Nobody likes to admit they’re lost. Fortunately, the Ti Expedition Watch Band Compass Kit from Prometheus Design Werx will give you no excuse to lose your bearings. Inspired by the NATO watch band compasses worn by UDT divers and the special forces of the 80’s, this compass is extra insurance to your safety; even if you aren’t working behind enemy lines or in the line of fire. The PDW Ti Expedition Watch Band Compass Kit relies on proven magnetic fields instead of digital technology. Even if all electronic devices go down, this watch band compass will prove reliable.
In these photos, the compass is pictured on a Marathon Search & Rescue Diver’s Quartz (TSAR) with 20mm black nylon NATO strap.
We’ve used our PDW compass in many conditions and it never disappointed. From high up in the cold mountains while skiing and backcountry hiking to spear fishing and diving in the tropics and during numerous trips to the range, the PDW compass went unnoticed until it was needed. It worked as promised while finding our bearings in the great outdoors, and it helped with general wayfinding in urban environments. The accuracy of the compass was tested against a couple dedicated baseplate compasses and magnetic north registered the same.
At only .72 ounces, the PDW titanium watch band compass doesn’t add any noticeable weight to the wrist. The oil-filled 20mm x 8mm compass functions flawlessly above and below water. Even in the extreme cold of the Northeast, the compass did not freeze.
The markings are luminous and rechargeable with a flashlight or exposure to sunlight. This attribute helps the user navigate in dark conditions and preserves their night vision.
The compass is water resistant to 100 meters, a rare attribute found in few compasses of this variety. Both aluminum and titanium versions of this compass case are considerably more durable than the plastic housings of lesser-quality watch band compasses.
The silicone carrier with UV inhibitors allows the user to carry it girth-hitched around multiple points on gear, and it adds some color and visual flair to your loadout if desired. The PDW Ti Watch Band Compass also makes an excellent addition to a pocket emergency kit if carrying it exposed is not possible.
Navigation and a sense of direction are important for the adventurer, outdoorsman, soldier, and prepared citizen. When batteries fail in your GPS or when you lose your primary compass, this little tool will help you stay on the right track and prevent you from having to ask for directions like a helpless tourist.
PDW Watch Band Compass Specs
Dimensions: 1.063” x .455”
Compatible Watch Bands: NATO style — recommended for bands up to 22mm wide, but 24mm bands may fit with some effort
Materials: 6AL-4V Titanium Body (machined in the USA), acetylcellulose oil-filled compass, luminous gasket
Weight: .72 ounces
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Silicone Carrier Colors: Orange, OD Green, Black
MSRP: $114.00
URL: PrometheusDesignWerx.com
About the Author
Kevin Estela is the owner/head instructor of Estela Wilderness Education, a bushcraft and survival school in New England. He is a Sayoc Kali Associate Instructor, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, and an avid marksman. As a “survival athlete” he can be found regularly testing his physical and mental limitations in the gym, woods, and urban landscape preparing for the fight.
