People are very confused by a field medic watch. Of course hospital personnel wouldn’t need a watch like this. They have machines that do everything for them. I’m a combat medic. We have nothing to plug into a wall and no wall to plug it into. We are limited by medical supply we can fit into a backpack and even then it’s bare bones because we have to run and fight for days with the weight on our backs. The target demographic is a field medic and I like the idea of this watch.
I think that, while this watch was inspired by our struggle against COVID, it appears designed for **Field** Medics (possibly with a lack of equipment) as opposed to ICU Docs/Nurses. I still have no idea if it would be effective in that role, but i think the criteria might be different.
I doubt it. Watches like this are rarely actually useful for the people that the company claims that it would be for. Take the venture wayfarer for example. They claim that it is useful for spelunkers, citing that The 24-hour dial is useful if you don't have sunlight, and people used to use mechanical watches in caves. No duh, quartz watches didn't exist back then, they made do with what they had. If you ask cavers which watches they use, 9 times out of 10 they'll probably tell you that they use the cheapest Casio digital watch they could find at Walmart, they're not going to take a $340 automatic watch into a cave. I have no EMT experience, and I don't know anyone who does, but I see no reason to assume that the same logic does not hold here as well. In theory it's useful, but I bet that there is a different tool or method, not built into a watch, that is far more effective. It includes features that are only useful for watch enthusiasts who likes to fantasize about being in the situation that the watch was designed for. The watch being finely built out of nice materials and being expensive also plays into the fantasy, because part of that fantasy has to do with the idea of tool watches. Super expensive watches that have special functionality, and that people think would make for a rugged practical tool instead of just a piece of jewelry or a fun thing to collect. Sometimes the best tool is the most expensive and most finely built one but that's not always the case, going back to how cavers generally prefer dirt cheap Casio watches.
12 year Paramedic here, I can appreciate them creating a watch targeted for medics. Problem with the watch, however, is a lot of EMS systems are using automatic heart rate and blood pressure readers attached to their cardiac monitors, so a lot of current medics may or may not know how to assess for pulse and respiratory rate manually. Also, that dial is a little difficult to read and I know quite a few of my other medic friends live by the ethos of “Don’t make things more difficult than they already are”.
Hey Doug! Really appreciate you adding that detail about this watch from your experience. I was fascinated about this watch from the looks but clearly cant speak yo the practicality of it.
As a nurse of 25 years I have never use the pulsation measurements since it’s more complicated than just measuring for 30 sec and just doubling rather than messing around trying to read the tiny readout. It sounds redundant but I also would love a digital time readout. Analog is easier for observations and time keeping (you can quickly “judge/see”15/30 minute time blocks) but for documentation the specifics of a digital readout is great. Still looking for my perfect watch. I have also been looking at hybrid watches for the analog face but still be able to check quickly if urgent txt/calls come in but NONE have a seconds hand😧. I know they have timers but if you are taking observations every 10 min it’s much easier to just look at an analog seconds hand.
If a medic doesn't know how to check a pulse or respiration rate then they shouldn't be a medic. That is one of the most basic skills that medics learn.
So I agree with the nurses point on IPC and the nylon not being best for it in a clinical setting as well as the bare below the elbows thing, this however is a military style watch. I’m a combat medic and we wear watches nylon is a favourite with us due to robustness. I really want one of these I really approve of it.
Hey AR, great to see another perspective on this watch. I have been trying to incorporate more of this type of thing into my reviews because I would be useless at knowing if it was useful or not. Do you think you may pick one up?
@@CasualWatchReviews possibly, goign to look at a few more reviews first. Also need to find a similar sized watch and see how it looks on me (I have the wrists of a toddler)
Medical student here, any chronograph is better than a 3 hander for measuring pulse and resp count because the chronograph hand is always zeroed AMD ready to go, you don't have to wait for it to get to 12 or whatever. The scales are useful - ish, it's not too hard to x things by 2 or 12 but in a rush / high stress situation it could be useful. NATO strap is a big no no, they're phasing out elasticated tourniquets in favour of rubber ones. Also yeah you can't wear a watch on your wrist so you've got to either keep it in your pocket or have it on a nurses fob. But as others have mentioned, it's not often a machine won't be telling you all of this anyway. (I carry a Casio F91-w)
3:00 I have a small wrist 6-3/4 and the strap is too small to get a good looking fold-over. opened the stitching and removed the keeper farthest from the buckle. Solved the problem and looks 10x better. Much cleaner look.
I count seconds on my watch. I'm sure with training, i can figure it out? I can say i did work in an ambulance and my eyes fixed on the watch all the time. V checking respers, pulse, contractions, etc. When i transitioned to the Emergency department, i took those habits into triage for traumas and seriously ill patients in triage. Of course i let the monitors do their jobs, but i can a place for this watch. Tactical medics, emergencies off duty, rescue work etc.
I ordered one of these this morning. I'm a health professional but I've done my nursing from a desk for twenty years so I'll probably never use the chrono feature. When I was still in clinical practice I pinned my watch to my tunic and it stayed there till the end of the shift and all I needed was a clear running second hand. So I do think it's maybe not that practical for anyone outside of the military and even they would miss a running second hand, but so what? Do you only wear a diver when you're actually scuba diving? Should only astronauts buy Lunar Pilots? Who really uses a moonphase or GMT complication? It's a great watch, I've wanted a meca-quartz for a while, and I can't wait for it to arrive.
I think you will like it. I travel a lot for work and honestly GMT is very useful, also a lot of people who work for international companies like them so they can track a timezone of another office. Like my podcast co-host Kris uses a GMT for that reason.
@@CasualWatchReviews I think if I was regularly having to deal with colleagues in an office in another timezone I'd soon get used to knowing the time there without really having to think about it. I've always assumed that the purpose of a GMT is to keep track of the time at home if you have a job that means you're constantly traveling to different timezones - or perhaps to subtly signal "I'm a real jetsetter, could be in Acapulco next week, Moscow or Milan a day later...." 😉
Hi Rob, I don't think thats right honestly, I live in the US but am from the UK. I often have to look at another timezone, I don't know it off the top of my head. I think there are that few people who actually notice what watch you wearing, I can't imagine many people wearing a GMT to virtue signal they are international travelers? I have never met any one like that, its arguably one of the most useful complications on a watch after the date. I'm worried you may not like this watch because you are already forming a counter argument for a fantasy scenario where someone will criticize you for owning one? Are you trying to convince yourself you're going to like featured in this watch that you actually don't like, for example, the lack of running seconds? I have confidence you will like it, for me, I know the lack of running seconds and a completely useless 24 hour indicator is not something I value in the VK64 movements.
@@CasualWatchReviews Hi CWR - don't worry! We're both overthinking this. When I said that GMT complications were about signalling one's international traveller credentials, I was thinking of how things were maybe five or six decades ago, when the term 'jet set' was coined. Now, a GMT mostly just adds a bit of interest. The watch arrives tomorrow, I'll let you know what I think!
Nice review, and nice watch Sam. I like the usp of linking watches to its "target" market. Ciuod be used for golf or cricket watches. 24 letters in the phonetic alphabet???? The 24 hr scale.......I was in the emergency services. They are useful if you work shifts . I used to work 0600_1400, among others. In the Winter waking up after the afternoon snooze,there was always that 4 o'clock panic. Its dark. Is it time to get up for work? or time for tea. That said, most just wore g shocks. 7x nights, and you were never quite sure what day it was, never mind the time. I am really enjoying the podcasts btw. Hope the move went smoothly.
Sinn has a much better execution with the 4 blade running seconds hand. With a chronograph you would need to have your left hand on the patients wrist to measure pulse and use your right hand to activate the pusher (I wish I had 3 hands sometimes, tying up both of my hands to get a pulse is extremely limiting). In practical terms a seasoned medic doesn't need a meter on any watch. I can feel 4 pulses and can tell your heart rate with good accuracy just by feeling the frequency. Also with a chronograph you have to worry about bodily fluids getting in/under the pusher.
The watch looks nice. I like that it doesn't look like anything else out there, but it's a little smaller than I would like, and not having moving seconds makes me kind of crazy too. Thanks for another excellent review.
The second hand that you see on the watch is not a second hand it’s the chronograph, the second is on the side or the smaller diameter of where the chronographs typically are. The reason of why is because of taking pulse and respirations.
Hi Chris, thanks for watching. All mecaquartz watches are actually like this. In fact most chronograph watches use the ‘main’ seconds hand as the chronograph elapsed seconds. This watch only has dial markings specifically to measure the pulse not a specific movement. Sorry if that was not clear in the upload,
Nice job once again. Great value to cost. One suggestion: make a solid case back option. As you say, NH mvmnts not special to look at. I love the art on the backs of some watches.
Old comment but for many, this is the only watch they’ll buy and, pretty or not, its still something special to see a gear powered watch work in this day and age
As usual with these ‘professional’ type watches, the answer is no. I’m a pilot and despite people on watch forums insisting some pilot watch features are useful, I’ve yet to see any pilot actually use said features on the job
We talk about this a lot on the podcast. You may find this interview interesting, echos some of your points on aviation watches czcams.com/video/agmOVnUHxdk/video.html
I don’t have a prize or anything but as far as I remember in the 8 years of doing this channel, you’re the first person to comment about not liking no small seconds on a chronograph like me!
@@CasualWatchReviews i like small seconds on a watch. I need something moving on the dial, like you said in your video. I really wanted this watch until i realized it didnt have one🤯 So, i think the Baltic MR01 is my next or a Oris Big Crown Pointer Date.
If any medical professional used that watch to measure my blood pressure, I'd be worried due to the bacteria that would breed within Nylon Nato straps from any sweat. BTW - in Doctors surgeries in the UK, all qualified staff use Omron Blood pressure monitors and that won't be changing anytime soon.
@@CasualWatchReviews Lots going on on the dial, cluttered with stuff I wouldn't use. And no numerals. Having to explain to anyone what is what if asked about the watch, and then explaining I'm not a medic. Personal choice. I'd probably change my mind if I seen the watch in person.
People are very confused by a field medic watch. Of course hospital personnel wouldn’t need a watch like this. They have machines that do everything for them. I’m a combat medic. We have nothing to plug into a wall and no wall to plug it into. We are limited by medical supply we can fit into a backpack and even then it’s bare bones because we have to run and fight for days with the weight on our backs. The target demographic is a field medic and I like the idea of this watch.
My wife is a ICU nurse And said the have to press the button is why it's not practical she suggested a bold large second hand with good marks
I think that, while this watch was inspired by our struggle against COVID, it appears designed for **Field** Medics (possibly with a lack of equipment) as opposed to ICU Docs/Nurses.
I still have no idea if it would be effective in that role, but i think the criteria might be different.
I doubt it. Watches like this are rarely actually useful for the people that the company claims that it would be for. Take the venture wayfarer for example. They claim that it is useful for spelunkers, citing that The 24-hour dial is useful if you don't have sunlight, and people used to use mechanical watches in caves. No duh, quartz watches didn't exist back then, they made do with what they had. If you ask cavers which watches they use, 9 times out of 10 they'll probably tell you that they use the cheapest Casio digital watch they could find at Walmart, they're not going to take a $340 automatic watch into a cave. I have no EMT experience, and I don't know anyone who does, but I see no reason to assume that the same logic does not hold here as well. In theory it's useful, but I bet that there is a different tool or method, not built into a watch, that is far more effective. It includes features that are only useful for watch enthusiasts who likes to fantasize about being in the situation that the watch was designed for. The watch being finely built out of nice materials and being expensive also plays into the fantasy, because part of that fantasy has to do with the idea of tool watches. Super expensive watches that have special functionality, and that people think would make for a rugged practical tool instead of just a piece of jewelry or a fun thing to collect. Sometimes the best tool is the most expensive and most finely built one but that's not always the case, going back to how cavers generally prefer dirt cheap Casio watches.
12 year Paramedic here, I can appreciate them creating a watch targeted for medics. Problem with the watch, however, is a lot of EMS systems are using automatic heart rate and blood pressure readers attached to their cardiac monitors, so a lot of current medics may or may not know how to assess for pulse and respiratory rate manually. Also, that dial is a little difficult to read and I know quite a few of my other medic friends live by the ethos of “Don’t make things more difficult than they already are”.
Hey Doug! Really appreciate you adding that detail about this watch from your experience. I was fascinated about this watch from the looks but clearly cant speak yo the practicality of it.
As a nurse of 25 years I have never use the pulsation measurements since it’s more complicated than just measuring for 30 sec and just doubling rather than messing around trying to read the tiny readout. It sounds redundant but I also would love a digital time readout. Analog is easier for observations and time keeping (you can quickly “judge/see”15/30 minute time blocks) but for documentation the specifics of a digital readout is great. Still looking for my perfect watch. I have also been looking at hybrid watches for the analog face but still be able to check quickly if urgent txt/calls come in but NONE have a seconds hand😧. I know they have timers but if you are taking observations every 10 min it’s much easier to just look at an analog seconds hand.
If a medic doesn't know how to check a pulse or respiration rate then they shouldn't be a medic. That is one of the most basic skills that medics learn.
Really enjoy the case design, haven't seen many attractive "lugless" watches like that.
So I agree with the nurses point on IPC and the nylon not being best for it in a clinical setting as well as the bare below the elbows thing, this however is a military style watch. I’m a combat medic and we wear watches nylon is a favourite with us due to robustness. I really want one of these I really approve of it.
Hey AR, great to see another perspective on this watch. I have been trying to incorporate more of this type of thing into my reviews because I would be useless at knowing if it was useful or not. Do you think you may pick one up?
@@CasualWatchReviews possibly, goign to look at a few more reviews first. Also need to find a similar sized watch and see how it looks on me (I have the wrists of a toddler)
Its the same sized case at the other venture watches, its smaller
Medical student here, any chronograph is better than a 3 hander for measuring pulse and resp count because the chronograph hand is always zeroed AMD ready to go, you don't have to wait for it to get to 12 or whatever. The scales are useful - ish, it's not too hard to x things by 2 or 12 but in a rush / high stress situation it could be useful. NATO strap is a big no no, they're phasing out elasticated tourniquets in favour of rubber ones. Also yeah you can't wear a watch on your wrist so you've got to either keep it in your pocket or have it on a nurses fob.
But as others have mentioned, it's not often a machine won't be telling you all of this anyway. (I carry a Casio F91-w)
Thanks for adding your experience there!! Much appreciated
Fantastic review! Got such a soothing voice and the facebook group is super fun to be a part off! Cool watch!
Thanks for watching!
3:00 I have a small wrist 6-3/4 and the strap is too small to get a good looking fold-over. opened the stitching and removed the keeper farthest from the buckle. Solved the problem and looks 10x better. Much cleaner look.
Nice review.
I agree, i would need running seconds. Personally, too small for me, its a nice watch but definitely not for me.
Yep I love running seconds on a watch!
I count seconds on my watch. I'm sure with training, i can figure it out? I can say i did work in an ambulance and my eyes fixed on the watch all the time. V checking respers, pulse, contractions, etc. When i transitioned to the Emergency department, i took those habits into triage for traumas and seriously ill patients in triage. Of course i let the monitors do their jobs, but i can a place for this watch. Tactical medics, emergencies off duty, rescue work etc.
I ordered one of these this morning. I'm a health professional but I've done my nursing from a desk for twenty years so I'll probably never use the chrono feature. When I was still in clinical practice I pinned my watch to my tunic and it stayed there till the end of the shift and all I needed was a clear running second hand. So I do think it's maybe not that practical for anyone outside of the military and even they would miss a running second hand, but so what? Do you only wear a diver when you're actually scuba diving? Should only astronauts buy Lunar Pilots? Who really uses a moonphase or GMT complication? It's a great watch, I've wanted a meca-quartz for a while, and I can't wait for it to arrive.
I think you will like it. I travel a lot for work and honestly GMT is very useful, also a lot of people who work for international companies like them so they can track a timezone of another office. Like my podcast co-host Kris uses a GMT for that reason.
@@CasualWatchReviews I think if I was regularly having to deal with colleagues in an office in another timezone I'd soon get used to knowing the time there without really having to think about it. I've always assumed that the purpose of a GMT is to keep track of the time at home if you have a job that means you're constantly traveling to different timezones - or perhaps to subtly signal "I'm a real jetsetter, could be in Acapulco next week, Moscow or Milan a day later...." 😉
Hi Rob, I don't think thats right honestly, I live in the US but am from the UK. I often have to look at another timezone, I don't know it off the top of my head. I think there are that few people who actually notice what watch you wearing, I can't imagine many people wearing a GMT to virtue signal they are international travelers? I have never met any one like that, its arguably one of the most useful complications on a watch after the date.
I'm worried you may not like this watch because you are already forming a counter argument for a fantasy scenario where someone will criticize you for owning one? Are you trying to convince yourself you're going to like featured in this watch that you actually don't like, for example, the lack of running seconds? I have confidence you will like it, for me, I know the lack of running seconds and a completely useless 24 hour indicator is not something I value in the VK64 movements.
@@CasualWatchReviews Hi CWR - don't worry! We're both overthinking this. When I said that GMT complications were about signalling one's international traveller credentials, I was thinking of how things were maybe five or six decades ago, when the term 'jet set' was coined. Now, a GMT mostly just adds a bit of interest. The watch arrives tomorrow, I'll let you know what I think!
Yes, very interested to know what you think!
Nice review, and nice watch Sam. I like the usp of linking watches to its "target" market. Ciuod be used for golf or cricket watches. 24 letters in the phonetic alphabet???? The 24 hr scale.......I was in the emergency services. They are useful if you work shifts . I used to work 0600_1400, among others. In the Winter waking up after the afternoon snooze,there was always that 4 o'clock panic. Its dark. Is it time to get up for work? or time for tea. That said, most just wore g shocks. 7x nights, and you were never quite sure what day it was, never mind the time. I am really enjoying the podcasts btw. Hope the move went smoothly.
Great insight from Luke!
Yep totally agree!
Sinn has a much better execution with the 4 blade running seconds hand. With a chronograph you would need to have your left hand on the patients wrist to measure pulse and use your right hand to activate the pusher (I wish I had 3 hands sometimes, tying up both of my hands to get a pulse is extremely limiting). In practical terms a seasoned medic doesn't need a meter on any watch. I can feel 4 pulses and can tell your heart rate with good accuracy just by feeling the frequency. Also with a chronograph you have to worry about bodily fluids getting in/under the pusher.
Thanks for adding all that Daniel!
Sinn's 4-blade design is quite nice... it's also literally ten times the price.
The watch looks nice. I like that it doesn't look like anything else out there, but it's a little smaller than I would like, and not having moving seconds makes me kind of crazy too. Thanks for another excellent review.
Great review Sam and Luke.
Thanks Don!
The second hand that you see on the watch is not a second hand it’s the chronograph, the second is on the side or the smaller diameter of where the chronographs typically are. The reason of why is because of taking pulse and respirations.
Hi Chris, thanks for watching. All mecaquartz watches are actually like this. In fact most chronograph watches use the ‘main’ seconds hand as the chronograph elapsed seconds. This watch only has dial markings specifically to measure the pulse not a specific movement. Sorry if that was not clear in the upload,
Nice job once again. Great value to cost. One suggestion: make a solid case back option. As you say, NH mvmnts not special to look at. I love the art on the backs of some watches.
Old comment but for many, this is the only watch they’ll buy and, pretty or not, its still something special to see a gear powered watch work in this day and age
As usual with these ‘professional’ type watches, the answer is no.
I’m a pilot and despite people on watch forums insisting some pilot watch features are useful, I’ve yet to see any pilot actually use said features on the job
We talk about this a lot on the podcast. You may find this interview interesting, echos some of your points on aviation watches czcams.com/video/agmOVnUHxdk/video.html
No small seconds, no go!
I don’t have a prize or anything but as far as I remember in the 8 years of doing this channel, you’re the first person to comment about not liking no small seconds on a chronograph like me!
@@CasualWatchReviews i like small seconds on a watch. I need something moving on the dial, like you said in your video. I really wanted this watch until i realized it didnt have one🤯 So, i think the Baltic MR01 is my next or a Oris Big Crown Pointer Date.
Yep I totally agree! I thought I was on my own with not liking watches with no movement on the dial!
@@CasualWatchReviews it has to have some kind of movement!
Boldr website states this is 14mm thickness. Im confused which is correct.
Hi, I honestly can’t remember it’s been that long since I did the review. I have calipers so usually double check the measurements
@@CasualWatchReviews its actually 12mm thick without the nylon, I think your measurement is with nylon.
If any medical professional used that watch to measure my blood pressure, I'd be worried due to the bacteria that would breed within Nylon Nato straps from any sweat. BTW - in Doctors surgeries in the UK, all qualified staff use Omron Blood pressure monitors and that won't be changing anytime soon.
But the watch aren't measuring blood pressure? 😅
its nice.. but i like my watches with a second hand so not for me ..... cheers
Yep me too!
24 hours dial is great when you have to run a triage in an underground bunker :p
Hey Jim... I actually thought when editing that I'm going to get commented some very specific use cases for it! maybe its worth a video on its own!
No doctor uses a watch like this. All those measurements are already automated with a BP cuff that you would find in any hospital or medical clinic.
I believe this is more targeted towards those in combat conditions
I love the look of this watch, BUT, I won't purchase it as although I do love the look, its not practical as a 'watch'!
Thats interesting, why do you feel that? Its very legible, lightweight, accurate quartz movement?
@@CasualWatchReviews Lots going on on the dial, cluttered with stuff I wouldn't use. And no numerals. Having to explain to anyone what is what if asked about the watch, and then explaining I'm not a medic. Personal choice. I'd probably change my mind if I seen the watch in person.
You come across like a paid commercial.
Well it sort of was one!