Oversized Buzz

It's readily available. Finally. Now I can stop talking about Timex's new oversized Camper.  Since it graced the pages of GQ a few months back it seemed like this was the only watch people in the blogosphere wanted to talk about - I will take some of the blame on this one.  And you know what? I get the commotion.  The original Camper was a great looking field watch that was cheap as hell.  You could even jazz it up with whatever Nato style strap you wanted.  The only issue, if there was one, was that it was really small - definitely too small for anyone looking for a watch with a little heft.  I tried the new oversized Camper on last weekend and I was underwhelmed.  The new 42mm face is a nice size and the band is now 20mm wide, which is preferable to the original's 18mm.  I can dig it for the most part, but wasn't compelled to drop a Ulysses on it.  I guess I bought into the buzz myself and raised the bar a little too high.  At the end of the day the oversized Camper is a classic field watch on steroids.  Nothing less, nothing more.  Take that for what it's worth.  Maybe it's exactly what you're in the market for.  Will the buzz die down?  I guess that depends on how well these sell.

-L.A.S

Timex Heritage Watch

I've gotten more inquiries this week regarding a Timex watch I posted on Tumblr than anything else so I figured I'd highlight it here for anyone who believes one site run by me is already more than enough.  I stumbled upon this timepiece while searching for Timex's Oversize Camper, which was supposed to drop in July, but has yet to show up in to many places - it is available on Timex's Canadian site and in store at select Nordstrom locations.  Anyhow, when I was browsing Nordstrom's Timex stock I found a model I had never seen before.  The Heritage watch is a pretty good looking number coming in at under 100 bones.  That's kinda pricey for anything Timex (especially when you can get a Camper for like $20), but still a cool looking option for those of you in the market for a new watch.  Part of me thinks that some of the pricepoint is dictated to the "topstitched, leather-lined canvas strap" it comes with, which is quite the buzzkill for anyone who planned on switching in a fresh NATO first and foremost.  If you're the kinda guy who has mulled over dropping north of a Benjamin on another Timex at, say, J. Crew you might want to do some browsing first.  As one can imagine, the "upscale" Timex market isn't incredibly deep, but that doesn't mean you can't find some handsome watches with a little digging.  I did an admittedly half-assed search to find this watch on the cheap (Amazon, Timex.com, etc.), but couldn't locate it elsewhere.  Who knows, maybe it will show up at J. Crew.

-L.A.S

Watch Men

[Pictured: American Field Watches circa World Wars I & II.]

Originating in the 1880's, the field watch gained steam as the prevalent time piece during the first World War due to soldier's demands for reliable and portable time devices.   These accurate, shock resistant watches, much like army fatigues, grew to represent American no frills, utilitarian design.  The technological advancements of WWII also extended to the watches.  With solid forged steel cases and thick, strong straps, the watches were more battle ready than ever.

The field watch saw a resurgence in the 1970's as the populatity of outdoors sports increased.  Suddenly there was once again a demand for a less expensive, rugged watch that, above all else, was readable and reliable.  By the 1980's the field watch was so popular that it had earned the reputation as the "blue-jeans" of timepieces.*

The field watch has recently been experiencing a similar resurgance to that of the 1970's/80's as it finds itself very much at the center of the menswear heritage/workwear movement.  Guys who would typically pass over such a watch in favor of something more intricate and expensive are drawn to the field watch's simple aesthetics and rich history.  Outdoors companies like L.L. Bean and Orvis are offering the same field watches they have for years, while brands like Timex (in a "collaboration" with J. Crew) are re-releasing models from their past. 

If you're in the market for a cool, new watch and don't want to spend north of a king's ransom look into a field watch.  I recommend going the vintage route by picking up one of the hundreds available on eBay.  You can find plenty of working watches (sans band if you like) at a bargain of the new asking price.  Thanks to a tip from Nick, I am currently trying to secure a vintage L.L. Bean field watch as we speak (you're crazy if you think I'm going to link it up here, though hopefully I can post on it when I win the auction).  If you're worried a vintage option is too much of a risk, try any one of the new varieties posted below. 

I'm really into black face (wow, this can definitely be taken out of context) watches in general, so that's what I would recommend as far as faces are concerned.  Otherwise, there's not much else going on outside of the band you choose.  The field watch is a complete "less is more" piece and that's the way a watch should be.  No matter if it's a field watch or a Cartier tank watch, the simpler the better.  On the matter of bands, most of these allow you to switch in and out the band of your choosing.  Grosgrain seems to be what's trending right now so either head down that route, or go in the opposite direction.  For someone looking to break new ground, try a simple cotton (waxed even) band or some type of nylon (braided possibly) to keep with the understated theme of the watch's face.  Or you could just say "screw it" and throw on a vintage leather band.  I can't imagine anything cooler right now than a "blacked-out" field watch.  Who watches the watch men? I do, that's who...

L.L. Bean Classic Field Watch...$89

Orvis Briar Haven Field Watch...$69

Timex Expedition Retro Metal Field Watch...$39.59

J. Crew x Timex Military Watch...$150.00

Hamilton Men's Khaki Field Watch...$116.99

 

-L.A.S

*Field watch lead in pictures and history paraphrased and sourced from here.