Field Watch Comparison

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A field watch, in theory, should be a simple, accurate, but tough watch with military roots. I have always been drawn to this style of watch and many of us start out with something like a Hamilton Khaki. I will not do a deep dive into all of these for brevity's sake, but will highlight the newest addition. 

<Apologies for all phone pics, too lazy to break out the DSLR and edit>

The Budget Pick

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Recently, I stumbled on the Bulova Hack. I already knew it was likely not a great watch, technically speaking, but it was black and red, and as a Star Wars fan, that's my favorite colorway, put it in a 38mm field watch and now you have my attention. After a little browsing, put a bid on eBay for $130 which won a new watch.  Outside of a G-Shock, it became the cheapest watch in the collection.

The watch came with a strap of unknown animal origins, so I threw a slightly better, but still inexpensive, Barton red canvas strap on it. Pulling the crown immediately results in the second hand moving back about five seconds. Top quality here. That said, on the timegrapher it averages +4 seconds a day, not horrible for a Miyota 82S0. I question how long it will hold up with that.  No screw-down crown, minimal water resistance (30mm), and 18mm lug width. However, for very little money you can get a heck of a watch. 

The Standard

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The Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic - 38mm.  

This remains one of my favorite beater watches and one I tend to grab often. After many years it remains accurate and one of the most comfortable watches I own at any price point.

To me, the dimensions are perfect, 38mm, 47mm L2L, 20mm lugs,  9.5mm thick, simply awesome. Throw in an 80 hour power reserve and one really cannot ask for more in watch one can get usually around $350. 100m water resistance feels right for a field watch.

The Quirky

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The Serica 4512 WMB. 38 mm, 46mm L2L, 20mm lugs, 11.3mm thick, again very comfortable.  Screw down crown with a mechanical movement (soprod P4) and 40 hour power reserve. 200m water resistance. 

The fit and finish of the Serica is a level up from the Hamilton and one I enjoy looking at a lot more than many others on the list. The included Bonklip bracelet does nothing for me.  

The Local (kind of)

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Weiss 42mm Standard Issue Field Watch in latte

Really enjoyed the early podcasts with Cameron Weiss and Matt Farah and I made a point to keep an eye on his work. This one is a little larger than I prefer (42mm, 47.9 L2L, 20mm lugs, 12.9mm thick), but it is a case where dimensions on paper are different on wrist. 6497 mechanical ETA base redone by Weiss, it remains a heck of a value (often going for less than $1000 used). No lume is a major bummer here though.  

The Splurge

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Speaking of large watches, the Rolex Explorer II Polar (216570).The second Rolex I purchased and quite possibly the coolest. Yes, it is 42mm, but somehow feels smaller than the Weiss.  I'd love to say I have hiked Everest with this, but nope.  

Hope folks liked seeing the comparison.

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(Insert Pam "They're the same..." meme)

And a side by side of all:

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Reply
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Over all that is a satisfied display like the variety all those field watches. That bulova very impress and the cherry on the top ( ROLEX)!!!

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ChadDipps

Over all that is a satisfied display like the variety all those field watches. That bulova very impress and the cherry on the top ( ROLEX)!!!

If someone can get over the movement in the Bulova, it is a hell of a deal, especially if you can grab a deal on ebay. I think they are about $200 on Joma.  

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Vary nice collection, diggin the Bulova.

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Hamilton, if you'll pardon my French, sh*t the bed by putting a date on a field watch. Otherwise, I'd own one.

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Great collection 👍

my next pirchase will be a CWC G10. It doesn’t get more authentic than a real military issued watch.

just saw that they released an auto version (G22)

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A little un orthodox but I do love my Defender II.

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I have the Hammy field in the same configuration, black dial and red tip on the seconds hand, one of my personal favourites in my collection of field watches. The Bulova I had but let go, there was just something about the movement that annoyed me, otherwise a great little watch and at a price of $199 AUD brand new on sale from Starbuy located in Sydney, their an absolute bargain.

I like the variety of Bulova line up as well, not just one to choose from and two in particular have some fine details etched into the case back, which is a nice touch.

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One I may suggest is my German Aristo Officers 38mm. Spec's are 38mm in diameter, 44mm lug to lug, 9.5mm thick and comes on a very nice Bund strap, not pictured here. 50m water resistance which is okay for me, no date on the dial which is even better, just a plain and simple watch that fits great and keeps great time. It's no Rolex though 🤣

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I do like you're Serica watch and it may be one I need to look into more 👍

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thecrazylegs
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A little un orthodox but I do love my Defender II.

The Defender is a good looking watch.

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Very nice collection! Something for everyone at all price points. Just wondering but where will the field watch collection go from here? Also, are there any grail field watches that you might be coveting?

I LOVE the Bulova hack. It was actually my first automatic. I really would love to see that watch redone with a miyota 9xxx series movement to get that thickness down and it would be KILLER

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That's a really cool collection. That Bulova is worth looking into! I like my SNK807 but I wouldn't get another field watch in addition to it, I really like my timers of some kind. Nice pen collection too!

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nytime

Very nice collection! Something for everyone at all price points. Just wondering but where will the field watch collection go from here? Also, are there any grail field watches that you might be coveting?

I say this knowing I’ll jinx myself, but nothing at the moment. Focused more on dress watches, but I tend to be an opportunity buyer at times, so I’ll never say never.

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Bzilla

That's a really cool collection. That Bulova is worth looking into! I like my SNK807 but I wouldn't get another field watch in addition to it, I really like my timers of some kind. Nice pen collection too!

Thanks! for the short money, it’s hard to argue against the Bulova.

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The best field watch is a G-shock. No water worries, has a chrono for measuring distance with sound and the only drawback is the lack of an hour hand to find true north navigating. Although with time and sun position you really don't need that. Old school field watches were sub 36mm with only the hour numbers and worn by officers who never went near the water or dirt.

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Excellent points and great question. I think many consider the EXII a field simply due to it being geared towards similar activities. Granted, by that logic any watch is a field watch, but in the spirit of a field watch; it’s built like a tank, accurate, and can take a beating. much of it’s heritage is in the mountains and caves, as you mentioned. Certainly an interesting debate.

Also agree on the water resistance. None of these are going to pretend to be a dive watch, but most can get wet and likely ford rivers.

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OldSnafu

The best field watch is a G-shock. No water worries, has a chrono for measuring distance with sound and the only drawback is the lack of an hour hand to find true north navigating. Although with time and sun position you really don't need that. Old school field watches were sub 36mm with only the hour numbers and worn by officers who never went near the water or dirt.

If we go the battery operated route, I’d argue the Garmin Fenix is the ultimate. Thing does it all.

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I'm curious, where are you finding the Hamilton Khaki Field auto for $350.00? Do tell.

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https://www.jomashop.com/hamilton-khaki-field-watch-h69439363.html

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cktessier

I'm curious, where are you finding the Hamilton Khaki Field auto for $350.00? Do tell.

What @OldSnafu posted as well as check eBay.  Countless grey dealers selling them in the $350 range. Less if you go used.

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AllTheWatches

If someone can get over the movement in the Bulova, it is a hell of a deal, especially if you can grab a deal on ebay. I think they are about $200 on Joma.  

I bet for sure. don't get me wrong there are some nice vintage looking watches out there I don't want to fall right in the rabbit hole and forget it. I got my eye on the ol school Bulova Accutron. I find it more attractive than the new one.

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ChadDipps

I bet for sure. don't get me wrong there are some nice vintage looking watches out there I don't want to fall right in the rabbit hole and forget it. I got my eye on the ol school Bulova Accutron. I find it more attractive than the new one.

I do love the idea of grabbing one of those too. In my own personal rabbit hole of research, getting an original condition one seems tough to do as most are largely reburbished models with new boards, case, or glass.