Militado ML24 Review – A Compact Field Watch with Texture and Colour Powered by Seiko VH31
The Militado ML24 continues a pattern that has become familiar with the brand. New releases arrive frequently, and they tend to bring something slightly different to the table while staying firmly within budget territory. With the ML24, the shift is subtle but noticeable, particularly through the dial, which introduces texture and color into what is otherwise a very restrained field watch format. In fact this watch is the thought follower of the plain dial Militado ML05.
At around $60 before tax, the watch combines a domed sapphire crystal, a fully sandblasted case, and a screw-in crown with a hybrid quartz movement. On paper, it reads like a simple tool watch. In practice, there is a bit more going on beneath the surface. We’ve covered several Militado watches before, and this one continues the brand’s established design language.
Design & Case
The ML24 measures 37.8 mm in diameter, 10.5 mm in thickness, and 49 mm lug to lug, with a 20 mm lug width. While that lug-to-lug length might suggest a slightly extended footprint, the case geometry tells a different story.
The lugs follow a deep C-shaped arc from end to end and angle downward quite aggressively. On the wrist, that curvature pulls the watch inward, allowing it to sit more compactly than the numbers might suggest. On a 6.5-inch wrist, there is no visible overhang, and the watch remains controlled and balanced.
The case itself is fully sandblasted, with a consistent matte finish across every surface. There are no polished accents to break it up. This uniform treatment softens how light interacts with the watch and reinforces its utilitarian character. Transitions between surfaces are handled with smooth, well-defined bevels that keep the architecture crisp without introducing harsh edges.
From the side, the low-profile bezel sits close to the case, while the lip of the screw-down case back remains visible beneath the flank, adding a subtle sense of layering. Drilled lugs complete the package, reinforcing the field watch identity both visually and functionally. The design language here will feel familiar to anyone drawn to field watches.
Movement & Crown
The ML24 is powered by the Seiko VH31 hybrid quartz movement. It uses a sweep seconds mechanism with four pulses per second, giving the seconds hand a smoother motion compared to standard quartz execution.
While it is designed to mimic the feel of a mechanical watch, it still retains its quartz character. What it does offer is a more fluid visual experience on the dial, which aligns well with the watch’s otherwise considered presentation.
The crown is a screw-in type measuring 5.8 mm across. It is tall and easy to grip, and together with the screw-down case back, it supports a water resistance rating of 100 meters. The setup remains simple and consistent with the rest of the watch, focusing on functionality rather than decoration.
Bezel
The bezel on the ML24 is fixed and intentionally understated. It sits low and close to the case, maintaining a restrained profile that does not interrupt the overall silhouette.
There are no additional details or surface treatments beyond the sandblasted finish that matches the rest of the case. It acts as a quiet frame around the dial, keeping the focus on the central display rather than introducing unnecessary visual elements.
Strap
The ML24 is fitted with a black canvas strap, and its execution follows the same utilitarian philosophy as the case. The strap is unbranded and free from decorative elements, keeping the overall presentation minimal.
The buckle is unsigned and finished in the same sandblasted texture as the case, maintaining visual consistency across all components. The keepers are rectangular and also made from matching steel, reinforcing the cohesive finish.
In wear, the strap feels straightforward and functional. It does not attempt to elevate the watch visually but instead supports the tool-watch identity established by the case and dial.
Crystal & Dial
Up top, the ML24 uses a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. The dome is quite pronounced, adding curvature to the watch’s profile and tying in with the overall case geometry. It introduces a cohesive silhouette when viewed from the side, especially when combined with the arched lugs.
Beneath the crystal, the dial is available in either a gradient blue or a sunset orange tone. In both versions, the surface carries a coarse, grainy texture that gives it a matte and slightly rugged appearance. On the orange variant, the color transitions from a brighter tone at the center to a darker shade toward the outer edge.
A sandblasted rehaut surrounds the dial, adding depth as the surface steps downward. The layout is legibility-focused, with a light beige minute track running along the outer edge, followed by elongated printed baton markers.
Inside that sits a full set of Arabic numerals from 1 to 12, with a smaller 24-hour scale printed further inward. There are no applied elements, and the dial remains entirely printed, reinforcing its functional approach.
Branding is minimal, placed below 12, and there is no date window. In low light, the watch uses a dual-color lume setup, with bright blue across the hands, numerals, and indices, and yellow accents at the cardinal positions. The result is a clear and long-lasting luminous display, especially notable at this price point.
Summary
The Militado ML24 succeeds by staying focused. It does not try to introduce unnecessary complexity or visual excess. Instead, it builds its identity through consistency, from the fully sandblasted case to the restrained strap and legibility-driven dial.
The addition of textured gradient dials brings a welcome layer of character, while the domed sapphire crystal and VH31 movement elevate the overall experience beyond a basic field watch. There are no decorative flourishes, and even the bezel remains deliberately quiet.
At around $60 before tax, the ML24 offers a balanced combination of practicality, wearability, and visual interest. It is a straightforward watch, but one that feels carefully put together and easy to recommend within its segment. Within this price range, there are a handful of compelling alternatives worth comparing.
Militado ML24 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Militado ML24 |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Case Finish | Fully sandblasted |
| Case Diameter | 37.8 mm |
| Case Thickness | 10.5 mm |
| Lug-to-Lug | 49 mm |
| Lug Width | 20 mm |
| Crown | 5.8 mm, screw-in |
| Caseback | Screw-down |
| Water Resistance | 100 m |
| Crystal | Domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Bezel | Fixed, low profile |
| Dial | Textured, coarse grain |
| Dial Colors | Gradient blue or sunset orange |
| Indices | Printed Arabic numerals and baton markers |
| Additional Scale | Inner 24-hour scale |
| Lume | Blue on hands and markers, yellow at cardinal points |
| Movement | Seiko VH31 hybrid quartz |
| Seconds Motion | Sweep (4 beats per second) |
| Strap | Black canvas |
| Buckle | Sandblasted, unsigned |
| Price | ~$60 before tax |
