Tested: The Best Tritium Watches For Non-Stop Glow

Most folks probably don’t take low-light illumination into account when searching for a watch and we think that’s a big mistake. After all, there are just as many daylight hours as there are night ones — which means (especially if you spend a lot of time awake after sundown) having a watch you can read in the dark can be pretty important. There are a wide variety of illumination types — from glow-in-the-dark coatings to built-in LED lights. But we wanted to take a look at what some consider the king of all watch illumination types. That’s why we’ve wrangled up the following watches in order to get hands on with each and put them through their paces for this curated guide to and hands-on review of the best tritium watches.

Selection & Testing

Compared to other more common watch types such as field watches, divers, or GMTs, tritium timepieces are far more rare. As a result, when we first set out to uncover the best options on the market, we first scoured the space in order to find pretty much every available option currently out there. After finding the few dozen brands that make tritium watches, we then reviewed each brand’s catalog, selecting one or two watches from each before narrowing this larger list down to around 12 watches.

These dozen watches were primarily selected on the strength of their design and dimensions, movement type, dial layout, water resistance, and material selection. We also closely scrutinized each watch’s use of tritium, from the type of tritium to the amount used to the locations the tritium is placed in. In order to discover how these watches actually perform and wear on the wrist, we managed to get our hands on each timepiece on our shortlist.

To test each watch, we set up a rotation where each reference was worn for several days, allowing us to take notes on area like comfort and build quality. We also performed a low light trial to test each watch’s tritium, it’s effectiveness, and how well it glowed.

During each watch’s turn in rotation, they were also kept on a nightstand while the tester slept, allowing its tritium to be further tested in a real world setting. Once this testing process was complete, we then compared our notes and findings in order to narrow the dozen timepieces we tested down to a final selection of what this review process proved to be the best tritium watches that money can currently buy.

Wrist Size: We should also mention that our tester has a wrist diameter of around 8″, so keep that in mind when comparing it to your own wrist.

Luminox Navy SEAL Military Watch 45mm 

Best Tactical Watch: In 1992, an officer in charge of procurement for the U.S. Navy SEAL teams was sent to a watch trade show in hopes of finding an ultra-tough tactical timepiece for the teams for both day and night missions. The officer picked up a myriad of watches to test before eventually selecting Luminox, which shortly after became the official watch supplier for the U.S.’ Navy SEALs teams. From there, Luminox spent the next two years developing what would become its watershed timepiece, the 3001 Original Navy SEAL Watch. Fast forward to this day and this watch remains one of the most popular tactical options out there — and for good reason. 

The Good

The watch is constructed around a 45mm case crafted from Luminox’s proprietary CARBONOX composite. Water resistant down to 200 meters, the case features a screw-down crown and a screw-in 316L stainless steel caseback that’s engraved with the SEAL Trident. Mated to the case is a 24mm rubber strap that has some interesting texturing to it, as well as embossed Luminox branding. The watch is also secured using a 316L dual-prong clasp with a milled-in Luminox logo. Thanks to the CARBONOX construction, the entire thing tips the scales at just 71 grams (or 2.5oz). 

Though the case is only 14mm thick, the beefy crown that sits atop it gives it a much thicker feel. With that said, it still feels like it wears pretty close to the wrist. The CARBONOX case is incredibly lightweight, yet doesn’t have a cheap or plasticky feel to it. sIts design has some pretty blatant tactical and military vibes, though I still found the watch to be surprisingly versatile, doing a good job of blending in with normal everyday outfits, and not looking out of place in the office or urban settings. 

Supplementary Strengths

The fact this watch is still used by what’s arguably the world’s most elite fighting force — despite 30 years having come and gone since its debut — no doubt speaks volumes about its durability, easy legibility, and just the overall quality of its design. And, while I definitely appreciate the more elaborate mechanical nature of automatic watches, there’s still admittedly something nice about the set-it-and-forget-it experience that this watch’s quartz movement offers. Maintenance is as simple as just swapping out the battery once every 50 months. 

The dial sports bold white numbers against a black background, plus Luminox’s Luminox Light Technology tritium tubes on each of the hands and at each hour marker. Encompassing the dial is a unidirectionally-rotating bezel with a tritium inlay at 12 o’clock. Beneath the dial is a Swiss-made Ronda 515 quartz movement. The dial also sits under a hardened mineral crystal rated at between 550-650 Vickers for hardness. This watch also ships in a mini Pelican-like case.

The Not So Good

I did have a few very minor issues with this tactical timepiece. Is like that you get tritium on the seconds hand, though it’s a very, very small piece that’s harder to see or read than the hour markers or hour or minute hands. Even more difficult to see is the teeny tiny tritium tube set at 12 o’clock on the bezel. Another minor downside to this watch is that Luminox uses T25 tritium rather than the more premium, brighter-glowing T100. Aside from that, it’s a really terrific watch.

Verdict: The official watch of the U.S. Navy Seals since 1994, the Luminox Navy SEAL Military Watch 45mm is an ultra-tough, Swiss-made tactical timepiece that’s been adorning the wrist of some of the world’s most elite operators for three decades. With a super legible dial, a super rugged yet lightweight CARBONOX case construction, and night mission-ready tritium on each hand and hour marker, it’s not hard to see why this watch remains the SEALs’ go-to reference. 

Protek Titanium Field Series 3000

Most Versatile Watch: After creating the U.S. Navy SEALs official watch brand, Barry Cohen would later step away from Luminox in order to establish a new brand under the banner of Protek Watches. Like Luminox, Protek’s timepieces are tough-as-nails and can handle just about whatever you can throw at them, however Cohen’s newer brand also delivers some pretty exceptional value — as evidenced by references like the Titanium Field Series 3000.

The Good

Offered in green, blue, white, or black dial versions, Protek’s Titanium Field Series 3000 starts with a 40mm titanium case before receiving a screw-in titanium case-back, a fixed titanium bezel, and an O-ring-secured crown. Underneath an AR-coated sapphire crystal is a high-legibility, minimalist dial with a Protek logo, a three-hand-set, and indices are every hour. In terms of lume, this watch uses Swiss-made self-ppowered Pro-Glo T100 tritium on its hands and at every hour marker — i.e. the largest tritium tubes currently available.

This tritium is neatly integrated into the dial and is only visible to the naked eye on the hands. Thanks to the use of T100-based Pro-Glo, this tritium shines incredibly bright — and noticeably brighter than the Luminox watch above. Water resistant down to 100 meters, this watch also sports 20mm lugs and a thickness of only 11mm — allowing for a fairly compact on-wrist experience. I loved keeping this watch on my bedside table at night, too, as it made it ridiculously easy to read the time with just a quick glance thanks to the brightly-glowing T100 tritium set in the dial. 

Supplementary Strengths

Weighing in at just 48.4 grams (or 1.7oz), the watch also includes a waterproof Italian leather strap with a matching titanium buckle. Inside, the case houses an ultra-accurate Japanese-made Miyota Super 2035 quartz movement which offers four years of life on a single battery. The dial on the Titanium Field Series 3000 looks stunning, especially in the blue dial version that we tested ((Model PT3001). I personally opted to toss this watch onto a blue NATO strap before proceeding to use it as my everyday watch, even after testing had ended — it really is that good. 

I was also surprised by just how versatile this watched proved to be, lending itself to everything from daily-wearing to outdoor use to even formal settings thanks to its handsome leather strap and blue dial. Its immense versatility is just one of several factors that make this watch so special in my eyes — with the others being its incredible bang-for-your-buck, and its truly phenomenal build quality. It’s seriously difficult to overstate just how well-crafted and well-executed Proteks watches are. The attention to detail is also thoroughly impressive, from the Italian leather strap’s accent stitching to the use of titanium for its crown, bezel, and case back, it’s just really clear that this isn’t a watch where corners were cut. 

The Not So Good

My gripes with Protek’s Titanium Field Series 3000 are few and far between, but there were a few nonetheless. Considering the roughly $500 MSRP, I wouldn’t mind seeing this watch receive an auto movement, and the push-pull crown doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence when it comes to actually getting in the water with this watch on your wrist. With these two issues aside, this is still a truly fantastic timepiece with a premium material selection and a level of build quality that’s normally reserved for watches costing several grand. 

Verdict: The Protek Titanium Field Series 3000 is an affordable priced field watch that delivers exceptional bang-for-your-buck with its high-end materials and world-class build quality. It also happens to be one of the most versatile field watches currently out there, making it super easy to justify its price. 

Traser P68 Pathfinder GMT

Best GMT Watch: The Traser watch brand was first established in 1989. Dubbed the P6500 Type 6, its inaugural timepiece — which was designed in response to a request from the U.S. Army to meet their MIL-W-46374F military specifications — represented the world’s first-ever self-illuminated watch. Roughly three-and-a-half decades since its inception and Traser is still going strong as ever, continuing to expand its horological catalog with exceptional timepieces like the Traser P68 Pathfinder GMT.

The Good

Constructed around a 46mm stainless steel case with a PVD coating, the P68 Pathfinder GMT watch features an integrated compass ring that’s controlled via a secondary crown at 8 o-clock. There’s also a date window and primary crown at the traditional 3 o’clock location. The dial is busy and has a lot going on, yet it’s still fairly easy to read. The standard three-item hand-set has also been joined by a fourth hour hand with an arrow tip. On each of the four hands at over the indices at each hour are Trigalight tritium tubes that proved to glow brightly in pure darkness or low light settings. Sitting under an AR-coated sapphire crystal, the dial has also been supplemented with Swiss Super-LumiNova luminous paint — thereby offering something of the best of both worlds. 

Supplementary Strengths

While it’s not quite on the same level of the Protek watch above, I still found Traser’s overall craftsmanship and build quality to be impressive. With a case spanning 46mm, this is also the largest watch out of all the tritium timepieces we tested. The integrated compass ring also cranks up this watch’s functionality and utility, while also giving it a cool horological party trick of sorts. I also really like that, in addition to producing this watch in multiple dial colors, Traser also sells the thing with the buyer’s option of a color-matched NATO strap, a rubber strap, or a stainless steel bracelet. 

The Not So Good

Traser’s P68 Pathfinder GMT has a lot going for it, though it’s by no means a perfect watch. Most of its issues, however, stem from its immense size. Not only does a feel pretty substantial on-wrist, but its oversized appearance also pretty greatly lessens its versatility and leaves it looking out of place in any more formal scenarios. And, when you consider the stellar titanium-cased, auto-powered sub-$500 watches currently available from brands like Timex and RZE, it’s hard for me not to take issue with the Traser’s quartz GMT movement, as I’d really prefer to see an automatic item at this price point. 

Verdict: The Traser P68 Pathfinder GMT is a tough-as-nails field watch-style GMT with over-sized proportions, stellar build quality, and a fourth hand for tracking a second time zone. Though it’s a bit lacking in versatility, it’s unequivocally one of, if not the single nicest tritium-equipped GMT watch out there right now.  

Marathon 36mm Officer’s Mechanical

Best Field Watch: Famous the world over for their ability to merge Swiss engineering with mil-spec durability and resistances, Marathon’s watches are designed in Canada and brought to life in Switzerland. In 1941, the company developed a field watch that was first issued to Allied soldiers, though roughly 40 years after its debut, this tried-and-true timepiece was reissued, giving way to the Marathon 36mm Officer’s Mechanical — also known as the General Purpose Mechanical or just GPM for short. 

The Good

The Marathon General Purpose Mechanical consists of a 36mm case that’s brought to life in premium 316L stainless steel with a Parkenized finish. Water resistant down to 50 meters, the case’s compact dimensions continue with a tight 16mm lug and a thickness of only 11mm. Keeping the thing ticking is an 18-jewel Sellita SW210-1 automatic movement. The case comes paired with a NATO-style strap that’s cut from ballistic-grade nylon and fitted with hardware made from parkerized steel. 

Sitting beneath a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, the dial is incredibly simple — and is the epitome of traditional military-style setups, with both regular and military time, as well as a Marathon logo, a radioactive symbol, and the watch’s movement’s number of jewels. Legibility couldn’t be easier in the dark thanks to generously-sized H3 tritium tubes at every hour marker and on the GPM’s hands — including its seconds hand. Supplementing the tritium tubes is MaraGlo lume, as well. 

Supplementary Strengths

Above and beyond its classic military appearance, this timeless-looking field watch is also largely characterized by its extreme durability — after all, the thing was built to withstand the extreme rigors and abuses of combat and warfare. This is owed to both the design of its case, as well as its movement’s Incabloc Shock Absorber system. For being a military watch, I was also surprised by how well-crafted the watch is — which shouldn’t come as a huge surprise considering its manufactured in Switzerland. 

At around $600 all told with tax and shipping, I wouldn’t say this watch offers the best value, but it’s by no means terrible either. And, while it’s warranty may only cover two years, the rugged material selection and build quality of this watch practically guarantees that it will offer years and years of dependable use. Lastly, while I’m personally partial to the 316L model, it is worth noting that Marathon also produces the GPM in a composite fibershell-cased version — as well as in more compact 34mm variants. 

The Not So Good

There’s a very good reason that the GPM has remained a staple in the field watch space for the better part of the last half-century — though it’s not without a few minor issues here and there. For starters, the tritium on the dial isn’t so much integrated into the dial as it is slapped on top of it, giving it a more raw, utilitarian feel — which may be fine for daily wearing and outdoor use, but definitely limits its versatility in more formal settings. My bigger issue with this watch is its size, as it’s pretty small at just 36mm across — plus it looks even smaller as its dial doesn’t extend all that close to the edges of the case, giving it the appearance of an even smaller timepiece. This effect is even more noticeable when worn by someone with a larger or thicker wrist. 

Verdict: Originally produced for Allied forces in WW2 before being revived in the 1980s, the Marathon 36mm Officer’s Mechanical is an ultra-minimalistic, tried-and-true, tough-as-nails field watch that’s built to military-spec standards. It is an extremely compact timepiece at just 36mm, though this is its only real Achilles heel, and is otherwise a terrific watch. 

MTM Silver US-744X

Best Dive Watch: The Virginia-class — also known as the SSN-774 class — is the United States Navy’s latest and greatest class of nuclear-powered cruise missile fast attack submarines. Helmed by 132 crew and displacing a whopping 7,800 tons when submerged, this massive vessel was what directly inspired the design of the MTM Silver US-744X.

The Good

Built like an absolute tank, MTM’s Silver US-744X is constructed around a 45mm wide, 16mm thick case that’s been machined from solid grade 5 titanium. This titanium case has been complemented via a matching Ti-6Al-4V titanium bracelet and a ratcheting unidirectional bezel. Decorated in an MTM Dagger Insignia, the watch’s case back features a sapphire crystal exhibition window that puts its movement on full display. 

Offered in several color options, the dial is composed of brass and is made up of multiple layers. Fortified beneath a 5.5mm-thick scratch-resistant, multi UV and AR-coated sapphire crystal, the dial also sports a hand set and hour markers fitted with U.S. NRC-approved tritium gas tubes. MTM doesn’t cite what kind, but based on how brightly they glow, my hunch is T100. The hands were also designed specifically to be read while underwater, plus the oversized nature of the watch and its dial make it super easy to read at just a quick glance. 

Supplementary Strengths

At the heart of MTM’s limited edition Silver US-744X is a Seiko Caliber 6R20 movement. This Japanese-made automatic movement features 29 jewels and a power reserve of 45 hours. Boasting a high beat of 28,800 vibrations per hour, this movement is accurate to within 15 to +25 seconds per day. The movement also represents yet another high-end aspect of this thoroughly utilitarian dive watch. 

There are a few surprisingly practical aspects of this watch that I wasn’t expecting when I first got my hands on the thing. In lieu of normal chronograph sub-dials, the US-744X features on sub-dial that shows the day of the week and another showing the day of the month. The final third sub-dial displays the watch’s remaining power reserve. I also really like how this watch’s titanium bracelet can be adjusted or have links removed using an included Allen key. Additionally, I also thoroughly appreciate that thing also ships in a watertight, crushproof Pelican-style hard case that includes a supplementary rubber strap as well as a Velcro-secured ballistic nylon strap.

The Not So Good

Though it’s got a lot going for it, I did take issue with a few aspect of MTM’s Silver US-744X. First off, while it does have a fairly handsome appearance, it simply isn’t anywhere near as elegant as some other high-end dive watches, and sticks out like a sore thumb in more formal settings. This isn’t only owed to its design but also its dimensions — which frankly isn’t a shock considering the watch is inspired by a massive Virginia-class submarine spanning 377’ in length and 34’ in width — with an oversized 45mm case with and an equally substantial 16mm thickness. What’s more, even with its liberal use of grade 5 titanium, the sheer proportions of this watch also result in a pretty hefty weight of 5.5oz. Lastly, at $3,225, it doesn’t come cheap — nor is it guaranteed to hold its value like similarly priced luxury watches from bonafide heritage brands like Tudor, Omega, or Ball.

Verdict: MTM’s Silver US-744X is an over-sized, over-built take on a tritium-equipped dive watch that sports a full titanium construction, 500 meters of water resistance, a premium automatic movement, and a level of durability seldom seen outside of watches that say G-SHOCK on the dial. 

Ball Engineer M Pioneer

Best Luxury Pick: The vast majority of tritium watches are more tactically-minded and military-focused, however, there is one bonafide luxury watch brand that’s famous for producing tritium gas tube timepieces, and that’s Ball. And while the Swiss label’s catalog is packed with premium tritium watch options, few capture and epitomize its technology quite like the Ball Engineer M Pioneer — especially in the Rainbow tube version that we got hands-on with for this review. 

The Good

Water resistant to 100 meters, the entire watch is construction around a 40mm wide, 12.05mm thick case with a fixed bezel and a 904L stainless steel construction — the same material used for the watch’s matching H-link bracelet. Both the case and bracelet also sport a combination of brushed and polished finishes, making for an even more eye-catching design. It does have an approximately 46.6mm lug-to-lug measurement, though it wears pretty compact on the wrist. 

The Engineer M Pioneer is kept ticking via one of Ball’s own in-house  Manufacture caliber RRM7309-CS movements. Beating at 28,800vph, this COSC-certified chronometer boasts a silicon hairspring and a generous 80-hour power reserve, plus the entire thing is on display via the watch’s Sapphire crystal transparent case back. And, while it’s clearly an elegant-looking timepiece, this watch is also surprisingly rugged thanks to the use of its patented Amortiser anti-shock system. It’s also resistant to magnetic fields of up to 200,000A/m (or 2,500 Gauss). 

My favorite aspect of this watch, however, is unquestionably its micro gas tubes. Sitting beneath an AR-coated sapphire crystal, the numbers adorning the dial look like your average numerals, though in fact conceal 48 micro gas tubes that allow the numbers to glow in a low light settings — and do so in a super unique white, yellow, green, and purple colors. The minute, hour, and seconds hands also get their own yellow micro gas tubes, as well. 

Supplementary Strengths 

Another one of the Engineer M Pioneer’s major highlights is its versatility. This go-anywhere, do-anything watch lends itself to just about any situation imaginable, and fits in just as well at the office or pub as it would a black tie affair. It’s just a really handsome watch with an understated elegance to it. And, a you’d expect from a true Swiss luxury brand, the Engineer M Pioneer’s overall craftsmanship and build quality is simply off-the-charts. Its premium build quality became all the more apparent when viewed side-by-side with the other tritium watches I tested for this writeup. 

This particular reference is also a limited edition that’s restricted to just 1,000 units worldwide. Not only does each one sport a unique #-of-1,000 serial number, but Ball even allows you to select your desired limited edition number — plus it’s sold with free optional engraving as a little added bonus. I also love the simple-looking nature of the dial layout and hands, and the extra bit of charm, character, and class afforded by the hand-set’s second hand’s Ball-crest counter balance.

The Not So Good

As far as tritium watches go, the Ball Engineer M Pioneer is about as close to perfect as it gets. Sure, it may lack some of the extreme durability offered by its mil-spec counterparts, but it more than makes up for this in just about every other area. With that said, we do have to address the price. At around $4,000, it’s by no means cheap, but when you consider everything that your money gets you, I’d actually argue it offers some pretty decent bang-for-your-buck — plus it’s practically guaranteed to hold its value, making for a solid investment and an easier purchase to justify. 

Verdict: A thoroughly top-shelf, luxury take on a tritium watch, the Ball Engineer M Pioneer is a high-end GADA-style timepiece that features an eye-catching rainbow tritium gas tube design. Sure, it costs a bit more than the other options on this list, but we’d argue its MSRP is fully justifiable considering everything it offers. 

Tritium Watches Comparison Chart

What Exactly Is Tritium?

Even if you’re unfamiliar with its name, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen something with tritium illumination — or you’re at least keen as to what tritium does. You see, this glow-in-the-dark substance is actually a gas. To be more exact, it’s a rare radioactive isotope of hydrogen — also known as super heavy hydrogen — which contains a nucleus with one proton and two neutrons, as opposed to just one proton or just one proton and one neutron (as in hydrogen-1 and hydrogen-2), which was first discovered by Ernest Rutherford, ML Oliphant, and Paul Harteckin in 1934.

However, the gas alone does not produce illumination. Rather, it must be paired with phosphorous and, together, typically sealed inside a hermetically-sealed glass tube — known as a GTLS (Gaseous Tritium Light Source). These tritium-and-phosphorous tubes create a radioluminescent light source that will glow, without the need for any kind of “recharging,” for somewhere between 10-20 years — although there are some claims that it will last even longer (more on that below). They’re not affected by light, temperature fluctuations (within reason), motion, and are even waterproof and visible through as much as 60-meters of H2O.

How Long Does Tritium Last?

Chemists have estimated that tritium’s half-life is approximately 12 years, meaning it will become about half as bright once it hits that 12-year mark. Some quick math will tell us that after 24 years the brightness will be at 25%, and then 12.5% after 36 years, ad infinitum.

Is Tritium Safe?

If you’re worried about safety — after all, we did mention that tritium is a radioactive isotope — don’t be. Studies have shown that, if you were to break open a tritium watch and absorb 100% of the radioactivity, it would be no more dangerous to you than eating a banana every other day. In fact, the energy produced by tritium isn’t even strong enough to penetrate human skin, thus making it perfect for use in wearable gear — like watches, of course.

The Pros & Cons Of Tritium 

As you might guess, tritium’s primary use in the modern age is to function as illumination inside wristwatches. And many would say, thanks to the fact that it has been measured up to 100 times the brightness of other forms of watch illumination (like SuperLuminova coatings), it’s by far the best type of watch illumination. However, that does come at a cost. You see, unlike alternative coatings and LED lights, tritium is a good deal more expensive — which is reflected in the MSRP of any tritium watch — thanks to its rarity. That being said, the benefits, especially when considering dive watches, more than makes up for the added cost.

What To Consider When Shopping For A Tritium Watch

If you really want to go into the weeds and get into the nitty-gritty, there are dozens of factors that can be taken into account when purchasing a tritium watch. With that said, there are a short list of areas that trump all others in terms of importance — all of which we’ll be breaking down directly below.

Watch Type: Tritium watches are simply timepieces that use tritium in their dial. As a result, these watches existing across a wide range of types, from GMTs to GADA watches. Because of their military connection, the most commonly-seen types of tritium watches are field watches and dive watches. 

Case Dimensions: You’ll always want to review the size of the case on any watch you’re considering. This includes the case diameter, as well as the case thickness (or height) and lug-to-lug measurement. 

Case Material: It’s not just the case’s size that you’ll want to look at, but also the material used to construct it. Case construction plays a major role in a watch’s weight, durability, and comfort — as well as its price. 

Tritium Use: One of the most crucial areas to consider when buying a tritium watch is the tritium itself. More specifically, the type of tritium used, the amount used, and the locations where it’s used on the dial such as for the hour markers and hands. 

Movement Type: Just like when purchasing any type of watch, you’ll want to pay attention to the type of movement used inside a tritium watch — whether its quartz or mechanical, and, if the latter, whether it’s hand-wound or automatic. On top of playing a major role in the pricing of a watch, its specific movement will also directly determine areas such as accuracy and power reserve. 

Band or Bracelet: While not as important as the case — as a watch’s bracelet or band can always be swapped out for an aftermarket item — it’s still worth looking into the type of band, strap, or bracelet that comes paired with a watch. It’s also worth noting that a good deal of tritium watches ship with multiple included straps, bands, or bracelets. 

Resistances: When shopping for a tritium watch, you’ll also want to factor overall durability into your decision, as well as each watch’s water resistance rating. 

Honorable Mentions

While this is admittedly an unorthodox pick, we’d be remised if we didn’t take a moment out to shine a light on the Charles-Hubert Paris T100 Hunter’s Case Tritium Pocket Watch. Using a stainless steel Hunter’s Case, this tritium pocket watch features a matching steel cover with a push-button release and an engraveable case-back. The black dial employs T100 tritium on its hour and minute hands and at every hour marker — make it an elegant alternative to normal, tactically-inspired tritium timepieces. Because of the unconventional nature of this tritium pocket watch, we’ve relegated it to an honorable mention. 

Though the company doesn’t have quite as extensive of a history as other mainstay field watch-makers — having only been founded in 2003 — the Bertucci brand nonetheless makes some of the best value-laden military-style timepieces on the market. The Bertucci A-5S Ballista Field Watch ticks all of the brand’s usual boxes, though sees its 45mm steel case and black dial bestowed with tritium inserts on the hand-set and at every hour. While it’s a great tritium watch that we’d recommend at least considering when shopping in this space, the reality was that we simply preferred the picks from Marathon and Protek a bit more, resulting in the A-5S Ballista only being featured as an honorable mention — albeit a particularly honorable one. 

If you’re looking for a more understated tritium dive watch option than our pick from MTM, we’d urge you to check out the Isobrite ISO1211 Naval Series T100 Amphibian Edition. Offering some pretty impressive bang-for-your-buck, this Naval Series Amphibian Edition timepiece is constructed around a 44mm 316L case with 1000’ of water resistance, a ceramic bezel insert, and an onboard Swiss-Made Ronda 715Li quartz movement — all for just $550. What’s more, the thing also boasts a 60-click unidirectional ratcheting diver bezel with a tritium elapsed minute marker, and 16 T-100 tritium markers adorning the dial and hands. 

Though it costs just $40 more than the above pick from Isobrite, the MWC Automatic Military Divers Watch represents a pretty major step up. For under $600, you get a 40mm steel case with an AR-coated sapphire crystal, a ceramic bezel, and the same 1,000’ of water resistance. What separates it from the Isobrite is its 21-jewel Cal. 8215 automatic movement and use of Gaseous Tritium Light Sources — or GTLS. There is a bit of controversy surrounding the MWC brand, though that’s a topic for a different day. 

In many ways, the Nite Alpha Crest is a more handsome version of the above pick from MWC, only with a more fashion-forward design and substantially better build quality. Just like with the Isobrite, you get a Swiss-made Ronda quartz movement, a ceramic bezel, 1,000’ of water resistance, and T100 tritium at the hour markers and on the hands. Pieced together around a middle-of-the-road 42mm case, the Alpha Crest also makes for an exceptional daily-wear and GADA watch. And, while it didn’t make the cut to receive a spot on the main list, this is another particularly honorable mention that we’d still recommend considering when shopping in the tritium watch space. 

Tested: The Best Military & Tactical Watches for Extreme Durability

If you have an affinity for the timepieces featured in this guide, you’ll almost certainly also appreciate the ultra-rugged references found in our guide to the best military and tactical watches for extreme durability, where we get hands-on with nine of the latest and greatest mili and tac watches out there right now.