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.

TGIF: Six Great Watches for Under $70 -- Total!

A Complete Watch Collection for Less than $70

Over the past few years, western consumers have really been pushed up against the wall with a sluggish job market for some professions, widespread job layoffs, and rampant inflation.  If you've been affected by these broader conditions, but still want to collect watches, here is a complete watch collection of cool low budget watches for less than $70 total. I've included links to these, but I'm not an affiliate of Walmart.

1. George Retro Watch

I've enjoyed wearing this George watch quite a bit. It has a nicely domed plastic crystal and what I can 1970s Retro Hashmarks.  They just remind you of the watches our dad and granddads wore in the 1970s.  It's quite a nice looking watch (Model 28/3017GNTT)

and it's made by E. Gluck Corporation (EGC)--that's the company behind Armitron.

A George Retro-Style Watch from Walmart

For $10.98, you really can't go wrong with this watch.  But, if you tap the crystal with your fingertips, it'll seem a little cheap.

2. George Brown Strap Watch with Tachymeter Markings 

This George Watch (Model 28/2043BKG) features a genuine leather strap, tachymeter markings on the bezel, and an easy to read dial. It's a simple watch that seems like a hybrid of military and sports styling cues. It's not my favorite in this inexpensive collection, but it is quite functional.

A George Watch with a Red Tachymeter Bezel

This is a nice basic watch made by the E. Gluck Corporation.  EGC makes watches for a variety of fashion names and private labels. Amazingly, it is now listed here on the Walmart website for only $9.98.  I think I paid $10.98 in the store.

3. George Gunmetal Men's Field Watch

I consider this watch a baseline field watch. It has the simple look and the markings for sure. It has a gunmetal case, black easy read dial, and cognac vegan leather strap. The 44.5mm diameter case helps make the watch easy to read. This watch is made by, what is reportedly a manufacturing division of Fossil, FMD. At $10.98, the price is certainly entry level.  You can find it (Model FMDOGE009) here on Walmart.com.

A George Field Watch with a gunmetal case and brown dial

I like this watch because it really hits the right tones as a simple field watch.  It's very practical.

4. George Men's Watch:  Matte Silver Tone Case Easy Read Dial

I also call this watch a field watch.  It made by FMD and the model number is MDOGE048.  It has a very legible off white dial and a tan vegan leather strap. It's listed at $10.98 online with Walmart. You can find it here on Walmart.com.

A George Field Watch with silvertone case and white dial

It's another watch that is practical and easy to like.  There are far more expensive field watches in our world, but their dials look the same.

5. George Silver-on-Silver Men's Watch 

This FMD-made George watch (Model:  FMDOGE024) is only $9.99 online here at Walmart.  It features a 41mm diameter silver-tone case, a silver-colored easy read dial, and a silver-tone expansion band.

A George classic watch with silver on silver color scheme

I really love the looks of silver on silver.  Of course, in a watch that sells for price this low, there are trade-offs to be made.  The numbers are simply painted on the dial.  

6. George Octogon Watch in Silver and Black

If you have Audemars Piguet tastes and a Totino's Pizza budget, check out this Octagonal model from Walmart.  It's made by Accutime (42028WMM) and sold under the Walmart George brand.  It has a silvertone case and black dial with a decorative subdial.  It evokes the famed Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, but it sells for over $40,000 less. You'll look rich from a distance, but you'll definitely want to slip out of the Polo match before its time for the divot stomp.  It's currently $12.98 here on Walmart.com.

An Audemars Piguet Alternative for less than $15

Obviously, this watch collection is a little tongue in cheek. But, cheap watches like these tell time perfectly well. They might well prompt you to question whether premium brands are delivering real value for your money.  Many of these low cost watches incorporate classic retro features.

What these watches can't do is intangible. They can't boost your self esteem or transmit to others that you are a man of substance and means.  For you single guys, they won't attract women. 

Of course, on the other hand, cheap watches like these might weed out women who just want you for your money. Plus, if you are trying to build lasting generational wealth, the $40,000 you don't invest in a prestigious watch could provide a healthy stream of passive income when put into other investments.  There's a chance that a cheap watch collection might not be as stupid as you think.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: The Perry Ellis Deep Diver

A Last Look At Fall Foliage in Atlanta

It was a dreary day here in Atlanta yesterday.  Many trees have given up large numbers of leaves. A short jaunt to my local coffee shop turned into a bit of a leaf looking and photography expedition. My watch for the day was my Perry Ellis Deep Diver.  It's thin case and somewhat dressy look make its unidirectional rotating bezel, screw-down crown, and 200 meter water resistance a bit of a surprise.

A Perry Ellis Deep Diver watch against a backdrop of trees

Nature isn't far away

Before the onset of our admitted short winter, I tried to find a little color. It's the last part of fall and the trees are giving up their leaves. One of the things we've found here is that you don't necessarily have to go to the mountains to see the fall foliage, there is much fall color to be seen in the city and close in suburbs. You don't have to venture out of a shopping center parking lot to find trees with vivid yellow leaves and vast piles of fallen ones.

Fall Foliage in the back of an Atlanta area shopping center

Wildlife in Atlanta's Chattahoochee River Corridor

The area near the Chattahoochee River is quite wooded with lots of wildlife corridors. My wife and I have seen animals including an American mink, a skunk, a bobcat, a boar, red foxes, grey foxes, coyotes, and turkeys. Some local residents have even seen bear wandering through the area.

The Perry Ellis Deep Diver among the leaves

The neighborhoods have preserved many hardwood and decorative trees.  They offer the most colorful foliage. Of course, since there are many mansions of the well-to-do in the area. Sometimes you'd like to linger longer, but you don't want to arouse the suspicions of some of the neighbors. They give you that accusing look.

A suspicious neighbor eyes me up

A Glimpse of the Chattahoochee River

It's enough to make you skeedaddle over to the river itself. The river was a bit swollen from the rain in the region. I took this quick shot of the river from the parking lot of one of the area's more exclusive restaurants.

Way Up Yonder on the Chattahoochee River

It was nice to get out and take a glimpse of the foliage while we still had plenty of leaves and color.  But, as signs in the parking lot reminded me all license plates were noted and all vehicles were being record, it was time to move on. It was a nice 20-minute sojourn with nature and see the river on a damp and overcast day.

A glance at my Perry Ellis watch reminds me that it is time to head home

Check out this link for a full review of my Perry Ellis Deep Diver Watch on this blog.

Titanium Tuesday: Citizen Men's Ecodrive Weekender Casual Sport Watch

Should we have a Titanium Tuesday? The lightweight wonder metal is all the rage in the world of watch making. It has many advantages.  The metal is strong, light weight, water resistant, corrosion resistant, temperature resistant, and rust resistant. It also has a natural oxide layer that tends to self-repair light scratches. There are lots of affordable options for titanium watches in the marketplace. That's why I'll feature some here. The first up is this attractive Citizen's Men's Ecodrive Weekender Casual Sports Watch.  It's bright and cheery and will help you fend off seasonal affective disorder when winter gets dreary.

A Citizen Men's Ecodrive Weekender Sport Watch (Amazon Photo)

If found this one on Amazon.  It has a 41mm diameter case, a sapphire crystal, 100 meters of water resistance, a date window, and a bright orange dial.  One drawback is that the bezel is fixed and doesn't rotate.  But, the band is made of genuine leather.  If you'd like to check it out, bang it here to see it on Amazon. As of this writing (11/2024), the watch is listed at 16% off of the normal retail price.  It's a nice looking watch for everyday wear.

Watch Deal Alert: Bulova Men's Marine Star 63% Off [Expired Deal]

[November 2024 Update - Unfortunately, this deal has expired and this watch seems sold out on Amazon.  However, a wide variety of Bulova Marine Star watches are available on Amazon here.]

Christmas time is approaching rapidly. In 2024, there are plenty of great AmazonDeals to be had on watches. That's a good thing because a wristwatch makes a wonderful holiday gift. I've found many watches for up to 50% off on Amazon lately.  But, this Bulova Marine Star with a red dial struck me as a great deal at an amazing 63% off!  If you'd like to save over $350 on this Bulova, bang it here to go to the Amazon listing.  Act fast because this is a limited time offer.

It's a great looking watch with a gray ion-plated stainless steel case,100 meters of water resistance, and 1/20 of a second chronograph. I've had good luck wearing a similar Marine Star, but mine didn't have a an all read dial and wasn't quite as focused on chronograph functions.  A Bulova watch makes a wonderful gift for any man.