16 Awesome Field Watches for Small Wrists (Under 40mm)

If you’re looking for the best field watches for small wrists, you’re in the right place. Here are 16 excellent choices, no matter your budget.

Field watches tend to be small, compared to other types of watches like divers, which is great for men with smaller, thinner wrists.

Of course, not all field watches are good for small wrists. As watch size is subject to trend, and the trend over recent years has been bigger, more bulky watches, many field watches have grown to keep up with the times.

But there are still plenty of great small options out there (38mm or less). This article is all about the best small field watches you can buy right now.

Quick Take

Short on time? Here are our top three picks for the best small field watches you can buy right now:

Our Pick

Marathon General Purpose Quartz 34mm

$200

This particular watch features an ETA quartz movement, 34mm case and 16mm strap - perfect for small wrists.

Buy Now

Budget Pick

Momentum Atlas 32mm

$185

Since 1980, Momentum has strived to make durable, lightweight watches for active people at reasonable prices. The Atlas is one of our favorite watches of theirs.

Buy Now

Upgrade Pick

Rolex Explorer 36mm

$4500-$19900

The Explorer is one of the most understated Rolexes you can buy. Unlike the Submariner or Datejust, most people won't even notice that this is a Rolex.

Buy Now

Read on for more info and the complete list…

But first, what is a field watch?

What is a field watch, anyway? Like so many popular men’s fashion garments and accessories, field watches were born out of utility.

Just like field jackets and combat boots, they have a military heritage.

Field watches are the ultimate expression of function over form. They were originally built to survive heavy abuse from the elements and from their wearers (i.e., soldiers).

They needed to be small and low profile to fit comfortably under a sleeve and easy to wear for hours on end.

The best field watches would be easy to read, super reliable, water resistant, shock resistant, shatterproof, readable in the dark and, of course, accurate.

These days, we often hear people question a watch’s accuracy, asking, “Does it keep good time?” But the truth is, most modern men won’t even notice if their watch loses a couple minutes throughout the day.

If you were a solider in the trenches during WWII, however, that question would have nothing to do with watch snobbery. It would literally be a matter of life and death.

Same goes for lume strength, battery life, mechanical fortitude, and resistant to magnets and water. For a real field watch, these attributes are crucial.

Modern Field Watches

With some exceptions, the term “field watch” is now used to describe a style of watch – an aesthetic.

Just like most “work boots” aren’t made for manual labor, and most blue jeans aren’t made to withstand months in the coal mines, the modern field watch is often an homage to the real thing.

Some brands still make military grade timepieces, but most are simply borrowing the look.

The Field Watch Aesthetic

There are so many different types of field watches. It’s a broad category, just like dress watches or dive watches.

Typically, a field watch will have the following traits:

• Comfortable, easy-to-adjust strap (e.g., canvas or leather)
• Legible, high contrast display
• Stainless steel or titanium case
• Hacking movement (i.e., you can stop the second hand)
• Small-medium case size
• Arabic numerals (typically hours and minutes and/or military time)
• Scratch and/or glare resistant crystal
• Some water resistance

If you prefer a certain type of dial or need a specific level of water resistance, you won’t have trouble finding a watch that fits your needs.

There are plenty of field watches to choose from, and most of them have that rugged, functional aesthetic you’re looking for.

Best Small Field Watches

Here are our 16 favorite field watches for small wrists. Use the table to sort by price, or scroll for more details about each watch.

Glycine Combat 6 Classic 36mm

With a clean dial, date window, 38 hour power reserve and lots of lume, there’s a lot to like about this little field watch from Glycine.

• Price: Sold Out
• Model: 3916.19.LBK9
• Case Size: 36mm
• Case Thickness: 10.45mm
• Movement: Automatic
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Crystal: Sapphire

As of 2016, Glycine is part of the Invicta group, but the Swiss brand dates back to 1914 and has plenty of heritage.

For example, its Airman line was worn by American pilots during the Vietnam War and by astronaut Charles “Pete” Conrad during his record setting mission to space (Gemini 5).

The Combat 6 is available in a variety of dial colors and bracelet/strap styles (I like the black dial with black leather strap shown above).

Hamilton Khaki Field Officer Mechanical 38mm

Speaking of brands with military heritage, you can’t talk about field watches without mentioning Hamilton.

• Price: $347 (30% off)
• Model: H69429901
• Case Size: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 9.5mm
• Movement: Mechanical
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Crystal: Sapphire

I wear this particular watch 2-3 days a week, at least. It’s one of my favorite small watches, and it presents tremendous value for the price.

Swiss made? Check. American heritage? Check. Mechanical movement? Yes sir!

There’s actually a newer version of this hand-winding watch that features a cleaner no date dial, but I kind of prefer the original.

Either way, you’re getting a Swiss made mechanical watch from a cool brand for less than $500, which is pretty awesome.

The stock strap is a sturdy canvas with reinforced holes that match the bead-blasted finish of the case, but this watch also looks great on leather or NATO straps.

The mechanical movement keeps the case height nice and short (or thin), so it sits close to your wrist, which makes the somewhat long lug width more manageable.

I only wish the Khaki Mechanical had more water resistance. That would make it a true beater that you don’t have to worry about.

Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz 33mm

By today’s ridiculous standards, this is a tiny watch. At 33mm in diameter and 9mm thick, it’s smaller than most men’s watches on the market — definitely more of a unisex size.

• Price: $426
• Model: H68311533
• Case Size: 33mm
• Case Thickness: 9mm
• Movement: Swiss Quartz (Battery-Powered)
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Crystal: Sapphire Crystal Scratch Resistant

I personally think it’s a great size, and I’d definitely wear it proudly on my 6 1/3 inch wrist.

Its clean design features large Arabic hour markers around the outer dial and smaller military time markers around the inside.

The date window at 3 o’clock and subtle branding above at 12 and 6 add some flare to the dial without overcomplicating things.

This is the kind of watch that disappears on your wrist (in a good way). If you have very thin wrists (less than 6 inches), this little Hamilton is a great choice.

Casio MTPS100-1BV 36mm

This watch isn’t for everyone. The orange and black dial could be difficult to read, especially at night.

• Price: Sold Out
• Model: MTP-S100-1BV
• Case Size: 36mm
• Case Thickness: 9mm
• Movement: Quartz
• Case Material: Metal
• Crystal: Mineral

But with a solar powered movement, 36mm case and sub $40 price tag, there’s a lot to like, even if it’s just a summer beater for that beach trip.

Fossil FSW1007 Self-Illuminating Field Watch 38mm

Wait, what’s that? Fossil sells a Swiss made automatic watch with a 38mm case and two year warranty?

• Price: Currently out of Stock
• Model: FSW1007
• Case Size: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 12mm
• Movement: Swiss automatic
• Case Material: Sapphire, Stainless Steel
• Crystal: Antireflective-sapphire

Cool. Too cool, actually…

Because they don’t make this watch anymore, so you’ll have to buy it secondhand. But you can find it for around $300, which is a steal.

Too bad Fossil seems to be chasing trends set by all the fashion watch brands these days 🙁

Bertucci A-1T 36mm

A relatively new (2003) American watch brand, Bertucci has earned a reputation for producing reliable, vintage inspired field watches at very reasonable prices.

• Price: $220
• Model:
• Case Size: 36mm
• Case Thickness:
• Movement:
• Case Material:
• Crystal: Scratch resistant hardened mineral glass crystal

The A-1T is no exception. With an accurate Swiss made quartz movement, 100 meter water resistance, three year warranty and stock Horween leather band, it’s an extremely practical choice.

Citizen Eco-Drive BM8180-03E 37mm

This is one of the only field watches on this list with a day-date complication, which definitely sets it apart.

• Price: $129 (43% off)
• Model: BM8180-03E
• Case Size: 37mm
• Case Thickness: 9mm
• Movement: Eco-Drive
• Case Material: Brushed Stainless Steel
• Crystal: Mineral

It’s Eco-Drive movement means that it won’t need a battery, ever, and the 100 meter water resistance means you can take it swimming or wear it in the shower (no judgement).

This watch has a 4.6/5 star rating with over 120 reviews on Citizen’s website, along with a five year warranty.

Momentum Atlas 32mm

Since 1980, Momentum has strived to make durable, lightweight watches for active people at reasonable prices.

• Price: $175
• Model: 1M-SP00BS2B
• Case Size: 32mm
• Case Thickness: 10mm
• Movement: Quartz
• Case Material: Titanium
• Crystal: Sapphire

One thing that sets the Atlas apart from other watches on this list is the water resistance. A locking screw-down crown provides 100M water resistance, so feel free to take this little guy surfing.

And if you want something even smaller, they make a 32mm version too.

Seiko SNK807 37mm

This is a great little automatic watch with a military aesthetic that won’t break the bank. In fact, at less than $60, it’s one of the best entry-level, small automatic watches you can buy.

• Price: $88.98 (54% off)
• Model: SNK807
• Case Size: 37mm
• Case Thickness: 11mm
• Movement: Automatic
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Crystal: Scratch Resistant Hardlex

Pick your favorite dial color, and get yourself some extra straps with all that money you’re saving. These little Seiko’s look especially good on NATO straps.

If you want to see the green dial version of this watch in real life, check out my Seiko SNK805 video review.

Timex Expedition Camper 38mm

If you live by the mantra of “function over form” then the Expedition Camper is for you.

• Price: Currently not available
• Model: T49713
• Case Size: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 10mm
• Movement: Japanese Quartz
• Case Material: Resin
• Crystal: Acrylic

At 38mm it flatters almost any wrist, and every little detail was designed with practicality in mind.

From the 100M water resistance to the resin case to the INDIGLO Night-Light dial, the Expedition has you covered no matter where you are.

Plus, it’s like $35 on sale. If you don’t have a beater, this watch is for you.

Timex Expedition Scout 36mm

If the Expedition’s velcro strap isn’t doing it for you (fair enough), or you just want something a bit smaller, the 36mm Scout is a great choice.

• Price: Currently not available
• Model: TW4B11000JT
• Case Size: 36mm
• Case Thickness: 9mm
• Movement: Quartz Analog
• Case Material: Brass
• Crystal: Mineral Glass

It only has 50M water resistance, but it still has the INDIGLO dial and QuickDate feature (easy to set date).

Plus, it comes on a leather strap, which makes it more suitable for everyday wear, like to work or out with friends.

Marathon General Purpose Quartz 34mm

If you haven’t heard of Marathon, just know that they’re one of the only companies in the world that holds an active contract with the United States Department of Defense.

• Price: $234
• Model: WW194009BK
• Case Size: 34mm
• Case Thickness: 12mm
• Movement: High torque quartz • ETA FØ6 Movement
• Case Material: Composite 316L Stainless Steel Back
• Crystal: Sapphire

That’s right: since 1941, Marathon has been making reliable, military-grade (literally) watches for the American and Canadian Armed Forces.

This particular watch features an ETA quartz movement, 34mm case and 16mm strap – perfect for small wrists.

Marathon General Purpose Mechanical 34mm

The mechanical version of the 34mm General Purpose line, this is also a literal mil-spec piece that features a “lightweight high impact fibreshell case” and Tritium gas tubes that “glow with no need to be charged by an external light source”.

• Price: $324
• Model: WW194003BK-NGM
• Case Size: 34mm
• Case Thickness: 12mm
• Movement: Swiss Automatic
• Case Material: Resin
• Crystal: Sapphire

We’re sold, although a bit more water resistance would be nice.

Rolex Explorer 36mm

Technically a luxury watch, the Rolex Explorer is one of the most understated Rolexes you can buy. Unlike the Submariner or Datejust, most people won’t even notice that this is a Rolex.

• Price: $4500-$19900
• Model: 14270
• Case Size: 36mm
• Case Thickness: 11.5mm
• Movement: Automatic
• Case Material: Steel
• Crystal: Sapphire

The 36mm Explorer is a total grail for me. It’s so clean and functional, but it’s still a luxury piece. In my opinion, it’s way cooler than the more eye-catching Explorer II.

This could truly comprise your one watch collection.

CWC British Military G10 36mm

Think of this as the British version of the Marathon General Purpose field watch.

• Price: $349
• Model: 80034T
• Case Size: 38mm case incl. crown, 36.5mm without crown
• Case Thickness: 18mm
• Movement: Quartz ETA 955.102 movement
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Crystal: Acrylic

Steeped in British military history, CWC has been making field watches since 1980.

This one features a quartz ETA movement and 18mm NATO strap. Not bad for 199 pounds!

L.L. Bean Katahdin 36mm Field Watch

I don’t know what’s more impressive about this watch: the fast that it was assembled in Switzerland or the full-grain leather band.

• Price: $149
• Model: XQ507691
• Case Size: 36mm
• Case Thickness:
• Movement:
• Case Material:
• Crystal:

This is like a souped up version of the Timex Weekender, and it’s an under-the-radar steal at $149.

What’s your favorite field watch? Leave a comment below!