Watches A to Z: US Polo Assn

The US Polo Association was founded in 1890 and is the governing body for the sport of polo in the United States. The association itself is a non-profit entity. However, it also owns the for profit subsidiary USPA Global Licensing Inc. (also sometimes called USPA Properties Inc). This for profit subsidiary manages the US Polo Association brand around the world (190 countries) and in 1100+ outlets. Some of the profits are funneled back to the US Polo Association to support outreach and other non-profit activities. While the brand is used on apparel, luggage, footwear and more, as watch enthusiasts we're most interested in the brand's watches. 

A line up of US Polo Assn Watches from my collection

US Polo Assn watches were introduced at Baselworld in 2009. While they are generally too inexpensive to garner monied watch collector attention, sometimes they look like a million bucks! I find US Polo Assn watches online and at brick-n-mortar retailers like Burlington, JC Penney, and Ross. I've never had any quality issues with my US Polo Assn watches. They are typically a good buy for the money.

A US Polo Assn watch with gleaming gold tones

In the United States, US Polo Assn watches are manufactured by Accutime. The company has a long history of producing affordable timepieces that work well and look good. Most US Polo Assn watches have design elements that include a polo pony and rider and a US Polo Assn in a standard font.  However, the brand has some watches that branch out and omit the pony and rider. Over the years, I've picked up several US Polo Association watches.  To see all of the US Polo Assn posts on this blog, check out this link.

A US Polo Assn watch in orange

In the US, we are used to seeing US Polo Assn watches in a budget friendly $15 to $30 price range. However, in Europe, the brand is sold through Eurotrade s.r.l. In my few glimpses of US Polo Assn watches sold in the UK, it appears that the watches start at affordable levels and go upwards. The price range might be $50 to $150 with potentially better quality levels and features.

A US Polo Assn watch with a Japanese quartz movement

The key take away from a look into the watches of brand like US Polo Assn is that there are lots of interesting watches to collect in this world. You can define price ranges that are comfortable for you and you can pick brands that fit your sense of style and your personal preferences. Styles come an go with fashion-brand watches, to browse US Polo Assn watches for men on Amazon, bang it here to visit the latest via our Amazon affiliate program link.

 

An Italian Outing with my latest US Polo Assn Watch

 A Small Adventure to Review a New Watch

On one recent night, my wife and I decided to break out of our dining rut with an outing to a nearby Italian Restaurant. I wore my US Polo Assn sport watch with a orange dial. 

It isn't an expensive watch and it's not from a prestigious brand so I wondered how it would look at a dining spot that was a tad fancier than a local sports bar. Some men test their watches on Alpine slopes, other men find their watches' limits on jungle hikes, and others take their watches into the depths of the sea. I'm content testing mine at a slightly fancier Italian restaurant.

US Polo Assn Watch Style

The first real test of this watch was when the lights were turned down a bit. In the low lamplight of our restaurant table, would I still be able to read this watch. The answer was a resounding yes. The dauphine hands of this watch had just a little strip of white and a gold tone that was clearly readable. The 43mm case and lack of sub-dials also contributed to the readability of this watch.

A US Polo Assn Quartz Watch with Orange Dial

The next challenge of this outing is weather the watch would have the sophistication needed for a civilized restaurant. The answer again from this US Polo Assn watch is yes! It has Roman numerals, baby! What more do you need? How about applied Roman Numerals not just painted ones. This watch simply hits all the style points.

US Polo Assn Watch Construction

This US Polo Assn watch was constructed by Accutime and has a stainless steel caseback. The quartz  movement is from Singapore. It uses a common SR626SW watch battery and has a press-on caseback. Over time, I've found that Accutime makes good quality watches.

US Polo Assn watch against a Mediterrean backdrop

While I didn't get this watch wet, it seems sufficiently well-constructed for this Italian Riviera scene on a restaurant wall mural. With it's sunny face, the watch actually seems to fit right in. The watch appears to be reliable and has not lost any time in the few days since this restaurant outing.

US Polo Assn Watch Pricing

I found this watch as Burlington for just $19.99. That low price tag frees up plenty of money for a night out on the town that includes a great pasta dish! Typically, US Polo Assn watches cost between $18 and $35. This makes them affordable under almost any circumstance.

Rigatoni with sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, and chicken

Overall Impression

For an inexpensive watch, it looked great on my wrist and I enjoy wearing it. This one didn't have the signature polo ponies in relief on the dial, but I think their absence may have also helped this watch fit into any surroundings. Low price quartz watches like this often do a great job of evoking a classic watch look.  If you like the look of a US Polo Assn watch, don't hesitate the buy it. This one is great looking and an excellent value proposition. I left the restaurant satisfied with my meal and with this US Polo Assn watch!

A nearly quarter to nine, it was time to head home but not on this vintage Vespa

Where to Buy US Polo Assn Watches

You can generally find US Polo Assn watches at retailers including Burlington and JC Penney. Fashion watch styles come and go and the brand seems to have an endless variety.  You can see many US Polo Assn styles out here on Amazon. This brand is a good reminder that you don't have to buy prestige brands to have a nice looking watch.

Wristwatch Review: US Polo Assn Accutime Men's Quartz Watch in Silver and Gold Tones

When it comes to inexpensive watches for men, US Polo Association is a name that comes up regularly. You can find this brand (spelled US Polo Assn) online at Amazon and in brick-n-mortar stores like JC Penney, Burlington, and Ross. In 2025, these watches are typically priced in the $20 to $30 range. They make great bang around watches.  You can find lots of analog US Polo Assn watches for men here on Amazon. Let's take a look at one of my US Polo watches in silver and gold tones.

US Polo Assn Watch in Silver and Gold Tones

Watch Style

This watch is awfully glamorous for an inexpensive timepiece that likely cost less than $25 at a Burlington store. But, the companies who make cheap watches are often on-point when it comes to fashion.  This one has a large silver dial with gold numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9, and gold tones for the hour batons US Polo Assn script and trademark polo pony and rider. The second hand is gold and the hour and minute hands are gold with a white insert. The gold tones continue with the bezel, crown, and alternating columns of a glossy gold and silver-tone bezel. It's quite the shiny watch.

Watch Construction

With gold at $3255 an ounce and silver just over $32 an ounce as of this writing, all gold and silver are definitely just tones at this price point. The watch has a stainless steel caseback and bracelet and a base metal case. The case and watch seems pretty solid and the metal doesn't scream cheap. However, the bracelet links are pretty light weight and clink with a hollow sound. One drawback that I don't like is that the watch bracelet is integrated into the case rather unconventionally.  While there is a pin you could push out to remove the bracelet, it would not be easy to just swap the bracelet for another strap. 

US Polo Assn watch riced bracelet connection to case

None of this is surprising at this watch price point. You could almost buy another US Polo Assn watch for the price of a replacement strap. One good thing about this watch is that it is manufactured by Accutime. They make good store-brand and team logo watches at affordable prices and I've never had any issues with their products.

Watch Dimensions

This watch has a 44mm diameter case that is 10mm thick. Some might find this watch large, but it is perfectly sized for me. I have a 9-inch diameter wrist and the bracelet fits me just fine. I'm on the last adjustment hole of the clasp.  With 20mm of adjustment holes, this watch bracelet can easily be resized to fit most wrists without removing links.  If more adjustment is needed the link pins are visible and should be easy to remove to take out a link.

The bracelet and clasp of my US Polo Assn Silver and Gold Tone Watch

Overall Impression

I like this watch and this brand for cheap bang around watches. The US Polo Assn brand offers attractively-styled watches that go well with most preppy and business casual wardrobes. If you buy a watch like this and invest the money you save over more expensive branch, you'll be a rich man for sure one day. I would definitely recommend this watch. 

Watch Wearing Wednesday: US Polo Association Quartz Sport Watch in Red & Black

This US Polo Association quartz sports watch in red and black shows that even the most inexpensive watches can have a dramatic look and keep time accurately. Here's a shot of this US Polo Assn watch and the sun setting over a strip mall.

US Polo Assn Quartz Sport Watch

This watch has a non-rotating bezel that has GMT markings.  However, at this under $30 price point, you won't find actual GMT functionality. It's still a great looking style.

Where to Find US Polo Assn Watches for Men

Of course, when it comes to watch styles, there is nothing more fleeting than an inexpensive quartz watch from a fashion brand like US Polo Assn. You can typically find these watches at department stores like JC Penney and discount stores like Burlington or Ross. Encounters with the brand can be random and sometimes retailers disappear entirely (like Kmart and Sears).  Fortunately, you can find a nice selection of inexpensive watches from US Polo Assn here on Amazon.com.

US Polo Assn Quartz Watch

Thre3 Analog Watches by US Polo Association

If you want a simple, but elegant, analog watch, you might try the Thre3 brand by US Polo Association.  These watches are available in a variety of retail locations.  However, I most recently had good luck at Kmart.  Of the analog watches by Thre3, I liked this one the best:

Thr3 Analog Watch by US Polo Assn

It's a good looking watch for $20 to $25.  Unfortunately, the designs don't actually appear to be luminous.  But, this one is quite readable and has a nice, dare I say, vintage look!  With 24-hour time inboard of each hour, this Thre3 watch also draws on the look of vintage military watch.  However, the US Polo Association logo in the 12 o'clock position brings you back to the Thre3 brands association with the sport of polo.  It's an unusual alliance between the sport of kings and Kmart shoppers.  It should be noted that the US Polo Association is not linked with Polo by Ralph Lauren.  However, it is actually linked to the governing body of the sport of Polo.

[While you might not be able to find the Thr3 brand on store shelves in 2024, you can still find plenty of US Polo Assn watches here on Amazon and in stores.]

TGIF: Is this US Polo Assn Watch orange enough?

 As a Florida Gators fan, it's time to address a fundamental question about this watch. Does the orange color of this US Polo Assn watch match my team's orange color? I think it comes close, but the color is, perhaps, too pale. This is an important question because our college basketball season shifts into conference play tomorrow (January 3, 2026).

A US Polo Association watch is inspected by the Florida Gator logo

Ultimately, I think the orange of this US Polo Assn watch would probably match well enough to wear to a game watch party or a sports bar to see my team play. After all this watch handled a recent trip to Mambo Italiano with style and flair. You can read my review here on this blog.

Wristwatch Review: Thre3 Mens' Sport Watch in Rose-Gold Tone

Reviewing a Watch That's Classier Than It's $25 Price Tag

[I like to review truly inexpensive watches, too.  Therefore, I'm reprinting this review that I wrote for Yahoo Contributors Network.]

On a recent watch watching expedition, I was appalled by the high prices of many name brand watches from companies like Citizen, Seiko, and Bulova. Most models were in the $200 to $500 price range. That's a lot of money. In my household, the opportunity cost of a wristwatch in that price range is a new laptop computer foregone. Even my perennial favorite brand, Relic, mostly offered watches that hovered around $100. Those kinds of prices drive me back to being a Kmart shopper. Kmart may not have blue light specials any more, but they do have much better prices. They offered a whole slew of men's watches in the $20 to $25 price range. The one I found is a Thre3 brand men's sport watch from U.S. Polo Association in a rich rose gold tone.

Thr3 watch from US Polo Assn

This Thre3 watch looks a little classier than its $24.99 price tag. It has a 12-millimeter thick base metal case with a rose gold tone atop an etched stainless steel caseback. The 48-millimeter diameter case features a black dial with a smooth central disc surrounded by a cross-hatched pattern beneath the time markers. The watch is supremely readable thanks to a large face and bold white and gold edged numerals at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions. Bold gold-edged hashmarks are placed at the remaining hours. The hands are thick and white with a gold edge. Surprising for a watch in this price range, the numbers, hashmarks, and hands have a generous amount of luminous white paint that glows in the dark for a time after being exposed to light. The numbers are done in a font that reminds me of the the numbers on NASCAR racecars. But, this brand is inspired by another kind of horsepower: polo ponies. Thre3 is actually a licensed trademark of the U.S. Polo Association. The brand has a small logo consisting of crossed polo mallets beneath a laurel leaf ringed shield with a polo pony on it. It looks classy and is repeated in a larger form on the etched caseback.

Like all $25 watches, there are compromises. Even though the watch has a rose gold tone to it and gold edged hands, there is no actual gold in the watch. It's not a shocking compromise. This watch is made by Accutime Watch Corporation, a company that provides low cost quartz watches to many retailers. The rubber watch strap is a little stiff when compared to the silicone bands used on many other inexpensive bands. It has a masculine cross-hatched pattern as well. There is no date or day function. This Thre3 watch is strictly about telling time. Finally, as on many cheap watches, you have to be a little careful pushing in the crown after setting the time. If you are careless, the minute hand may drift by a minute or two when you push in the crown. The quartz movement itself is Japanese.

The U.S. Polo Association's Thre3 brand creates another classy looking watch at an affordable Kmart price point.

While this watch won't serve as a secret handshake that will let you rub elbows with the rich and powerful, it does perform well. In a week of wear, this Thre3 men's sport watch has kept accurate time and blends in perfectly at my business casual office. It's a great watch for telling time quickly at a glance. Overall, I recommend this Thre3 brand watch as an attractive and inexpensive alternative to overpriced quartz watches. It looks good and keeps time. You can't ask for much more.

A Thre3 watch with elegance, style, and Kmart Pricing!

If you look through the vintage watch listings on ebay, you'll see where people are clearly willing to pay a little bit for an older watch in great condition.  This Thre3 watch from Kmart offers much of the same style in a convenient quartz package for less than $25.

An Elegant Thre3 watch!

Thre3 is a brand established by the U.S. Polo Association. If you like the Thre3 brand style, check out U.S. Polo Assn watches!

[While you might not be able to find the Thr3 brand on store shelves now and Kmart is long gone, you can still find plenty of US Polo Assn watches here on Amazon and in stores.]

Watches for Preppies!

Preppy Watches like Lacoste, Izod, Timex, and Daniel Wellington

Remember preppies?  Some might think they are a throwback to the 80s, but their style never really went out of fashion.  Instead, it grew up and became part of America's business casual wardrobe.  Today, the preppy look isn't confined to snooty prep schools or Ivy League college campuses, you are quite likely to see the Lacoste crocodile logo in the cube next to yours in a corporate office tower. 

A Lacoste Shirt

Wristwatches for Preppies

Watches are an important part of the preppy look.  They can be simple traditional automatics with a leather band or colorful watches with iconic graphics. I recently saw lots of Lacoste watches at my local Macy's store. You might also consider Daniel Wellington watches.

A Daniel Wellington Watch on Amazon

[That was in 2012, but I bought a LaCoste watch in 2023. I have also found Daniel Wellington watches online at a variety of outlets. You can read my review of the LaCoste Club Watch here.]

 

Lacoste Wristwatches

However, you can find lots of nice preppy watches at far lower price points.  For example, the Timex Weekender is always an appropriate choice and looks much classier than it's low price tag.

Timex Weekender Watch

However, preppy looks are attainable with even less expensive watch bargains from US Polo Association.

US Polo Association Watch

In 2024, I've been finding lots of great looking Izod watches on sale at Burlington stores.  If you look around a bit, you won't see many popped collars on golf shirts, but there are still some great preppy watches being offered by Nautica, US Polo, Timex, Izod, Lacoste, Daniel Wellington, and Tommy Hilfiger!

[Our favorite 80s preppy bad guys have all aged tremendously, but you can still find plenty of US Polo Assn watches here on Amazon and in stores.]

The Coolest Ana-Digital Watch from the US Polo Association brand Thre3

Some watches just look fast.  They have a certain purposeful style that exudes speed and adventure.  I recently got a watch that would look great if I were a motorcycle racer like Toni Elías.

By GOGO visual (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

But, it has looks that would be more in keeping with a Ferrari at speed. . .

Photo by Lothar Spurzem, Bild-CC-by-sa/2.0/de

Fortunately, my watch costs considerably less than a vintage race car.  It's an ana-digital watch from the US Polo Association's Thre3 brand.

A Thr3 by US Polo Association Watch

[While you might not be able to find the Thr3 brand on store shelves in 2024, you can still find plenty of US Polo Assn watches here on Amazon and in stores.]

Thr3 Watch By U.S. Polo Association

This inexpensive watch always makes my list.  It's from the US Polo Association brand called Thr3.  It's a good looking watch for a modest sub-$25 price.  It really hits the mark as far as basic military-style watches go.

Here's a similar watch at Kohl's from US Polo Association.  It's only a few dollars and has a more textured band and forgoes the 24-hour military time.  It's a really sharp looking watch for less than $30.

[While you might not be able to find the Thr3 brand on store shelves in 2024, you can still find plenty of US Polo Assn watches here on Amazon and in stores.]

Watches for Christmas 2024

Some Fun Watch Photos for Christmas

Are you all set for Christmas? I thought this might be a good time to share some of the Christmas oriented watch photos that I've taken lately. Everyone was recently ogling my Kenneth Cole New York watch with transparent dial. This guy was nuts over it.

A Nutcracker goes crazy for my Kenneth Cole New York Watch

Of course, he wasn't the only Christmas Character to like Kenneth Cole watches. This Kenneth Cole REACTION watch generated quite the reaction from Santa himself! It obviously made his list.

This Santa likes the Kenneth Cole REACTION watch in icy blue.

This Santa looks a little tired.  Perhaps he is just looking forward to the off-season with this US Polo Assn watch.  Reindeer polo anyone?

Another Santa is happy with a US Polo Assn quartz watch

Of course, when you least expect it, the Grinch comes along to threaten everything.  You have to watch out for Grinches, they ruin everything.

This Grinch is lusting after my Invicta DNA Military Heritage Watch

I hope you take the time to have a merry little Christmas yourself free from all the world's Grinches!

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.)

TGIF: Brick-n-Mortar Watch Ideas for Christmas Shopping 2025

I guess you really put your shopping off to the very last minute this year? You may not be sure that delivery services can even get a watch order to you or your recipient soon. If that's the case, you may want to pick up a watch at a local retailer.

Burlington Watch Shopping

If you are on a tight budget, you can usually count on Burlington to have some decent watch choices for under $30.  

A Selection of Men's Watches at Burlington

I've actually found that most watches at Burlington are priced under $25. You can find brands like Armitron, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Caribbean Joe, Geoffrey Beene, Gianello, Izod, Steve Madden, Tahari, True Religion, US Polo Assn, and Van Heusen at Burlington. Since Burlington is a discount and closeout store, the selection can vary widely.

J.C. Penney Watch Shopping

It's been a long time since I've shopped in J.C. Penney, but they do have a nice selection of watches. They had many excellent watches from Armitron, US Polo Assn, and Relic.  They also seem to be a great place for shopping Caravelle by Bulova watches. Prices at JC Penney have also been surprisingly competitive with discount stores.

The Watch Selection at JC Penney

Ross Watch Shopping

Ross usually has watch brands like Ed Hardy, Invicta, Joseph Abboud, Steve Madden, and Kenneth Cole Reaction. You may also find some surprising brands like Boss, Bulova, Fossil, Nautica, and Perry Ellis from time to time. You can generally find watches at Ross from $20 to $60. There have been reports in 2025, that shoppers in "Runway" Ross stores have been finding Zenith watches with automatic movements and a ceramic bezels for an amazing $125.

T.J. Maxx Watch Shopping

Lately, the watches at T.J. Maxx have been a little too rich for my blood. I have seen watches by Citizen, Invicta, Movado, and even some higher end brands. You can get some great deals. But, the price range runs from about $80 to $1200. The downside is that it can make me think twice before snatching up a watch. But, the plus side is that you can find a good deal on a very nice watch that would be the perfect gift for someone significant.

A Citizen Watch Deal at TJ Maxx

Walmart Watch Shopping

Walmart has their own George brand which has been creating some nice looking cheap watches lately that range from $10 to $25. Walmart also carries Casio, Skecher, and Timex watches in their stores, but the in-store selection on the name brand watches tops out at about $55. Usually, you can find Timex Expedition and Easy Reader watches and Casio digital watches and Casio MRW200H diver-style watches (which I reviewed here long ago)

Watch Shopping at the Shopping Mall

If you like safe public places to wander and shop, this is definitely a good time to throw your local shopping mall a bone. I'd love to click my heels together and go back to the 90s myself. You'll generally find that major anchor stores like Macy's and Von Maur usually have ample inventory of watches. Traditional jewelry stores in the mall also have some great watches. As the price of a watch purchase goes up, it becomes more important to see, feel, and try on the watches of interest. If you've waited to the last minute, this is definitely the time to join the shopping mall crowd.

TGIF: Defining Watch Affordability

Do you ever get frustrated by watch blogs and magazines that promise affordable timepieces and then direct you to articles on expensive luxury watches? I know I do. I'll read a headline teasing us about an "affordable" watch and then find myself reading about a $4500 watch that I won't be able to afford any time soon. Since I don't want to aggravate you, I figure this might be a good time to throw out some general definitions of watch categories. I'll use some terms that come up regularly on this blog and in my X posts:  cheap, affordable, attainable, and achievable.

An Inexpensive Watch at Walmart

What is a Cheap Watch?

To me, a cheap watch is a watch that costs less than  $50 US. Most of us can purchase a cheap watch without deeply affecting the family budget during a given pay period. At this price point, there are legions of watches available. Reliable brands like Armitron, Caribbean Joe, Casio, George, Timex, and US Polo Assn are solid brand names in this category. However, as my Ten Dollar Tuesday blog posts show, these brands are being pursued by lesser known Chinese brands that are delivering surprising features in this price category.

A Rumours Quartz Watch

A good example of a cheap watch is this square watch from SKMEI. It seems inspired by Bell & Ross, but it has a smoothness that seems like it should be perfectly at home in a Bugatti.  The surprise is the price. This watch is art, but the price is well less than $50.

An SKMEI Square Watch for Men

You can take a closer look at this beauty on Amazon. It's available via here via my affiliate link.

What is an Affordable Watch?

I believe an affordable watch is a watch that generally costs less than $300 US. Most of us can purchase an affordable watch with just a little savings or a credit card. An affordable watch shouldn't impact family finances much.  At this price point, brands like Casio and  Timex are joined by brands like Caravelle, Guess, Invicta, Hilfiger, MVMT, Nautica, Perry Ellis, and Wenger. Watches from brands like Bulova, Mathey-Tissot, Momentum, Orient, and Seiko also start to appear on shopping lists.

A Wenger Grenadier Watch

What is an Attainable Watch?

To me, an attainable watch is a watch that generally costs less than $1200 US. It's not always easy or prudent to purchase an attainable watch, but diligent savings, a nice tax refund, a decent work bonus, or some other windfall should sometimes allow an attainable watch to enter the collection from time to time. Attainable watches might come from brands like Bulova, Hamilton, Laco, LIV, Mido, Mondaine, Movado, or Tissot. There are lots of attainable watch brands from France, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland. I consider these watch brands something special, a real luxury, and they evidence a strong commitment to watch collecting.

A Bulova Watch with Diamond Markers

What is an Achievable Watch?

To me, an achievable watch is a watch that generally costs between  $1200 and $2500 US dollars. You have to be financially successful to have the disposable income to buy these watches.  However, if you work hard, save, invest, and make all the right moves, you should be able to achieve the success necessary to buy one of these watches. I cover these watches from time to time because they are interesting and because they might be something we can get our hands on without using a ski mask and a hammer. But, this blog doesn't dwell on these watches because they are beyond the prudent reach of many readers.

What lies Beyond Achievable?

Once we get beyond $2500, we enter the world of the highly successful. These might be the luxury and ultra-luxury watches of entrepreneurs, lawyers,  doctors, and real estate moguls of our world. This blog ends where many mainstream watch magazines and influencers begin. We might admire these watches from afar. For most of us, watches from brands like Panerai, Tudor, and Rolex are out of prudent financial reach. I spot them from time to time on people who are successful entrepreneurs. God bless them for putting in the hours and taking the risks to fuel our economy. These brands established the icons that serve as aiming points for the rest of the watch industry. I don't generally cover these watch brand on this blog unless I notice one in the wild, find a great deal on a used one, or use one as an inspiration for finding similar looking more affordable watches

Hopefully, these definitions help a bit. Obviously, they can be a little fluid from time to time. But, this should cover the gist of what I cover on this blog.  May all of you attain the prosperity to only visit this blog in search of beater watches for gardening and mowing your lawn.

Thre3 Sport Watch for Men

One of the inexpensive brands that I like is a brand called Thre3 from the U.S. Polo Association.  Thre3 watches are sold primarily at Kmart for $25 or less.  It's a typical discount store quartz watch made by the Geneva Watch Group.  But, it has a really cool face.  It's quite readable and comfortable.  Plus, it looks classy when held near a luxury car.

A Thre3 Sport Watch from Kmart

For a complete review, read more here -

Wristwatch Review:  Thre3 Men's Sport Watch in Rose-Gold Tone

[While you might not be able to find the Thr3 brand on store shelves in 2024, you can still find plenty of US Polo Assn watches here on Amazon and in stores.]