Watch Wearing Wednesday: Walmart Automatic

My Walmart Automatic is still going strong since I first posted about it way back in 2011. It was only $50 when I first bought it. At the time, I was new to watch collecting and it was a cool way to get a glimpse at the inner workings of an automatic watch.

Walmart Automatic Watch

The watch has a Chinese movement with a few internal wheels highlighted in a golden bronze. As a Walmart exclusive, it was probably built to a strict price specification. I can only imagine the arm twisting that Walmart buyers applied to bring this watch to market with a $50 price tag. Needless to say, the attractive diver-style bezel does not rotate. However, the watch has a stainless steel case and caseback.

I've been informally testing this watch for accuracy and so far--in 12 hours--it has gained about 25 seconds versus time.gov. That's not bad for the casual uses I have for this watch. You just may have to adjust the time once a week or so.

Sharp Watch Shout Out: The Bulova Men's Aerojet Automatic Watch

 Bulova has a knack for creating watches that I can aspire to own.  It's a brand I consider a prestige watch.  They simply make some very classy timepieces that reside right on the edge of my budget.  One Bulova that recently caught my eye is the Bulova Aerojet Automatic.  I like this watch because it has the look of 1950s and 1960s technological optimism.  Vintage, yet modern. 

Bulova Aerojet Automatic (Amazon photo)

This Bulova features a 21-jewel Japanese automatic movement and a subdial providing a 24-hour clock for the 24x7 jet set lifestyle.  The stainless steel case features an exhibition caseback and reveals a Miyota movement.

The Bulova Aerojet Exhibition Caseback (Amazon photo)

Bulova has some nice looking automatic watches.  For example, their Sinatra collection is definitely eyecatching. But, the Aerojet brings the 50s and 60s modern jet-era vibe at a somewhat attainable price point. If you love this watch, as of July 2025, you can find it on Amazon in red as the 

Bulova Men's Vintage Aerojet 4-Hand Automatic Watch

The Bulova Aerojet in Red

This looks like a great time to jump aboard before they fly away. 

The Boeing 707 epitomized the jet era
 (SDASM Archives, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Affordable Automatic Watches: Reef Tiger Men's Tourbillon with Convex Lens

Reef Tiger Men's Tourbillon Automatic with Convex Lens

Reef Tiger has a very special looking men's watch with mechanical movement.  They call it a casual watch, but it's a beauty.  Built around the Seiko NH39 automatic movement with windows revealing the movement and a transparent caseback, the Reef Tiger has what they bill as a convex lens, but which looks a domed crystal to me.

 Check out the profile pictures on Amazon to see the side view.  The watch is a sensible 40 millimeters in diameter and has a steel case, a sapphire crystal, and calfskin leather strap.  It offers water resistance of 50 meters.  A subdial shows the 24 hour time.  You can find this Reef Tiger watch with a blue dial on Amazon. 

As luxurious as this watch looks, the price point seems quite reasonable for a quality automatic watch.  Reef Tiger is a brand I've been following for awhile.  They have some great looking watches.  This one looks like a great Christmas gift for any man who appreciates a fine watch.

[Amazingly, as of August 2025, the Reef Tiger Tourbillon is still available on Amazon in three different color combinations. Reviews are mixed with some good and one quite bad. If you're intrigued, this Reef Tiger is swimming here on Amazon.]

 

The Joys of a Mechanical Watch

As much as I like my seemingly endless collection of quartz watches, I love mechanical watches, too. They are amazing because they are a masterpiece of mechanical engineering and because someone took the time to sweat the small stuff! For example, this watchmaker at Elgin has to have a steady hand.

 My modern Elgin watches just aren't the same.  But, I still have some mechanical watches and they are cool.

My Walmart Automatic Watch

This one is my $50 Walmart Automatic.  I don't think they make this particular model anymore.  But, Walmart used it to pressure their suppliers into making lots of affordable, skeletonized, automatics. Today, you can get nice looking mechanical watches for much less.  For example, you can get a very good price on this Sewor Automatic over on Amazon.