A Guide to the Affordable Men's Watches of the Classical Revival

Classic Watches for the Common Man

According to the WatchTime 2012 Buyers Guide magazine, there is renewed interest in simple, basic, elegant timepieces that focus on the essential function of telling time. The magazine called it the classical revival. To some degree, they said the classical revival is a reaction to large, boisterous, timepieces that sport huge cases and oversized dials. For prestigious Swiss watch makers the test of design and craftsmanship has always been getting reliable mechanical functions into an aesthetically pleasing and slim watch case.

Venerable watchmakers like Zenith and Vacheron-Constantin have released watches in recent years that mimic their classic models of the 1950s and 60s. The Zenith Elite Ultra Thin is a simple elegant watch with a round face, baton markers, and a small seconds hand sub-dial. The Vacheron Constantin Historiques line includes the round Ultra Fine 1968 and the square Ultra Fine 1955. Both sport simple graceful faces with minimal markings and complex mechanical mechanisms beneath the surface. These high end watches are made by craftsmen working to the most exacting standards. They are heirlooms to be passed from generation to generation in some of the world's most elite families.

While the high end watches of Vacheron Constantin are out of reach for most consumers since they are price between $20,000 to $30,000, there are many classically-styled quartz watches for the rest of us in the marketplace. While classic watches may not have their own shopping network television shows, they can be found in nearly every local department store. Here are five of my favorite affordable classic watches for men:

1. Bulova Classic Quartz Silver Dial Watch. Bulova makes some very accurate and sophisticated quartz watches. At $400 or $500 the Bulova Precisionist line is a marvel of modern design. But, the venerable company also makes many traditional quartz dress watches that are perfect for no nonsense business attire. My $99 Bulova (Model 96B168) has a slightly technological look due to a subtle grid pattern underlying the dial. Other models have a sunburst design.

2. Fossil Ansel Vintage Style Watch. If you are of Generation X, you probably remember the watches your father and grandfather wore. They were simple, fairly, slim, and they had plain faces and hash marks on the hours. In short, they were attractive, minimalist, and superbly functional. Fossil brings that look back in a more contemporary quartz package with a larger face more in keeping with today's fashion. The retro look of the Fossil Ansel works well.

3. Pulsar Men's Analog Dress Watch.  Silver on silver is one of the coolest color combinations on any man's watch. My old Pulsar does the job well. It's cool, competent, and perfect for job interviews. A watch doesn't have to scream for attention. Sometimes it can better serve you by standing competently in the background and adding to your aura of competence. Of course, in the right light, the dial of my Pulsar looks much like the dial of the more expensive, automatic, Ebel Classic 100.

 

4. Timex Weekender. Simple. Readable. Indiglo. Preppy. The $35 to $45 Timex Weekender looks like the watch you'd wear at your summer place in the Hamptons. It offers tons of preppy practicality in a non-snooty package. It's an affordable classic. Plus, the Swiss don't have Indiglo backlighting at one thousand times the price.

5. Armitron Diamond Men's Analog Dress Watch. Of course, not all classical watches are plain and functional. Some achieve a dramatic look with an accent jewel. For example, most Movados have a timeless elegance. At a sub-$100 price point, you might take a look at the Armitron Diamond series of watches. Mine has a deep brown face, accented with golden batons marking each hour, and a tiny diamond chip at 12 o'clock. It looks great, but not necessarily rich.

Classical designs have never gone away. They've just been waiting for you to stop playing SCUBA Steve, Racer X, and Johnny Fighter Pilot. If you are ready for a simple, elegant, timepiece that tells the time and looks professional, your classic watches are waiting.

Fossil Watches for Christmas

F is for Fossil in my collection.  If you want to see a lot of great watches in one place, find out if there is a Fossil Outlet at your nearest outlet mall.  You'll find lots of great watches at reasonable prices.  Fossil watches make great Christmas gifts.  I have two really cool Fossil watches in my collection.  The first is a classic retro design call the Fossil Ansel.  It looks like a watch from 70s with more contemporary dimensions.

Fossil Ansel

My second Fossil watch is the Fossil Decker.  It looks like a vintage bronze watch that is fit for a sea captain.  It's a classic look.  It makes a great gift because it has a rich character. 

Fossil Decker

Wristwatch Review: The Fossil Ansel Retro-Style Quartz Watch with Stainless Steel Band

From the classic-style of Mad Men to the latest iteration of James Bond, retro-style remains popular today.  There was nothing wrong with the watches of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.  They were functional and well-designed.  That's why the Fossil Ansel (Model FS4671) never goes out of style.

[In 2024, I'm reworking this post to include my review of the Fossil Ansel that first appeared on Yahoo Voices in 2015.]

Mid-Century Modern Style in a Twenty-first Century Package

If you want a vintage mid-century modern look on the outside and a twenty-first century quartz movement on the inside, check out this review of the Fossil Ansel.  It's got a vintage look in a convenient modern watch.

A Fossil Ansel Watch

The simplicity of a vintage watch design never goes out of style. When you get down to basics, the essential purpose of a watch is to tell time. However, truly vintage watches have their disadvantages. They require winding or maintenance. They may be too valuable to absorb damage. They may show excessive wear and tear from years of use. In addition, the size and dimensions of a classic watch may not match contemporary notions about the size of a watch. Fortunately, there are many contemporary watches with retro styling cues. One such watch is the Fossil Ansel (Model FS4671). I found mine at the Fossil Outlet Store at the North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville, Georgia.

As much as I love my classic Timex Mercury, the Fossil Ansel makes a great stand-in for a vintage watch for everyday wear. Since it has a quartz movement, I don't have to wind it or spend a few minutes figuring out how to set the date properly. It has a 22-millimeter wide stainless steel band and a perfectly-sized 41-millimeter diameter case. The dimensions just look right on my wrist today. However, other than size, the Fossil looks like a vintage watch in every significant way. For example, it features a bright silver sunray face and a domed crystal. The hours are marked by translucent blue batons and the minutes are noted by simple hashmarks at the edge of the dial. A small date window lies just inboard of the three o'clock marker.

The band was initially too large for my 7 1/2 inch wrists so two links had to be removed. Fortunately, that was done for free at the Fossil Outlet store It's proven to be a comfortable band and is secured by a sturdy foldover clasp with push button. The only drawback thus far is that the clasp was easily scratched while performing office work. After typing for just a couple of hours in a typical office cube, the clasp was was quite scuffed up. However, most Fossil Ansel watches come with a black leather band and may be able to withstand workday wear a little better.

Overall, the Fossil FS4671 Ansel watch has the has looks of a vintage watch from the 1950s or 1960s and the size and heft of a more contemporary watch. It's a no nonsense watch that combines form and function. Overall, I recommend the Fossil Ansel if you want a vintage mid-century modern look on the outside and a twenty-first century quartz movement.