The Marloe Haskell range includes some of the best Field Watches available today. The design on all Haskell variants is of the highest level and they arguably come close to being “best in class”, edging out some of the big names who traditionally hold dominance over the genre. The Haskell Sand is the last model now available in the collection and we were lucky enough to test one recently.
Back in 2020 we thoroughly tested the Haskell Field Standard and absolutely loved it. It was a pure Field Watch with no pretensions about being anything else. It was designed for purpose and not an evolution of a military watch as, for example, is the Hamilton Khaki Mechanical.
The Haskell Range is inspired by the story of Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his arduous trek to reach the South Pole. This is of course a famous tale of endurance against odds typifying the spirit of exploration. All Haskell models, except one, have a beautifully engraved caseback of either a map of the Antarctic or Ross Island where Scott’s journey began.
We covered the Haskell’s technical specifications in considerable detail in the previous review so we won’t re-tread old ground now, suffice it to say that the quality of manufacture was excellent and the hand-wound Sellita SW-215-1 was buttery smooth. Internally the Haskell Sand and the Field Standard are identical, however externally there are some major differences.
The Field Standard had a green dial and a uniquely engraved compass on the case back. The Sand comes from a very different design ethos. It is clearly a Haskell and built as a Field Watch, but superficially it bears little resemblance to the Field Standard.
Gone are the simple lumed numbers replaced by gun metal batons and lumed squares extending from a prominently curved rehaut and minute track. The batons lead into raised, metallic numerals which add depth to the watch face. The recessed date window of the Field is also removed in favour of a raised portal reminiscent of the magnifying glass in a lensatic compass. Previous heavy syringe hands have been changed to more subtle metallic hands with just the smallest lumed dots at the extremity.
The star of the Haskell Sand is the dial, which has a heavily textured design in a metallic sand (almost gold) colour. Contrary to what you may initially think there is quite a lot of sand in the Antarctic in the form of beaches, plains and even some dunes, so the Sand addition to the Haskell range is very much in keeping with all the terrain found in the region.
The caseback has a very detailed map-style engraving of the Antarctic region with compass bearings and meridians, a serial number and technical details.
The Haskell Sand is offered with a wide selection of quality straps from Marloe, sixteen in total so there is plenty of OEM choice from leather to metal to military style. However, we always like to put our own spin on beautiful watches so here is our homegrown choice of alternate straps for the Marloe Haskell Sand.
SEAQUAL® Upcycled Fabric ZULUDIVER Watch Strap - £28
ZULUDIVER has made this replacement watch strap using SEAQUAL® responsible manufactured woven fabric that is made from upcycled marine plastic found on the ocean floor and surface. I selected the Khaki strap as it worked well with the Haskell Sand.
The lining material is made from apple skins and core waste recovered from the food industry and processed to make a highly durable material comparable to genuine leather. Which makes this a great choice for the environmentally conscious person.
Vintage Highley Genuine Leather - Reddish Brown - £58
The Vintage Highley is very much a staple in the WatchGecko range of leather straps. It’s proven to be incredibly popular among customers and continues to be a top seller. On the Haskell Sand, it is very much in keeping with the vintage Field Watch look.
This is a generous strap in every way. It’s thickly padded (6mm thick at the lug end) and made from the very best Italian vegetable-tanned, full-grain leather. The supple pull-up leather is oiled and will age with grace, picking up patina as it’s worn. This strap is well-suited to a huge variety of mid-size to large watches, from dive watches to field watches. The Highley incorporates quick-release spring bars for easy strap changes.
ZULUDIVER No Time To Die Bond Watch Strap – Polished - £20
The ZULUDIVER Herringbone is made from high-strength nylon webbing and fitted with classic polished hardware. The nylon is silky smooth, providing a softer feel, and its reflective iridescent quality means the colours change when seen from different angles.
This particular colour palate really suits the Haskell Sand and is inspired by the military style strap seen in the James Bond film, No Time To Die. This is a standard style military, measuring 300mm, and measures 1.2mm in thickness.
The Marloe Haskell Sand is yet another superb Field Watch from this innovative British watch manufacturer. At £599 it is at the higher end of some Field Watch prices but the quality really shines through when you handle the watch. Just strap the Haskell on and it makes you want to don your Merrell’s and rucksack and set out. Very quickly it will become part of your go-to exploring kit.
