What's the cheapest Seiko 5 on Amazon?

Sometimes it's interesting to look for the cheapest watch models available from a company just to see what it would take to get into collecting their watches. Today, I'm starting with one of the longest running and most affordable lines of Seiko automatic watches: the Seiko 5. The cheapest Seiko 5 on Amazon has a very traditional Seiko shield and a truly vintage look. It's the Seiko 5 (Model SNKK67) and it costs less than $125.

Seiko 5 Model SNKK67 (Amazon Photo)

The watch has a very solid reputation and earns 4 stars out of 5 on Amazon with over 129 ratings and reviews. But, the watch isn't without some drawbacks. The main drawback is that the watch can't be wound by hand and has to be shaken many times for the rotor to be wound and activated. If the wearer isn't somewhat active during the day, the watch may go dead shortly after the work day comes to an end. I find that it is more convenient when you can wind a watch yourself by hand and keep it wound with a bit of movement during the day. This Seiko 5 also doesn't have a hacking feature to allow you to stop the watch and set it precisely. This watch has a very vintage vibe. You can check this watch out on here on Amazon.

TGIF: The Plethora of Homage Watches

There are many watches that have been inspired by the classic watch designs of famed watchmakers. In some cases, there is a feature or two that work their way into a design, in other cases a watch may be created as an homage to a classic watch and may look nearly identical save for some branding, and finally there are some watches are counterfeit watches that illegally infringe on trademarked brand logos by copying them completely.

A Genuine Rolex Sea Dweller Dive Watch

Why are there so many homage watches?

One of the things that opens the gates to homage watches and the incorporation of features into modern watches from many watch brands is the sheer age of the iconic designs. I'm not a hardcore student of classic brands that I can't afford, but look at when some of the most iconic watch designs were introduced by their manufacturers:

• Rolex Datejust (1945)
• Rolex Submariner (1953)
• Rolex Explorer (1953)
• Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (1953)
• Omega Seamaster 300 (1957)
• Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (1963)

I'm no legal expert, but in the United States, a utility patent protecting the inner mechanisms of an invention like a watch is good for 20 years. A design patent protecting aspects of the watch shape is good for 15 years. It's no wonder that the doors are wide open for homage watchmakers to copy much of a watches look and shape. However, trademarks on brand names and logos can last forever as long as they are renewed every ten years. This means that homage watches like an Invicta Pro Diver are legal, but counterfeit watches never are.

My Invicta Pro-Diver Automatic

The Advantages of Homage Watches

While some collectors may lament the plethora of homage watches, as a practical matter, they allow all of  us to experience the look of classic watch styles at affordable prices. The Baltany Explorer Homage (below) lets wearers enjoy a Rolex Explorer inspired design. It's a high quality watch built with good materials and solid craftsman ship and it's available for less than $300 here on Amazon. 

A Baltany Explorer Homage

While a Rolex Explorer may never be affordable or prudent for most of us, a Baltany may provide plenty of rugged outdoor watch joy for any of us. The challenge for the old guard of a watchmakers is to invent something new and have decades of exclusive rights to the next icon.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Timex Tribute Series Citation Florida Gator Watch

 It's been a busy week so far, but it goes by faster when I wear my Timex Tribute Series Citation Florida Gators watch. It is amazing just how good this watch can look!

Timex Tribute Series Florida Gator Watch

I've reviewed this watch on the blog before. You can read my Timex Tribute review here. On Amazon, the watch is listed in the Timex Tribute store as the Timex Citation.

Sharp Watch Shout Out: The René Mouris Mythique Le Monde

When it comes to watches, sometimes fashion and form take precedence over functionality. Such is the case when it come to the Eiffel Tower inspired Mythique Le Monde from French watchmaker René Mouris. With a truly unique hexagonal case, the Mythique Le Monde is an amazing watch from a maker that has grown from microbrand to Amazon seller. The unique look and French sensibility earns this watch a well-deserved sharp watch shout out!

René Mouris Mythique Le Monde (Amazon photo)

The René Mouris Mythique Le Monde comes in seven color combinations. Critics have noted that the thin hands can be difficult to read and the automatic movement is a fairly common Miyota. However, I doubt there could be a more unique and authentically French addition to a watch collection.  This watch is definitely worth a visit here on Amazon. While the Mythique Le Monde watch is a flagship priced at nearly $800, the maker has a variety of cool looking watches with most prices averaging around a far more attainable $400 on Amazon.

Serious Watches: 5 Deep Dive Watches

Dive Watches Rates for 1000-meters or More

When it comes to deep diving watches, capability is everything. The watches we'll look at in this post have the capabilities required by professional divers working at extreme depths. Without support ships, advanced knowledge of saturation diving, and diving bells, it's unlikely that the capabilities of these watches could really be put to the test.  But, even if you aren't going down to 1000 meters, extra water resistance can help a dive watch deal with currents and other pressures of diving. It's also cool to have the technology on your wrist!

A Deepwater Diving Helmet

Here are five real dive watches that have what it takes for the deepest of diving experiences!

1) RATIO FreeDiver Helium-Safe 1000-meter 

This RATIO diver isn't free, but it is the most affordable of the high capability dive watches. It offers 1000-meters of water resistance and a helium release valve to prevent the watch from being damaged by changing pressures returning from a saturation dive.

Ratio Freediver 1000-Meter Dive Watch (Amazon photo)

 

If you'd like to take a look at it, you can find the Ratio Freediver here on Amazon. For less than $200, it is an amazing watch.

2) Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman 1000M

This Hamilton titanium automatic is great looking and ready for the deep! This one uses the Hamilton H-10 movement which is based on the same ETA 2824-2 movement that is popularly branded as the Tissot Powermatic 80. As a plus, it has an 80-hour power reserve which is far longer than most divers can hold their breath.

Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman 1000-meter Dive Watch (Amazon photo)

If you like this Hamilton watch, you can find it here on Amazon. There is another slightly different color variant and that is worth looking at too.

A NASA Habtech Diver (NASA Analogs, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

3) Breitling SuperOcean 44

If you're diving to the bottom of the sea and plan to be a sketchy dude while you're down there, you have to go with a Breitling. The Breitling SuperOcean 44 is a great 1000-meter choice for spies, saboteurs, and frogmen.

Breitling SuperOcean 44 (Amazon photo)

This Breitling looks like a real classic and you can check it out here on Amazon.

4) Certina DS PH1000M

Powered by the ubiquitous Powermatic 80 movement, this Certina dive watch likely swims right by most mainstream buyers. But, it is a rugged and capable Swiss dive watch that you can get for less than $1000.

Certina DS Super PH1000M (Amazon photo)

To check this one out, you can bang it here to find it on Amazon! 

5) Rolex Sea Dweller 

This is one of the most robust watches made by Rolex. It's rated to 1220 meters or 4000 feet of a water resistance. The watch has a helium release valve on the left side of the case. A helium release valve is really for professional commercial divers who work out of diving bells deep in the sea. Amazingly, it's never actually used when the watch is wet. This blog post for Bob's Watches has a fascinating article on the helium release valve feature here.

This watch is actually pre-owned model available from What Goes Around Comes Around (WGACA). The watch is offered at an amazing price that you can check out here on Amazon.

A diving tower for commercial underwater work (Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain) 

For most of us, these watches would only fuel our most adventurous daydreams. But, it's amazing that these dive watches give us all a chance to go hands on with some of the most advanced diving technology!

Have You Seen Collectibulldog's Watches and his Museum?

The internet brings together some eclectic and interesting watch collectors and vendors. People have different watch interests, different focuses, and different collecting strategies. There are also quite a few cool product offerings that I would have never known about without social media threads.

Part of Collectibulldogs vast collection

One of the first watch collectors online that reached out to me is Collectibulldogs. This fellow has collected one of the world's largest collections of bulldog memorabilia and collectibles in an online museum. He also collects watches!

A Pair of Watches from the Collectibulldog's Collection

You can find him on X with the handle @collectibulldog. Where I collect more staid timepieces in the interest of office job compatibility, Collectibulldog goes for watches on the wildside. You can see some of his timepieces on his website and in a few guest posts here on The Watch Dude and on website posts like this one. To see his museum, hit his site at Collectibulldogs.com. It is worth a visit! 

TGIF: Buy That Fashion Watch If You Want!

Watch experts and collectors all say, "Don't buy a fashion watch!" However, I disagree. When watch enthusiasts of a certain income level tell you not to buy a "fashion watch," they are trying to steer people away from spending hundreds, maybe thousands, of extra dollars on a watch based solely upon the name of the designer when the inside workings of the watch are quite common. This especially holds true for high end quartz watches. The designer name just doesn't justify the extra money. That might not be bad advice for high end watch buyers. But, then again, this Gucci Automatic that I saw at a runway TJ Maxx looks great!

This Gucci Automatic is Swiss Made and Looks Great

At the lower priced end of the watch buying world, fashion brands like Hilfiger, Nautica, Perry Ellis, Kenneth Cole, Fossil, and LaCoste deliver design consistency and good quality to middle class buyers for a fair price. I've been very happy with most of my fashion designer name watches.

My Hilfiger 3H Quartz Watch

When watches cost $50 to $300 or so, a well-known fashion brand name can act as a guarantor of some degree of quality control. My Hilfiger 3-Hand Quartz Watch was designed and manufactured by Movado Group. While the watch is made in China, it has Japanese movement and a very nice build quality. I've found that when prices drop below $50 and the brand name becomes generic, you really have to examine the watch to see if it is a decent buy. You can be subject to all the drawbacks of cheap watches.  

When it comes to fashion brands, you should also be aware that some brands are now aimed at very low price points and don't have the same standards that they had back in their peak popularity periods. Brands that were popularized during the 1980s or 90s and the shopping mall hay day sometimes disappoint today. For example, I have a diver-style Izod watch that has false subdials. It's a good looking watch, but only worth $30 or less. It's ok if a iconic mall name sells $20 or $30 watches today. Izod and LaCoste split because one company wanted to move down market and the other wanted to move up market. Just avoid overpaying and make sure the watch is worth $20 or $30. That said. I love my fashion watches from decent quality brands and I certainly don't feel bad about owning them.

An Izod diver-style watch with fake subdials

Perhaps, the advice becomes more relevant as you move upscale into brands like Versace, Ferragamo, or even quartz Movado watches? The fashion looks offered by the brands are strong, but are their quartz models getting to be more expensive than quartz watches should be? As I look at Amazon, I'm not sure that they are priced inappropriately. In fact, the prices for Swiss Quartz Versace multi-function watches are comparable to similar quartz multifunction watches from Bulova.

A Versace Quartz Watch

Ultimately, it all comes down to the value proposition offered by the brand in question and the watch that caught your eye. Middle class buyers can also flip that question back on the elite watch collectors. It's completely valid to ask when was the last time a watch collector dove down to 300 meters or orbited our planet. My advice: If you really like a watch and you can comfortably afford it, buy it!

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Steve Madden Diamond Fluted Bezel Quartz Watch

I've been kicking around the idea of a watch with a fluted bezel for some time now. For some reason, the eye-catching aspect of fluted bezel and the way they scatter the light intrigues me lately. I've also seen quite a few cool looking fluted models lately.  But, as I hem and haw and wonder about wearing one, I've been testing the idea out with a cheaper watch or two from Tahari and Steve Madden. Take a look at this Steve Madden Quartz "Diamond" watch with a fluted bezel. According to the Amazon description, the "Diamond" is a tiny crystal.

Steve Madden Fluted Bezel Quartz Diamond Watch

I like this watch because the profile from the side isn't too high. But, unfortunately, the bracelet is a bit too tight. I'll be tackling that issue separately since it is a non-standard bracelet.

Steve Madden Fluted Bezel Quartz Diamond Watch (Angle View)

I was able to get this watch at a Burlington store for about $20. That's a good deal for a bang around watch. It's also available in some different configurations online at Amazon. You can see it in black and gold here on Amazon.

Steve Madden Fluted Bezel Quartz Diamond Watch (Amazon Photo)

If I were to pull the trigger on a somewhat more respectable fluted bezel watch, I might pick something like this Mathey-Tissot Mathey III Automatic. It is an attainable, mechanical, and Swiss-Made watch that I can afford. You can see it here on Amazon.  Alternatively, I might consider a fluted rectangular watch like the Bulova Super Seville that I've admired in a post here.

Mathey-Tissot Mathey 3 Automatic (Amazon photo)

Trying out looks are one thing that inexpensive watches like the Steve Madden Diamond are good for. They let you tell the time, wear a similar design for awhile, and see if you really want to commit hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a watch.

Watches A to Z: Maurice Lacroix

Maurice Lacroix is a Swiss luxury watch brand. They make the watches that many people can only dream about. On Amazon, the highest priced Maurice Lacroix watch costs about $10,000. However, they have plenty of models that are priced around $2000. That's quite a bit of money, but its also the kind of money that could come your way with hard work over time, a nice bonus at work, or a sizeable tax refund. The brand is a bit of a departure from this blog. But, Maurice Lacroix watches are attainable. They are a dream watch that could easily become a goal watch!

NAC, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The brand was established in 1975 as part of an old Swiss Company that originated in trading silk. They bought a Swiss watchmaker that specialized in making private label watches and expanded frome there. Maurice Lacroix expanded rapidly, building the capability to make their own watch movements and buying a Swiss watch case manufacturer. 

They led off with a flagship Masterpiece collection which continues with watches like this Maurice LaCroix Gravity 43mm Automatic. You can fall for this dream watch here on Amazon. 

Maurice Lacroix Gravity 43mm (Amazon Photo)

Their most popular watch line is the Maurice LaCroix Aikon line of watches. The Aikon combines urban flair and sophisticated style that is perfect for any occasion. With prices usually a bit above $2000, these are dream worthy luxury watches.

Lacroix Aikon (Amazon.com)

If we're going to enjoy the Riviera, we may want to go into the water. The Maurice Lacroix line can have us ready with their Ponto S Diver watch with 300 meters of water resistance and quick change straps for any situation. It also has a cool dial with an internal rotating bezel! There are a few neat variants of this watch out there. You can check out this version of the Maurice Lacroix Ponto S here on Amazon. If you poke around a bit, the bronze versions are also very appealing.   

Lacroix Ponto S (Amazon Photo)

Finally, for an everyday dress watch, try a Maurice Lacroix Men's Classic & Simple Automatic like this one from their Les Classiques collection here on Amazon. Or, visit their website for their 1975 Collection and quartz options.

Lacroix Les Classiques Classic and Simple Automatic (Amazon photo)

To peruse the Maurice Lacroix collections more thoroughly, visit their store here on Amazon.

TGIF: Two $50 Watches to Buy For Father's Day

Father's Day is June 15th. That's practically right around the corner. A watch is almost always an appropriate gift choice for Father's Day, too. But, kids aren't made of money. Depending on their age, they are often buying with allowance, odd job, or minimum wage money. In some cases, Dad's money is paying for Dad's gift. For most families that means a Rolex is right out. Instead, let's look at some decent watches that are priced for less than $50.

Father's Day Watch Choice: The Casio MDV-106 Series Dive Watch 

This Casio is a perennial favorite among watch collectors. Often priced at less than $50, the MDV-106 (informally called the Casio Duro or Marlin) offers dive watch features and performance. It has a stainless steel case, a Japanese quartz movement, 200-meters of water resistance, a unidirectional rotating bezel, a date window, and a fish right on the dial. It's a great choice for an active father and makes a great bang around watch.

Casio MDV-106 Duro Dive Watch

Father's Day Watch: Timex Men's Highland Street Watch

Watch collectors are gaga about simple watches like the Rolex Explorer. They go on and on about the readable dial and substantial build quality. At some point, you just want to raise your hand and say, "A Timex can do that, too." Take the Timex Men's Highland Street watch with Expansion Band. It has a 39mm diameter case.  For those counting that's 3 more millimeters than the typical 36mm Rolex Explorer I. Of course, Rolex came out with a 39 and 40mm case options at various points after 2010. But, by then, they were just trying to keep up with revered brands like Timex.

Timex Highland Street

A quartz watch like the Timex Highland Street is exactly the functional tool watch that most dad's need. As an added benefit, after buying this watch, kids will still be able to have a college fund.

Both of these watches are attractive gifts for Father's Day. They are practical, attractive, and affordable.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Blue Diver-Style Watch of Mystery

No brand. No markings. No depth rating. This watch just has a beautiful blue dial and the classic markings of a dive watch. What is it? Is it a new microbrand? Is it a custom build? Do you like it?

A rather mysterious Blue Dial Diver-Style Watch

It is actually a comfortable watch with a bracelet that fits me well. The bezel does not rotate, but the bracelet is rather attractive. While there are microbrands that make watches that look like this and there are custom builds that watchmaking hobbyist can make with a generic dial, this quartz watch is a George watch from Walmart. It only cost $11.96.

Do you still like it? It makes you wonder: How important is a good brand name?

Sharp Watch Shout Out: NUOVO Men's Quartz Watch

Every once in awhile, a cheap watch with an interesting design will catch my eye. Today's sharp watch shout out goes to a brand I haven't heard of and a watch I've never handled, but it looks pretty cool. It's a Nuovo Men's Quartz Watch with Leather Strap.  That's the boring description from a Chinese company far, far, away. I'd rather call it the Crazy Green Thing Watch. Look at this watch in Kermit the Frog green. That dial design is eye-catching, funky, and kind of cool.

Nuovo Men's Quartz Watch (Amazon Photo)

On Amazon, this timepiece is priced at less than $20 so buying it isn't that big of a risk. It averages 4.1 stars out of over 250 reviews. But, the negative reviews have mentioned short initial battery life and rather flimsy straps. Others have mentioned that it is a big dial watch measuring nearly 2-inches (50mm) in case diameter. The seller calls this watch light brown. I don't see that as the dominant color. If you'd like to see this big great watch and more reviews by purchasers, it is available here on Amazon. This kind of watch is about fun, whimsy, and interesting dial design. It might be worth $20 for fun.

Watch Deal Alert: The Stuhrling Original Pro Dive Quartz Watch is 84% Off

If you're looking for an iconic dive watch style on a tight budget, you may find what you are looking for in the Stuhrling Original Pro Dive Quartz Watch for men. This 42mm timepiece evokes classics like the Omega Seamaster, but has its own design touches and fits right into the dive-style watch milieu. It has a magnifying cyclops bubble over the date window and it has a screw-down crown for a professional dive watch feel.  You can check this watch out here on Amazon.

While this Stuhrling Original may be labeled Depthmaster Professional, it really only offers 100 meters of water resistance. This isn't the only bit of watchmaker hyperbole. The Amazon listing says that it is 84% off of the full retail price. However, full retail for this watch might be more appropriate at $100 instead of the claimed $395.  The watch is still a great deal because it is a sharp looking and selling for less than $70. If you are a normal person and don't hang out with Rolex or Omega enthusiasts who might go full watch snob on you, this is a decent watch for everyday wear. Plus, if you invest the $6,000 to $12,000 that you'd save over a Rolex or Omega, you might get rich enough to afford a ultra luxurious watch somewhere down the road of life.

Wristwatch Review: Geoffrey Beene Diamond Watch with Mesh Band

One of my more comfortable and attractive fashion watch purchases has been this simple quartz Geoffrey Beene Diamond watch with a mesh band.

Geoffrey Beene Diamond Watch in Gold and Gunmetal with a stainless steel band

Watch Construction

This watch has a stainless steel caseback and gunmetal stainless steel mesh band which is very adjustable and generously sized. The quartz movement is powered by a common SR626SW battery. The diamond is a tiny gem diamond that looks good from some angles, but is of no great value. The case appears to be a good quality base metal.

Geoffrey Beene Diamond Watch in Gold and Gunmetal with a stainless steel band

Watch Style

The Geoffrey Beene Diamond watch with mesh band comes in four color combinations on Amazon. In my opinion the gunmetal and gold looks the best. It combines the menace of gunmetal and the richness of gold very nicely. 

Geoffrey Beene Diamond Watch

This watch is very well styled and does minimalism better than some dedicated minimalist brands. The 42mm diameter case brings presence to the wrist and the band is quite adjustable for a perfect fit.

Overall Impression 

This Geoffrey Beene watch is one of the most comfortable in my collection. The mesh band wears smoothly against the skin and the dial in clear and readable. I like it and I got a good deal on it for $30 or less in a Ross or Burlington store.

Where can I get this Geoffrey Beene Watch?

You can get this Geoffrey Beene watch on Amazon here for less than $50.

TGIF: Diving into Geoffrey Beene Watches

Geoffrey Beene brand watches are among the modestly priced quartz watch brands that I regularly come across at brick-n-mortar retailers like Kohl's, Ross, Burlington, and online at Amazon. They are modestly priced and generally cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $25 to $35 dollars.  At this price point, they have proven to be good looking, comfortable, and quite reliable watches. 

Geoffrey Beene Diamond Watch

Are Geoffrey Beene watches any good?

There are tons of watches in the less than $50 range and I often think of them as "commodity quartz" watches. It seems like the forms and functions are often quite similar at this price. However, I think this Geoffrey Beene punches a little above its price point. The case shapes are interesting and the colors complementary. They don't appear to be cheap. Personally, I think Geoffrey Beene watches are pretty good. They deliver a good product at a good price and they look good in any situation.

Who was Geoffrey Beene? 

For a little background, Geoffrey Beene was a highly regarded American fashion designer. He was born in 1924 and died in 2004 at age 80. A graduate of Tulane University, he was known for creating men's fashions that married comfort and luxury. He won 8 COTY awards, 3 CFDA awards and an honorary doctorate from Rhode Island School of Design. His designs were known for "impeccable styling, superb tailoring, comfort and quality." 

Who makes Geoffrey Beene watches?

Since his death, his brand has been produced by a variety of licensees. The Geoffrey Beene brand is currently owned by the Authentic Brands group and it is licensed to the Versa group who has the watches manufactured to their specifications by a variety of makers.

To see Geoffrey Beene watches on Amazon, check out this link.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Refurbished HMT Pilot

Lately, I've been enjoying my new-to-me HMT Pilot watch. It's a refurbished model from India (via Etsy) with an original case and movement, but everything else has been replaced. That means a new dial, new hands, new crystal, and new strap. I replaced the inexpensive leather strap that was provided by the Etsy seller (vintagewatchzone) with a nicer and larger silicone strap from Walmart.

Refurbished HMT Pilot Watch

This HMT is a small but colorful watch. It runs well and keeps decent time. It might be a bit fast +30 seconds or +60 seconds per day. This is my third watch from this Indian vendor and I've been very pleased so far.  You can read about my first watch from India -- a refurbished Oris here. At first I was uncertain, but I actually enjoy these watches.

A closer view of my refurbished HMT Pilot watch

 

Watch Wearing Wednesday: 90s Vintage Pulsar Day-Date Quartz Watch

Sometimes, you have to fall back on watches that are tried and true. In my case, it's this Pulsar Day-Date watch (below) that I seem to have had forever.

Pulsar Quartz Day-Date Watch

This Pulsar has a stainless steel case and bracelet, a simple dial with batons, and 100-meters of water resistance (when new). It's also unobtrusive, fits under the cuff of a shirt sleeve, and from a Seiko brand. Pulsar seems to have been relegated to the dustbin of Seiko history for now. I've seen articles indicating that the Pulsar brand has been discontinued and, yet, I've also seen a trickle of Pulsar watches being sold through Walmart.com.

Pulsar Day-Date Watch

I first wrote about this watch way back in 2011. I have no idea when I actually got it. No matter what the fate of the Pulsar brand may be, you can usually find a simple day-date watch under the Seiko umbrella between Seiko, Citizen, and Bulova.

Wristwatch Review: US Polo Assn Accutime Men's Quartz Watch in Silver and Gold Tones

When it comes to inexpensive watches for men, US Polo Association is a name that comes up regularly. You can find this brand (spelled US Polo Assn) online at Amazon and in brick-n-mortar stores like JC Penney, Burlington, and Ross. In 2025, these watches are typically priced in the $20 to $30 range. They make great bang around watches.  You can find lots of analog US Polo Assn watches for men here on Amazon. Let's take a look at one of my US Polo watches in silver and gold tones.

US Polo Assn Watch in Silver and Gold Tones

Watch Style

This watch is awfully glamorous for an inexpensive timepiece that likely cost less than $25 at a Burlington store. But, the companies who make cheap watches are often on-point when it comes to fashion.  This one has a large silver dial with gold numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9, and gold tones for the hour batons US Polo Assn script and trademark polo pony and rider. The second hand is gold and the hour and minute hands are gold with a white insert. The gold tones continue with the bezel, crown, and alternating columns of a glossy gold and silver-tone bezel. It's quite the shiny watch.

Watch Construction

With gold at $3255 an ounce and silver just over $32 an ounce as of this writing, all gold and silver are definitely just tones at this price point. The watch has a stainless steel caseback and bracelet and a base metal case. The case and watch seems pretty solid and the metal doesn't scream cheap. However, the bracelet links are pretty light weight and clink with a hollow sound. One drawback that I don't like is that the watch bracelet is integrated into the case rather unconventionally.  While there is a pin you could push out to remove the bracelet, it would not be easy to just swap the bracelet for another strap. 

US Polo Assn watch riced bracelet connection to case

None of this is surprising at this watch price point. You could almost buy another US Polo Assn watch for the price of a replacement strap. One good thing about this watch is that it is manufactured by Accutime. They make good store-brand and team logo watches at affordable prices and I've never had any issues with their products.

Watch Dimensions

This watch has a 44mm diameter case that is 10mm thick. Some might find this watch large, but it is perfectly sized for me. I have a 9-inch diameter wrist and the bracelet fits me just fine. I'm on the last adjustment hole of the clasp.  With 20mm of adjustment holes, this watch bracelet can easily be resized to fit most wrists without removing links.  If more adjustment is needed the link pins are visible and should be easy to remove to take out a link.

The bracelet and clasp of my US Polo Assn Silver and Gold Tone Watch

Overall Impression

I like this watch and this brand for cheap bang around watches. The US Polo Assn brand offers attractively-styled watches that go well with most preppy and business casual wardrobes. If you buy a watch like this and invest the money you save over more expensive branch, you'll be a rich man for sure one day. I would definitely recommend this watch. 

The eXtract: Watches Inspired by the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak collection is defined by iconic octagonal watches. Unfortunately, they often sell for over $40,000 used and lie beyond our aspirations.

Affordable Alternatives to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Amazing watches like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak are far beyond the reach of most people. But, the octagonal look of the watch resonates with watch enthusiasts everywhere. Let's look at watches inspired by the AP Royal Oak and find some affordable alternatives.

AP Royal Oak Watch - Magnus26, CC BY-SA 3.0
 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

G Shock "Royal Oak" GM2100-1A

The design influence of the AP Royal Oak reaches into the world of tough watches with this Casio G Shock Metal Covered Octagonal Watch.

G Shock "Royal Oak" GM2100-1A Ana-Digital Watch (Amazon Photo)

With 200 meters of water resistance, shock resistance, great analog features, and digital functionality, there's a lot of capability in this G Shock.  You can check this watch out here on Amazon. Amazon sells over 300 of these G Shock watches each month.

Bulova Quartz Men's Classic Dodecagon Watch

For some watch companies, the Octogon is a challenge to be exceeded. For example, this Bulova is a dodecagon!

Bulova Quartz Men's Classic (Amazon Photo)

You get 4 more sides and diamond hour markers for less than the Audemars Piguet. It's a far better value. You can get this Bulova watch here on Amazon and invest the $40,000 you save!

Sapphero Gold-Tone Octagonal Watch

Wait! You want an homage watch that looks more like a real Audemars Piguet? Because you don't want to take yours out of the safe? Sapphero watches has you covered with this nice looking octagonal quartz watch.

Sapphero Octagonal Watch (Amazon Photo)

While money is no object, this one with a green dial and rose gold tone is 19% off. You can find this nice looking homage watch here on Amazon.com. It also comes in several color combinations such as stainless and gold-tone.

Cadisen Mens Mechanical Automatic Watch 

If you want to step up your homage watch game with an automatic movement, meteorite textured dial, and 100 meters of water resistance, this Cadisen might fit the bill.

Cadisen Octagonal Automatic Watch (Amazon Photo)

This watch is simply flat-out beautiful. It comes in several variations that can be found here on Amazon.

Mini Focus Men's Octagonal Casual Quartz Watch

Your watch looks like an Audemars Piguet!

What?

It looks like a rich person's $40,000 watch!

Wow! I just like Octagons!

Mini Focus Men's Octagonal Quartz Casual Watch (Amazon Photo)

At some point, if you just like the look and the shape, you can get a neat looking octagonal watch at a very affordable price point.  For example, this Mini Focus Men's Octagonal Quartz Watch is just a fun casual watch. You can find it here on Amazon for less than $40.

For one more alternative from Olev's check out this post on my octagonal Structure watch.