This spring and summer, you will hear the call of the sewer. You’re going to want to get off your couch, you’re going to want to get out on the lake or the trail. Or the backyard of your favorite liquor store, at least. And you’ll want the right gear for the rugged, adventure-oriented work at hand.
You’ll want a field watch, is what I’m trying to say.
As spring winds through the city after a cold winter, the forces of nature are stronger than ever, and the right tools of the trade can be of great help. It’s a little different for everyone (perhaps you prize hiking boots with more lacing, a backpack built with more storage space or a moisture-wicking shirt built with extra SPF protection), but there are a few negotiables.
Whether you want to break out your tow box or just start a fire or go hiking from your family closet, the right watch delivers the goods. I’m not talking about a watch with glitz and glamour, though.
I’m talking about the field watch, a style pioneered by its real-world military heritage in the trenches, known for accurate timekeeping, its often infallible construction and go-anywhere details (trench boots, meeting trench watch).
A do-it-all timepiece (at least in cases where the dress code is more “GORP-core” than “business casual”) usually boasts a solid appeal suitable for everything from day trips to long drives and maybe even a spring day on the water.
For all the places your smartwatch or your trusty leather watch can’t go, consider a field watch.
Yes, times have changed, but the creation of the best field watches often brings value and quality in a simple, robust form.
Field clocks differ in their appearance and construction. Some boast superior water resistance capabilities or dive-ready capabilities. Others are better suited to wear on a mountain dirt track. Some feature stainless case designs or a rotating bezel. Some lean too easily.
Field watches don’t have to sacrifice traditional style points, either. In the same way that a small dress watch plays well with your best navy suit, a wild watch gives a strong sensibility that goes well with a pocket tee and blue jeans, with a short-sleeved henley and the right pair of chino shorts, or a breathable shirt, a retro camp-collar and white canvas sneakers.
These field watches are often designed to be resistant to shock as well as water and debris, and the best men’s field watches also have clean, legible Arabic numerals, clear dial markers and more legibility in low light conditions.
And since you don’t want to fuss with your leather strap, you’ll often find field watches with fabric or rubber straps.
I trust them The Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition above all else. It took me hiking in the desert, going river rafting, and going up in a hot air balloon. However, it does not mean that it is the only one that I hope for. Up your wrist game with a few favorites from my wish list.