What Makes A Watch Good for Work?

A sensible watch is an important part of a any man's wardrobe. Outside of creative fields or sales, the primary purpose of a work watch is to tell time and project an image of competence. In creative fields, you may want your watch to express your creativity. In sales, you may want a watch that helps align your status with those of your clients. In law or medical practice, you may want your watch to assert authority, competence, and a degree of success. For the rest of us, a competent professional watch should suffice. 

This old Pulsar Quartz Watch is a nearly perfect work watch

Here are a few components of a professional looking watch for the workplace. To me, there are four main  factors to consider:

• Readability
• Distraction-Free
• Reliable Brand
• Wardrobe Compatible

First, a watch you wear to work, should be readable. In a normal office setting, you should be able to quickly glance at your timepiece and know what time it is. Just as being on your phone during a meeting is considered rude, obviously glancing at your watch during a meeting is a bit of a faux pas. A readable watch should provide you the time with only the most incidental of discreet glances. Of course, you'll still want to know when the boring meeting ends.

Timex is a reliable brand for work watches

Second, your watch should not cause a distraction in the workplace for yourself or your co-workers. Generally, you don't want to bring a meeting to a screeching halt with your co-workers asking questions about your flashy new watch. You also don't want to circle your section of the cubicle farm flapping your arms like a bird because your vintage watch doesn't like sedentary office work.

This Hilfiger Quartz 3-hand watch is a simple attractive watch for work.

Third, you'll want to wear a watch from a brand that people have heard of and have found reliable over the years.  This generally means brands like Armitron, Bulova, Citizen, Fossil, Hilfiger, Lacoste, Nautica, Orient, Seiko, and Timex. The watch  brand you choose is an extension of your own personal brand. If you aren't a senior-level employee, a brand like Tudor or Rolex might brand you as a trust fund baby. An Ali Express special might send the signal that you're ok with outsourcing to save money. A big honking gold Invicta might let everyone know you are a made man with a "no show" union job in New Jersey. It's brutal, but I don't make the rules.

Finally, the watch you wear should complement and blend in with your other wardrobe choices. That allows for a bit of freedom on any given day and let's you show that you have a degree of taste and refinement.

An Affordable Three Watch Collection

The big watch blogs and magazines often recommend three watch collections to their readers. A three watch collection should be able to cover most of a man's watch needs. For example, a typical three watch collection might contain a dress watch, a sport watch, and a dive watch.  Where many of these collections fail is in the affordability arena. Watch enthusiast magazines often define an affordable three watch collection as a collection where each watch costs about $1000. For most of Americans, $1000 for a watch is a major stretch. I define an affordable collection as less than $75 per watch. 

Affordable Means $75 or Less Per Watch

If I were starting out to build an affordable watch collection with a cap of $75 per watch, I would start out defining what my watches should do. To cover the basics, I'd suggest a dress watch, a field watch, and a diver-style watch.

Peugeot Men's 14K Gold-Plated Sun Moon Watch

To start things out, I'd choose a dress watch from Peugeot. Their watches come with a Seiko quartz movement, free lifetime warranty that included free battery replacement, and most importantly classic looks. The 14-carat gold-plated sun moon quartz watch has a vintage look and a contemporarily-sized 40mm case.

Peugeot Sun Moon Phase Analog Watch (Amazon Photo)

While this watch looks expensive, it is surprising affordable at less than $70. You can see for yourself using my Amazon affiliate link here. The small commissions from every purchase help to support this blog.

Timex Expedition 40mm Metal Watch with Luminous Hands

Next, you'll need a rugged watch that can stand up to the rigors of daily life. I'd suggest a Timex Expedition field watch. This 40mm Timex has a silver-toned brass case, a leather strap, and comes in  variety of available dial colors. This one does NOT have indiglo back lighting, but it does have lume on the hands. I think this one looks a little better for business casual wear. For more information, I've reviewed this Timex Expedition here on this blog.

Timex Expedition Metal Brown Leather Strap Watch

This watch typically comes in at just over $50. But, there are always sales. As of this writing, the watch is 11% off on Amazon.  You can see this Timex Metal Expedition here via my affiliate link.

Stuhrling Original Depthmaster Dive Watch

Even though I don't currently swim, snorkel, or dive, I really like the looks of dive watches. In this affordable dive watch space there are many potential choices. But, I'd recommend starting with a Rolex homage watch from Invicta, Stuhrling Original, or Timex. At this writing, Stuhrling Original offers their Depthmaster Dive Watch for 86% off to come in at less than $60. It has a 42mm case diameter and 100-meters of water resistance which is good for showering, swimming, or snorkeling.

Stuhrling Original Depthmaster (Amazon Photo)

Beginning watch buyers should note that Invicta and Stuhrling have long been notorious for having high Manufacturers Suggested Retail Prices and discounting them very aggressively. Ignore all the noise and don't buy an Invicta or Stuhrling Rolex Submariner homage for more than $75. You can see what I mean when you use my affiliate link to check this Stuhrling Original out.

Grand Total for an Affordable Three Watch Collection

As of this writing on December 29, 2025, my total on Amazon for these three watches is $163.19. These prices handily beat the $225 mark suggested by our $75 cap for this exercise. You can even cap the prices at $50 a watch and find plenty of suitable watch choices. It's a fun game to play. You define the price point that is comfortable for you!

Watch Spotlight: Black & Rose Gold Bulova Marine Star Series A (Model 98B278)

If you are looking for a classy watch from a great brand, the black and rose gold ion-plated stainless steel Bulova Marine Star Series A watch is a great choice. In a long running line of watches inspired by the sea, this one (Model 98B278) combines the modern look of basic black and the nautical feel of ion-plated black and rose-gold stainless steel.

Bulova Marine Star Series A Quartz Watch 

This is a very nice watch for about $300. It's a great gift idea and would be a watch of substance that would be appropriate to wear in any setting. I've been following this one for awhile, you can too.  You can find this Bulova Marine Star Series A here on Amazon via our affiliate link!

Wristwatch Review: Orient Bambino, Second Generation, Version 3

I've wanted a Bambino for a long time. It's a watch from Orient, a well-regarded Japanese brand, that has a long history of building high quality mechanical watches. There are many versions of the Bambino. It's a long running watch series that was first released in the 2012 timeframe. The one I purchased is the Orient Bambino, Second Generation, Version 3.

The Orient Bambino, 2nd Generation, Version 3

Bambino Version 3 Watch Features

The Bambino version 3 watch (Model TAC0000DD) is a dress watch with a domed crystal, a stainless steel case, a Caliber F6724 automatic movement, and a genuine leather strap.

My Orient Bambino arrived well-package in a long box suitable for a gift

The F6724 is a 22-jewel movement that features self-winding, hand-winding, and hacking capabilities. According to CaliberCorner.com, "winding the crown 30 times will wind the spring full and achieve full power reserve." The movement has a power reserve of 40 or more hours. 

Bambino Watch Style

The second generation Orient Bambino, Version 3, has a minimalist style. Many watch pundits describe this watch as having a bauhaus style due to its similarity to the German school of minimalist design. It has a sparse dial design with simple stick hashmarks as indices to denote the hours and minutes. The hands are equally simple batons. This model does not have an exhibition caseback. While the watch does have a little bit of pop in the stylish Orient logo and the sunray design of the blue dial, the overall design is purposeful, elegant, and restrained. 

The Orient Bambino, Version 3, has a sun ray dial.

In a flashy world, an automatic watch that has all the functionality and a tasteful modicum of restraint is refreshing.

Bambino Watch Construction

The Orient Bambino, Version 3, is made in Thailand. It has a stainless steel case and genuine leather strap. As a dress watch, it has 30-meter water resistance which is sufficient for incidental splashing and light rain. In six months of ownership, the watch has held up to normal wear in dress and casual situations. 

The Orient Bambino, Version 3, does not expose its movement for the world to see

Bambino Watch Dimensions

This Bambino's case is 40.5 mm in diameter and 11.8mm thick. The lug-to-lug measurements come in at 46.8mm. The leather strap is 21mm wide at the lug and tapers slightly to 19mm at the buckle.  It's  long enough to fit my 7 3/4-inch wrist perfectly.

Orient Bambino, V3, caseback and strap

Overall Impressions of the Orient Bambino, Version 3

I enjoy my Orient Bambino as a serious entry into the world of watch collecting. I have a few vintage Orient watches, but this one seems like a pinnacle of the brand's watch design and construction efforts. I like knowing that the brand has a long heritage as a maker of mechanical timepieces. As a series, the Bambino watches are aimed squarely at new and middle-class watch collectors and this one hits me perfectly. I'm proud to own it.

The Orient Bambino holds its own against luxury brands

The Orient Bambino, Version 3, seems like it is completely comfortable in the world of luxury watch brands, but doesn't feel the need to show off. It has nailed the requirements. In my opinion, this Orient Bambino, Version 3, is one of the best values available for watch collectors on a budget. I like it.

Where to get the Orient Bambino Version 3

I got my Orient Bambino, Version 3, online at Amazon. It is currently available here via my Amazon affiliate link for a bit over $200. Since there are many, many, versions of the Bambino and a variety of other Orient Automatics available on Amazon, you might want to check this alternate Amazon affiliate link for an even broader look at the wide world of Orient automatics. It's a fun rabbit hole to jump down.

Affordable Alternatives to the Rolex 1908

Are there any affordable watches that conjure up the new, but agelessly iconic, Rolex 1908?  I found a few less expensive alternative watches that might evoke the feel of a Rolex 1908.

Sea Gull Small Seconds Minimalist Watch

This Sea Gull, small seconds, minimalist watch with numerals on the dial evokes the general silhouette of the 1908 and it does have an exhibition caseback. But, the Rolex is a far fancier watch with a coin-edge bezel and indicator tracks around the circumference of the small hands subdial and larger dial itself.

You can check out this Sea-Gull Automatic at my affiliate link here on Amazon. It's a great looking watch and you can also see rich-looking variants that substitute batons for numbers.

Baltany 1926s Oyster Homage

If you'd like to get the coin edge detail and racetrack marker indices, the Baltany Men's 1926s dress watch offers many desirable details. It certainly evokes a rich, classic, timeless watch, but the Baltany has a cushion case. So, it's not drawing inspiration from the 1908. Instead this watch evokes the original Rolex Oyster watch of 1926. This homage might be your huckleberry.

Baltany 1926s Oyster Homage Watch

 

To check out this interesting Baltany Rolex homage, click here to our Amazon affiliate link.

Tissot Tradition Stainless Steel Small Seconds Automatic

Finally, if you are looking Swiss manufacture, an automatic, an exhibition caseback, and a good bit of heritage. You might look to the Tissot Traditional Stainless Steel Automatic. It probably pre-dates the 1908, but evokes the same classic feeling. It's also not an obvious homage.

Tissot Tradition Automatic

This Tissot is surprisingly affordable at less than $500. You can check it out here via our affiliate link to Amazon. 

TGIF: The Watch Dude Blog Plans for 2026

Happy Holidays! It's the day after Christmas and time to reflect. I've tried to highlight as many good deals on watches as I could throughout the holiday season. Hopefully some of you many visitors were able to take advantage of them, save money, and find some nice watches to give as gifts and to add to your own collections. Now, the big question is what will the next steps be for this blog.

Step 1 - Clean up the mess. I'll need to clean up! After the mad orgy of a Amazon deals and links through the holidays, many of these deals will fade away or prices may go back to normal for awhile. I'll like revert many of deal posts to drafts, remove all the links that have gone dead, and repurpose some content to highlight truly great watches here and there.

Step 2 - Celebrate! I'm very excited to see this blog closing in on 2,000,000 views! That's awesome!

Step 3 - Write more reviews. With the recent emphasis on deals and sales over for 2025, it will be time to write up more reviews for watches that I've acquired over the past year. 

Step 4 - Focus on articles with lasting value. Some watches are timeless. Some watch companies persevere through thick and thin. I'll want to highlight them for posterity.

Step 5 - Trim the sails. My professional career has been in turmoil for the last few years with lay-offs and uncertainty. I'll be making some financial adjustments of my own in 2026. There will probably be fewer expensive new watches and more focus on sustaining and improving my current watches and on affordable watches.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 2025

I'd like to take a moment to wish everyone who visits thewatchdude.com a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a wonderful New Year.

An American Aviator Field Watch at the Nativity

Part of the fun of the holidays is taking watch photographs in various holiday situations. I think it adds to the festivities.

A Nautica Finn World Watch in Lights

Mostly I just hope that Santa, Nutcrackers, and Snowmen approve of my various watch choices.

I'm not sure how thriftstore nutcracker feels about my Lacoste watch

I hope that your holiday goes well and that you find every watch you ever want under your tree this year.

Santa arrives just in time

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and a blessed New Year to all!

Introducing our own Watch Battery Center

I've noticed that watch batteries are becoming more difficult to find in Walmart stores, Target stores, and local drugstores. While they may have the SR626SW/377 watch batteries, you are unlikely to find much more. 

A pile of watch and car remote batteries

When you shop for watch batteries online with Amazon, there are almost too many watch batteries to choose from. I wouldn't want to be an alkaline battery in one of my watches. I also wouldn't trust a random battery provider. Since I value my watches, I want to use watch batteries from brands like Duracell, Energizer, Maxell, or Renata.

To make watch battery shopping more convenient, I've put together a new page on this blog called:

Best Watch Batteries on Amazon.

It's our own Watch Battery Center. I've populated it with the battery types that I've used most often for maintaining my own watches and I've selected battery brands that I trust. I'll be expanding it with a few more brands and battery types. But, it should take the hassle out of finding watch batteries. Purchases through our Amazon affiliate link will also help support this blog.

Watch Deal Alert: Bulova Men's 3-Hand Calendar Date Quartz Watch

There are some watches that get lots of attention in the media. For example, the Citizen Tsuyosa or Seiko Cocktail watches. But, there are some watches that simply offer a great look, a name with heritage, and a solid value for the price. If you like some of the richly textured dial designs that are available now, you'll like this Christmas deal from Bulova. It's their Men's 3-Hand Calendar Date Quartz Watch.

Bulova Men's 3-Hand Quartz Calendar Date Watch

This Bulova has a great look that rivals far more ballyhood watches. But, you can get it for 41% off here via our Amazon affiliate link for a limited time and at a very respectable sub-$200 price. 

This watch carries all the prestige, rarity, and shine needed to make a memorable holiday gift. However, it would arrive after Christmas. It looks like December 29th is the soonest Amazon can promise it. Still, it's a great looking watch and would make a special gift.

Watch Deal Alert: Nautica Finn World Watch

One of my favorite recent watch purchases is now on sale NEW! It's the Nautica Finn World watch and it's a beautiful dive-inspired watch.  The styling of this watch is just amazing with the boldest of blues, a purposeful looking diver-style bezel, and a silicone strap that fits an up to 8-inch wrist.

Nautica Finn World Watch

The Nautica Finn World Watch Deal

Right now, this Nautica Finn World watch is on sale for 43% off! There is also a clickable $10 off coupon on top of that. That makes this incredible watch a bargain at just over $60 with the coupon or $70 without! You can grab the Nautica Finn World Watch here via our Amazon affiliate link!

TGIF: Brick-n-Mortar Watch Ideas for Christmas Shopping 2025

I guess you really put your shopping off to the very last minute this year? You may not be sure that delivery services can even get a watch order to you or your recipient soon. If that's the case, you may want to pick up a watch at a local retailer.

Burlington Watch Shopping

If you are on a tight budget, you can usually count on Burlington to have some decent watch choices for under $30.  

A Selection of Men's Watches at Burlington

I've actually found that most watches at Burlington are priced under $25. You can find brands like Armitron, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Caribbean Joe, Geoffrey Beene, Gianello, Izod, Steve Madden, Tahari, True Religion, US Polo Assn, and Van Heusen at Burlington. Since Burlington is a discount and closeout store, the selection can vary widely.

J.C. Penney Watch Shopping

It's been a long time since I've shopped in J.C. Penney, but they do have a nice selection of watches. They had many excellent watches from Armitron, US Polo Assn, and Relic.  They also seem to be a great place for shopping Caravelle by Bulova watches. Prices at JC Penney have also been surprisingly competitive with discount stores.

The Watch Selection at JC Penney

Ross Watch Shopping

Ross usually has watch brands like Ed Hardy, Invicta, Joseph Abboud, Steve Madden, and Kenneth Cole Reaction. You may also find some surprising brands like Boss, Bulova, Fossil, Nautica, and Perry Ellis from time to time. You can generally find watches at Ross from $20 to $60. There have been reports in 2025, that shoppers in "Runway" Ross stores have been finding Zenith watches with automatic movements and a ceramic bezels for an amazing $125.

T.J. Maxx Watch Shopping

Lately, the watches at T.J. Maxx have been a little too rich for my blood. I have seen watches by Citizen, Invicta, Movado, and even some higher end brands. You can get some great deals. But, the price range runs from about $80 to $1200. The downside is that it can make me think twice before snatching up a watch. But, the plus side is that you can find a good deal on a very nice watch that would be the perfect gift for someone significant.

A Citizen Watch Deal at TJ Maxx

Walmart Watch Shopping

Walmart has their own George brand which has been creating some nice looking cheap watches lately that range from $10 to $25. Walmart also carries Casio, Skecher, and Timex watches in their stores, but the in-store selection on the name brand watches tops out at about $55. Usually, you can find Timex Expedition and Easy Reader watches and Casio digital watches and Casio MRW200H diver-style watches (which I reviewed here long ago)

Watch Shopping at the Shopping Mall

If you like safe public places to wander and shop, this is definitely a good time to throw your local shopping mall a bone. I'd love to click my heels together and go back to the 90s myself. You'll generally find that major anchor stores like Macy's and Von Maur usually have ample inventory of watches. Traditional jewelry stores in the mall also have some great watches. As the price of a watch purchase goes up, it becomes more important to see, feel, and try on the watches of interest. If you've waited to the last minute, this is definitely the time to join the shopping mall crowd.

Watch Deal Alert: The Bulova Men's Classic Automatic

 A Classy Looking Watch for 45% off!

There is currently a great deal on the Bulova Men's Classic Automatic (below) in Rose Gold tone with a brown leather strap. In the lead up to Christmas, the watch is 45% off! It has luminous hands, a 21-jewel automatic movement, hack feature, aperture dial, and exhibition caseback.

Bulova Men's Classic Automatic (Amazon Photo)

It's a large 45mm diameter watch with lots of wrist presence, a rose gold-tone stainless steel case, and domed crystal. You can check it out here via our Amazon affiliate link. For less than $325, this watch is a great deal!

Nixon Watches: Great Christmas Gifts

It can be very challenging to find an interesting and unique watch for a loved one while staying within a reasonable Christmas gift budget. One approach to the problem is to find a nice watch from a reliable brand that may not be familiar to most people. One brand that makes quality watches at sensible prices is Nixon. Nixon makes rugged watches for surfers and skateboarders so that they can handle "gnarly environments" and still look presentable for a night out on the town. I've covered the Nixon brand in this blog in this watches A to Z post.

Nixon watches offer rugged good looks with water resistance for wearers who are active in watersports let swimming, surfing, or jet skiing. The brand also has some unique takes on most watch genres. Since Nixon focuses on quartz movement watches, most of the brands watches are also affordable! 

One of the first Nixon watches to catch my eye is the Nixon Clutch 42.  This watch has a Miyota quartz movement, 100-meter water resistance, and an interesting cushion-case.  It also has a rugged woven nylon strap.

You can find this watch here using our Amazon affiliate link for less than $200. The watch has lots of  lume for low-light visibility and it comes in three different case/dial color combinations.

Another Nixon that caught my eye is the Nixon Time Teller. It's one of their standards and it reminds me of a Tissot PRX. This watch is 37mm in diameter with an 19mm bracelet. It also has 100-meter water resistance and a Miyota Quartz movement.  However, it comes in 30 different case and dial color combinations.  If you poke around a bit, you can also find similar Nixon watches with solar movements or leather straps. The possibilities seem endless!

This watch offers many ways to express individual style and it's priced at less than $200. You can see the Nixon Time Teller here via our Amazon affiliate link.

I've posted more Nixon watch gift ideas on X. I think they make excellent gift choices because they are unusual, affordable, and built to perform. You can see more here on X:

If you're shopping for gift for a watch enthusiast this Christmas, you might try Nixon. They are an American brand inspired by the west coast's surfing and skate culture. Their mission was to create a watch you could surf with and then go to decent beach front restaurant.
(1/4) pic.twitter.com/MxRJBEB87P

— TheWatchDude (@the_watch_dude) December 16, 2025

This brand bigs fun back to the watch game in a big way!

Affordable Swiss Watches: Three Swiss Watches for $100 or Less

If you are on a tight budget and looking for affordable Swiss Made watches for your collection, it can be a challenge. Many Swiss watchmakers have moved up-market and staked out high price points that aren't always easy to attain for many consumers and especially younger collectors. Fortunately, there are still a few Swiss watch brands that most people can easily afford.  Here are three Swiss Made watches that are available for $100 or less.

Mathey-Tissot Excalibur Series Three Hand Date Watch

Mathey-Tissot is an interesting watch brand with a long and rich heritage.  It was founded in 1886 by Edmond Mathey-Tissot. Originally founded in Les-Ponts-de-Martel, Switzerland, it was moved to Geneva in 1975 when it was acquired by American distributor Jules Elefant. The brand changed ownership again in 2014 when it was acquired by Alberto Frigerio.  It is now managed by Swiss Watch Partners SA. Most of their watch models cost less than between $100 and $2000 within many offerings below $500. 

Mathey-Tissot Excalibur Series Three Hand Date Watch (Amazon Photo)

For this exercise, I focused on cost and selected their least expensive watch. The watch above is the Mathey-Tissot Excalibur Series Swiss Quartz watch. It's an all stainless steel watch with a 45mm diameter case that is 10mm thick. I love that they call the pattern "Medieval." You can check this watch out here via our Amazon affiliate link!

Wenger Urban Metro Swiss Quartz Watch

When Victorinox acquired Wenger in 2005, the Wenger brand started to disappear from the watch marketplace. The brand stopped making Swiss Army knives in the 2013 timeframe. It was a small price to pay to end tedious arguments about which brand was the original and which was the genuine Swiss Army brand. However, as Victorinox has moved more upscale, they must have made the decision to bring back the Wenger brand. According to Grok, the Victorinox subsidiary Wenger is focused on watches, travel gear, and licensed products (other than knives). The Wenger Urban Metro watch is a 42mm diameter Swiss Quartz watch that features minimalist styling and a canted date window at 4 o'clock.

Wenger Urban Metro Swiss Quartz Watch

Initially, this watch reminded me of the utilitarian designs from Mondaine (covered here on this blog). However, a second glance reveals strong field watch influences from timepieces like the Tudor Ranger. You can see the Wenger watch here using our Amazon affiliate link.

Swatch New Generation Bio-Ceramic Swiss Quartz Watch 

Finally, one popular Swiss Brand needs to be mentioned:  Swatch.  The brand makes all kinds of cool watches that are affordable and made in Switzerland. This one hits our $100 mark and brings a bit of style to the conversation. Swatch has watches that run from $60 on up and has recently made waves with collaboration watches with some big names in the watch industry.  The one pictured here today is called "Good to Gorp" and incorporates the latest in Bio-Ceramic case technology. This should increase the watch's longevity.

Swatch "Good to Gorp" Bio-ceramic Watch

You can find this Swatch here via our Amazon affiliate link. There are many other Swatch watches in this price range so this brand could form the basis for an interesting and affordable collection.

In an era when so many watch prices seem completely unaffordable, it's nice to have options! 

Three Great Watches from Emporio Armani

In researching Armani watch brands, I've found that the Emporio Armani brand has some great looking watches that offer tailored designs with premium features at attainable price points. While brands like Tudor and Rolex are far out of reach, you can get sharp looking designs among fashion watch brands. Here are three watches from the Emporio Armani brand that look great and don't break the bank!

Emporio Armani Men's Chronograph Watch

This first watch carries the lowest price tag. However, I think this Emporio Armani Chronograph offers the perfect look for the office. It's has a 43mm diameter case that's 10mm thick. It also has a reassuring 50-meters of water resistance in case of heavy rain or a sudden soaking. This watch has a quartz movement with chronograph functionality. The watch has the versatility to be a dress watch or an upscale business casual timepiece.

Emporio Armani Chronograph (Amazon Photo)

As of this writing in December 2025, the watch is just 6% off on Amazon which brings the price to just over $100. I like this watch because you get a rich look without actually having to be rich. If you'd like to check this watch out yourself, you can get it here via our Amazon affiliate link.

Emporio Armani Cushion Case Chronograph

This Emporio Armani Chronograph (Model 11689) has a classic 40mm cushion case,  a 20mm wide bracelet with two-button deployment clasp, a date window at 6 o'clock, and chronograph functionality. As of December 2025, this quartz chronograph is offered on Amazon for 11% off. 

Emporio Armani Model 11689 Chronograph (Amazon Photo)

For less than $250, it's a modern masculine design and it is a great look for business casual environments. You can check out this Emporio Armani Chronograph out here on Amazon via our affiliate link.

Emporio Armani Sea Explorer

The Emporio Armani Sea Explorer brings serious 200-meter water resistance to your wrist. It's an action-oriented automatic watch with a screw down crown that's rated for swimming and snorkeling, but not recommended for the rigors of SCUBA diving. It's not inexpensive at just under $375, but the price tag is a far cry from the lofty price figures commanded by luxury brands.

Emporio Armani Sea Explorer Diver's 200M watch

This watch is ISO 6245 rated for serious water activities and comes in many different case and bracelet color combinations. It's a substantial timepiece with a 42.5mm diameter case is 14mm thick. The dial is Super-Luminova coated for exceptional low-light and dark visibility. You can see the Emporio Armani Sea Explorer for yourself here via our Amazon affiliate link.

With each of these watches priced at less than $500, they could form a very practical three watch collection for a young professional.  The watches are accessible because Emporio Armani collaborates with Fossil for their design, development, and distribution. For more information on Armani watch brands, check out my post here.

An Italian Outing with my latest US Polo Assn Watch

 A Small Adventure to Review a New Watch

On one recent night, my wife and I decided to break out of our dining rut with an outing to a nearby Italian Restaurant. I wore my US Polo Assn sport watch with a orange dial. 

It isn't an expensive watch and it's not from a prestigious brand so I wondered how it would look at a dining spot that was a tad fancier than a local sports bar. Some men test their watches on Alpine slopes, other men find their watches' limits on jungle hikes, and others take their watches into the depths of the sea. I'm content testing mine at a slightly fancier Italian restaurant.

US Polo Assn Watch Style

The first real test of this watch was when the lights were turned down a bit. In the low lamplight of our restaurant table, would I still be able to read this watch. The answer was a resounding yes. The dauphine hands of this watch had just a little strip of white and a gold tone that was clearly readable. The 43mm case and lack of sub-dials also contributed to the readability of this watch.

A US Polo Assn Quartz Watch with Orange Dial

The next challenge of this outing is weather the watch would have the sophistication needed for a civilized restaurant. The answer again from this US Polo Assn watch is yes! It has Roman numerals, baby! What more do you need? How about applied Roman Numerals not just painted ones. This watch simply hits all the style points.

US Polo Assn Watch Construction

This US Polo Assn watch was constructed by Accutime and has a stainless steel caseback. The quartz  movement is from Singapore. It uses a common SR626SW watch battery and has a press-on caseback. Over time, I've found that Accutime makes good quality watches.

US Polo Assn watch against a Mediterrean backdrop

While I didn't get this watch wet, it seems sufficiently well-constructed for this Italian Riviera scene on a restaurant wall mural. With it's sunny face, the watch actually seems to fit right in. The watch appears to be reliable and has not lost any time in the few days since this restaurant outing.

US Polo Assn Watch Pricing

I found this watch as Burlington for just $19.99. That low price tag frees up plenty of money for a night out on the town that includes a great pasta dish! Typically, US Polo Assn watches cost between $18 and $35. This makes them affordable under almost any circumstance.

Rigatoni with sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, and chicken

Overall Impression

For an inexpensive watch, it looked great on my wrist and I enjoy wearing it. This one didn't have the signature polo ponies in relief on the dial, but I think their absence may have also helped this watch fit into any surroundings. Low price quartz watches like this often do a great job of evoking a classic watch look.  If you like the look of a US Polo Assn watch, don't hesitate the buy it. This one is great looking and an excellent value proposition. I left the restaurant satisfied with my meal and with this US Polo Assn watch!

A nearly quarter to nine, it was time to head home but not on this vintage Vespa

Where to Buy US Polo Assn Watches

You can generally find US Polo Assn watches at retailers including Burlington and JC Penney. Fashion watch styles come and go and the brand seems to have an endless variety.  You can see many US Polo Assn styles out here on Amazon. This brand is a good reminder that you don't have to buy prestige brands to have a nice looking watch.

Stocking Stuffer Watches from Armitron for 2025!

If you are looking for inexpensive watches to give as stocking stuffer gifts this Christmas, you can't go wrong with Armitron. They've long been a well-known American watch brand since 1956. Today, most of the watches that they offer on Amazon and in stores sell for less than $50. That makes them perfect to use as a stocking stuffer.

The Armitron Quartz Day Date Model 20-4591

This Armitron Model 20-4591 two-tone watch with expansion band is a great place to start on a quest for affordable stocking stuffer watches. It actually comes in 10 different case, dial, and band color combinations. You can find one that will appeal to almost any man. There are many different sales specials, but most are currently priced between $27 and $45 with most around $30. 

Armitron Quartz Day-Date (Model 20-4591)

This particular Armitron model is 13% off, to check it out, just click here on my affiliate link.

Armitron Sport Men's Digital Chronograph (Model 40-8284)

In this digital era, there are many digital watches in the marketplace. Watches like the Timex Ironman and Casio G-Shock are always at the top of mind. But, I always wonder: how armored does a digital watch need to be? I don't think I've ever seen one fail. In which case, this Armitron Sport Digital Chronograph might be a perfect choice. It has 100 meters of water resistance and functions including alarm, stop watch, lap timer, and date.

Armitron Sport Digital Watch (Model 40-8284)

For the 2025 Christmas Season this watch is 24% off for a sub-$20 price. That makes it the perfect beater watch for banging around. You can check it out here on via our Amazon affiliaite link.

[For a glance at all Armitron watches for men on Amazon, just bang it here to pass through our affiliate link.]

WATCH DEAL ALERT: Timex Waterbury Classic Chronograph 42% off!

If you are looking for a great deal on a watch that is both classy and affordable, use our affiliate link to check out this beautiful Timex Waterbury Classic Chronograph on Amazon! It has a 40mm diameter case that is 10.5mm thick. It has 30-meters of water resistance and a natural leather strap. I've been tracking this watch since July of 2025 when it was an amazing 40% off. In August, it was 23% off. Now, for December 2025, it's an incredible 42% off!  That brings this Timex home for just over $80. 

Timex Waterbury Classic Chronometer (Amazon photo)

This watch has a great timeless, chronograph, style. It's also function. The big second hand is only used for its stop watch functionality. Press a button and you're timing. Press another button and that big hand comes to a stop with a precise time. Press another button and it resets to time again. There's a video in the Amazon listing that shows how it works. 

This is a cool watch and I love that Timex has a line of affordable enthusiast watches that we can all add to our collections. If you were looking for a great Timex watch deal on Amazon, this is it!

The Best Timex Offerings on Amazon

I've collected some of the best Timex watches being offered on Amazon in one convenient affiliate link page - Best Timex Watches on Amazon.

TGIF: What do you get with a fashion watch brand?

Sometimes watch enthusiasts treat fashion watch brands with disdain. With mass production and an emphasis on quartz movements, fashion watches just aren't the watches purists would choose with their appreciation for the artistry and mechanical wizardly of European timepieces. They view watches at collectibles and long term investments. This is all well and good, but you can't tell time with a fractional share of a Rolex.

This Izod covers the dive look

What is a Fashion Watch?

According to Grok, a fashion watch is a watch designed as a styling accessory and a status symbol rather than a serious precision timekeeping tool. Yet, a fashion watch with a quality quartz movement will keep time as well or better than many serious mechanical masterpieces. While a certain amount of status may be associated with fashion watches, most of them are simply not the wealth flexes that brands like Rolex or Patek Philippe have become. If you aren't buying an investment quality watch or a watch with a serious mission like diving, mountaineering, or aviation, you can focus on a watch that is visually pleasing to your eye and that has a good level of quality.

This Zoo York watch was on trend about ten or fifteen years ago!

Design Consistency in Fashion Watches

As I've accumulated a number of fashion watches from brands like Hilfiger, Izod, Lacoste, Nautica, and  Perry Ellis, I have noticed that they do have one thing in common: design consistency within the brand.  Watches from these fashion brands generally pair very well with clothing from these same brands. It makes sense.  After all, these sorts of watches are first, and foremost, a fashion accessory. The fashion brands also cover a variety of watch styles so that they always seem to have a watch that complements your clothing.

3 O'clock is Crocodile time with this Lacoste

Watches from fashion brands also tend to have a consistent look within the brand.  For example, Nautica watches usually have a boating or sailing theme and Lacoste generally has that crocodile somewhere on the watch. If you like the brand's style, you'll probably like most of their watches.

A Nautica Watch

Brand Quality in Fashion Watches

Finally, fashion watches generally uphold the quality standards of the brand. This means you get a predictable value proposition when you buy a fashion watch. While the watch may still be made in China, you should expect a good level of quality control from trusted brands that are household names.

Why Buy A Fashion Watches

Ultimately, when I look for watches, I look for watches that look cool and that fit my budget. Fashion watches usually fit that bill. In a time when young people are hard-pressed to get solid employment and older people worry about job security and retirement, there is no shame in a watch that you can afford and that brings you joy!