Die Hard: Indestructible watches for any adventure
LOFTWhen we think of tough watches, the first idea that comes to mind is always a Casio G-Shock , the icon of the brilliant Kikuo Ibe that has managed to establish itself as the favorite of the armed forces, extreme athletes, and active youth in general (except for those pagans who still prefer their Apple Watch).
Fortunately, technology has now allowed new brands across the price spectrum to develop mechanical watches that can withstand the rigors of nature as well as, or even better than, a G-Shock. Extreme shock resistance, magnetic resistance, water resistance to great depths, and cutting-edge lightweight materials are some of the attributes these watches bring to the market, designed precisely so that today we no longer have to compromise the style and enjoyment a luxury watch delivers when we want to engage in physical activity.
We must not forget that the watch was born as a tool for explorers, divers, and adventurers, so this is the natural evolution of the wristwatch as a tool and companion for journeys, a new category of indestructible watches that come to destroy the myth that luxury watches are fragile ornaments for our wrists.
In this list, we present a selection of the toughest pieces available today, an eclectic list that includes pieces of diverse styles, at all price points, and with very specific missions. What they all have in common is that they're tougher than you, and they have a better chance of surviving your next adventure than any other travel companion.
Victorinox Inox
Starting with a Swiss brand that has always stood out for its adventurous spirit and excellent prices, the Inox , launched more than five years ago, boasts of being the only Swiss watch capable of passing 130 resistance and durability tests . From more traditional tests like a 10-meter drop, to truly eccentric tests, such as being run over by a 64-ton tank and spinning for two hours in a 90-degree washing machine.
The model, in addition to being indestructible, has a style and design that have transformed it into a mainstay of the Victorinox collection, which has taken the opportunity to expand its range by introducing diving and automatic models, as well as versions in materials such as titanium and carbon. Its price of $500 makes it the best option for those looking for an indestructible model that also has the prestige associated with coming from the land of watches.
Sinn EZM 12 Mission Timer
It could be argued that all watches from the German manufacturer Sinn are pretty much indestructible. We're talking about a company that specializes in creating instruments for professionals, and that also supplies various military, rescue, and government entities. But in this case, we're focusing on the most specific watch in the catalog, the EZM 12 , a watch created to meet the needs of air rescue personnel. All of this watch's components and features are designed for this mission, and include such incredible details as German steel hardened with its patented TEGIMENT process, inert gas inside the case that prevents damage from moisture, and a copper sulfate capsule in one of the crowns that changes color to warn when moisture has penetrated the watch.
Its primary medical features include a 4-wire rotor that facilitates quick readings of a patient's pulse rate, a countdown timer to monitor the first 10 minutes of a rescue (the first 10 minutes are crucial in a rescue and are often the difference between life and death), and a bezel and straps that can be easily removed after each rescue for washing, presumably to remove traces of blood and DNA.
For $3,340, this Sinn is the ultimate expression of what the German brand does so well, and a truly interesting option for those looking for something different from the usual suspects, without having to sacrifice durability to appreciate the incredible details of this marvel, which also won the 2019 Red Dot Design Award. A tough guy created for real-life heroes.
Richard Mille RM 25-01
It's hard to think of a more indestructible action hero than Sylvester Stallone . The Rocky and Rambo star built his career around tough, resilient characters who are impossible to destroy. After a long romance with Panerai , Stallone appears to have turned the page and teamed up with his friend Richard Mille to create what is probably the only tourbillon you'd dare take with you on an expedition to the Amazon rainforest or the summit of Everest.
The RM 25-01 is a 50-millimeter black beast that, in addition to costing almost a million dollars—983,000 USD to be exact—includes all the advances in materials and technology that Richard Mille has developed over the last decade. It features an ultra-shock-resistant TPT quartz case, interchangeable bezels that include a compass and a protective titanium cover, and even a crown that houses five water-purifying capsules to survive for days in the jungle.
Of course, its strap features a not-so-subtle camouflage design, and its dial, like almost every Richard Mille, reveals the incredible skeletonized hand-wound movement incorporating a tourbillon and an ultra-precise chronograph, in addition to the power reserve and main barrel torque indicator.
It feels more like a toy than a true adventure watch, and the price tag certainly isn't for everyone, but we admire Richard Mille for continuing to push the boundaries of what mechanical watchmaking can offer, and we're sure the lucky buyers of the RM 25-01 will enjoy playing with all the gadgets this watch packs and be the life of the party. A yacht party, of course.
IWC Pilot XPL
This year, during the virtual version of Watches & Wonders , IWC surprised everyone with the launch of a very special Big Pilot , something very different from anything we'd seen in this family of watches until now. This is the Big Pilot XPL Shock Absorber , a completely different version of IWC's "normal" pilot watches, which, after intensive testing at the Cavendish Institute, now holds the title of the most shock-resistant watch in the world, even surpassing the G-Shock.
That's right, thanks to its IWC-patented SPRIN-g PROTECT technology, the watch is capable of withstanding shocks of up to 30,000 G, making it virtually indestructible. This movement suspension mechanism is inserted into the traditionally large Big Pilot case, this time measuring 44 millimeters, but constructed from Ceratanium , IWC's proprietary alloy that blends the scratch-resistance of ceramic with the lightness of titanium.
While it's not a limited edition—only 30 will be built per year—as the manufacturing process is complex and expensive. Its $80,000 price tag will likely prevent many from enjoying its futuristic design and indestructible performance, but we're confident that if you have the means to ride in an ultrasonic jet that experiences several Gs, then you're in a position to buy it.
We love to see brands thinking ahead, rather than just replicating old models one after another, so this Big Pilot is a welcome addition to the brand's most successful series. We believe it will form the basis for new projects by IWC's newly formed "Experimental Engineering Team," tasked with taking innovation in Schaffhausen to the next level.
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