Redwood Watches - Anyone Seen One?

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  zonra on 17/04/2023 - 21:51

  A $300 price point for a solidly-built solar-powered watch seems quite reasonable.

  Not that amazing tbh.
  Plenty of Citizen eco-drive or G-shock solar offerings at that price point.
  Unless you're dead set on a design not available elsewhere, I'd rather go with the well known brands if you're only after "Good design, rugged construction, fair price" in a watch.

  Edit: the "Kilroy" that you linked is essentially an automatic field watch. They're a dime a dozen on Aliexpress (most of the time a basic Seiko movement, sapphire crystal, water resistance etc.). I'm assuming you want a beater since you mentioned yard work. You also have plenty of quality offerings from both Citizen and Seiko.

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  oscargamer on 17/04/2023 - 22:40

  Look very average. Not a lot of design detail. There are many many many more interesting micro brands out there. Avoid.

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  Gunnar on 17/04/2023 - 23:04

  They look like some Kickstarter crap

  The pics on the first link they reminded me of a Blancplain 50 Fathoms

  If you’re after a Field watch have a look at a Seiko field watch

  EDIT: just read their ‘about us’ they are Kickstarter watches

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  jv on 17/04/2023 - 23:13

  -1

  Anyone Seen One?

  Not me, but I'll post back if I do…

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  AustriaBargain on 18/04/2023 - 02:54

  +1

  Ugly. Looks like a wrist worn compass, would be cool if there was a button that turned the second hand into a compass then press it again and it swings back into place counting seconds. I think their web design is a lot nicer than their watch design.

  IMO you can get nicer watches for less and give them a military look with any old NATO strap.

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  saltypete on 18/04/2023 - 09:14

  It looks to be no worse than many other brands available at around that price point. The dial looks very visible as a military type watch should be. If you like it, buy it.

  One thing. I have a few watches but bought a Garmin smartwatch because of it being also a dive computer. What I’ve found is that it is so tough I happily use it as a beater watch everywhere. It does lots of interesting things but a major plus is that it vibrates on my wrist when I get a phone call or message. This means I know about calls even if I’m doing something noisy, and I can turn my phone down and still get calls.

  Doesn’t look as nice as my other watches, but I find I wear it all the time now.

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  Jimothy Wongingtons on 18/04/2023 - 09:45

  What I'm looking for in a watch is something that I can wear outside while doing yard work, so I want it to be fairly rugged.

  G-shock?

  I'd be worried even washing my hands with a leather strap like that - let alone mulching, digging, pruning, etc - can imagine it's going to get pretty gross after a few sessions of sweaty and dirty yard work?

  Also I'm too jaded after too many kickstarter/ 'indie' watch releases - would rather a well known Chinese microbrand if you want to be 'different', EG sugess, steeldive etc who have miiltary / pilot watches or as the other mentioned, Seiko 5 sports is a pretty nice little field watch if that's your speed and pretty affordable.

  • 

    Gunnar on 18/04/2023 - 20:57

    +1

    I can’t take a Kickstarter watch (or Kickstarter ‘affordable luxury’ brand for that matter) seriously after seeing this:
    https://timeandtidewatches.com/how-to-start-your-own-minimal…

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  payless69 on 18/04/2023 - 11:38

  I get an Escobar phone instead?

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  FW190 on 18/04/2023 - 14:57

  looks like your average run of the mill dive/field watches, I dare say that if you look hard enough, you can probably find similar watches on aliexpress for a fraction of the price.

  personally, if I am paying $400+, I would go for a more well known brand.

  if you like that Kilroy watch, keep an eye out on Starbuy, these watches regularly gets discounted to below $300, and Bulova actually has a history of making military watches:

  https://starbuy.com.au/bulova-hack-vwi-mens-watch-96a259/

  https://starbuy.com.au/bulova-automatic-98a255/

  https://starbuy.com.au/bulova-mens-automatic-watch-96a282/

  but like others has said, if you want something rugged for doing physical outdoor work, just get a G-Shock. Analogue or digital (or both), big or small, solar or battery, cheap or second mortgage on the house, the options are endless and I am sure you will find something you like.

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  Chazzozz on 18/04/2023 - 16:38

  Thanks for the advice, I thought I'd be better off asking here than get sucked in by the marketing guff. I understand why everyone is keen to suggest G-Shock but I prefer the idea of the field watch style, so I'll check out Starbuy and see what their offerings are like. I appreciate everyone who chipped in with useful comments.

  • 

    Gunnar on 18/04/2023 - 21:00

    +2

    If you really want good advice, go to the watchuseek forums and in the sub forum ‘affordables’. For the most part, Good bunch of people in that sub forum who will give you excellent recommendations