Watch with magnetic compass

S

Senserazer

Joined
Apr 4, 2012
Messages
174
Hello everyone!

First of all, hello everyone! I am new to the forums and have been looking around here for a little time! :)

I wanted to hear if anyone knows some good wrist watches with built-in magnetic compass. I can find numerous watches, Suunto etc., with digital compasses, but the only watch I can find with a magnetic compass is a Porsche design (which costs a private island).

Anyone?! :confused:
 
I know this isn't precisely what you're looking for (and I can't be much help there) but if you google "watch band compass" you'll find quite a few small magnetic compasses that are designed to slip over your watch band. I've used several different brands, and they're actually pretty decent; usually within about 10 degrees of the reading on my GPS.
 
Thanks for the reply! I've been looking at some of those as well, but I have a hard time figuring out which ones are descent quality. Any recommendations?
 
The short of it is: Watches and compasses don't mix.

On mechanical watches, the magnetic compass needle can be affected by the metal of the watch mechanism, while the magnet can slightly affect the working of the timepiece. This is why you don't see many watches with compasses on them.

Quartz watches aren't as affected, but the metal, magnet and battery will throw off the accuracy of the compass.

Digital compasses will be affected by magnetic interference even greater than magnetic compasses.

You really should carry & use a compass separately from your watch.
 
Seems legit. Any suggestions? I want to be able to carry it every day as part of my "everyday-gear", but I have promised myself not to let it get out of hand and too tactical you know.
 
Ok here is the watch you are looking for, well as close as you are going to get, and it will only cost you a finger, not an arm and a leg. The Tissot T-touch models all have a compass which utilizes the arms of the watch, barometer, altimeter, and thermometer. They will run you between 300-500 depending on the exact model.
 
"Indication of geographic North using magnetic North and the adjustable declination to the East or West."
I think this might be exactly what I am looking for! And yes indeed, only a finger! (or two), and between 300-500 (insert currency? :P ) They range from 5-6k DKK in Denmark, 900$+
 
Senserazer said:
Thanks for the reply! I've been looking at some of those as well, but I have a hard time figuring out which ones are descent quality. Any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Suunto and Silva are good compass brands and they both offer watch band compasses.

Edit: I just remembered that Wenger makes or made (I don't know if they still make it) an analog watch with analog compass. It's called the Wenger Swing-out Compass.
 
I have one of the Wenger and it works flawlessly. No issues with any sort of interference from the watch to the compass as far as I could tell. Very well made but hard to find. Very nice watch as well.
 
Seiko also makes the "Land Monster".....a standard moster(taller case style) with a compass & locking crown.
 
My tissot t-touch has an "analog" compass... It still uses magnetic flux to digitally determine N/S but uses the watch hands as the compass needle.

I haven't tried, nor would i choose to use it over a regular good compass for something like orienteering. But in a survival situation it's better than any watchband compass i've seen. You can set declination to your particular longitude and get it to point "true north" as well.
 
Porsche Design had this watch back in the 80s. Not very outdoorsy and hard to find but there it is. :)

porsche-design-compass-watch3.jpg


Chad
 
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