A Dream Watch: Certina Men's DS Super PH500 Dive Watch

Sometimes it's tough to know whether to write a cool watch up as a Sharp Watch Shout Out or a Dream Watch, the Certina Men's DS Super PH500 is a bit of both.  With a retail price of just north of $900, it's certainly out of reach for many people--including myself as of this writing. However, it's not completely unattainable for enthusiasts who might scrimp and save for awhile or simply sell some other gear in order to get it. I'll call it a dream watch because the Certina DS Super PH500 is within our aspirations.

Certina Men's DS Super PH500 (Amazon Photo)

The cool thing about the Certina DS Super PH500 is that you get real performance for you money. This isn't a "Diver-Style" watch. This is a dive watch.  It's the real deal with 500 meters of water resistance and it's rated for swimming, snorkeling, or SCUBA diving. DS stands for double-security. Internally, the Nivachron(tm) balance spring is magnetic field resistant. Certina is serious about building rugged, high performance, sport watches.

Certina Men's DS Super PH500 Profile (Amazon Photo)

The Super PH500 is made in Switzerland and uses the venerable Powermatic 80 automatic movement that provides 80 hours of power reserve. The watch has presence on the wrist with a 43mm diameter case that is 14.95mm thick and the NATO strap that is 20mm wide.

I also like that you get serious history with the Certina brand.  They've been making watches for 130 years. Over the years, they've been involved with the Tektite under water living experiments and the highest ski run ever with a Japanese climbing expedition on Mount Everest. In 1983, they joined the SMH Group which was renamed the Swatch Group in 1999.

If you've been saving up for a new watch, you can get this one, the Certina Men'sDS Super PH500 Dive watch, here on Amazon.  For a look at the brand store, bang it here for Certina on Amazon.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Legion Watch from Belk

This is my Legion watch from 2015 or so. Apparently, there was another Legion brand from an offshore manufacturer that was very popular back in the day. However, this Legion brand watch is a house-brand watch that was created for Belk department stores.

A Legion brand watch from Belk

I don't know if a 9-year-old watch counts as vintage.  I'm afraid that if it does, I might count as vintage, too.  If you'd like to read a review of this watch, bang it here!

A Legion Watch on a restaurant menu

Watch Deal Alert: Bulova Men's Modern Millenia Automatic Ceramic Watch

I found another great deal on Bulova watches on Amazon. This time, the Bulova Men's Modern Millenia Automatic Ceramic Watch is listed at 66% off on Amazon. The watch is a three-hand 21-jewel automatic with a partial open aperture in the front and an exhibition caseback revealing the mechanism.

Bulova Modern Millenia Automatic (Amazon photo)

The watch features a ceramic case and bracelet, an edge-to-edge domed crystal, gold-tone accent markings, and a classic subdial with a second hand.  The watch has a 42-hour power reserve when fully wound. The watch case is 41.5mm in diameter and it stands a little tall at 13.2mm thick.  One Amazon reviewer noted that the lug-to-lug measurement of this watch is a little large at 53.8mm. By having only a partial aperture on the watch face, the watch is more readable than a full skeleton watch and there is room for the vaunted Bulova tuning fork logo.

Bulova Modern Millenia Automatic Exhibition Caseback (Amazon photo)

This watch is listed as 66% off of a nearly $1000 list price. This made me suspect that the infamous Invicta infomercial price model might be in effect. They always seem to say their watch has a high sticker price, but then offer it at a low retail price Street prices at various watch retailers online show this watch in ranges from this sale price up to about $750. A pretty common price might be around $500.  Overall, this Bulova is an attractive watch from a known brand at a substantial discount and at the best internet price point that I've found.

Guest Post: The Watch of My Dreams

[This post is the second in a series from Eiffion, a watch collector in the UK, who goes by the handle collectibulldog on X. In his first post, Eiffion explained about finding an amazing watch company (Maximilian Busser and Friends) and how it changed his perspective on watches.  In this post, he talks about his personal collection and watches that fall within his means. Here's more from Effion . . .]

The Early Watches of Effion

Already stating for the record that I have over 5000 pieces I have also helped to liquidate 12 collections in which I brought from. I have never felt envy frustration or the feeling of o want until the day I saw this watch ! It’s not even one of the best they have others like the frog or the panda. They have concept watches that look like spaceships. They have watches that look like futuristic robots so there must be something rather magical for me to be so hung up on this particular amazing timepiece.

A futuristic watch

During the start of my obsession with watches (not even wanting to use as time teller but for aesthetic look) the likes of Ali express and Temu were a staple app combo and I thought at first I was getting bargains paying £20/£30 a watch until I realised the deceit and a pattern of named brands were popping up with watches resembling those of J Jacobs and  Hoblot so dodging a bulldog to get the real deal from that part of the world I’ve stuck with known safe brands.

The Unique Collection:  Reef Tiger and other Watches

A Reef Tiger Bubble Watch from Eiffion's Collection

Reef Tiger is one of the first of what I call the UC: Unique collection. I’ve got the aurora or tank two and in this series I got a bubble watch these are priced around £150 upwards and working backwards I have the ship style double movement from Hanboro in both titanium and rose gold and, whilst I was having my frustrations over the MBandF watch, I saw another that took my eye. Imagine a Bugatti car engine shrunk down and put into s case to create what is a brilliant beautiful looking futuristic design.

A Reef Tiger Watc hand a Bugatti Engine Watch

The real watches from J Jacob’s come in over a million and these watches need to be doing something special for that kind of money so when you turn one of the free crowns at the bottom of the watch the engine actually starts and 12 pistons start rotating. I am not sure if this is part of the automatic movement or creating power to go back to a battery design, it doesn’t really matter. I’m never going to a afford one and it is not the bulldog, but it is a feat of engineering,

A genuine Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon Watch (source - Jacob & Co website)

[To see this absolutely amazing timepiece, visit the Bugatti Tourbillon on the Jacob & Co website. It is truly a work of art and an engineering marvel.]

The Bulldog Watch Story

Now's the time for my good bulldog story, let’s drop down now to a reality where we can afford to buy certain objects so imagine thinking you’ve got nearly every or one of every object you’ve thought of regarding your collection and then the wife surprises the bejesus out of you one day with a wrist watch but not just a wrist watch but one with a golden style face and an embossed bulldog head as the watches face.

A Hand Restored Bulldog Watch

During the commotion of moving this watch somehow ended up on my shed under a gazebo in a plastic crate. It took me 18 months to find this and a booklet went missing and drove me crazy when I finally found it. I was ecstatic but gutted that it had corroded. That didn’t matter I have a secret weapon. His name is Mark. He is a watchmaker and watch repairer entrusted my watch with him with instructions on how I wanted the outcome and using the notion of gold silver and bronze he went about re-creating the watch from the ground up making up to 80% components and needed and I got back my watch, but it wasn’t my watch. It was completely different, with its bronze case gold face and silver strap this would’ve cost me a few hundred pounds if he had charged me and we both knew he was working on a watch that then wasn’t worth too much  

 

A Collection of Bulldog Watches

In the UK, we have a saying that certain things are like buses you don’t see one for ages and then three come along at once and with my story this was literally the case we spent 18 months trying to look for another bulldog watch and two days after I had got my original back we had found what was my original in gold tone making two, the third piece we nearly didn’t buy it wasn’t really needed to have three watches and to be in the same except for the straps there was something different about this other watch and afterwards the measurements came back that the watch was slightly different. It was thinner and maybe designed to be use for a certain purpose like a dress watch .

Just like many of the pieces that Collectibulldogs I have been offered money for my pieces time after time only second to my gold medals are the watches and as they tick rock away there’s been offers of numbers exceeding 4 figures ! That’s what makes collectibulldogs the best it’s my eye for antiques combined with my love of bulldogs. As an underdawg in life myself I totally stand behind the English Bulldog, if you think bulldogs got a fair deal after a blood sports ban that’s not the case, XL bullies are in the public interest, even though they are not in the top 10 for the most bites in the UK? There’s also new laws designed to keep breeders in check and make sure some breeds are registered under a new mandate. One such breed the Olde English Bulldog.

[We'll continue Eiffion's journey as a watch collector in future posts. You can find Collectibulldogs on all formats. This includes X with 177,000 followers and this kind of following can be found all over our social media, this is 12 years of blogging, bookmarking and trying his hardest to self promote Collectibulldogs without the hassle of being classed as spam.] 

Wristwatch Review: Perry Ellis Solar Watch with Tachymeter Markings

Over the summer, I found a great deal on this Perry Ellis Solar Collection watch at Ross. It has a brilliantly blue dial with classic markings and a very dark (almost black) blue strap.

A Perry Ellis Solar Watch in its box

Watch Features and Construction

The best feature of this solar watch is, of course, the solar power.  Once it is charged up, it can go for four months of darkness. There is nothing other than a "Solar Power" label across the dial between 8 and 4 o'clock to reveal that it is a solar watch.  The technology has clearly come along way since visible solar cells on the dial.

As a watch, the Perry Ellis solar watch has a stainless steel caseback, a Chinese movement, and a synthetic leather strap. The Perry Ellis name appears in the upper third of the dial between 10 and 2 o'clock. It can also be found on the back of the strap and on the buckle as shown below.

The Perry Ellis Logo on the Watch Buckle

Watch Dimensions

One of the things, I like about this watch is that it is perfectly proportioned for business or casual wear.  According to the ruler on my phone, the case is about 40mm in diameter and about 8 or 9mm thick.  Someday, I'll by myself a proper caliper to measure such things.  The main thing is that this watch is well proportioned with a nice readable dial size, a generous strap, and a case that doesn't stand too tall on the wrist.

The Perry Ellis Watch profile on my wrist.

Overall Impression

This watch has been a great addition to my collection.  It was amazing to find a 4-month-charge-life, solar watch for under $50 at Ross.  It would be worth buying for twice the price.  This Perry Ellis Solar Watch is a nice balance of sporty styling, easy-to-read functionality, and hassle-free ownership. 

[Update: If you'd like to get this specific model, I found it here on Amazon.] While this specific model is rapidly disappearing from the marketplace, you'll find many other great Perry Ellis watches here on Amazon.  The most recent solar watches look very good as well.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Timex Weekender with Tachymeter Markings

This is my Timex Weekender.  It's always up for a drive.  It's been one of my favorite "go to" watches for a long time due to its clear and readable dial.  The bezel on this one has tachymeter markings and those are always fun for an extra bit of sportiness. 

A Timex Weekender Watch with Tachymeter Markings

Due to their inexpensive prices, good looks, and simplicity, Timex watches are among my favorite watches for everyday wear.

Guest Post: An Abstract Man-Made Concept Creates A Time Collector

[Every once in awhile, I like to invite guest bloggers to post on this website when they bring insights into interesting watch collections and watches. This post is the first in a series from Eiffion, a watch collector in the UK, who goes by the handle collectibulldog on X. Eiffion wasn't a watch guy until a chance encounter with a really amazing watch company.  Now, he has quite an interesting collection with a mix of brands and price points. Since my own watch collection is quite conservative for office wear, it's fun to see watches collected with different styles and selection criteria.  Without further ado, here's Effion . . .]

Introducing a watch collector:  Collectibulldogs 

Hi readers,

Eiffion is the name and this is my first (hopefully of many) granted by the fantastic watch dude recently befriending each other and showing others how proper shoutouts reposts and general help for others only takes a minute and the respect you get when people see your selfless nature is Timeless.

A Peek At Eiffion's Collection

Now I’m not here today to link you to my own website, Collectibulldogs.com [Ed Note. Ha, ha, I linked it anyway.] although I love the fact that I’m given the opportunity to even add my link there and my website is the worlds largest English Bulldog antiques and collectibles online museum that’s made many unofficial world records the website and size of collection is something to behold.

A Tiny Sampling of a Vast Collection (from Collectibulldogs)

Watches, pocket watches, clocks, Sundials even candles and the sky have been used to tell where the sun is in position to the earth and where we are as we spin at 28000 thousand miles an hour creating what is universally known as a day consisting of 24 hours. There is not one particular person we can think for this invention as it is a concept which means it was created overtime just like fired was discovered or that the moon was in charge of the worlds tides. More importantly it created order out of chaos leading up to what modern day man calls a routine or a daily weekly routine

Interested in the concept but not knowing if it’s covered on this blog I found this link (Who Invented Time?) so if you want more information on the concept dates (Times lol) just click and it will bypass Google and take you to some interesting content. 

AN ABSTRACT MAN MADE CONCEPT CREATES A TIME COLLECTOR

Now I’m not a bragger far from it and most would think by now this fella knows his science, etc., but before this year I fought routine I didn’t own or wear watches and, if you were to ask me what time it is what day it is or even the number of the month, I would not have a clue part of this is due to my mental health disorder (which you can also catch up on at Collectibulldogs with our mental health awareness section) But also watches never appealed to me until I saw the watches of one company.

The Cold Call that Changed The Way I See Watches

Writing this part is seriously frustrating so forgive any discrepancies, collecting English bulldog antiques is what I do best. My free e-book proves this and the collection of over 5000 bulldog antiques in five sections and research and then displayed for the last 12 years. I have spent most of my money time and effort on getting the best of the best to make our collection what it is today, one thing I do look out for that is watches that associated with Bulldogs whether it be the brand the look as long as it is authentic and there is a reason behind the bulldog advertising then collectibulldogs will buy it. [Hence, the call . . . ]

Photo by Jonathan Mauer, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Now when I say cold calling online made me ill you may think OMG I don’t understand what is he talking about? Well let me tell you when you pick up your phone you normally get adverts little snippets to look at before you slide your phone turn it on and use it I picked up my phone about five months ago and a widget shows a watch not just any watch but this one was called the bulldog watch and made by the world famous MB and F Company. I have added a link so that you can check out why I fell in love with what I saw: the HM10 Horological Machine Number 10: Bulldog. The abbreviation stands for Maximilian Busser and Friends.

Maximilian Büsser and Friends HM10 Bulldog (photo from website)

That link will take you to some of the most fantastic watches and time pieces and other amazing concepts that this company has managed to bring to life. The Bulldog watch is part of a dynasty of watches made by this company that has taken on board life around Them and put this into their designs I also believe they have their own patented movement and if you check places like eBay you will see the prices of these watches go into the hundreds of thousands the Bulldog watch titanium would be $107,000 or if you wanted it in rose gold that is $120,000. 

Maximilian Büsser and Friends HM10 Bulldog RT in Red Gold (photo from website)

[We'll continue Eiffion's journey as a watch collector in future posts. You can find Collectibulldogs on all formats. This includes X with 177,000 followers and this kind of following can be found all over our social media, this is 12 years of blogging, bookmarking and trying his hardest to self promote Collectibulldogs without the hassle of being classed as spam.]

Watch Wearing Wednesday: George Watch with Tachymeter Markings

Today, I'm wearing a George Watch with Tachymeter markings and a vegan leather strap.  I sure am  sorry about all the vegans, but they do make for a nice, comfortable, watch band.  All jokes aside, it's was an outstanding good value for only $10.98.

George Watch from Walmart with Tachymeter Markings.

This watch was supplied by the E. Gluck Corporation - one of the largest private label quartz watch manufacturers in the world.  They also own the Armitron and Torgoen watch brands.  It's a great bang around watch for everyday wear.

Watches A to Z: Elgin

If you are into collecting watches, one brand you may have heard of is Elgin. The Elgin National Watch Company was originally founded in Elgin Illinois back in 1864 and operated up until 1968.  You'll see watches from them under the names Elgin, Lady Elgin, and Lord Elgin.

Vintage Elgin Manual Wind Watch - photo by Joe Haupt from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Elgin watch company moved its manufacturing from Illinois to South Carolina in 1963.  However, all US manufacturing was stopped in 1968 and the Elgin brand was sold.  The brand passed through many hands and was ultimately purchased by MZ Berger.  Elgin watches made after 1968 are not related to the original Elgin watch company and have little collector value.  For example, since the first quartz watch was unveiled by Seiko in 1969, this attractive women's Elgin watch that I came across in a thrift store, has no real collector value.

A modern Elgin quartz watch for women

Elgin is pretty well known for pocket watches and you can often find nice examples posted on online auction sites for reasonable prices.  Several websites cover the topic of Elgin watch collecting.

A Key-Wound Coin Silver Vintage Elgin Pocket Watch
(photo by Joe Haupt from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

One caveat to the "no collector value" label on modern post-Elgin Elgin watches is that you may still find watches with the Elgin label that are attractive and priced affordably.  For example, I really liked the look of this quasi-mechanical quartz Elgin watch that I bought a few years ago in a department store.

With all the Swiss brands that have been revived under new owners or that have been captured by non-Swiss owners, there's no reason that MZ Berger can't capitalize on their ownership of the Elgin brand and even revive it in modern times. If you like a modern Elgin watch, there is no reason not to buy it.  Companies like MZ Berger make plenty of fashion watches sold under a variety of brand names.  As of 2024, modern Elgin watches are available here on Amazon.  Some are marketed purely under the Elgin label and others under the Elgin by Accutime.  This blinged out Elgin Reserve by Accutime watch is very reasonably priced here on Amazon.

As far as the internet knows, MZ Berger still owns the Elgin brand. While some of the watches are a little "blingy," others are quite attractive. In an era where many dead Swiss brands are being revived, I think it's kind of cool that an American name in watches  continues on. You can find Elgin watches on Amazon here.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Timex Easy Reader

Have you wondered what kind of watch the millionaire next door wears? Odds are it's something like the Timex Easy Reader.  It might not be the flashy watch you think.  The millionaire next door might be the guy with the pickup truck or the small fleet of workman's vans.  That guy might be focused on value and functionality.  The Timex Easy Reader delivers that in spades.

The Timex Easy Reader in front of a Rolls-Royce

This watch is special to me because it once belonged to my late father.  It actually makes a great father's day watch.  I outline the reasons why in this article.

Sharp Watch Shout Out: Frederique Constant Slimline Automatic Blue Dial Men's Watch

All the Alibaba watch specials in the world can't provide one thing: mystique. There is something special about the long tradition of Swiss watch making that is special. It's like the spark of humanity. It's also about wearing something that connects you to all that tradition and craftsmanship. Unfortunately, the mystique of a genuine Swiss mechanical watch usually comes with a price tag that keeps the watches off of most wrists. Fortunately, every once in awhile, I stumble across a watch or a brand that might be priced within the range of our dreams.  One such recent discovery on Amazon is the Frederique Constant brand. I like the Frederique Constant Slimline Automatic Blue Dial Men's Watch,

Frederique Constant Slimline Automatic Blue Dial Men's Watch (Amazon photo)

With an open heart to provide a glimpse of the watches mechanical movement and a exhibition caseback, the Frederique Constant Slimline Automatic is beautiful inside and out. Frederique Constant has pioneered the use of carbon-coated silicone parts in their movements. That's why they get the sharp watch shout out! 

Frederique Constant Slimline Automatic Movement (Amazon Photo)

Frederique Constant is one of three Swiss brands that was recently acquired by Citizen, but design and manufacturing is still done in Geneva, Switzerland.  While the Slimline Blue Dial retails for just over $1000, they offer a variety of automatic and quartz movements.  A slimline quartz model is available on Amazon for less than $400.

Frederique Constant 39mm Slimline Men's Quartz Watch (Amazon photo)