Everyday Carry

Centric Instruments Lightwell Watch

Authored by:
Bernard Capulong
Centric Instruments Lightwell Watch

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If there's one kind of watch that's perfect for EDC, it'd be the field watch. Its rugged design, rich history, and iconic style makes it such a versatile daily driver. But even in a field watch, movement matters: automatic watches can be high maintenance, and quartz watches can run out of battery when you least expect it. That's why Centric Instruments built their take on the field watch around a solar-charging movement for high performance and low maintenance. And despite its unique solar-charging capabilities and slew of premium features, the Lightwell is modestly priced, making it easier for you to invest in a quality watch that lasts.

Upon first glance, the Lightwell is unmistakably a field watch, but with a few more modern twists. Its 316L brushed stainless steel case measures a versatile 38mm in a classic shape, with a screwdown caseback and crown making the watch water-resistant to 100M. Looking at the dial under the ultra-clear, scratch-resistance sapphire crystal is where you can really see the Lightwell's unique design cues. The outer ring gives a sense of depth to the face, with large luminous markers and easy-to-read Arabic numerals lending to its legibility. Subtle branding and a smaller date window round out the minimalist aesthetic.

Under the dial is what makes the Lightwell truly unique. Its Japanese solar-quartz movement from Seiko powers the watch with exposure to both artificial and natural light. A minute under the sun gives a full day of timekeeping power, while a full charge keeps the movement running for a full 6 months without ever needing to replace a battery.

The Lightwell is available in a black, white, or vintage-inspired “gilt” dial, with easy-to-swap straps in waterproof silicone or veg-tan leather. Pledges start at just $180 for a Lightwell and two straps, making this an impressive value for an EDC watch. See the Lightwell in more detail at the Kickstarter link below before the project ends June 14th.

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Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Author
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

Discussion (3 total)

GWB NYC ·
second and minute hands fall way short of the indices.
big Easy ·
Great looking watch. thanks for the review!!!
1 more comments