I don't usually wear a watch, and don't use a smartphone. I also want reasonably accurate temperature information when I'm hiking. For me, the Brunton Nomad V2 has been a good choice. I has time, temperature, altimeter, barometer, chronometer, alarm clock and a limited amount of data storage. I hang the Brunton off the front of my pack so it is easy to consult. I found an altimeter was one of the most useful instruments on the AT because it was often difficult to see any distant landmarks to determine location, and there were many areas with false summits. The altimeter is easily calibrated when passing a point at a known altitude. The barometer is quite useful in providing some storm warning as well.
Jim

just stumbled upon Barigo from Germany this morning


http://www.barigo.de/index_en.html

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. Very much appreciated. I'd heard a lot of good things about the Suunto watches. I'll check out the ones you've suggested. Thanks again!

Kathy, if you haven't purchased a watch yet today is a great day to get one.
The Suunto Core is 40% off at Eddie Bauer today only!
I don't think you'll find a better watch for $179

GREY

BLACK

Edited by bestbuilder on 11/26/2012 17:05:20 MST.

Purchased one just on impulse today morning, wondering will it be worth $179 :)

I bought the Casio Protrek PRW-2000A ~2yrs ago. I chose it because it was solar powered and has International radio time keeping. It also has a thinner profile than similar watches.

IF I knew then what I know now, I would not buy a trekking function watch again. Compass feature of all these watches is truely useless in any practicle application. Barometric, Temperature, Altitude are easily "fooled" and need constant tweaking thru out a hike to have any semblence of accuracy.

The solar power works well but the radio time keeping does not auto reset to the local time when I travel.

Edited by rmjapan on 11/26/2012 18:41:43 MST.

I have worn my T Touch every day for the last 6.5 years. I think it's the best multifunction analog watch I have owned.
http://www.tissot.ch/?collections/products/617

Mike

+1 for needing a loud alarm. I would give my right arm for a solar powered basic analog watch with a very loud alarm.

EDIT:

Found this

http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-BL5250-02L-Eco-Drive-Perpetual-Chronograph/dp/B000EQS0WK/ref=sr_1_17?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1311100334&sr=1-17&tag=5336121778-20

Titanium case (ultralight!), alarms, calendar, and it's solar powered. Will continue to research.


CONTINUED RESEARCH:

http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T49747-Trail-Brown-Rubber/dp/B001SAEDMW/ref=sr_1_6?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1355293431&sr=1-6&keywords=timex+easy+set+alarm

Here's a neat little Timex. Chronograph, easy alarm, apparently loud enough to wake you up. Analog look. I dig, I don't want an R2-D2 on my wrist.

Edited by mdilthey on 12/11/2012 23:28:53 MST.

Mary, can you hang the watch from your tent roof somehow? I hang mine on my hammock ridgeline so it is right above my face and doesn't get smushed in down.

Wrt watches, I have never heard a bad thing about Suunto.