Suggestions for an Accurate Field Watch Under $200 Now With Unboxing Photos

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Here's what one of our platoon leaders wore on this week's field exercise:



Very cool, IMO.
 
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Use to work for city of Fremont parks for over 20 years before I retired. Used a Seiko quartz 7548 diver that I got overseas when in the us navy before I worked for the city. It took a beating storm clean up, tree removal, putting brush in a wood chipper, plus 4 years hard work on active duty navy before the city plus use it in the naval reserve for another 16 years . Still ticking today. Not a field watch but they can still be had on fleabay used for a fair price. Only thing I hated about parks was garbage pick up after the weekends we called it getting slimed when dumping garage cans when some would get on you. Did the CCC in the 1970’s remember doing some work at some California state parks China camp if I remember right.
 
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I cant figure out what goes on with the compass headings.

You point something at the sun, then turn the watch a bit and another thing points north. Then you hope a ranger finds you before you starve or are eaten by bears. 👍

https://geographyfieldwork.com/WatchasCompass.htm

I like the Bulova 98A255 - highly legible, and the dial has some interest with the red 24 hour markers. You can see the echo of heritage in both case and dial from an old (1959) mil-spec reference. Some good suggestions here!

bulova-hack-automatic-black-dial-men_s-watch-98a255.jpg

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That may be the one. Searching now.

Whatever you are drawn to I would stick to quartz. I think there are plenty to chose from 👍
 
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If the Speedmaster had a year and decade counter, it would be ideal for measuring soil erosion- but it falls short for this type of work.
Plus, you can’t take it in the pool. ::stirthepot::
To splash about your cauldron:
Nobody told Wally Schirra...or literally any of the other astronauts that wore them during training.
 
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If you want to go all out.



They even have some newer models since I got mine.

 
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Ok, I pulled the trigger on the Vaer Heritage Quartz (Quartz😲) The Miyota movement version is $450 US so that was out.
Vaer has this promo feature to slam dunk the sale. A wheel of fortune. When you give them your Email and you get one spin. My spin got me a 15% discount on the watch ($30😁). So out the door and delivered (free) just under $200 US. The watch comes with two straps and all the typical trimmings.

Big thanks to @wagudc for the referral
C5-HB-QR-NY-KHA_1800x1800.jpg
 
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Ok, I pulled the trigger on the Vaer Heritage Quartz (Quartz😲) The Miyota movement version is $450 US so that was out.
Vaer has this promo feature to slam dunk the sale. A wheel of fortune. When you give them your Email and you get one spin. My spin got me a 15% discount on the watch ($30😁). So out the door and delivered (free) just under $200 US. The watch comes with two straps and all the typical trimmings.

Big thanks to @wagudc for the referral
C5-HB-QR-NY-KHA_1800x1800.jpg
Looking forward to an unboxing post. Better be saturated with pics or.........










IT DIDNT HAPPEN!!!
 
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Looking forward to an unboxing post. Better be saturated with pics or.........










IT DIDNT HAPPEN!!!
Definitely will do an unboxing!
 
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Ok, I pulled the trigger on the Vaer Heritage Quartz (Quartz😲) The Miyota movement version is $450 US so that was out.

You want a robust, accurate watch to wear to work and don't want to pay a lot. To me quartz is the obvious choice.
 
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You want a robust, accurate watch to wear to work and don't want to pay a lot. To me quartz is the obvious choice.
I am always resistant to a quartz watch. But my Timex is so durable and accurate (+-1sec over a month) that it has made me a believer. For a work watch, I don't want to have to wind or adjust the time. Set it and forget it.
 
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I am always resistant to a quartz watch. But my Timex is so durable and accurate (+-1sec over a month) that it has made me a believer. For a work watch, I don't want to have to wind or adjust the time. Set it and forget it.

Aaaah - should have gone for a no date version then 😉

Nice looking watch.
 
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Aaaah - should have gone for a no date version then 😉

Nice looking watch.
Actually, a date is kind of an imperative for field duty- specifically when you are on a 2 week back-woods assignment and the boat picking you up is coming at 6am on the 5th....what’s the date today?!?!
 
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Actually, a date is kind of an imperative for field duty- specifically when you are on a 2 week back-woods assignment and the boat picking you up is coming at 6am on the 5th....what’s the date today?!?!

2 weeks, leaving on the 5th? Wait, what month is it? 31 or 30 days? Hold on, I got to count on my knuckles . . . crap was 30 days. Did I already set the date back one?
 
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2 weeks, leaving on the 5th? Wait, what month is it? 31 or 30 days? Hold on, I got to count on my knuckles . . . crap was 30 days. Did I already set the date back one?
Yeah- and no iPhone connection out in the sticks. Perhaps score each day on a rock
 
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Since the descent into Quartz domain I figure I can mention my field watch such as it is.
Though the MSRP is near $300 USD I captured this one as a NOS factory refurb for $80.
Citizen Eco Drive Chronograph.
Good water resistance, though not for deep diving it should shrug off most any soaking it might get. Never runs out of juice so long as nuclear winter doesn't set in.
I seldom were it, though only a 40mm it just isn't as comfortable for daily wear as my 34-38mm watches. Though I have to say I've occasionally forgotten I have it on.
Its large readable dial is it big plus. The lume is fair though shorter lived than I'd like. Dial is a nice deep burgundy with bronze highlights in sunlight.
 
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And the much anticipated moment is finally here.
After all that time, just pictures of the watch.
The watch comes with two straps. A silicone and a nato.
 
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The watch is not as heavy as I imagined. The buff colored Lume is all that I hoped for, contrasted very well against the flat black dial..
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