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Showing posts with label best affordable watch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best affordable watch. Show all posts

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Wristwatch Review: Nautica N/83 Finn World Quartz Watch

One watch I snatched up pre-owned on Amazon is this Nautica Finn World watch (Model NAPFWF201).  It's a beautiful dive-style watch inspired by Finn class sailboats and the sea. The styling of this watch is just amazing with the boldest of blues, a purposeful looking diver-style bezel, and a silicone strap that fits an up to 8-inch wrist.

Nautica Finn World Watch (Amazon Photo)

It looks perfect on Amazon, but this great deal story has a twist.

Incredible Watch Deal but Shockingly Unacceptable Delivery

Amazingly, I found this Nautica watch as a pre-owned deal for just under $15.00. But, I was shocked when the watch arrived.  It was in a box that had about a tablespoon of beach sand inside. It covered the watch, the original box, and any papers inside.

My Nautica N/83 arrived in beach watch condition

I almost sent the watch back. The watch was new in box, but the box was terrible. I dusted the watch off, removed the sticker protecting the crystal and the sticker protecting the case back and rinsed off the straps. 

The dusty wrist strap of my Nautica N/83

Fortunately, clean up revealed that underlying timepiece was undamaged.

Nautica N/83 Finn World Watch Style and Features

Like nearly all Nautica watches, this watch is a winner in terms of style and design. The color combination, nautical reference to the Finn class of sale boats, bezel look, and strap design are all winners. This is one of my best looking watches. As a fashion watch, this Nautica is on point.


From a feature perspective, this Nautica N/83 is a little sparse. The bezel is fixed. That's a bit of a shame because I do like a rotating bezel for timing pizzas and other important things. However, the simplicity of the design is also refreshing. There are no tiny subdials or date windows with numbers I can't read. I don't have to check and set the date with this one when I pick it up after awhile to put it in rotation. The watch has a practical water resistance of 50 meters. I'll rate the lack of features a win for this watch.


Nautica Watch Dimensions

I like the size of this watch. The case is 44mm in diameter and 12mm thick. The strap is 22mm wide and provides plenty of length.

 

Nautica Watch Construction

Founded in 1983 by designer David Chu and a partner, the Nautica brand is now owned by Authentic Brands.  In the fashion space, Nautica is slots above Izod and below Brooks Brothers in Authentic's portfolio of brands. Nautica watches have been designed, manufactured, and distributed by the Timex Group since the 1990s. The design direction and quality guidelines have worked well in the partnership to yield some great looking and affordable watches.


This Nautica N/83 Finn World watch features stainless steel construction, a silicone strap, and a mineral glass crystal. It's a very solid watch.

Nautica Finn World Watch Overall Impression

Overall, I really love this watch. I'm glad I didn't send it back. It's genuinely one of my favorite casual watches. It has a great look. It's very readable and it has practical water resistance.

Where to Buy Nautica Watches

Fashion watch brands move fast and constantly evolve. This watch is no longer available on Amazon.  But, it is listed online at Kohl's for $125 new.  It also appears regularly on secondary sites like eBay. Since Nautica shows remarkable consistency in design theme and style, you may find another Nautica watch appealing using my affiliate link here on Amazon.




Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Watch Deal Alert: Fossil Coachman with Leather Bundt Strap

If you are looking for something slightly different in the world of watches and straps, get a watch with a bundt strap. In that strap design, a leather pad is placed between you and your watch.  It's probably a great design for people who have reactions to the metals commonly used in watches. Right now (as of July 2026), Fossil has a great discount on their Fossil Coachman Chronograph with a leather bundt strap. On Amazon, the watch is 59% off to come in at well under $100.  That's a deal for a good quality quartz watch today.


Fossil Coachman Chronograph

The watch has 44mm diameter case, 100-meter water resistance, a date window, and three subdials to handle chronograph functions and 24-hour time.  It gets 4.6 stars in over 18000 ratings on Amazon. If you like this watch, check it out here via my affiliate link to Amazon.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Watch Deal Alert: Lacoste Vienna Men's Quartz Watch

If you are looking for a good deal on a nice looking minimalist watch with a strong preppy heritage, check out the Lacoste Vienna Men's Quartz Watch.  It features a stainless steel case, 50-meter water resistance, a 42mm diameter case, and a tapisserie-style blue dial featuring the iconic Lacoste crocodile logo at 3 o'clock. It's quite a package. It's also a great deal at 24% off!

The Lacoste Vienna Men's Quartz Watch (Amazon photo)

For less than $100, this watch is a great quality timepiece and an excellent addition to any business casual wardrobe. You can see this Crocodile for awhile here via my Amazon affiliate program link!

For more watches that provide a strong preppy vibe and simply work well in today's contemporary business casual environment, visit my collage "A Preppy Collection" here on my Amazon storefront.

A Preppy Collection (Amazon Affiliate Link)

You'll find that many of these watches fit your everyday wardrobe and everyday budget just perfectly.






 

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Watch Deal Alert: Timex Men's Easy Reader

While we've been posting about minimalist watches this week, we should mention the minimalist masterpiece that has been going strong for years. It's the Timex Easy Reader. Your dad and grandfather have been minimalists for years. They haven't had to know anything about the Bauhaus design movement, the Scandinavian design ethos, Swiss railroads, or artists in Denmark. They just wanted a no-nonsense watch that works. And, just when you think you are cooler, it's on trend with a slightly smaller 38mm case diameter that's growing in popularity.  

Timex Easy Reader--Brown Strap, Silver-tone case, deep blue dial (Amazon.com)

Well, my watch has lume!

Timex has Indiglo backlighting. 

I can shower with my watch!

What is wrong with you?

 I paid $13,000 for my watch!

What is wrong with you? 

-- and -- 

What time is it on your $13,000 watch? 

10:10 p.m.

Same as the time on this here $45 Timex watch.

You can't win. Don't even try. Just know that this Timex Easy Reader is on sale for 30% off and costs even less than $35. You can get it right here via my affiliate link!


Monday, May 25, 2026

Watch Deal Alert: Timex Men's Expedition Scout 40mm

Sometimes, it's hard to look at rising watch prices without remembering what the watches cost back in the 90s or early 2000s. While we know about inflation and the bite it takes out of our purchasing power, it can be tough to see escalating prices impact our watch collections.  That's why it's nice when you see old-time pricing on a familiar watch.  For example, Amazon has some versions of the Timex Men's Expedition Scout on sale.  As of June 14, 2026, it's only 34% off.  But, at less than $25, you'll think you've returned to the times of yore. 

Timex 40mm Expedition Scout

This Timex 40mm Expedition Scout has Indiglo backlighting and 50-meters of water resistance and comes in a Green Strap, Gray Case, and Black Dial Configuration. It's a great starting point for anyone wanting a field watch.  You can check it out here using my Amazon affiliate link. The watch comes in a variety of color combinations that range up to just over $50.  But, if you poke around a bit, you may find that Amazon has quite a few used-good or used-excellent condition Timex Expedition watches available at a substantial discount.  Since they are great beater watches, it's hard to go wrong with one.

[Updated June 14, 2026 - Just in time for Fathers Day]


Sunday, May 24, 2026

An Affordable Alternative to a Vintage Omega Seamaster

I find myself drawn to the looks of classic watches like this 1967 Omega Seamaster Day-Date watch currently being sold at the vintage watch dealer Second Time Around Watch Co. It's a beautiful timepiece with a stainless steel case plated with 14K gold.  It has a classic automatic movement and a timeless look.

1967 Vintage Omega Seamaster (Photo credit to SecondTimeAroundWatchCo.com)

If money were no object, I'd try to get a watch like this and add it to my collection. It's $2100. It would be a wonderful timepiece. It was made in Switzerland when that meant something. It is 14K gold plated. It has the classic looks and dimensions (37mm diameter) of a bona fide classic. Once upon a time, that would have been attainable. But, IT sector lay offs take their toll. If you are in position to get the real thing, you can find this vintage watch here.

From Vintage Omega to Modern Olevs

Instead, I'd like an easy, affordable watch, that might be somewhat inspired by the look, but that would fit into my tight budget. I can probably afford a $40 watch somewhere along the way. The OLEVS men's brown leather strap watch hits that mark well. The watch is powered by a Japanese quartz movement and has a 39mm diameter stainless steel case that is 9mm thick.

Olev's Quartz Watch with Brown Leather Strap (Amazon photo)

To check this vintage-inspired watch out, visit my Amazon affiliate link to this Olevs watch here.




Friday, May 22, 2026

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.)

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Wristwatch Review: Casio Enticer (Model MTP-VD01D-2EV)

An Enticingly Affordable Watch from Casio

I've long been intrigued with the Casio Enticer (Model MTP-VD01D-2EV) as an inexpensive, but very attractive, timepiece.


Casio Enticer Watch Style and Features

The Casio Enticer is a casual, fashion, watch.  This all stainless steel watch has a shiny fixed diver-style bezel, 50-meter water resistance, an accurate Japanese movement, and a date window. The designers made good use of alternating shiny and flat stainless steel in the bracelet design. The case and bezel are shiny stainless steel.  In terms of style, this watch is a quantum leap ahead of my first Casio Analog watch from 2011. The Enticer is a sexy watch.


Casio Enticer Watch Dimensions

The watch is perfectly sized for my sensibilities. The case is  45mm in diameter and 10.5mm thick. 

The Casio Enticer has a slim profile that is perfect for office wear.

The bracelet is quite generously sized. I actually had to adjust it downward a little to fit my fairly large 7 and 3/4 inch wrists. 

The Casio Enticer has a generously-sized bracelet

Luckily, I was able to tighten the bracelet by adjusting the clasp to be a little tighter.

The Deployant Clasp of the Casio Enticer

Casio Enticer Watch Construction

Overall, this watch is very solid for the under $50 price category.  50-meter water resistance is reassuring for casual wear. The movement is accurate for +/- 20 seconds per month. 

Casio Watch Overall Impression

This Casio feels like money well spent.  It's a great looking watch.  Prices can vary quite a bit, but I was able to get mine for under $40. The watch comes in a variety of dial and case color combinations and is sold in a price range from about $35 to $55.  To see the broad array of models available and the best prices, use my Amazon affiliate link. It's a great watch at an affordable price point.




 

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Wristwatch Review: Nibosi Men's Black Stainless Steel Quartz Watch

I recently came across a Nibosi Men's Stainless Steel Quartz Watch in black for only $11.99 on Amazon. It was an incredible deal. 

Nibosi Black Quartz Watch

This is my third Nibosi watch, but in terms of build quality, it may be my best one.

Nibosi Watch Features

This Nibosi watch is minimalist in terms of features. It's a simple straight forward design with a quartz movement. This watch is impressive in terms of style, fit, finish, and price. 

For a very inexpensive watch, the Nibosi watch was well packaged

The watch has all stainless steel construction and a good quality deployant clasp.

The Deployant Clasp of the Nibosi Black Stainless Steel Watch


Nibosi Watch Style

This watch is visually striking with a black case, bracelet, and dial contrasted by gold tone hands and markers. While Nibosi makes plenty of homage watches, this one seems to be created in a style of their own that is well within mainstream watch expectations. Sometimes, I like the independence of an affordable watch that isn't an homage to a classic.

Nibosi Black Stainless Steel Quartz Watch

The stainless steel bracelet makes great use of glassy black outer links and flat black interior links. This alternating use of color and text provides subtle visual interest. 

The contrast between out and inner link finishes is subtle

In day-to-day wear, I find that the gold-tone hands and markers really catch the light and reflect well in low light or fading light conditions.

Nibosi Watch Construction

This Nibosi watch has a stainless steel caseback, bracelet, and case. It also has a flat mineral glass crystal. The watch has 100 feet (30-meters) of water resistance. It's not for swimming, showering, or immersion, but it should be resistant to incidental splashes and rain.

Nibosi Stainless Steel Caseback

I didn't see any obvious cost cutting in this watch. It seems very competitive with low cost watches found in stores. I'd say that build quality far exceeds similarly priced watches from brands like George. The watch doesn't have any sharp edges or anything that would dig into the wrists. It's comfortable for all day wear.

Nibosi Watch Dimensions

For me, this Nibosi watch is perfectly proportioned. The case is about 42mm in diameter and 9.65mm thick. The bracelet is about 21mm wide and about 220mm long. 

Overall Impressions of the Nibosi Black Quartz Watch

This watch won't impress people with its pedigree, but it is a nicely priced watch with great features and style for the price. It's another watch that pressures Timex and Casio to bring us nicer watches at lower prices. I like this watch quite a bit. As an IT worker, the economy has kicked me around a bit lately. An incredible watch bargain is a nice way to kick back.

Where to Buy the Nibosi Black Watch

You can get a this watch in black with gold accent tones here via my affiliate link to Amazon.

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Sharp Watch Shout Out: MVMT Astro Blue Men's Quartz Chronograph Watch

The MVMT brand is a great choice for collectors who want great looks at affordable price points. They've zeroed in on younger watch collectors who can't afford the premium luxury brands that get so much attention in the watch media.  Originally a microbrand, MVMT grew into a company that was bought by the Movado Group. It's a watch company founders' dream. Today, I'm highlighting a sharp looking chronograph that looks like a million bucks, but costs less than $100.  On the MVMT website, this watch is called on Astro Blue. On Amazon, I call it one heck of a deal.

MVMT Astro Blue (Amazon Photo)

At 47mm in diameter, the Astro Blue is a big watch with lots of wrist presence.  But, it also has a sophisticated minimalist style that looks like a watch of substance. I love the dial color, the sophisticated old world crown, and the minimalist dial.  That's why the MVMT Astro Blue gets a sharp watch shout out!

If you'd like to get this watch, it's available at a bargain price here on Amazon via my affiliate link. This watch is proof that beauty, sophisticated style, a compelling brand story, and a bargain price can come together in a masterpiece.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Watch Deal Alert: Casio MDV-106 Duro on Sale!

(Updated 4/11/2026) In tight economic times, people tend to gravitate towards watches that deliver real value. The Casio MDV-106 Dive Watch might just be that watch. Popularly known as the Casio Duro and sometimes called a Casio Marlin, this watch is the leader in low priced dive watches. It has the right look, the right performance, and the right price. It offers 200-meter water resistance, a unidirectional rotating bezel, a fish right on the dial, a reliable quartz watch movement, and classic dive watch looks.

Casio MDV-106 Dive Watch (Amazon Photo)

Right now (as of April 11, 2026), the Casio Duro is being offered with a resin band for 30% off on Amazon. In these inflationary times, it's a great deal at less than $70. There are many styles to choose from and all are less than $100. You can check this watch out using my Amazon affiliate link here

Sunday, October 5, 2025

Wristwatch Review: Ed Hardy Men's Black Strap Watch (Model 50446)

If you are looking for affordable watches to collect, one brand to keep an eye on is Ed Hardy. The brand brings unique tattoo artist inspired art to the wrist at a price point that is usually less than $30. If you look at the Ed Hardy Model 50446, Men's Black Strap Watch, you'll find an interesting example of affordable artistry. 

The Ed Hardy Model 50446 Quartz Watch

Ed Hardy Watch Style

This Ed Hardy watch is a standard quartz watch, but it has an elaborate design on the dial surface that artistically portrays a highly stylized mechanical watch movement. While serious collectors would surely scoff at a false movement in foil relief, it's actually a pretty cool looking watch and an interesting piece for less staid collections. 

Ed Hardy Watch (Model 50446)

I like to see Ed Hardy piece incorporate the tattoo-inspired art that made the designer famous. You can read more about this watch and its unusual style in my Watch Wearing Wednesday entry on it.

Ed Hardy Watch Dimensions

This Ed Hardy watch is rather large for a tanker-style watch. The case of this watch is 48mm across (about 50mm counting the crown). The strap is 24mm wide. The watch strap length is listed at 9 and 3/4 inches. I find that the watch fits my 7 and 3/4 inch wrist easily. 

The Ed Hardy Model 50446 has a generous strap size.

Ed Hardy Watch Construction

The caseback is stainless steel and the case is a 100% metal alloy. The band is silicone.  

Ed Hardy Model 50446 Stainless Caseback

Ed Hardy Watch Overall Impression

This is an interesting watch and a conversation starter. By no means is it some kind of elite watch, but it is a fun watch for a fashion watch collection. I probably like this watch more than I probably should. But, you can usually count on the Ed Hardy brand to make a statement.

Ed Hardy Black Strap Watch (Model 50446)

Where to find Ed Hardy Watches

You can find this Ed Hardy watch at JC Penney.  It may also be available online at Walmart.com. As of this writing in October 2025, it was only $22 at JC Penney. That makes this watch an outstanding deal.

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Wristwatch Review: A Caribbean Joe Watch with a Cushion Case

One of the nice things about the Caribbean Joe brand of watches is that it brings classic watch looks to those of us with limited watch budgets. Such is the case with the Caribbean Joe watch with a cushion case and faux sub-dials.

Caribbean Joe Cushion Case Watch (Model CJ7128SLGR)

What is a Cushion Case Watch?

A cushion case is a watch case design that was popular in the early 20th century and incorporates square and round design elements.  A cushion case is a square-ish or rectangular case with gently rounded corners that has a circular dial and crystal in the center.  It looks like a round watch resting on a square pillow.

Caribbean Joe Watch Design and Features

Like most Caribbean Joe watches, this one is designed for looks. It has a green dial, non-functional subdials, a somewhat square cushion case, and a synthetic leather strap. The dial design, bright orange second hand, and house The quartz movement is from Singapore. 

Caribbean Joe Square Watch with two cups of Joe

Caribbean Joe Watch Dimensions

One thing I like about Caribbean Joe is that their watches are well proportioned. This square Caribbean Joe watch is about 43mm wide (45mm if you count the crown) and roughly 11mm thick. It fits might 7 3/4-inch wrist without any issue and has plenty of strap left for the gathers to fit comfortably.

Caribbean Joe watch strap on 7 3/4 inch wrist

Overall Caribbean Joe Watch Impression

I enjoy wearing this watch. It has a classic look that is a little unusual and a worry-free quartz movement. The non-functional subdials detract from my perception of this watch's value, but they help the brand mimic a classic look. For less than $21 at Kohl's, this watch is a good buy.  For more on the pros and cons of Caribbean Joe watches, check out my post Are Caribbean Joe Watches Any Good. Overall, I like this one!

Where can I find this Caribbean Joe watch?

Caribbean Joe watches are available at Kohl's, Boscov's, and Seirra. This watch is listed as Caribbean Joe Square Dial watch (Model CJ7128SLGR) online here at Boscov's (not an affiliate link).






Friday, September 12, 2025

TGIF: Are Caribbean Joe Watches Any Good?

Yes. Caribbean Joe Watches Are Good!


Caribbean Joe makes attractive watches that are very inexpensive. It's natural that potential buyers would ask, "Are Caribbean Joe watches any good?" The immediate answer is "Yes!"  Caribbean Joe watches offer attractive, classically-styled, men's watches that are functional and look good. I have several (probably 15 total) and I find that they generally fit me well, and I've never had any issues with them working.  

Part of My Caribbean Joe Watch Collection

For $15 to $30, Caribbean Joe sells great watches. Since they don't cost much, they are fun to collect. If you are just looking for a fun fashion watch to bang around in, Caribbean Joe is a good watch.

Why Caribbean Joe Watches are Good!


Here are three reasons that Caribbean Joe watches are good:

1. Attractive Style - They look like classic watches. They are simply beautiful.
2. Inexpensive Price - You can find Caribbean Joe Watches in the $15 to $40 range at stores like Burlington, Boscov's, Kohl's and now Amazon.
3. Decent Quality - Caribbean Joe watches work and fit well for their low price point.

This Caribbean Joe watch is no classic, but it looks great!
For more info see my review: Caribbean Joe with Gold Tones

But, Caribbean Joe Watches are Cheap


I love Caribbean Joe watches. But, I'm a cheap bastard.  If you let other considerations slip into your watch choice, there are some good reasons you might want to consider other watches.

1. No Brand Pedigree. Caribbean Joe doesn't seem to have a real history or heritage as a watch maker. The company is primarily a casual beach apparel brand reflecting "an American vision of comfort, ease, and relaxation." Their website, Caribbean-Joe.com, doesn't even mention or sell watches. Inexpensive watch makers like Casio and Timex have rich corporate histories with milestones and break-throughs that you can be proud of when you wear one of those watches. For many watch enthusiasts, buying a watch is akin to joining a tribe. That said, there may yet form a tribe of Caribbean Joe watch enthusiasts. Who can resist that hut and palm tree logo?

A Caribbean Joe Watch
For more info see my review: Caribbean Joe Watch with Green Sunburst Dial

2. Lack of Precision.
Caribbean Joe watches have a Singapore-made Quartz Movement that is reliable and works just fine. However, if you push the crown in too hastily once you've set the time, the minute hand may jump a minute or two on one direction or another. If you take it slow and develop some finesse, you can generally set the watch just fine. In fairness, this can happen with other brands, too. However, it is a reminder that you are dealing with an inexpensive watch.

3. Inexpensive Materials. To sell for $20 or so, a watch has to be made very inexpensively. While I haven't had any problems, every once in awhile, you might glance at a Caribbean Joe watch and wonder if the case is made of a really inexpensive tin alloy. The case back is made of stainless steel, but sometimes the case of a Caribbean Joe watch can look a little cheap.

4. Not Ruggedly Constructed. While I do have a Caribbean Joe watch that looks like a Tudor Ranger, it isn't a real field watch. The inexpensive materials mean that a Caribbean Joe watch probably doesn't have much water resistance. I don't wear mine out in heavy rain, use it to wash dishes, or go swimming it. It's a "bang around" watch in that I can bang it into something and go get another watch if it breaks. Beater doesn't mean go beat things with it. Obviously, I wouldn't rely on it for navigation, rock climbing, or any activity more rugged than eating shrimp at a seafood shack by the river.

This Caribbean Joe watch looks like a Tudor Ranger or Rolex Explorer
For more info, see my watch wearing post:  Caribbean Joe Tudor Ranger Alternative

5. Non-functional sub-dials. For $20, you don't get a sophisticated quartz movement with complications that can drive sub-dials. Instead, Caribbean Joe just puts sub-dial markings on the dial and we all just pretend that we have sub-dials. Since sub-dials are generally too small for me to read on most watches, I don't care that much. But, it is a reminder that the watch is cheap. I go back-and-forth on this topic. I don't care. I do care. Ultimately, I'm not a huge fan of sub-dials but, on better watches, the sub-dials work.

This Caribbean Joe watch has fake sub-dials
For more info, see my watch wearing post:  Caribbean Joe with Blue Dial

I hope this list of pros and cons has been useful in helping you decide whether to buy a Caribbean Joe watch. If you do decide to get one, Amazon, Kohl's, Boscov's and Sierra are probably the best places to find them online or in the store.

Caribbean Joe Watches on Amazon

On my Amazon storefront, I've put together an Amazon product collage and product list of Caribbean Joe watches.  You can find it here via my affiliate program link.

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Wristwatch Review: A Caribbean Joe Watch with Gold Tones

If there is a watch brand that I take an inordinate amount of joy in, that brand has to be Caribbean Joe. These watches are like horological potato chips. I think it is because they capture classic looks at a bargain basement price. For this review, let's take a look at one with gold tones and a brown leather strap. Technically, it might be CJ7166TTG, but I suspect that the manufacturer takes a "parts is parts" approach to casebacks.

This Caribbean Joe Watch has a classic look

Caribbean Joe Watch Style

Style is the essence of this watch. The features are simple. It's a 3 hand quartz watch with a silver-tone case. But, the style is rich and golden with golden tones to the alpha (also known as lance) hands, hour markers, and numerals, aspects of the dial, and the crown. The dial is a pail white with an underlying golden grid pattern and the trademark Caribbean Joe hut and palm tree logo are in black. This watch doesn't have any extraneous faux sub-dials that can sometimes detract the look. The overall effect is a relaxed, casual, dress watch that evokes the sun, the Caribbean, and the relaxation that comes with extraordinary wealth. This Caribbean Joe watch looks like a wealthier watch than it actually is. That's where we all join the brand and participate in an inside joke. The brand knows  and we know that this is just a $22 quartz watch. But passersby? They don't know.

Caribbean Joe Watch Dimensions

This Caribbean Joe watch is perfectly proportioned. The case of this watch is 40mm in diameter and 10mm thick. I measure about 47mm lug-to-lug and the strap is 20mm wide. The strap is around 187mm long. With the watch, you have about 22.5 cm of length to work with. The watch accommodates wrists of up to 7.95 inches (20 cm) if you deduct an inch (25mm) of strap end. If find that the watch accommodates my wrist easily with plenty of strap to spare.

This Caribbean Joe watch doesn't stand too tall on the wrist

The good fit and perfect size add to my appetite for these watches.

Caribbean Joe Watch Construction

Like most Caribbean Joe watches, there are little things that betray this watch's inexpensive origin. While the caseback is stainless steel, the case itself is made of a much less expensive material--probably a base metal. On the plus side, it's a light comfortable to wear watch weight. A big minus, is that the body of the watch can look cheap from time to time.  

The Caribbean Joe Watch caseback does tell you what kind of battery you need!

Moving on to the movement: it's from Singapore. It's powered by a common SR626SW battery. The synthetic leather strap is from China. It can be a challenge to set the watch precisely as the minute hand wants to jump a little when you push the crown in. While I haven't had any serious issues with my Caribbean Joe watches, they are definitely cheap watches that look good. 

A Caribbean Joe watch under the lights

Caribbean Joe Watch Overall Impression

Overall, I like this watch. Like most Caribbean Joe watches, it looks good. It's always easy to throw one of these into shopping cart and they don't break the budget. They are a fun, low-impact, guilty pleasure. These watches also make great beater watches. You can wear them almost anywhere. You don't have to worry about them getting lost, stolen, or bashed into doorframes. If you see one that you like the looks of, get it. You'll find yourself wearing quite often.

This Caribbean Joe watch looks great out on the town

Where to find Caribbean Joe Watches

I'm pretty sure I found this one at a Burlington store where it was marked somewhere around $20. I think it was $22. You can find Caribbean Joe watches at Boscov's, Kohl's, Sierra, and sometimes at Walmart.com.  As a fashion brand, Caribbean Joe styles and designs come and go. I haven't seen this particular one online anywhere.

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Sharp Watch Shoutout: The Timex Mod 44 44mm Leather Strap Watch

 If you are looking for an unusual watch with an interesting look, check out the Timex Mod 44 44mm Leather Strap Watch. It has a retro-futuristic looking case with a gold tone that looks like bronze. It also has numerals at 12, 6, and 9 that look like something from the 70s. It quite simply looks like a watch out of a science fiction movie. A watch this interesting simply doesn't come along at under $50 very often.  That's why this Timex earns a Sharp Watch Shoutout.

Timex Mod 44 Leather Strap Watch (Amazon photo)

The Timex Mod 44 also has an interesting TX logo design on the crown. It's just one of many ways that the watch captures the eye.

Timex Mod 44 Profile and Leather Strap

If you're interested in this Timex Mod 44 watch with a gold tone, check it out here on Amazon. In the ephemeral world of fashion watches, this sharp-looking watch might end up as a rare gem. If you'd like to see a similar watch with a multifunction dial in black, check out this Timex Mod 44.