UBIQ Trek - Corewhite Review: The Field Watch of the Future

58 minutes ago

5 min read

I am starting to think that there is something going on in Singapore, which directly leads to great watches. My favorite watch of the year - as I've repeatedly said or written - is the Vario Versa Automatic (it replaced the Vario Versa: Year of the Horse), which was released this year by Singaporean microbrand Vario.

Shortly after discovering Vario, however, I learned about the Singaporean brand UBIQ, which was created by Drayson Phua, and not only did I end up falling in love with their watches, but I might just have the perfect field watch as a result. Could there be a magical, watchmaking ingredient in Singapore?

The Watch Brief UBIQ Trek Corewhite wristwatch Jilliano review Singapore Japan design

UBIQ Trek - Corewhite: The Best Field Watch I've Tried

UBIQ (pronounced "you-bik") was founded in 2023 by Drayson Phua, and the name comes from the word 'Ubiquitous', demonstrating the founder's desire to have the brand become Ubiquitous in "the consumers' consciousness." In addition to that, UBIQ has made a concerted effort into creating watches that are both innovative, as well as renewable. Naturally, it is quite easy to say that one is committed to recycling and environmental sustainability, but it is a lot harder to actually back that up. But, in my opinion and from my own research, UBIQ has really backed it up.

It starts with the packaging. I have mentioned UBIQ's impressive packaging numerous times in the past, and while a lot of that has to do with its clean and aesthetically pleasing design, the fact that it is made of 90% recyclable materials makes it all the better. Nevermind the fact that I'm 100% keeping the box, it's nice to know that if I wanted to get rid of the box, I could without feeling guilty. To see how amazing the packaging is, check out the video below.

https://youtu.be/cN6t2hp_QWI

Now, aside from its recyclability, what makes it the Watch of the Future? The specific model I'm reviewing is the Trek - Corewhite featuring a 100M of water resistance (screwdown crown), a G2 Titanium case with a 1200HV hardness coating, and perhaps most importantly, a fully lumed Grade A Super-Luminova BGW9 dial. The crisp white color of the dial is already beautiful, especially with the applied hour markers and the blacked out chapter-ring showcasing a 24 hour-scale, but when the light goes off, and the dial lights up? It's breathtaking. I will genuinely never tire of seeing it. The dial is often considered the main character for watches, and while I'm sure there are exceptions, this UBIQ exemplifies that.

UBIQ The Watch Brief Trek Corewhite Jilliano Singapore Japan wristwatch field watch

I chose the VH31 mecaquartz (it has a smooth sweeping secondshand), but it is also available with a Miyota 9039 (automatic) movement. The ability to choose between quartz and mechanical is an underrated feature, and I applaud UBIQ for that. Speaking as someone who works for a microbrand, I can tell you that it is not as simple as it looks. I'll have to ask Drayson sometime how it's possible.

The case proportions on my 6.5 inch wrist is perfect, to say the least. With a 38mm case diameter, 44mm lug to lug, and an 11.1mm case thickness (which includes the raised sapphire crystal), it fits my wrist like it was made for it. I love the contrast of the white against the brushed, gunmetal grey of the case, too.

UBIQ Trek Corewhite The Watch Brief Jilliano

Many field watches - even those made today - have a busier dial a la Hamilton Khaki Field. There's nothing wrong with that - in fact, I own two Hamilton field watches. But, it is a bit of a dated design, even if it's part of the "field watch" heritage and DNA. The UBIQ Trek collection seems to take the core tenets of the field watch - the extremely legibile dial, the slim and compact case, and even the 24 hour time - and puts a forward-thinking, or dare I say it, even futuristic spin on it.

The Trek collection is exactly what I would picture if someone had taken a field watch directly from the near future, and brought it into the past.

The Watch Brief UBIQ Trek Corewhite Jilliano wristwatch field Singapore Japan

Nothing is Perfect, but...

My least-favorite part of any review is the part where I nitpick a watch that I love, but I gotta stay consistent... however, I actually can't think of any flaws that detract from my enjoyment. So, I will instead mention that the FKM rubber strap attracts dust like nobody's business, and it has been a complaint raised by a few other people. From my personal experience, however, it's not a real issue, and I actually prefer it on the rubber strap over anything else.

Do I Need Another Field Watch?

It is very likely that if you are reading this article, you might already have a field watch in your collection. If you're anything like me, you may even have several, who are all vying for wrist time. But, as someone who sometimes struggles to choose which watch to wear (amazing first world problems, I'm aware), I frequently find myself reaching for the UBIQ, because of its perfect proportions, and set-it-and-forget-it mecaquartz movement. It's also quite stylish, and works whether I'm going to the office in business casual, or if I'm going out for a date with my girl on the weekend.

More recently, I went to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, and the Netherlands for business / pleasure, and there were three watches that I brought with me for the entire trip. The Vario Versa Year of the Horse, the Vandaag Baas - Eleganz, and the UBIQ Trek - Corewhite.

When I went to see if the new H. Moser was available at a boutique in Zurich, I had the UBIQ on my wrist, too. I'm not saying that this watch will be the perfect field watch for you; however, I am saying this is the perfect one for me.

At around 300 USD, this watch is not only the king of value-for-money, but it is just a downright great watch, no matter what lens you view it through. Drayson has created a truly amazing field watch, and it's a reminder that even for something as timeless as a field watch, you can still innovate, and create something that will make you think of the Future.

Thank you to UBIQ and Drayson for letting me review this watch. The best part is? I have another UBIQ review coming very soon. Stay tuned for that!