Watch Repair Kit

My First Watch Repair Kit

Back in early July of 2013, I was the fortunate winner of a drawing for an Android Watch Repair Kit from the now defunct MyWristwatch Forums.  It was a cool prize to win because I've long had a stash of cool watches that were just to big for me.  So, I've started removing links from all of those watches that just didn't fit.  Now, I can wear them and properly introduce them.  You can get a similar watch repair kit here on Amazon.

A Basic Watch Repair Kit

Resizing Watch Bands

Here is one of the first watches that I resized.  It's a Gruen II that I bought at Sears two years ago.  When I pulled them out of my secret stash, I was surprised to find that it was still running.  I liked this watch because it has a clear and readable dial and has a background that looks like high tech carbon fiber.  At somewhere around $30, the price was attractive, too.  When you set a watch bracelet in the blue contraption in the watch kit, you can twist the handle to push the pins in the bracelet right out.  You push out the pins so you can remove the links as needed.  Then you use the little hammer in the kit to tab the pins back in place at the smaller size.

Gruen II from Sears

There are some other watches made under the Gruen name today.  While the legendary Gruen watch company is gone, the name lives on. You'll find the Precision by Gruen watches on some basic watches at Kohl's.

[As of 2024, it seems like Precision by Gruen watches are most often found on Etsy or eBay.]

Courtside with my Walmart Watch

You know you are a watch nerd when you think the tennis court is a great place to shoot some watch pictures. 

This basic black Walmart watch doesn't get enough respect.  But, sometimes it's nice to go to the back of the watch box and pull something out that is just a little different.  This watch is all business in basic black.  But, there is nothing wrong with a basic watch with a readable dial.  It has a shiny polished (enamel?) black band and case.  It cost less than $15. 

If you'd like to learn more about how to find a great watch like this at Walmart, read my article:

How to Find Great Watches at Walmart

 

Of course, if you play tennis on a more high falutin' court, you may want to get your basic black wristwatch from Gucci!

Recommended: The Casio Forester - A Great Bang Around Watch

The Casio Forester is one of my favorite watches.  It's the perfect watch for banging around in.  It's inexpensive, tough, and lightweight.  It also has a long battery life.  I first reviewed mine back in August 2011 and it is still running strong two years later.   If you aren't hung up on prestige and appearances, you might like this watch.

My Casio Forester

The Forester would be a great companion on a hike.  Perhaps you could hit the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest trail?  You could do something glamorous like an archaeological expedition.  But, you could also leave that sort of thing to the super macho commando watches that cost 100 times more.  The Forester is a great watch for mowing the lawn, helping a friend move, or walking the dog.  With 100 meters of water resistance, the Forester is built for adventure.  But, if you are an armchair commando, you'll find the velcro band super comfortable for long stints of typing at a desk.
Here is my complete review:

Wristwatch Review:  Casio Forester Men's Analog Watch


If you'd like to get the Casio Forester with a darker face, you can get it for less on Amazon.com: 

Watch Photos - Marc Ecko Rhino Watch

I like to take pictures of my watches in unusual settings.  "Spookie Tooth" by Andrew Crawford is a statue of a giant adjustable wrench located in Sandy Springs, Georgia.  It makes a perfect backdrop for my Marc Ecko Rhino watch.

If you haven't read my watch review yet check out -

Wristwatch Review:   Marc Ecko Rhino Men's Analog Wrist Watch

If you'd like to take a closer look at some other Ecko designs, here are a few more of the Marc Ecko watches now being sold at Kohl's!

Have You Tried the Boccia Watch Configurator?

With all the new computerized methods of taking orders and manufacturing things in an automated fashion, the whole "mass customization" idea makes perfect sense. I especially like the concept when it applies to a personal item like a wristwatch. The Boccia brand has a configuration tool on their website that lets you control the design of your watch. You get to pick the following:

•  color of the case, 
• the bezel, the dial, 
• the hands, and 
• the strap or bracelet. 

It's a very cool web page. You end up with a Boccia watch that runs between $225 and $275 or so. I could play with it for hours! Just check out the Boccia Design Your Own Watch advertisement whenever you see it to get in on the fun!

Affordable Skeleton Watches

The Walmart Skeleton

Do you have any skeletons in your closet?  How about in your watch box?  Skeletonized watches that offer a peek into the workings of a mechanical movement are very popular.  One of my favorites is the simple automatic (above) from Walmart.  It has the lines of a diver, but allows you to see the inner workings of the watch.  It was originally introduced for an amazingly low $50.  It didn't stay in the stores long.  However, now, many watch companies are bringing skeleton watches to the marketplace at affordable prices.  For example, the Relic skeleton below is only $82.50.



If you think it is a little more hip to be square, this Relic brings the skeleton design into a rectangular box.



If you are interested in saving real money on a skeleton watch, you have to check this one out. It has the lowest price for a skeleton watch that I have ever seen:
Mens Mechanical Skeleton Watch Hand Wind Up Gold Dial Black Leather Strap MW-06

The New Insignum Subwave

My watch collection recently grew with the addition of a brand new Insignum Subwave Dive Watch from my friends at ZuluTimeZone.com.  They are now carrying the full line of watches from this German brand that combines German design and quality control with global sourcing and affordability.

I'm really excited about this Insignum watch because it is a real dive watch rated for 200-meters of water resistance.  With this rugged watch, I'm all set for serious underwater adventures.  It's made with 316L stainless steel for the case and the bracelet.  It also has a sapphire-coated glass crystal.

The Insignum Subwave Dive Watch

It has a unidirectional rotating bezel for timing your dive (or my pizza).  Most importantly for water resistance, it has the screw down crown to keep water out of the Japanese quartz movement.

An Impromptu Test of the screw down crown on the Insignum Subwave

 If you'd like to read my full review of this watch, you can find it here -

Wristwatch Review:  Insignum Subwave Dive Watch

Once you've got a watch like this one, you'll have to gear up!