The Best Field Watches of 2024 – ultimatefieldwatch.com - Bertucci Watches

Field watches are, for good reason, among the most popular styles of watches, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. They trace their roots back to military necessity. That mother of invention led to a style of watches that can be both understated and luxurious, refined and utilitarian.

I love field watches. Among my collection, field watches are the timepieces that often accompany my most treasured adventures. They’re affordable, functional, and can stand up to the abuse that wilderness, mountains, and weather can throw at a tool that remains strapped to my wrist.

In this roundup, I focus on field watches that can handle real-world abuse. The majority of my selections are well below $1,000 because the reality is that those who actually use their field watch in the field really don’t have space to worry about a needlessly expensive object. Field watches are meant to be used, scratched, with dirt, water, blood, and all. I’ll also include a few more expensive offerings for the horological enthusiasts because there’s certainly space for beautiful, refined watches at the table.

So check out my selections here. Our team has used and enjoyed them. They’ve survived rough use, from climbing to travel to hunting. Every watch on this list is meant to take a beating, and some will look very good doing it. After perusing the selection, have a look at our spec comparison chart and read the buyer’s guide for more info.

Bertucci Men’s A-2T Super Classic

Specs

Reference number : 12723
Case size 40mm
Lug size 22mm
Movement Quartz
Case material Titanium
Strap color Green
Water resistance 200 meters

Pros

Very tough
Excellent lume for low-light use
Small and light

Cons

Face may be small for larger wrists
Thick under sleeve cuffs

The Bertucci A-2T Super Classic titanium field watch is genuinely a wonder of affordable watches. I have never used a watch as hard as this one. But after several years of genuine abuse, it shows no sign of slowing down, and had very few scratches. The strap has developed a great patina of dirt, blood, and muck. This thing is a tank of a watch and, for those who actually plan to use a field watch as a tool, about as good as they get.

The A-2T follows the tried and true formula for a great field watch. It’s light and small with a 40mm case that wears smaller than its size. But the high-contrast face is easily readable at a glance. And even after more than five years of use, the lume is still easily readable in the blackness of night.

In one case, I woke up camping at 4 a.m. and could easily discern the hands and hour markers.

It’s also water resistant to 100 meters, and the nylon strap is burly but sits flat and comfortably. The only negative is some users feel the face is too small. That’s a matter of taste, but remember that historically, field watches were quite small and light. This follows the lineage, and I like it.

Worth noting is that this is a very comfortable watch for me. That’s in part due to the screw-down crown location at the 4 o’clock point. This keeps it from interfering with wrist movement and I find it particularly nice during activity.