![]() ![]() The A5 Field’s case comes in slightly larger at 40mm, yet, it’s significantly thinner at 9.7mm compared to the Sector Field at 12.9mm. Despite this light weight, the threaded, screw-down design of the crown and case back makes for 100 meters of water resistance. ![]() Though the A5 Field is also comprised of a 316L stainless steel and features a domed sapphire crystal like that of the Nodus Sector Field, it’s remarkably thin and wears lighter the Nodus, which I appreciated when using it in more active settings. Despite the date, the dial layout is quite similar to that of the Sector Field: It features bold, white hands and Arabic markers on a contrasting black background, both with Super-LumiNova coating for high legibility in all conditions. For me, this was a nice bonus even though a traditional field watch is time-only. However, there are a few minor differences, chief amongst them being a date function at the three-o’clock position. With respect to functionality, the Vaer A5 Field is fairly comparable to the Sector Field. Inside, you’ll find the Seiko (SII) NH38 automatic movement. The screw-down crown makes it easy to set the time while contributing to the water resistance of up to 150 meters. The thick 316L surgical-grade steel certainly gives the Sector Field a durable feel.Īdding to the overall readability and heft of the watch is a double-domed, tapered sapphire crystal treated with blue anti-reflective coating on the underside. In daylight, the white Arabic numerals and hands pop on the black dial, and in low-light, a healthy dose of Super-LumiNova keeps them equally legible. ![]() The Nodus Sector Field is a time-only watch with a clean, easy-to-read dial. When it comes to the functionality of a field watch, durability and legibility are key. On the other hand, the nylon is a bit thicker and stiffer at first but will certainly mold to the wrist with wear. The supple Horween leather and silicone fit seamlessly. However, I was lucky enough to test all three. With the A5 Field, you get a choice of two straps (either quick-release or single-pass), from which you can choose silicone, nylon, or Horween leather options. That said, when I was ready to head upstate for a day hike, it was nice to have the NATO as an alternative. (It’s a somewhat controversial opinion, but I tend to prefer bracelets to straps.) So, I enjoyed the Sector Field as it came - it paired perfectly with jeans and a sweater. This option really added to the versatility of the watch. With the right tools, changing from a bracelet to a NATO strap was surprisingly easy on the Sector Field. However, once you get it on a NATO, it’s instantly lighter and looks more like a classic field watch. The bracelet gives the 38mm Sector Field a more substantial weight, with a feel similar to that of a modern tool watch. (Though many field watches traditionally ship on fabric or leather straps, some well known models, such as the Rolex Explorer, ship on a bracelet.) To give it the true field test (pun intended) and to make for a more even comparison with the A5 Field, I tried it out on both the bracelet and a NATO strap. The Nodus Sector Field comes standard on a stainless steel tapered bracelet with button release clasp. Here, we have two stellar options for under $450. Nowadays, it’s an essential tool that everyone should have in their collections. But adaptability is the charm of the field watch, which once served an indispensable purpose on the battlefield. Now, as it seems to fit in our modern lives so seamlessly, you’d think this type of timepiece was made specifically for the average millennial working at a startup in a uniform of jeans and t-shirt. In an era of watchmaking filled with infinite complications, avant-garde designs, and futuristic materials, the no-frills field watch holds a special place in our hearts and our collections. It’s been 75 years since the Second World War, and the field watch is still an enduring design. By the time WWII set in, nearly every major watchmaker was eager to produce timepieces for military use, marking the birth of the modern field watch. The original solution was to simply add wire lugs and leather straps to pocket watches, and this practice eventually evolved into one of producing dedicated wristwatches.Īfter the war, soldiers came home with their timepieces, and the stigma around wristwatches - which were originally marketed to women - started to shift: If they were rugged enough for battle, they were certainly rugged enough for the average gentleman. Pocket watches simply didn’t suffice for the trench warfare of WWI - soldiers needed timekeeping devices they could access quickly and read easily without fumbling in a pocket. The origins of the field watch trace back to the early 20th century and the transition from the pocket watch to the wristwatch. ![]()
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