Camouflage is one of the most recognisable patterns in the world, which is somewhat ironic given its purpose of allowing objects to remain hidden. However. It has become ingrained in style, design and culture for its combination of military providence, range of colour and styles, and urban coolness. Whether you’re trekking in the wilderness of hitting the downtown skate park, camo has a place. Here’s a selection 10 camouflage watches that will make you stand out… or stay hidden.
Seiko 5 Sports SKX ‘Camouflage’ Street Style
At the accessible end of the spectrum, aside from the avalanche of cheap quartz watches with camo dials, is the Seiko 5 Sports SKX ‘Camouflage’ Street Style. Released in 2022 it’s based on a retro 1990s design, which is appropriate since the nineties saw camo patterns become mainstream after they started gaining popularity in the anti-war movements of the preceding decades. As part of tapping into that street, almost counter-culture vibe, the SKX features a green camouflage dial in the US Woodland pattern, the most iconic of all camo patterns.
Price and Specs:
More details at Seiko Boutique.
ProTek 4100 USMC
ProTek are celebrating 250 years of the United States Marine Corps with the launch of the ProTek 4100 USMC. A practical adventure watch with 300m water resistance and a tough carbon composite case and bezel. The dial features the MARPAT digital camo, developed in 2001 for the Marines, the micropixel composition of the pattern is designed to break up the outline of the wearer more effectively than the solid block colours of alternative patterns. It remains thankfully legible due to Proglo lume hour markers.
Price and Specs:
More details at ProTek.
G-Shock GA-100
When you think of rugged watches that you can throw into the trials of a military training course or survivalist scenario, few come to mind as quickly as a G-Shock. Thanks to its hybrid analogue and digital displays it’s capable of tracking much more information than a traditional mechanical watch, making it more useful in scenarios where camo might actually be relevant. This model retains a very utilitarian, stealthy black design with typical Woodland pattern camo across its dial.
Price and Specs:
More details at G-Shock.
Breitling Superocean Automatic 46 Super Diver
Staying with the US Woodland pattern is the Breitling Superocean Automatic 46 Super Diver. Measuring 46mm in titanium, it’s a bold, overtly masculine wristwatch built for individuals with the type of forearms you only get through rigorous army training. It takes the dive watch and asks the question, what happens if you take it away from the white sand beaches of the Caribbean and send it off to the heart of darkness? Though in reality, it will also probably find more use as part of a street cool ensemble rather than with practical military fatigues.
Price and Specs:
More details at Breitling.
Ball x Oracle Time Engineer II Dazzle
Rather than a infantry or land-based corps, the Ball x Oracle Time Engineer II Dazzle’s camouflage comes from the arena of naval warfare. Developed in the early 20th century when British ships were being targeted by German U-boats, the purpose of Dazzle camo is not to literally hide the ship (that’s impossible when you stick up above the horizon) but to obfuscate their orientation, direction, speed and trajectory, making them harder to hit. The Ball takes that abstract pattern and converts it into a dial with dramatic impact – remaining legible thanks to large gas tube hour markers and blue accents on the hands. It’s powered by a COSC chronometer movement in a limited edition of 100 pieces.
Price and Specs:
More details at Ball.
Aera M-1 Dune
Without the context behind its design, one look at the M-1 Dune will most likely have you questioning why it is included in an article on camouflage watches. How can a monotone salmon-ish pink colour possibly be camo? Well, it’s based on a specific shade of pink used by the SAS from 1968-1984 on ‘Pink Panther’ Land Rovers in desert environments where they’re trying to blend into dune landscapes in the rosy sunlight of dawn and dusk, so a monotone colour (or subtle variations) to match monolithic dunes makes sense.
Price and Specs:
More details at Aera.
Boldr Field Medic Salamander
While many of the other watches on this list have historically significant camouflage patterns and colours, the grey and yellow of the Boldr Field Medic Salamander is a fictional creation designed specifically to look appealing. It actually draws its inspiration from, of all places, the Pantone colour of the year, which back in 2021 when this watch was released was a combination of Ultimate Grey and Illuminating Yellow. As the name suggests, it gives the impression of salamanders skin with an almost volcanic element to it.
Price and Specs:
More details at Boldr.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT
You might have to look closely to spot the camouflage on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT but it is there. Amid the black structure of the openworked bridges there are small plates of green camo at 12 o’clock behind the AP logo and at 6 o’clock with the function selector. The pattern is made up of sharply angled geometric shapes like a more modern style of camo that draws influence from the facetted shape of the 44mm diameter titanium case with integrated strap.
Price and Specs:
More details at Audemars Piguet.
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Ceramic Carbon Beige Camo
Hublot are perhaps the ultimate archetype of a high end brand with street cred heavily influenced by footballers and celebrity culture, so it’s not a surprise that they have explored street cool camo designs a lot. One of the more dramatic designs is the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Ceramic Carbon Beige Camo, which is based on an American desert camo in shades of black and brown. It actually works stylistically very well with the hybrid carbon and ceramic case. Which is a good thing because with its 42mm tonneau shape, the case is a substantial bit of kit.
Price and Specs:
More details at Hublot.
