My Grail Watches: Bulova Men's Archive Series Lunar Pilot

This post covers the second of the grail watches that I currently lust for.  It's the Bulova Men's Archive Series Lunar Pilot. The watch is a quartz reproduction of the Bulova that landed on the moon. It uses the original case design and complication layout with the famed Bulova Precisionist movement. With a 262 kHz movement frequency, these watches are among the most accurate and smoothest quartz watches in the world. The second hand sweeps like one of the finest mechanical watches.

The Bulova Men's Archive Series Quartz Lunar Pilot 

I like this watch because it combines history, classic vintage looks, and a modern movement that will allow the second hand to sweep gently around the dial. You can find this watch set on Amazon:

Bulova Men's Archive Series Lunar Pilot on Amazon

Some Amazon reviewers have noted that this watch has a 20mm strap not 22mm as noted in the product description.

Watch Deal Alert: Timex Expedition Gallatin at a Discount!

 If you are looking for a watch that gives off strong "operator" vibes. You might want to check out the Timex Gallatin. It's black. It's solar. It's provides a pretty cool look at a very affordable price point. It looks perfect for divers, commandoes, or cat burglars.

Timex Expedition Gallatin Solar Watch

It does offer 50-meters of water resistance, a black resin case, and a non-rotating bezel. Unfortunately, this watch does not have Indiglo backlighting. However, this Gallatin is really built for milder adventures like Call of Duty, World of Warships, or walking the dog in the park. It is currently (as of November 4, 2025) on sale as a great Amazon Deal. It's currently 23% off for a price well under $50. You can check this great looking watch out here on Amazon!

If you are looking for a Timex Expedition with Indiglo lighting, I've reviewed one here on this blog.

Watches A to Z: Fossil

Fossil is a well-recognized fashion watch brand.  It was founded in 1984 by Tom and his brother, Kosta, Kartsotis. It's recognized by most watch wearers in the United States. Fossil was a nickname for Kosta Kartsotis because he really liked retro aesthetics. The brand initially focused on importing inexpensive, but well designed, fashion watches for retailers. Fossil adopted collectible tins as packaging for their watches in 1990 and went public in 1993. The brand has grown in popularity since it was founded. But, with retreats in the watch market, it has dropped its forays into Smartwatches and has expanded more into leather goods and sunglasses.

Fossil owns the Fossil, Relic, Skagen, WSI, and Zodiac watch brands and the women's watch brand, Michele. The company also manufactures and distributes Armani Exchange, BMW, Chaps, Diesel, DKNY, Emporio Armani, Michael Kors, and women's watch brands Kate Spade New York and Tory Burch. 

At lower price points, Fossil is also thought to own or supervise the manufacturing of generic quartz watches stamped with FMD on the caseback. Some believe this stamp stands for Fossil Manufacturing Division. I believe this to be the case because--as of a couple of years ago--the warranty service address for FMD watches at Walmart matched the Fossil Headquarters address for North America. FMD makes many of the watches sold under the George brand at Walmart.

Could these George brand FMD watches be made by Fossil?

The Fossil brand makes excellent watches that sell at affordable prices. On Amazon, men's Fossil watches sell for prices between $80 and $350. The most expensive Fossil watches are skeletonized automatics. You can see them at my Amazon affiliate link here. It's very easy to overlook Fossil or denigrate them as a "fashion watch brand," but they make great looking watches that are satisfying to own and wear. 

If you live near an outlet mall with a Fossil outlet store, you should definitely visit. You an often find great deals there.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Ghostface meets Frankenwatch Oris!

With Halloween right around the corner, me and my Frankenwatch vintage Oris had a close encounter with Ghostface!

Ghostface from the movie Scream and my vintage refurbished Oris

They warned me! Beware of Etsy watches from India! But, no, I didn't listen. I had to go down that corridor alone! I'm actually glad I did. I've found my refurbished Oris watch from India to be lots of fun and I enjoy wearing it. For more on this watch, read my Wristwatch Review: Vintage Oris Men's Manual Wind Watch from India. This little monster may only have an Oris movement, but it was authentically put together in a workshop somewhere in India and it's pretty cool!

Watch Spotlight: Tissot Men's Classic Dream Stainless Steel Dress Watch

If you are looking for a no nonsense dress watch that will bring form, function, an automatic movement, refinement, heritage and class at a good price, check out the Tissot Classic Dream Stainless Dress Watch. I've written about this watch before when it was one sale, but it is worth a look at its regular price, too.

Tissot Men's Classic Dream Stainless Steel Dress Watch

To me, this dress watch looks like a classic silver-on-silver design as far as the dial, bezel, markers and hands go.  However, the bracelet seems to alternate between high shine and slightly grey stainless steel.  It's a good look for the office that says, "Yes, I have a classic watch, but we have work to do."  The watch has a 42mm case that stands 11.53mm tall.  The bracelet is a 22mm wide and has a push button hidden clasp.

Tissot Classic Dream Stainless Steel Dress Watch Movement

If you did get this watch, you'd get a classic Swiss watch with an exhibition caseback and a 19 jewel automatic movemement with a generous 72 hour power reserve. The Swissmatic movement is based on the Swatch Sistem51 movement improved with more metal components.  It has a power reserve of up to 72 hours. 

I'll keep watching this one for deals.  But, at regular prices between $500 and $600, the Tissot Classic Dream seems fairly priced for a Swiss-made automatic watch. It has the looks of a Rolex Milgauss at a much more sensible price point.

You can check this timepiece out on Amazon here: 

Tissot Men's Classic Dream Stainless Steel Dress Watch

Wristwatch Review: George Tactical Black Dive-Style Watch

If you are looking for an inexpensive watch that looks good and tells the time, the George brand from Walmart is a good place to start. For less than $15, this George Dive-Style watch is very readable and exudes a strong masculine energy.  The murdered out look of flat black has been spreading from the automotive world into other products. It's practically the new "tactical."

A George Diver-Style Watch in Black

George Watch Features

This George watch (28/3084BKBK) has a fixed non-rotating bezel and a 12-hour and 24-hour time markings. The movement is quartz. While the numerals are painted in bright white, there is no lume applied. When it is dark, this watch is too. The watch is touted as having a rugged construction and the packaging claims that it has a long life battery. However, the Walmart online listing says the battery should last a year. Water resistance is listed as 50 inches.

George Watch Construction

This watch is made by E. Gluck Corporation, the folks behind Armitron, and it has a stainless steel case back, a base metal case and bezel, and a metal bracelet. It seems quite solid for an inexpensive watch. It is nice to have all metal construction.

George Watch Dimensions

The bracelet length is listed as 170mm. The bracelet is 20mm wide. However, the watch fit my 7 3/4-inch wrist perfectly. At about 40mm in diameter, the watch seems a little smaller than most.

Overall Impression

This is a very cool looking watch. In looks, it rivals many entry-level diver-style watch models from Timex or Casio. However, the George watch doesn't have the performance specs of these models. For less than $15, it is an excellent deal and it is fun to wear. It's a cheap way to indulge those Scuba Joe Commando daydreams.

Where to get George Watches

The George brand is sold exclusively by Walmart. Amazingly, this watch is only $12.98 online or in the store. It is quite the inflation beater.

TGIF: More Affiliate Programs and More Watch Choices

I've been working to expand the watch offerings and product choices available through affiliate programs on this blog and on my X account. So far, through Commission Junction, I've been able to affiliate with TikTok Shop, Timex, VY Jewelry, and a language app called Talkpal AI.

The TikTok Shop

The TikTok Shop is a spin-off from the popular TikTok social media app. Under the keyword "watches," it offers 1192 different products. Narrowing the search down further is a bit of a challenge. But, I've found some good offerings at decent prices. For example, this Olev's watch is very attractive and affordable. You can find it here at The TikTok Shop. There are some high end and collector brands on the site. I just have to find links for them.

Timex Links

I've been pretty excited to add affiliate links to Timex. They have a wide variety of products that most of us can afford. I have links from Commission junction for their main sites in the US, UK, and Canada. It's nice to be a little international!

In the United States, you can visit Timex US Home Page. 

In Canada, you can visit Timex CA Home Page.

In the United Kingdom, you can visit Timex UK Home Page. 

VY Jewelry Links

Many men and women are into wearing bracelets and rings with their watches today. Honestly, it's a contemporary trend that I've not picked up on. However, I've noticed that the bracelets that come packaged in department store watch sets often seem cheap and aren't sized properly. You can fix this by getting bracelets, rings, and other accessories from a proper jeweler. VY Jewelry specializes in sterling silver jewelry.  Sterling silver is 92.5% silver. While jewelry costs more than the spot price of silver due to the workmanship involved, you always have that silver price built in.  With traditional fiat currency losing value around the world, it's nice to have value built in. Even I have to admit that some of the bracelet and ring designs are pretty kick ass.

Talkpal AI Links

The most recent affiliate that I have accepted is Talkpal AI - an AI language teacher. I've had a lot of fun with google translate lately and the built in translator on X has opened up watch community around the world. A language AP is a bit of a stretch, but if you can jet set off to one of the international watch shows or visit a watch maker in Switzerland or Japan, it might be a great investment.

What's Next?

I have pending applications with many watchmakers and jewelers. If more of them are accepted, I'll be able to find links to products that aren't offered on my long time affiliate (Amazon) and be able to find and offer the best prices for the watches that I write about.