Seeking the perfect small mountaineer watch

the alpinist is a pretty good fit save the thickness; i found a glycine combat 6 online for sale online and can link it

Have you considered Timex? The 38mm Expedition North Mechanical seems to have everything you are looking for in a field watch and brand.

What about a Smith’s Everest.

 This one seems pretty close to fitting the bill except for the date complication and push/pull crown... 

 Brand: Hamilton

Model: Khaki Field

Model Number: H70575733

Movement Type: Automatic

Movement Engine: Hamilton Calibre H-10 (based on ETA C07.111)

Power Reserve: 80 hours

Case Size: 42mm

Case Thickness: 11mm

Case Material: Titanium Black PVD

Crystal: Sapphire

Luminescence: Hands and Markers

Bezel/Material: Fixed Titanium Black PVD

Crown: Push/Pull

Water Resistance: 100M / 330FT

Band: Sailcloth / Rubber

Band Width: 21mm

List Price: $1,095

I paid $592 for mine brand new w/box & papers.

Jomashop has it for $730...

Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic Titanium Men's Watch H70575733 7640127753446 - Watches, Khaki Field - Jomashop

Lorier Falcon

Lume, case size are on point. And true no date movement.

Hamilton's recent 38mm case murph might not be the dial style you want, but it fits most of that aside from missing the solid case back, good lume, and screw down crown.

The steel navigator auto from Marathon, which I know you mentioned being sterile, fits a lot of this too. It's a bit more expensive. There isn't a no date version yet, but they often offer no date for their models and might soon for this one. Only other catch is the lug to lug is a few mm longer than your preference.

You should consider the Bulova Hack (by coincidence, this is what I am wearing today. Should meet all your criteria…

Thanks for the response. I do love the alpinist overall, the thickness does kill it a bit for me given my tiny wrist.

To be more specific on the glycine looking at the 36mm black dial like this -> https://www.jomashop.com/glycine-watch-3916-19at-s-lb9b.html

Thanks for the response.

Yes I saw that quite recently. It's just a tad long for my 5.5 inch wrist. Also doesn't seem to have 100 WR. Other than that its great.

Thanks for the response.

Think this will crush my 5.5 in wrist haha

shot you a dm

Thanks for the response.

I saw this in-person recently. Lovely watch.

I believe that one does indeed have 100m wr and a screw down crown.

Then go for this one...sure to be a perfect match...even if it is a microbrand...I gave these away in different colors as holiday gifts and my buddies loved them...perfect GADA field watch for any size wrist...

Brand: RZE

Model: Valour

Movement Type: Automatic

Movement Engine: Seiko NH38A

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Case Size: 38mm

Case Thickness: 11mm

Case Material: Black PVD Titanium

Crystal: Sapphire

Luminescence: Hands and Markers

Bezel/Material: Fixed Black PVD Titanium

Crown: Screw Down

Water Resistance: 100M / 330FT

Band: Black NATO

Band Width: 20mm

List Price: $399

I was mistaken your right on the 100m wr. Where did you find it has a screw down crown?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmDxqjVgzcc this vid indicates it does not.

Vaer and Timex immediately spring to mind, they both have great field watch options

TW2V64300 is the reference number of the watch in my picture.

The newish Hamilton Expedition in 37mm meets all your criteria except price, but I see it on sale from many retailers so you can likely get damn close to your price point...

I have a similar Hamilton Khaki and the crystal on mine is not AR coated. Super big glare in daylight. Hamilton confirms they dont make one to fit. I am shopping for an aftermarket crystal and will get hubby to swap for me.

Forgot to attach the photo.

Maybe a used Hamilton Khaki field expedition. But the bezel rotates. You could just keep the bezel in the North at 12 position. It meets all the other criteria and the bezel is not a typical one. It might be a fun fidget spinner. 😜

Also the Timex Expedition North. I have the titanium version and it’s built like a tank. But I’m pretty sure there are stainless steel versions of it. 👍🏻

Bulova Hack is the one, imo.

I think the watches in bullet 2 are what you probably want, despite the customer service concerns. The Super Antarctic is a minor masterpiece of the explorer's type, and I've been loving the way my Everest looks and wears. I did have to poke at Nivada-Grenchen to locate and expedite both of my orders from them, so the rumors are kinda true there. But both times I've bought a Smiths from Timefactors it's been a breeze, shipped and in-hand within the week (UK --> US). The fulfillment issues with NG were irritating, but basically harmless: it's not like they sold me a dud product, or never delivered one, or gave me bad assistance, it just took a week or two longer to have an excellent watch. (The actual customer service experience was fine, with rapid and professional responses.)

If you feel like stepping slightly to the side of that sort of mid-century adventure watch look (and the notion of "heritage"), one of my favorite field/explorer's/GADA-ish pickups has been from San Martin. It's an adaptable piece style wise, while always looking like it means business. Classy, razor-sharp business.

Serica's take on the field watch is also a stunner:

You could also look at RZE (multiple models would qualify, I am thinking of the Valour) or Zelos (Aurora Ti) for angular, modernized field designs that maintain wearable dimensions.

One more, as it would be criminal to neglect it in a thread about outdoors watches: that stone-cold classic, the Timex Expedition Scout!

They have a no date version now.

The SSNAV. The automatic variant still has a date at this time.

I think the Seiko spb159 baby alpinist checks most of those boxes.

Thoughts? Meets most of your wants except for rotating bezel, but I figured it was cool having a compass in a field / mountaineering watch. https://seikoboutique.com.sg/product/seiko-prospex-automatic-watch-srpg13k1/

Thanks for the input.

Your right - I edited the OP for screw down crown or crown guards.

Thanks for the suggestion. I could do without the bezel but will have to keep this in mind. Would want to see it in person first to see how the 42mm case size feels on my 5.5 in wrist.

Yeah I get what you are saying. I'm less worried about shipment time than things like defects or reliablility of the watch. Both Smiths and NG have some markedly poor QC and after-purchase service as seen on youtube videos, comments, and online threads. It's a roll of the dice I'm not 100% prepared to go through at the moment and so looking to see what the whole realm of options within this space are.