What size field watch should I get?

The median field watch in our catalog is 39 mm across with a 46.5 mm lug-to-lug and 11.6 mm thick. Lug-to-lug matters more than case size: for an ideal fit, keep it under 47.2 mm on a 6.5" wrist or 55.1 mm on a 7.5" wrist.

How much does a good field watch cost?

The 36 current field watches in our catalog run from $77 to $10,600 list, with a median of $773. The cheapest is the Timex Weekender 38mm T2N647.

What is the smallest-wearing field watch?

By lug-to-lug, the Serica Ref. 7505-1 Chronometre Etanche, Noir Email 7505-1 at 41.5 mm, followed by the Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler (Garrison) BM8180-03E at 42.5 mm.

Are most field watches automatic?

91% of the field watches in our catalog with a known movement are mechanical (automatic or hand-wound); the rest are quartz or solar.

What is the difference between a field watch and a pilot watch?

Pilot watches are bigger, with a large crown for gloves and often a triangle at 12 o'clock. Field watches are smaller and plainer, built to survive on the ground rather than to be read in a cockpit.

Field watches

A field watch is a soldier's watch: a plain, high-contrast dial with every hour numbered, a modest case, and nothing that can catch or break. It is the simplest watch style there is, which is why so many people start with one.

Current models

Median case

39 mm

Median lug-to-lug

46.5 mm

Median list price

$773

What makes a field watch

A matte black or khaki dial with large Arabic numerals, often with a 24-hour inner track
Luminous hands and numerals
A smaller case than most sports watches, usually 36 to 40 mm, and no rotating bezel
A canvas, nylon or leather strap, and a matte or bead-blasted case that doesn't reflect light

Trench watches in the First World War turned pocket watches into wristwatches with wire lugs. In the Second World War the US Army's A-11 specification set the look, made by Elgin, Bulova and Waltham. Hamilton still sells the descendant as the Khaki Field.

Case sizes

34–36 mm1
36–38 mm7
38–40 mm19
40–42 mm5
42–44 mm3
44–46 mm0
46–48 mm0
48–50 mm0
50–52 mm0
52–54 mm1

Case width of the 36 current field watches in our catalog, from 21 brands. Of those with a known movement, 91% are mechanical.

Timex Weekender 38mm T2N647 — Live eBay listings for picks below. Photos from eBay.

Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler (Garrison) BM8180-03E — Live eBay listings for picks below. Photos from eBay.

Best field watches under $500

Watch	Case	Lug-to-lug	Thick	Water	Movement	List price	eBay median
Timex Weekender 38mmT2N647	38 mm	45 mm	9 mm	30 m	—	$77	$48
Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler (Garrison)BM8180-03E	37 mm	42.5 mm	9.5 mm	100 m	Solar	$295	$220
Seiko 5 Sports Field GMTSSK023	39.4 mm	47.9 mm	13.6 mm	100 m	Automatic	$450	$450
Casio G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400GW-9400-1	53.5 mm	55.2 mm	18.2 mm	200 m	Solar	$330	$315
Bulova Hack Watch 38mm96A246	38 mm	47 mm	13.4 mm	30 m	—	$495	$425
Vaer C5 Korean Field Solar 40mmMicrobrandC5-KFS	40 mm	48 mm	11.4 mm	100 m	Solar	$319	—

Best field watches from $500 to $1,500

Watch	Case	Lug-to-lug	Thick	Water	Movement	List price	eBay median
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mmH69439931	38 mm	47 mm	9.5 mm	50 m	Manual	$675	$727
Seiko Prospex AlpinistSPB505	39.5 mm	46.4 mm	12.7 mm	200 m	Automatic	$995	$995
Mk II Hawkinge Type 48 non-dateMicrobrandCG05-1001S	37.8 mm	48.5 mm	12.8 mm	100 m	Automatic	$595	—
Nodus Sector II Field Titanium - SequoiaMicrobrand	38 mm	47 mm	11.7 mm	100 m	Automatic	$625	—
Raven Trekker 39 Matte Black (no-date)Microbrand	39 mm	48 mm	12.5 mm	200 m	Automatic	$690	—
Lorier FalconMicrobrandFAL4-BLK-ND-BRAC	36 mm	44 mm	10.4 mm	100 m	Automatic	$699	—

Best field watches from $1,500 to $5,000

Watch	Case	Lug-to-lug	Thick	Water	Movement	List price	eBay median
Tudor RangerM79950	39 mm	47 mm	12 mm	100 m	Automatic	$4,025	$3,550

Best field watches over $5,000

Watch	Case	Lug-to-lug	Thick	Water	Movement	List price	eBay median
Rolex Explorer II226570	42 mm	50 mm	12.5 mm	100 m	Automatic	$10,600	$12,699
Tudor Black Bay ProM79470	39 mm	47.2 mm	14.6 mm	200 m	Automatic	$5,075	$4,295
IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XXIW328201	40 mm	49.2 mm	10.8 mm	100 m	Automatic	$5,900	$5,206
Omega Seamaster Railmaster 38235.10.38.20.06.001	38 mm	44.9 mm	12.4 mm	150 m	Automatic	$6,200	$5,770

One watch per brand in each price range, ordered by how many are listed on eBay right now, a rough measure of what people buy. List prices are manufacturer prices in US dollars.

Shortest lug-to-lug

Serica Ref. 7505-1 Chronometre Etanche, Noir Email41.5 mm
Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler (Garrison)42.5 mm
Rolex Explorer 3643 mm
Lorier Falcon44 mm
Seiko 5 Sports Field Sports Style 36mm44.4 mm

Thinnest

Timex Weekender 38mm9 mm
Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler (Garrison)9.5 mm
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm9.5 mm
Serica Ref. 7505-1 Chronometre Etanche, Noir Email9.6 mm
Lorier Falcon10.4 mm

Field watches by wrist size

Cheaper alternatives to the icons

Rolex Explorer alternatives

Questions

What size field watch should I get?: The median field watch in our catalog is 39 mm across with a 46.5 mm lug-to-lug and 11.6 mm thick. Lug-to-lug matters more than case size: for an ideal fit, keep it under 47.2 mm on a 6.5" wrist or 55.1 mm on a 7.5" wrist.
How much does a good field watch cost?: The 36 current field watches in our catalog run from $77 to $10,600 list, with a median of $773. The cheapest is the Timex Weekender 38mm T2N647.
What is the smallest-wearing field watch?: By lug-to-lug, the Serica Ref. 7505-1 Chronometre Etanche, Noir Email 7505-1 at 41.5 mm, followed by the Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler (Garrison) BM8180-03E at 42.5 mm.
Are most field watches automatic?: 91% of the field watches in our catalog with a known movement are mechanical (automatic or hand-wound); the rest are quartz or solar.
What is the difference between a field watch and a pilot watch?: Pilot watches are bigger, with a large crown for gloves and often a triangle at 12 o'clock. Field watches are smaller and plainer, built to survive on the ground rather than to be read in a cockpit.