Best Watches For Underground Mining – Approved underground mining watches 2023

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Underground mining is one of the riskiest jobs in the universe. Not only is it dangerous for the ground to collapse and cover or bury miners inside a hole, but the continuous extractive work in a sunlight deprived area means the miner’s health is going to be highly affected. Moreover, radiations from rocks can be even life-threatening, causing complete gene mutation to the underground workers. What I want to share with you are the best watches for underground mining – the kind of watches approved for underground mining activities. We will also see how to pick a durable and a near indestructible miners watch.

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Before the mine wars that turned the coalfields of southern West Virginia into a blood-soaked war zone, coal was the engine for the American prosperity. As many as 700,000 men were working up to 10 hours daily to provide coal that operated the steel mills.

Today, mining does more than just provide coal. Some mined minerals include diamond, gold, iron, copper and more. In turn, some of these mined substances are later used by the watchmaking industries to produce wrist watches. Which watches are approved for underground mining business?

Although underground mineral exploitation is a risky job, it nevertheless has safety rules that can prevent Miners getting trapped underground.

Topping the list of safety gears approved for  the people working for mining companies to extract mineral deposits, is a wrist watch. Just as a helmet is of great use to a miner to work effectively , a good under ground watch is a must-have wearable in a mining site.

 

 

Why an underground miner’s watch is different

Wearing a wrong wrist watch when extracting natural renounces from under the rocks is as dangerous as going without a timepiece into a deep cast mining ore. First, Watches with batteries can be potentially dangerous for gas mines.

An electric spark can cause an havoc if it ignites flammable ores or gaseous mines. Secondly, miners may lose track of time when they descend underground where to remove earth minerals and ores. Third, wearing an watch that is not designed to endure mining environments means it can easily get beaten and broken.

It is more challenging to work in extreme conditions inside underground caves and tunnels, underwater and physically remote and treacherous terrains. Despite this, miners operate heavy machinery and tools. Mining watches is as important as these mining tools.

It is important to note that an Underground mineral extraction job is more dangerous than surface mining and other industrial activities. So wearables, gears and other accessories for miners should be able to endure the harsh conditions in the underground mines. Thankfully, watches manufactured for miners comply with government and industry strict specifications to ensure a reliable durability.

A wristwatch serves as a tool for miners and one that is designed sturdy and rugged, wins the favor of serious underground miners. There are many qualities to consider when shopping for a good durable below ground watches. The same for miners above ground mining.

 

Tips on how to choose a miner’s watch

Underground is a unique and often unfamiliar environment with so much wrist of being buried there alive. People who work there may lose track of time if they have no wrist watch with them.

However, Miners sometimes regret picking the wrong watch when it easily gets broken from beatings from underground explorations.

With help of an underground mining expert, we have several tips that might guide you to selecting a durable, unbreakable and best underground mining watch for yourself. We also considered some mining safety rules in our guide

 

Watch movement

When working underground in a coal mine, a battery-powered watch may cause ignitions and flames which is intrinsically not safe for any there. So a watch with mechanical movement or any wrist watch that is intrinsically designed with safety in mind can be a better option for miners.
No miner would want to have a broken piece of the battery-powered watch in a coal or gaseous mine.

 

Anti-magnetic features

Magnetic fields negatively affects the accuracy of a mechanical watches. Metallic internal watch parts especially the balance spring, get magnetized when exposed to these fields.

Metalliferous mines can be extremely magnetic and filled with magnetic fields. Watches are made of metallic gears, case, disc, etc and these metals have a certain tendency to move when exposed to magnetic fields.

If the balance spring becomes magnetized, the watch oscillates faster, and run fast in timekeeping. This is a very big error in situations where precise timing is expected.

So mining Watches without anti-magnetic properties will immediately lose track of time and may eventually break or stop working. All underground miners should pick the best anti-magnetic watches.

 

Waterproof, mud and dustproof properties

A serious worker in a mine will make sure his watch is water-resistant, dustproof, dirtproof, and mudproof. If you have never been to an underground mine, then know that it is filled with mud, sometimes water, dust, and debris from rocks. Some mines are even acidic and there is a need to protect a wrist watch mechanism from being affected by these. Dust and waterproof sealed watches are the best options. If a miner intends to store the watch for a long time, a replaceable seal is one important accessory to take along.

 

The watch case

From resin material to plastic to stainless steel casing that protects the watch’s internal gears, not many of these case materials work perfectly for underground miners.

Stainless steel case miners watch is durable, corrosion-resistant, shiny, and does not wear out easily for long. Although metallic steel watches may be heavy on the wrist, and some steel may produce nickel allergies, they remain durable, tougher, harder even inside the mud.

Titanium made watches are also durable and constitute most favorite watches for people who do heavy lifting like construction, weightlifting and mining. The advantage here is that titanium watches are very lightweight on the wrist, yet the titanium case remains super hard like steel.

Carbon fiber cased watches are also durable. These timepieces are very lightweight, very strong, and unfortunately expensive.

 

Watch lume – backlighting in the dark

Underground environments are always in the dark and a suitable mining watch should glow brightly to allow visibility on the watch face.

Super-lumiNova, Lumibrite, and tritium tubes are some luminous pigments used in watchmaking but they don’t give the same luminescence. Some of them glow brightly, some are radioactive and dangerous, some are electrically powered. Whatever, is the intensity of the watch lume, make sure it glows and makes the watch dial to be more readable in the dark.

One thing to note is that most luminous watches automatically turn off the backlight after some number of seconds. However, for underground mining, the best luminous watches approved for mining must be able to remain illuminated for the entire working day, several hours in a single shift.

Watches with durable lume are even more helpful for people who get trapped down the mine or tunnel for several days, weeks or months.
The best luminous watch for miners is one with lume that can last several years to come.

The best recommendation is you should look for a watch that can keep the dial clearly visible and illuminated for several hours or days.

 

Other Underground physical conditions

There are also other physical conditions that a your mining watch should be able to withstand. The watch must resists, Vibrations, mud, dust, chemical attacks(acids, rusting, oxidation). They must also tolerate extreme temperatures in the range from -15°C to +50°C. Check out these watches with thermometer -temperature sensor

 

Precision or Accurate timekeeping

Precise timekeeping is highly expected for an underground watch or surface mining watch. To keep track of shifts and work schedules, serious miner’s particularly won’t want to have a timepiece that needs constant rewind in the midst of extractive activities.

This is where the calibre and the quality of the watch’s movement made by the watchmaker truly counts. Certified chronometer watches tells accurate time.

Besides, US Military standards, it is also known that the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) is one of the bodies that checks a watch under a range of conditions, and certifies its accuracy.

 

The watch crystal

To keep a mining watch durable, unbeatable, and unbreakable, the dial of the timepiece must be covered by a tougher and more durable glass crystal. An underground watch with a dial covered glass that won’t easily get scratched or destroyed is the best choice.

Sapphire watch glass is been known in the watch industry as the strongest, toughest, and most durable crystal used to protect the watch dial window. This sapphire is used in the most expensive, high-end watches from luxury brands like Rolex, Tag Heuer and more others.

Sapphire is practically indestructible, unscratched and in addition to being anti-reflective, a sapphire watch is a nice timepiece to use in underground mining operations.

 

But how do you know a watch has sapphire crystal?

Check the video below.

Related: Why Choose Stainless Steel Watches And What Grade od steel Is The Best?

 

Best miners watches – Mine Safe Underground mining Watches

Finding the right surface and under ground miner watch does not need to be a hard task. The watches below meet the safety conditions in the mine. They are great timepieces to reward your mining staff.

However, I am pretty sure your next underground trip is going to be with a mine safe auto winding stainless steel watch that doesn’t go wrong. Here are mechanical or non-battery-powered miner’s watches that can safely handle the rigours of surface or underground mining.

 

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra > 15,000 gausses– Best anti-magnetic watch for underground mining

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Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is a tough miners watch with a rugged design featuring a super quality 316L stainless steel case and bezel and a water resistance of 150m. The leather band is interchangeable with a stainless steel bracelet to ensure it remains durable.

One more quality that is very important to keeping precise timing in a cave below the earth is the anti-magnetic properties. It can resist magnetic fields from rocks, up to 15,000 gausses. This means magnetic attractions and repulsions has little to no effect on the accuracy of timekeeping.

The anti-magnetic timepiece features a slightly yellow lacquered black dial with a date window at 3 o’clock position. There is also a co-axial automatic movement equipped with a Si 14 silicon balance spring. This omega chronometer watch remains a timepiece that is durable, reliable, and tough for miners.

The bezel is mounted on a 41.5 mm stainless steel case and is presented on a stainless steel bracelet. A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protects this unique dial from shocks, beatings, and dirt and mud.

There is also a second scratch-resistant sapphire crystal on the case back which allows an clear view of the anti-magnetic omega co-axial calibre 8508 powering the timepiece.

Related: Best Smartwatch For Small Wrists – Flawless, Beautiful And Stylish Small Smart Watches

 

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss watch – best under 40mm mens watches approved for mining

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Rolex is a reputable watch brands that does not compromise quality. It is manufacturing professional timepieces not only for mining, but for other sectors including aviation, motorsports and water activities(diving, sailing). What is unique about Rolex is their luxury nature, rugged design featuring reliable movements with fathomable level of precision.

Oyster Perpetual Milgauss watch tops the catalog of mens timepieces for underground mine workers. The durability comes from a proprietary Oyster steel (904L steel) which is the most reliable material known in super quality watchmaking business.

As one of the best luxury watches for small wrists, this Rolex case measures 40 mm in diameter and it also has a waterproof depth rating of 100 meters water resistance. The aesthetic and the versatility invested into this watch is the reason why it comes super expensive.

Although it comes with an unmatched craftsmanship under $10,000 this is no price for people working in Gold mine, oil frields and diamond extractors.

The Oyster steel bracelet is very special, tough, strong, unbreakable and Fitted with Oysterclasp and Easylink. As required for accurate timekeeping in mining ores, this Milgauss model has anti-magnetic properties. This 40mm Rolex is a small wrist watch that can resist magnetic field up to a flux density of 1,000 gausses.

The high magnetic resistance makes the high-end watch, very suitable for miners who work in metal-ferrous ores and operate heavy machinery that cause electromagnetic interferences. Wearing a small Rolex watch with anti-magnetic feature means miner’s safety is maximized.

Oh goodness! the Milgauss watch runs on a highly precise automatic self-winding movement that is COSC certified. This means the small face luxury watch has been tested and found accurate and reliable under range of conditions by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).

For visibility in the dark underground mines, the milgauss is a luminous mining watch. The hour, minute and second hands and hour-markers glow brightly thanks to the Super-LumiNova that keeps the watch dial legible at all the times in the dark.

Related: The Best Luxury Watches Under 40mm – Reliable Luxury Watch For Small Wrist Today

 

IWC Ingenieur Automatic watch –

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IWC is another watch brand that is trustworthy in making the reliable and rugged watches for professional activities. We selected this IWC Ingenieur automatic watch and included it in the list of stainless steel watches for underground miners because:

The the 40mm case is constructed from a durable, rustproof and solid strong stainless steel material. With this high quality solid stainless steel case, the IWC automatic miners watch is mine tough and can endure any harsh mining environment. The 40mm mining watch also has a water resistance of 120 meters and features crown guards.

The watch display is highly readable in poor lighting underground tunnels. The hour, minutes, second hands and hour-marking indexes are brightly illuminated by a special lume – Super-LumiNova . Checking time even in the darkness is no issue at all.

In addition to the tough case, is a tough band made of a solid stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp but the model also comes with a rubber strap.

While It’s magnetic shielding properties is rated at near 500 gausses, the watch is powered by an automatic movement with a power reserve of 42 hours.

Check more variety of IWC rugged watches here.

 

Ball Engineer II Pioneer – Best Automatic Chronometer watch for miners

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Who does not like watches made by Swiss watch brands? BALL also makes durable professional timepieces and some experts suggest this Ball Engineer II chronometer watch, just like Marvelight watch model,for surface and underground miners.

Despite the midsize 40mm diameter case that goes for small to medium sized wrists, the watch has what is expected to stay under the earth surface. The superior anti-reflective scratch resistant sapphire crystal protects the dial against dirts, mud and rock debris.

You see that the Swiss watch is presented in a luxurious brushed & polished stainless steel case and bracelet. The Silver dial features a silver tone and luminous hand indicators, silver tone and luminous Arabic Numeral, as well as index hour markers.

With elegant, modern and charming design, the water resistance of 100 meters is enough to endure water splashes, showers and surface swimming.

Furthermore, the watch is designed with a highly precise and reliable automatic movement with power reserve of 40 hours and caliber  BALL RR1103-C, 25 jewels. Added to the shock resistance, and waterproof features, the anti-magnetic movement or anti-magnetism(magnetic resistance) goes up to 1,000 gausses.

Made with a solid stainless steel case and stainless steel bracelet with a folding buckle, the timepiece uses micro gas tubes on the hour, minute, second hands illumination in the dark caves and tunnels. The hour-markers are also made with micro gas tubes for backlighting.

Thanks to hard work of Ball Watch Company, the Ball watches Chronometer timepieces are made in the absolute respect for the values of precision, reliability and tradition of the mining industry.

Related: Best Durable Watches For Construction Workers(Reliable Field work watches)

 

Seiko Prospex Alpinist Limited Model SBDC091 – budget friendly miners watch

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If you want a small face miners watch with Mechanical self-winding Japanese movement, this Seiko Prospex Alpinist Limited Edition is the best men’s watch built for the toughest environment like mine sites.

Equipped with Japanese automatic movement and 6R35 calibre, that durable stainless steel case ensures protection against shocks, from heavy duty machines, rocks and quarries.

The green dial, the analog display and the expensive sapphire, anti-reflection coating glass are materials expected in underground mining watches. Fortunately for tiny wrist mining workers, this timepiece comes with under 40mm watch face and a brown leather band, band color.

It is a highly waterproof watch with 200m water resistance which is suitable for diving, and water related mineral extractions. While it can withstand underground water, moisture and mud, the small dial Seiko Prospex is also equipped with date, luminous glowing hands, glowing markers and a screw-down crown.

More important to offer accurate timekeeping during extractive works, limited edition miners watch is anti-magnetic against magnetic fields and electromagnetic interferences from surrounding rocks in the earth crust.

This watch is a better gift to reward and motivate mining staff at a very cost effective level. But 40mm is too small for you, a slightly larger size is this SEIKO PROSPEX Automatic Diver’s 200 SBDC077. Another limited model made in Japan and comes expensive but under 1000 dollars.

 

Related: The Best Luxury Watches Under 40mm – Reliable Luxury Watch For Small Wrist Today

 

The story of a Coal miners Rolex Submariner

Valudable timepieces never lose their value for those who know it. In 2016, a Rolex Submariner with an ultra-rare 3-6-9 dial is said to have been sold for £227,000 at Gardiner Houlgate auctioneers.

David Hare, the director at Gardiner Houlgate describe this miners Rolex watch as “holy grail of vintage watches” which, he had expected it would sell for more than £200,000.

Amazingly at the time of auction, the watch was almost in its original condition. The experts called the dial a Crown-62’ variation which is even rare to find and even at that high price, the watches remain ought after by collectors worldwide. This particular watch has a version of the dial that experts call a ‘Crown-62’ variation, which is even rarer.

As to story goes, the Rolex Submariner 5512 was first bought by a medical attendant(the original owner) at a Nottinghamshire coal mine, for £70 in 1964. After 56 years, the vintage watch is still in its original condition. No scratch or any mark could be found in its bezel, glass or band. What surprises most people is that the Rolex vintage is still in its original package or box.

This watch was sold by the daughter of the original owner after the watch has been in the same family for over 50 years. Just imagine the financial support such a little but valuable(because the family discovered the possible value) wrist watch has brought to the family year of just seeing it as a watch.

 

Other Miners Watch Brands

If we could exhaust all, these are other brands where you can pick best watches for underground mining activities

Rolex,  Breitling, Cartier, Hublot, Hamilton, Panerai

 

Personal Safety rules for miners

• Don’t carry battery-operated watches into an ore or mine. A spark from electrically conductive watches can cause fire leading to a gas outburst.
• Choose a mechanical watch that does not need constant winding
• The durable watch is one with a rugged stainless steel case with a clear back
• Make sure you watch is protected by a very durable sapphire crystal glass – hardened sapphire glass doesn’t break
• Check to ensure your watch can stay illuminated for long, when you go into the dark under the earth
• Always check the company policy.

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