Most field watches were originally made for military use, so they all tend to share a common design style that’s both durable and highly legible. Most are time-only watches, and they often have Arabic numerals for the hour markers. So, to keep things simple, I’ve stuck to watches that fit into this general definition of what a field watch is.

Now, rather than just talk about a load of watches I’ve never seen before, I’ve based this list around watches I’ve actually worn. This means that the five watches I’ve chosen for this list are ones I genuinely think are good field watches to own, rather than generic clickbait choices, and not one of the brands I talk about have paid to be featured in this article.

The other thing I want to say is that this list is obviously far from exhaustive. There are plenty of other great field watches out there that I haven’t added to this list, and these are just my picks from the watches I’ve handled myself. So feel free to disagree with me or suggest your own choices, and I might include them in a follow-up article.

Anyway, that’s enough preamble, so in no particular order here are my 5 picks…

1. Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer Mechanical

My first choice is the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer Mechanical. Now, the first thing you’re probably wondering is why I didn’t choose the more popular Khaki Field Mechanical. Well, having reviewed both watches, I actually prefer the Pilot Pioneer to the KFM. There are two reasons for this. The first is that the Pilot Pioneer has 100m of water resistance, which is twice that of the KFM, and which makes the Pilot Pioneer more suitable for use in the field.

The second reason is that I think the design has more charm than the KFM, whilst still being practical. The Pilot Pioneer is a virtually identical reissue of the Hamilton W10, which has supplied to the British Military in the 1970s. With its textured dial, boxed crystal and 36mm cushion case, the Pilot Pioneer looks every inch the vintage field watch. The only downside is the fact that the watch has a mineral crystal, which is noticeably less scratch resistant than a sapphire one. But, other than that, it’s a well-specced watch.

Ticking away inside the Pilot Pioneer Mechanical is Hamilton’s H-50 manually wound movement. It’s based on the ETA 2801-2, and it has 17 jewels, a 3Hz beat rate and an impressive 80-hour power reserve. The watch retails for £740, which is pretty steep for the specifications. But a watch is more than the specs, and the design and finishing make this a very compelling offering indeed.

You can read my full review of the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer Mechanical here.

2. CWC G10

The next watch is from CWC, or the Cabot Watch Company, to use its full name, which was founded in 1972 by the former managing director of Hamilton UK, Ray Mellor. Since then the company has specialised in producing watches for all three branches of the Britsh Military, something it still does in a limited capacity to this day. As a result, the brand has many options to choose from when it comes to a reliable field watch.

The classic choice is the G10, which was last issued to British forces in 2008. It’s got a purely utilitarian design, with a 36.5mm case that’s got an anti-reflective satin finish. Like many issued watches, the G10 has fixed spring bars, which means it can only be fitted with one-piece straps. However, it also stops the watch from being lost due to a spring bar failure.

Powering the G10 is an ETA quartz movement that’s the perfect choice for the humble field watch. Other notable features include lumed hands and markers, a 50m depth rating, and an acrylic crystal. Though acrylic isn’t terribly scratch-resistant, it is hard to shatter, which is why it’s still used on the G10. All in all the CWC G10 isn’t the most flashy field watch, but it’s an excellent blend of functionality and heritage that makes it a great choice of tool watch. It also costs just £279, which makes it the cheapest watch on this list.

You can purchase the G10 from CWC’s website here.

3. Christopher Ward C65 Sandhurst

The third watch I’ve chosen is an old favourite of mine and that’s the Christopher Ward C65 Sandhurst. It’s based on the iconic Smiths W10 but updates the design with some of Christopher Ward’s signature elements.

The watch is the most expensive on this list, with a retail price of £1,050 on the steel bracelet, but it makes up for that with its exceptional build quality. The Sandhurst is also the dressiest of the watches on this list, and it’s perfectly suited to being a “go anywhere, do anything” watch.

Whilst it may look refined, the Sandhurst is equally suited to the rugged outdoors, with a sapphire crystal, 150m depth rating, and bright Super-LumiNova. It also has a chronometer-grade Sellita SW200 movement, so it’s guaranteed to be the most accurate of the mechanical watches on this list. To cap it all off, the Sandhurst is officially approved by the Ministry of Defence and bears the heraldic badge of the British Army on its case back. Though it might not have the heritage of some of my other picks, the Sandhurst makes up for that with its finishing and value for money.

You can read my full review of the Christopher Ward C65 Sandhurst here.

4. Timefactors Smiths PRS-29A

Following on from the Sandhurst, the next watch on the list is another that’s based on the Smiths W10. It’s the Smiths PRS-29A from Timefactors, and it’s a near-exact reissue of the original W10. It’s slightly bigger than the original, with a 36mm steel case that’s only 11.1mm thick and has drilled lugs rather than fixed spring bars.

However, the PRS-29A makes the cut not because of its looks, but because of its specifications. The watch is water resistant to 100m, can resist magnetic fields of up to 20,000 A/m (amperes per metre), and has a boxed sapphire crystal that has a healthy application of anti-reflective coating on its underside. The lume is also ridiculously bright and is among the best I’ve seen at this price point. The last thing to talk about is the movement, which is a Sellita SW210. This hand-wound calibre has 19 jewels, a 42-hour power reserve, and a 4Hz beat rate.

The Smiths PRS-29A costs just £405, which makes the watch outstanding value for money. The only fly in the ointment is the ordering system, as the store only opens on Sunday afternoons every couple of weeks, and demand is usually so high that the store closes within a few minutes. But, if you can get your hands on a PRS-29A, it’s well worth the effort.

You can purchase the Smiths PRS-29A from Timefactor’s website here.

5. Nite MX10

I’ve saved the best till last with my final pick. It’s the MX10 from Nite, and it offers everything you need in a modern field watch for a very reasonable price of £300.

The watch has a sapphire crystal with several layers of anti-reflective coating, along with 100m of water resistance. The movement is the Ronda 715, a 5-jewel Swiss quartz movement that has a 5-year battery life. The cherry on the cake though is that instead of the Super-LumiNova you usually see on field watches at this price point, the MX-10 uses tritium tubes. Tritium is a radioluminescent material that emits a steady constant glow, which makes it perfect for nighttime legibility.

As if the MX10 wasn’t impressive enough though, back in 2005 Nite supplied 400 of them to none other than the SAS. That’s right, of all the possible choices this elite regiment could have chosen, they chose the MX10 as their issued wristwatch. Which means that these understated field watches have probably seen use in some of the harshest combat environments of the past 20 years. And, if the MX10 is good enough for the SAS, then it’s probably good enough for you too.

You can purchase the MX10 from Nite’s website here.

The post The Best 5 Field Watches To Take Outdoors – Including The Watch Worn By The SAS! appeared first on 12&60.

It’s essentially a reissue of the Hamilton W10, which the company supplied to all three branches of the British military from 1973-1976. It also makes the name Pilot Pioneer something of a misnomer, as the design is for a general service watch, rather than one specifically designed for pilots.

Why The Pilot Pioneer Costs So Much

In the past, I’ve been highly critical of the Pilot Pioneer’s retail price of £720, mainly because it’s almost twice the price of the Khaki Field Mechanical. That watch has very similar specs and styling, but it costs only £395. However, recently I’ve begun to wonder if the difference in the prices of these two models isn’t simply because the Pilot Pioneer costs that much more for Hamilton to make. Practically every aspect of it is finished to a higher standard, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that meant its production costs were almost double that of the KFM. And, if Hamilton applies the same percentage markup to both watches, then that would result in the large difference in the retail prices.

So, let’s take a look at exactly why I think the Pilot Pioneer is so much nicer than the Khaki Field Mechanical…

A Classic Case Size

Let’s start by looking at the case. Just like the original W10, the Pilot Pioneer has a tonneau/cushion-shaped case with a brushed finish. The brushing keeps the watch looking toolish, but it also looks more refined than the bead blasting seen on the Khaki Field Mechanical.

The size of the case is a modest 36mm, with a lug-to-lug of 41mm, and a thickness of 10mm. This is pretty much the same size as the original Hamilton W10, and I’m glad to see Hamilton resisted the urge to upscale the watch for a modern audience. I find that the watch wears pretty true to these dimensions as well, so it will undoubtedly be too small for some people.

To add to the authenticity of the Pilot Pioneer, Hamilton opted to fit it with a boxed mineral crystal that mimics the shape of the acrylic crystals found on the original W10. It sits nice and proud from the case, which helps the watch to really nail the vintage look. However, I’m confused as to why Hamilton didn’t go with a sapphire crystal. Sapphire would be much more scratch-resistant, and the fact that the Pilot Pioneer only uses a mineral crystal is frankly inexcusable. Though the one thing the mineral crystal on the Pilot Pioneer does have going for it over the sapphire on the KFM, is that it has a double anti-reflective coating. This severely reduces any glare, and therefore I had no trouble at all in telling the time in bright sunlight.

The Pilot Pioneer also has 100m water resistance, double that of the KFM. It’s a small improvement, but it means that I feel a lot more comfortable taking the Pilot Pioneer for a swim than I do the Khaki Field.

As you’d expect from a military reissue, the Pilot Pioneer comes on an 18mm grey NATO strap. It’s a good quality NATO that’s certainly far better than the cheap ones you can buy off eBay. The only downside is that the tip and pin holes have a leather cover that makes the strap too thick to tuck back on itself.

The Pilot Pioneer Has A Gorgeous Dial

However, it’s the dial that really demonstrates just how much of a step up the Pilot Pioneer is over the KFM. Whilst the dial of the KFM is flat and functional, the dial of the Pilot Pioneer is packed with different finishes that draw the eye from one spot to another. For starters, the dial itself has a sandpaper-like finish to it. It’s subtle, but it imparts just enough texture to prevent the dial from being dull.

Then there’s the print. The markings are very similar to those found on the original W10, with a railroad minute track, Arabic numerals from one to eleven, and an arrow at the twelve o’clock position. Hamilton even used their period correct logo with an italicised font. All this is pretty standard for a field watch, but it’s set off by the use of faux-aged lume on the minute track and handset. Fauxtina is very much a love it or hate it feature, but personally, I think it sets the dial off nicely and gives the watch a much-needed pop of colour. However, I have to say that whilst the creamy lume does help give the watch a vintage aesthetic, it isn’t all that bright.

Lastly, the simple sword handset is polished with a rounded surface. This small detail means that they catch the light slightly differently depending on the angle, and look that bit more interesting over a flat handset.

Overall the dial of the Pilot Pioneer remains as easy to read as you’d want a field watch to be, but it throws in enough detail to make the well-trodden military design feel a bit more unique.

A Look At The Pilot Pioneer’s Movement

Just like the Khaki Field Mechanical, the Pilot Pioneer uses Hamilton’s H-50 movement. It’s essentially a modified ETA 2801-2, and it has 17 jewels, a 3Hz beat rate and an impressive 80-hour power reserve. The longer power reserve is obviously very welcome on a manual wind watch like this, and the H-50 seems to be a reliable update to the proven ETA calibre.

Final Thoughts

So, for me at least, the Pilot Pioneer knocks the socks off the Khaki Field Mechanical. It’s simply a much better finished watch, and as a result, it really feels like a step up from the KFM. Of course, if you prefer the more functional look of the KFM, then that’s fine. I’m not trying to tell you your wong to like that watch more. After all, it essentially offers you the same features for a lot less money. It’s just that as someone who’s owned both models, along with countless other field watches, I really like those small details on the Pilot Pioneer that set it apart from other military-inspired watches. The only letdown is that mineral crystal, and I don’t think I’ll ever figure out why Hamilton chose it over sapphire. But, it’s a small negative to what is otherwise a charming and well-executed reissue of a classic military field watch.

With the level of finishing that the Pilot Pioneer has, I understand why Hamilton has priced this watch at £720. But despite all the improvements over the KFM, I still can’t help but feel that it’s on the expensive side for the overall package it delivers. Which is why, if you do want to get one of these, I recommend that you do what I did and buy it second-hand for 35-40% off the RRP. At that price, I think it makes a lot more sense to spend that little bit more and get the Pilot Pioneer over the Khaki Field Mechanical.

You can purchase the Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer directly from Hamilton’s website here.

The post This is Hamilton’s Best Field Watch – The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer Mechanical appeared first on 12&60.

It’s not hard to see why. Based off the field watches Hamilton supplied to the US military in the 1960s, the Khaki Field Mechanical follows a timeless design that’s proven popular amongst both military and civilian customers. 

Priced at £395 or $495, the original Khaki Field Mechanical has proven so popular that the range has expanded to include several different dial options, a bronze-cased version, and a larger 42mm model. 

So, when I had the urge to add a mechanical field watch back into my collection, the KFM seemed like the obvious choice. But when I got it, I actually found a few things that stopped me from really connecting with it. Which is pretty surprising, because on paper the watch seems to tick every box.

But, before we cover what bugged me about it, let’s instead explore what (in theory) makes this watch great. 

An Immensely Wearable Watch 

With a 38mm steel case the modern watch is noticeably larger than its Vietnam-era predecessors, which were mere 34mm big. By today’s standards that’s absolutely tiny, and the increased size makes the modern KFM the ideal size for both men and women. The case is also just 9.75mm thick, meaning the watch sits very unobtrusively on the wrist. So, with dimensions like these, the Khaki Field Mechanical is one of the most wearable watches out there. 

The case has a simple bead blasted finish in keeping with the watch’s military roots. It might not be the most visually interesting finish, but of course it’s not meant to be. Military watches often have blasted cases because it creates a matte surface that eliminates reflections. This is a key part of concealment, where shiny surfaces can give away a soldier’s position. 

The case also features drilled lugs that allow for fast strap changes. Though the NATO strap the watch comes on is of excellent quality, with a supple, tightly woven nylon, and a solid steel buckle. On a side note, you should be aware that if you put the watch on a two-piece strap, there will be a noticeable gap between it and the case, owing to the position of the spring bars on the lugs. It’s not a problem for me, as I’m happy to keep the watch on a NATO, but I know that it will be for some. 

A Classic Military Dial

Protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, the dial follows the same classic military layout that Hamilton has used for decades. Printed in thick white are bold 12-hour numerals, with a smaller 24-hour track inside them. This is enclosed in a simple minute track with lumed triangles at each hour. The syringe hands are also painted white for high contrast against the dial, and are filled with “old radium” Super-LumiNova. It’s a no-frills design that’s endured because it’s so simple and easy to read at a glance. 

The lume isn’t spectacular, but it is legible in the dark, and to be honest the only problem I have with the dial is that the lumed triangles aren’t a closer colour match to the lume on the hands. 

A Reliable Hand Wound Movement

The Khaki Field Mechanical uses a solid H-50 manual wind movement. This 17-jewel calibre is based off the ETA 2801-2, but lowers the beat rate down from 4Hz to 3Hz in order to help give it a whopping 80-hour power reserve. 

As the H50 is essentially the next generation of 2801, I’ve no concerns about the movement’s reliability, and it’s also very easy to wind thanks to the watch’s large crown. 

Why Can’t I Love It? 

So far the Khaki Field Mechanical seems to tick every box when it comes to the perfect field watch, but despite that I think there are three things that hold it back from being absolutely fantastic. 

The first is the water resistance. The watch is only rated to 50m, which is generally only good enough for brief submersion in water. Now, as this is a field watch, it’s not vital that it be any higher than this. However, I’d find it a big plus if the watch had a slightly higher rating of 100m, just because it would prove peace of mind if I chose to swim with it. 

My second issue is that despite the renders on Hamilton’s website, the colour of the lumed triangle markers is noticeably lighter than the hands. It’s a small thing, but I think making those markers a richer colour would have helped make the whole dial pop, and give the watch a touch more character. Field watches are simple by design, which means that they rely on small details to give them depth and identity, and I can’t help but feel that Hamilton missed a trick here. Though in their defence, I think that it’s something they’re aware of, because they appear to have improved the colour on newer additions to the Khaki Field collection. 

The final, and for me the worse, fault with the watch is something incredibly simple. It’s the fact that the sapphire crystal has no anti–reflective coating. This might sound trivial, but it means that the crystal is incredibly reflective in certain conditions. I wouldn’t say it makes the watch impossible to read, but it is something that I find very distracting. When trying to read the time at a glance, I find that I take a fraction longer to focus on the handset. When I compared it to other similarly priced field watches like the Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer or the CWC G10, the difference was night and day. I think that if Hamilton had opted to give the Khaki Field Mechanical an anti-reflective coating, or a different crystal, then it would have just taken the watch up a notch. 

Comparing these two side by side, the annoying reflections of the Khaki Field Mechanical are obvious.

Final Thoughts

I know that my complaints about this watch are subjective, and that they might not bother other owners. But, I just think they hold this watch back from reaching its full potential. Because, despite my issues with the Khaki Field Mechanical, I think that Hamilton got an awful lot right with this watch. 

The size, the design, and the price point are all spot on, and at £395 the watch is a tempting value proposition to those on the lookout for a vintage military inspired timepiece. If there’s one thing I’m a sucker for, it’s a good tool watch, and Hamilton has done an excellent job of updating their Vietnam-era field watch. It’s an incredibly comfortable piece to wear, and the simple, no-frills aesthetics and bead-blasted finish work to make the watch feel both rugged and casual. 

But, unfortunately for me, the somewhat trivial issues I have with the watch stop me from really connecting with it. And, though I think it’s a great first field watch to get, I just don’t have the desire to wear it myself. 

Luckily, Hamilton makes another field watch that solves all my problems, and that is the previously mentioned Pilot Pioneer Mechanical. I found this to be a much more interesting watch to wear, and I’ll be covering why that is in the very near future. 

You can read more about the Khaki Field Mechanical on Hamilton’s website here.

The post The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical – Is It All It’s Cracked Up To Be? appeared first on 12&60.

Handsome looks, unrivalled history, Swiss made, impressive hand crank modified movement with 80 hour PR; and did I mention the price? All of this for under £400. Honestly, if you’re after a field watch – then there’s no other choice.

Watch the video below to see why I feel this way!

Buy it here: https://tidd.ly/3wOX5yk

The Video Review

The post Hamilton Khaki Field Watch Review appeared first on 12&60.