I’ve often thought the Seiko VH31 is vastly underused, especially in microbrand watches. As a mechaquartz movement, it offers the right combination of cost, size, and a ticking seconds hand to power many great watches. One of those great watches is the Newmark 52 Field that I’ve been excited to review.
Newmark is the result of the reimagining of one of the classic British watch brands from the 1950s and 1960s. With a deep back catalog to draw on, Newmark focuses on a modern revamp of its classic watches. The 52 Field is a modern version of the field watch first manufactured in the 1950s. Updated to modern proportions, specifications, and a mechaquartz movement, the 52 Field is ready for adventures in the new century.
The 38mm case fits on my 6.5” wrist comfortably without overwhelming it. I especially like the way the asymmetrical case blends the crown into the curve of the case. Even though the case measures 41mm at the widest point, the lack of a protruding crown makes the watch extremely comfortable to wear, even close to the hand. I think a brushed crown would have worked better with the brushed case. The brushed case complements the matte dial and adds to the watch’s rough-and-ready nature.
The case design keeps the nearly 8mm crown out of the way until you need to use it. The asymmetric shape also lets the 52 Field stand out in a crowded field watch segment. The flat sapphire crystal provides perfect visibility and durability to keep the 52 Field ready for anything. The 100m water resistance keeps the watch safe even during the unexpected.
The Seiko VH31 movement is the perfect choice for this kind of watch. No date function keeps the dial clean and symmetrical. The second hand perfectly matches the seconds track on the dial. The hacking function allows you to set the time precisely, although the accuracy of a quartz movement requires manipulating the time other than travel. The thinner quartz movement keeps the watch profile svelte enough not to get in the way of any adventures.
The 52 Field comes in two different colorways: velvet black and ivory. Newmark sent me the ivory version. The slightly off-white dial contrasts with the X1-C3 Super Luminova just enough to give a modern interpretation of radium lume against a white dial. This works better than yellow-tinted lume to modernize a classic color combination. The lumed blued steel hands add to the vintage aesthetic while also keeping the visibility up to modern standards. The seconds track complements the watch aesthetic and ensures that you’re on time for your next excursion.
The 52 Field ships on a NATO strap matched to the watch colorway. As it turns out, I am not a NATO person, so the watch has spent the majority of the time on a variety of 20mm straps. The included NATO strap is thick and pliable, and great for someone who is a fan of that style. For me, a two-piece strap keeps the watch close to my wrist and easy to wear while out and about. The 20mm lug width means that the strap world is your oyster. I flipped between a couple of different rubber straps and also a nylon strap. They all fit great and worked well with the 52 Field. This watch is the definition of a strap monster.
At approximately $400, the 52 Field is a competitive option for those looking for a svelte field watch with vintage charm. The mechaquartz movement provides reliability and accuracy. The watch is well-made, well-finished, and well-sized for the modern adventure. It’s versatile enough to flip from field to festival without missing a beat. Definitely head to the Newmark website to check it out for yourself.
