Wristwatch Review: Joseph Abboud Quartz Watch with Decorative Subdials

Amazingly, one of the most incredible dial color schemes that I've seen this year is on an inexpensive watch that I bought at Burlington. The smokey silver and black dial of this Joseph Abboud (Model AB-5218SV) quartz watch with decorative subdials looks amazing. In this review, we'll try to ascertain whether the beauty is more than skin deep.

Joseph Abboud Quartz Watch with Decorative Subdials

Watch Features

This is very much a fashion watch. It is meant to tell the time and look great. The watch looks far more expensive than it actually was and you can imagine a sales associate at a men's clothing store laying this watch on the counter with dress shirts and ties in multiple colors. Beyond looks, there are no real features. 

Decorative Subdials on a Joseph Abboud watch

The subdials are non-functional and the bezel does not rotate. However, it is powered by a Japanese quartz movement.

Watch Construction

This Joseph Abboud watch has a stainless steel caseback and a base metal case. While beautiful, the watch does seem to be very lightly constructed and sounds hollow when set down on a granite countertop. The light weight of this watch makes it comfortable for extended wear.

This Joseph Abboud watch has a Japanese movement and stainless steel caseback

This watch has a vegan leather strap. The strap is supple and lengthy enough for my 7 1/2-inch wrist.

This Joseph Abboud watch has vegan leather straps

Watch Design

This watch is designed as an accessory first and foremost. It's like a movie prop. It just has too look good and convincing from a distance. However, in my opinion, this Joseph Abboud watch does look very good. 

Watch Dimensions

This Joseph Abboud watch has a rather large diameter case. It comes in at 45mm not counting the crown. It's 48.5mm in diameter counting the crown. The lug to lug measurement is 55mm. The watch itself is 10mm thick and would easily fit under a shirt sleeve cuff.

Overall Impression

Overall, I'm pleased with this watch since I got it for about $20 at Burlington. If I had paid twice as much or more in a clothing store, I don't think I'd be happy with it. While the subdials aren't functional, I can't complain too much since I can't usually read subdials without my reading glasses on. 

The Smokey Dial of this Joseph Abboud Model AB-5218SV watch is stunning!

Overall, this watch is beautiful to look at and fills an inexpensive dress watch niche. The beauty is skin deep. But, if you need to look sharp and are on a tight budget, this Joseph Abboud watch might be a good choice.

If you are interested in a simpler Joseph Abboud watch design, I think they did a good job with with the watch in this post, too.

Wristwatch Review: Geoffrey Beene Black Diamond Sports Watch with Decorative Subdials

If you are looking for a simple grab and go watch that is fine in office or casual settings, this quartz Geoffrey Beene Black Diamond Sports Watch with Decorative Subdials might be a good choice.

Geoffrey Beene Quartz Sports Watch with Decorative Subdials

Watch Construction

This watch has a stainless steel caseback and synthetic leather strap which is very adjustable and generously sized. The quartz movement is powered by a common SR626SW battery. The diamond is a tiny gem diamond that is barely discernable on this watch due to the dark dial color and lack of reflective flashing around it. The case appears to be a good quality base metal and is has a gun metal finish. The synthentic strap is attractive and lengthy enough to fit my fairly large wrists with a bit of room to spare.

Geoffrey Beene Black Diamond Sport Watch

Watch Style

This Geoffrey Beene watch is dark and understated. While the dial is a dark green, the color is only apparent in bright sunlight. The watch has a canted date window between 4 and 5 o'clock on the dial. I can only read the date when I'm wearing reading glasses. The crystal has a gentle dome quality. The ends of the hour and minute hands are generously painted white. This makes the watch much easier to read than some dark, mono-chromatic, watches. With this dark color, there really is no need for fake subdials. They are present, but can barely be seen. 

Geoffrey Beene Black Diamond Sport Watch

This watch has a 41mm diameter case that is 11.5mm thick. It's a nice balanced size that will allow it to fit easily under a dress shirt cuff and have presence on the wrist in short sleeve situations.

Overall Impression 

This Geoffrey Beene watch is a basic comfortable competent watch. It looks good and is comfortable to wear. It's not an overly exciting watch, but it is a good affordable and comfortable watch to wear anywhere and be able to tell the time.

Where can I get this Geoffrey Beene Watch?

This is one of the many watches that I've picked up at Burlington over the past year and it was a steal there at around $20. However, finding one takes a bit of luck. You can still find one of these "Black Diamond" watches in blue online at Amazon. Amazon also has regular Geoffrey Beene Diamond watches. If you'd like to see more Geoffrey Beene watches, check out my Amazon affiliate storefront here.

Wristwatch Review: Armitron Stainless Steel Watch (Model 20/5481SV)

One of the cooler looking Armitron watches that I picked up there year is the Model 20/5481SV. It's a diver-style watch with a fixed bezel. I picked it up at Burlington for about $20.

Armitron Stainless Steel Watch (20/5481SV)

Watch Features

The all-metal construction of this watch gives it a business-like demeanor which is commendable. It looks more expensive than it actually was.

Watch Construction

Most of my Armitron watches of late feature all stainless steel construction. The case, bracelet, bezel, and caseback of this watch  are all made of stainless steel. It has a flat mineral glass crystal. The watch has 50-meters (165-feet) of water resistance. 

Armitron Model 20/5481SV Caseback

One flaw with this Armitron is that I have to press extra hard on the clasp to make sure that it has snapped securely shut. I suspect that this may be a flaw with my individual timepiece, but it is something to be aware of.

Armitron Model 20/5481SV Bracelet

Watch Design

The design of this watch really lets the steel show. Most of the watch is finished as flat stainless steel. However, the crown, the case sides, and two thin strips are trim that flank the center links of the watch are polished to a nice shine. On the dial, the hour batons appear to be white lume set within shiny metal circles. The date window and numerals at 12, 6 and 9 o'clock are also outlined with shiny metal. The hour and minute hands have inset strips of lume.

Watch Dimensions

This Armitron watch shows well on the wrist with a 43mm case that is 10mm thick. The metal bracelet fits my wrist, but like some other Armitron watches, it is snug. 

Overall Impression

Overall, the Model 20/5481SV from Armitron is a very cool looking watch and an outstanding value for $20. You can check out Armitron Analog Watches for men here on Amazon.

Wristwatch Review: Caribbean Joe Square Watch with Synthetic Leather Strap

When it comes to cheap watches, I enjoy the Caribbean Joe brand.  In fact, I've found most of the variants of Caribbean Joe watches that are available. Most of the time, I get them from Kohl's, but I learned that there are square case Caribbean Joe's watches and I had to find them. As 2024 drew to a close, I ordered two watches online from a store in the northern midwestern US called Boscov's. The model numbers were CJ7145GU (Blue Dial/Gunmetal Case) and CJ7145SL (Brown Dial/Silver Case)

Caribbean Joe Square Watch (CJ7145GU)

Watch Style

I like the square case from Caribbean Joe. It seems to be on trend and looks good. The brands trademark hut and text are centered just below 12 o'clock and the dial shimmers with the light like a sun ray design. The subdials are attractive, but non-functional. At a $20 price point, you simply don't get the functionality of a more expensive watch.

Caribbean Joe Square Watch (CJ7145GU)

Watch Construction

This Caribbean Joe watch has a stainless steel caseback and a base metal case. Base metals typically are metals or alloys of metals like copper, brass, zinc, aluminum, or tin. The watch uses a common SR626SW battery and it is kindly noted on the caseback. The movement is made in Singapore and the synthetic leather strap is made in China. While the movement keeps good time, it can be difficult to set with precision because when the crown is depressed, the minute hand may jump by a minute. You can find it a challenging game to try and synchronize the watch with time.gov.  Ultimately, this is one of the common drawbacks to cheap watches and helps us appreciate the precision timepieces in our collections.

Caribbean Joe Square Watch Caseback

Watch Dimensions

The square Caribbean Joe watches are reasonably sized for most wrists. The watch case is 39mm across and 40mm from top to bottom.  You can see the size clearly here with the brown dial(?) version.

Caribbean Joe Square Watch with Brown Strap (CJ7145SL)

The case is a slim 9mm thick which is perfect for wearing with business attire including long-sleeved shirts with cuffs. 

The watch strap length is fairly generous and, with my large wrists, I was able to buckle it on the last hole and tuck the remaining strap under both loops. 

Strap of Caribbean Joe Model CJ7145SL (Brown Strap/Silver Case)

Overall Impression

With working subdials and a more precise movement, this watch could be a contender.  But, it chose to be a bum and hang out on a Caribbean Island. For a cheap watch, it is a handsome looking cuss. I like it and it's fun to wear--just don't forget this is a beach bum brand.