The Best Beginner Field Watches Under $500
Blake Malin
Windup Watch Shop | November 1, 2024
Born in the crucible of the Great War, the modern field watch has come to be prized for its simplicity, legibility, and durability by watch enthusiasts. Its definition was codified by governments urgently needing accurate and reliable timepieces to issue to their militaries during the Second World War, with the watches becoming characterized by their well-proportioned, durable cases, legible dials, luminous hands and markers, and base-level water resistance to withstand whatever they encounter in the field. Perfect for a day out or a day in the office, their rugged versatility makes them a natural touch point for both beginner and experienced collectors alike. In today’s Chronicle, we’re looking at ten of our favorite field watches under $500. Let’s dive in.
Should you see anything you like, the Windup Watch Team is available via consultation to answer any questions you have. In addition, all of these products are eligible for free domestic shipping across the US.
The resin-cased G-SHOCK has become one of the preeminent field watches of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Utilized to great effect by various militaries, G-SHOCK embodies the modern field watch thanks to its low cost, robust nature, and suite of useful complications that excel in the field. The 2100 Hidden Glow is a unique contemporary take on a field watch, its matte grey case and luminous dial echoing the past while its form factor and array of complications land it firmly in the present.
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Praesidus is committed to one idea — reviving classic military designs at an affordable price point. With the A-11 Spec 2, Praesidus has reinterpreted “the watch that won the war” with modern form factor and construction. The A-11 Spec 2 is assembled in Pennsylvania with an upsized 40mm stainless steel case, upgraded from the original A-11’s 32mm chromed brass, and a reliable Ameriquartz movement, ensuring it is capable of taking on whatever you meet in the field.
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With more than twenty years of building dependable tool watches, Beruticci knows a thing or two about rugged military-inspired timepieces. The A-11T offers a unique variation on the historic A-11 issued to US Army Air Corps personnel during the Second World War — a unibody 42mm titanium case with fixed lugs. With a reliable Ameriquartz movement and 200m of water resistance, the A-11T Americana Officer’s Edition is a serious tool watch with heritage to spare.
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One of the few analog issues currently issued, Marathon – a Canadian watch company producing Swiss watches supplied to both the Canadian and U.S. militaries — has become legendary for their dependable tool watches. The General Purpose Quartz (GPQ if you like) epitomizes this philosophy with its durable 34mm composite case, Swiss quartz movement, and tritium gas tube lume that has it legible during all hours for years to come.
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Citizen’s Garrison field watch is one of the strongest go-anywhere, do-anything watches at this price point. Made from the brand’s proprietary Super Titanium, an alloy five times harder and 40% lighter than traditional stainless steel, its 42mm case and matching bracelet practically disappear during wear. It’s powered by Citizen’s legendary Eco-Drive technology, transferring ambient light into energy while never requiring a battery change. Combining convenience with good looks and brawn, the Citizen Garrison is a serious contender for best in show.
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Hamilton’s Khaki line of field watches has become the stuff of legend. Created as a way of selling their existing military watch designs to the public, they’ve taken on a new life as enthusiast favorites. The latest Khaki revives a design issued to British contractors and non-government employees during the 1960s and 1970s. With its iconic “Khaki” branding on the dial, contemporary 38mm sizing, and reliable Swiss movement, the new Khaki Field Quartz is one the best releases of the year.
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Bulova was one of several American companies that produced the A-11 design during the Second World War. Named the “Hack” due to the hacking function that the wartime design called for, Bulova has upsized their A-11 tribute to a more contemporary 38mm while maintaining the military-inspired dial, adding a 24-hour track to aid in mission timing. The Hack features a reliable Miyota 82S0 movement that, like the original, still features the same hacking seconds function that GIs used during the war.
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The ADPT series of watches are built for the field, in whatever form that takes. Designed to meet All Day, Purpose, and Terrain, the Series 1 Dual Time is a colorful take on a go-anywhere, do-anything watch with its 38mm titanium case, 200m of water resistance, and independent 24-hour hand GMT complication. A rotating 60-minute bezel also features the cardinal points, allowing for navigation in the field. At under $500, it represents a unique value for a fun and functional field watch.
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Introduced in 1964 following revisions to the existing U.S. specifications, the Benrus DTU-2A/P revives Benrus’ iconic Vietnam-era military watch with a few modern adjustments. Benrus has upsized the case to 39.5mm and added a Swiss automatic movement while keeping period features such as the domed acrylic crystal and included field compass. With all the style of a vintage release with none of the worry, the Benrus DTU-2A/P is a compelling choice with history to match.
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The launch of Miyota’s 9075 GTM movement revolutionized the field of affordable multi-timezone watches. Bringing the “flyer” (that is, jumping local hour) complication to the masses, the 9075 has democratized what was once an expensive feature. The Bold x Worn & Wound 3XT was designed to celebrate this movement with a unique take on the GMT built for the field. With a 41mm case and rotating internal bezel for tracking elapsed time or an additional time zone, the 3XT GMT is a watch built for adventure. And, for this week only, it’s also under $500.
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