Watch Sighting: Caribbean Joe Silver Tone Four Dial Watch

Caribbean Joe watches are like potato chips. You can't stop with just one. They are just a guilty pleasure.  They have a cool name. They have a little hut logo on the dial. They are dirt cheap.

The trademark Caribbean Joe hut

I saw one at Kohl's the other night. It was tucked into a display with several other similarly priced Caribbean Joe watches, some Geneva watches, and a few assorted Timex models. 

A Watch Display at Kohls

I passed on it. Instead, I bought a Geneva watch with a cool cyclops over the date. But, the little bugger imprinted itself in my brain.  It has a cushion case which reminds me of a classic watch that I've seen before.  The cushion case gives this Caribbean Joe watch a vintage vibe and, with the multiple non-functional subdials, it remains a masculine watch.  It's a nice simple design. I kind of want it.  As I research cushion cases further, I find that iconic Italian watch maker Panerai uses cushion cases extensively on their Luminor and Radiomir models.  [Oh, wow, here's a whole Amazon treasure trove filled with Panerai watches that I can't afford.]

A Caribbean Joe watch with a cushion case and non-functional subdials.

In contrast, this Caribbean Joe watch only costs $29.99 regularly and is available with all kinds of sales and discounts for Christmas. Of course, as a married dude, one doesn't walk into Kohl's lightly. The trip might be expensive. I may have to ponder this one a bit.

[For today only 12/1/2024 - it is available here online only on the Kohl's website for only $16.79.]

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Tommy Hilfiger Men's Casual Sports Watch

One of the watches I enjoy wearing most in casual situations is my Tommy Hilfiger "Field" watch.  This one isn't really a field watch, but it looks like one to me.  It has all the right field watch properties with a large readable numbers and hashes and broad white hour and minute hands for great readability.

Tommy Hilfiger Men's Casual Quartz Watch

Are Tommy Hilfiger Watches Any Good?

Hilfiger watches are designed, manufactured, and sold under license by Movado Group. To me, this is an indicator that the company bringing this watch to the marketplace knows a little something about the watch business.  The watch does show a nice finish and great design consistency with other Hilfiger watches, accessories, and clothing products. I find Hilfiger watches to be the perfect choice for business casual environments.

My Tommy Hilfiger watch at a slightly upscale sports bar

Where Can I Buy Hilfiger Watches?

Like many of my Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, and Perry Ellis watches, I found this one at a closeout store like Ross or Marshall's for around $50. Hilfiger watches also hit a middle class sweet spot on pricing with a combination of prices between $65 and $155 on Amazon and many watches in the affordable $80 price range. You can check out the full range of Hilfiger watches on Amazon here.

[If you are looking for some great Black Friday Deals on Hilfiger watches, check out this post from earlier this week.]

Titanium Tuesday: Skagen Sundby Titanium Watch with Stainless Steel Mesh Band

If you are looking for a sleek modern watch that's just a little different than the mainstream, you really can't go wrong with Fossil's Skagen brand.  They have an interesting looking watch that combines Danish minimalism with a titanium case for a winning combination.  On this watch, I like the look of the urgent orange minute track inboard of the hour markings.  It really stands out against the charcoal gray of the dial, bracelet, and the titanium case.  To me, the overall look seems a little more muscular than the typical Skagen watch.

Skagen Sundby Watch with Titanium Case and Stainless Mesh Band

This quartz watch has a 40mm diameter case and 50 meters of water resistance.  Overall, it has a 4.2 rating on Amazon with over 5,400 ratings.  If you want to say, "Ja!" to this cool looking Skagen watch, you can get it right here on Amazon.

As of this November 25, 2024 post, there is a Black Friday Deal on this Skagen watch that marks it down 59% to a comfortable sub-$100 price point.  You never know how long Amazon Deals will run so I'd jump on it--again right here on Amazon!

Watch Deal Alert: Tommy Hilfiger Watches Amazon Black Friday Deals

If you are looking for great deals on decent, brand name, watches for $150 or less during this holiday gift giving season, check out the watches of Tommy Hilfiger. I love watches from Tommy Hilfiger because the brand provides attractive design, consistent quality, and a high degree of brand acceptance. On Amazon, most Hilfiger watches are usually priced between $75 and $150.  But, for Black Friday, I found some great Amazon deals on a couple of Hilfiger watches. 

Hilfiger Casual Watch Deal

The first timepiece that caught my eye was the Tommy Hilfiger Men's Casual Stainless Steel Watch.  

Tommy Hilfiger Men's Casual Stainless Steel Watch

This casual watch has a black stainless steel case and bracelet and a 42mm case diameter.  The watch is designed for 3ATM or 30 meters of water resistance. The dial has a black and white design that is a pleasing blend of minimalist, tactical, precision and casual.  The case and dial are black with white hands for hours, minutes, and seconds. You can find this great Black Friday Deal here on Amazon.

Hilfiger Racing-Inspired Watch Deal

The next watch deal that caught my attention was the deal on this racing-inspired sports watch.  It's Model 17920282 and it has a stainless steel case with day, date, and 24-hour time represented on subdials.  The price for Black Friday is 45% off.  This brings the watch in comfortably under $100.  You can find this Amazon Black Friday Deal here. 

Tommy Hilfiger Men's Stainless Steel Racing-Inspired Watch (Model 1792082)

It looks like Amazon Deals on Tommy Hilfiger watches are pretty fluid as stocks run low and various models are prioritized for sales.  One thing you can count on is that Hilfiger watches offer a great value proposition that makes them a watch worth watching.

Watch Project: Reviving A Steve Harvey Wristwatch

Steve Harvey is well known for collecting high end wristwatches. Steve Harvey has been spotted wearing very expensive Patek Philippe and Richard Mille watches. It's less well known that he also put his own name to a line of affordable wristwatches. While I haven't seen any in discount stores or online on Amazon, I recently came across one in a local thrift store and bought it.  At only $6.95, it was a steal!  While this watch is well weathered, it does have an interesting case shape and a nice design.

A Steve Harvey Celebrity Edition Wristwatch

How to Replace A Watch Battery

This Steve Harvey watch takes a common SR626SW watch battery.  It was easy to pop the back off, replace the battery, and press the caseback right back into place.  I didn't even have to use my caseback press. After I got the casebackoff, I simply removed the white plastic protector (shown below) that holds the movement and dial in place.  To replace the battery, I simply popped out the old one and replaced it with a new one.  Then I placed the white plastic piece and put the caseback back on the watch and pressed down on it hard.  It popped back into place with no fuss and no muss.

The inside of a Steve Harvey Watch

The movement is a common PC21J Quartz Watch movement that is available on Aliexpress for under $2 or on Amazon in a 5-pack as shown here.  It certainly makes one pause when you realize how inexpensive quartz watch movements can be. I have to wonder if the $10.96 that Walmart charges for a George brand quartz watch is completely appropriate for most quartz watches. However, I digress.  Note the little clip at the 7 o'clock position on the watch battery.  You don't want to bend or damage that when you take the battery out or put a new one in.

A PC21J Quartz Watch Movement

Now, the watch runs like a champ. I would like to clean up the case a little better.  For example, I'd like to remove the brown smudge on the case at the 11 o'clock position.  I'm not sure if it is oxidation or a tobacco stain.  It didn't come off when I used cleaning wipes.

The Steve Harvey Celebrity Edition Thrift Store Watch Running and Wearing Well

Overall, I'm pleased with this thrift store find. Men's watches seem rare in thrift stores nowadays since many organizations and donors just go directly online to auction sites with them.  Finding one is like finding a treasure. I like this one and I'm sure I'll wear it on a regular basis.

Watch Deal Alert: Black & Rose Gold Bulova Marine Star Series A (Model 98B278) - 50% Off

If you are looking for a classy watch from a great brand, the black and rose gold ion-plated stainless steel Bulova Marine Star Series A watch is a great choice. In a long running line of watches inspired by the sea, this one (Model 98B278) combines the modern look of basic black and the nautical feel of a rose-gold tone. For Amazon's Black Friday in 2024, this hassle-free quartz model is available for an amazing 50% off.  

Bulova Marine Star Series A Quartz Watch 

This brings a very nice watch in for under $300. It's a great gift idea and would be a watch of substance that would be appropriate to wear in any setting. If you'd like to jump on this great deal, you can get this Bulova here on Amazon!

If you are looking for a simpler model without chronograph functions you might also check out the Marine Star Series B which is now listed at 39% off.  I've updated my post about that great Bulova watch here.

Watch Deal Alert: Citizen Men's Eco Drive Weekender Sports Watch (AW1710-041)

 I recently saw this cool Citizen's Men Eco Drive Weekender Sports Watch as a Black Friday Special on Amazon.  It's Model AW1710-041 and there was just something about the fonts on the dial and the sleek black bezel that caught my eye.  It reminded me of the Undone Basecamp Classic that we covered as a sharp watch shoutout here in mid-October.  While the bezel isn't shiny, the simplicity of form and function are very much present.  It evokes the simple classic watches that have made their way into our collective memories over the years. Best of all, this Citizen Weekender is a very nice Amazon Black Friday Deal at 36% off!

A Citizen Eco Drive Watch with Dive-style markings

The case is 44mm in diameter and the bezel is non-rotating. It's always a shame to see the function of a beautiful form undermined by a non-rotating bezel. But, the incredible price, the awesome look, and the no fuss / no muss nature of the eco drive system makes me a big fan of this watch.  If you are positioned to snatch it up, the black friday Amazon deal is here. It would be the perfect holiday gift for someone on your list.