Big Idea Design Ti Base Line Field Watch Review

It was only a matter of time.

That’s right folks; I’m getting into watches. And, wouldn’t you know it, a pen brand I already know and love also has a line of EDC-style titanium timepieces! From the makers of the most refillable pens on the planet comes the Ti Base Line Field Watch, an affordable entry point to the wider world of watches with Big Idea Design’s signature style.

Ti Base Line Field Watch

Big Idea Design’s base line moniker applies to a series of products designed to provide what the name implies: a simplified iteration of a product line which functions reliably, but is less feature-packed than other models. Base Line products are also positioned at a lower price point, which is very relevant to my interests.

Field Watches are pretty much exactly what the name implies: A watch intended for use in the field. Watches in this category will typically feature a dial that is easy to read in most conditions, and a crown that is easy to use even if you’re wearing gloves. They typically have numeric faces, and may also include a 24-hour clock in smaller markings, and a utility-forward in design with minimal extras.

At a glance, the Ti Base Line Field Watch is understated, bordering on simple. The dial uses lined hour markers with small minute marks around the perimeter, and numerical indicators at each quarter-hour. The hands and hours glow in the dark with Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9, which allows for a period of glow-in-the-dark visibility (permitting the watch was recently exposed to light). The face is protected by a flat sapphire crystal which should resist cracks and scratches better than glass or other poly-material “crystals.” The sapphire will be more costly to replace should it somehow break. The watch uses a 40mm round titanium case which measures 48mm lug-to-lug. BigIDesign ships the Base Line with a leather-backed canvas strap which you can easily swap out for your 20mm wide watch band, strap, or bracelet of choice.

One of the watch’s standout features is the movement. The beating heart of the Ti Baseline is the Seiko/TMI VH31 Mecha-Quartz movement which provides mechanical-style motion with quartz-tier accuracy. Rather than the second-to-second tick of a clock, you get a sweeping or “hacking” second hand which circles the dial in near-perpetual motion.

The movement is powered by a standard 371 watch battery stored behind a quick-access cover that can be opened with a flathead screwdriver, a quarter, or BigIDesign’s Ti Pry Bar for example. No special skills or professional tools needed when the time comes to replace it.

Throughout my time getting to know this watch, I wore the stock strap briefly but decided the light color wasn’t my style. The leather-backed canvas strap is comfortable, but does take some breaking-in. I also appreciate the quick-release spring-rods built-in to the straps. This extra detail makes them both easy to swap and, more importantly, incapable of springing off into the void (my office floor) whenever the mood to change it strikes. I ordered BID‘s NATO strap, which adds a real in-the-field feel to the watch, while adding a little more titanium to the setup. I even tested a few metal bracelet options, but it’s difficult to match the titanium’s finish with cheaper steel. I’ve currently landed on an old stock leather strap, but there are really no wrong answers when it comes to personal taste.

There are a lot of large watches out there and I don’t have a very large wrist, so 48mm is about as wide as I care to go. The watch wears comfortably flat on the wrist, and its flat profile keeps it from catching sleeve cuffs. I also deeply appreciate the material construction of this piece. As a person of clumsy disposition, I feel confident that it can withstand accidental bumps on desks and doorways, if and when they happen.

Overall I have really enjoyed using the Ti Base Line Field Watch. The value consideration of buying a watch is different from buying a fountain pen, but there are a few analogues (pun intended). You can expect to pay a premium for specialty materials like titanium and sapphire. Seiko’s brand reputation certainly raises the base price, but you are getting a reliable product. And, of course, you’re buying from a small business that has different cost structures than a Timex or an Omega. At the end of the day, my personal calculations on all that adds up to the Ti Base Line Field Watch being a pretty good value at $199. This is not a watch you’d pick up on a whim, but rather one you choose, cherish, and carry as far as you can. Well worth the investment, in this pen nerd’s opinion.

Once again, a huge thanks to Big Idea Design for providing this watch for review! Be sure to check out the Base Line, Automatic, and Solar Driven field watches, as well as their EDC pens, knives, and tools!