Watch Wearing Wednesday: The LaCoste 12:12

For this watch wearing Wednesday, my LaCoste 12:12 Silicone Strap watch is still going strong. That's probably a good thing because basic black LaCoste watches are hard to find on Amazon right now. They've got LaCoste watches in every other shape and color right here on Amazon.

LaCoste 12:12 watch

This watch is a wonderful representative of minimalist watch style from a fashion brand. You can read my full review here on this blog! I continue to like this watch due to its grab and go simplicity and ease of wear.

Wristwatch Review: Armani Exchange Chronograph with Black Hands

Recently, I've been wearing a very stylish watch from Armani Exchange (A|X). It's an interesting watch in terms of comfort, wear-ability, and readability. 

A|X Chrono Watch Style

The Armani Exchange Chronograph is a fashion watch and style takes precedence over function. The first thing you'll notice is that this watch is black. Black case. Black Dial. Black hour and minute hands. Wait! Black hands? Yes, matte black hands. Isn't that hard to read? Uh, yes. You definitely have to look close and read this one deliberately.  The watch also has brighter markings for subdials and yellow hands for the second hand and subdial hands. However, on sunny days, the watch is quite a bit easier to read.

A|X Chrono Watch Construction

This watch has a black nylon case, a stainless steel caseback, and a silicone strap. It has 3 atmospheres of pressure (ATM) of water resistance which is equivalent to 30 meters of water resistance.  In practical terms, this watch is safe for handwashing dishes, rain, and washing the car.  However, you wouldn't want to immerse it in water.

A|X Chrono Watch Dimensions

The Armani Exchange Chronograph has a 44mm diameter case that is 12mm thick.  It has a 22mm wide silicone watch strap.  The strap has a generous length and fits my wrist comfortably. It's a light watch to wear at 2.05 ounces in weight.

A|X Chrono Overall Impression

As a designer watch at an accessible price point, the Armani Exchange Chronograph looks and feels cool. It has a nice casual look. However, the subdials are a bit hard to read and the date window at 4:30 on the dial is very small.  There is a chance that this watch might be aimed at a young market with better eyes.  If the style hits for you and the price is right, give it a shot.  You can find it here on Amazon. You'll also find some different color and case material combinations at the link.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Izod Quartz Watch with Diver Style Markings and Extra Straps

Here's another men's watch find from Ross.  It's an Izod quartz watch with a diver-style bezel and false chrono dials.  It's an attractive and easy to read timepiece in the $25 or so category.

Izod quartz watch with false chrono subdials

Of course, this Izod watch isn't really an enthusiast timepiece.  But, it does offer a cohesive sense of style, an  affiliation with a well-known brand, and alternative looks through extra watch straps.  The watch comes with a brown strap and is packaged with a dark blue strap and a white strap with a blue line.  The blue and brown straps are made of synthetic leader and the white strap appears to be silicone.  The watch has no spring bars.  Fixed permanent bars are built into the case and the straps merely thread behind the watch back.  It seems strange, but it is actually a good looking watch that is comfortable to wear.

Izod Quartz Watch Set with Extra Watch Straps

Since we found this at a closeout store, the battery was dead when I tried to set it.  Fortunately, I had an SR626SW watch battery handy and I was able to swap out the dead one with no fuss and no muss.

A look at the quartz movement of an Izod Watch

Overall, this watch would look perfectly appropriate in a business casual work or school environment.  If you like the preppy look and preppy labels, you'll also be comfortable wearing the Izod brand.

Wristwatch Review: Mens Legion Analog Watch

A recent visit to Belk, one of the South's greatest department store chains, turned me on to Legion brand watches.  Legion watches are attractive house brand watch that sell for modest prices.  This review covers the first of three that I bought.

[Please note:  This review covers the Legion brand of watches that are a house brand at Belk department stores in the Southeastern United States.  I do not believe that these Legion watches are in any way related to the Legion Watches currently making a splash on the web at www.legionwatches.com.  I don't know if the Legion watches on the web are any good.]

Design.  My first, Legion watch has an attractive silver-on-silver design that looks great. The dial is silver, the bezel is silver, the case is silver, and the bracelet is silver.  Of course, when designing a silver-motif watch, it's all about contrasting tone and texture. The dial, case, and bracelet have a flat brushed metal appearance while the bezel, numbers, and Legion logo have shiny, high gloss, look.  The bezel has the popular ship's porthole look and the bezel has indents to look like it is screwed down into the case of the watch.

Construction.  As a fashion watch, this Legion watch is not rated for water resistance or shock.   For the record, of course, we are speaking of silver in color--not of the metal actually used in making the watch.  The watch has a stainless steel case back and a base metal for everything else.  However, the watch appears to be fairly solid in construction.

Dimensions.  This Legion watch is well proportioned with a dial large enough to be manly and on trend, but small enough to be tasteful and appropriate to all ages.  The bracelet is comfortably wide and adjustable via a pin in the clasp.  Initially, the watch hung very loose on my rather large wrists.  By moving two adjustments smaller on the bracelet, it fit better.

Drawbacks.   Many of the Legion watches at my local Belk had dead batteries.  Make sure that the watch you intend to purchase actually works.

Value.  Legion watches are marked at $40 to $55, but can be had on sale for considerably less.  By taking advantage of a sale and register coupon, this watch was about $23.  I'd say this watch is a solid $30 value and compares well to other commodity quartz watches like Structure, Precision by Gruen, and Folio.  Overall, I like this watch and believe it to be a good value.