Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas from The Watch Dude!  I hope that you've had a great Holiday Season!  I've been posting at a frenetic pace throughout the holiday season.  Now, I'll kick back and return to posting at a weekly or bi-weekly basis.  I hope my watch gift ideas have been helpful!

Enjoy your day!  Here are a few of Christmas scenes from the Atlanta area!

A Christmas Tree at Post Riverside in Atlanta, Georgia

 

This year I got a new Pulsar Chronograph Watch (Model PT3399) for Christmas!  It's a cool looking watch so you'll be seeing a review on this blog in a couple of weeks!

A Winning Watch from MyWristWatch.net

I was surprised to learn that I won another watch from one of my favorite watch discussion forums: MyWristWatch.net

Invicta Dive Watch

It's a green automatic Invicta Dive Watch.  It has a lot of nice details and an exhibition caseback!

Step Right Up and See the Exhibition!

I've got to add a few provided links back to the bracelet.  But, then I think I'll be wearing this one on a regular basis.  It's a really nice watch!

Now, there's no reason to be green with envy, just make it your New Year's Resolution to sign up with MyWristWatch.net !!!

Unfortunately, MyWristWatch.net is no longer around. I recommend www watchfreeks com.

Drive By Citizen - Reviewing my New Citizen Eco-Drive Watch

I recently posted about my new Citizen Eco-Drive watch.  Now, the official review has been published.  I've always been fascinated by Citizen's seamless integration of solar technology and a quartz watch movement.  When you look at a Citizen Eco-Drive watch, you really don't see an obvious solar cell.  Instead, you see an accurate watch that never needs batteries.  I was fortunate to receive this Drive by Citizen watch for my fifteenth wedding anniversary.

Citizen Eco Drive Watch

The dial of this watch is cool because it can appear black or silver--like a mirror. 

Drive by Citizen

 If you charge it up for a day, a Citizen Eco-Drive watch should be good for 6 months of continuous operation even in the dark.  But, the manual recommends letting it charge in lamplight or sunlight about once a month.

Drive by Citizen

I really like the technology, the understated masculine style of this watch, and the comfortable leather strap.

You can read a complete review of my new Citizen Eco-Drive Watch here:

Wristwatch Review:  Drive by Citizen Men's Black Ion Plated Eco-Drive Strap Watch

The Timex Weekender

If you are looking for a cool watch for younger people, check out the Timex Weekender.  It's a great watch for preppies.  You can buy extra interchangeable straps in all kinds of colors.  Here is the basic watch for $34.99 at Target.  You can see some of the variety in strap designs as well.

Timex Weekender and Extra Straps

I have also seen the Timex Weekender in gift sets with a couple of extra straps.  The Timex Weekender watch is a good choice for either men or women.  I've reviewed it here:

Wristwatch Review:  Timex Weekender Men's Tachymeter Analog Strap Watch.

The Anatomy of a Good Deal at Kohl's

My wife got me a very nice Pulsar watch for Christmas.  She bought it at Kohl's.  I was there.  I even tried it on.  It will be a great watch to share with you sometime after Christmas.  However, it was interesting to see how a good deal on a watch works at Kohl's.

This Pulsar chronograph dress watch originally retailed for a hefty $175.   But, then there were a few adjustments to be made:

• The watch itself was 25% off on sale.
• Kohls was running a scratch off sale and my wife had a scratch off ticket for 20%.  (The tickets come on the catalog mailer, but they are also available at the register.)
• After the transaction, she got a coupon for $20 Kohl's Cash that she can use after Christmas.  You get $10 in Kohl's cash per $50 spent on a purchase.

 The discounts brought the watch down to an amazing $105 plus tax.  That is a very respectable deal  for a watch that I got see under glass and try on in person.  There is something cool about interacting with helpful sales people and picking out a watch with someone special.  My wife felt like she won the lottery after all the discounts.  I felt like I got the best watch out of the whole watch department.

Of course, as those final Christmas shopping days wind down, you might just want to get yourself to a brick-n-mortar store like Kohl's and get something while the getting is good!

Last Days for Amazon Free Shipping - 2013!

According to Amazon.com, Tuesday, December 17th, 2013, is the last day for free shipping to arrive in time for Christmas.  After Tuesday, you'll need to pay some small fee for shipping that will get your package to its destination by Christmas!

I'd like to take a moment and thank everyone who has clicked through one of our affiliate links and bought something. I'd also like to thank everyone who has clicked through an article link and read one of my articles.  While the internet seems like a cold and impersonal place, every purchase made through an affiliate advertisement on this site and each article you read makes a very small contribution to our always tight household budget. It is appreciated!  Thank you!

The Timex Elevated Classic - Perfect for Winter

If I have a watch that is perfect for a dark and stormy night, it would have to be my Timex Men's T2N696 Elevated Classics Dress Sport Collection Blue Resin Strap Watch. It's a simple, readable, watch with good looks and the amazing Indiglo ability to light up the night.

Timex Elevated Classic

Amazon has these watches with a dark looking blue resin strap.  It brings this watch design to it's full sporting potential!

Character Watches for Kids

There has been a lot of talk in the watch collector community about how watches don't hold much interest to kids and younger collectors.  For them, the cell phone holds their interest and serves as their status symbol.  But, there are lots of cool watches for available for kids.  For example, Target, Kohl's and Walmart have good collections of character watches for kids.

Here are a few that I saw on a recent trip to my local Target.  These watches would make great stocking stuffers this Christmas.

Batman Watch

Betty Boop Watch

Darth Vader Watch

Mickey Mouse Watch

Hello Kitty Watch

Superman Watch

Tweety Bird Watch

Did the Grinch Steal Grenen?

 This Grinch is grinning?  It makes me wonder if he stole all the Grenen watches.  Hmmm...  I haven't seen any on Amazon and I haven't seen any in Kohl's!

The Grinch - By istolethetv from Hong Kong, China (grinchey fellow  Uploaded by Princess Mérida) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

I haven't seen any "Grenen by Skagen" watches at all this holiday season.  They've been gone for nearly a year.  Designed by Skagen and sold for a slightly lower cost than the name brand, they were available at Kohl's for the past couple of years.  Fortunately, you can still get a Skagen  if you want a slim, streamlined watch with a Scandinavian design.

A Grenen Watch

You can read my Grenen review here.

Merona and Mossimo Wristwatches: Fail

Target had an exciting sale on watches last week.  They had buy-one-get-one-50%-off.  I popped a Mossimo and a Merona brand watch into our cart.  I thought that they successfully channeled the Panerai case shape in more modern quartz watches.  However, when I got them home, I found out that they just didn't work for me.

Merona and Mossimo Watches from Target

The winding stem for the black-on-black Mossimo watch (bottom) came off in my hand while I was setting the time.  The canvas-looking black strap on the Merona watch (top) was a tad too tight and felt a lot like cheap card board.  Even though it was only $30 for the two watches, since they didn't work for me, they'll be going back.  I probably should have stuck to the Casio and Timex selections.  These things happen.

Wenger Swiss Military Grenadier on a Night Mission

On Friday night, I took one of my favorite watches downtown on a night mission to downtown Atlanta.  My mission wasn't as glamorous or as exciting as this picture looks.  I was just getting a couple of extra shelves from Ikea.  I took this shot while waiting at a stoplight.  However, my Wenger Swiss Military Watch looks great against the Atlanta skyline.

Wenger Swiss Military Grenadier on a Night Mission

You can read a complete review of this watch here:

Wristwatch Review:  Wenger Swiss Military Men's Quartz Watch

The AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Watch - A Celebration of Vintage Valor!

On December 7th, we remember one of the most devastating surprise attacks in U.S. history:  the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor.  It is natural that our thoughts turn to the greatest generation and World War II. 

I recently received a watch that commemorates one of the great fighter planes of that war.  It is a Hawker Hurricane watch courtesy of a new watch brand from the United Kingdom--AVI-8.   The Hawker Hurricane was the main fighter plane of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain in World War II.  While the Hurricane is  known as a European fighter, the watch still reminds me of the World War II era.

The AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Watch

I really like the clever use of the RAF insignia as a subdial in the chronograph.  I also like the way the watch captures the colors of the original aircraft.  The green shows very brightly with a camera flash.  In regular daylight, it is very dark.  However, you can certainly see the resemblance in colors in this photograph of a restored Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 shown below.

Hawker Hurricane Mk 1

I think that the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane watch that captures the spirit of the venerable World War II fighter plane very effectively. 

AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Chronograph Watch

One cool thing about these AVI-8 watches is that they do not cost an arm and a leg.  In fact, the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane watch is  reasonably priced here on Amazon.com.

A Hawker Hurricane in Action Somewhere in Asia!

I'll bet that the Hawker Hurricane series sells quickly.

[As of 2024, the Hawker Hurricane watch is a still a great seller.  I recently refreshed this watch with a new watch strap and battery.  It's still flying on my wrist.]

Stocking Stuffer Watches for Christmas

If you want to add a little more oomph to your Christmas gift giving, you might look at watches as stocking stuffer gifts.  You can get lots of great watches for less than $50.  For example, you can pick up some pretty nice Timex Expedition watches quite reasonably at Walmart for just a bit over $30.

Reasonably Priced Timex Watches on Display at Walmart

If you want to go even cheaper, you can find watches for under $30 that will make perfect stocking stuffers.  Here are some great ideas for inexpensive watches.

Seven Great Men's Watches for Less than $30

Of course, Christmas is about kids.  I think kids might really like Lego watches and comic character watches this Christmas.  There have been some really cool Batman and Superman watches in the stores lately.  Kohl's, Target, and Walmart seem to have the best selections of comic character watches.  Hopefully Santa knows where to shop!

Christmas Gift Watches for Dads

Fathers are one category of people that can be tough to buy Christmas Gifts for.  But, if you examine your Dad's hobbies, interests, and workplace, you can probably find a watch that will be just perfect. 

Wenger Swiss Military Grenadier Watch

Skagen Watches for Christmas

One of the guys on mywristwatch.net suggested another great watch brand for Christmas shoppers to check out:  Skagen!  Skagen watches are designed in Denmark and reflect Scandinavian minimalist design philosophies.  

Danish Flag (Photograph by  Per Palmkvist Knudsen on Wikimedia Commons CCA2.5 license)

While some brands have thick cases, Skagen watches have thin cases that always fit under a shirt sleeve.  They are powered by reliable Japanese quartz movements.  Skagens are smooth!

Usually, I don't see Skagen watches for less than $100.  However, I found plenty of nice examples on Amazon priced very reasonably.  Just as you can recognize a great song by Van Halen, ZZ Top, or Aerosmith on the radio in the first few bars, you can instantly recognize a Skagen watch by it's streamlined, modern, minimalist look.  If you are shopping for a holiday gift this season, it's a brand that belongs on your list.

A Quick Guide to Military Watches

If you are still stumped for Christmas gift ideas for that macho, macho, man on your gift list.  You might consider getting him a military watch.  Watches with a vintage military look are in style.  Plus, a military watch won't break the budget.  Some of my favorites military-style watches are from Timex. 

Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch Overcomes Barbed Wire

My favorite military-style watch is my Timex Vintage Metal Expedition Field Watch.  It just has the look!  Here are some photos of it on an actual expedition.  (O.K., O.K., I was just walking the dog.  But, can't a guy daydream?)

Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch Encounters an Enemy Pillbox

Unfortunately, watch styles come and go. As of July 2025, this particular watch is no longer for sale on Amazon. However, the Timex Expedition series of watch has plenty of rugged looking watches that come close. Here is the complete line of Amazon Timex Expedition watches for men.

Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch Liberating Paris???

Since I created this post in 2013, military-inspired field watches have only grown more popular. This post on The Baseline Starting Point for Field Watches will give you some idea of where to get started.

A Quick Guide to Preppy Watches

You'd think after 30 days of daily blog posts, I'd rest.  But, there is still Christmas shopping to be done and people still need gift ideas.  So, I'm going to revisit some of the guides that I've done.  These articles provide ideas if you want to buy a watch for an aviation buff, a preppy, or a watch collector.  Today, we'll start out with the preppy!

If you have a preppy on your list, there are all kinds of preppy watches in the market.  Brands like Timex and LaCoste have them covered.

LaCoste Watches wait for your preppy at Macy's

My personal favorite for preppy watches is the Timex Weekender series.  Unfortunately, the straps on the canvas strap versions are just a tad short for my wrists.  Instead, I got the leather strap version with tachymeter markings.  It's a great watch and it's very readable.  You can read a review here:

Wristwatch Review:  Timex Weekender Men's Tachymeter Analog Strap Watch

The Timex Weekenders are stylish, no-nonsense, watches that look great and are generally affordable.

The Timex Weekender with Tachymeter Markings

Where I Shop For Watches

I'm generally an old fashioned, brick and mortar, kind of guy when it comes to buying watches.  Most of my watches are bought on impulse when I am shopping for other things.  (O.K., O.K., I don't have much impulse control.)  Consequently, my watch boxes are filled with affordable watches that I think look cool.  Since I get my watches on impulse, they tend to come from the places I shop:  Kmart, Kohl's, Sears, Target, and Walmart.

An Inexpensive Precision by Gruen watch from Kohl's

Watches from Kohls.  Kohl's has been one of the places where I have consistently found good deals on mid-priced watches that range from $30 to $125.  They sell low priced brands like Precision by Gruen and Zoo York.  They have a great selection of watches from Armitron, Mark Ecko, and Relic.  They have an excellent selection of watches that hover just out of my price range from brands like Bulova, Citizen, and Seiko. 

A Structure Ana-Digital from Sears

Watches from Sears.  Another surprisingly cool place to shop for watches is Sears.  I find Sears is great for brands like Bulova, Caravelle, Elgin, Hamlin, and Structure.  They also have a great rewards program that works at Sears and Kmart.  If you buy tires or another auto repair over at their auto center, your likely to get enough rewards points to get a new watch for nearly nothing.  

Watches from Walmart.  Finally, you know that I get a lot of my watches from Walmart.  They are consistently the best place to buy no name watches and watches from Casio and Timex.  Over the last year, they have really built up a great selection of tasteful Timex watches.  I've pretty much picked over the supply of no name watches.  

A Very Nice Timex Military-Style Expedition at Walmart

 

Good luck and happy hunting this holiday season!

Alternatives to the Television Watch Brands

Happy Thanksgiving!  By now you are probably finishing your turkey and getting ready for Christmas shopping.

If you are shopping for a watch this Holiday Season, it is easy to succumb to the lure of the television shopping networks and their non-stop infomercials about watches.  They are often fun to watch and you can find some truly great deals.  However, everyone knows about them.  Every watch collector has an Invicta or two or three.

Sometimes, it is more fun to give a truly unusual watch from a brand that is not so commonplace.  If you want to leave some of the more common brands behind, my newest article lays out a few alternatives to the TV watch brands:


Alternatives to the Television Infomercial Watch Brands

One very cool watch brand is AVI-8.  They make watches inspired by aviation history.  This is the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane.  Inspired by the fighter planes that saved the United Kingdom from Hitler's Luftwaffe, this Hurricane watch captures the colors of the original aircraft.  It features a aircraft silhouette on the front and a line drawing of the famed fighter on the back.  The complete AVI-8 line of watches has just been brought to Amazon.com where they are priced very reasonably with many priced under $100.

AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Watch

Watches can't be more different in personality than AVI-8 and Modify.  This alternative watch takes you from the stiff upper lip of the indomitable British pilots to the relentless techno beats of Atlanta night clubs.  Modify watches have interchangeable faces and straps.  You can mix and match until you perfectly match your wardrobe.  They bring a young, fresh, vibe to the world of horology!

A Modify Watch

From the night clubs of America it's another big leap to the precise designs of Germany's Insignum brand.  As American supplies dwindle, the Insignum mix of German design and Asian sourcing is sure to become rare.  Insignums like this Insignum Campus are still available at ZuluTimeZone.com.

Insignum Campus

Finally, if you demand uncompromising performance from your watch, you might want to check out NFW watches at ZuluTimeZone.com.



Sample watches provided courtesy of AVI-8, Modify, and ZuluTimeZone.com

Zoo York Watches for Christmas

The final watch on my list represents the letter Z.  It's a Zoo York watch from Kohl's.  Zoo York is an interesting watch brand because it offers bold watches inspired by the New York City graffiti art movement.  Younger collectors may be drawn to Zoo York because of their bold graphical style and low price tags.  I like the bright yellow dial and contrasting black band of my Zoo York watch. 

A Zoo York Watch from Kohl's.

The Zoo York line of watches is available for around $30 per watch at Kohl's.  They look like the perfect watch for the skateboarder on your list.

Wenger Swiss Military Watches for Christmas

We skipped right over V to get to one of the coolest watches in my collection:  The Wenger Swiss Military Grenadier Quartz Watch.

Wenger Swiss Military Watch

For most people, the Swiss Military is synonymous with little red pocket knives.  However, I remember visiting Switzerland as a young child in the 1970s.  The train stations were filled with men in camouflage carrying very large assault rifles.  It was the real Swiss Army. 

Swiss Army on the March ( Fcb981 at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons )

Now, the Wenger Swiss Military Grenadier is one of the few "Swiss Made" watches in my collection.  It was a cool birthday gift and it is also a reminder of a train ride through Switzerland long, long, ago.  If you think Wenger Swiss Military Watches might make a great gift, read my full review of mine here:

Wristwatch Review:  Wenger Swiss Military Grenadier Quartz Watch

Unlisted by Kenneth Cole Watches for Christmas

Earlier this year, I stumbled across an interesting watch at Ross.  It was an Unlisted by Kenneth Cole diver style watch.  It caught my eye because of the protected crown feature.  It also had a comfortable rubber strap.   Now, it represents the U in my watch collection. 

Unlisted by Kenneth Cole

This Unlisted watch is all about fashion.  It's not a true dive watch, but it looks cool.  It makes a perfectly appropriate business casual watch.  It would make an affordable Christmas gift.  While this model appears to be discontinued, there are lots of interesting Unlisted by Kenneth Cole watches on Amazon.

Thre3 Watches for Christmas

If you are on a super tight budget or just want to give an inexpensive watch as a stocking stuffer, you might check out the Thre3 brand watches at Kmart.  Thre3 is a brand of the U.S. Polo Association and they look classier than their low price tag might suggest.

I have two Thre3 brand watches and like both of them.  The first one I bought was this sporty Ana-digital Watch.  I don't even bother with the digital functions.  It's just that the watch itself has an almost perfect racing watch look.

Thre3 Ana-Digital Watch

The second Thre3 brand watch was a straight forward analog affair with very readable markings and a slightly racy look. 

Thre3 Analog Sport Watch

While these watches only cost $20 to $30, they look far better than their low price tag would suggest.  If you are looking for an extra stocking stuffer gift this Christmas or just need a watch to fit within your gift buying budget, Thre3 brand watches might be a good addition to your shopping list.