The eXtract: Affordable Modern Watches with Small Seconds

[This article is based on my X posts exploring affordable Small Seconds watches. I found a new watch and added to the three I posted on X.]

Today, we're all used to a long second hand but, back in the days of yore, watches often had a small subdial with a second hand. The Elgin pocket watches that helped keep the trains running on time are a great example of watches with small seconds.

A Mounted Elgin Pocket Watch

You can still find the small seconds subdial on a variety of fine watches.  For example, the Rolex 1908 has a small seconds dial. But, let's take a look at some current small hands seconds watches that we can actually afford.

Tactical Frog Militado D12 36mm

Tactical Frog Miltado D12 (Amazon Photo)

The Tactical Frog Militado D12 (left) has the vintage military look with a 36mm case diameter. The watch offers 100 meters of water resistance and is powered by a Japanese VD78 quartz movement. Priced at well under $100, it's a great deal.

Some reviewers have said that this watch is for smaller wrists so don't be surprised if you need to get a longer watch strap.

You can find the Tactical Frog Militado D12 watch here on Amazon.

Baltany WW2 Field Watch

Baltany WW2 Field Watch

If you are looking for a larger case size, the Baltany S2081 WW2 Men's Field watch with small seconds and a date function features a 39mm diameter stainless steel case, an automatic movement, and a cleverly disguised date window at the 6 o'clock position within the small seconds subdial.

Baltany is well known for high quality Rolex Explorer-inspired homage watches that the watch community raves about and this field watch should be of a similarly high standard. For less than $200, it seems like a great deal for an attractive watch. You can find the Baltany WW2 Field Watch here on Amazon.

Timex 40mm Standard Sub Second Watch

Timex 40mm Standard Sub Second Watch
( Amazon photo)

For another more contemporary small hands watch look, the Timex 40mm Standard Sub Second watch blends new and old for a bold look. Powered by a quartz movement, this Timex is also surprisingly affordable at less than $100! You can find a limited supply of this Timex here on Amazon.

This watch is quite appealing because it renders old new again. I think the smooth case shapes and silver-toned subdial look both to the past and the future.

Orient Bambino, Version 7, Small Hands Watch

Orient Bambino, Version 7,
Small Hands Watch, (Amazon Photo)

Finally, for many, this small hands look cries out for an automatic movement and a truly vintage look. The 38.4mm Orient Bambino, Version 7, delivers both in a beautiful watch from a brand with a long heritage. It also comes in at an affordable price. 

The watch has an in-house Orient F6222 automatic movement that can hack and be hand-wound. It has a stainless steel case and a domed mineral crystal. The watch comes in a few combinations with the white dial shown being the most affordable and the slightly more expensive black dial being a little more dramatic. 

You can find this Orient Bambino, Version 7, Small Hands watch here on Amazon.

Sharp Watch Shout Out: The Venezianico Redentore Bronzo

I found another amazing watch on the Venezianico watches website. This one is the Venezianico Redentore Bronzo or Venetian Redeemer Bronze. Isn't it beautiful?

Venezianico Redentore Bronzo (Venezianico website image)

It's just an amazing looking 40mm watch with a hand-aged antique bronze finish.  It's powered by a Miyota 9039 Automatic movement and it has sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. The front of this watch is enough to earn it an instant sharp watch shout out! But, wait until you see the etched caseback!

The Horses of St. Mark captured on a
Venezianico Redentore Bronzo Caseback
(Venezianico website image)

Venezianico is taking pre-orders for this watch now.  The price is set at about $750. That's a very attainable price point for a dream watch like this. Unfortunately, I may have to do some plotting, planning, and scheming to get this one. But, if you can afford it, this looks like a very special timepiece. You can visit it here on the Venezianico website.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: The LaCoste 12:12

For this watch wearing Wednesday, my LaCoste 12:12 Silicone Strap watch is still going strong. That's probably a good thing because basic black LaCoste watches are hard to find on Amazon right now. They've got LaCoste watches in every other shape and color right here on Amazon.

LaCoste 12:12 watch

This watch is a wonderful representative of minimalist watch style from a fashion brand. You can read my full review here on this blog! I continue to like this watch due to its grab and go simplicity and ease of wear.

TGIF: The Drawbacks of Cheap Watches

 Most of the time, this watch blog revels in the glories of all kinds of cheap watches.  Ahem...inexpensive watches. Cheap watches fit into any budget. They strip away snobbery and distill the hobby down to "cool watch, bro" vibes that are healthy for everyone. They don't attract muggers or burglars or signal wealth levels that would make you a target. Most of the time, I enjoy the variety of cool looks that come with inexpensive watches. But, I really need to note that cheap watches have their downsides, too! Here are some of the problems that may arise with cheap watches.

1. Lack of Time Setting Precision. Sometimes with a cheap watch you'll go to set it and, when you push in the crown, the minute hand will jump 2 to 3 minutes in some random direction. I used to have that problem with Target, Walmart, and Caribbean Joe watches from time to time. However, eventually, you'll develop a steady hand and guide the crown down without changing the time.

An Inexpensive Caribbean Joe Watch

2. Short Straps. One of the easiest things manufacturers can do to save a little money is to shorten the watch straps by just a little bit. By the time the watch makes it to consumers home, the maker can be enjoying a beach in sunny Mexico. 

A short watch strap on a Caribbean Joe watch

The watches will fit the wrists of most younger purchasers and older purchasers can simply replace the strap. Few people will actually go through the hassle of replacing or returning the watch. It's not usually too hard to replace tight bracelets with a roomier strap, I really liked the look of this Armitron Quartz Date Function Watch, but the bracelet was too tight. Fortunately, it was easy to swap out for a Bisonstrap as covered in my initial watch review.

3. Small Diameter Cases and Dials. Some inexpensive watches have smaller diameter cases and dials. While a 40mm case might look a little better, a 38mm case will be just a little cheaper to manufacture.

4. Non-Replaceable Bracelets. Sometimes cheap watches have strange, non-standard, connections between the watch bracelet and the watch case.  It can make replacing the watch bracelet with a longer replacement, very difficult. Look for unusual strap/case connections before making a purchase.

5. Quality Issues. Finally, cheap watches sometimes have quality control issues.  For example, the watch hands, the dial markings, and the bezel markings (particularly of a diver-style dial) may not align properly. It's frustrating to see that your minute markers don't line up with where the minute hand falls at the top of a minute. It's aggravating to see that you rotating bezel lines up half a degree off from 12 o'clock noon. You may not start out with an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) when you begin your watch collecting journey, but you may end up there.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Caribbean Joe Silver-Tone Blue Dial Watch (CJ7127SL)

Are you tired of my Caribbean Joe watches yet? I'm not. They are like horological potato chips to me.  They are inexpensive. They have great looks and colors.  And, dang it, I can't stop at just one! I recently had a chance to attend a small private gaming convention and it turned out to be the perfect opportunity to get my Horatio Hornblower on with a game called Black Sails. The game used miniatures rules and my Caribbean Joe watch was just perfect for ruling the waves of our table top.

If this watch looks familiar to you, it's probably because I have the same watch with a green dial and gold-toned case. Kohl's called it the Caribbean Joe Men's Degrade Green Sunburst Dial Strap Watch.  That's a mouthful.  Fortunately, Boscov's just calls it the Men's Caribbean Joe Silver-Tone Blue Dial Watch (CJ7127SL). I'm not an affiliate, but you can still find this cool watch on their website here. If you'd like to read a review of this watch, read my original review of the green one here.

If you are still here and just want to learn more about Black Sails, you can find the Master and Commander starter version of the game with all you need here on Amazon.

Watch Deal Alert: Fossil Nate Chronograph Deeply Discounted on Amazon

 Today, I came across a great deal from Fossil on Amazon.  Their impressive 50mm Fossil Nate Chronograph is on sale for 47% off. That brings this watch to a nice price well under $100. It's a very solid-looking stainless steel, quartz watch that with a matte black dial looks very good on the wrist.

Fossil Nate (Amazon photo)

This watch reminds me of my similarly sized Fossil Brox multifunction watch, but Nate brings a larger size and chronometer functions to the party. I have a slightly smaller Fossil Nate from a decade ago packed away from a move, it's a good watch. Amazon has quite an array of Fossil Nate variants for sale. There are different dial textures and colors and different hand colors. Nowadays, these Fossil watches have a full retail in the $160 to $180 range.  That's what makes this deal so special.  If you're interested, take a look at this Fossil Nate on Amazon. It's solid!

Watch Deal Alert: Frederique Constant Persuasion 38mm Automatic

Lately, I've been quietly noticing many Swiss Made watches at price points within the range of our dreams. Brands like Certina, Frederique Constant, Hamilton, Nivada Grenchen, Tissot, and Victorinox; all have watches at prices less than $750 and many less that $500. Many of the models are quartz, but some are mechanical or automatic. Today, I've found Frederique Constant watch for less than $500.  It's a 38mm Persuasion Automatic with classic, old world, styling that is perfect for any classy occasion. It has a sapphire crystal and an exhibition caseback to show off its movement.

To find an automatic watch with a real Swiss Made pedigree for less than $500 is no easy feat! If you'd like to take a look at it, check it out here on Amazon!