Structure Watches from Sears

Structure has long been one of my favorite low-cost quartz watch brands.  They are available at Sears.  I recently picked up a trio of Structure watches for my collection.  They are great "bang around watches."  They typically run $34.99 with sale prices ranging from $24.99 to $29.99.  I found some on clearance for $15 each.

The first watch I found was this diver-style watch with a rubber strap, base metal case, and non-rotating bezel.  It fits well, but is a tad heavy.

The next watch I bought was this watch with a periscope motif on the dial.  I was initially put off by the white strap.  But, the case and dial looked cool in the store.

However, when I got this watch out in the sunlight, I realized that this watch has a deep purple color.  I know that I live in an era of Boy Bands and wimpiness, but this watch looked a bit "girly" to me.  So, I took it back.

I ended up getting this diver-style watch instead.  This watch pays homage to classic diver-style watches.  It looks a bit like a classic Omega to me.

Of course, sometimes it's hard to fathom where the folks at Structure could get their inspiration.  This one looks more than a little like a Bell & Ross to me.

Structure watches are generally a good value for the money.  These Sears watches seem to have a level of polish that is a bit better than similar watches from Walmart, Kmart, and Target.

Where I Shop For Watches

I'm generally an old fashioned, brick and mortar, kind of guy when it comes to buying watches.  Most of my watches are bought on impulse when I am shopping for other things.  (O.K., O.K., I don't have much impulse control.)  Consequently, my watch boxes are filled with affordable watches that I think look cool.  Since I get my watches on impulse, they tend to come from the places I shop:  Kmart, Kohl's, Sears, Target, and Walmart.

An Inexpensive Precision by Gruen watch from Kohl's

Watches from Kohls.  Kohl's has been one of the places where I have consistently found good deals on mid-priced watches that range from $30 to $125.  They sell low priced brands like Precision by Gruen and Zoo York.  They have a great selection of watches from Armitron, Mark Ecko, and Relic.  They have an excellent selection of watches that hover just out of my price range from brands like Bulova, Citizen, and Seiko. 

A Structure Ana-Digital from Sears

Watches from Sears.  Another surprisingly cool place to shop for watches is Sears.  I find Sears is great for brands like Bulova, Caravelle, Elgin, Hamlin, and Structure.  They also have a great rewards program that works at Sears and Kmart.  If you buy tires or another auto repair over at their auto center, your likely to get enough rewards points to get a new watch for nearly nothing.  

Watches from Walmart.  Finally, you know that I get a lot of my watches from Walmart.  They are consistently the best place to buy no name watches and watches from Casio and Timex.  Over the last year, they have really built up a great selection of tasteful Timex watches.  I've pretty much picked over the supply of no name watches.  

A Very Nice Timex Military-Style Expedition at Walmart

 

Good luck and happy hunting this holiday season!

Watch Repair Kit

My First Watch Repair Kit

Back in early July of 2013, I was the fortunate winner of a drawing for an Android Watch Repair Kit from the now defunct MyWristwatch Forums.  It was a cool prize to win because I've long had a stash of cool watches that were just to big for me.  So, I've started removing links from all of those watches that just didn't fit.  Now, I can wear them and properly introduce them.  You can get a similar watch repair kit here on Amazon.

A Basic Watch Repair Kit

Resizing Watch Bands

Here is one of the first watches that I resized.  It's a Gruen II that I bought at Sears two years ago.  When I pulled them out of my secret stash, I was surprised to find that it was still running.  I liked this watch because it has a clear and readable dial and has a background that looks like high tech carbon fiber.  At somewhere around $30, the price was attractive, too.  When you set a watch bracelet in the blue contraption in the watch kit, you can twist the handle to push the pins in the bracelet right out.  You push out the pins so you can remove the links as needed.  Then you use the little hammer in the kit to tab the pins back in place at the smaller size.

Gruen II from Sears

There are some other watches made under the Gruen name today.  While the legendary Gruen watch company is gone, the name lives on. You'll find the Precision by Gruen watches on some basic watches at Kohl's.

[As of 2024, it seems like Precision by Gruen watches are most often found on Etsy or eBay.]

Structure Ana-Digital Watch in White

I'm not a fan of white watch bands for men.  But, if I were, I'd definitely check out this ana-digital watch from Structure.  The white face and contrasting black bezel look cool and give this watch a very masculine look.  It's the kind of watch that looks like it would belong to some sort of snow mobile champion or Scandinavian commando.

A Structure Ana-Digital Watch at Sears

Sears is a good place for watch hardware!

As the holiday's approach, it will be time to start shopping for Christmas gifts.  While there are plenty of places to shop for watches online, if you prefer brick'n'mortar experiences, I've found lots of cool watches at an unlikely place:  Sears.

Photo by Gars129 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If you are looking to expand your personal watch collection or get a gift for a man, you'll find watches that appeal to all ages.  Younger watch afficionadoes might like this watch:

A Structure Watch from Sears

A more fashion forward man might like a square watch that looks a bit like a Bell & Ross:

If mechanical mechanisms and bronze would be more appealing, this Elgin quartz/mechanical watch might be a more dressy alternative:

Finally, if you are shopping for a more business-oriented man, you can't go well with a basic Bulova watch like this one:

All in all, it's a pretty amazing variety of watches to find in one basic department store.  Plus, Sears/Kmart Rewards program is an awesome way to save money.  If you have car repairs or buy tires at a Sears Auto Center, there's a good chance that you'll be able to save big money on a nice watch.

[In 2024, it saddens me that Sears is essentially gone. Only 10 stores remain in the US mainland and 1 in Puerto Rico.  They still sell some interesting watches online through vendors at sears.com.]

Structure Military-style Watch from Sears

A couple of months ago, I got a really cool watch at Sears. It's a Structure Military-style Watch and costs about $30-$35. A classic military dial looks just and diver-style non-rotating bezel makes for a perfect look. It also has a silicone band that is super comfortable and looks like leather.

Structure Men's Diver-Style Watch

Structure is one of my favorite inexpensive watch brands.  Their watches sell at Sears for $30 to $35 or so.  Made by MZ Berger, Structure watches are a definite step up from the $10 to $20 watches that MZ Berger makes for retailers like Walmart.  Structure watches are always up to date in their styling and look good on the wrist.  One of my latest Structure watches is a very cool diver-style watch.  It looks like it would be a great watch for a diver, a surfer, a preppy, or a rapper. 

Structure Diver Style Watch

An Octagonal Watch from Structure

Structure is one of my favorite inexpensive watch brands.  A staple at Sears, they consistently deliver attractively styled watches for $30 to $35.  Here's one that I found in an Octagonal Shape:

Structure Octagon

This watch reminds me of the $285,000 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore watch that I have had to repeatedly postpone buying.  I've also passed on this watch until I can find a proper boat to go with it.

 

By the way, if I've just prevented you from paying 10,000 times too much for an octagonal watch, I'll take a commission!  Otherwise, you can always buy a pre-owned Audemars Royal Oak.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak "50th Anniversary" Watch

An Audemars Piguet Alternative from Olev's

As of 2025, one of the up-and-coming Chinese brands that I've been watching is Olev's. They make a cool Octagonal Watch with a "carbon-fiber" look.

Olev's Octagonal Quartz Watch (Amazon Photo)

This watch is available here on Amazon for less than $50 and is rated 4.2 out of 5 stars.

 

LaCoste Watches at Macy's

Every once in awhile, a luxury watch brand catches my eye.  I recently passed through a Macy's department store and spotted some interesting looking watches.  For their sheer simplicity, these LaCoste watches caught my eye.

LaCoste Watches from Macy's

They appear to have high quality bands and clean faces.  As a Florida Gator, I also approve of the logo on the dial.

[Blogger's update 2024:  I recently received a LaCoste watch as a gift.  You can read my review here.]

A Non-Automatic Watch from Elgin

When I bought it for Christmas, I thought it was an automatic.  It looked like it was an automatic.  The jewelry counter clerk at Sears told me it was an automatic.  But, guess what, it is not an automatic!  It's a good thing that the watch has a beautiful, beautiful, face.  I'll forgive this watch.  But, next year, Santa might bring Sears and MZ Berger a lump of coal or two! It's still a great watch.  

[As of 2024, I'm wondering if I actually bought this watch at Sears or JC Penney.  I'm also wondering where I have this watch stashed. As of 2024, modern Elgin watches are available here on Amazon.  Some are marketed purely under the Elgin label and others under the Elgin by Accutime.  As far as the internet knows, MZ Berger still owns the Elgin brand. While some of the watches are a little "blingy," some are quite attractive. In an era where many dead Swiss brands are being revived, it's kind of cool that an American name in watches  continues on.  You can find Elgin watches on Amazon here.]  

Happy Holidays!

[THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED.  I WAS MISLEAD ABOUT THE NATURE OF THIS WATCH.  IT IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC.  IT IS NOT A WIND-UP.  IT IS A QUARTZ WATCH WITH DECORATIVE MECHANISMS.  But, it is still beautiful . . . ]

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!  I'll preview one of the new watches that I got for Christmas.  It's a new Elgin Automatic Watch with a partially skeletonized front and exhibition caseback.  It's sold at Sears and is very affordable compared to many watches on the market today.
 

 The Christmas Card in the background is a very nice one from Hallmark sent by my Aunt and Uncle.  It certainly sets a nice Christmas tone.  Have a wonderful Holiday!

A Nice Instrument Panel Watch for the Masses

I know I said I'd make a million dollars and buy a Bell & Ross watch, but in the meantime I found this Structure watch from Sears.  Pretty cool and priced for the rest of us.

A Structure Instrument Panel Watch from Sears

Of course, if you've got style and class, you could spring for a real Bell & Ross watch:

A Cool Structure Brand Watch from Sears

You might be surprised, but Sears has a great selection of affordable watches.  Structure watches are only $29.99 and look very, very good.  This ana-digital watch makes an affordable Christmas gift and looks great.

 This watch is also available in black and red.  Structure watches tend to be "on trend" and sometimes draw inspiration from well known watches.  I love this $30 alternative to Bell & Ross.

This Structure watch had a periscope or artificial horizon theme, but had a strange case and a white strap so I returned it.  It was an innovative design.

I simply prefer classic designs most of the time.  For example, this watch captures the timeless elements of a great dive watch.

Finally, I recently added this cool diver-style watch from Structure to my collection.  It's not Russian and it's not a dive watch.  But, it looks cool!

Check out my full review of this watch here:

Wristwatch Review:  Structure Analog Diver-Style Watch