Beaucroft takes field watches head on with the new Element
Russell Sheldrake- The Element is Beaucroft’s first field watch, but not necessarily following the expected aesthetic cues.
- It measures in at 39.5mm in diameter, with a 200-metre water-resistant steel case being 11.7mm thick.
- The pre-order pricing of US$549 is expected to rise to a US$675 retail price.
Detail-oriented design can be a bit of a buzz word in the watch industry, but when it’s done right, it can really make a difference. Beaucroft is a small British independent brand based out of Cambridge, and its newest release, the Element, appears to have all of its details well-considered. With this being the young brand’s first venture into field watches, it makes this even more impressive. And it seems to be a bit of a trend for British brands to be releasing field watches at the moment.
The Element is at a size sweet spot, measuring 39.5mm across, 46.5mm lug-to-lug, and 11.7mm thick, it will fit most wrists, but more importantly, it won’t get in the way of anything staying under 12mm in thickness. Inside this tight package is the Miyota 9039, an thin automatic movement that is the highest-end offering from the Japanese movement manufacturer that does away with the date disc. And it’s kept safe with 200 metres of water resistance, which is an impressive rating considering the slender profile of the case.
But the detail that has really impressed me is the bracelet. Its screwed, fully articulated links start at 20mm wide at the lugs and taper down to 16mm at the clasp with on-the-fly micro-adjustment. All of these elements are what you might expect in a watch retailing for five times as much as this Beaucroft.
While most field watches take the route of practicality over everything else, the dials on the Element are a bit more colourful than you would normally find. With this multi-layered dial available in orange, teal, green, navy, and mint green, it quickly becomes something to accessorise with, but practicality hasn’t been completely forgotten about with plenty of lume on the applied markers and hands.
The watch is currently available for pre-order until November 25 for a reduced rate of US$549, with the standard retail price being US$675, making the Element an incredible value proposition for a tough field watch that offers great flexibility in terms of dial options.
Beaucroft Element pricing and availability
The Beaucroft Element is available for pre-order now until November 25 through the brand’s website, when it will be available at full retail price. Price: US$549 (pre-order), US$675 (RRP).
| Brand | Beaucroft |
| Model | Element |
| Reference | N/A |
| Case Dimensions | 39.5mm (D) x 11.7mm (T) x 46.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Double-domed sapphire |
| Dial | Fume green, teal, mint green, navy, orange |
| Strap | Matching bracelet with micro-adjustment in clasp |
| Movement | Miyota 9039 |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Pre-order open now |
| Price | Pre-oder: US$549, Regular: US$675 |