Saturday, December 15, 2018

Bertucci Field Watch

I can confidently say it's the best watch I've ever owned. The price has gone up $10 since I bought mine seven years ago, but I remain convinced it's a great deal.

 Bertucci Men's 12122 A-2T Original Classics Durable Titanium Field Watch

I've changed the battery three times since I've owned it, and it keeps incredibly accurate time. I now need a new strap, and it looks as though they have one to fit my my oversized wrists.

Here's my original post from another blog in December 2011:


A couple of years ago, I bought a Marathon watch, because that company makes the watches for the U.S. military. Their watches overall may be as great as their hype, but mine quit, and that sent me on a search for an affordable replacement.

I looked at several possibilities, and I compared customer reviews. Finally, I settled on the Bertucci Field Watch, and ordered one last March.

I have not been disappointed.

Okay, maybe its solid titanium case means that it's overbuilt. But I wanted a rugged watch, and solid titanium is a good start.

Also, the virtually unbreakable bars that retain the strap are molded right into the case. Ergo, no more lost watches due to failure of the retaining bars. As a bonus, the one-piece strap is much easier to install and remove than the standard watch strap.

One feature I really like is that the crystal is inset, which protects it from impact. I like that because I've damaged many a watch crystal in my usual ramming around -- and that includes the high impact plastic crystal on my Marathon (which put it outside the warranty).

Also, this watch is big -- bigger than the pictures seem to indicate. That's because of the really wide wrist band. Bottom line is that it "looks right" on my big, beefy wrist.

And speaking of my beefy wrist, most wrist watches give me a sore spot where the stem abrades my skin. The Bertucci has the stem offset at 4 o'clock (instead of the more common 3o'clock), and it's slightly inset as well. Result? I can wear it, and it doesn't wear on me.

As to the watch's primary purpose, I can say that mine keeps fairly accurate time. I just reset mine to nist.gov time, and found that it had lost 3 seconds over about 2 weeks.

How about minuses?

Well, the extra-length nylon strap is thick, wide and rugged, but still a little too short for my wrist. I fixed it by punching another hole and installing a grommet which almost matches the grommets around the other holes.

Another problem with the strap is that it absorbs perspiration and does require occasional washing. This may be true of all nylon straps, but this is my first, so I can't say.

The black finish on the buckle wears, which you may consider a minus, although I think it adds to the rugged appearance of the watch.

At $99 (and free shipping), the watch is not cheap, but I think the Bertucci offers the benefits you'd find in watches that cost several times more. For me, it has been a good choice.

If you'd like to know more about the Bertucci Field Watch, I suggest you click on the link above and check out the customer reviews.

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