Field watches will always be one of the great watch genres. They have been with us, in a recognisable format, since the battles of World War 2, which saw the inception of classics such as the Dirty Dozen and the A-11. Indeed, many of the most incredible modern field watches have evolved remarkably little from their 80-year-old relatives.
Field watches are not divisive. They are universally liked and respected as they don't pretend to be something they are not. They are unpretentious and generally highly capable at their job. Of course, some manufacturers push the envelope and take us in new directions, with varying degrees of success, but generally, the humble field watch remains an understated creation. It is surprisingly difficult to execute, but when done well, it is a thing of brilliance.
If you are in the market for a superior field watch, here are our top five choices from the WatchGecko store.
Boldr Venture Automatic Field Watch
Boldr Venture Collection on WatchGecko - Credit WatchGecko
The Boldr Venture is the watch that brought the brand to international recognition. The Venture range takes a classic field watch design and brings it into the 21st Century with an ultra-light, strong, angular, titanium case. It has classic field watch proportions at 38mm in diameter and 12mm thick. This special edition's Ivory White dial and matte case give the watch a vintage exploration look.
Fearing no adverse conditions, the Venture is water resistant to 200m and has a flat sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. As a professional field watch, the Venture's hands and markers have been painted with Japanese Superlume, to ensure the watch remains legible in low light. Boldr has chosen to equip the watch with a reliable Seiko NH35 automatic movement with 24 jewels and 41-hour power reserve. The Boldr Venture continues to be a watch that bats far above its weight in spec and value.
Nodus Sector Field Automatic Watch
Nodus Sector Field Automatic Watch - Credit WatchGecko
USA-based Nodus has built a reputation for successfully blending classic and contemporary into a unique style. Their watches are unmistakably vintage in aesthetic yet fully modern. The Sector Field has all the critical elements of a mil-spec field watch: large numerical indices for easy legibility, water-resistant construction and a 24-hour military time track.
The dial features a stunning three-dimensional Swiss Super-LumiNova X1 Grade lume, protected by a flat-top sapphire crystal with a domed underside. The case measures 38mm in diameter, the quintessential field watch size. 150m of water resistance comes as standard. An oversized military-style crown helps with operating the reliable Seiko NH35 movement.
Elliot Brown Holton Automatic
Elliot Brown Holton Automatic - Credit WatchGecko
The Elliot Brown Holton Automatic was designed as a self-winding variant of the quartz Holton Professional.
The 43mm case sports makes this Holton look less military and more adventurous. It has a practical matte bronze vapour blasted finish and a 120-click unidirectional bezel with tactile knurling. Functional enhancements include the triple-sealed screw-down crown at 4H, tough 2mm anti-reflective sapphire crystal and solid screw-in strap bars for easy strap changes. The watch comes fitted on a desert Brown webbed British Military watch strap.
The dial and bezel retain the military heritage and are supremely legible in low-light conditions thanks to C3 Super-Luminova coating. The Holton Professional is also powered by the Seiko NH35 automatic movement, encased in a unique Elliot Brown design anti-shock suspension system.
When Elliot Brown watches are issued to elite forces, it is no surprise that a Holton makes it into the top five field watches available now.
FORMEX Field Automatic
FORMEX Field Automatic - Credit WatchGecko
Formex takes the classic field watch and reinvents it in its proven style. All genre technical boxes are ticked, but the Formex Field is not the norm. It is a field watch with an edge.
Formex has chosen a contemporary militaristic stencil font for the numerals and stamped them into the dial. These recessed numbers work with the curved chapter section to add three dimensions to the dial.
The 41mm case is made from grade 2 titanium, which has undergone a special hardening treatment. The result is a surface hardness rated at approximately 900 Vickers. In addition, the watch has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating to ensure clear legibility. The watch also has a screw-down crown and 150m of water resistance. Old Radium Super Luminova completes a vintage look, and reliability is no issue with the fitting of a Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement.
Sinn 556 A Automatic Sports Watch
Sinn 556 A Automatic Sports Watch - Credit WatchGecko
With a classic 12, 3, 6, and 9 dial, the Sinn 556A generates an overwhelmingly militaristic appearance which segways neatly into the genre of field watches. Whilst pilot DNA is always present, this watch does feel like military-issue outdoor equipment.
White sword hands stand proud against the dark dial, so legibility is second to none. The white Super Luminova printing is pinpoint clear. The fit and finish are exemplary and belay the cost. At just 38.5 millimetres in diameter and a thickness of 11 millimetres, the watch wears small, in fact, smaller than the size would suggest, especially if you take it off the metal bracelet and put it onto a leather or fabric strap. This change greatly enhances the field watch transformation. Lurking inside, we find robust anti-magnetic properties and waterproofing to 200 metres.
The 556A is powered by the venerable Selitta SW-200-1, on full view through a crystal display back. The complete package, whilst the most expensive out of our five, is arguably the most capable and, whilst not the natural response to a field watch, makes a near-perfect entry.
