TGIF: Can't Afford the Watch? Buy the Company!

A Financial Cure for Watch Envy!

I've finally found a cure for watch envy: many of the high end watches that we can only drool over are actually manufactured and marketed under the auspices of publicly-traded companies. While most of us can't afford the ultra-luxury watch, we may well be able to afford the stock (or in American Depository Receipt (ADR) offerings that signify foreign stocks in US markets). If you can't buy the watch, buy the watchmaker. Once you own a few shares of a luxury watch company, you'll never be jealous or envious of a watch owner again.

Jaeger Le Coultre Ultra Thin Moonphase (photo by Remi Mathis, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

 

What are some of the publicly-traded watchmakers that are represented in the US stock market?

Swatch Group (SWGAY is the ADR). This company includes watch brands like Breguet, Harry Winston, Blancpain, Glashutte Original, Jaquet Droz, Omega, Longines, Rado, Union Glashutte, Tissot, Balmain, Certina, Mido, Hamilton, Swatch, and Flik Flak.

LVMH Moet Hennessy Luis Vuiton (LVMUY is the ADR). This includes watch brands like Bvlgari, Chaumet, DANIEL ROTH, Fred, Gerald Genta, Hublot, L'Epee 1839, Repossi, TAG Heuer, Tiffany & Co., and Zenith.

Companie Financiere Richemont (CFRUY is the ADR). This includes watch brands like Cartier, A. Lange & Sohne, Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin, and Montblanc.

Omega De Ville (Amazon Photo)

As a watch company owner, from here on out, if you want an Omega De Ville and you can afford an Omega De Ville, you can get yourself an Omega De Ville! You can even use my Amazon Affiliate link here if you want! You really do deserve an Omega watch!

Owning a stake in a luxury watchmaker means that you can vicariously enjoy a wealthy person's watch flex while actually transferring some tiny portion of their wealth into your brokerage account in the form of dividends or increased share value. 

Now you don't have to be a communist or a mugger to transfer wealth from the rich to the poor and middle class.

Now, I have to be perfectly clear. This IS NOT financial advice. This is just psychological advice. However, in what many are describing as a K-shaped economy where the middle class is being squeezed, there is some financial logic to investing into luxury goods makers.

As asset owners, the rich are getting richer by virtue of their investments. They aren't going to see a decline in their propensity to consume due to job market fluctuations. They'll be able to buy nice things even when the rest of us can't. But, if you own the stock or an ADR representing the stock of a company they patronize, you should be able to benefit in a small way. Of course, for major investment decisions, you'll want to do your own research and make your own decisions.

Rolex isn't publicly-traded, buy from Swatch group

Me. I'll just scroll through X and rejoice in all the beautiful watches that people buy and share on X and pay me for!

 (Pro Tip: Do your own research. I'm buying cheap $10 watches for a reason).

To learn other ways to cure watch envy, read my post here!

Timex Under $60 - Timex Men's Standard 40mm Watch

Sometimes, you'll find an overlooked bargain in the middle of higher priced watches.  For example, this Timex Men's Standard 40mm watch with a green dial and silver-tone case hits our under $60 mark with a price in the mid-$50 range. Most of the other selections under this model on Amazon coming in at $65, $85, or a $100. If you are hunting for a bargain, this watch is flashing a buy signal.

This Timex Standard Men's 40mm Watch has 20mm wide fabric strap, a silver-toned brass case, indiglo backlighting (despite no mention of it on the watch), 50-meter water resistance, and an easy to read dial. I also like the ornate crown. The Standard simply has a classic look.

If you'd like to snag a Timex Standard like this one before prices get out of hand, check it out here using my affiliate link.

Ten Dollar Tuesday: Oulm Three Movement Watch

When I first started this blog, I wanted to focus on watches that were affordable, look cool, and make us happy. I think this unusual three movement watch from NBONAL might do all three! It features 3 separate Citizen Miyota movements in an unusual 3 dial case. Amazingly, all of it  hits our $10 mark as well!

Oulm 1167 Multi-Movement Quartz Watch

The style of this watch is pretty crazy. But, if you collect watches, it's the crazy watches that make a collection memorable.

If you'd like to purchase a watch like this one, you can find it here using my Amazon affiliate link.

To see all the $10 watches that I've highlighted, visit my Amazon affiliate store front here.

Wristwatch Review: CIVO Analog Quartz Watch

Can a Cheap Chinese Watch Replace A Rolex?

I bought a new watch. It is the CIVO Analog Quartz watch for men. It's a low cost watch that looks good and competes well against much higher priced watches.

CIVO Men's Analog Quartz Watch

Will it replace a Rolex Explorer or Rolex Datejust? Well, it tells time just like both of them. It has a Japanese quartz movement that seems very reliable. It even has lume on the hour and minute hands. Of course, it doesn't have lume that's intense enough to glow for hours after you've gone to bed.

CIVO Watch Design

From a design perspective, this watch sits in a practical space somewhere between a dress watch and field watch. As a field watch, it has a readable white dial with a small date window just inside of the 3 o'clock position. As a dress watch, the bezel has a coin-edge fluted design that catches the sun with a datejust-like dazzle. I test the watch in a field on a 90-degree plus day and it survived just fine.

This Civo watch is working just fine in a field

Perhaps a forest test for this watch would be in order?

CIVO Watch Dimensions

In terms of dimensions, the CIVO Analog watch has contemporary dimensions with a 39mm diameter case that is 10mm thick. The hook clasp bracelet fits wrists up to 8.66 inches. The watch dimensions are perfect for the office, formal events, or a walk in the woods.

CIVO Hook Clasp Watch Bracelet

Some reviewers don't like the hook clasp bracelet.  It's kind of an old-fashioned setup. But, I found that it worked well once initial adjustments are made.

To Adjust the Civo Watch bracelet, you have to use a small screwdriver, insert it into the center of the hook landing area, and gently pry it open. Then you can slide the hook landing area to have a longer or shorter bracelet to fit your wrist.

The Hook Clasp Landing Area in the Open Position for Adjusting the Length

Once you have adjusted the bracelet to the desired length, you need to press the landing area down to ensure it is secured to the bracelet.

Hook Clasp Landing Area in the Closed Position Secure  to the Bracelet and Ready for the hook

The hook portion of the other part of the bracelet clamps over the bar on the left (above) and the clasp then folds down over the landing area. In practice, I found that it worked well and, once adjusted, doesn't have to be changed.

CIVO Watch Construction

The CIVO Analog watch features all stainless steel construction:  a stainless steel caseback, stainless steel bracelet, and stainless steel case. The crystal is simply listed as glass.

The watch has 10 atmospheres (30 meters/100 feet) of water resistance. That's a practical specification to protect against rain, sweat, and normal handwashing but not for swimming or diving.

CIVO Analog Watch Impressions

I was quite impressed by this simple watch. It provides the minimalist style and functionality that so many crave in more expensive field and minimalist watches at a price that can't be beat.

The CIVO Analog watch takes alley shortcuts with confidence

In the urban environment, the CIVO Analog seemed urbane enough. I've worn it to the office, on errands, and out walking the dog and the watch has simply worked and worked well. 

CIVO Analog Watch Packaging

Overall, I've been very impressed by the watches I've purchased as a result of my Ten Dollar Tuesday watch quest. You can see the other watches that I've found here on my blog. I think I like this one the best because of its simplicity and stainless steel construction.

CIVO Watch Price

The Civo Silver Quartz watch for men generally sells for under $30.  But, as of thie writing. this white dial variant is on sale for 67% off, that brings it in at a penny under $10. That's an amazing price. If you'd like grab one, check it out here using my Amazon Affiliate Link.

Can A CIVO Watch Replace A Rolex?

If you've been waiting to know whether this humble CIVO analog watch can replace a Rolex--like an Explorer or Datejust--you probably already know the answer.  Of course, a CIVO can replace a Rolex--especially when you can't afford a Rolex!

TGIF: The Prestige You Know

Once upon a time, when exotic sports cars appeared on Magnum PI and Miami Vice, I advised my parents that they should buy a Ferrari. It didn't matter that a Ferrari cost as much as our house and didn't have room for our family of four. I was bought into the hype. My dad ignored my advice.

Sometimes the watch press can get you all excited about watches that you've never seen in real life and that you've never encountered on the wrist of a person you actually know. When you lust for an expensive exotic watches, it can get a little silly. A great watch can exude class and good taste, but still be the craziest thing you could possibly buy. Most of us are Starbucks rich not Ferrari rich.

Sometimes it's good to step back a bit and think sensibly about watches and watch brands that have been held in high esteem by regular middle class people for years. A nice Seiko, Citizen, Bulova or Movado watch is still a big deal.

Movado Bold Evolution 2.0 (Amazon photo)

Our Ten Dollar Tuesday watches show that the essential mission of a wristwatch can be accomplished at a very low price point. That makes a watch like this Movado Bold Evolution watch quite a luxury at 45x the price. (Of course, it is a great looking watch and easily available at my Amazon affiliate link here.) If you are fortunate to get a watch like this one, value it, it is a special luxury.

Timex Under $60 - 38mm Timex Unisex Weekender Watch

If you are looking for affordable Timex watches, the venerable Timex Weekender is almost always a great choice. Almost every version comes in at well under $60 and, usually, you can find a Weekender model on sale. This Timex Unisex 38mm Watch is an excellent buy at 22% off.  Discounted into the $30 to $40 range, it offers a fabric strap, a brass case, indiglo backlighting, 30-meter water resistance, and a simple field watch dial arrangement.

Timex Weekender (Amazon Photo)

I've had a Timex Weekender for over a decade. You can read my original review here on this blog.  My Weekender is a little unusual in that it has tachymeter markings. They don't make those anymore. However, I actually prefer this more minimalist version.  If you'd like to check it out, use my convenient Amazon affiliate link here. The Weekender remains a great starting point for any affordable watch collection!

Watch Deal Alert: Timex Easy Reader Gold Tone Watch

If you're looking for an affordable Timex watch, I think I've found the best deal yet.  The Timex Easy Reader with a gold tone case and cream dial is selling for less than $25! That's an awesome deal for a recognizable brand like Timex with features like a 38mm diameter case, Indiglo backlighting, and 30-meter water resistance. 

Timex Easy Reader (Amazon Photo)

I've written alot about the Timex Easy Reader over the years, you can see all the Easy Reader mentions here. With this low price, the Timex Easy Reader is a steal. If you'd like to order one or examine the listing more closely, use my Amazon Affiliate Program link.  Check it out and see if it fits your sense of style!