Looking for a fantastic daily watch without breaking the bank? Dryden has just updated its Heartlander field watch, and the results are impressive! This new version harnesses the power of the sun, offering an exceptional blend of style, functionality, and affordability.
Dryden Watch Co., a young American brand based in Kansas City, Missouri, is making waves with its commitment to quality and value. They assemble and regulate every watch in-house, a testament to their dedication. While their catalog is concise, it covers all the essentials: divers, chronographs, and, of course, the field watch, all priced under $1,000.
Launched in 2022, the original Heartlander was a tribute to the beautiful landscapes of Kansas, inspired by the founder's upbringing. It debuted as a 38mm automatic watch, drawing inspiration from the Tudor Ranger and featuring a President-style steel bracelet.
But here's where it gets interesting. The new Heartlander Solar is a significant evolution. It swaps the automatic Miyota movements for an Epson caliber VS42 solar quartz movement, a reliable and user-friendly alternative. This means you get the convenience of solar power, similar to those used by Orient.
With this update comes a more traditional set of field watch hands and a quick-release FKM rubber strap with a pin-buckle clasp.
However, the most exciting change is the price. The retail price of the original Heartlander automatic is nearly cut in half, now priced at just $279.
Embracing the Sunshine
The Heartlander Solar boasts a completely redesigned dial. It combines the ruler-style seconds track of the original with printed numeral hour markers, similar to the time-and-date dial.
The Dryden logo remains at the 12 o'clock position, now underlined with “solar,” and the script “Heartlander” is replaced with an all-caps sans-serif font. The date window, previously at 6 o'clock, now sits at 3 o'clock, framed by a simple line. The hour markers, adjacent dots, and all three hands are coated with blue-glowing Super-LumiNova.
The Heartlander Solar is available in four dial colors: green, blue, black, and gray. All dials feature white accents, except for the “Heartlander” marking, which is yellow on the green and gray dials.
New Hands, New Look
The Heartlander Solar retains the original 38mm brushed steel case, including a smaller, updated signed crown. The black dial reference features a black PVD coating.
The most striking visual change is the new set of hands. The Ranger-inspired hands are replaced with beveled syringe hour and minute hands and an arrow-shaped seconds hand. The hands feature a brushed steel texture, with the seconds hand on the gray dial tipped with yellow and the blue dial tipped with red.
Availability and Pricing
Dryden's solar update to the Heartlander is a win-win. It retains the respectable specs of a sub-$600 watch, like AR-coated sapphire crystal, a brushed steel 38mm case, and Super-LumiNova lume, while significantly reducing the price.
For those who aren't purists about mechanical movements, the Epson solar quartz movement is a reliable, user-friendly upgrade.
The Heartlander Solar will be available from Dryden on November 7. The blue, green, and gray dials cost $279, while the black dial with a PVD-coated case costs $289.
And this is the part most people miss... For those who miss the steel bracelet, it will be available on the solar version in December. Dryden also offers a wide selection of straps for sale.
Dryden Heartlander Solar: Key Specs
* Case Size: 38mm
* Movement: Epson caliber VS42 solar quartz
* Water Resistance: 100m
What are your thoughts on the Dryden Heartlander Solar? Do you prefer solar quartz movements, or are you sticking with automatic watches? Share your opinions in the comments below!
