Rated 1 out of 5 by
jgruetz I hate to give it a poor review but...
The posts on this watch are not of high quality. The first field watch I had lasted a few months till one day the post popped out. I did return it to a retail store and got a new watch a few days later. The folks at the retail store are awesome. The second watch lasted about a month till the post popped out again.
I'm not as much upset as I am disappointed. I can't find any other field watches that I like as much as this one. I really like the switchable watch bands. And as I stated earlier the folks who work at the retail store are so nice. I want to love the watch, but after it breaking 2 times in the same place I'd say it's a quality issue. I know I can keep returning it, but that gets old quickly. Plus for $129 I think it should last longer than 1 month. I am very satisfied with all my other LL Bean equipment, but I can't recommend this watch.
April 11, 2013
Rated 2 out of 5 by ryanmck poor design, comfortable
The spring loaded posts are not rugged enough to weather normal wear & tear let alone "field use". After 15 days of wear, I have had the watch fall apart twice... once a 10 lb puppy pawed my wrist and sent the post flying, never to be found... after getting a repair from Bean I wore the watch to work only a few days later, and brushed my wrist against the door jamb after switching a light off, again sending a post flying and leaving the watch face dangling by one end.
By outdoorsman standards, the above examples are LIGHT use, and certainly not the quality LL Bean should aspire to provide. I would certainly not take this watch camping or hiking after these experiences.
This is a simple design fix (if you are paying attention, LL Bean). Use a single piece watch body. The spring loaded posts are completely unnecessary because the nylon strap can pass behind fixed posts with no issue.
That major issue aside... the light weight and thin band are comfortable and stay nicely in place on the wrist.
The watch is good enough looking for business casual... but the low quality is frustrating
March 29, 2013
Rated 2 out of 5 by Beancustomer12 vintage watch
The size of the watch has been "modernized" to align with the contemporary fashion of oversized watches. This compromises the vintage look and appeal.
February 8, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by EPerr Watchband
Excellent watch with one flaw: The watchband is way too large - it is at least 1-1/2 inches too wide for the recipient's wrist.
December 26, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by ericd1112 Classic quality
I needed a new watch and wanted to return to my roots. The Field Watch has a classic, simple, durable design, crisp clear graphics on the face, and an evident high level of quality. An unexpected bonus is the screw-fit stem, which prevents unintended date or time changes if it rubs against something and also makes it more water resistant - it seals the case. The two colored wristbands offer a choice of formal or informal. A timeless timepiece and, in my case, a daily reminder of happier times.
December 5, 2012
Rated 3 out of 5 by UtahCamper great watch mediocre band
The watch is bigger than I expected It is easy to read.
The bad is comfortable but not as nice as leather. The bad is a different size than the regular field watch or I would replace it with that one
October 24, 2012
Rated 3 out of 5 by MarkOPolo Great watch, needs a new band
I purchased this watch for my deployment to Afghanistan because I liked the simplicity of the face, ruggedness of the SS body, and the fact that the winding button secures. I've been very happy with the watch itself, but less happy with the band. After a few days in the heat, it definitely had that been-sweated-in odor. I tried washing it (figuring that was a benefit of a material rather than leather or metal band) with no success. Love the watch, wish the band were a different material that doesn't hold odors.
October 10, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by USTyke Almost as good as the old one
I bought an LL Bean field watch years ago and very much liked it. Recently it became erratic and a local jeweler told me it wasn't repairable. So I purchased the "classic" LL Bean field watch. This was a huge disappointment: too big, barely visible hands. I returned that for this "vintage" version. This is far better than the classic although still not as good as the original (it's bigger and heavier). I replaced the strap with a metal band (the original came with a terrific metal band) and am satisfied. I hope this lasts as long as my old one!
In general, I find current LL Bean products are not as good as their predecessors.
September 27, 2012
Rated 3 out of 5 by
DGML I like it but ...
I like the style of this watch, simple, easy to read, and keeps good time. I bought the first one in Japan in the late '90s and it worked well for many years until somehow water got inside it and LLB replaced it for free.
The next one didn't last so well: it fell of my dresser and chipped the crystal and LLB couldn't fix it and I had to buy another.
So now I'm on my third incarnation which came with a little card indicating how much it will cost to 1) replace the crystal, 2) change battery and 3) replace strap.
I hope it lasts longer than the last two as I think of it as a field watch as in The Who: "Out here in the fields / I fight for my meals / I get my back into my living / I don't need to fight / To prove I'm right / I don't need to be forgiven ..."
July 18, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Harmonizer Don't this watch get away!
Purchased this watch years ago. Cost me $10 out of pocket with coupons. Now ready to replace band for third time!
Has always kept perfect time. Never has required servicing. Buy it NOW!
July 13, 2012