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In my best field watches roundup, I mentioned an up-and-coming brand called Bertucci. This American company stands out from the crowd, I mean, just look at them! Their super chunky lugs almost look like the shoulders of that giant soldier from the movie Troy (Boagrius).
So, they may not be the sleekest of timepieces, but they're not really meant to be, are they? Bertucci is laser-focused on durable field watches, and when you prioritize function, form often plays second fiddle.
Over the years, I've covered some real bargains in this category, but how do these oddballs compare? Is there any incentive to pick this over well-known options like the Timex Weekenderor the bargain Lorus field watches?
Bertucci A-1S
The two I have here look similar on the surface but are actually quite different. The smaller option is the A-1S, the S standing for steel, which is what the case is constructed of. Funnily enough, the Bertucci website doesn't specify what grade of stainless steel this is.
I emailed them to check; they confirmed it is indeed 316L, which is the industry standard material. This is more durable than the chromed brass used in most Timex field watches that typically retail for the same price as Bertucci.
This model comes in with a compact 35.9mm diameter, 10.8mm thickness, and a 44.9mm lug to lug length, meaning it's particularly viable for smaller arms.
It's to be noted, you can get virtually identical steel options in 30mm, 40mm, and 45mm. The naming scheme is a bit overwhelming, but it's brilliant to have such a range of options nonetheless. All of you readingwill be able to find a model that fits you nicely.
Bertucci A-2T
Not only do they have multiple sizes, but they also have a wide variety of other materials, including anodized aluminumand polycarbonate.
The larger, more expensive A-2T I have here is constructed of titanium; a Ben's Watch Club favorite I must admit. Titanium is a great choice for budget field watches due to its lightweight yet durable performance. Typically, the trade-off is inferior case finishing, as titanium, especially when coated, is harder to work with than stainless steel. However, these issues are usually averted when the brand uses simplistic matte finishing methods like the sandblasting used here.
Interestingly, Bertucci offers four different finishes on their titanium watches, depending on the model you purchase. I can't speak to the execution of the high-polish models. Still, I'd be tempted to stick to the three matte versions, as the glossy ones look like cheaper chromed brass in online videos. Scratches on such a reflective surface will surely be more pronounced, especially given the fact Bertucci lists it as having no additional coating or plating either.
This sandblasted model feels like it has some sort of coating, though it isn't specified on the Bertucci website. Remarkably, the surface feels more resilient than the titanium used in the usually far pricier Casio Lineage watch I own, which has accrued a number of scratches over the years.
The A-1S steel watch has a more typical brushed finish, which again looks decent enough, though won't be winning any awards. While the flanks, bezel, and rear are all very well cut, both models have obvious imperfections in the area between the lugs. These aren't noticeable unless you're looking for them, as the case often shades them, but they are a tad unsightly and reveal that these are budget watches.
Case Shape
Something that initially confused me was the angled cutout on the steel watch. Now, obviously, cutouts are used to aid the functionality of the pass-through strap, that's a given. Still, I thought the angle looked a bit off compared to normal. A shallower angle would certainly look more streamlined when the strap is fitted. Maybe that remains true, though when fiddling with the strap, I realized that the tall cutout enables smoother strap changes, especially when considering the sewn-in keepers toward the end of the band, which may otherwise not fit through the gap at all.
You've probably also glimpsed one of Bertucci's unique hallmarks by now too. That being the solid, immovable bars between the lugs. These are both good and bad. They're good in the sense that they remove a common point of failure, the spring bars, but as a result of that, you are limited to pass-through straps like the stock Zulu-style bands. In all honesty, the default options are decent enough for most people; just don't bank on switching it out for a two-piece to reduce the overall thickness. With the stock strap, the effective thickness is boosted to 12.5mm for the A-1S and 13mm for the A-2T, so they are a little chunky.
Bezel
One reason they're quite deep is that the bezels are raised above the crystals, providing added protection from side-on impacts. Glancing blows are probably the most common way damage occurs with wristwatches, which this design will help prevent; it's unlikely you'll smash your watch via a square-on impact. If that latter did occur against a flat surface, the raised bezel would again save the crystal. Still, if a sharp object did surpass the bezel, the mineral crystal fitted to both models would likely scratch. In my crystal scratch tests, I found that mineral is far more susceptible than sapphire.
If you're paying under $100 for these, that's acceptable, but sapphire is often the expected material at higher price points.
Water Resistance
Unlike the MVMT Field I reviewed not too long ago, both have grippy screw-down crowns that, combined with the substantial screwed rears, solidify the water resistance ratings of 100m and 200m, respectively. I'd have no fear submerging either of these for extended durations if required.
The rears themselves harbor militarized engravings, including specifics about each model. One particularly useful inscription they include is each movement's battery type; you don't have to waste time disassembling and then reassembling the watch to discover what cell you need to buy when it dies. Really handy; I wish more brands would do this.
Something I'd love to see in the future from Bertucci is a solar field watch, which would remove the need for battery changes altogether.
Lume
Low-light performance is decent, and the pips at the circumference seem to last particularly well, so either model should perform when camping or on other nightly escapades. Bertucci does have some models with tritium tubes, should you want longer-lasting performance at the expense of initial brightness.
Watch Movement
The A-1S contains a basic Miyota quartz movement. It's unmarked but I believe it's the same Miyota 2315 that featured in my Stuhrling review. Again, this really is a cheap movement that works and is accurate enough, but is nothing special. Don't expect good second-hand alignment with these, as the 2315 tends to have an inconsistent tick that doesn't always line up perfectly.
I was defeated by the rear on the titanium model, I tried two different tools, but it wouldn't budge no matter what I tried. I'd hazard a guess it's another, similar Miyota, but don't quote me on that.
Dial Design
Visually, both are quite similar, and, in a surprise to no one, they both look like field watches. Both dials have the stereotypical bold outer numbers and compact inner 24-hour ring that you'll find on most other options, though the font choice and proportions are a little different than most other watches. The lume pips here are quite small, and the hour numbers are positioned pretty close to the outside. Outside of those dots, everything here is printed onto the surface, giving a simple, utilitarian result whose legibility exceeds its quality.
Uniqueness comes in the form of the second hand, which has a spade handle-like counterbalance, that's subtle but cleverly executed.
Final Thoughts
Overall, these are functional watches that could be ideal if you're looking for something that delivers rugged looks and performance. They've got some clever touches that do set them apart from more generic field watches that are normally hard to discern from one another.
Unfortunately, these Bertucci watches have one huge problem…price. In the UK, these have recently been shooting up in price to the extent that they're now selling for double what they were a few months ago. Whether this is due to limited availability because of shipping problems, it's unclear. I doubt it's to do with increased seasonaldemand, as Bertucci doesn't have much market presence here in the UK, and these price jumps started well before the typical festive rush.
For over £120 and £170 quid a pop at the time of publishing, these entry-level watches simply aren't worth buying as of early2023, despite the high review scores on Amazon. I'd certainly wait a few months and see if prices return to previous levels. Currently, you can get superior options for a similar amount or less in many markets outside the US.
