Watches

5.11 Tactical Field Watch

I’m one of those guys that love watches. To me, it is not only a necessity, but it finishes off the “look” of whatever it is that you are wearing. As much as I’d love to have a nice smartwatch, I haven’t been able to pull the trigger on one yet. Why? Truthfully, I not only like the aesthetics of an analog or digital watch, but it really isn’t practical in my day-to-day life (except for the fact that it’d be useful while working out). To me, traditional timepieces just have more personality.

When choosing a watch for work, it not only has to have the “look”, but it has to be able to withstand whatever is thrown at it. That doesn’t mean that it has to have all the fancy bells and whistles either; because hey, I’m a firefighter, not a pilot. However, I expect it to keep time accurately no matter the abuse, and it has to remain relatively unscathed in respects to its finish. Let’s face it, who wants to spend their money on a watch because it looks good, only to have a scratched up POS a day, week or even a month later. Last but not least, I want the option to wear the watch for more than just work, because in the end, “all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.”

Chances are, that if you work in any field such as law enforcement, military, EMS, or fire, you’ve heard of 5.11 Tactical. They are a company that is known for quality, ruggedness, and durability. And (yes, I started a sentence with and), I can tell you from first-hand experience, that their customer service is pretty darn amazing as well.

The 5.11 Tactical Field Watch fits the description above for what I look for in an excellent watch. Over the past two months, the Field Watch has been worn almost daily, whether it has been on shift at the FD, coaching my kid’s baseball games, or heading out for the night with my beautiful wife. My experience with it has been completely positive, which can be very difficult to find when reviewing gear. I can tell you that it has seen some abuse over those two months; from traffic accidents with extrication to training, and worst of all, horsing around with my kids!

<br />

The 5.11 Tactical Field Watch comes with a Nato style band, and my first time wearing one. To touch on that, all I can say is that if you have never worn one, do yourself a favor and get one; they are that comfortable. The watch itself has a good heft to it, giving it a durable feel. But what jumps out at you when looking at it, is the simplicity of it. The numbers and increments on the face are gray against a black background; easy to read, but not screaming to take over the look of the entire piece. There is a small orange window showcasing the current date. To me, having the date on a watch is a MUST. Every task that I perform during my day-to-day operations required time and date stamping and having this definitely helps.

The Field Watch has a uni-directional dive bezel with number markings at every 5 minute/second. On the inside of the bezel, just under the chip and scratch resistant mineral glass, are your markings for military/24 hour time. The hour, minute, and red second hand, all have a Phosphorus Luminescent paint on them that glows with the slightest charge. For you ladies and gentlemen out there that perform dive operations, the Field Watch is water resistant up to 100 meters or 330 feet.

One of my favorite points on this watch though is the finish. 5.11 Tactical knew that this watch would be used by many of us in the actual field. So just to the name it “Field Watch” wasn’t good enough. They finished this watch with Ionic Plating. For those of you not familiar with this process, a layer of titanium nitride and other strong materials are added to the base of the stainless steel and bonded together to create a lasting and durable finish. In fact, it is so durable that it is considered a permanent finish/coating.

As mentioned before, this is the first piece of wearable gear that I haven’t had any issues with of any sort. The 5.11 Tactical Field Watch is versatile; ready for day-to-day operations, but classy enough to wear on a night out on the town.

If you decide to give it a go, make sure to stop back and leave some feedback. Let us know what you think!

<br />

Author – Tony Kuhn

A Brief History of NATO Watch Bands

In designing the Vaer watch, we tried our best to focus on the features and functionalities beloved by wristwatch enthusiasts. While some of our design features, such as the metal case ring and back-loaded case design, are invisible to the untrained eye, there are other features that clearly define the product’s identity.

One such feature is the interchangeable nylon bands. Colorful, comfortable, and waterproof – they’re a perfect match for our minimal, ocean-going timepiece.

A Functional Favorite

The nylon pass-through strap (often referred to as a NATO) is a unifying symbol for watch lovers around the world. Whether you’re collecting Seikos or Submariners chances are you own a few nylon straps. Not only do they provide a cool contrast to a steel or leather strap, they’re incredibly functional. If you own an expensive dive watch (and actually use it in the ocean) the last thing you want is to lose it because of a faulty spring-bar. Even the strongest steel bracelet is only as reliable as the removable spring-bars it’s attached to – if one breaks, your watch is going straight to the ocean floor.

The nylon pass-through strap solves this problem.

Since the band itself forms a full-loop around your wrist, it’s secured independently by each springbar. If one bar fails, the other one will still be there to keep the watch on your wrist.

Military Origins

The origins of this fail-safe design can be traced back over 40 years to the early 1970s when it was issued as an optional accessory by the British Ministry of Defence. Labelled simply as the “Strap, Wrist Watch” it quickly became known as the G10, which was the name of the order form soldiers needed to fill out to get it. It is very commonly referred to as a “NATO Strap”, as a shortened version of “NATO Stocking Number”.

The design of these early military straps is nearly identical to our version. Both are nylon, 20mm in width, and feature a second shorter piece of nylon attached to the buckle. The only key difference is the while the British originals used brass-buckles and keepers our hardware is made of brushed 316L stainless steel. Interestingly, the military straps were also highly customized. While originally issued only in grey, it wasn’t long before British regiments started customizing the straps to match their regimental colors.

Rise to Popularity

While it took a few more decades for the NATO design to catch on outside military circles, today these the bands can be found on an incredibly wide variety of watches. Many renowned watchmakers such as Bremont and Tudor now sell Nylon bands as an optional accessory with their watches – charging as much $100 USD for a single Nylon strap.

Other brands have taken the opposite approach, producing flimsy colored straps, that imitate the style of NATO, but lack the quality and design specifications to make the product useful for anything more than a fashion accessory.

The Perfect Band

We didn’t invent our band design. Nor are we the only ones selling the style.

However, for the price, our version is one of the very best of its kind on the market.

We selected a very dense Nylon weave that is sturdy, while still being supple enough to be comfortable when worn around the wrist. The band features 13 laser cut holes, spaced 5mm apart and spanning a range between 155mm and 215mm. The end of the band is rounded to a circle, and burnished by heat to not split or fray. Attached to the Nylon band, are four pieces of brushed stainless steel hardware – one buckle and three rectangular loops. The hardware is secured by 1mm machine-stitched nylon threading, made to match the color of the band, and stress tested to withstand up to 350 pounds of direct tension.

All together these numerous design features combine into a pretty damn solid strap. Adding in the ocean functionality, easy interchangeability, and opportunity for customization – I think its pretty clear why we believe it’s a perfect match for our watch.

Is the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M the next James Bond watch?

Omega Watches recently unveiled a new photo on their website featuring Daniel Craig in his Bond-esque tuxedo showcasing their new Seamaster Diver 300M. For those unaware, Omega has exclusively taken the spotlight on James Bond’s wrist since 1995’s GoldenEye, which then featured Pierce Brosnan as the British spy. Every wristwatch worn by Bond since then has been a model from Omega’s Seamaster line, replacing the classic Rolex Submariner worn by previous Bond actors.

The Seamaster Diver 300M debuted in 1993 so this year marks its 25^th anniversary and what better way to increase marketing appeal than to revamp an already iconic watch with some new bells and whistles to celebrate its anniversary. Interestingly, the upcoming Bond film slated for release next year is being colloquially referred to as Bond 25, referring to itself as the 25^thinstallment in the series by Eon Productions. This photoshoot and collection of events have led to some speculation that the new Seamaster 300M will be next watch for the next Bond film.

Though it remains to be seen, the new Seamaster 300M would be a worthy successor to Bond’s collection of luxury wristwatches. Along with some technical upgrades, the new model also features a new ceramic bezel and ceramic dial with a laser-engraved wave pattern that is sure to garner a lot of gazing eyes. Starting MSRP for the new Seamaster is currently $4,750.

All photos courtesy of Omega Watches

The Bremont Broadsword: A timepiece with history

Bremont’s Armed Forces Collection does more than pay homage to the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force; it’s brought new life to an aesthetic that’s directly reminiscent of a series of watches commissioned by the Ministry of Defence during World War II. These watches, commonly referred to as “the dirty dozen,” were made by a number of manufacturers to be issued to British troops, and each had to meet a strict set of criteria in order to secure the contract. In particular, these watches needed luminous markings on the dial, a regulation chronometer that was waterproof, and a tough and robust case to house its internals.

While those “dirty dozen” watches were made to be standard issue for British troops, however, Bremont’s Armed Forces Collection is aimed at a slightly more affluent crowd. At just over $3,400, this Broadsword may not be the first choice in duty watches for your average enlisted soldier, but for those who have an affinity for the British Army or military history in general, this watch offers an incredible combination of utilitarian style and fine craftsmanship you simply can’t find in even high-dollar duty watches.

While the Arrow (inspired by the Royal Air Force) and the Argonaut (inspired by the Royal Navy) were both solid contenders when I was approached to review these watches, it was the Broadsword’s simple aesthetic that caught my eye. Of the three watches in the Armed Forces Collection, the Broadsword seems to visually draw the most from the “Dirty Dozen” watches of yesteryear, and although the khaki green sailcloth strap wasn’t my favorite part of the watch at first, it quickly grew on me. The material is soft and comfortable against your skin and the service-green shade is surprisingly at home alongside both range gear and a tailored sport coat.

Unlike tactical duty watches that often offer little in the way of low-light visibility (intentionally to avoid giving away your position) the Broadsword offers spectacular brightness on the hands and face even in pitch black environments. Dimly glowing watches may keep you hidden from bad guys, but when I’m running through the parking area of the Atlanta Airport, I’d prefer to be able to see the hands quickly and easily.

Don’t let the illumination fool you, however; this watch may not be intended for field use, but it’s still plenty tough. With a two-piece steel case that stood up to all kinds of weird punishment over the weeks I worse this watch and a water resistance rating of 100 meters, this watch isn’t just for history buffs that spend their time reading about military history. This watch would make an excellent daily wear timepiece for those who can swing it, thanks to its combination of beauty and historically accurate toughness.

The Bremont Broadsword is automatic winding with a 38-hour power reserve and the easy-to-read face includes a date indicator at the 3-o-clock position as well as a sub-seconds display at its 6. It, like the Arrow and Argonaut, reads HMAC on the dial, which is an acronym for Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. As the only brand authorized to use the signs and heraldry of the Royal Navy, British Army, and the Royal Air Force, you won’t find another watch like those in Bremont’s Armed Forces Collection anywhere on the market.

You can get your own Bremont Broadsword here.

Field Watch Review: Sans 13 Tactical Sport Watch from S&B

We’ve scoped out the SANS-13 Tactical Sport Watch from S&B (formerly Smith and Bradley) before and found it to be an exceptional field timepiece, but the watch recently underwent a redesign that was informed heavily by feedback S&B received directly from military and law enforcement users. The result is one hell of a tough duty watch that’s got a clean, tactical aesthetic that doesn’t look all that out of place in any social setting either.

This new version of the SANS-13 added 100 meters worth of water resistance over the model we previously reviewed, bringing its rating up to 300 meters, or just about 1,000 feet. Among other improvements, they also added a one-directional 120-click ratcheting bezel that I had no trouble manipulating with and without my gloves. You can get the watch with a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating to protect against moisture and other corrosives, or in a stainless steel variety that, while lacking a bit of the toughness allotted by the coating, has an even better overall aesthetic.

The dial window is my favorite part of the watch, only because I found myself constantly banging this watch against gear I was testing out, the metal counters in my workshop, my daughter’s toys and just about anything else I could flail my limbs at. Maybe I’m always this clumsy and I just don’t normally notice, or maybe all the years of drinking are catching up with me, but in either event, the Sapphire Crystal S&B used for their dial window took each and every impact like a champ. This watch still looks brand new despite my best efforts at beating the hell out of it.

This watch is a great choice for military and LEO guys that are in need of a solid, reliable duty time piece, but it’s also a good choice for outdoor adventurers that need their watch to survive getting banged against rocks during a climb or being drenched in rain while camping. At around $400, this isn’t the cheapest duty watch you’ll find, but it keeps pace with far more expensive alternatives and looks just as good as a timepiece you might spend three times as much on.

Seiko SKX007: Every other person’s favorite dive watch

Seiko may have some of the most popular entry-level watches on the market, but lest you forget, the company has a storied and prestigious history. Seiko revolutionized the watch industry by introducing the world’s first quartz watch, it was the official timer for several Olympic games, and it also adorned the wrists of General Schwarzkopf during the Gulf War as well as the mythical James Bond. Swiss movements may garner a lot of praise, and respectfully so, but Seiko’s in-house movements are remarkable in themselves.

I recently wrote a review on the Seiko SNK and agreed with many other enthusiasts that it is one of the best automatic watches someone can buy as their first timepiece. However, if the SNK isn’t your cup of tea, the Seiko SKX007 is arguably the best entry dive watch on the market and is worth just as much consideration. I’m a proud owner of both, but I tend to wear the SKX the most frequently out of my collection.

Case diameter (w/o crown): 42.5mm
Case thickness: 13.33mm
Lug width: 22mm
Lug-to-lug length: 46mm
Water resistance: 200m
Crystal: Hardlex
Movement: 7S26

What I enjoy most about the Seiko SKX007 is its aesthetics. The matte black dial goes nicely with the polished stainless steel case, and the orange water resistance mark adds a subtle yet eye-catching flair. The recessed crown sits at the four o’clock position with its tall crown guards which adds to the watch’s unique look. The SKX not only looks good though, it wears even better. A case diameter of 42.5mm might make this a bit too big of a watch for some, but the 46mm lug-to-lug length allows this watch to be forgiving of smaller wrists.

The SKX has more to offer than just a sleek and versatile look. The watch meets ISO 6425 standards and has all the features to make it an official dive watch. This doesn’t just mean the watch will work at its rated depth, it also means the watch is tested for a reasonable amount of magnetic and shock resistance, something all wearers can both appreciate. I’ve put the watch through some cringe-worthy impacts and I’m impressed with how well it holds up to some abuse. Speaking of toughness, Seiko’s proprietary hardlex crystal has a reputation for being tougher and more scratch-resistant than most other mineral crystals. The lume also works incredibly well, especially for such an inexpensive watch, something Seiko is often praised for. I’m always surprised at its initial brightness when I enter a room and how bright it remains as time passes on.

As great as the SKX is, it does come with couple cons, even if they aren’t so readily apparent. For starters, the 120-click unidirectional bezel isn’t very rigid and offers a bit of play. You won’t have to worry about the bezel moving on you, but the slight amount of wiggle-room can be frustrating. Also, the day-date complication is a nice feature to have, but it takes several hours to completely cycle through (from around 2200 to 0300). This isn’t exactly a flaw, but a minor inconvenience if you’re wearing the watch at night as well as a glaring reminder that is after all just an entry-level wristwatch. With all of this being said, both of these cons are minor and very much forgivable, especially for such an affordable dive watch.

The verdict

The good
-Great price for an automatic dive watch
-Tough and durable
-Great lume

The bad
-Bezel has a little play
-Day-date complication takes several hours to cycle through
-Non-hacking movement (can’t stop second hand)

At the time of writing this review, the SKX009 and the smaller but identical SKX013 sell for about $180. A bit of an oxymoron, but the SKX makes for a quality beater watch. It’s a dive watch you can admire but not have to worry about scuffing up as you go about your day. My SKX only gains a few seconds every day which is exceptionally accurate for its price. If you don’t particularly like the style of the watch, the SKX also happens to be one of the easiest and most popular watches to mod (customize). With the immense amount of aftermarket parts available, a quick internet search might help you find something you like.

All photos courtesy of the author, Matt Jin