If you’ve been paying attention to Serica over the past few years, you already know the French independent has built one of the more compelling field watch collections in the space. No fuss, no lifestyle marketing, just purposeful tool watches with good finishing and sensible pricing. Now, the brand is expanding that collection with the Ref. 7505, a COSC-certified field chronometer in a compact 35mm case. It’s a smart move, and one that feels well-timed given how many collectors have been vocal about wanting smaller watches.
The sizing is the obvious headline here. At 35mm in diameter, 9.60mm thick, and 41.50mm lug-to-lug, the Ref. 7505 recalls the proportions of mid-century military watches that inspired the field watch category in the first place. You don’t see dimensions like these from brands launching new models today, and it’s worth pointing out that this doesn’t replace Serica’s existing 38mm field chronometer. The two now sit side by side in the catalog, which is a smart way to cover more ground without abandoning what already works.
Even at this size, Serica hasn’t made concessions on the tool watch fundamentals. The case features a screw-down crown, solid steel caseback, double-domed sapphire crystal, and 200 meters of water resistance. That’s a serious spec sheet for a 35mm watch. A wide stepped bezel and raised half-sphere markers around the dial perimeter help the watch hold visual presence on the wrist, and the case architecture has been reworked compared to the larger Ref. 6190 with curved inner lugs, vertically brushed surfaces, and polished bezel flanks.
Three dial options are available at launch. Two of them introduce what Serica calls a “Minute Critical” layout, offered in black and olive green, with a military-inspired design built around high-contrast legibility. The third carries over the tuxedo-style design from the 6190 TXD, blending beige and black tones with applied luminous markers. All three feature brushed steel broad-arrow hands filled with Super-LumiNova, and the dials are unsigned, which has become something of a Serica signature at this point.
Powering the Ref. 7505 is the Soprod M100 automatic caliber, a slim Swiss movement positioned alongside the ETA 2892 and Sellita SW300 families. It’s COSC-certified, runs at 4Hz, and delivers about 42 hours of power reserve. On the bracelet side, Serica has redesigned its Bonklip with curved end links, polished squared links, and a more pronounced taper. There’s also a new Safe-Lock clasp for added security.
Pricing lands at $1,291 for the black and olive green versions, with the TXD variant at $1,409. All three are available to order now from Serica. For a COSC-certified, 200m-rated field watch with this level of finishing, those numbers seem competitive. The bigger question is whether the broader market is ready to embrace 35mm again, or if Serica is just a few steps ahead. Either way, it deserves a second look.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.