The Delma Cayman Field Watch (Hands-On)

If you read MONOCHROME regularly, you know that we have a certain predilection for high horology… Still, we love watchmaking in general and also look at the entire market spectrum, which includes more accessible watches. We have our criteria, though, as mechanical is the first rule. Second, there has to be great value for the money. And here comes Delma, a Swiss manufacturer that has been making watches for decades and now specialises in accessible tool watches. Following a strong collection of dive watches, including an instrument watch with a depth rating of 4,000 metres, the brand also launched an all-terrain field watch. Today we take a look at this Delma Cayman Field Watch, a high-performance value proposition.

In the past years, Delma has built a strong collection of aquatic or nautical watches, all with attractive designs, respectable automatic movements and very satisfying quality. This includes the impressive Blue Shark III, a watch made to explore great depths (pressure-resistant to 400 ATM or 4,000 metres), or the Cayman Automatic, a classic diver’s model with 500m water-resistance and slightly vintage design, all of that for a fraction of the price of the usual suspects.

Built around the same case, bezel and movement as the classic Cayman – which is also available with a GMT movement and world time bezel – the streak of military inspiration behind the Field model does not compromise the specifications found on the previous models. In this instance, the case hasn’t been modified and ensures the same 500m water-resistance with a screw-down crown and a thick domed sapphire crystal – with a pretty good anti-reflective coating. The case measures 42mm in diameter and 13.3mm in height, which feels quite reasonable considering its robustness.

In addition to being advertised as a “field” watch, the Delma Cayman Field retains the unidirectional bezel of the classic model. A 60-minute scale is printed on a black anodised aluminium insert and a luminous pearl marks the zero position, day or night. It means that this watch, which is primarily made for exploration on land, is also a very capable dive watch. In short, a watch for all adventures. The case is made of classic 316L stainless steel and has brushed surfaces with nice polished bevels on the sides of lugs, reinforcing the overall feel of quality. Considering the price (below 1K Swiss francs), it really feels like a well-executed piece.

What truly changes with this Delma Cayman Field Watch is the dial. Gone is the sunray-brushed surface of the classic models with the applied dots as hour markers. Instead, this new edition comes with a matte black dial with painted baton markers and Arabic numerals at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock – all coated with beige Super-LumiNova. Another cool feature is the presence of a secondary hour scale, graduated from 13 to 24, as an ode to past military/field watches. The date sits at 3 o’clock and is outlined in white. Simple yet legible rhodium-plated hands indicate the time.

Inside the case, the brand has fitted a Sellita automatic movement, the tried-and-tested SW 200-1, a clone of the venerable ETA 2824 architecture. Solid, precise enough and easy to service, it is a reasonable choice that keeps the price in check. It is visible through a sapphire caseback with a gilt rotor and the Delma logo.

Finally, to reinforce the military, exploration-like look of the watch, Delma offers its Cayman Field on a rugged light khaki canvas strap. It is closed by a steel pin buckle. You can also choose a black rubber strap or a mesh stainless steel bracelet.

Availability & Price

The Delma Cayman Field is now available from retailers and the brand’s website. It is priced at CHF 990, which is very decent considering the overall quality of the watch.

For more details and orders, please visit www.delma.ch.