TGIF: Do "Retro" Watches Already Live Among Us?

Every few days, you'll see an article in the watch press or on a company website trumpeting the return of watches from the past.  Companies will be said to dig deep into their catalog of prior timepieces to develop new retro watch offerings.  An example of a wonderful retro watch would be this Citizen Quartz Stainless Steel Classic.

Citizen Stainless Steel Classic Quartz Watch (Amazon Photo)

Since these retro offerings provide us with some of the coolest watches, I don't want to disparage or discourage them in any way.  But, I think a parallel movement in the market might be just as important. The classic retro styles have been worked into hundreds of commonplace quartz watches with little fanfare.  

You can get Retro for Cheap At Walmart

As an example, let's check out the George quartz watch that I recently purchased from Walmart.

A George brand quartz wristwatch from Walmart.

This watch (above) was created and manufactured by FMD for the George (Foreman) brand of clothing and accessories sold at Walmart stores.  It is a very simple watch with painted numerals on the dial for hour markings and simple dots for minute markings.  It has a silver-on-silver motif with black numerals.  It retails for somewhere between $10 and $13.  It reminds me of my old Timex (below).

Timex Mercury Wristwatch

While this Timex was quite a bit more expensive back in its day at $25.95 and comes with the date-day complication, it also features painted on numerals, a silver-on-silver design, and an expansion bracelet.  Just like the George watch, this old Timex was focused on telling the time.

Another recent retro watch find was this Caribbean Joe Green Sunburst watch.  It has a slightly domed crystal and classic batons to mark the hours.  It's the kind of watch that used to be commonplace once upon a time.  But, now, it's a cheap, quartz, fashion watch.

A Caribbean Joe Retro Watch

I've been writing about retro watches or neo-classic watches for a long time.  It's a trend that has legs.  This post is just a reminder that, if you want retro, you can get plenty of retro for a very low price and you don't even have to clean the funky stuff off of an estate sale watch find.  The Retro watches are here among us already!

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Invicta Specialty Quartz Pro-Diver Chronometer

Here are some photos of my Invicta Specialty Quartz Pro-Diver Chronometer from a night out on the town.  

Invicta Specialty Quartz Pro-Diver Chronometer Among Rubber Ducks

I can't believe that I first published a review of this great looking watch back in 2015.  Today, with a fresh battery and a new watch strap, it looks as great as ever.

Invicta Specialty Quartz Pro-Diver Chronometer

The replacement watch strap is a Fullmosa 22mm Silicone Watch Band (No Gaps) and has proven to be nice replacement for the original strap. 

The guilloche dial of the Invicta Specialty Quartz Pro-Diver Chronometer

Watches with gold tones look nice in the low lights of a restaurant.  One of the things that makes this watch special is the guilloche dial.  Guilloche has repeating patterns in the dial. There are lots of Invicta Pro Diver watches here on Amazon, but it's hard to find one with that kind of unique dial.  It's kind of neat when you find something unique.

Watch Deal Alert: Timex 39mm Waterbury Traditional GMT

This is a quick post to let everyone know that the 39mm Timex Waterbury Traditional GMT watch is currently 60% off on Amazon. This watch is a higher grade of Timex than you typically see in mass retailers like Walmart.  Since Timex was originally founded as the Waterbury Clock Company back in 1854, this watch really plugs into the company's rich history.

Timex Waterbury 39mm Traditional GMT

As a GMT watch, this Timex has a fourth hand to keep track of the time in another timezone.  The dimensions of this quartz watch are 39mm diameter in the case and 10mm thick.  At 60% off, this really is a great deal and a Timex Waterbury watch would bring a touch of history and heritage to any collection. I think it's an awesome look and I've put it on my wish list.

Wristwatch Review: Ed Hardy Singles Men's Metal Black and Gold Analog Quartz Watch

This Ed Hardy watch was an interesting find at Burlington.  It came in a fancy cardboard box with some of Ed Hardy's famed tattoo designs.  Now, it's a watch that makes me wonder.  It features a rich, but plain-looking dial is devoid of any of the art that made Ed Hardy famous.  It just has his signature rendered at 6 o'clock.

Watch Features

This watch has a gold tone to it and features three gold trimmed non-functional subdials.  Despite the existence of pusher buttons, the subdials are purely decorative.  However, the gold trimmed subdials and hands give this watch a rich, purposeful, look.  I should note that, despite my references to gold, no actual gold is used in this timepiece.  The Amazon descriptions of this watch refer to "brushed gold."

Watch Dimensions

This is a big manly, man, watch. The dial itself is 38mm and the case is 46mm in diameter. The watch is 12mm thick and the watch bracelet is a manly 24mm wide.  It sits large on the wrist, but not quite a big as a big Diesel watch.

Watch Construction

The construction of this watch is solid.  The only drawback: the wide metal bracelet seems a little lighter than expected and it feels a little  cheap.  I have to remind myself this is a $20 to $30 watch with the construction of a typical quartz watch that is cheaply available in discount stores like Burlington or Ross.

Watch Style

Still, this watch is eye-catching and dramatically designed.  It looks good for an inexpensive watch.  It's demands attention.  Yet, it is understated by the standards of an Ed Hardy collection watch.  It's an unabashedly macho watch.

Overall

I can't really make up my mind about this watch. On the one hand, it's inexpensive and has non-functional subdials. On the other hand, it is bold and shiny!!! For $20-$25, you really can't go wrong. There are a few other Ed Hardy models that I like better.  If you'd like to get this Ed Hardy watch and make up your own mind, you can find it here on Amazon.

Watch Deal Alert: Skagen Men's Signatur Minimalist Watch on Amazon

With all the talk around minimalist watches, you might want to check out this deal on Amazon for 45% off of a Skagen Signatur watch.  There are many styles but the 45% off deal applies to this one with a leather strap.  

An American brand founded by a Danish business couple, Skagen is named after the northernmost town in Denmark. Skagen has been creating and selling watches with a strong Danish minimalist design ethos since 1992.  In 2012, it was bought by Fossil watches, but the designs remain to true to their Scandinavian roots.

If you check each option available for Skagen Men's Signatur Minimalist watch on Amazon, you'll also find this gray dial Signatur watch with cherry wood leather strap for 50% off.

Skagen Men's Signatur Minimalist Watch with Cherry Wood Leather Strap

With a Skagen watch, you'll get a good quality brand, a leader in minimalist watches, and a very reasonable price point.  They are definitely worth a look.

TGIF: How Important is the Box for your watch?

Over the years, I've gotten watches in all kinds of boxes and packaging.  Most watches come in some sort of cardboard or plastic box.  Some watches have come in big plastic boxes with clamps and clasps worthy of carrying a nuclear detonator.  I've also gotten inexpensive watches that were merely bundled in plastic bubble wrap.  My question is simple:  

how important is the watch box?

The cardboard presentation box that came with an inexpensive Izod watch

When there is no box, but the watch comes in bubble wrap, do you think less of the brand?  I have to admit that I do.  This was the packaging for my $5 YouYouPifa watch from China.  Of course, the super low price tag was also a clue that this wasn't really the substantive watch that one might wear to work.  

Nothing but plastic wrap doesn't make a good first impression

On the other hand, bulky watch packaging takes up way too much space. How big does the box have to be when a watch only costs $50. There has to be some kind of  balance.  Overall, I like it when there is at least some packaging to protect a wristwatch purchase.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Bulova Marine Star Tachymeter Watch

Apparently, I've never shared this Bulova Marine Star from my collection on this blog. The second hand on this watch stays stationary at 12 o'clock until you activate the stopwatch feature.  It's pretty cool.

My Bulova Marine Star Tachymeter Watch

I've had this Bulova for a few years.  I wore it to work regularly and then tucked it away for a long while.  I just replaced the battery for the first time.  I was a little worried that I might not have gotten the battery in securely, but so far it is running well and keeping time like a champ.