Why we love fixed lug watches

Why we love fixed lug watches

By Mike Airaudi

Why we love fixed lug watches

Why did we choose a fixed lug case design for our latest field watch, Field 1S?


Strength, security and durability…


The toughness and reliability of fixed lug watches is unparalleled, which is why this case style is one of our favorites to build. The Anza Field watch was our first exploration into fixed lug timepieces back in 2017 and most recently, we designed our Field 1S Automatic Field Watch with an ultra-strong, one-piece case.


We’ve lived through so many poorly built watches in our lives and understand that nothing is more frustrating than pins that break, straps that come apart, and cases that can’t take a beating. Craftsmanship and quality are core tenets for MINUS-8, which lead us to be hyper-focused on designing and delivering super-durable watches for our customers. We over-emphasized reliability when designing Field 1S, as a great field watch needs to thrive in the most extreme conditions and endure through generations of wear. By their nature, field watches must be built to take a beating and be ready to go with you anywhere and everywhere. So for us, a single-piece case was a no-brainer. It is the absolute perfect design that makes a watch ready for anything, meeting the most critical requirement of what it means to be called a field watch.


When we were designing our latest fixed lug watch, we were deeply inspired by the trench watches of the early 1900s. The most important feature of these timepieces was security - they had to be durable and could not fall off in battle. The fixed lug design was created to keep the watches ultra-secure on the wrist and ensure they wouldn’t fall off during the environmental challenges of war. While the conditions watches go through today aren’t nearly as dire, the initial purpose of the fixed-pin style is still relevant, as field watches must be ready for anything you throw at them.


Field 1S is machined from a single block of 316L Stainless Steel and PVD coated to give it enhanced scratch resistance. Not only is this case super-strong and almost impossible to break, but combined with our thick, tightly wound, dual-layer traditional nylon nato strap, the watch is incredibly secure on the wrist. It’s not falling off, even in the most extreme environments.


Bottom line, the combination of the single-piece case and durability-focused specs makes Field 1S the toughest watch we’ve ever built. 


What’s your favorite fixed lug watch? Share your favorite with us, let us know your feedback on Field 1S or reach out to us with any questions at care@minus8watch.com. We answer every email and love chatting with our community.


-Mike

 

SHOP FIELD 1S