For many of us, it’s been a long winter. As temperatures start to rise and cabin fever is at an all-time high, it’s time to start thinking about getting outside again. What better way to celebrate the changing of seasons than with a new watch for all of your upcoming outdoor excursions. Actually being out in nature can take a toll on your watch. A slim dress piece that might go great with your work attire might not be able to swing it on a hike where bumps, falls, and maybe even a splash of water would mean the end of your watch. We’ve picked three watches from our catalog that make great watches for the outdoors. For us, an outdoors watch should be durable, decently water resistant, and feature a svelte case size that stays out of the way during activity. The three watches below are more than up to the task, so let’s take a closer look.
A Sustainable Solar Timepiece
One Eleven Solar Field Watch
One Eleven is a young brand that’s making a name for themselves in the world of sustainability with their use of solar powered movements and recycled case and strap materials. Not only is this modern field-inspired watch ready for wear in the great outdoors, but it also does its best to minimize environmental impact. It sports a 42mm recycled stainless steel case with a recycled rPET plastic bezel surrounding the dial. The dial itself pulls double duty as a solar panel, powering up the watch for 4+ months when exposed to light. A triple-gasket screw down crown allows the watch to maintain a water resistance rating of 100 meters. The black, steel, and green main colors are accented by subtle pops of orange on the seconds hand and strap stitching, giving the whole watch some added visual appeal. If you’re looking for something durable, stylish, and sustainable, the One Eleven Field Watch is an excellent affordable option.
The Classic Swiss-made Field Watch
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical
It’s hard to beat Hamilton’s classic Khaki Field Mechanical. Modeled after a 1960’s mil spec, this modern reissue of the watch packs even more punch than the original model. The supremely wearable 38mm matte finished steel case will hardly show bumps and nicks from being out in the field. A simple, highly-legible dial hosts a set of military-style syringe hands and a 12- and 24-hour scale. On the right side of the case, a large textured crown is used to hand wind the H-50 movement all the way up to achieve a class-leading 80 hours of power. Keeping the watch secured to your wrist is a single pass nylon mil-strap with leather accents. While we wouldn’t do any extreme cliff jumping or water sports with the Khaki Field, the 50m of water resistance is game for the occasional splash. Just think about how great your next hike or camping trip would be with the Khaki Field Mechanical on wrist.
A Modern and Industrial Take on an Adventure Watch
Christopher Ward x Worn & Wound C65 Sandstorm Chronometer
Our first collaboration with Christopher Ward draws inspiration from automotive racing in the harshest of conditions. Rally racing and overlanding are two of the most rugged types of motoring you can do, and the Sandstorm from Worn & Wound and Chris Ward is sure to fit right in. Based on the 38mm light catcher case, you’ll notice a mix of finishes and angles that makes the C65 look and wear slimmer than the already svelte dimensions imply. The dial is an all new design — a futuristic take on the sector dial with a unique pointer date complication. Brushed metal surfaces and different height plateaus in the dial add some serious depth to the watch. The C65 Sandstorm isn’t just about looks, it’s got some serious specs to back up the rugged aesthetic. The durable case features a large screw down crown and 150m of water resistance. A rock-solid bracelet with a quick adjust clasp keeps the watch secured to your wrist, even though the steel and gray colors lend themselves nicely to a bunch of strap combinations. This rugged and unique take on the 38mm C65 is also chronometer certified, ensuring its accuracy to -4/+6 seconds per day.
Bonus pick:
Strap Compass
Already have a watch that can hack it in the woods? Why not add a strap compass to keep you on your path. These three compasses are both cool looking and convenient. For a more minimal look, the aluminum option features a metal case and just points to the direction you’re headed. If you want some more utility out of your wrist compass, the white version features a rotating bezel with degree markings that you can use for orienteering. These little wrist compasses are a great way to add a complication to your watch without breaking the bank.
