
No electronics inside.

Automatic Watch

A ‘kinetic’ self winding wrist watch is also a mechanical watch. However the natural motion of the wearer provides energy to run the watch. An oscillating weight turns on a pivot (upon movement) and keeps the mainspring wound.
No electronics inside.

Solar Powered Watch

Sunlight (and artificial light) are absorbed by a solar panel. This solar panel converts the light into electrical energy to power the watch. A rechargeable cell (battery) will store energy to power itself during the night or when covered by a wearer’s clothing (e.g., sleeve).
Some electronics inside.

Best SHTF Watch

Popular brands include Seiko. They appear to have the most choices for mechanical watches.

(UPDATE)
Regarding an EMP proof watch, I am removing the solar powered watch from consideration. Although previously mentioned (due to its minimal electronics), we don’t know for sure if it will survive an EMP – due to many variables. So, I am restricting choices to either a mechanical wind-up, or automatic mechanical watch for EMP proof.

I like a mechanical (wind-up), and/or automatic wind.

A watch that gets its power from solar, in my opinion may be borderline for SHTF, given the uncertainties of EMP effects on electronic circuits in something like a wrist watch. (Update – No longer recommended).

Although there are many to choose from, I’m going to present one watch as an example of what you might consider for EMP proof.

Seiko EMP proof watch

Okay they don’t call it that, but you might as well.

This watch has zero electronics. It will hold about 40 hours of stored kinetic energy. It’s of stainless steel (bezel), has luminescent hands, a 21 jewel movement, analog day-date, case diameter of 37 millimeters, and more.

This is an automatic mechanical watch. Automatic watches do not operate on batteries, instead, they are powered automatically by the movement of the wearer’s arm. In order to maintain accuracy, wear the watch for 8 hours or more per day, or manually wind the main spring by turning the crown.
~ Seiko

About Seiko

Seiko produced the first automatic quartz that combined the self-energizing attributes of an automatic watch with ‘quartz accuracy’. The watch is entirely powered by its movement in everyday wear. Today these watches are under the name Seiko Kinetic.

Military-inspired timepiece featuring green dial, luminous accents, and day/date functions.

SNK805 SEIKO 5
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Of course, tastes and styles differ. The style of watch is personal. There are many others…

>> Search Automatic Watch
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Uses for an EMP Proof Watch

Some of my own input and that of our commenters – post-SHTF uses for a wrist watch include the following:

– Coordinate a time when to meet (for whatever reason). “After 90 minutes, let’s meet back here”. Accurate meet-up time.

– Use as a compass. Point the hour hand in the direction of the sun. Halfway between 12 and the hour hand (in the smallest angle) will indicate which way is south (in the northern hemisphere).

– Tactical & Security – coordination. (e.g. knowing when your night shift is up.)

– Night time. It’s difficult to perceive the time during the night.

– Medical: Timing one’s pulse. Or, take medication every 6 hours.

– Kitchen (timing anything) Baking, cooking. Boil an egg for three minutes?

– You wake up in the middle of the night and wonder, how long until sunrise – just check your watch.

– Estimate speed: If you hiked 6 miles and it took two hours on your wrist watch, you were traveling 3 miles per hour.

– Home canning; time required for canning recipes (important regarding food safety!)

– Meetings: it might be difficult to round up half a dozen people for a meeting without everyone carrying a watch (lets meet at “such and such” time… Or perhaps several people are asked to give a hand with a task and having everyone arrive within a couple of hours just won’t work.

– How long does each person take to walk a perimeter?

– Communication: You are supposed to communicate on a ham radio at 8:00 pm. Sorry, I missed your call!

[ Read: How To Use A Watch As A Compass ]

[ Read: How To Determine Remaining Hours Before Sunset by the Sun ]