Garmin has expanded its tactical watch line-up with a new finish for the Tactix 8, giving its most militarised smartwatch a tougher exterior to match its reputation. The new Tactix 8 Cerakote Edition is now available in Singapore for S$2,249, and it leans hard into durability rather than new features.
At 51mm, this is very much a large-format watch meant for the wrist of someone who knows what they’re getting into. The premium over the standard Tactix 8 comes down almost entirely to its Cerakote ceramic coating, a process Garmin says involves spraying and baking the coating onto each unit. The idea is not just to give the watch extra protection, but also a finish that subtly changes with wear over time, giving each watch a one-of-a-kind lived-in look the longer it’s used.
Photo: Garmin
Beyond that outer shell, nothing else has changed. The Tactix 8 Cerakote Edition uses the same 1.4-inch AMOLED display and built-in LED flashlight as well as TopoActive maps and SatIQ GPS. In keeping with its tactical positioning, the flashlight emits green light instead of the red found on Garmin’s more civilian-focused models. Garmin also claims the watch has up to 29 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
Where the Tactix line continues to stand apart is in its specialised feature set. Stealth Mode literally makes the watch go “dark” – reducing on-screen visibility and wireless activity. A physical kill switch also allows users to wipe stored data quickly.
Strip away the military aesthetics and the Tactix 8 still holds up as a full-featured smartwatch. Garmin Pay, on-watch calling via a built-in speaker, and comprehensive health and activity tracking ensure it remains usable as a day-to-day utility watch too.
Availability and pricing
The Garmin Cerakote Edition has a suggested retail price of SGD 2,249 and is available at Garmin Brand Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Garmin Online Store, Takashimaya and selected authorized retailers.