TGIF: Achieving the Ulysse Nardin Classico Look

The Ulysse Nardin Classico Inspiration Watch

Sometimes collectible watches from elite brands haunt our dreams. For example, the Ulysse Nardin Classico is a beautiful nautical inspired watch. I can imagine wearing it as a well-heeled yachtsman and quietly motoring into an anchorage off of the Mediterranean sea. I can imagine checking the time as an anchor plops into the water and the line plays out. I can taste the wonderful meals that await along the French Riviera. But, like a splash of salt water, the lofty $8000 price tag keeps this dream out of the reach of many of us. The Ulysse Nardin Classico is a beautiful watch that touches our souls as a watch enthusiasts. However, a high-end luxury watch like this always raises a question:

Can we use this watch as inspiration and find something with the look that we can still afford?

The Ulysse Nardin Classico

You can see this amazing Ulysse Nardin Classico timepiece here on Amazon. 

But, what can we find as an affordable alternative watch? 

Ulysse Nardin Classico Alternatives

I found two affordable watches that might fit the bill. The first alternative that comes to my mind is the Peugeot Vintage Business watch (below).

Peugeot Vintage Business Watch (Amazon Photo)

This watch has the look with a small seconds subdial and a dial as blue as the ocean. It has a reliable Seiko quartz movement for trouble free wear.  With a price of less than $100, the Peugeot watch will even free up some cash for hourly boat rental at your nearest lake or beach town. If you'd like more information, you can check out the Peugeot Vintage Business Watch here on Amazon.

Orient Bambino Small Seconds Watch (Amazon Photo)

The second watch that comes to mind is the Orient Bambino Small Seconds watch (above). While the dial is black, this watch provides a date complication and an automatic mechanical movement. Orient has long been known for making quality automatic watches and classy looks. The brand does have some cachet with collectors. Fortunately for us, Orient is also known for being affordable. You can still get one for less than $200.  If you're Bambino curious, check this one out here on Amazon.

Welcome to October! It's time for Spooky Watches!

Hanging with Old Friends and my Bulova

With Halloween right around the corner, October is a fun month! We get to bring out all of our spooky watches and try to take spooky pictures with all of our watches. It's a month where I can show off all my skull watches without feeling like I need to join a motor cycle gang. To kick this month off, I'll show you my vintage (circa 2007) Bulova Marine Star when I was checking to make sure all the bodies were still hanging where we left them.

A Vintage Bulova Marine Star is great for casually hanging with friends

To learn more about this Bulova and how I learned how old it was, check out my post here--

Wristwatch Review: Bulova Marine Star (Model C937355)

Wristwatch Review: A Caribbean Joe Watch with a Cushion Case

One of the nice things about the Caribbean Joe brand of watches is that it brings classic watch looks to those of us with limited watch budgets. Such is the case with the Caribbean Joe watch with a cushion case and faux sub-dials.

Caribbean Joe Cushion Case Watch (Model CJ7128SLGR)

What is a Cushion Case Watch?

A cushion case is a watch case design that was popular in the early 20th century and incorporates square and round design elements.  A cushion case is a square-ish or rectangular case with gently rounded corners that has a circular dial and crystal in the center.  It looks like a round watch resting on a square pillow.

Caribbean Joe Watch Design and Features

Like most Caribbean Joe watches, this one is designed for looks. It has a green dial, non-functional subdials, a somewhat square cushion case, and a synthetic leather strap. The dial design, bright orange second hand, and house The quartz movement is from Singapore. 

Caribbean Joe Square Watch with two cups of Joe

Caribbean Joe Watch Dimensions

One thing I like about Caribbean Joe is that their watches are well proportioned. This square Caribbean Joe watch is about 43mm wide (45mm if you count the crown) and roughly 11mm thick. It fits might 7 3/4-inch wrist without any issue and has plenty of strap left for the gathers to fit comfortably.

Caribbean Joe watch strap on 7 3/4 inch wrist

Overall Caribbean Joe Watch Impression

I enjoy wearing this watch. It has a classic look that is a little unusual and a worry-free quartz movement. The non-functional subdials detract from my perception of this watch's value, but they help the brand mimic a classic look. For less than $21 at Kohl's, this watch is a good buy.  For more on the pros and cons of Caribbean Joe watches, check out my post Are Caribbean Joe Watches Any Good. Overall, I like this one!

Where can I find this Caribbean Joe watch?

Caribbean Joe watches are available at Kohl's, Boscov's, and Seirra. This watch is listed as Caribbean Joe Square Dial watch (Model CJ7128SLGR) online here at Boscov's (not an affiliate link).

TGIF: Watch Brands for Collectors on a Budget

It's fun to collect watches. But, it can be demoralizing to read watch magazines and watch websites that are often focused on watches that lie far beyond comfortable middle class price points. It's no fun to read about watches that we can't afford and where our collection might be limited to just a handful of very high quality timepieces.

A used Nivada watch that is out of my price range

While the dream lingers out there on the edges of our imagination, in reality, the median household income in the United States in 2025 was just under $84,000.  The average income was a little higher at $121,000 annually. This means a Rolex watch could easily be priced at 10% of a year's annual household income. That's a significant financial commitment. When you think about the chronic underfunding of American retirement accounts, the high cost of housing, and the purchasing power than many American's have lost due to inflation, luxury and ultra-luxury watches as defined by the watch industry become an impossible dream.

A Pair of Timex Waterbury Watches

Fortunately, we don't have to give up watch collecting. There are many watchmakers that provide interesting watches at far more affordable price points.  In my years of perusing watch advertisements, Amazon listings, and collecting watches on my own, I've found 11 watch brands that provide affordable watches.  Most choices from these brands are prices at far less than $500. Many regularly offer nice watches for less than $100.  Here are the 11 watch brands that watch collectors on a budget can count on for attractive, affordable, watches:

1. Timex
2. Orient
3. Invicta
4. Mathey-Tissot
5. Peugeot
6. Harry Williams
7. MVMT
8. Skagen
9. Diesel
10. Swatch
11. Vostok

You can find plenty of great watches to build a collection without breaking your bank!

The Diesel I didn't get when I had the chance!

Now that my blog is a Timex affiliate through Commission Junction, we can send you directly to the Timex US Home Page for their most up-to-date offerings. To check out some of the very best Timex watches that I've found as an Amazon affiliate, please visit my Best Timex Watches on Amazon page. For an excellent selection of very collectible Diesel watches, check out my affiliate page Best Diesel Watches on Amazon.

Watches A to Z: Harry Williams

When I was searching for watch values on Amazon over the weekend, I came across an unfamiliar brand:  Harry Williams. I wondered if it was an old British brand or a newfangled Asian brand. It turns out that it is actually an Italian brand. It was founded in 2015, by watch industry veteran Stefano Abbati. A veteran of watch brands including Sector, Binda Group, and Fossil, Abbati chose the name as a playful nod towards Britain's royal family with Harry being the rebel and William being the traditional. The design ethic is one of homage to the Swinging London era of the 1960s and 70s where tradition and rebellion were often at odds. Perhaps, you can see some of that conflict, in the design this Harry Williams Moon-phase Watch. 

The Harry Williams Moon-Phase Quartz Watch

[You can get this interesting watch (above) for 20% off on Amazon.com as of September 2025, just click it here for this Harry Williams watch.]

On the one hand, it has electric blue hands and a modern minimalist dial, but the moon phase complication and the Roman numeral at 12 o'clock remind the wearer of tradition. It makes for a captivating look: minimalism, modernism, and tradition. It makes for a sophisticated and transgressive combination for a watch that costs less than $100. 

The Harry Williams Skeleton Watch

Another cool watch from Harry Williams is this colorful skeleton watch with a Japanese automatic movement. It provides an unusually vibrant and youthful look for a fairly traditional automatic watch. It's also a very reasonably priced watch at less than $140.

[You can also get this skeleton watch (above) on Amazon, just click it here for the Harry Williams Skeleton Automatic watch.]

Sharp Watch Shout Out: The Invicta S1 Rally

If you are looking for a watch inspired by auto racing and fast cars, check out the Invicta S1 Rally. It's a great looking motor sports chronograph watch that most of us can afford. That's why it gets this week's sharp watch shout out!

Invicta S1 Rally Chronograph Watch (Amazon.com)

Invicta S1 Rally Features

The watch has 24-hour chronograph functionality with elapsed hours, minutes, and seconds. It's well constructed with 100-meters of water resistance and a stainless steel case. The strap is made of leather and has large holes around the circumference to help well air circulation. The watch has a VD54 Japanese quartz movement. The case is 48mm in diameter. It's a good looking watch that you won't miss on any wrist. 

Where to get the Invicta S1 Rally Chronograph

The Invicta S1 Rally is available on Amazon right here.

TGIF: How Important is Dial Color?

A recent question on X by the French watch shop (@TempusShop) about some watch colors he had in stock, led to a discussion about dial colors. For me, dial color is pretty important. I have some dial colors that I really like - blue, silver, black, and white. Some dial colors are right out for me:  salmon (that is pink) and red. It makes me wonder: How important is dial color to you? When you visit watches on Amazon, its pretty obvious that dial color can really make a big difference in price.

A Grok-generated AI image of colorful watches

To see a good example of the price differences between dial colors check out one model of watch that comes in different colors. For price comparison purposes, let's look at the Fossil Men's Sport Tourer Quartz Stainless Steel Chronograph watch. I've been intrigued by watches that have a vintage vibe and this one is all over it. This combo is brown leather, silver, and cream. There is currently a 16% discount on Amazon that brings this watch in at just over $160. You can see this watch here on Amazon.

A Fossil Men's Sport Tourer Quartz Watch (Amazon photo)

If you want the same exact watch with a slightly different strap, the sale price drops it from $195 to just under $115. 

A Fossil Men's Sport Tourer Quartz Watch with Yellow Dial (Amazon photo)

It's definitely worth poking around just to see variations of this watch between $115 to $220. To see this one here, check it out on Amazon.

Watch Deal Alert: Stuhrling Original Minimalist Black Watch for Men

Stuhrling Original is known for putting very high retail prices on their watches and steeply discounting them so that they appear to be bargains. However, even accounting for such practices, they do have some watches that value-oriented watch enthusiasts may want to consider. For example, this Stuhrling Original Black Watch is a great looking minimalist timepiece. It is part of their Symphony collection. Purchasers on Amazon seem to like this watch as it earns 4.4 stars in reviews and ratings. It might be time to set aside the Stuhrling hate.

Stuhrling Original Minimalist Black Watch (Amazon Photo)

Unfortunately, I'm having trouble finding the exact dimensions for this timepiece. The best information that i can find is that the watch comes in at 42mm in diameter. The watch is currently marketed as being 80% off and that comes in at just under $60. That's a price range that I love because the watches start to be decent and, yet, they are still affordable.

If you'd like to get this Stuhrling Original minimalist dress watch, you can find it here on Amazon.

Sharp Watch Shoutout: Hilfiger Men's Multi-Function Quartz Watch

I just noticed this Hilfiger watch on Amazon.com and had to give it a shout out. This watch has everything that makes Hilfiger a great fashion watch brand.  It's a multi-function watch with the Date, Day of the Week, and 24 hour time provided by functional sub-dials.  It has a comfortable silicone strap in the bluest of blues. It just looks great for a little under $100. That's why it gets a Sharp Watch Shoutout!

Tommy Hilfiger Men's Multi-Function Quartz Watch - Model 1791349

There a plenty of more storied watch brands, but this watch compares well against them. Why? Perhaps because they are designed and manufactured by the Movado Watch Group--an outfit that knows a little about making excellent watches. Hilfiger watches have a consistent level of quality in their designs, material, and manufacturing. They also pair well with the brands clothing lines.  Basically, this watch will pair well with that shirt that makes you look good. That's a powerful combination.

If you'd like to check this watch out, you can see it here on Amazon.

Wristwatch Review: Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch

The Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph for men is is one of the Chinese watches that has to worry traditionally low-priced watch brands like Armitron, Casio, and Timex. It provides a good look, chronograph functionality, and what seems to be a factory-direct price on Amazon. It's a competitive watch now and only a few minor flaws stand in the way of it being an outstanding watch choice at its price point.

Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch

Nibosi Watch Design and Features

The design of the Nibosi Chronograph is a solid.  It has the expected three watch hands plus three functional sub-dials that provide the 24 hour time, the elapsed seconds and elapsed minutes as chronograph features. Like most subdials, they are a little difficult for me to read as a watch enthusiast in my late 50s. The date window is canted at the 4:30 position which may be upsetting to some. I don't mind it.  The outline of our planet with longitude and latitude lines is etched into the dial background. Hour marker batons are thin chrome or stainless steel that matches the watch finish. The watch has a stainless steel bracelet secured by a deployant clasp.

The Push-button Deployant Clasp on the Nibosi Chronograph

Nibosi Watch Construction

This Nibosi watch has all stainless steel construction and seems quite solid. At this price point, it is an unexpected. The inside edges of the watch are a little sharper and rougher than the same places on more established brands like Casio or Timex. This is the one flaw that is noticeable on this watch. The effect on comfort is negligible, but might be noticed by some wearers. I found the watch fairly comfortable for extended wear. But, removed it from time to time when typing for long periods.

The Nibosi Case Back

The watch is marked as 3 Atmosphere or 100 feet of water resistance and the construction quality seems like it would easily provide that level of water resistance.

Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph

Nibosi Watch Dimensions

This timepiece has a 42mm diameter case and 22mm diameter bracelet. It's not too thick either. The bracelet comes a little long and has a link removal tool included in the packaging so that it can be adjusted down to fit.

The Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph is no classic, but it's pretty cool!

Overall Impression

Overall, the Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph provides tremendous value. It only costs about $20. I found it comfortable and substantial on my wrist. If you are looking to scratch the watch bug at an affordable price point, I'd recommend trying Nibosi out.

Where to Buy Nibosi Watches

You can find the Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph here on Amazon.

TGIF: Are Caribbean Joe Watches Any Good?

Yes. Caribbean Joe Watches Are Good!

Caribbean Joe makes attractive watches that are very inexpensive. It's natural that potential buyers would ask, "Are Caribbean Joe watches any good?" The immediate answer is "Yes!"  Caribbean Joe watches offer attractive, classically-styled, men's watches that are functional and look good. I have several (probably 15 total) and I find that they generally fit me well, and I've never had any issues with them working.  

Part of My Caribbean Joe Watch Collection

For $15 to $30, Caribbean Joe sells great watches. Since they don't cost much, they are fun to collect. If you are just looking for a fun fashion watch to bang around in, Caribbean Joe is a good watch.

Why Caribbean Joe Watches are Good!

Here are three reasons that Caribbean Joe watches are good:

1. Attractive Style - They look like classic watches. They are simply beautiful.

2. Inexpensive Price - You can find Caribbean Joe Watches in the $15 to $25 range at stores like Burlington and Boscov's.

3. Decent Quality - Caribbean Joe watches work and fit well for their low price point.

This Caribbean Joe watch is no classic, but it looks great!
For more info see my review: Caribbean Joe with Gold Tones

But, Caribbean Joe Watches are Cheap

I love Caribbean Joe watches. But, I'm a cheap bastard.  If you let other considerations slip into your watch choice, there are some good reasons you might want to consider other watches.

1. No Brand Pedigree. Caribbean Joe doesn't seem to have a real history or heritage as a watch maker. The company is primarily a casual beach apparel brand reflecting "an American vision of comfort, ease, and relaxation." Their website, Caribbean-Joe.com, doesn't even mention or sell watches. Inexpensive watch makers like Casio and Timex have rich corporate histories with milestones and break-throughs that you can be proud of when you wear one of those watches. For many watch enthusiasts, buying a watch is akin to joining a tribe. That said, there may yet form a tribe of Caribbean Joe watch enthusiasts. Who can resist that hut and palm tree logo?

A Caribbean Joe Watch
For more info see my review: Caribbean Joe Watch with Green Sunburst Dial

2. Lack of Precision. Caribbean Joe watches have a Singapore-made Quartz Movement that is reliable and works just fine. However, if you push the crown in too hastily once you've set the time, the minute hand may jump a minute or two on one direction or another. If you take it slow and develop some finesse, you can generally set the watch just fine. In fairness, this can happen with other brands, too. However, it is a reminder that you are dealing with an inexpensive watch.

3. Inexpensive Materials. To sell for $20 or so, a watch has to be made very inexpensively. While I haven't had any problems, every once in awhile, you might glance at a Caribbean Joe watch and wonder if the case is made of a really inexpensive tin alloy. The case back is made of stainless steel, but sometimes the case of a Caribbean Joe watch can look a little cheap.

4. Not Ruggedly Constructed. While I do have a Caribbean Joe watch that looks like a Tudor Ranger, it isn't a real field watch. The inexpensive materials mean that a Caribbean Joe watch probably doesn't have much water resistance. I don't wear mine out in heavy rain, use it to wash dishes, or go swimming it. It's a "bang around" watch in that I can bang it into something and go get another watch if it breaks. Beater doesn't mean go beat things with it. Obviously, I wouldn't rely on it for navigation, rock climbing, or any activity more rugged than eating shrimp at a seafood shack by the river.

This Caribbean Joe watch looks like a Tudor Ranger or Rolex Explorer
For more info, see my watch wearing post:  Caribbean Joe Tudor Ranger Alternative

5. Non-functional sub-dials. For $20, you don't get a sophisticated quartz movement with complications that can drive sub-dials. Instead, Caribbean Joe just puts sub-dial markings on the dial and we all just pretend that we have sub-dials. Since sub-dials are generally too small for me to read on most watches, I don't care that much. But, it is a reminder that the watch is cheap. I go back-and-forth on this topic. I don't care. I do care. Ultimately, I'm not a huge fan of sub-dials but, on better watches, the sub-dials work.

This Caribbean Joe watch has fake sub-dials
For more info, see my watch wearing post:  Caribbean Joe with Blue Dial

I hope this list of pros and cons has been useful in helping you decide whether to buy a Caribbean Joe watch. If you do decide to get one, Kohl's, Boscov's and Sierra are probably the best places to find them online or in the store.

What is a nurse watch?

A nurse watch is a type of watch designed for medical professionals (particularly nurses). Originally, the watches were designed to hang upside down from a lapel or via a fob from a nurses uniform. The face was also designed to be read upside down.  Nurse watches were expected to be easy to read, easy to clean, accurate and made of hygienic materials like stainless steel.  The one pictured (below) is from a Swedish company named Tärnan. The watch has some extra markings to help a nurse measure a patient's pulse.

Tärnan Nurses Watch (Public Domain)

Many people collect vintage nurse watches. They are an interesting subset of the watch community. Today, the legacy of nurse watches lives on in more modern offerings like the Spiedel Original Scrub watch (below).

Speidel 38mm Scrub watch (Amazon photo)

It's a 38mm quartz watch that comes in a wide variety of colors to match medical scrubs.  You can see the 38mm Speidel Original Scrub watch here on Amazon.com. 

Since today's nursing professionals still have to watch their hands many times per day, Speidel also makes a fob-style watch (below) that can be clipped onto clothing and is connected to the fob by a 25-inch retractable rope. You can also see the Speidel Nurse Fob Watch here on Amazon.com.

Speidel Nurse Fob Watch (Amazon photo)

Watch Deal Alert: A Great Deal on a Tissot Gentleman!

The Tissot Gentleman has long been admired as an all-around watch for men. It now has the much celebrated Powermatic 80 movement with a silicium balance spring that makes the watch more resistant to magnetic fields from everyday electronic devices. Now, it is on sale, for 40% off on Amazon.  This brings the watch down below $500.

Tissot Gentleman with Powermatic 80 Silicium movement (Amazon photo)

Under $500 is a great price point for a watch that has often been compared to the much more expensive  Rolex Datejust. It's also the kind of price that enthusiasts need to look for in an environment of tariffs and trade wars.  If you'd like to take a look at this one, check out--

The Tissot Gentleman here on Amazon.

Types of Watch Hands

Identifying Watch Hand Styles On Affordable Watches

Watchmakers, the watch press, and high-end watch collectors have standard names for the many different styles of watch hands. Some of these same watch hand styles are used on the more commonplace watches that we all wear. Learning about these watch hand styles enriches everyone's watch wearing experience.

Alpha Hands

Alpha Hands are shaped like lances with a narrow base that widens and then has an extended taper to a very narrow point. This style of watch hand is very common. Caribbean Joe uses them to great effect on this rich-looking casual $20 watch.

Alpha Hands on a Caribbean Joe Watch

For more information on this Caribbean Joe watch, check out my review here on this blog.

Arrow Hands

Hands that end in an arrow head are called arrow hands. Sophisticated, huh? On this Nautica N/83, you can see that the hour hand and the second hand are both arrow hands. The minute hand is another story. In some cases, watch hand styles can very on the same watch.

Arrow Hands on a Nautica N/83 Sports Watch

For a full-sized photo of this Nautica watch, check out this Watch Wearing Wednesday post.

Baton Hands

When watch hands are simple narrow rectangles, they are called baton hands. When the hands are very narrow, they are sometimes called stick hands.  Guess what the French word for stick is? Baton.

Baton Hands on the Vintage Buler Automatic

Baton hands can sometimes have a bit of taper to them, but they generally don't end in a point. The hands of my minimalist Fossil watch provide a great example. 

Baton Hands on a Fossil Watch

I've noticed baton hands working well on Timex Easy Reader models.  For example, they make this gold-tone Timex Easy Reader even more readable.

Timex Easy Reader with Baton Hands (Amazon photo)

If you are looking for an affordable addition to your watch collection, this Timex Easy Reader is a steal here on Amazon.

Cathedral Hands

When a watch has an ornate hand that reminds you of a stained glass window, it could be a classic cathedral hand watch. This Tactical Frog Militado D12 definitely has a cathedral hand for the hours, but the minute hand is more like a sword hand.

That's the thing with watch companies: they get to decide what kinds of hands to use and when. If you'd like to take a closer look at this Tactical Frog Militado D12, check it out here on Amazon.

Dauphine Hands

When watch hands have a taper to points on either side of the pinion (the axis around which they rotate), they are considered to be Dauphine hands. My Citizen Eco-Drive dress watch has them and, now, I'm very proud of this timepiece. It's far more sophisticated now than it was last week!

Dauphine Watch Hands on a Citizen Eco-Drive Dress Watch

Obelisk Hands

Obelisk Hands (Obelisque for the fancy) are watch hands that mimick the shapes of obelisks like the famed Washington Monument.

The Wrangler watch has Obelisk Hands

The Obelisk is a fairly common watch hand shape. You probably won't have to look far to find it in your collection.

Sword Hands

If you are going on an adventure, you might check to see if your watch has sword hands. Sword hands widen like a sword and then taper down to a point.  This Nautica watch has a good example of them.

A Nautica Watch with Sword Hands

Syringe Hands

Finally, this Adee Kaye timepiece has syringe hands.  They are wide for most of their length for readability at a glance, but then taper to a needle point for timekeeping precision.

Syringe Hands on an Adee Kaye

There are more types of watch hands so I'll update this post as I come across them in my collection and online. It's fun to know more about watch design considerations and hunt for different hand styles on our watches.

To See More Watch Hands

If you are interested in this topic, I found this very helpful article about it in the Australian watch magazine, Time & Tide.  You can see a few more hand designs and all of these watch hand types on higher end timepieces that set these sorts of standards.  Check out:

The Ultimate Watch Hand Style Guide here on Time & Tide.

TGIF: Non-Homage Watches to Collect

Sometimes, the chase for a grail watch can get exhausting. It seems like the price of a fine Rolex or a Patek Philippe, or an Audemars Piguet timepiece put them forever out of reach. In truth, they might be. These watches are priced very high because they are a status symbol and a way to display wealth. As aspirational symbols and wealth totems, these watches are meant to be out of most people's reach. 

Collectible Watches for the Rest of Us

One alternative is the homage watch that looks almost like its inspiration timepiece. For example, I've found plenty of alternatives to the Rolex President. But, sometimes homage watches are a constant reminder of what they are not. They are not the grail watch and they don't symbolize that accomplishment.

 

This Nibosi is not a Rolex (Amazon photo)

I find that when a grail watch is out of reach--and most of them are lately. It can be good to find a watch that I can actually afford, that isn't an homage, that is worth wearing, and that is interesting in its own right.

Affordable Watch Brands

Companies like Bulova, Diesel, Invicta, Orient, Seiko, and Timex make watches that most collectors can afford. With a some best-selling exceptions, these brands also make watches that are based on their own traditions, their own design sensibilities, and their own product visions. Brands like Bulova, Orient, Seiko, and Timex have rich histories to draw upon and build upon. Newer brands like Diesel and Invicta make many watches that break with watchmaking traditions and give us bold new watch designs that just catch the eye.

Collectible Timex Watches

If you are yearning to plug into a long horological history a rich  watch-making heritage, and affordable watches, Timex is a great place to start. The company was founded as a clock company in 1854 and always innovated in ways that made watches affordable to anyone. Today, they still have plenty of very practical watches like the Easy Reader, Expedition, and Ironman. But, they also have watch lines that are solidly aimed at middle class watch collectors. Check out their Chicago, Marlin (available here on Amazon), and Waterbury watch lines for some great choices.

A pair of Timex Waterbury Watches

Collectible Diesel Watches

Alternatively, you could collect the bold, brash, designs of a great fashion watch company like Diesel. They make watches that are bigger than most watches and that incorporate design elements that aren't found in the designs of staid, traditional, watch companies. Watches like this Diesel Mr. Daddy 2.0 draw attention and evoke reactions. It's no shrinking violet. Hence the logo: "Only the Brave." You can find this Diesel on Amazon here.

Diesel Mr. Daddy 2.0 Watch (Amazon photo)

The list of collectible watches could go on and on. The main thing is that you get to define and create your own watch collection and you don't have to adhere to the watch collecting norms established by the Swiss brands. You get to decide what you consider a prestigious watch. You can choose what to collect and what your criteria are for buying timepieces. Just have fun!

Where to Buy Diesel Watches

I've put together a page with some of best Diesel watches that I've found on Amazon as a convenient buying guide and reference.  You can find my Best Diesel Watches on Amazon page here!

Watch Deal Alert: The Diesel Master Chief at a Great Price

I've been drooling over Diesel watches quite a bit lately and I found a good deal on Amazon. It's the Diesel Master Chief. It's a 45mm diameter quartz watch with 100-meters of water resistance. It has the size and swagger that you'd expect from Diesel, but Amazon has them on sale for 46% off. This brings the price of this watch in at less than $100. I like this brand a lot due to their bold styling and general affordability. This sale price only makes them better.

Diesel Master Chief Quartz Watch (Amazon Photo)

To get this great watch, bang it here for the Diesel Master Chief on Amazon. Any time these watches drop below $100, you are getting a deal.

The Best of Diesel Watches on Amazon

I've put together a page with some of best Diesel watches that I've found on Amazon.  It has the models that everyone wants. You can find my Best Diesel Watches on Amazon page here!

Wristwatch Review: A Caribbean Joe Watch with Gold Tones

If there is a watch brand that I take an inordinate amount of joy in, that brand has to be Caribbean Joe. These watches are like horological potato chips. I think it is because they capture classic looks at a bargain basement price. For this review, let's take a look at one with gold tones and a brown leather strap. Technically, it might be CJ7166TTG, but I suspect that the manufacturer takes a "parts is parts" approach to casebacks.

This Caribbean Joe Watch has a classic look

Caribbean Joe Watch Style

Style is the essence of this watch. The features are simple. It's a 3 hand quartz watch with a silver-tone case. But, the style is rich and golden with golden tones to the alpha (also known as lance) hands, hour markers, and numerals, aspects of the dial, and the crown. The dial is a pail white with an underlying golden grid pattern and the trademark Caribbean Joe hut and palm tree logo are in black. This watch doesn't have any extraneous faux sub-dials that can sometimes detract the look. The overall effect is a relaxed, casual, dress watch that evokes the sun, the Caribbean, and the relaxation that comes with extraordinary wealth. This Caribbean Joe watch looks like a wealthier watch than it actually is. That's where we all join the brand and participate in an inside joke. The brand knows  and we know that this is just a $22 quartz watch. But passersby? They don't know.

Caribbean Joe Watch Dimensions

This Caribbean Joe watch is perfectly proportioned. The case of this watch is 40mm in diameter and 10mm thick. I measure about 47mm lug-to-lug and the strap is 20mm wide. The strap is around 187mm long. With the watch, you have about 22.5 cm of length to work with. The watch accommodates wrists of up to 7.95 inches (20 cm) if you deduct an inch (25mm) of strap end. If find that the watch accommodates my wrist easily with plenty of strap to spare.

This Caribbean Joe watch doesn't stand too tall on the wrist

The good fit and perfect size add to my appetite for these watches.

Caribbean Joe Watch Construction

Like most Caribbean Joe watches, there are little things that betray this watch's inexpensive origin. While the caseback is stainless steel, the case itself is made of a much less expensive material--probably a base metal. On the plus side, it's a light comfortable to wear watch weight. A big minus, is that the body of the watch can look cheap from time to time.  

The Caribbean Joe Watch caseback does tell you what kind of battery you need!

Moving on to the movement: it's from Singapore. It's powered by a common SR626SW battery. The synthetic leather strap is from China. It can be a challenge to set the watch precisely as the minute hand wants to jump a little when you push the crown in. While I haven't had any serious issues with my Caribbean Joe watches, they are definitely cheap watches that look good. 

A Caribbean Joe watch under the lights

Caribbean Joe Watch Overall Impression

Overall, I like this watch. Like most Caribbean Joe watches, it looks good. It's always easy to throw one of these into shopping cart and they don't break the budget. They are a fun, low-impact, guilty pleasure. These watches also make great beater watches. You can wear them almost anywhere. You don't have to worry about them getting lost, stolen, or bashed into doorframes. If you see one that you like the looks of, get it. You'll find yourself wearing quite often.

This Caribbean Joe watch looks great out on the town

Where to find Caribbean Joe Watches

I'm pretty sure I found this one at a Burlington store where it was marked somewhere around $20. I think it was $22. You can find Caribbean Joe watches at Boscov's, Kohl's, Sierra, and sometimes at Walmart.com.  As a fashion brand, Caribbean Joe styles and designs come and go. I haven't seen this particular one online anywhere.