Field Watches · Page 16

Attention! Bausele goes US Army Mil-Spec with their latest creation

What is a field watch? What is a diver? Those two questions can be answered in so many ways, depending on who you ask. Yet, there are instances when the answers to such questions are highly defined and set in stone. Such is the case when dealing with Mil-Spec watches. Mil- Spec, short for military … ContinuedThe post Attention! Bausele goes US Army Mil-Spec with their latest creation appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Introducing the William Wood Fearless Field Watch

The Dirty Dozen: History’s Most Legendary Field Watches

When it comes to collectible vintage military watches, there are the famed “Dirty Dozen” and then there is everything else. Twelve field watches from twelve different Swiss watchmakers, all made within the last two years of World War II and issued to British servicemen, the Dirty Dozen watches represent a rare confluence between horological and military history, while also claiming a coveted spot in the annals of war memorabilia. What brands and watches make up the Dirty Dozen, what is their story, and why are they so legendary today? Read on. Wristwatches came into general usage for men during World War I. While pocket watches were still in vogue for social situations, they proved impractical for troops on the battlefield, who needed the use of both hands in combat situations, such as for loading one’s rifle while simultaneously checking his watch to determine the distance of incoming artillery fire. Watchmakers at the time responded to the demands of warfare in a rather makeshift way at first, re-engineering pocket watch cases with soldered strips of wire to connect them to straps of leather or canvas for wrist wear. While these “trench watches” were effective at the time, advances in military equipment, technology, and strategies in subsequent years necessitated a more purposeful approach to watchmaking as a Second World War erupted in Europe, barely two decades after the end of the so-called War to End all Wars. According to some historical accounts, it was ...

MICRO-MONDAYS: The Circula ProTrail is a high-tech field watch combining toughness and style

There’s little that can beat a field watch when it comes to day-to-day wear. Divers are often too chunky, and dress watches too delicate, but the mix of practicality and aesthetics on offer with a field watch remains versatile and comfortable. Circula already impressed me with their Supersport, but now they’re back with the ProTrail … ContinuedThe post MICRO-MONDAYS: The Circula ProTrail is a high-tech field watch combining toughness and style appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

MICRO MONDAYS: The Hemel HFT20 Series delivers affordable pilot’s watches with a real attention to detail

As a microbrand, Hemel have very much found their niche and stuck to it. Regarding military watches as the forefront of horological development throughout history, Hemel have chosen to evoke some of the most important field, diver, and pilot’s watches, particularly from the WWII era. Today we put a spotlight on the expansive Hemel HFT20 … ContinuedThe post MICRO MONDAYS: The Hemel HFT20 Series delivers affordable pilot’s watches with a real attention to detail appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

IN-DEPTH: The Bulova Hack watches and their military history

Bulova's A-11 "hack" watch is often called "the watch that won the war".The post IN-DEPTH: The Bulova Hack watches and their military history appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

The Best Seiko 5 Sports Watches

The Seiko 5 watch series traces its roots all the way back to 1963, when the Japanese mega-brand introduced the original Seiko Sportsmatic 5, a groundbreaking timepiece that ushered in the emblematic “five attributes” that define the vast collection today. These include automatic movements, day/date displays in a single window, water resistance, a recessed crown at 4 o’clock, and a case and bracelet made of durable materials. Stylistically, the watches run the gamut from dress pieces to field watches to divers, with all kinds of variations in between (the current shorthand descriptions are Sense, Specialist, Sports, Suits, and Street). Seiko 5 watches still adhere to those five principles initially laid out more than half a century ago while still retaining the famously inexpensive price points that have made them so desirable - from under $100 to the neighborhood of $500 for the more exclusive editions. Seiko 5 watches - rebranded in the collection’s relaunch in 2019 as Seiko 5 Sports, despite offering this diversity of styles - have a worldwide fan following, with many JDM (Japan Direct Market) models highly sought after by American collectors due to their scarcity. And for many a budding watch collector of modest means, a Seiko 5 watch is the gateway drug to a full-blown timepiece obsession. Here we spotlight some of our favorites.  SRPC65 “Bottlecap” Reference: SRPC65, Price: $150-$250, Case Size: 45mm, Thickness: 13mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Lug-to-L...

MICRO MONDAYS: The RZE Valour 38 delivers a titanium field watch for under $300 USD

It’s hard to believe RZE have only been around for two years, but they are one of the ultimate microbrand success stories. Having released their first watch in the heart of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, nobody particularly expected the emerging business to survive, but during that period, online watch sales skyrocketed. In particular, RZE found … ContinuedThe post MICRO MONDAYS: The RZE Valour 38 delivers a titanium field watch for under $300 USD appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

HANDS-ON: The Bulova Classic HACK Military is a handsome field watch for under $500 USD

Bulova reminded the world what they’re capable of when they released the MIL Ships watch towards the end of 2021. But there was another military-focused reissue that seemed to fly a little undeservedly under the radar. The Bulova HACK was first shown earlier that year, honouring the Bulova watches that were issued to American troops … ContinuedThe post HANDS-ON: The Bulova Classic HACK Military is a handsome field watch for under $500 USD appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Weekend Edition: What Makes For A High-Quality Field Watch?

A tool watch is, in fact, a watch that is a tool.

Hands-On: Tudor Re-Establishes Its Territory With The Ranger Ref. 79950

Solid sizing, great specs, and a fair price to boot? The new Ranger is what field watches are all about.

Vintage Watches: A 1969 Hamilton Field Watch, A 1970s Longines Ultra-Chron, And A 1960s Longines Time Only

For when time only (and maybe a date) is all you need.

Gerd R. Lang Returns with the Lang 1943 Field Watch

Once synonymous with Chronoswiss which he founded in 1983, Gerd-Rüdiger Lang is now almost 80 but returns with an all-new brand, Lang 1943. Created in partnership with entrepreneur Georg Bartkowiak, the brand’s inaugural watch is the Lang 1943 Field Watch Edition One. Modelled on the wristwatches issued by the British army during the Second World War, the Field Watch is a modern watch with a vintage flavour that’s powered by a restored 1960s movement. Initial thoughts A military-inspired time-only watch is not a novel concept, and the Field Watch sticks to the traditional design, resulting in a watch that is recognisably similar to the Second World War watches made by the likes of Cyma, IWC, and Jaeger-LeCoultre. Lang 1943 isn’t the only brand offering such a watch at the moment; the revived Vertex brand has a similar offering with the M100A and it has the added advantage of being one of the original suppliers during the war. But the Lang 1943 Field Watch is attractively detailed, which is likely due to its founders’ decades of experience, both as horological entrepreneurs and watch collectors. The smoked dial is appealing and sets this apart as a modern watch as oppose to an exact remake. Oddly enough the smoked finish does well with the faux-vintage Super-Luminova and together they give the dial a pleasing palette. One detail worth pointing out is the crosshair on the subsidiary seconds, which was not found on the Second World War originals but is a perfect fit ...

MICRO-MONDAYS: The Biotic Formicidae delivers an original field watch inspired by (wait for it…) ants!

Microbrand releases can often be just an eclectic mix of design trends thrown together, or a wild attempt at doing something different without considering what people actually want. The Biotic Formicidae is a rare example of an original watch design that has a clear aesthetic vision without second-hand trend-hopping, and of all things, it takes … ContinuedThe post MICRO-MONDAYS: The Biotic Formicidae delivers an original field watch inspired by (wait for it…) ants! appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

New: Bulova Avigation Hack A-11

Bulova revisits its historical roots in the U.S military to present the new Avignation Hack A-11 watch. Updated in a larger 37mm case, and modern movement.

INTRODUCING: The Bremont S500 Bamford Special Edition

Bremont is a brand that needs little introduction. Based in Henley-on-Thames in the UK, they’ve become closely associated with tough, tool watches inspired by military heritage; think pilot’s watches, field watches, diving watches and chronographs. The British watchmaker has been going from strength to strength in recent years including opening a new high-tech facility in the … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: The Bremont S500 Bamford Special Edition appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Watching Movies: Jimmy Stewart Wears A Tissot Field Watch Indoors in 'Rear Window'

And it might be the most trying experience of that little watch's life.

Introducing the Anordain Model 2 MkII

anOrdain revises its Model 2 field watch with additional case size option and new dial colors

New: anOrdain Model 2 mkII – a new version of their field watch

anOrdian adds a new, larger case and a new colour palette to their Model 2. This independent offers watches with grand feu enamel dials made in Scotland.

IN-DEPTH: The Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Automatic collection upgrades one of the best-priced field watches around

Even if you’ve only been into watches for a short amount of time, the chances are pretty high that you’ve heard about the Hamilton Khaki Field. With 100 years experience of making watches for the military, Hamilton certainly know how to make an attractive, capable field watch that can handle everything from survival situations to … ContinuedThe post IN-DEPTH: The Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Automatic collection upgrades one of the best-priced field watches around appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Formex Watches: Bending the Rules with The Field Automatic

Looking for more info on Formex Watches? Check out our detailed review featuring crucial facts, stats, and unique photos!

Introducing: The New Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Automatic Evolves A Classic Design

And it still rings in under a grand. Don't let your yearnings get ahead of your earnings.

A chicken-wristed man’s search for a watch strap with the perfect fit

There’s a scene in the Alfred Hitchcock film, Rear Window, where the main character L.B. Jefferies (a gruff photojournalist played by James “Jimmy” Stewart) looks down at his watch to note the time – as he investigates what he suspects is the murder of his neighbour by her husband. It’s a small Tissot field watch … ContinuedThe post A chicken-wristed man’s search for a watch strap with the perfect fit appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

The Longines Spirit Takes On Titanium

Longines extends its Spirit collection with a titanium field watch inspired by military and aviation timepieces from its archives, in two case sizes.