FEATURES: Swiss Super LumiNova on hands + numerals
MOVEMENT: Sellita SW210-1b manual winding, 28’800 A/h (4Hz) with an accuracy of +/-12 sec/day, 18 jewels, adjusted to 2 positions, fully customized train wheel bridge
CRYSTAL: Top hat double dome sapphire with internal AR coating
CASEBACK: Flat sapphire exhibition window
CASEBACK TYPEFACE: Aeronaves, designed by Mans Greback
CASE DIAMETER: ø 39mm
LUG-to-LUG: 47.2mm
LUG WIDTH: 20mm
THICKNESS: 10mm including boxed sapphire
FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, seconds
POWER RESERVE: 42 hours minimum, 45 hours average
STRAPS, 3 Included: Full-grain Italian leather, Cordura nylon, Steel Bonklip-style
BUCKLE: MIM 316L stainless steel
PRODUCTION: 100 pcs
A rich, intoxicating red inspired by the Spanish city on the Mediterranean Sea that has been producing famous sweet wines since the eighth century BCE. The boisterous numerals are derived from one of the best typefaces ever used in an automobile, that in the 1940 Ford Standard Coupe. A rare and cheeky font with such energy that it begged to be revived.
You might wonder why a watch designed in California is named for a fortified Andalusian wine and that's because the Fieldtimer is a secret car watch, paying homage to mid-century automotive style with subtle cues. The source of the color may have been Spain but it also inspired the designers of a little German car which happened to be painted in some of the coolest hues ever conceived. The BMW 02 Series was described by Car and Driver as "one of modern civilization's all-time best ways to get somewhere sitting down" and Malaga Red was one of the most beautiful shades. The seconds hand with spun silver center cap is likewise inspired by the gauges on the early 1960's models and the leather wrap is a genuine calfskin reimagination of the original vinyl tool roll.
The ultra-thick, ultra-deep enamelled lacquer is made by Berlac, the same Swiss firm responsible for sustainable coating solutions braving the elements and stone chips on the fronts of Porsches and dozens of other manufacturers. It may be a car watch from a city known for its car culture and yet no one ever need know...except those who know.
Three straps are included with every watch: water-resistant Cordura nylon with orange lining, soft Italian full grain leather with orange cross stitching, and a vintage Bonklip-style steel bracelet with a utilitarian elegance and lightness perfectly matched to the slim watch case. The stainless steel pin buckle was custom designed and micro metal injection molded (MIM) from 316L stainless steel, the same additive process used for precise miniature machine parts, reducing material waste when compared to CNC.
The steel Bonklip strap is available in two lengths to fit over different sized hands, since it is attached to the watch in a loop. The standard length will fit over hands measuring up to a circumference of 9" (23cm). Standard will actually fit wrists up to 8" (20cm) as long as it fits over the hand.
The unique identifying feature of the case, the curved crease along the side adds a dash of intrigue to an otherwise conventional design. The side profile (and Fieldtimer name) is partly inspired by the Seiko Speedtimer 6139-7020.
Illusion
A deceptively simple curve along the side creates the illusion of a floating midcase while partially concealing the exposed lug holes. The bevelled lower surface also makes for a more comfortable fit as you bend your wrist.
Details
The Fieldtimer is full of little surprises. The deep 3D letters are possible with Micro-MIM (metal injection molding) using 316L stainless steel - a process used for precise miniature machine parts, reducing material waste when compared to CNC.
I have eight other Swiss automatic watches; seven of which are microbrands, but I've been looking at field watches for a minute now. I wanted to fill that slot and was going back and forth between Weiss, CW "Dune" Circula and Formex when Camp Watches popped up on my feed. My initial impression was that the dial looked sick and was kind of similar to the anOrdain with the multiple lacquer coats. Since I was Johnny Come Lately to that party and it's now an 18 month waitlist, I thought I should snag this Camp up ASAP and hope for the best . when it arrived, I wasn't disappointed. The dial was deep and rich as expected and the numerals were cool. I was so enamored with the dial that I totally missed the nuances of the case. there is this really cool, unexpected combination of brushed sides with a telescoping polished bezel topped by domed crystal. It's all very subtle, but beautiful and nuanced in a way that field watches usually aren't. I thought I would like this watch. I love this watch.
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