Field watches are in the eyes of many, some of the most attractive yet simple type of watch. Briefly explained, a field watch is a military-inspired watch made for everyday casual and sporty use. Unlike dive watches or pilot watches, a field watch, as the name suggests, is more associated with ground activities. Field watches originated in WWII (even though it can be said that their primary origins were in WWI) and had one simple, yet extremely important role: to tell time extremely accurately. Of course, this would not have been possible if the watches had not had some other extremely important features such as being dust and waterproof. Field watches, which are also called trench watches are usually made from stainless steel and feature strong straps. Most of these are leather or canvas NATO or Zulu straps, which make it hard for the watch to get lost in an intense context.
In terms of aesthetics, field watches are usually simple and have a very clean design, without many embellishments or elements that confuse the wearer. They usually feature very bold numbers written out in a font that is very easy to read and which has clearly-defined traits for every number, so that the reader can read the time quickly and easily. Moreover, most field watches features strong hands, which are often in contrast with the dial, again, with the same purpose of providing a maximum readability.
Very often, field watches feature a 24-hour system on their dial. This, of course is a military caution, as in war or combat, it’s extremely important to know exactly whether you are referring to AM or PM. Moreover, bad conditions can make it hard for a military wearer to tell whether it’s day or night, which is where the 24-hour system comes in handy as well. Models such as the Bertucci A2-T or the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical are good examples of this. When examining these watches, one will also notice that the hours related specifically to the 24-hour system are also very clear to read.
Some field watches also have a light function, which makes them easier to read during dark conditions.
Of course, these days, most men don’t wear field watches for combat. In this sense, many wear field watches because of their masculine appearance and the message of courage and boldness they convey. Some guys prefer simpler field watches, such as the Sinn 856, which is rather minimalistic, but retains the vibe and spirit of a classic field watch. A lot of young men go for the Panerai Luminor 1950, which features both classic field watches traits, but also some more hip elements through which the wearers of this watch express their personalities and interests.
When it comes to price, field watches come in a wide range of prices and you can find a good field watch at an affordable price of even under $1000. This is probably one of the reasons why many young men choose these watches, as many young students want to wear great watches, but don’t have much disposable income (yet).
To conclude, it can be said that, while field watches are made primarily for those who engage in bold sports or who take on demanding physical activities, they are also a great statement and symbol for ruggedness and power, which makes them great timepieces to wear for those who cherish these ideals and for whom accuracy is an important mission.
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Further reading:
The features of your watch as a reflection of your personality
Important considerations to make before investing in a new watch
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