Wristwatch Review: Joseph Abboud Quartz Watch with Decorative Subdials

Amazingly, one of the most incredible dial color schemes that I've seen this year is on an inexpensive watch that I bought at Burlington. The smokey silver and black dial of this Joseph Abboud (Model AB-5218SV) quartz watch with decorative subdials looks amazing. In this review, we'll try to ascertain whether the beauty is more than skin deep.

Joseph Abboud Quartz Watch with Decorative Subdials

Watch Features

This is very much a fashion watch. It is meant to tell the time and look great. The watch looks far more expensive than it actually was and you can imagine a sales associate at a men's clothing store laying this watch on the counter with dress shirts and ties in multiple colors. Beyond looks, there are no real features. 

Decorative Subdials on a Joseph Abboud watch

The subdials are non-functional and the bezel does not rotate. However, it is powered by a Japanese quartz movement.

Watch Construction

This Joseph Abboud watch has a stainless steel caseback and a base metal case. While beautiful, the watch does seem to be very lightly constructed and sounds hollow when set down on a granite countertop. The light weight of this watch makes it comfortable for extended wear.

This Joseph Abboud watch has a Japanese movement and stainless steel caseback

This watch has a vegan leather strap. The strap is supple and lengthy enough for my 7 1/2-inch wrist.

This Joseph Abboud watch has vegan leather straps

Watch Design

This watch is designed as an accessory first and foremost. It's like a movie prop. It just has too look good and convincing from a distance. However, in my opinion, this Joseph Abboud watch does look very good. 

Watch Dimensions

This Joseph Abboud watch has a rather large diameter case. It comes in at 45mm not counting the crown. It's 48.5mm in diameter counting the crown. The lug to lug measurement is 55mm. The watch itself is 10mm thick and would easily fit under a shirt sleeve cuff.

Overall Impression

Overall, I'm pleased with this watch since I got it for about $20 at Burlington. If I had paid twice as much or more in a clothing store, I don't think I'd be happy with it. While the subdials aren't functional, I can't complain too much since I can't usually read subdials without my reading glasses on. 

The Smokey Dial of this Joseph Abboud Model AB-5218SV watch is stunning!

Overall, this watch is beautiful to look at and fills an inexpensive dress watch niche. The beauty is skin deep. But, if you need to look sharp and are on a tight budget, this Joseph Abboud watch might be a good choice.

If you are interested in a simpler Joseph Abboud watch design, I think they did a good job with with the watch in this post, too.

Watch Review: Joseph Abboud Quartz Watch with Green Sunburst Dial

One of my recent watch pickups is this Joseph Abboud Quartz Watch with a green sunburst dial.  It's a rather large watch that wears well and is easy to read at a glance.  The watch is a practical reminder that quartz watches with designer labels made by common manufacturers can perform the same mission as more expensive timepieces from iconic watch makers.   

A Joseph Abboud Quartz Watch

Like the Tudor Ranger and Rolex Explorer, this Joseph Abboud Quartz Watch can be used to tell the time. Unlike those far more esteemed brands, this watch can tell time accurately without winding for years. In fairness, this watch probably isn't as rugged as one of the legendary watches.  But, as a self-aware consumer, I'm also not as rugged as the adventurers who tout the iconic watches from the back covers of old National Geographic magazines.

 

Joseph Abboud Watch Construction

This particular watch was manufactured by E. Gluck Corporation.  They are the parent company of Armitron and make many designer and store-brand watches.  The watch has a stainless steel caseback and a reliable Japanese quartz movement.  The case and bezel are made of a base metal. The crystal is made of some sort of glass and is slightly domed.  It feels nice to the touch.  The numbers and lettering on the dial are raised and not simply painted on the dial.  It's a touch that gives the watch a rich look.

A Joseph Abboud Watch with a green sunburst dial

Joseph Abboud Watch Dimensions

This watch is big and bold with a 44mm diameter case.  Fortunately, it doesn't sit high on the wrist, the case is a slim 9mm thick.  The strap is a robust at 22mm wide at the lugs. The dimensions give this watch presence on the wrist. This watch is just a little bigger than the green sunburst watch that I reviewed here from Caribbean Joe.

The case of this Joseph Abboud watch is slim at 9mm thick

Joseph Abboud Overall Impression

I really like this watch. It's attractive, readable, and eminently practical. It's also nicely built in a way that looks high quality. According to the box, the full price of this watch was $150, but I was able to get it at the close-out discount store Ross Dress for Less for $20. It was a lucky find. On my social media [@the_watch_dude on X], I often retweet watch enthusiasts around the world who take photos of the big, bold, watches that they are wearing on their daily adventures.  This Joseph Abboud watch fits right in. I love the way it looks.

I think she's impressed by my Joseph Abboud watch