TGIF: Six Great Watches for Under $70 -- Total!

A Complete Watch Collection for Less than $70

Over the past few years, western consumers have really been pushed up against the wall with a sluggish job market for some professions, widespread job layoffs, and rampant inflation.  If you've been affected by these broader conditions, but still want to collect watches, here is a complete watch collection of cool low budget watches for less than $70 total. I've included links to these, but I'm not an affiliate of Walmart.

1. George Retro Watch

I've enjoyed wearing this George watch quite a bit. It has a nicely domed plastic crystal and what I can 1970s Retro Hashmarks.  They just remind you of the watches our dad and granddads wore in the 1970s.  It's quite a nice looking watch (Model 28/3017GNTT)

and it's made by E. Gluck Corporation (EGC)--that's the company behind Armitron.

A George Retro-Style Watch from Walmart

For $10.98, you really can't go wrong with this watch.  But, if you tap the crystal with your fingertips, it'll seem a little cheap.

2. George Brown Strap Watch with Tachymeter Markings 

This George Watch (Model 28/2043BKG) features a genuine leather strap, tachymeter markings on the bezel, and an easy to read dial. It's a simple watch that seems like a hybrid of military and sports styling cues. It's not my favorite in this inexpensive collection, but it is quite functional.

A George Watch with a Red Tachymeter Bezel

This is a nice basic watch made by the E. Gluck Corporation.  EGC makes watches for a variety of fashion names and private labels. Amazingly, it is now listed here on the Walmart website for only $9.98.  I think I paid $10.98 in the store.

3. George Gunmetal Men's Field Watch

I consider this watch a baseline field watch. It has the simple look and the markings for sure. It has a gunmetal case, black easy read dial, and cognac vegan leather strap. The 44.5mm diameter case helps make the watch easy to read. This watch is made by, what is reportedly a manufacturing division of Fossil, FMD. At $10.98, the price is certainly entry level.  You can find it (Model FMDOGE009) here on Walmart.com.

A George Field Watch with a gunmetal case and brown dial

I like this watch because it really hits the right tones as a simple field watch.  It's very practical.

4. George Men's Watch:  Matte Silver Tone Case Easy Read Dial

I also call this watch a field watch.  It made by FMD and the model number is MDOGE048.  It has a very legible off white dial and a tan vegan leather strap. It's listed at $10.98 online with Walmart. You can find it here on Walmart.com.

A George Field Watch with silvertone case and white dial

It's another watch that is practical and easy to like.  There are far more expensive field watches in our world, but their dials look the same.

5. George Silver-on-Silver Men's Watch 

This FMD-made George watch (Model:  FMDOGE024) is only $9.99 online here at Walmart.  It features a 41mm diameter silver-tone case, a silver-colored easy read dial, and a silver-tone expansion band.

A George classic watch with silver on silver color scheme

I really love the looks of silver on silver.  Of course, in a watch that sells for price this low, there are trade-offs to be made.  The numbers are simply painted on the dial.  

6. George Octogon Watch in Silver and Black

If you have Audemars Piguet tastes and a Totino's Pizza budget, check out this Octagonal model from Walmart.  It's made by Accutime (42028WMM) and sold under the Walmart George brand.  It has a silvertone case and black dial with a decorative subdial.  It evokes the famed Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, but it sells for over $40,000 less. You'll look rich from a distance, but you'll definitely want to slip out of the Polo match before its time for the divot stomp.  It's currently $12.98 here on Walmart.com.

An Audemars Piguet Alternative for less than $15

Obviously, this watch collection is a little tongue in cheek. But, cheap watches like these tell time perfectly well. They might well prompt you to question whether premium brands are delivering real value for your money.  Many of these low cost watches incorporate classic retro features.

What these watches can't do is intangible. They can't boost your self esteem or transmit to others that you are a man of substance and means.  For you single guys, they won't attract women. 

Of course, on the other hand, cheap watches like these might weed out women who just want you for your money. Plus, if you are trying to build lasting generational wealth, the $40,000 you don't invest in a prestigious watch could provide a healthy stream of passive income when put into other investments.  There's a chance that a cheap watch collection might not be as stupid as you think.