The ‘Tool Watch’ Trend

The phrase ‘tool watch’ was originally coined to describe watches that serve as tools to accomplish specific tasks, such as a diver’s watch with a rotatable bezel and high resistance to pressure that is designed to be used underwater, this then giving the watch a new purpose outside the traditional time keeping function.

‘Tool Watches’ can be categorised into three key groups:

Divers Watches

Field Watches 

Pilot Watches

With demand for steel ‘tool watches’ only ever increasing, Winsor Bishop’s Watch Specialist James Tann suggests some of his favourite timepieces. His chosen designs fulfil the requirements of being able to keep up with an active lifestyle, whilst still performing to the highest standard.

The Diver’s Watch

“The divers watch is among the most desirable style of watches currently available. With its modern and sporty look, it is a style that can be dressed up to formal wear, but also looks just as good on the beach. You will also often hear the term ‘desk diver’, this is someone like myself who owns and wears a diver’s watch but has no interest in ever diving in it, let alone swimming with it, but in the modern world style and aesthetic can often outweigh purpose.

So, my pick for diver’s watch is the Tudor Black Bay Heritage 41. The Tudor Black Bay is an exceptional watch with a manufacture calibre mt5602 (COSC). There is no date function on this watch thus ensuring clear legibility of the dial. A nod to Tudor’s long history comes with the addition of the ‘snowflake’ hour hand.

When it comes to this watch there are a few details to choose from, this range includes three different bezel colours (blue, burgundy, and black) and an option of 3 different straps (steel bracelet, NATO strap and leather strap) you really are spoilt for choice.”

The Field Watch

“So, what is a field watch? A category of watches that is often lesser known, a field watch is a simple military watch, originally called “trench watches” they were designed for soldiers to wear in WWII They were made to do one thing, and one thing very well: tell the time accurately.

My pick for the field watch category is the Omega Railmaster, a simple and clean design that will do exactly what it says on the tin, and that is, it keeps very accurate time. And when I say accurate, I really do mean it, this watch is equipped with the omega co-axial master chronometer calibre 8806, making it resistant to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss.

The 40mm steel case is water resistant to 150m, and with a steel bracelet, sapphire crystal and 55-hour power reserve, this is a reliable watch you can leave on your wrist and not worry about.”

The Pilot Watch

“When you think of a Pilot’s watch, for me, there is only one contender that springs to mind, that is the Breitling Navitimer. A timeless design that has been in production since 1952, the Navitimer has become the buyer’s choice of Breitling’s watch offering.

 Within the current Breitling collection you are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a Navitimer. Breitling now offer a selection of chronograph and non-chronograph Navitimers which you can choose if you prefer them on a calf leather strap or a more forgiving steel bracelet.

For my specific watch of choice, I have chosen the Navitimer B01 43mm Chronograph on a Black Calf Leather Strap. With a Manufacturer calibre B01 movement this watch has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours and is fully automatic.”