Hands-On: The ADPT Series 1 Watch
A quick look around the industry will reveal that sport and tool watches are easily among the most popular types of timepieces currently available. However, it goes without saying that most people who wear them don’t actually need their highly specific, purpose-built features. A perfect example of this is the popularity of dive watches: The majority of people who wear them don’t scuba dive at all, and even those who do probably also wear dive computers, meaning that their watch really just needs to be something with enough water resistance that it can be worn while diving, rather than being something that actually meets all of the strict criteria of ISO 6425. In reality, dive watches are popular simply because they are durable, highly water-resistant, and feature legible dials with the added utility of rotating timing bezels. Consequently, I’ve always appreciated the various wristwatches that are built for a rugged and active life but are not specifically designed for one specific sport or activity to the point that it almost feels disingenuous to wear the watch on the days when you spend most of your time sitting in front of a computer.
With that in mind, most of the watches that occupy this category don’t actually lean into the everyday tool watch concept. Many models will take the approach of being a fairly classically styled timepiece with enough durability to survive most outdoor adventures, but I often find that these designs are a bit more formal and resplendent than I want to wear on an everyday basis. Others will more or less present what could be considered a variation of the classic field watch, but I often wish that they offered some additional utility, whether that comes in the form of a second time zone display or even just the ability to track elapsed time with a bezel or chronograph. I live a fairly active life, but I’m never doing just one type of activity with such frequency that I need my all-day, everyday watch to be specifically designed for it. Like most people who wear sports watches, the vast majority of the time, I really just need a multi-purpose timekeeping companion that can keep up with an outdoor lifestyle and fit into a wide variety of different scenarios. Consequently, when I heard about the ADPT Series 1 watch, which aims to provide exactly that type of timepiece, I happily took the opportunity to put it through its paces for a hands-on review.
For those not familiar with ADPT, the brand was started by the Worn & Wound crew and made its formal debut in 2017. The ADPT name stands for “All Day Purpose and Terrain” and this name appropriately describes both the overall spirit of the company and the scope of its products. Originally, ADPT was created to produce 100% American-made nylon watch straps, and the company has expanded its offerings to include a handful of other EDC-related gear, such as travel pouches, kerchiefs, and shirts. The ADPT Series 1 watch represents an entirely new chapter for the brand and represents the first watch to feature the ADPT name on the dial. Additionally, there aren’t any smoke and mirrors happening in terms of the origin of the watches themselves, and ADPT openly states that the Series 1 is produced in collaboration with BOLDR Supply Co. (this is even engraved along the rim of the caseback). Furthermore, the foundation of the Series 1 is based upon BOLDR’s popular field watch platform, although the ADPT Series 1 is quite a bit more than just a dial variation of an existing model.
Crafted from titanium, the case of the ADPT Series 1 watch measures 38mm in diameter by 13.5mm thick, with 20mm lugs and an overall lug-to-lug distance of 44mm. At the time of launch, the Series 1 collection includes four different colorways, and while the case of the “Terra” version that I have for review appears as naturally brushed titanium, other models can either have black or gunmetal PVD finishes on their components. The middle case of the ADPT Series 1 will be immediately familiar to those who have experience with the BOLDR Supply Co. field watch, and it has largely been carried over from the standard model, complete with its short angular lugs and screw-down winding crown that is located at the 4 o’clock position. Additionally, the crown is signed with the ADPT “A” logo, and just like the standard BOLDR field watch, a flat sapphire crystal protects the dial, while the solid screw-down titanium caseback helps provide it with an ample 200 meters of water resistance.
Where the ADPT Series 1 differs most significantly from the blueprint of a field watch is in regards to its bezel, and rather than having a simple smooth fixed component surrounding the crystal, the ADPT Series 1 watches feature a bi-directional friction-fit bezel that is fitted with an anodized aluminum insert. On the “Terra” colorway, the majority of the insert appears in a vibrant cyan-blue color, while the first fifteen minutes is given an earthy gray tone. The insert itself is technically of the 12-hour variety, but the first quarter of it (the gray part) has been given an additional minute scale, which allows it to also be used to track elapsed time for shorter events. This setup offers maximum flexibility, since it can be used to either display a second time zone or measure elapsed time, and the fact that it smoothly rotates bidirectionally without any clicks lets you quickly align it to the exact position that you desire. The amount of friction required to rotate the bezel is enough to prevent the sleeve of your jacket from accidentally moving it, but not so much that even the most feeble of hands would have any issues rotating it with precision. Additionally, all of the markings on the bezel are luminous, which is always a nice touch, and also something that I feel is somewhat uncommon on aluminum inserts, given that most simply have their markings printed onto their surfaces during the anodizing process.
The dial of the ADPT Series 1 is also a significant departure from anything that exists within BOLDR’s catalog, and it includes more of a diver-style layout with a layered and structural appearance. All of the different colorways feature a similar overall design, but the colors of the various components differ from one version to the next. On the “Terra” model, a bright orange base layer with a grid-like pattern etched into it forms the bottom surface, while sitting on top of it is a separate structure in a darker shade of orange that contains the minute track and extends into a crosshair structure that runs through the center of the dial. Additionally, while most of the hour markers appear as applied blue luminous circles attached to the base layer of the dial, the hour markers at the poles are triangular in shape and attached to the top of the crosshair structure, which further adds dimension to the dial. The “ADPT” logo and depth rating appear at the 3 o’clock location, while a rectangular date window sits at 6 o’clock, and appearing through the window is a color-coordinated date wheel that matches the blue hour markers.
Unlike most calendar discs, the one featured on the ADPT Series 1 watches features a unique design that vertically stacks the digits from 20 to 31 for optimum legibility. For example, while 18 would feature the 1 next to the 8, the number 28 would be displayed by a 2 above the 8 within the rectangular date window, so that each of the digits can be larger in size. At the center of the dial resides a trio of blue and white hands, with the hour and minute hand appearing as oversized syringes, while the seconds hand features a luminous rectangle-shaped tip that is outlined in bright yellow. One additional nice touch about the “Terra” colorway of the ADPT Series 1 watch is that it features two different colors of luminous material. While the vast majority of the lume is a fairly traditional blue/green color, the hour markers emit a dark blue glow. Although the lume isn’t as bright as what you will find on some watches, it is still more than adequate, and seeing the dial light up a different color than the bezel and hands provides an additional touch of fun and visual intrigue anytime you look at the watch in the dark.
Powering the ADPT Series 1 watches is the Seiko NH35A automatic movement. Running at a frequency of 21,600vph with a power reserve of approximately 41 hours, the NH35 platform is very much a known quantity within the industry, and it is used to power countless watches from a wide variety of different brands positioned within the more affordable end of the price spectrum. While the Seiko NH35A won’t be winning any awards for its record-breaking performance metrics or intricate finishing, it is universally celebrated for being an affordable and highly reliable movement that offers all of the modern conveniences of hacking, hand-winding, and a quickset date display. For a watch like the ADPT Series 1, a movement like the Seiko NH35A makes a lot of sense, and there is certainly something to be said for being able to purchase a replacement movement for less than it costs to even decline a service estimate from many big-name luxury manufacturers.
Completing all four of the ADPT Series 1 watches are the brand’s 100% American-made single pass straps, which consist of a single strip of nylon, a sewn-in stainless steel buckle, and a fixed fabric keeper. On the “Terra” colorway of the watch, the strap is the “Rust” colored version, which appears in an orange/brown color with a contrasting “Sage Gray” keeper. The overall design of the strap is unapologetically simple yet incredibly well-executed, and since the buckle is sewn into the strap rather than attached with a springbar, there are zero points of potential failure, short of the strap itself ripping it apart. The material is 420D nylon, which offers a smooth texture with a slightly shiny overall appearance, and the buckle is made from 316L stainless steel. Having a titanium buckle would have been a nice touch; however, considering that the entire concept of the ADPT strap series is to make nylon watch straps that are 100% produced in the United States of America, creating a separate version of the ADPT Single Pass that has a titanium buckle would have been incredibly cost prohibitive and offer negligible tangible benefits. At the end of the day, the two metals are very close in overall color, and I am entirely not bothered by having a stainless steel buckle on a titanium watch. The “Rust” color of the strap plays into the other two shades of orange that are present on the dial, while the “Sage Gray” fabric keeper compliments the natural gray hue of the titanium case. The contrasting keepers are one of my favorite things about the ADPT Single Pass straps, and they help to create a cohesive overall design when paired with the brand’s Series 1 watches.
Given that the ADPT Series 1 is designed to be a go-anywhere type of multi-purpose timekeeping companion, I figured the best way to give it a proper field test would be to put it through its paces during a typical weekend in my home city of Los Angeles. Part of the reason why I love living in Southern California is how you can cram so many different types of activities into a single day. You can be hiking in the mountains in the morning, hit the beach for a quick swim in the afternoon, and then be in the heart of the city for a nice dinner and an evening out for drinks. I live right near the base of Griffith Park, so it’s only about five miles up to the summit of Mount Hollywood and the hills that run alongside the Hollywood sign. If you’re smart about how you plan your route down, you can make a quick pitstop to visit the Griffith Park Observatory, and still make the entire trip from my house in just under ten miles. It’s a lovely way to spend a weekend morning, where you can get your quick fix of nature for the day, and still catch your favorite local food truck in time to grab lunch.
Given that the ADPT Series 1 is crafted from titanium and paired with a single pass nylon strap, it is quite comfortable and easy to wear for extended periods of time. While hiking, it does exactly what you need from a lightweight field watch and offers easy access to the time without being cumbersome or uncomfortable on the wrist. Swimming also isn’t a problem with 200 meters of water resistance, and the simplified single pass design combined with the slightly smooth and shiny texture of the material itself means that the ADPT strap is slightly less prone to collecting sand than a traditional NATO strap after spending some time in the water at the beach. The multi-purpose bezel also found its various uses in a handful of different mundane tasks throughout the weekend. I used the minute scale to keep track of the time I had remaining at a parking meter; I used the 12-hour scale to figure out what time that weekend’s Formula 1 race was supposed to start; and I even got to use it as an adult fidget spinner while I waited in line to place my coffee order. The combination of a 12-hour scale with individual minute markings for the first section is undeniably versatile. Plus, my preferred bezel style to mindlessly rotate is one with smooth bidirectional motion, so I personally enjoy the bezel on the ADPT Series 1 quite a bit.
Additionally, the bezel is also the key feature that makes the ADPT Series 1 a multi-purpose timepiece and separates it from the adjacent categories of divers and field watches. While a unidirectional timing bezel can be used for many different things, it was originally created specifically for scuba diving and in many instances, its unidirectional motion only detracts from its practicality in everyday life. Conversely, the simple fixed bezel on a field watch doesn’t offer any additional utility, which simply seems like a bit of a missed opportunity for a watch that is supposed to be designed for a wide variety of different uses and environments. Although the ADPT Series 1’s multi-purpose bezel won’t be able to perform any one specific task quite as well as a more intentionally-built equivalent, it really is the single feature that most makes the ADPT Series 1 feel like a multi-use sports watch, and it lends itself to the maximum number of practical applications in everyday life.
Inherently casual and sporty, the ADPT Series 1 offers an overall aesthetic that almost feels like it would be more at home among a bunch of camping and outdoor supplies, rather than inside of a traditional watch box. Nothing about its design feels at all tactical or military-inspired, yet everything is very intentional, similar to the impression you get from a hiking backpack or a pair of trail running shoes. The watch industry is packed full of vintage-inspired models that are heavily based on mid-century designs, and it’s always nice to see brands creating thoroughly modern timepieces, especially within the sport and tool watch categories. Additionally, given that sports watches are inevitably going to pick up some marks and scratches if you use them for their intended purpose, it’s also always nice to see them priced in such a manner that you won’t be afraid to actually wear the watch and let it naturally accumulate some signs of use.
With an official retail price of $449 USD, the ADPT Series 1 watches are positioned firmly on the affordable side of the spectrum, and while this does represent a 50% premium above what BOLDR charges for its base-model field watch, you do receive quite a lot for your extra $150. The included ADPT Single Pass strap and EDC Watch Pouch would cost you $70 to purchase separately, meaning that you pay an extra $80 for the addition of a rotating bezel with a luminous insert, a more intricate dial with a three-dimensional design, and the added utility of a date display with a color-matched calendar disc, plus the fantastic aesthetic overhaul provided by the ADPT design team. All things considered, the value is certainly there, and the ADPT Series 1 watch offers a fun and colorful take on a purpose-built everyday timepiece, which offers plenty of intrigue for enthusiasts, without being something that feels overly precious or prevents us from strapping it to our wrists and enjoying our lives to the fullest. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.