buffy acacia
Even the word mountaineering conjures up images of explorers who braved Mother Nature’s harshest environments and emerged victorious. Reaching the top of a mountain is the kind of accomplishment that resonates as easily with young children as with adults, and which embraces a simplicity that must be reached far back in the human evolutionary chain. Masu. For as long as watches have existed, they have been used to help climbers. Here we take a look at seven of the best mountaineering watches.
Casio G-Shock Master of G Rangeman GW9400-1
While it’s very romantic to bring a sturdy mechanical watch to the mountainside, the reality is that it may not be the most useful tool. If you want something fast and reliable that can actually bring you profit, a digital watch is always the way to go. The Casio G-Shock Rangeman from the Master of G series is a perfect example of function over form, with its chunky, massive 53.5mm case that easily fits over a snow jacket. Solar-powered, it can measure altitude, pressure, temperature, and even quickly read direction. Add all of this to the G-Shock’s common features and indestructible features, and you’ve got a true adventure watch on a budget. Price: $330
garmin instinct crossover solar
Including a smartwatch on this kind of list can be controversial, but Garmin has a strong reputation for outdoor technology, and the Instinct Crossover Solar includes an analog display. There are cheaper models that don’t have solar charging, but you’ll still have to change batteries and charge things, and they won’t add to the immersive outdoor experience. A 70-day power reserve, GPS sensor, and heart rate monitor are just a few of the dazzling features. It also has a barometric altimeter so you can track your altitude while climbing, and a blood oxygen saturation monitor for very high climbs. Price: $450
Seiko Alpinist SPB121
Mountain-oriented watches tend to keep their names. The Seiko Alpinist has been a cult classic for years, having been popular long before green dials became a global trend. Recently reincarnated into the Prospex series, it retains its iconic internal rotating compass bezel, useful for navigation in areas without cell phone or GPS reception. The gold touches give it a more sophisticated quality, while at the same time making it one of the most affordable mechanical mountaineering watches. Whether you’re climbing mountains or just dreaming about them, the Alpinist SPB121 with its 39.5mm case and 70-hour caliber 6R35 will be your faithful and durable wrist companion. Price: $725
norquein neverest glacier ice blue
Released in 2021, the Norquein Neverest Glacier is a relative newcomer to the watch world. From a specs standpoint, it’s no better suited for climbing than most other modern sports watches, but it makes up for that in two ways. Beyond the Norqain mountain logo, the Neverest Glacier Ice Blue is given an attractive dial. Inspired by the treacherous crevasses of Mount Everest, the cracked texture instantly transports your mind to frigid climates. The second aspect of this watch is the philanthropic aspect, with Norquain partnering with the Butterfly Help Project, which supports the families and children of deceased Sherpas in the Himalayas. Price: $4,190 at T+T Shop
oris propilot altimeter
The Oris ProPilot altimeter has been around for years, but it was never the brand’s flagship model. Sure, automatic watches with altimeters have niche appeal, but they’re also amazing technological achievements that offer true mountaineering applications for even the most mechanical enthusiasts. The case is constructed primarily of carbon fiber and titanium, and despite its 47mm diameter, remains extremely light at 98g. The dial is very easy to read and the altimeter draws you in with its depth and detail. With a power reserve of 56 hours and water resistance of 100 meters thanks to the Sellita SW300-1 based movement, it’s perfect if you’ve decided to move away from digital watches completely. Price: $6,600
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen The 8000
Montblanc was ahead of the curve and released the 1858 Geosphere watch in 2018, anticipating that watch brands would go to great lengths to pursue a unique vintage aesthetic. But now it’s been reimagined with an industrial, contemporary feel and a green or gray Glacier dial. The 42mm titanium case is vacuum sealed and has no oxygen inside, which prevents the crystal from fogging up and also reduces the risk of oxidation. It is essentially a GMT and a world timer rolled into one, incorporating both hemispheres so that neither half of the world is left behind. If you look closely, you can also see points on the map. It shows the highest mountains on each of the seven continents as part of the Seven Summits Challenge. The compass bezel also adds to the practicality and flair of exploration, and the fumé blue dial is icy and mysterious. Price: $7,600
rolex explorer 40
For many, the Rolex Explorer is the ultimate in one watch collection. From vintage models from the 1950s to today’s modern sports watches, the Explorer truly can go anywhere and do anything. However, it was originally launched with high-altitude adventures in mind. While it remains controversial that Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary actually wore Rolex watches when they became the first humans to climb Mount Everest in 1953, Rolex’s sponsorship of their success was confirmed in the same year. It was used to promote the first Explorer Watch. The water-resistant Oyster case and simple 3-6-9 dial layout make it a very popular watch for those looking to capture the old essence of the Rolex brand. Price: $7,700
Time+Tide Timeless Pick: Vintage Smith Everest
Legend has it that Sir Edmund Hillary climbed Mount Everest using an early version of the Rolex Explorer, but the watch he actually wore was made by the British watchmaker Smiths. Some say it’s far more likely that it was inside. Whatever the truth, both Smith and Rolex ran advertising campaigns based on their successful mission, and the Smith Everest was born. Although the business was good, Smith’s diversification was significant, and by the 1970s they had almost stopped manufacturing watches. The Smith Everest has had a brief resurgence in recent years, but it was more of an homage to the Rolex Explorer than an actual Smith reference. Depending on the rarity of the reference, it costs a considerable amount of money, ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $7,000 USD, but it is an important part of the history of mountaineering watches.
