I’m always afraid to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a watch. The main reason being, I am prone to breaking the face or links soon after I find one that meets my picky standards. My boyfriend has a similar issue, working manual labor jobs that aren’t exactly conducive to a classic, high-end model. But I was excited to try the Gryphon, Reactor’s latest model, because it’s built specifically for those of us who tend to be a bit rough on our watches.

The minute I opened the box and pulled out the metal-tube case (which also doubles as a drink holder), I knew this watch was going to be different. Though I was originally put off by the use of rubber and fabric on the strap, this actually turned out to be a great feature. Most reactor watches do come in forged stainless steel, but the use of a reinforced polymer case reduces the weight and adds flexibility. The stitched nylon band reinforced by the thick rubber was also far more durable than other active watch models that use either just rubber or metal.

The strap features a steel buckle that holds it in place nicely, especially with the help of an extra fastener at the end of it. This is one of the best features because it keeps the strap from flopping around and holds it securely in place regardless of how you wear it. It should be noted that the watch initially fit my boyfriend better than it fit me, but because of this adjustment feature, I was actually able to tighten and secure the watch around my tiny wrist as well. Although the model looked somewhat bulky on my wrist, I was impressed by just how lightweight it actually felt.

A big problem with many active watches is the materials companies use to secure the face to the band. This tends to be where the watch falls apart, with the strap eventually breaking at the connection point. In order to combat this problem, Reactor uses stainless steel threaded bars that can withstand up to 200 pounds of pressure. The backing is stainless steel as well, once again making the watch a superior option for durability over common sport watches, most of which use sheet metal.

Best of all, the face on the watch is huge. The contrast of the big, white numbers on the navy blue background make it easy to read even if you can only spare a quick glance. For night wear, the numbers glow thanks to the Superluminova feature, which promises optimal night vision, as well as long-term illumination.

Overall, the watch is incredibly solid. It held up to being dropped on cement and is advertised to withstand up to 660 feet in water. Though I didn’t test it in these extreme conditions, I did find that when I splashed it with water and dunked it while washing my hands, the watch continued to work perfectly. Reactor credits this superior waterproof ability to a triple seal that protects the face even when you forget to tighten the dial at the crown.

When working with it on, my boyfriend found that it could withstand scratching against metal, being covered by mud and gravel, as well as accidentally being crushed by a 100-pound battery. Not bad for a watch that only weighs 3.5 ounces.

Offered in a variety of colors, as well as metal if you choose, and retailing for $350, you’ll be hard pressed to find a nicer active-to-everyday watch.

Image by Lauren Montemurri