The Best EDC Watches

What, exactly, is an EDC watch? That was the question I asked myself when I was charged with this mission. If you’re unfamiliar, EDC is an initialism for "Every Day Carry." It’s become something of its own industry, with makers of everything from keychains, pocket knives, tools, pens, wallets, and even items like smartphone cases getting in on the action. And yeah, there are those that take EDC to the next level, ticking off an internal checklist that reads more like a well-stocked survival kit. But I’m going to venture to say that the majority of us don’t require a folding camp axe, waterproof matches, a 1,000-lumen flashlight, and a water filtration kit while navigating midtown Manhattan. 

There’s no defining characteristic of EDC, other than being an item that you have on your person most days, so a watch definitely qualifies. I like to keep my "carry" on the minimalist side, consisting of my keys on a small carabiner, a well-worn leather wallet, a beat-up iPhone 11 in a Pelican case, and a small pocket knife (most often a Benchmade Mini Griptilian, The James Brand’s Redstone, or a Gerber LST I’ve owned forever that virtually disappears into the pocket). And, of course, a watch. I never leave the house without one, and today, I’m calling out, in ascending price order, several that fit my own personal criteria for an EDC timepiece. 

I don’t wear a suit on a daily basis, so a dress watch of any stripe is basically a non-starter. To me, a daily driver is something that prioritizes durability, without wandering into the realm of a strictly-defined tool watch. In other words, a 300-meter professional dive watch is probably overkill, but 100 meters of water resistance feels just right, in that it can handle anything that might potentially cross your path. Complications are not high on the list of must-haves, so no chronographs here, although you’ll find a few date windows in the mix, more out of their inclusion in a worthy watch than for being a sought-out feature. Having said that, GMT functionality can prove surprisingly useful, especially if you travel frequently, or work with colleagues across multiple time zones. I’m movement-agnostic when it comes to this exercise: some of these picks are quartz (convenient); some are mechanical (romantic). But a given watch’s inclusion is more down to the watch itself, rather than its means of timekeeping. So here, starting at just about the absolute entry level for any timepiece, are 10 of my highly subjective EDC watch picks.

Casio MRW200H-1BV

First up is my absolute favorite EDC analog watch that you can pick up at just about any big-box store for the price of a decent lunch. Casio’s MRW200H gives you 100 meters of water resistance, quartz accuracy, and superb legibility in an ultralight 44.6mm resin case that oozes tactical cool. Casio recently raised the list price of this fan favorite to $39.95, but you can find this budget-friendly timepiece (available in several colorways) for $25 without breaking a sweat. There are, naturally, a few concessions to its doorbuster price point, including a friction-fit bezel, barely-there lume, acrylic crystal, and a somewhat thin resin strap, but its list of pluses far outweighs any concerns. And this is a bargain baller with some horological street cred: the MRW200H has actually been worn by high-altitude NASA pilots as a proper, flown-to-the-edge-of-space piece of kit. As an added bonus, the black-dialed version bears a striking resemblance to Breitling’s discontinued SuperQuartz Colt Skyracer, for about 1/100th the price.

Prevail Onward Future Field Watch

Billed as “the military field watch, redefined”, the Prevail Onward Future Field Watch has a look unlike anything else, and a bombproof design that’ll probably outlast you, making for a solid EDC watch. Truly, this watch is so solid, in-hand and on-wrist, it feels like an ingot of pure badass. With an utterly unique, eight-sided case, the Onward stands as one of the most wholly original watch designs I’ve seen in recent memory, a tribute to the talent of designer Matt Smith-Johnson (Vero, Seals, Laco), who seems unfettered by conventional watch styling cues. Not only is the look futuristic; there are some well-thought-out ergonomics at play, including the curvature of the caseback that hugs the wrist, along with the grippy, yet fully guarded screw-down crown that’s a pleasure to use. Not that you’ll need to often, given its no-date Ronda quartz movement. 

Other smartly designed touches include the bezel that sits just above the sapphire crystal for added protection, and the use of solid strap bars, which limits you to one-piece designs, but adds exponential levels of security that more than make up for any perceived limitations. Available in smooth “Explorer” and turret-like “Tactical” bezel styles, there are three colorways and two dial layouts, and the watches come standard with color-matched passthrough nylon straps. You can expect more on the way, including new dial colors and case finishes, and a different, larger Prevail model is also in the works. It's the passion project of Hassan Madras, an Air Force Reserve judge advocate, whose goal was to create a tough, modern, accessible field watch, while raising funds to benefit veterans’ health. The price is remarkable for what’s on offer, a very approachable $275, with 10% going to The Heart and Armor Foundation.

RZE UTD-8000

Given the enduring popularity of the rugged yet humble G-Shock, I had to put a digital watch on the list, but this one comes from Singaporean microbrand RZE. It’s one of those under-the radar brands that’s amassed a fervent fanbase with its winning combination of hardy construction and original design. RZE is all-in on titanium, with its full lineup constructed of UltraHex hard-coated Grade 2 ti, at very competitive prices. The brand's contemporary field watches, GMTs, and divers are available in a range of sizes, specs, and features, with the solar-powered 36mm Urbanist field watch a real standout. In fact, the majority of RZE's catalog nails the EDC brief. But the big surprise is this digital tool watch, the UTD-8000, and yes, it’s fully titanium, including the optional bracelet. It’s got G-Shock-levels of durability, and, wait for it, a full titanium G-Shock will run you over $2,000 more than the UTD-8000 on the bracelet. Not only that, RZE even offers one of the most confident try-before-you-buy programs out there: a full refund on your titanium timepiece if you don’t love it after two weeks of real-world use. Trust me when I say the UTD-8000 can handle whatever you dish out: this is the G-Shock alternative you never knew existed.

Citizen Garrison 37mm

Nothing gives classic EDC watch vibes like a field watch, and Citizen has one of the most wallet-friendly out there with the Garrison 37mm. This is a perennial favorite among EDC fans, with a winning combination of a well-sized 37mm stainless case, a highly legible dial, and a nearly autonomous Eco-Drive solar movement that boasts a six-month power reserve. Many Citizen watches qualify for EDC status, but this one is one of the easiest to pair with a variety of looks, especially if you’re an incorrigible strap swapper. It comes equipped with a tactical nylon olive-green strap, but the 18mm lug width offers endless room for experimentation. The all-business black dial goes with everything, and along with its easy readability, it boasts a day/date complication and a pop of red from the second hand. The Garrison also staves off unwanted water ingress with a 100-meter rating, which is higher than many typical field watches, conferring true GADA status. All told, this is a solid performer that looks good with almost anything, available at a very attractive price point.

Seiko 5 Sports SSK023 

If you’re someone who finds the utility of a GMT complication an essential feature, a 4R34-powered watch from Seiko’s ever-expanding 5 Sports lineup is a no-brainer. The 4R34 caller movement changed the "affordable GMT" marketplace forever, bringing the once-exclusive dual-time complication to the masses. There are boatloads of Seiko 5 variants with this GMT functionality, but one of the coolest has to be the SSK023, part of the brand’s field-style collection. The fixed steel bezel gives off massive Explorer II energy, as does the pop of bright orange on the GMT and second hands.

This slice of ‘70s style also features a low-profile domed Hardlex crystal for a subtle vintage vibe. An all-over brushed finish and drilled lugs keep things tool-watch correct, with a hit of polish around the bezel offering a dash of elegance. 100 meters of water resistance and an easy-to-operate push/pull crown brings everyday resilience to the table, and the display caseback is a nice bonus for those new to the hobby. It’s one of the best-looking Seiko 5 models, period, rendered in a fantastic wearable size, and it works with nearly any look or situation you can throw at it, all at a bargain price point. 

Tissot Seastar 1000 GMT Quartz 40mm 

Next up in this EDC watch roundup is a GMT with a few key differences from the Seiko 5 playbook, this time from Swiss powerhouse Tissot. This is the Seastar 1000 GMT Quartz, which offers classic GMT-Master looks in a highly-capable and well-priced package. It’s as overbuilt as any professional dive watch, with a full 300 meters of water resistance, but offers enough refinement that it can hang in more buttoned-up settings. It’s available in three Rolex-adjacent colorways, including Sprite and Root Beer versions, but the basic black with that shot of red from the GMT hand is perhaps the most handsome and versatile variant. But the killer app in this traveler’s watch is its movement, the F06.865, a newer caliber from corporate sibling ETA. This is a true traveler’s or flier GMT, unusual in quartz calibers, meaning it boasts an independently-adjustable hour hand, a real convenience if you spend much of your time hopping time zones. Additionally, the F06.865 is what’s known as a HeavyDrive movement, which provides intelligent shock management for the hands, preventing the second hand from jumping, while allowing for heavier handsets. It uses an integrated circuit to detect shocks, and a motor to generate a counter-pulse to lock the hand in place during impact to preserve accuracy. All told, the Tissot Seastar 1000 GMT brings a whole lot of capability to the party at a very tempting price tag.

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Power Reserve 40mm

One of Hamilton’s latest additions to the Khaki Field family, the Mechanical Power Reserve adds the utility of a dial-side power reserve display to the well-established formula that makes it one of the brand’s perennial best-sellers. A field watch is an EDC stalwart, and this one is especially attractive, given its 40mm sizing and clean dial layout. You’re offered two dial choices as well, in classic black or bright white, both with aged-look lume for added vintage vibes.

This Khaki Field variant features a Hamilton-exclusive ETA H-23 manual-wind movement, which boasts a Nivachron balance spring and a class-leading 80-hour power reserve, all while keeping the case height under 12mm. With the inclusion of the on-dial "gas gauge," a very useful perk in a hand-winding watch, this is the field watch for those that have fallen hard for all things horological, as winding the movement becomes a personal ritual you’ll look forward to. The availability of a matching matte-finished bracelet just adds to the versatility, but a nylon fabric and leather strap is on the menu for traditionalists. To sum up, the Mechanical Power Reserve is a love letter to collectors, a daily reminder of why we love the hobby.

Marathon SSNAV 41 mm

Canadian brand Marathon is well-known for its tough tool watches, and its iconic pilot’s watch happens to have a great retro look as well. The 41mm Steel Navigator (SSNAV) is a direct descendent of Marathon’s ‘80s “Adanac” Navigator, with some modern updates added. The Parkerized stainless case offers a tactically subdued finish, and features a screw-down crown for 100 meters of water resistance. You’ll also find a Swiss automatic Sellita SW200-1 movement for reliable performance (a HeavyDrive ETA quartz movement is available as well), along with self-illuminating tritium gas tubes on the dial offering low- light visibility. A sapphire crystal and bidirectional 12-hour bezel complete the no-nonsense spec sheet. In practical terms, nothing beats a 12-hour bezel for quickly referencing a second time zone, and combined with its durability and water resistance, it makes the Navigator tough to beat as your everyday copilot.

Omega Seamaster Railmaster 38mm

Part of the famed Trilogy that was released in 1957, along with the Seamaster 300 and the Speedmaster. It’s the below-the-radar member of the family that speaks to those in the know. The early Railmasters were positioned as watches for engineers and the railroad industry, and it competed with the Rolex Milgauss, due to its elevated antimagnetic properties. The Railmaster, while loved by collectors, never really captured the public’s imagination the way the Speedmaster and Seamaster did. Consequently, the Railmaster has come and gone from the catalog several times throughout its history. Today, the Railmaster features a METAS-certified Co-Axial Master Chronometer, now resistant to magnetism up to 15,000 gauss, and which can be seen through the transparent sapphire crystal on the caseback. The newest iteration keeps the no-date dial layout and Arabic numerals of the original, with 150 meters of water resistance further padding its GADA status. The modern dial is finished in a gray-to-black fade, with a warmer brown, small-seconds version also available. The watch is offered on a leather strap or three-link bracelet with polished center links. Even without its origin story, it makes a great daily driver, a watch nerd’s insider choice for those unafraid to stand apart from the EDC watch crowd. 

IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic Mark XX 

IWC is certainly renowned for its larger pilot’s watches — such as the Big Pilot’s and 44mm Pilot’s Chrono — but the flieger-style Mark XX takes the trophy for “most versatile” in the catalog. It keeps to the plot with its no-nonsense dial that maintains the unbeaten legibility of cockpit instruments, with design cues that include the classic orientation triangle at 12, bold Arabic hour markers, and easy-to-read minute hash marks. It all pops against a stark matte black background that features a date at 3 o'clock, and the swordlike handset leaves no doubt as to whether you’re on time to your target. 

It’s a classic look that recalls the original Mark 11, supplied to Britain’s Ministry of Defense from 1948, and suitable for dressing up or down however you like. And it all comes in a package that’s much easier to wear, with its shorter lug-to-lug distance when compared to the previous Mark XVIII. The Mark XX isn’t all tool-watch practicality, however: it features some flash in the form of polish on the bezel, handset, and the center links of that seriously underrated bracelet. Water resistance and power reserve from the in-house Calibre 32111 are also increased from previous iterations, making for a true go-anywhere companion. The Mark has a style that pairs with just about anything, it loves to swap straps, and it can go out for cocktails as easily as it takes to the wild blue yonder.