The 7 Best Field Watches

Since the early 19th century, the field watch has evolved from tool-only timekeeping battlefield instruments to iconic modern designs backed by the latest in watchmaking technology. Although it was quite clear back then, what exactly constitutes a field watch now? In this guide, we’ll seek to answer that question and more with 7 of our favorite field watches under $1,000 and 3 bonus luxury field watch picks that reimagine the iconic form.

Editorial:

Purchase Links:
Marathon GPQ ($240) -
Nodus Sector Filed Redwood (No Date) ($450) -
Seiko Prospex ‘Alpinist’ Land (ref. SPB117) ($750) -
Timor Heritage Field WWW ($1004) -

Video Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:31 Timex Expedition North Field Post Solar
03:49 Citizen Garrison Chandler Eco-Drive (ref. BM8180-03E)
06:17 Marathon GPQ
08:13 Nodus Sector Filed Redwood (No Date)
11:15 Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm
14:47 Seiko Prospex ‘Alpinist’ Land (ref. SPB117)
17:34 Timor Heritage Field WWW
20:17 Bonus: Luxury Field Watches

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[khairyalonto]

Gshock should now be standard issue for military. These mechanical / automatic field watches are beautiful but they’re not as tough as Casio Gshock.

[seanthomxx]

That Citizen is underrated. I went on deployment but accidentally left my daily (Seiko Astron) back home. My ship pulled into Sasebo and i went to the Navy Exchange to find this for around $80. This was back in 2012. I got Breitling, Christopher Wards, Frederique Constant, Tissots, and Seiko, but still find myelf wearing this more often than most of them

[meilyrwilliams]

I’ve owned the Citizen watch in this review for 14 years. It still keeps perfect time. The power reserve isn’t as good as it used to be: I leave it on a windowsill to absorb sunlight each day, although it will last a few days in the dark. I swapped the strap immediately for a dark brown leather item, it’s on another (even better quality) identical one now. I bought it in 2009 when I finished college. I love it. I only wear two watches regularly; this one and a cheap Casio F-108W for work. I’m a welder, it gets abused! The Citizen just feels and looks like a watch 5 times its’ price. The lume is great too. I still want to own the Hamilton in this review one day though…..

[Jeff-nelh]

I have my Timex expedition since 1998 it still keeps perfect time and I'm always getting complements' on it

[RedwoodAggie]

That was an excellent list. I particularly enjoyed the honorable mentions as well. Speaking of the Alpinist, the "Baby Alpinist" 38mm models SPB155, SPB157, and SPB159 are particular nice pieces and also skip the sometimes divisive cyclops.

[TheSuperlativecritic]

Smiths PRS-29A - antimagnetic core, sapphire crystal, 100m, small and slim, and handwound. Beiing handwound, there's no rotor to constantly strain the movement and increase the wear and tear on the gears - perfect for rigorous field activities. Also has official NATO markings and a real heritage based on the Smiths W10 issued to British infantry.

[laurixio]

I bought that Seiko SPB117J1 for just under 500€ and I've loved it! Great watch!

[RagnarHoff]

Since you brought Tudor and Omega prices into the mix i have 2 others that comes to mind. Damasko's DK30 and DK36. Also Sinn 856.
They are the essential field watches. Sinn 856 has all the Sinn tech with tegimented steel, magnetic resistance to 80.000 a/m, Ar-Dehumidifying Technology. Everything you can ask for really in a field watch.

The 2 Damasko's is the same minus the Ar-Dehumidifying Technology, but they have the edge over sinn in terms of the movement. They took an Eta and modified it to decrease friction and some components in the movement is hardened as well to withstand abuse. I believe they use a silicone spring as well, but not sure which of the current models that had it.

[ouwle]

Just ordered the Expedition North Field Solar 36mm with the black textured dial and i'm so excited to get it!!! Perfect for my small wrist and screw down case back & crown, 100m water resist, luminescent hands/dial markings, eco strap, great dial, anti-reflective sapphire glas and solar powered with 4 month power reserve at full charge. What more do you need??

[Bhethar]

Timor is quite the watch! I am intrigued now!

[briggm]

When he said that the Marathon watch can stand up to shocks, for a second there I thought he said sharks. I was thinking, 'damn, that's one tough field watch'.

[shawnvegavelez]

Excellent video! All the pieces look and sound like winners. The Nodus Sector Redwood really stood out for me

[FredHenry]

I wore the Citizen field watch everyday for three years. I was surprised how small it was, which is the reason ultimately why I stopped wearing it. If it was a couple mm larger, I would have worn it until I died. Apart from the size, it was a phenomenal watch. It has great lum on it. Even at its small size I never had difficulty reading the time in dark environments. I prefer watches around 40mm give or take a couple mm in either direction. The Citizen field watch sat just outside that range on the small side. I still have it. It is keeping perfect time as I write this.

[Agant.]

If you would have to do this video again, would you add Boldr watches? (I have the Venture in my head)
It was tough for me to choose a watch that fit my small wrist, and have a nice "field spirit" to it.

[DKBoerner]

Very interesting!! I really like the Weiss and the Marathon!

[tkb]

Finally a reviewer with my wrist size.

[magnanova]

The Seiko SSC081 is a gorgeous field watch if you can find one. Solar, chronograph, mecha-quartz & dual time with a domed hardlex crystal.

[vincent]

That denim dial Omega Railmaster is a banger

[MPerry-oxqb]

Huge fan of field watches. I bought an Omega Railmaster and haven’t purchased another one since.

[regalmedia]

bro your channel name is super awesome. subscribed without even watching the video just for the name. haha