Timex Fairfield 37mm Review - Size Matters - Timex Fairfield Mesh
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Size matters. Or at least the size of your wristwatch does.
This is the 37mm version of the Timex Fairfield and it’s really boosted my appreciation of this watch. I’ve covered the regular ‘men’s’ version a few times before and what you see is what you get.
You get a low cost, minimalist watch that looks pretty good and works well enough. Overall, I like these Fairfield watches, though they’re far from perfect. As you can imagine, considering the price, these only come with a cheap movement, which makes the second hand inconsistent and the watch as a whole is a bit larger than I would like.
The 41mm Fairfield is more of a ‘modern’ size and may be on-trend, but for me, someone with small wrists, it’s pretty large. You’ll notice the lugs extend almost to the edge of my wrists and it doesn’t look very proportionate; like a child wearing his father’s watch. So, although I like the look of the watch, it just hasn’t seen much wrist time.
Timex Fairfield 37mm Review
I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon a 37mm version of the Timex Fairfield. You’ll find a link to it throughout this article. This is a perfect example of why you shouldn’t be put off by a watch listed as ‘unisex’ or ‘ladies’. Looking at these watches side by side, it’s clear they are really the same watch, just in different sizes; there’s no reason a man couldn’t wear this.
I snagged this one for just £40 on Amazon UK, which on reflection was a real bargain. This particular one came fitted with a stainless-steel Milanese strap that’s of surprisingly good quality, it suits the watch and looks great. In the box, there was also an alternative leather strap. This one is quite different to that provided with the 41mm watch and is significantly better; you can tell straight away this will last better over time, though the shape does look a fraction more effeminate. Notably, the lug width is accordingly narrower, coming in at 18mm rather than 20mm, to maintain a proportionate look. Both also come with the quick release tabs, which means you can switch them without any tools.
The Timex Fairfield silver mesh boasts the same strengths as the larger model, you get the minimalist dial with the Indiglo nightlight for easy low light usage. You also get a similar bulbous shape, though due to the size difference, the smaller version squares off more at the edge of the steel case-back.
On wrist, this one looks great on smaller wrists. Mine are 6.25 inches and the significantly shorter lug to lug distance makes a huge difference. In an ideal world, I’d love it if this version were also slimmer than the standard one, alas it is still the same depth.
The reduced size also seems to have come with an unexpected side benefit. The slightly shorter second hands seems to function a little better, due to the movement being more able to support the lighter hand; I guess the shorter distance between the centre and the chapter ring also helps to somewhat neutralise inaccurate ticks.
Are Timex Watches any Good?
Overall, I wanted to share this with you for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I didn’t know this version existed, so I thought I would spread awareness in case you’re looking at this watch.
Additionally, it’s an example of why you should purchase something that suits your individual requirements and not just decide based on the label; especially for watches where the men’s and ladies’ designs are the same or very similar. Nobody would ever know this was sold as a lady’s watch and I’m all the better for it. This version has brought back my love for the Fairfield and I now have a much more wearable watch.
