Ana-digital Watches from US Polo Association

Over the holidays, I spent a little time nosing about in department stores and looking at watches.  Here are a couple of ana-digital watches from U.S. Polo Association.  Ana-digital watches supplement the traditional hands of an analog watch with digital watch features.  It's interesting to see how different watch companies strike a balance between traditional style and futuristic features with analog digital watches.

This first US Polo watch goes in a digital direction with a face that is dominated by digital features.

However, this US Polo watch takes a different tack by emphasizing the analog features of a very readable diver-style watch and adds a little extra digital feature at six o'clock.

I've read a few tweets disparaging U.S. Polo Association as a copy of the popular Ralph Lauren Polo brand.  Ironically, the U.S. Polo Association brand is the official brand of the actual governing body of Polo - the US Polo Association.  I figure that if I buy a US Polo watch from Kohl's or Sears, I'm a classy guy supporting the sport of kings.

By Ficflash (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

You can be a classy guy too.  Check out US Polo Association Watches on Amazon. Ironically, US Polo Association watches offer great looks at very affordable prices.

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

A Cool White Ana-Digital Watch from Walmart

A few days ago, my wife found this ana-digital watch from Walmart for $12.88 or so.  From the dial arrangement, it is apparent that this watch uses the same Japanese movement found in one of my favorite US Polo Association Thre3 brand watches.  The white enamel appearance of this watch looks great.

A Great Looking Ana-Digital Watch from Walmart

The Coolest Ana-Digital Watch from the US Polo Association brand Thre3

Some watches just look fast.  They have a certain purposeful style that exudes speed and adventure.  I recently got a watch that would look great if I were a motorcycle racer like Toni Elías.

By GOGO visual (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

But, it has looks that would be more in keeping with a Ferrari at speed. . .

Photo by Lothar Spurzem, Bild-CC-by-sa/2.0/de

Fortunately, my watch costs considerably less than a vintage race car.  It's an ana-digital watch from the US Polo Association's Thre3 brand.

A Thr3 by US Polo Association Watch

[While you might not be able to find the Thr3 brand on store shelves in 2024, you can still find plenty of US Polo Assn watches here on Amazon and in stores.]

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

A Big Watch from MZ Berger and Walmart

A Walmart Watch with a Bund Strap

I like big watches and I cannot lie! Big watch faces are in!  Big watches grab your attention and hold it.  They are also easy to read and visible from afar.  They aren't right for everyone.  However, I'm a big guy and they look perfectly scaled to my wrists.  This big ana-digital watch was made by MZ Berger for Walmart and it looks great.  Since it was only $12, it definitely fit my budget!  It was meant to be!

An MZ Berger Watch made for Walmart

If you have metal allergies, you might note that the wristband for this watch fits completely between the watch and your wrist! 

[As I revise this post in 2025, I should note that this kind of watch strap is called a Bund Strap and the design originated in World War 2 Germany. It protected pilots from a watch that got too cold or hot at high altitudes. It also protected the watch from the wearer's sweat.]

A Retro Masterpiece Watch from Walmart

My Almost Steampunk Watch

Here's another watch that I love from Walmart.  It's so retro that it's almost steampunk and yet it blends old world style and digital technology.

A Walmart "steampunk" Watch

If I could only stop it from beeping on the hour!

ThinkGeek Steampunk-styled Tesla Watch

[Update 2024:  I wonder if I still have this watch.  The leather strap for it is outstanding and would look good on many other watches.  Also, I can't believe I thought this Walmart watch was a steam punk watch.  A simple search on Amazon will reveal some steam punk watches.]

A Vigoroso Steampunk Pocket Watch (Amazon Photo)

[As I updated links in 2025, I found this interesting skeleton "Steampunk" watch (above) from Vigoroso. Check out the Vigoroso Skeleton here on Amazon via my affiliate link. One thing I've learned over my years collecting watches: mechanical watches don't have to come from Switzerland.]