Last year, Ridge launched their first foray into the world of watches with the Ridge Land & Sea GMT Watch. It combined the best elements of a dive watch with the added benefits of a dedicated GMT dual-time watch. It was an excellent showcase of EDC versatility, which we’ve come to expect from all of Ridge’s offerings.
This time, Ridge takes a page from their award-winning Ridge Wallet by focusing on their core minimalist philosophy and applying it to their new watch release: the Ridge Titanium Field Watch.
Initially developed to serve military personnel in the field during battle, a field watch only has one objective: to allow its wearer to tell time quickly and reliably. To achieve this, a field watch must possess three main characteristics: accuracy, durability, and legibility. Time to check and see if the Ridge Titanium Field Watch ticks all the boxes.
Making a Case for Titanium
Bucking the trend of run-of-the-mill stainless steel cases found on most watches, the Titanium Field Watch’s 40mm case boasts premium Grade 2 titanium. It’s a much-loved material among EDC enthusiasts because of its corrosion resistance, hypoallergenic properties, and light weight, with titanium weighing 30% less than stainless steel. As a result, the watch on its rubber strap weighs only 69 grams or just under 2.5 oz.
Combined with the case’s well-proportioned dimensions of 47mm lug to lug, a slim case thickness of 11.5mm, and 20mm lug width, the watch feels extremely comfortable to wear, offering a more nimble presence on the wrist instead of the heft that a stainless steel watch brings.
The Titanium Field Watch’s titanium case also features a mix of polished and brushed surfaces, which play beautifully against the light to bring out the angularity of the case design details. And when compared to stainless steel, titanium presents a darker tone that is better at camouflaging scratches.
It achieves a 200-meter water resistance rating, exceptionally rare for field watches that typically possess water resistance ratings of 50-100 meters. This water resistance is accomplished by a screw-down crown and caseback, ensuring a tight seal and preventing water from entering the case. This makes the Titanium Field Watch suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and even diving.
Premium Performance Inside
The Ridge Titanium Field Watch marks the brand’s expansion into mechanical timepieces. It’s powered by a self-winding Miyota 9039 automatic movement, which harnesses energy through the motion of your wrist. This means that instead of relying on batteries like a quartz movement, the watch can run indefinitely if worn daily, so you don’t have to worry about the watch suddenly stopping without warning.
This isn’t just any automatic movement, either. The Miyota 9039 is an ultra-thin, Japanese-made, premium mechanical movement rated with an accuracy of -10 to +30 seconds daily with 42 hours of power reserve.
It notably boasts a beat frequency of 28800 vibrations per hour (vph), ticking at 4 Hz, or eight beats per second, matching the movements found in many luxury watches. This gives the movement improved accuracy and an exceptionally smooth sweep of the seconds hand, especially compared to other automatic watches in this price tier, which typically feature movements with a slower frequency of 21600 vph or 3 Hz.
This Miyota 9039 also features hand-winding and hacking capabilities present in more upscale watches. If the watch has stopped (usually from being in storage), you can start it running again by simply winding the crown. Hacking, on the other hand, stops the second hand from moving when you pull the crown out to adjust the time, so you can set it with precision while synchronizing it to any other watch or clock.
Dialed In Legibility
The dial and exhibition caseback are protected by AR-coated sapphire crystals, the second hardest material on Earth next to diamonds, making the display virtually scratch-proof. Not only is this a premium material found on high-end watches, but its enhanced clarity further adds to the legibility needed on a field watch.
The dial is available in five high-contrast color combinations that match Ridge’s other popular everyday carry gear: Matte Olive, Royal Black, Alpine Navy, Basecamp Orange, and Carbon Fiber 3K.
The different dials feature an attractive textured design, with large, highly visible even numerals, hour markers, and polished stainless steel hands equipped with Swiss Super-LumiNova for easy readability, even in pitch-black environments. A minute track with 24-hour markers on the outer rim to easily tell military time is a nod to classic field watch military heritage.
Two Is One, One Is None
Each watch comes with two strap options in different materials to complement the dial color. All watches come with a matching Fluoro Rubber strap and either a genuine leather or nylon strap, allowing you to customize it to your style.
The straps feature quick-release pins that make it easy to swap straps without any tools, letting you change your watch’s look and feel in seconds. The signed strap buckles are also crafted from titanium to match the case, which is an excellent attention to detail.
A Winning Combination
The Matte Olive, Royal Black, Alpine Navy, and Basecamp Orange color options are priced at $275, while the Carbon Fiber 3K can be had for $375 due to its unique carbon fiber dial and black PVD-coated titanium case.
The Ridge Titanium Field Watch takes the legacy style of the classic field watch worn by soldiers, explorers, and adventurers for decades, elevating it with modern features and a careful choice of materials that make it more durable, versatile, and elegant.
Whether it’s used for hiking in the mountains, diving in the ocean, or working in the office, the Ridge Titanium Field Watch is an excellent choice for those looking for their first automatic watch thanks to its affordable price; or anyone looking for a reliable everyday timepiece that will serve them for years to come, thanks to Ridge’s lifetime guarantee. Choose a color (or two) that suits your style, and grab yours from the link below.
