Watch Spotlight: Casio MTP1183E Analog Watch with Date

It's not often that you see a Casio watch with the style of a timeless classic, but I found one.  It's the Casio MTP1183E Water Resistant Watch with Date. I know. I know. A catchy beautiful name would help them sell more watches. Then, they could charge more, too.  Let's take the cool watch and a great price.  It's a basic Casio analog watch with 50-meter water resistance, a simple date window, and a mineral glass crystal. Voila!

Casio MTP1183E Analog Watch with Date

To me, there is something special about the shape and the patina of the case and the simplicity of the dial, that gives this watch a classic look. To see it for yourself, use my affiliate link to it on Amazon. You might see what I see. I've added it to my wishlist.
 

TGIF: The Best Watches at ANY Price Point?

Best Men's Watch for $50 and Under

I recently saw a post on X that highlighted a watch expert's opinion on the best watch to buy at any price point.  Of course, the watch prices started at $1,000 with a recommendation to buy a Tissot PRX.  Then, the expert was off to the $10,000 level.  For me, the post missed all the price points that most people can afford.

For me, the point is to have cool watches and the price point doesn't matter.  If you can afford a Ulysse-Nardin, you are living the dream.  But, I'm pretty proud of the $10 watch I found on Amazon recently.  So, I'll start my recommendations there.

$10: "Nibosi Waterproof Luxury Diamond Luminous Dial Business Dress Watch"  Online they call it a chronograph.  It's actually a multifunction watch with day, date, 24-hour time, and moon phase.  It is a little blingy, but it's a very nice watch for the money.

Nibosi Men's Waterproof Luxury Diamond Luminous Dial Business Dress Watch

I bought the black dial version, but supplies are running out.  It's still available for less than $10 with a green or blue dial.  You can get it here via my Amazon affiliate link.

$25: "US Polo Assn Quartz Watch." If you want to put all your extra money into polo ponies, you may want to keep watch expenses down. US Polo Assn offers an attractive variety of quartz watches that are priced between $17 and $25 and can be found in a variety of stores including Burlington and JC Penney. You can see a wide selection via my Amazon affiliate link here.

 

$40: "Burei Men's Dive Watch." For years, the undisputed choices for inexpensive dive watches were the Casio Duro and the Invicta Pro Diver.  But, a newcomer has been entering my search and it's been getting great reviews. Burei offers a men's dive watch with 200-meter water resistance, a screw-down crown, a unidirectional rotating bezel, a date window, and a Japanese quartz movement.

Burei Men's Dive Watch with 200-meter water resistance (Amazon photo)

This watch averages 4.5 stars on 26 ratings and has some great reviews.  You can check it out here on Amazon.

$50: "Casio MTP-VD01D-1BV Men's Enticer."  I recently purchased the blue dial version of this watch (you can read my review here), but now the best deal is on the black dial version at 11% off. This is an attractively styled watch that is great for everyday wear. You can get this beautiful timepiece here on Amazon.

Casio Men's Enticer (Amazon Photo)

The list could go on, and might in a future post, but you should really buy a watch that fits your style and personality.  It's your money.  Have fun. You get to spend it anyway you like.

(If you are looking for more budget-friendly watch ideas, check out my post on an Affordable Three Watch Collection. The challenge: build a three watch collection for $75 a watch or less.)

Christmas Stocking Stuffer Watches for 2025

The world is awash in great watches that are priced under $50.  Watches in this category are quite budget friendly for everyone.  For many families, inexpensive, practical, watches make perfect stocking stuffer gifts for Christmas!

I've been combing through watch listings on Amazon for much of the Holiday season and I've found three watches that would serve really well as Christmas stocking stuffers this year.

Armitron Men's Multi-function Watch

Armitron has a long history and features many budget friendly watches. Many of their designs are quite eye-catching and their watches often look more expensive than they actually are.  For example, this Armitron Multi-function watch has a cushion case. Cushion Case refers to an elongated case that makes the watch look as if it resting on a pillow. With gold tone accents, this watch looks like a million dollars!

Fortunately, this great looking Armitron is available for less than $50.  You can get it here via our affliate link to Amazon.

Timex Men's Diver

In a world where everyone is hard-pressed for cash, many people have figured out that they can save lots of money when they choose a dive watch that isn't actually made for diving. People have joked for years about "desk divers," but Timex offers a great looking one with a unidirectional rotating bezel that meets the $50 price point. This Timex Men's Diver only has 50-meters of water resistance. That's very practical for day-to-day wear, but it doesn't cost nearly as much as a bona fide dive watch with 200 or 300-meters of water resistance.

Timex Dive Watch (Amazon Photo)

You can check out this nifty Timex "Dive" watch here on Amazon via our affiliate link! I like it. I don't SCUBA dive and I think it looks plenty rugged for my purposes. If you are looking for a dressier Timex watch, check out my post on the Amazon Christmas deal on the Timex Easy Reader.

Skechers Silicone Strap Watch with Compass

Skechers is a shoe company that is much loved by young skateboards and old people. But, they also sell a small selection of watches online and in their shoe stores. While the brand doesn't make any wild claims of tactical suitability or mountain-climbing applicability, the watch has field watch written all over it. It also comes with two very tacti-cool extra straps.

Skechers Silicone Watch Set (Model: SR9138) with Two Extra Straps (Amazon Photo) 

Somtimes, in fact most of the time, it's enough for a watch to just look cool. This Skechers watch set accomplishes that mission well. You can get it here via our Amazon affiliate link.

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For the latest in cool watches for sale on Amazon, hit it this link for my list of posts on Amazon Christmas Deals 2025!

Wristwatch Review: Caribbean Joe Watch with Coin-Edged Bezel and Two Faux Subdials

This wristwatch review covers another simple, but interesting, watch from Caribbean Joe.  It's an all black watch with two faux sub-dials, white hour marker numerals outlined with a shiny silver accent, and  a coin-edged bezel. While the watch has a reliable quartz movement, it is not a precision timepiece. If you rock the watch back and forth, sometimes you may notice that the minute hand can move just a little.  It's enough that the minute hand might be half a minute off.  That little bit of play certainly reminds you that this is an inexpensive $20 to $30 watch.   

Caribbean Joe Watch with Coin Edged Bezel

However, this Caribbean Joe watch has it's merits.  For example, it has a smooth, gently domed, crystal. It's lightweight and comfortable. The case is 42mm in diameter and doesn't stand too tall on the wrist.  It's weird to me that they went to the trouble to have a wonderfully domed crystal and then undermined it a bit with non-working sub-dials.

Caribbean Joe Synthetic Leather Strap

The synthetic leather band is quite generously sized and is comfortable to wear.  I like not being on the very last hole in a watch strap.

The Watch Strap is generously sized.

Overall, this Caribbean Joe watch offers a sophisticated, casual, look for very affordable price.  It's a great bang around watch for travel to a tropical island because it's inexpensive and easily replaced.

Wristwatch Review: Vintage Oris Men's Manual Wind Watch from India

The Allure of Vintage Watches on Etsy

It's alive! I recently purchased an interesting vintage watch off of Etsy. It is a vintage Men's Oris manual wind watch that has been extensively restored.  I found this watch when looking at the wide variety of vintage watches on Etsy.  The price tag was amazingly low for such a beautiful looking watch. 

Vintage Oris Manual Wind Watch

Fear of the Unknown Watch

When I teased its impending arrival from a faraway land on the Watchfreeks forum, some members warned me of "Frankenwatches" from India. These watches are made up of a hodge-podge of parts and can be of dubious reliability.  To be honest, once I learned of this and did a little research, I was quite worried about what I would actually be getting. This watch was inexpensive and from India. I was scared, but the die was cast and I was determined to see what I would get.

A well packed Vintage Oris Watch

Shipping, Packing, and Tracking

The seller and Etsy did a great job tracking the package from India and it made its way from India through a shipping company to my mailbox in only 13 days. Upon opening the small, thoroughly wrapped, box, I found that the watch was just as described. I immediately placed the watch next to my Timex Weekender for comparison sake.

A restored Oris compared to a Timex Weekender

Watch Dimensions

Some posters had warned that some of these watches could have very small cases. However, the reconstructed Oris ended up with a 35mm diameter case which makes it a little smaller than a current Timex Weekender and about the same diameter as a vintage Timex Mercury.  The watch is about 10mm thick. The included leather strap was nice, but just a little short for my wrist. I replaced it with an inexpensive fabric expansion strap. This Oris is a smaller watch than most contemporary timepieces, but it is definitely wearable and a man's watch.

Vintage Oris Caseback

Watch Construction

The caseback says that the watchback is made out of stainless steel and the movement is reportedly shockproof. I'll try not to shock it. The crystal is nicely domed and seems to be some sort of glass. The hands are simple silver-toned dress watch hands with no lume. This seems faithful to vintage Oris dress watches of the day. I didn't see any obvious problems with the construction of this watch. While Oris purists will scoff at the full replacement of the case, dial, hands, and crystal, the result is a nicely functioning watch that keeps good time for long periods.

Vintage Oris Watch from India on the Dashboard

Watch Daily Wear

As I wear this, the watch has been keeping accurate time for over a day.  I wind it up gingerly since the crown is small and the winding seems a little tight.  Without a manual, I err on the side of caution.  But, winding it with several short slow spins of the crown, it seems to run and run.  Due to my clumsiness with the caseback press, I'm not pulling the back off.  From the photos provided, the watch  mechanism appears to be a Swiss FHF96 movement.  I wind it a little more each day.  

Vintage Oris FHF-96 Movement in Oris Vintage Watch from India

Once wound, I notice that second hand doesn't stop when I pull out the crown.  This will make precisely timed cat burglaries, jewelry thefts, and casino heists difficult, but I shall persevere.

Authenticity of A Vintage Watch From India

The authenticity of this watch remains an interesting question. You can dig and dig into the topic on forums like WatchRepairForum and Watchuseek. Since the seller revealed that the case, dial, and hands were all replaced, I feel that is fairly transparent. The movement appears to be Swiss and has been running like a champ. Obviously, the new plastic guide ring needed to be in place in order to fit the movement to its new case.  

Ultimately, the question is somewhat irrelevant to me. When I look at new and used Oris models in places where the provenance has a good paper trail, I see Oris watches priced from $1000 to $3000 or so. I don't have that much money for a watch right now.  For a watch, I have about $35 or so.

If I did have serious money for a genuine Oris watch, I'd be quite tempted by this Oris Big Crown Automatic that is available from Bob's Watches in Amazon.  It has an authenticated pedigree and a serious price tag.

Oris Big Crown Automatic from Bob's Watches

Researching this topic has certainly driven me to the Oris site, to Bob's watches, and to various watch movement sites than I could have previously imagined.  It's planted a seed that may yet grow into a "if I ever have some money I should look at an Oris" tree.

I'm satisfied in calling this a genuine Indian "frankenwatch."  I'd liken it to a "restomod" car built completely new from the remnants of the engine and frame of a very old car. I'd like to think that this  watch is using a movement made by Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon, Fontainemelon in Switzerland for Oris.  

I'm not expert enough to definitively call this watch a fake. It seems unfair considering the workmanship that has gone into this watch.  The watch has been completely rebuilt around the movement.  However, if this watch has a Swiss movement but not an Oris-labeled one, then the restorers should name the watch something else. They've done work they can be proud of.  Perhaps they should rebrand it as "Vintage Revival" put "Swiss Made" on the bottom of the dial and "Rebuilt in India" on the top?  I think they've made an earnest attempt to re-use and re-work this watch and provide a good value for the money.

Should you buy a watch like this from India?  

If the authenticity and provenance of each watch in your collection is important, you should not buy these sorts of inexpensive watches from India. If you just want a mechanical watch that is interesting, works well, and is very affordable, then give it a shot.  Don't spend too much money.  Keep it fun.

My Vintage Oris Watch from India reflected on an ebony table

Overall Impression

I love this little watch. It was affordable at $32. It sure has an  interesting backstory. The mystery of this watches origin story has kept me engaged and busy for hours. In my opinion, the restorers in India did a great job matching a case and dial to the movement and staying true to the vintage Swiss watch spirit. It is working watch and a fun addition to my collection.

Watch Review: Casio Men's Heavy Duty Chronograph Quartz Watch (MCW-100H)

 If you are looking for an inexpensive, bang-around, watch for casual adventures and daily wear, you might consider the Casio Men's 'Heavy Duty' quartz chronograph watch.  This one is Model MCW-100H and generally retails for less than $50.  I like the large readable hands (including a white-tipped bright orange second hand), large hour indices, and practical analog features.

Watch Features

This Casio is an analog watch with sub-dials offering 24-hour time, a chronograph with seconds, and a chronograph dial with up to 30 minutes.  The watch has a readable date window canted at an angle between the 4 and 5 o'clock positions.

The Casio Men's Heavy Duty Chronograph features a Japanese quartz movement.  However, the watch itself is assembled in China with a Chinese case and band.

Watch Style

I find the style of the Casio Men's Heavy Duty Chronograph to be a real strong point. This watch offers much of the style of the popular Casio G-Shock series at a lower price point.  If you don't need the extra ruggedness of a G-Shock or the digital features of a G-Shock, this watch might be a nice alternative. It offers a utilitarian, adventurous, style that is appealing to most men.

I do like that the subdials are still just readable to me on this watch despite my aging eyes.  The watch hands are bright, large, and well marked.  The buttons and crown are protected from inadvertent activation by molded resin bump-outs.

The bright orange band also makes this watch very easy to find on a cluttered vanity top. It's always easy to grab for quick adventures around town.

While this watch is attractive, it's also obviously not an expensive watch.  There's no fear that it will be mugger bait.

Watch Construction

Despite the rugged looks of this watch, it is largely constructed from various plastics.  While the caseback is stainless steel, the watch band and case are made from resin.

If you are an actual adventurer, this watch is water-resistant to 100 meters so it should be fine for swimming or snorkeling, but not scuba diving.

At least one reviewer on Amazon have commented that the resin band on this watch feels more like plastic than silicone or rubber.  I'd have to agree, but I do find this band very comfortable and perhaps not as sweaty as some rubber watch straps can make the wearer feel.

Watch Dimensions

The Casio Men's Heavy Duty Chronograph is a little chunky, but not crazily so.  The case diameter for this watch is 49.3 millimeters and the thickness is 13 millimeters. The strap is 25 millimeters at the case.  It is generous in length and fits my wrist with room to spare.

It's definitely not a think watch, but it fits the wrist well and, thanks to the resin construction, it is lightweight.

For an adventure watch, I think the dimensions of the Casio MCW-100H are just right.

Overall Impression

As I read this review, I'm struck by the number of little compromises that were made in the design and construction of this watch.  Yes, the materials are cheap.  Yes, it is a little chunky.  Yes, it's not a G-Shock.  But, it is a cool watch. It looks good. It is practical and very readable and it is ready for all the adventures that I will dish out.  It is actually one of the best watches around for under $50.  As of May 2026, this watch is available in black here on Amazon.

Affordable Watches for Father's Day

3 Great Watches for Under $50 for Father's Day

When it comes to Father's Day gifts, one thing to remember is that often Father's Day gifts are bought by kids.  Kids have limited funds.  If allowance money is going towards a watch purchase, those funds might be very limited.  So, what kind of watch can a kid actually buy for Father's Day?  When I look for affordable style and lasting value, three companies come to mind:  Armitron, Timex, and Casio.  You can often find a nice watch from any of these companies for less than $50.

A Timex Expedition with wood-grain dial

Armitron.  One company that makes affordable and stylish watches is Armitron.  They make lots of digital watches, but they also make good looking analog watches.  For example, the Armitron 20/1925 is a classically styled watch with a gold tone, readable markings, a day and date window, and a nice leather strap.  Its simple dial evokes the classic military field watches of the past, but remains dressy enough for the business casual office.  It is also available for less than $50.  Armitron watches vary in style from store to store.  But, I've found some very attractive Armitron watches at Walmart over the years.

Timex.  There is nothing wrong with a Timex watch for Father's Day.  The venerable Expedition line has plenty of models that straddle the line between office worker and outdoor adventurer.  They can play many roles just like your dad.  Timex makes great watches for everyday wear.  If you father is an outdoors man, this Timex Expedition Gallatin watch is an excellent choice because it looks perfect for a weekend camping trip.  It can also be found for less than $50.

Casio.  If you are looking for value and a watch with real capability.  Casio makes a dive watch with 200-meters of water resistance, a stainless steel case, and a rotating bezel for less than $50.  It's the Casio Marlin. It's a great value and a rugged watch that would look great in the office or at the beach this summer.  It's one of my three favorite affordable diver-style watches.

If you can't find this watch or your budget is even tighter, don't forget the classic Casio MRW-200H Dive watch for $25 or less.

Where to Buy A Father's Day Watch

Of course, if you read here, you can buy here.  But, it's getting very close to Father's Day.  If you need an affordable watch for Father's Day and you are a last minute shopper, I suggest you try Walmart for a great price on Armitron, Timex, or Casio watches.  They usually have a great supply at awesome prices.  If you are dragging Mom along to make the watch purchase, Kohl's usually has a good selection of watches.  However, you need to watch the sales and learn how to get a good deal at Kohls.  Finally, if you want a watch with a little more snob appeal, TJ Maxx is a great place to search.  If you get lucky, you might be able to find a watch that costs a lot of money for an affordable price. 

If you're allowance is even tighter, here are seven great watches for less than $30. Good luck and happy father's day shopping!