I have an old Smiths field watch, picked up in a junk shop as I remember as ‘not working - parts only’. I had it serviced for £30 and it has now run faultlessly for 15 years. So I may not buy one of these. Then again, for £250, that’s a fine looking watch and something that I could use every day without worrying about it. Nice article.
I applaud the success of a young and energetic company in the watch market. However, I would like to mention what many reviewers note. Namely, that Super-LumiNova luminescence and sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating are coming as options, bringing the price to a total of about $520 (Old Smith 90-002). Similar watches from TimeFactors, such as SMITHS COMMANDO PRS-47, will come at about $430, with SuperLuminova and sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating as a standard! And one more thing, since we started to compare: while Old Smith 90-002 has a decent quality Seiko NH38 caliber, SMITHS COMMANDO PRS-47 has Miyota 9039 caliber, which is a big step up from NH38. Why to pay $520 for Toyota if you can get Lexus for $430? What is my hope/expectation? I'd say, Old Smith 90-002 with SuperLuminova and sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating and Miyota 9039 caliber for $420 - and I will be the first in a waiting line for this piece!
Good day Ash! Once more, a great review on a lesser known watchbrand. Love the classic style and the 35mm case size (me having a 6.25" wrist). Great these classic sizes seem to have a comeback. Another positive in my opinion is that they went with a common 18mm lug width, so there are lots of strap options out there, be it NATO straps or leather straps. Best regards!
Ash. I really liked your critique on this watch. There's a very nice-looking watch in for nominal amount of money. Would like to see more of this sort of thing . Maybe a show on The Smiths Everest Watch😉 .Keep up the good work. Cheers Ron
Hi Ash. Grear video. The firm now sells these watches with Seiko NH38 movements. The upgrades are Superluminova lume and i think the lens too. Sure the upgrades will cost but i think they are worth it . I would invest in the upgrades. Please make a video on the small seconds Old Smoth using a Miyota 82S5 movement. A Royal Smith with cream dial gold number and handsz; and Miyota 9035 auto movement, would be a sweet video too. Looking forward to your next video. Kuoe, don't feel bad , my new Hamilton khaki auto has a weak lume.
Hi Ash, another great video, thank-you. I own the Seiko S5, I’m a huge fan of field watches, love the simplicity but could also be due to my wrist being of similar size to that of my 6yo daughter 😂
Hi Ash exellent review giving your own personal thought good & bad!!! but your review as sold it for me!!! would be great for my hobby etc.but I will definitely want the crystal glass 👍
The watch has some problems but it looks like it has a ton of charm to make up for it. I think I'll wait to see if they'll have a Christmas sale and pick one up. Great video.
a great watch and the size is more in keeping with what our dads wore you should check out the shanghai watch 36mm a cheap fun mechanical watch and very retro
Never really understood the fascination or need to wear hundreds or thousands of pounds worth of watch on my wrist...I own a simple Timex expedition watch ...cost less than 40 quid...waterproof...reliable and most of it all it just tells the time!!. 🤷♂️horses for courses eh 👍😎
This watch is now priced at £276, a 25% increase from the price it was when this video was recorded. In regards to weak lume, it is now possible to upgrade the watch to be super luminova for the dial and hands, at a cost of £39.15. Is the white dial truly white, or is it more of an off-white/cream colour?
It is an ivory colour and in my mind, the ivory looks the most appropriate for this beautiful, classically styled piece. I don't know if the additional lume is a wise investment though, unless this is a major factor in your daily watch use.
They came so close with this watch. I wish they had specified a better lume, and avoided the fauxtina. I also wish they had specified a Miyota 9000 series movement (high beat, quieter rotor, and more slender profile). This would have permitted shaving up to 1.5mm off the height of the case. I would also have preferred an acrylic crystal stock, with a sapphire crystal as an option. No one wants a mineral crystal on a field watch. Personally, I prefer no date complication on a field watch. If it is present, then it works better at 6 o'clock than at 3 o'clock. I really don't like fauxtina, and I am not a fan of the Miyota 8000 series movements. IMO Seiko bests them handily. But, the Miyota 9000 series movements are a step up that is audible and noticeable from the 8000 series. The quick release strap pins on this watch are a great idea. Their canvas straps look very nice too! I have a thing for field watches. If I were in the UK, I would certainly look to CWC and Smiths (Timefactors) first. As an American, the Citizen Chandler Eco Quartz field watch is very tough to beat as a grab and go at 37mm. And at a higher price point the VAER A12 v.2 Dirty Dozen inspired watch is a pure pleasure (36mm hand wound Swiss made). The former is a modern reinterpretation of a classic general service military watch. The latter is a modern revisioning of the classic MOD field watch that came out near the end of WW2. The small seconds hand is very old school and charming.
She isn't perfect, but the watch has worn very well over the last month and I have grown to really enjoy its cheeky simplicity. It does have the foibles that you mentioned and at the stated price £200+, it is not cheap, but it has a certain charm that has grown on me.
I'm with you on the height of the watch and I also agree that the crystal should have been sapphire or that the date window kinds of ruins the dial. I actually don't mind the fauxtina, but I see why people shy away from it. My only real gripe with this fieldwatch is that it doesn't have fixed sprinbars. I would only wear this on a Nato strap, so fixed springbars would be the most secure option in my opinion.
@@pasquale78 For welded strap bars, check out CWC. Fixed bars are almost exclusively a feature of watches made to military specifications. That is the specialty of the Cabot Watch Company. They have been an MOD contractor for many years. Marathon in Canada is another option, IIRC, they make some watches with fixed bars.
Ash, found your channel through watches but really enjoy your opinions on men's style and accessories. Contemplating moving away from cigars and trying a pipe, have you shared anything on the subject? Thanks!
Hi, new versions are with Seiko Japanese Movement, Cal. NH38, one question, is it good for doing some action? i mean does it have acceptable amount of shock resistance ? btw really cool review!
The dial is great. I would love this puppy on my wrist during outdoors activities and such. But too pricy for my taste - given that you can get an auto with sapphire for little less money, And then the weak lume.. For 120 to 150 USD yes.
No idea, I’m not that much of a watch nerd, but I’ve been wearing it for the last 2-weeks on a trip to the USA and it has been triumphant. A great watch indeed!!
Many competitors in this style offering far better value .and quality eg Baltany . Vareo . Longine etc all with sapphire crystal and excellent lume as standard . I would not bother with this one at all
I have an old Smiths field watch, picked up in a junk shop as I remember as ‘not working - parts only’. I had it serviced for £30 and it has now run faultlessly for 15 years. So I may not buy one of these. Then again, for £250, that’s a fine looking watch and something that I could use every day without worrying about it. Nice article.
I applaud the success of a young and energetic company in the watch market. However, I would like to mention what many reviewers note. Namely, that Super-LumiNova luminescence and sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating are coming as options, bringing the price to a total of about $520 (Old Smith 90-002). Similar watches from TimeFactors, such as SMITHS COMMANDO PRS-47, will come at about $430, with SuperLuminova and sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating as a standard! And one more thing, since we started to compare: while Old Smith 90-002 has a decent quality Seiko NH38 caliber, SMITHS COMMANDO PRS-47 has Miyota 9039 caliber, which is a big step up from NH38. Why to pay $520 for Toyota if you can get Lexus for $430? What is my hope/expectation? I'd say, Old Smith 90-002 with SuperLuminova and sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating and Miyota 9039 caliber for $420 - and I will be the first in a waiting line for this piece!
I was in the US Army from 1986 until 2001 and I was never issued a watch. :( but, I did just purchase this watch!
Good day Ash! Once more, a great review on a lesser known watchbrand. Love the classic style and the 35mm case size (me having a 6.25" wrist). Great these classic sizes seem to have a comeback. Another positive in my opinion is that they went with a common 18mm lug width, so there are lots of strap options out there, be it NATO straps or leather straps. Best regards!
Thanks for watching!
Nice honest review!
Brilliant! A nod to tradition done right.
Ash. I really liked your critique on this watch. There's a very nice-looking watch in for nominal amount of money. Would like to see more of this sort of thing . Maybe a show on The Smiths Everest Watch😉 .Keep up the good work. Cheers Ron
Hi Ash.
Grear video.
The firm now sells these watches with Seiko NH38 movements. The upgrades are Superluminova lume and i think the lens too. Sure the upgrades will cost but i think they are worth it .
I would invest in the upgrades.
Please make a video on the small seconds Old Smoth using a Miyota 82S5 movement.
A Royal Smith with cream dial gold number and handsz; and Miyota 9035 auto movement, would be a sweet video too.
Looking forward to your next video.
Kuoe, don't feel bad , my new Hamilton khaki auto has a weak lume.
Hi Ash, another great video, thank-you. I own the Seiko S5, I’m a huge fan of field watches, love the simplicity but could also be due to my wrist being of similar size to that of my 6yo daughter 😂
I love it. If if it didn't have a date window I'd probably buy it right now.
Im pretty sure they have no date versions of all their models.
@@chrishay5442 Well, I'd better go check immediately.
Hi Ash exellent review giving your own personal thought good & bad!!! but your review as sold it for me!!! would be great for my hobby etc.but I will definitely want the crystal glass 👍
Well, at this price range (low side), Miyota or Seiko, whatever movement is ok..don't care. What interests me is the dial, so cute and tasteful look.
The watch has some problems but it looks like it has a ton of charm to make up for it. I think I'll wait to see if they'll have a Christmas sale and pick one up. Great video.
a great watch and the size is more in keeping with what our dads wore you should check out the shanghai watch 36mm a cheap fun mechanical watch and very retro
Polish is a turn off for me, prefer brushed satin. Good video!
Beautiful watch!
Never really understood the fascination or need to wear hundreds or thousands of pounds worth of watch on my wrist...I own a simple Timex expedition watch ...cost less than 40 quid...waterproof...reliable and most of it all it just tells the time!!. 🤷♂️horses for courses eh 👍😎
This watch is now priced at £276, a 25% increase from the price it was when this video was recorded. In regards to weak lume, it is now possible to upgrade the watch to be super luminova for the dial and hands, at a cost of £39.15.
Is the white dial truly white, or is it more of an off-white/cream colour?
It is an ivory colour and in my mind, the ivory looks the most appropriate for this beautiful, classically styled piece. I don't know if the additional lume is a wise investment though, unless this is a major factor in your daily watch use.
Nice looking piece.
interesting - but hard to beat the established brands of Hamilton, CWC or the original Smiths (if you can get one)
😁😁 according to you, not others tho
They came so close with this watch. I wish they had specified a better lume, and avoided the fauxtina. I also wish they had specified a Miyota 9000 series movement (high beat, quieter rotor, and more slender profile). This would have permitted shaving up to 1.5mm off the height of the case. I would also have preferred an acrylic crystal stock, with a sapphire crystal as an option. No one wants a mineral crystal on a field watch. Personally, I prefer no date complication on a field watch. If it is present, then it works better at 6 o'clock than at 3 o'clock.
I really don't like fauxtina, and I am not a fan of the Miyota 8000 series movements. IMO Seiko bests them handily. But, the Miyota 9000 series movements are a step up that is audible and noticeable from the 8000 series.
The quick release strap pins on this watch are a great idea. Their canvas straps look very nice too!
I have a thing for field watches. If I were in the UK, I would certainly look to CWC and Smiths (Timefactors) first. As an American, the Citizen Chandler Eco Quartz field watch is very tough to beat as a grab and go at 37mm. And at a higher price point the VAER A12 v.2 Dirty Dozen inspired watch is a pure pleasure (36mm hand wound Swiss made). The former is a modern reinterpretation of a classic general service military watch. The latter is a modern revisioning of the classic MOD field watch that came out near the end of WW2. The small seconds hand is very old school and charming.
She isn't perfect, but the watch has worn very well over the last month and I have grown to really enjoy its cheeky simplicity. It does have the foibles that you mentioned and at the stated price £200+, it is not cheap, but it has a certain charm that has grown on me.
@@TheChapsGuide It is the ideal size, and it oozes charm. I think it delivers for the price. So close to a bullseye.
I'm with you on the height of the watch and I also agree that the crystal should have been sapphire or that the date window kinds of ruins the dial. I actually don't mind the fauxtina, but I see why people shy away from it. My only real gripe with this fieldwatch is that it doesn't have fixed sprinbars. I would only wear this on a Nato strap, so fixed springbars would be the most secure option in my opinion.
@@pasquale78 For welded strap bars, check out CWC. Fixed bars are almost exclusively a feature of watches made to military specifications. That is the specialty of the Cabot Watch Company. They have been an MOD contractor for many years.
Marathon in Canada is another option, IIRC, they make some watches with fixed bars.
Nice watch, nice price, nh35 works as AK. What else?! Great old fashion watch!👍
Ash, found your channel through watches but really enjoy your opinions on men's style and accessories. Contemplating moving away from cigars and trying a pipe, have you shared anything on the subject? Thanks!
Nothing as yet - maybe in the future.
Hi, new versions are with Seiko Japanese Movement, Cal. NH38,
one question, is it good for doing some action? i mean does it have acceptable amount of shock resistance ?
btw really cool review!
Based on that movement and case quality, I would say it would be fine in almost any situation.
The dial is great. I would love this puppy on my wrist during outdoors activities and such. But too pricy for my taste - given that you can get an auto with sapphire for little less money, And then the weak lume.. For 120 to 150 USD yes.
You’re missing out on a great watch.
It is Nice Classic Design .
What’s the name of your intro song? It’s great
th-cam.com/video/Fu5iMcEELaw/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for a personal and great review. Question: how well does it keep time?
Very well and certainly within the stated parameters.
@@TheChapsGuide Thank you.
Make a vid about cars for the stylish gentleman. I’m an Audi man myself
Lose the date window and I would buy it.
They have a date-free model now.
Japanese assembly or complete manufacture? Movement quality and separate pricing of unit?
No idea, I’m not that much of a watch nerd, but I’ve been wearing it for the last 2-weeks on a trip to the USA and it has been triumphant. A great watch indeed!!
@@TheChapsGuide Thanks for the reply. Other than appearance, what determines it's a great watch?
Too pricey esp when you add saphire
If it’s a military watch made in Japan how come it doesn’t show any military time.🤔
Anyone who was in the military can easily convert the time in their head.
@@Xanduur No joke Joey.😳
Many competitors in this style offering far better value .and quality eg Baltany . Vareo . Longine etc all with sapphire crystal and excellent lume as standard . I would not bother with this one at all