Tough Timepieces: Field Watch Roundup

Originally developed for use by soldiers, field watches deliver practicality with simple good looks  

Courtesy of Victorinox, Seiko, Citizen, Hamilton, Timex

Everyday life can be hard on a wristwatch, so we’ve collected a sampling of timepieces that were created to survive the most extreme conditions all while projecting an air of adventure—even if your expeditions are limited to the break room or the dog park.

Courtesy of Hamilton

Iconic Style

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38MM

$495

American watchmaker Hamilton put civilian production on hold in 1942 to provide timepieces to the U.S. Army, and this updated model features the same classic, no-frills styling and a modern, self-winding mechanism with an impressive 80-hour power reserve. A stainless-steel housing provides water resistance to 164 feet, while a nylon strap with leather accents keeps it securely in place.

Courtesy of Timex

Added Extras

Timex Expedition Field Chronograph

$90

Iconic watchmaker Timex’s approach takes the basic field watch and adds a very practical chronograph function that stands ready to time events to 1/20th of a second. The hefty 43 mm case provides water resistance for the analog quartz movement to depths of 164 feet, while the easy-to-read dial displays the current time as well as elapsed seconds, minutes, and hours.

Courtesy of Citizen

Batteries Not Required

Citizen Garrison

$250

Citizen blends high-tech with classic styling in this reimagined field watch equipped with the firm’s proprietary Eco-Drive movement, powered by any light source, to completely eliminate the need for batteries. The 37 mm housing makes it a good choice for men and women seeking a rugged but not chunky watch that’s water resistant to depths of 333 feet.

Courtesy of Seiko

A Khaki Classic

Seiko 5 Automatic Beige Dial Men’s Watch

$315

Lawrence of Arabia would’ve loved this watch, with its uncluttered design, a dial and strap the color of the Sahara, and a beefy 42 mm case that is water resistant to depths of 330 feet. The dial features large, easily read hour and minute hands that can display military time. The transparent case back provides a view of the automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve in action.

Courtesy of Victorinox

The Do-It-All Watch

Victorinox Swiss Army Field Force

$350

Inspired by the firm’s world-famous multifunction Swiss Army knives, this timepiece starts with a reliable analog movement and then adds a dive watch-style outer bezel to make it easy to keep track of elapsed time, and a very practical day/date window. The sleek 42 mm case and black leather strap make it a great choice for the beach or the boardroom.