Garmin has expanded its premium tactical watch line-up with the release of a new Cerakote Edition of the tactix 8, introducing a ceramic-based exterior finish designed for durability and long-term wear.

The new variant keeps the same internal specifications as the standard tactix 8, including a 1.4-inch AMOLED screen protected by a sapphire crystal, a titanium bezel and a built-in LED torch for visibility in dark conditions. What sets this edition apart is the Cerakote coating, a ceramic-polymer finish applied through a sprayed and heat-baked process commonly used in military, automotive and industrial applications to improve resistance to abrasion, corrosion and chemicals.

Garmin says the coating is intended to age naturally rather than remain pristine, with visible wear developing over time to give each watch a distinct appearance shaped by how it is used.

Beyond the updated exterior, the tactix 8 Cerakote Edition delivers the same suite of tactical and outdoor capabilities as the existing model. These include rucking activity tracking, Jumpmaster features, dual-format GPS coordinates, Stealth Mode and compatibility with night vision equipment. The watch also supports Garmin’s Applied Ballistics Ultralight solver, enabling advanced ballistic calculations directly on the device without the need for a connected phone.

The device is built for demanding environments, offering a 40-metre water resistance rating and support for both scuba and apnea diving. It also includes structured strength training programmes, sport-specific workouts and real-time stamina monitoring for endurance-focused activities.

Health and wellness tools remain central to the package, with features such as Body Battery energy tracking, advanced sleep and nap analysis and Pulse Ox measurements in supported regions. Garmin notes that blood oxygen monitoring availability varies depending on location.

Navigation remains a strong point, with access to TopoActive maps, global golf course and ski resort data, aviation waypoints and multi-band GPS enhanced by SatIQ technology. These features are supported by an onboard compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter to improve accuracy across varied terrain.

When connected to a compatible smartphone, users can make and receive calls directly from the watch, view smart notifications and use Garmin Pay for contactless payments via the integrated speaker and microphone.

Garmin has confirmed the tactix 8 Cerakote Edition will go on sale from January 23. Australian pricing has not been officially announced, but based on international pricing of US$1,599.99, the watch is expected to retail locally at approximately $A2,400 through Garmin’s website and selected retailers.