Sharp Watch Shout Out: The Diella Automatic Starry Sky Globe Automatic

Diella watches are an interesting choice in attainable luxury watches. I'm still investigating this brand. Apparently, they are based on the designs of Swiss Watch maker Jeff Diella.  The novel thing about these watches is that they incorporate jade into their designs.  Apparently, when you illuminate jade with a bright light, the effects can be very cool looking. They have designs for men and women at a variety of price points on Amazon. This one: the Diella Automatic Starry Sky Globe Automatic caught my eye. The combination of eye catching design, intriguing use of jade, and an automatic movement earn this watch a Sharp Watch Shout Out!

You can check this sharp looking Diella watch out here on Amazon. For a limited time, this one comes with an 11% off coupon. It incorporates black jade for a smooth look!

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.

Sharp Watch Shout Out: The René Mouris Mythique Le Monde

When it comes to watches, sometimes fashion and form take precedence over functionality. Such is the case when it come to the Eiffel Tower inspired Mythique Le Monde from French watchmaker René Mouris. With a truly unique hexagonal case, the Mythique Le Monde is an amazing watch from a maker that has grown from microbrand to Amazon seller. The unique look and French sensibility earns this watch a well-deserved sharp watch shout out!

René Mouris Mythique Le Monde (Amazon photo)

The René Mouris Mythique Le Monde comes in seven color combinations. Critics have noted that the thin hands can be difficult to read and the automatic movement is a fairly common Miyota. However, I doubt there could be a more unique and authentically French addition to a watch collection.  This watch is definitely worth a visit here on Amazon. While the Mythique Le Monde watch is a flagship priced at nearly $800, the maker has a variety of cool looking watches with most prices averaging around a far more attainable $400 on Amazon.

Sharp Watch Shout Out: Citizen Men's Eco Drive Weekender Watch

I recently saw this Citizen Men's Eco Drive Weekender watch with a blue dial and a blue polyurethane strap. It's an amazing looking watch. I like the dimpled dial and the sports GT-style strap. While it may be an elastomeric polymer, from a distance, that strap sure looks like the wrap from around an old sports car steering wheel. In such a brilliant blue, this Citizen watch certainly deserves a sharp watch shout out!

Citizen Eco Drive Weekender Sport Watch (Amazon Photo)

The specifications for this watch match the sporty looks, too. It has a stainless steel case and 100-meters of water resistance. Amazon reviewers note that it has a long strap to fit most wearers and that the watch holds up well to sweat and activity. The watch is rather large with a 44mm diameter case. 

This watch has a Caliber J810 movement that is solar powered. Citizen Eco Drive watches never need batteries, but they may need a capacitor replaced every ten years or so.  There are instructions online for how to do this and a jeweler should also be able to handle it.

For a limited time (as of this May 2025 writing), this watch is on sale for 25% off for a price coming in at a little over $200. To take a closer look at this timepiece, check it out here on Amazon!

Sharp Watch Shout Out: Alpina Men's Startimer Pilot 1920s Heritage Limited Edition Automatic

Sometimes a humble field or aviator's watch can represent a big step up for a watch collection.  One such luxury tool watch is the Alpina Men's Startimer Pilot 1920s Heritage Limited Edition, 3-Hand Swiss Automatic. In the $700 to $1000 price range, this watch would certainly represent a major stretch for most budget conscious watch collectors. However, the watch offers a bona fide Swiss heritage dating back to 1883, the prestige of a Swiss Automatic, and an unexpected feature.

The Alpina Men's Startimer Pilot (Amazon Photo)

While this watch is billed as an aviation-inspired watch, it's simple style also looks a bit like a field watch. But, the surprise feature is a hinged back cover that flips up to reveal a transparent caseback and the watch's Swiss AL-525 base movement.

The Alpina Men's Startimer Pilot - Transparent Caseback (Amazon Photo)

I think this is just the coolest feature and find this watch very appealing.  While the price is high and in the upper reaches of my horological dreams, it is a relative bargain in the world of Swiss watches.  I just think it looks totally cool.  That's why it earns a sharp watch shout out!

If you'd like to check it out, you can find the Alpina Men's Startimer Pilot here on Amazon.com.

Sharp Watch Shout Out: Movado Bold with Gray Case and Dial

This Sharp Watch Shout Out goes to Movado for their Movado Bold with Ionic-plated Gray Case and Gray Dial.  It's simply a beautiful and understated watch.  It's also a reasonably attainable for most watch enthusiasts.

A Movado Bold watch (Amazon photo)

Movado is an intriguing luxury watch brand.  It carries a high degree of cache with upper middle class America and has long been the kind of luxury watch that we would buy at a high end department store or typical jewelry store.  Personally, I'm fascinated with all the permutations of their classic museum-style watch with its minimalist dial and a single dot at 12 o'clock. I very much like the design. I even have this Movado Museum-style desk clock.

Movado Museum-Style Clock

However, I think anything above a $500 price point is quite a bit for a wristwatch.  Fortunately, there are sales and other lines of Movado watch.  For example, I really like this Movada Bold watch with a gray case and dial brings the Museum watch motif to watch collectors at a far more attainable price point.  That's why it has earned the sharp watch shout out!

If you've been looking to add the essence of the classic Movado watch design to your collection without dipping into savings or running up a credit card balance, this may well be your watch!

[Unfortunately as of September 1, 2025, this watch seems to be gone from Amazon.]

A Big Digital Watch from Mossimo

It's hard to pass by the watch department at Target or Walmart.  They always have interesting, but inexpensive, watches.  On a recent trip, this big Mossimo digital watch caught my eye and my wife insisted that I get it.  Since it was only $20, I obliged and it has turned out to be a great watch. 

A Mossimo Digital Watch from Target

[Looking back at this watch from 2025, I think I liked it because of its bold style and bright blue silicone strap. This watch likely taught me that silicone is a comfortable watch strap material. I think that it also lasts quite a bit longer than rubber or resin straps. Those straps tend to get brittle over time and deteriorate rapidly once they do. It's an oxidation process. I really wish that Target still sold watches. But, that's the kind of thing they sacrifice to stay "on trend."]