Watch Shopping at the Unclaimed Baggage Store

I recently added a Diesel Mega Chief to my collection. With a 51mm diameter dial, it's an iconic big watch design from Diesel.  It's a quartz watch with subdials and an interesting metal shield or guard around the 3 o'clock position.  You can read all about, and possibly buy, this great watch here on Amazon. For me, the source of my watch is the more interesting story.  I bought this watch used at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Alabama.  It has some wear  and tear, but it was only $54.

My Diesel Mega Chief

According to the Unclaimed Baggage store website, whenever airlines lose passenger bags or recover items left behind on airliners or in airport terminals, they try to find the owner for 3 months.  Then, they sell the goods to Unclaimed Baggage.  They recycle some, donate some, and sell the best at their retail store and online.  Getting to the brick-n-mortar store is quite a journey, but they have some amazing items at often amazing prices. You can see a tiny fraction of their inventory on the watch portion of their website.

Watches Priced from $30 to $59 at the Unclaimed Baggage Store

The store segments watches into price categories.  They have tons of inexpensive (less than $30) digital and analog fashion watches hung from pegs on displays out on the sales floor of the jewelry section.  Under the counter, the store has watches usefully segments by price up to about $300 or $400.  Above that, they have luxury watch displays with brands like Movado and then even more expensive brands like Nivada, Tudor, and Rolex. Store management generally has a good idea of what watches are worth from various used watch stores, online auctions and the like. You can get some good discounts from new prices, but you won't find a Tudor watch with a scuffed strap for $200.

The shop offers battery replacement for $4.99 on watches you purchase.  That is probably a good idea since you don't know how long the watches on display have been ticking.

Watch Sighting: Invicta Classic Dress Watch

On a recent visit to Ross, I spotted this classic dress watch from Invicta.  It is a rich looking watch with gold tones, a leather strap, and a Roman numerals.  This model has two subdials:  one to provide a 24-hour clock and another to keep track of seconds.

While I didn't buy this watch, it just goes to show that it always pays to keep your eyes open for watches at Ross or TJ Maxx.  Both chains get interesting watches and price them affordably.  Often the watches on display have been discontinued.  For example, I haven't been able to find this Invicta model in any other outlet.  Other times, these stores feature close out merchandise that haven't sold at other merchants.

If you are holiday shopping at Ross this Christmas, it's always worth checking the jewelry counter to see what kinds of treasures they have.  You are unlikely to find interesting watches like this in conventional department stores.  If you are looking high and low for a specific Invicta, Amazon is a great place to look for Invicta Dress Watches.

Last Minute Gift Ideas: Watches from Retailers

It's officially the last minute for Christmas Shopping.  If you haven't bought a gift by now, it's nearly time to panic.  But, there are still some nice watches available.  You just have to figure out where to shop.  When I shop for watches in person, there are three stores that I frequent:

Walmart. (See my article Pssst....Check Out The Watches at Walmart)  Walmart has lots of stocking stuffer watches for less than $15.  They also have a great collection of Timex, Casio, Armitron, and Elgin watches.  If you are looking for a gift that counts as a "nice" watch, you can't go wrong with a Casio G-Shock from Walmart.  They have a pretty good selection and good prices.  One caveat, the amount of merchandise offered varies a lot from Walmart to Walmart.  Typically, better zip codes (in terms of Audi, Lexus, and Volvo vehicles per zip) have better merchandise.

Stocking Stuffer Watches at Walmart

Typically, I've found the Elgin watches at Walmart to be a little over-blinged. [As of 2025, the dedicated watch counter at Walmart seems to have faded into oblivion, but they still have dedicated shelves with lots of inexpensive watches from their brand George and watches from Casio and Timex. You can read more about George brand watches in my post = TGIF: Are George Watches Any Good?]

Elgin Watches

T.J. Maxx.  If one store is consistent in surprising me with great watches, it's T.J. Maxx.  Major cities like Atlanta typically have at least one "Runway T.J. Maxx" with the best fashion merchandise.    See my article "Watches at the Runway T.J. Maxx in Atlanta".  You can often find watch brands including Bulova, Croton, Wenger, Tissot, Tommy Bahama at T.J. Maxx.

Kohl's.  My other go to store for watches is Kohl's.  Check your junk mail for a catalogue with a pull off coupon for something like 10 to 30% off of your purchase.  Also, if you've already bought from Kohls this season, you might have Kohl's cash coupons.  To see what a good deal from Kohls looks like, check out my article:  "The Anatomy of a Good Deal at Kohls."

If all else fails, there is always a Gift Card from Amazon, you can either send them via e-mail or print them out at home! An Amazon gift card can be a life saver when it comes to gift giving!

Finally, if you want to give something really cool, gift the gift of Amazon Prime.

Shop Amazon - Give the Gift of Amazon Prime

Your recipient will get great deals on shipping, lots of free e-books, and plenty of streaming content and the click of a mouse or the tap of a finger.d luck and happy holidays!

[As of 2024, I'd fade Kohl's from my list of places to shop for watches.  The watch counter seems to have faded into oblivion.  They still have inexpensive watches from Geneva, Caribbean Joe, Casio, and Timex. As a good alternative, I might recommend Ross.]

Where I Shop For Watches

I'm generally an old fashioned, brick and mortar, kind of guy when it comes to buying watches.  Most of my watches are bought on impulse when I am shopping for other things.  (O.K., O.K., I don't have much impulse control.)  Consequently, my watch boxes are filled with affordable watches that I think look cool.  Since I get my watches on impulse, they tend to come from the places I shop:  Kmart, Kohl's, Sears, Target, and Walmart.

An Inexpensive Precision by Gruen watch from Kohl's

Watches from Kohls.  Kohl's has been one of the places where I have consistently found good deals on mid-priced watches that range from $30 to $125.  They sell low priced brands like Precision by Gruen and Zoo York.  They have a great selection of watches from Armitron, Mark Ecko, and Relic.  They have an excellent selection of watches that hover just out of my price range from brands like Bulova, Citizen, and Seiko. 

A Structure Ana-Digital from Sears

Watches from Sears.  Another surprisingly cool place to shop for watches is Sears.  I find Sears is great for brands like Bulova, Caravelle, Elgin, Hamlin, and Structure.  They also have a great rewards program that works at Sears and Kmart.  If you buy tires or another auto repair over at their auto center, your likely to get enough rewards points to get a new watch for nearly nothing.  

Watches from Walmart.  Finally, you know that I get a lot of my watches from Walmart.  They are consistently the best place to buy no name watches and watches from Casio and Timex.  Over the last year, they have really built up a great selection of tasteful Timex watches.  I've pretty much picked over the supply of no name watches.  

A Very Nice Timex Military-Style Expedition at Walmart

 

Good luck and happy hunting this holiday season!

Psssst.... check out Watches at Walmart!

The Walmart Watches of 2011

Watch enthusiasts tend to look far and wide for their latest timepieces.  However, they could save a lot of money if they just went to Walmart.  A whole wide world of watches awaits with prices as low as $7.  Most sell for about $12.88. 

The Watch Shelf at Walmart

Name brand watches from Casio, Timex, Carriage, Armitron, and Elgin are also available.  Most are very reasonably priced.  For example, one alternative to Casio's expensive G-shock models might be this simple, but colorful, digital model for only $14.24.

A Bright Blue Casio Digital Watch

Of course, if you like the Walmart price on this inexpensive Casio watch, you'll really love this low price for the same watch on Amazon via our affiliate program link!