It’s worryingly easy to lose yourself in the world of watches, to get caught up in the flying tourbillon of it all and the whirling doodads and endless complications that haute horology meisters present as the latest revolutionary innovation. However, the first watch I actually bought myself was an unfussy daily beater with a black dial, white numerals and well sized steel case. It’s the type of down to Earth watch design exemplified by Japanese brand Karl-Leimon and their Classic Field watch.
If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, Karl-Leimon have always dedicated themselves to creating classically styled watches at accessible prices. The brand had its start in 2017 when they successfully crowdfunded a quartz moonphase watch known today as the Classic Pioneer. Since then, they’ve grown in strength moving from quartz movements to mechanical ones, as evidenced by the Miyota 9039 automatic movement housed inside the Karl-Leimon Classic Field.
On the wrist, the Classic Field’s 38mm diameter steel case is very comfortable, held in place by a relatively thin rubber strap. The case is also relatively slim, measuring 9.5mm in thickness, allowing it to slip beneath your cuff as easily as breathing. Although I actually find that it appears taller on the wrist than it actually is due to the high polish finish of the bezel on the sides descending down to the main body of the case.
Focussing in on the dial, it’s a blend of dress and field watch design. It’s a highly legible display with either a blue gradient dial base with sunray finishing and white Arabic numerals, reminiscent of vintage military field watches like the Dirty Dozen, or black with applied indexes. The numerals on the blue version are in a Breguet style typography, with curving lines developed specially for use on watch displays. It gives the watch a much dressier appearance than a typical field watch with a classical leaning.
As mentioned previously, it’s powered by a solid workhorse movement with a 42-hour power reserve and accuracy of -10/+30 seconds per day. The 9039 is protected by the watch’s solid caseback, which is also engraved with the watch’s specs such as the 100m water resistance rating. I’m by no means suggesting that it reinvents the field watch genre, but as an entry-level option for collectors just starting to grow their collections or people looking for a daily beater they don’t have to worry about every time they catch it on a door handle, it’s worth a thought – especially at a price of $550 (approx. £420).
Price and Specs:
More details at Karl Leimon.
