Thoughts on Bertucci DX3 Field Watch?

[Cosmodragoon]

I belong to gun, knife, and flashlight forums and I'm not looking to go down the rabbit hole on watches. I just wondered if anyone here was familiar with the Bertucci DX3 or DX3 Plus field watch. I had started looking at their titanium line but I actually prefer the simplicity and contrast on the face on these less expensive polycarbonate resin models. It helps that the price is in line with the kinds of knives I typically carry.

Do these keep good time? Are they reasonably durable? Will they hold up for EDC? Will they hold up if taken on the occasional swim? I'd love to hear your experiences if you have any.

 

[JohnWE]

Bought one thru Massdrop. It keeps very good time, still on the original battery. The stem is/can be a little wonky but it works. I live in one and work (a lot) in a different time zone so I adjust mine mire than most people probably would and its held up fine so far.

I bought a Maratac NATO type band for it, primarily because I liked the color better.

Wish it had a date feature. Never gone swimming with it but it's gotten pretty wet with no issues. I work as an EMT and it's my ED work watch.

No real complaints, well worth what I paid for it. Received several compliments on it including one from a friend who's a real watch enthusiast.

 

[Cosmodragoon]

I remember when Massdrop had the Plus version for around $50. I don't love the dotted-line strap on those but that's less than what the basic model goes for anywhere else. Like so many other things in life, now I wish I jumped on it when I had the chance. I recently clicked to request the drop again but who knows if enough people will get on board.

In the meantime, I've been thinking about a few different colors of the basic version. I hope to get a little more feedback here.

 

[Piso Mojado]

I have owned stainless steel and titanium case Bertucci watches. They were OK beater watches with two quirks that didn't appeal to me, hence the past tense. I assume these quirks carry over to the poly resin case models, but of course I could be wrong and I'd appreciate someone telling me if I am.

Their straps are retained by fixed bars, i.e. steel posts welded into the lugs instead of spring bars. This is military stuff and I don't know of another brand of civilian market watches with fixed bars. Spring bars were introduced as a safety feature so the bracelet or strap couldn't trap you. Remember the drag race in Rebel Without a Cause? Of course the military motto is safety last, and fixed bars will keep the watch on your wrist no matter what.

Fixed bars require a thin one-piece strap — NATO, ZULU, G10, etc. — or an open ended two-piece strap with little flaps secured by metal brads or Chicago screws. The problem with Bertucci is their oddball lug width, 22.5 MM. So you are going to buy replacement straps from Bertucci. Fortunately they are cheap.

Bertucci lume is nothing special. It's like Casio or Vostok lume, 30–60 minutes. Not a deal breaker for me but something to be aware of. If lume is important to you, Luminox Sentry 0215 is entry level for tritium. Check eBay or wait for a sale.



Checking a reliable dealer's site, the DX3's water resistance is "50 meters" i.e. 5 atmospheres. That will keep out a driving rain but it is not submersion-proof. If you're rafting, canoeing, kayaking, any sport where you're liable to go into the water, think about a steel or titanium case Bertucci, they're all rated 100 M WR.

 

[Cosmodragoon]

I've looked at a ton of watches recently. One thing I like about the poly-resin DX3 is the simplicity and contrast of the face. Bertucci's titanium watch faces are just a bit busier. That may seem like a quirky criterion but I have a visual condition which makes that helpful. I can work around it but life is better when I don't have to. Besides saving a hundred bucks in the process, I'm willing to give up the titanium body and sapphire crystal for that increased visual simplicity.

I like that the crown is both off-center and protected. That's a nice feature. I see luminescence more as a bonus feature. It is convenient but by no means necessary. (I also EDC two flashlights and a phone.)