Sekonda Altitude
A Proper Field Watch for Bargain Money
Some watches come into my collection because I've been specifically looking for them. Others need repairing, restoring or bringing back from years of neglect.
The Sekonda Altitude 30034 was much simpler than that.
I stumbled across it while browsing Vinted. It was unused, still boxed, and at £18 it seemed far too good a deal to ignore. I liked the look of it immediately, and being a fan of practical field watches, it didn't take much convincing for me to buy it.
And sometimes those completely unplanned purchases turn out to be some of the most enjoyable watches to own.
Classic Field Watch Styling
The Sekonda Altitude 30034 isn't trying to reinvent the field watch. If anything, that's one of the reasons I like it.
The brown dial features large cream-coloured Arabic numerals with a smaller 13-24 hour scale inside them. A large triangle marks 12 o'clock, while the minute track around the outside keeps everything clear and easy to read.
There's also a small date window at 6 o'clock, which adds some everyday practicality without cluttering up what is otherwise a very clean dial.
The hands are large and generously proportioned, and the combination of the hands, hour markers and straightforward dial layout gives the watch exactly the sort of instant legibility you'd expect from a field-style watch.
Brown, Bronze and Leather
For me, the colour combination is what really makes this particular Altitude stand out.
The 42mm bronze-coloured case works brilliantly with the brown dial and brown leather strap. Rather than looking like a modern watch that's simply been given some military-inspired numerals, the colours give it a warmer, slightly aged appearance straight out of the box.
It's certainly not subtle, but neither is it flashy.
The case measures 42mm across and the leather strap is 22mm wide, so this isn't a tiny traditional military watch. It's a modern interpretation of the style and has enough wrist presence without becoming excessive.
Simple Quartz Reliability
Inside is a straightforward analogue quartz movement from Japan.
There's no solar charging, radio timekeeping, Bluetooth or collection of complications to play with. You get hours, minutes, seconds and a date.
And I'm perfectly happy with that.
A watch like this doesn't need to be complicated. Part of the appeal of a field watch is being able to put it on, glance at the time and get on with whatever you're doing.
50 Metres Water Resistance
The Altitude is rated to 50 metres water resistance, which is perfectly reasonable for this type of everyday watch. Personally, I'd always be a little more cautious around water with a leather-strapped watch anyway.
It's not pretending to be a dive watch, nor does it need to.
An £18 Vinted Find
There's no dramatic restoration story behind this one.
I simply found it on Vinted, liked it and bought it.
Mine arrived unused and still in its box for £18, which makes it difficult to criticise from a value-for-money perspective.
More importantly, though, it doesn't look like an £18 watch.
Put it on the wrist without knowing what it cost and the combination of the large brown dial, bronze-coloured case and leather strap gives it considerably more character than the price would suggest.
The Casio Collector Verdict
The Sekonda Altitude 30034 isn't an expensive watch, and it doesn't pretend to be one.
What it does offer is a very attractive take on the classic field-watch formula. It's simple, extremely easy to read, practical and has enough character to make it interesting.
The brown dial and bronze-coloured case are the stars of the show for me. Pairing them with a brown leather strap gives the whole watch a slightly vintage military feel without going overboard with the styling.
Would I have been happy with it at its normal retail price? …. Yea, I think it's a decent watch for the money.
But for the £18 I paid for an unused, boxed example? Absolutely.
It's proof that enjoying watches doesn't have to involve spending hundreds - sometimes a random Vinted find can be every bit as satisfying.
The Casio Collector Rating: 8/10
Specifications
Model: Sekonda Altitude 30034
Display: Analogue
Movement: Quartz
Case Width: 42mm
Case Colour: Bronze
Dial Colour: Brown
Strap: Brown leather
Strap Width: 22mm
Water Resistance: 50 metres
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
Dial Layout: Arabic 12-hour numerals with inner 24-hour scale
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