Yeah, yeah, I know – here I am, talking about yet another GMT-equipped watch. Well, I can’t help it – I just really like the utility of the complication, and there simply have been a good number of those coming out this year (and some more in the pipeline). Today, we’ve got one of the most affordable ones I’ve seen this year, the Victorinox FieldForce GMT.
Now, as you might surmise, the Victorinox FieldForce GMT is a quartz-powered watch. But don’t turn your nose up! As I talked through in this review, there very much is a time and place for quartz in your GMT watch. There’s something to be said for the utter simplicity and reliability of quartz. And if it stops? Well, you go get a new battery, and you’re on your way – you’re not searching for a watch maker to help get things back up and running for you.
The Victorinox FieldForce GMT also has going for it a heavy dose of the Victorinox style. This looks very much like the other watches in the FieldForce lineup, albeit with a much sharper dial (IMO) than the standard three-hander. This is, in large part, due to the inner ring on which the 24-hour scale is printed. This is perfectly aligned so that the hole in the pomme hand for the GMT time perfectly lines up to indicate the hour; it’s just unfortunate that the pomme style just feels out of place with this otherwise sport-oriented look.
The Victorinox FieldForce GMT is available today, in a few different guises. Aside from dial color, the big difference is the strap/bracelet. You can get the leather strap for $375, or go for the bracelet (always my recommendation) for $425. Or, if you prefer a darker hue, you can get the Victorinox FieldForce GMT Sport for $425 which features a PVD case and a rubber strap. swissarmy.com
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Victorinox FieldForce GMT
- Price: $375 (leather) / $425 (steel bracelet) / $425 (PVD on rubber)
- Who we think it might be for: You want a simple watch to travel with and track multiple time zones, but not have it gather undue attention
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I?ve seen? While I like a GMT, probably not – something about that GMT just puts me off it
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: I like how much more balanced this dial feels as opposed to the main FieldForce lineup
Tech Specs from Victorinox
- 42 mm stainless steel case (316L)
- Scratch-resistant, triple-coated and anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Water-resistant to 100 m (10 ATM / 330 ft)
- Screw-in case back
- Crown protection
- Super-LumiNova? on hands, numerals and logo
- Black or blue dial with GMT function
- Date calendar at 3:00
- Black leather strap (with the black dial) or stainless steel bracelet (316L )(with the blue dial)
- Movement:Ronda 515.24H Swiss-made quartz movement
