If you want a tough watch to wear on your outdoor excursions, we suggest buying something new that’s meant to take a beating. A vintage watch, frankly, is a terrible choice for anything other than a style statement. These three vintage field watches we found are no exception; their days of traversing the great wilderness are long over. Their heavy scuffs and dings make it very apparent they have a story or two to tell, and by purchasing them you immediately become their caretaker, ensuring they last long into their retirement. But seriously, don’t get any of them wet.
1994 Benrus MIL-W-46374 Reissue
Where It’s Greater 2017What we like: The MIL-W-46374 was not so much one watch as it was a U.S. military specification for watches, first introduced in the 1960s. Benrus was one of a handful of brands to manufacture field watches to this spec, but this reissue from the ’90s should be in better condition than most period-correct MIL-W-46374’s you’ll find.
From the seller: Case is in excellent condition, showing very light wear from age and use. The black dial is in great condition with clean, crisp printing and very light, even patination across the dial and handset.
1960 Smith Deluxe A460
Where It’s Greater 2017What we like: Smiths is a now-defunct British tool watch brand from the mid-20th century, and while its widely known that a Rolex made the trip up Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, so too did a Smiths. This Deluxe is a later reference than that watch that, in addition to being shockproof, also has the same dial design as the Smiths worn on Hillary’s crossing of the Antarctic.
From the seller: All original apart from the new crystal and the ZRC cowhide watchstrap. The cal 27 movement has been fully overhauled and carries our two-year warranty.
