The field watch: A wrist-wear essential

One of the biggest trends in watches is the rise of the military or field watch. More specifically, I am referring to a timepiece with a "NATO" strap. A "NATO" or "G10" strap is a highly durable strap usually made of nylon inspired by the military-issued watches given to officers in the British Ministry of Defence in the early 70s. When first made, such straps were only made in solid grey, but the modern iterations have a multitude of solid and two-tone colour combinations. The wide array of colour schemes makes the "field" watch a very versatile choice when it comes to accessorizing your outfit. For instance, an all-black outfit may call for a sleek all-black watch strap, whereas a colourful outfit may require some "matching colour" in the strap to complement the look. Whether you want to add ruggedness to counterbalance a conservative suit, or dress up a casual look, the military watch "plays well" with all. The added bonus is the relatively low-cost of adding other straps to your collection, allowing flexibility to match mood or outfit. Here is a collection of military watches we love, to consider adding to your "wrist-repertoire"!

This Daniel Wellington watch features Japanese movement and a durable canvas band with buckle closure. The iconic blue, white and red strap will add a little pop to any outfit, and the white face and rose gold casing combo adds a nice level of sophistication to the mix.

Daniel Wellington Cambridge Watch, $255, at Revolve.

Timex is known for creating a lot of military-inspired watches and the "Weekender" may be the most iconic. I love the traditional olive military strap and it matches perfectly with the cream-coloured face.

Timex Weekender Slip Thru Watch, $85.00, at END.

This MWC G10 Military watch is a beautiful, sleek option. The all black colour would go well with a jet black suit, but would also work as a low-key option paired with a T-shirt and jeans. I like that the hardware is also blacked out giving it a very minimal and clean aesthetic.

MWC G10 Military Watch, $130, at Frank + Oak.

Stepping up in quality and price this Hamilton Khaki Field watch is an example of a timepiece which has equal parts ruggedness and elegance. I like the matching khaki colour of the face and strap, it's a nice contrast to the "luxe" stainless steel casing. Not just a pretty face, this puppy is water-resistant to 100m perfect for the elegant outdoorsman!

Hamilton Khaki Field Watch, $795, at Hamilton.

Our designer pick is definitely a splurge. This Gucci Dive 45mm watch features the signature Gucci red and green strap colour, and rotating bezel. The Gucci "renaissance" is in full swing this season, and this little wrist dandy is exhibit A.

Gucci Dive Watch, $1035, at Gucci.

Joe Amio is a creator, curator and menswear aficionado, find him on instagram @joeisthenewblack.