The Best 5 Field Watches - Including The Watch Worn By The SAS!

If there's one thing a watch collector needs, it's a decent tool watch. Something that they can wear outdoors when hiking, or just doing manual labour. The obvious choice for such a watch is a classic field watch, after all, that’s exactly what they were designed for. So, I thought I’d put together a list of some of my favourite field watches currently on the market.

Most field watches were originally made for military use, so they all tend to share a common design style that’s both durable and highly legible. Most are time-only watches, and they often have Arabic numerals for the hour markers. So, to keep things simple, I’ve stuck to watches that fit into this general definition of what a field watch is.

Now, rather than just talk about a load of watches I've never seen before, I've based this list around watches I've actually worn. This means that the five watches I’ve chosen for this list are ones I genuinely think are good field watches to own, rather than generic clickbait choices, and not one of the brands I talk about have paid to be featured in this article.

The other thing I want to say is that this list is obviously far from exhaustive. There are plenty of other great field watches out there that I haven’t added to this list, and these are just my picks from the watches I’ve handled myself. So feel free to disagree with me or suggest your own choices, and I might include them in a follow-up video.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:31 - Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer Mechanical
03:02 - CWC G10
04:25 - Christopher Ward Sandhurst
05:30 - Timefactors Smiths PRS-29A
06:54 - Nite MX10

Tags
#fieldwatch #christopherward #militarywatch
military watch
SAS watch
nite mx10 watch
cwc g10 watch
hamilton pilot pioneer
Christopher ward c65 Sandhurst
w10 watch

[markotoole]

I hadn't come across the Nite MX10 before and very interesting it was actually used by the SAS! Love the production level of your videos.

[onnisonni]

I had a nite tx50 watch on my deployment 10 years ago. It is still working like a dream. Very nice and rugged wristwatch indeed

[loader]

Thanks for your review. I was here for the Nite, a good looking piece and great value imo. An FYI that I am also looking at Elliot Brown Canford that is well worth putting on a shortlist.

[MiguelBerCeb]

I just got know the Nite MX10 existed thanks to this video, I find it as a very balanced rugged/causal to elegant/discrete/practical watch.

I’ve been thinking of pulling the trigger getting a similar watch, the GWS G10 H3, but the MX10 seems like a more polished offering that balances ruggedness with aesthetics.

Great video!

[CrispianBarlow]

I have been wearing a CWC W10 & then G10 for the last 40 years. Love 'em

[robch]

Take a look at NITE's new Atlas field watch. Automatic, tritium of course, good price, and looks exceptionally smart.

[RJS]

Just subscribed, solid video. I particularly like the Hamilton, the Smiths, and the CW Sandhurst, although they are all great. I recently purchased a pre-owned CW Sandhurst (version 1) on the auction site. Expecting it in a few days. Can't wait!

[scottparis]

I have the Hamilton Pilot Pioneer Mechanical, and I like it and wear it a lot.
That said, this is not an inexpensive watch, and Hamilton's decision to use a mineral crystal is hard to understand.
There are lots of $300 watches with sapphire and the Hamilton is $800.

[wisamal-hakim]

I just found your video and I really enjoyed it. This list is great, I really like every choice.

I’ve wanted a field watch for some time and was prepared to pay a premium for a higher end one. Not because I need it, purely because it would feed my want for a really nice watch.

Would you consider the same type of vid but at a higher price point?

I was considering the Tudor ranger, the Marathon GSAR, the Muhle Glashütte sea timer blackmotion, the Bell &Ross BR V2 and finally the Sinn U1.

Any thoughts on those?

Thanks again

[malikknows]

Nice video, yes, that Nite watch is a beauty. I use a Sinn 856 UTC as a field watch although it has a flat crystal. It's quite a bit above your price point here, but it is very well spec'ed for the money, imho. All the best!

[michaelfierman]

Nice list James! I had never seen that MX-10 before...might make for a nice little christmas present for myself this year. Cheers buddy, great presentation as always.

[MyAffordableWatchCollection]

Great picks and an excellent video. Well done 👍🏻

[LTTang]

My field watch is the Brietling Navitimer 8. My beater watch is a G-Shock.

[gorviv]

Just stumbled on this video, and i enjoyed it. Trying to understand the watch space. Is the PRS 29A no longer for sale? Went to the website and it was sold out. Is there an update alternate that matches it?

[AwkwardHorology]

Great list! Loved it, I’ll back to watch more 😊

[wmonkey]

"seen combat" no way I would would put that watch in harm.. those were definitely saved for dress and pub night lol

[reynaldoflores]

Don't forget to mention the Bulova Hack.

[allanandrews]

The Formex field would be my choice. Grade 2 titanium, fabric Velcro strap, decent water resistance.

[JohnWilliams-fkhb]

I'd say they probably wear a CWC issued watch. SBS divers, A G10, A Fatboy or a Mellor-72. They are all pretty good. Apart from that I'd say a Suunto or. G-Shock. Luminox are good as well 👍.

[bernardbarroga]

The SWC Bunker and a Hamilton T for me.👌🏼