If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then tools might be a boy’s favorite toy. From drills to jigsaws, hammers to pliers, men’s toolboxes have the right helper for every task – just ask Dad.
No wonder tools designed to be worn on the wrist have been in high demand since the rise of the wristwatch. Originating from military timepieces and field watches of the first half of the last century, tool watches are built to last and to withstand the elements, shocks, and other unfortunate happenings in the daily life of a watch enthusiast. Despite their rugged nature and uncompromising focus on functionality, modern tool watches have no shortage of subtle details and sparkle with refinement, as these three pieces prove.
Today we look at three new tool watches to hit the market, with offerings from Bremont, Hamilton, and Mühle-Glashütte.
Bremont Terra Nova Chronograph
Bremont’s new Terra Nova watch line is in the tradition of the field watch, designed in the style of soldiers’ watches from the early 20th century. Both pocket watches and wristwatches, as used in WWI and WWII, had large luminous numerals and robust cases that were non-reflective thanks to their matte surfaces.
The Terra Nova 42.5 Chronograph echoes these design elements, but with the addition of a stopwatch function and a rotating compass bezel. The case is made of highly corrosion-resistant 904L stainless steel and, as the model name suggests, measures 42.5mm in diameter; the bidirectional rotating bezel has a ceramic insert and, together with the sapphire crystal, effectively protects the front of the watch from scratches. The water resistance is 100 meters, which is in line with other modern field and tool watches on the market. The Terra Nova 42.5 Chronograph is powered by the Sellita SW510 self-winding movement with 56 hours of power reserve, which displays the stopped minute and running seconds in typical bicompax layout at 3 and 9 o’clock. There is also a date indication at 6 o’clock.
Pricing is marked at $5,400.
To learn more, visit Bremont, here.
Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition
Hamilton’s Khaki Field Expedition is a tool watch par excellence, with a ten-bar pressure resistance, an easy-to-read luminous dial, a sturdy strap or bracelet and an automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve. Thanks to its bidirectional rotating compass bezel, it is also perfect for trips into the backcountry. Hamilton is now adding new variants to the range: there are dials in black, white and blue, NATO straps in green, blue and gray, and a metal bracelet.
The stainless steel cases are available in diameters of 37 and 41mm, each measuring 11.5mm thick. This makes the Khaki Field Expedition also an ideal watch for couples. Both sizes are powered by the H-10 with an anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring.
Pricing starts at $945 for the variants with NATO straps. The executions on a metal bracelet retail for $1,045.
To learn more, visit Hamilton, here.
Mühle-Glashütte Sportivo Compass Date
With the Sportivo collection, Mühle-Glashütte unveiled a new watch family this year, comprising of the Sportivo Compass Date, Sportivo Travel GMT, and Sportivo Active Chronograph, each produced in stainless steel cases with a diameter of 42.5 millimeters and a water-resistance rating of 30 bar (300 meters).
As is typical of the Glashütte brand, the new Sportivo watches are powered by automatic movements equipped with Mühle’s own shock-resistant woodpecker regulation and personalized rotor. The Swiss made calibers, which are regulated to chronometer standards, each come to life through a transparent case back. The three watches feature luminescent dials protected by a thick anti-reflective sapphire crystal. They are attached to a resilient canvas-rubber strap.
Designed for outdoor hiking activities, this Sportivo Compass Date comes with a bidirectional rotating compass bezel that allows the determination of the cardinal points. It features a ceramic inlay and frames the blue gradient dial that has an impressive embossed texture. The watch is driven by a personalized SW 200-1 caliber and offers second-stop and quick-date functions.
Pricing is marked at approximately $2,500 when converted to USD.
To learn more, visit Mühle-Glashütte, here.