Watch Spotlight: Praesidus A-11 Spec 2 Field Watch

Highlighting a Watch with American Assembly

If you are looking for a watch that is assembled in America, check out the Praesidus A-11 Spec 2 field watch. It's assembled in the United States using an Ameriquartz movement that is also assembled in the United States. Both the watch and the movement use a combination of American and foreign parts. However, the assembled in USA label is a serious step in the right direction when it comes to re-establishing a watch industry here in the United States.

Praesidus A-11 Spec 2 Field Watch (Amazon photo)

This Praesidus A-11 Spec 2 field watch comes in 32mm and 40mm case sizes. It's 10mm thick to fit right in both on the trail and in the business casual office.  You can check it out here using my Amazon affiliate link here.

Some other companies to watch in the "Assembled in USA" space include Vaer, Bertucci, and Shinola. Both companies are making great strides towards domestic watch production. To see the "Assembled in USA" watches that I've found, click here on my Amazon Affiliate Link.

Assembled In USA watches (Amazon Affiliate Store Link)

TGIF: The Affordability Revolution

Revolution is brewing. In a world where global competition for jobs is fierce at all levels and where young people in the west are having a tough time getting a start in life, people are re-prioritizing the role of things and of brands. A person with student loan debt simply isn't going to have disposable income to spend on a luxury watch anytime soon. That doesn't mean that they don't want to be fashionable or have a nice watch. It does mean that any watch they buy has to fit into their budget without pain or drama. While some watchmakers will continue to satisfy the rich, other watchmakers are going to meet consumers where they are and offer affordable options that look good.  One of those watchmakers is Casio.

Casio MTP-1381D-7AVDF (Amazon photo)

When it comes to design, Casio is on a roll. I've been very happy with my Casio Enticer (MTP-VD01D-2EV) reviewed on this blog here. But, when I look around at the growing Casio line of analog watches, I find many more appealing watches.  The Casio MTP-1381D-7AVDF (above) is a great looking watch that currently costs less than $75. You can see it here using my Amazon affiliate link. 

For more affordable analog Casio watches, check out my Amazon affiliate storefront here. This page is a fast growing spot for interesting and affordable watches. 

Affordable Tissot Quartz Watches For Men

After some high prices during the tariff brinksmanship of the past year, it looks like Tissot watch prices are settling down and even becoming somewhat affordable again. Earlier this week, I pointed out a Tissot with a Powermatic 80 movement for less than $400. Now, I've found a couple of great Tissot quartz watches that should be attainable for budget-minded watch collectors.

Tissot Men's Gent XL 3x3 Street Basketball Edition

Perhaps the coolest of the lot is the Tissot Men's Gent XL commemorating the urban sensibilities of  3 on 3 Street Basketball. It just looks tough from every angle. The watch is actually inspired by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3-on-3 basketball program. It's growing quickly around the world and becoming a popular Olympic sport.

The Tissot 3x3 Street Basketball Watch (Amazon Photo)

The 3x3 watch comes with two interchangeable straps. One in black and another black with graffitti inspired graphics.  You should almost use my affiliate link to buy a Wilson FIBA 3x3 basketball to go with the watch.

The Tissot 3x3 Street Basketball Watch with Extra Strap (Amazon Photo)

Amazingly, this watch is available for less than $200 on Amazon. That's a great deal on a Tissot timepiece and this one has a unique sports connection. Check it out here using my Amazon affiliate link.

Tissot Men's PR100

If you came here wanting a deal on a more refined looking timepiece, you might like the Tissot PR100. It's a 42mm diameter watch that is just 8.25mm thick. This is a long-running Tissot model that's been evolving since the 1980s.

Tissot PR100 Quartz Watch (Amazon Photo)

At under $350, this Tissot is also attainable for most buyers. Check this one out here using my Amazon affiliate link. 

For more affordable Tissot watches, come visit my Amazon affiliated storefront here.

Watch Workshop: Easy Fixes for A Casio MRW-210H Watch

The Casio MRW-210 is a great casual diver-style watch with a large readable dial and a resin case and strap. I originally reviewed it here in this post. The resin watch strap deteriorated over the last 9 years and eventually became unusable and the watch battery died. However, the case seemed to have plenty of life left and the other two issues are easily fixed. Here is a photo of the watch way back in the day when it was just a smoldering hotspot in my wallet.

Casio MRW-210H Analog Watch

The nearest available Casio model on Amazon is the Casio MRW-200H Analog Watch available here via my Amazon affiliate link.

Replacing the Battery in a Casio MRW-210H Watch

The caseback came off easily with the removal of four small screws. The replacement battery number is 399 (SR927W or SR927SW).  You can find it on our watch battery page.

Casio MRW-210H Watch Movement & Renata watch battery

On a cautionary note, every battery compartment seems to have a few metal bits designed to hold the battery in position and close the circuit so that power flows from the battery to the watch. I try not to bend any of the fiddly bits too much.

Casio MRW-210H Watch Movement

Replacing the Watch Strap on a Casio MRW-210H Watch

Since the old strap was gone, I ordered an inexpensive new one as a replacement.  It's a cobee silicone watch band and it's available on Amazon for a less than $10. It is a silicone strap with plenty of adjustments and quick release spring bars to make installation easy and strap swaps a cinch. I bought the 20mm wide strap and it fit perfectly.

Cobee Silicone Watch Strap (Amazon photo)

If you'd like to take a look at this Cobee watch strap, use my Amazon affiliate link here.

Watch Spotlight: Men's Tissot Luxury Powermatic 80 Automatic

If the horological world has a fishing anology, it's waiting for Swiss watches to become truly affordable. Not $7500 is affordable, but actually affordable for almost everyone. One of the brands that I watch is Tissot. I wait and I wait and when the price of a Tissot Automatic watch drops below $400, I tell all my readers.  Well, I'm glad to announce that the price of a Tissot Luxury watch with a Powermatic 80 movement has dropped to a little under $400.

Tissot Luxury Powermatic 80

This Tissot Powermatic 80 is well proportioned with a 41mm diameter case that is 9.75mm thick. It has an exhibition caseback, a rich gold-tone bezel, and a push button deployant clasp. 

Tissot Luxury Powermatic 80

Overall, this looks like a well constructed Swiss watch.  Usually Tissot watches with the Powermatic 80 command are far more expensive.  That's why you have to get them when the getting is good! Check out this watch using my Amazon Affiliate link below:

The Tissot Luxury Powermatic 80 here on Amazon.

Sharp Watch Shout Out: Timex Harborside Coast 43mm with Herringbone Strap

I just found a very cool Timex Harborside Coast on Amazon.  It has a green, black, and gunmetal color combination that includes a herringbone fabric strap. The Harborside is typically thought of as an homage watch, but with this combination of colors and fonts, Timex goes all the way up the river and wins its own way. I like it. That's why this one gets a sharp watch shout out!

Timex Harborside Coast with herringbone strap

This pricing of this Timex watch is very competitive. It lists for half the price of some more traditional Rolex homage harborside watches.  If you'd like to take a look at this one, please use my Amazon affiliate link here.

Watch Workshop: Changing the battery in a Nautica NST-15 watch

 I recently revived my old Nautica NST-15 watch with a new battery. The watch has a bright yellow strap that is perfect for summer. It also has an innovative retrograde calendar that runs  counterclockwise along a date track on the interior portion of the dial. It's pretty cool, but I have to set it properly.

Nautica NST-15 watch for men

Removing the Nautica NST-15 Caseback

Removing the caseback was easy using a caseback removal tool. I have a tool like the one shown below.  It's available via my Amazon affiliate link here. You just adjust the blue tool to fit the indents on the case and unscrew it in a counterclockwise direction.

Wellfit Watch Back Removal Tool (Amazon photo)

The caseback reveals that the watch is made for Nautica by Timex. It's a minor factoid that I'll remember.

Nautica NST-15 Caseback reveals the manufacturer.

Replacing the Watch Battery

The watch is powered by a Miyota 2353 No Jewel Movement that has an accuracy of +/- 20 seconds per month. It uses a standard 377 (SR626SW) battery that is pretty easy to replace. For replacement batteries, check out my battery selection page.

Miyota 2353 No Jewel Movement in a Nautica NST-15 watch

When changing the battery there are a couple of metal pieces that can ever so slightly be pushed aside to release the battery. I think I was able to slightly move the piece on the right that lies atop the battery. The tiniest bit of movement was sufficient.

The battery secured in the Miyota 2353 Movement

More on this watch

For more on this watch, check out my original Nautica NST-15 review post here. While this model has disappeared from Amazon in the US, you can still find it on various watch sites around the world. I'm glad to have it back in the rotation.