The new field watch
The field watch has its roots in the criteria established during the second world war, when the British War Office demanded that the watch be extremely precise, waterproof, rugged, easily legible, luminous and have a movement with a minimum 15 jewels. In all, 12 companies wound up making the much sought-after “Dirty Dozen”. With Rolex, IWC Schaffhausen, Doxa, Bremont, Seiko and Tudor all releasing their new takes on the style this year, the go-anywhere, do-anything spirit of adventure is back in the air. Nick Foulkes
From left: Doxa Sub 750T, SFr2,490; Benrus DTU-2A/P, $990; Tudor Ranger, £2,670; Seiko 5 Sports Field Deploy Mechanical GMT, £410; Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition Auto, £920; Bremont Terra Nova 38, £2,650; IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Mark XX, £4,800; Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer, £6,750
Roaring reds, yellows and blues
It was a year of fresh takes on coloured dials, with leading brands raiding Pantone’s palette for ever more striking hues. Rolex went pastel, making over the Oyster Perpetual in lavender, sandy beige and pistachio. Omega’s Aqua Terra came with a host of dials, from mother of pearl to green, purple, smoky grey and a deep sea blue. And Harry Winston gave a nod to its history and the rare 45.52-carat blue Hope diamond that Mr Winston bought in 1949 in its all-sea blue Ocean Date Moon Phase Automatic. Tim Auld
