It is a special moment each morning to take hold of a mechanical timepiece and wind it. A brief pause amidst the busyness of the day to sit and admire a true work of art. It may only take 30 seconds to wind a watch but it’s a tribute to an era when time was slower and true craftsmanship was appreciated.
We don’t often see manual wind pieces making an appearance in watches in general let alone in the microbrand community. This is why I was so excited to get a chance to check out The Fieldtimer Manual Wind by newly established Camp Watches. Nowadays I see a brand under $500 and I assume it’s a Miyota or NH movement and a brand over $500 and I assume its going to be ETA or Selita. All of these are great movements and I have watches using all of them but there is something special about a manual wind timepiece. A throwback in our fast paced world to a period when time was truly precious.
I checked out the Atlantic Blue Fieldtimer and my first impression was how impressive the whole presentation was. A watch roll that contained an extra strap and a cool bracelet. I always enjoy the little extras with a watch and this was a great first impression. When I first saw the dial it almost looks black because of how deep the blue color is. This is due to the amazing enameled lacquer dial being ultra thick and made by the Swiss firm Berlac. This company may be foreign to some but if you’re a Porsche or other European automotive enthusiast you’ll recognize it as the same company that makes the coatings to prevent the front from being chipped by stones or other road debris. 15 layers of lacquer just shows the time and attention to detail the brand put in. They could have done a printed dial or a basic enamel one but this is truly the best of the best.
This automotive theme continues through the color as the Atlantic Blue was actually taken from the BMW 02 series of the 1960’s. An elegant color for a classic driving machine. Imagine driving one of these beauties up and down the Pacific Coast Highway with the wind blowing in your face and the cool crisp ocean smell in the air.
For the technical watch enthusiasts out there the watch is 39mm in diameter with a thickness of 10mm and a lug to lug of 47.2mm. It wears very comfortably on the wrist and once the strap breaks in a bit it sits very low and has a subtly elegant profile. Personally I am a collector who wears watches from 36-47mm and loves them all equally but I think this piece can fit nearly any size wrist comfortably and provide a sporty yet classic look.
In a world with 400+ Swiss brands and more popping up what seems like daily in the microbrand community a brand must realize that little details make the big differences and I feel this is where Camp Watches has succeeded. From the logo on the crown to the unique and well finished buckle this piece has not skimped on the finishing. The movement is well decorated and even all the fonts are unique, from the dial writing to the numerals and even the writing on the caseback you can tell no detail went into this piece without being carefully thought out.
Now lets talk about the engine in this automotive inspired beauty. The SW210-1B that’s been regulated to +/- 7 seconds a day. While I am not a stickler for accuracy I know those who are will appreciated this precision and quality control. It’s just another aspect that speaks to the attention to detail that Camp Watches has put into their pieces. As a watch with a 42 hour power reserve, a manual wind this accurate will always be perfectly on time. Precision and performance in a Swiss made engine.
If I had to put one aspect of the watch that could be improved it would come to the legibility. When you’re looking straight on the dial is crisp, clear, and easy to read. However, while driving or at an angle it’s a little bit more difficult to tell the time at a glance. The many layers of the unique case, crystal, dial, and hands all lend themselves to a thing of beauty but not the easiest to read in the sunlight or in the dark.
Overall I respect the creators of Camp Watches for being different and unique. Any of us here could create a dive watch with an NH movement and start a brand, but to go with a classic manual wind movement in this style takes guts and shows that this brand really believes in what they do and wants to stand out rather than blend in. The website describes the brand as “Made in Switzerland and designed in Los Angeles.” I’ve always enjoyed how many microbrands from the US stay true to their states and bring out the spirit of the state through their watches. Many people will resonate with the Los Angeles/California design and I feel that personal connection is what makes microbrands unique.
Final thoughts- A manual watch isn’t for everyone. There are certainly watch enthusiasts who don’t want to wind their watches (there is a whole industry in watch winders out there to prove this). We also have our share of quartz enthusiasts who this style just fits their lifestyle better. However, for the purist and those who are inspired by the past this is a home run. It is a nice cross between dress and sport styles. Not the ruggedness of a diver, but not the simplicity of the dress watch. Simply a watch that can be worn and enjoyed on a daily basis and with the versatility of the straps be worn well with nearly any outfit.
Tech Specs
- CASE: Brushed + polished 316L stainless steel
- WATERPROOF RATING: 100m/330ft
- DIAL: Berlac stove enamelled lacquer, 15 layers, 1.3mm thick
- DIAL TYPEFACE: Stink, designed by Hanzel Space Studio
- FEATURES: Swiss Super LumiNova on hands + numerals
- MOVEMENT: Sellita SW210-1b manual winding, 28’800 A/h (4Hz) with an accuracy of +/-7 sec/day. Bridge fully customized with hidden op art Camp logo
- 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
About the Designer
Camp Watch Limited was founded by industrial designer Justin Jakobson with the hopes of bringing just a soupçon of the vibrance and style of Los Angeles to the wrists of discerning watch enthusiasts. His twenty year career in design spans a transformative era; from the last cassette players and tube televisions to today’s mobile devices and immersive interactive experiences. An obsession since childhood with all things stylish and mechanical has led to the ultimate expression of both: watches.
For more information or placing an order, visit now CampWatches.com