Bulova at T.J. Maxx

Sometimes when you poke around at T.J. Maxx, you'll find some interesting watches.  I saw recently saw this tanker-style Bulova automatic. I even tried it on.  It has an exhibition case back and a window into it's mechanism on the front.  Priced at only $149, it was a steal.  It was certainly a great discount from the regular price of about $450.  Unfortunately, the T.J. Maxx was still about $147 more than I had at the time. So, I passed.  It might still be there waiting for the economy to improve.

Watch Sighting: The Timex Atlantis 100 rediscovered!

Alas Poor Timex Atlantis 100, I remember this you.  I knew you and wore you well.  We had lots of adventures.  You were very useful for a cheap watch. 

I recently saw the venerable Timex Atlantis 100 digital watch in a store. O.K. my favorite big box store.  You know the one everyone hates.  The one all the trendy hipsters protest against.  Yep, Walmart.  That's the one.  It's about the only place I can afford to shop.  When I was into sailing back in the nineties, I wore a Timex Atlantis just like this one for racing. 

The Timex Atlantis 100 has a count down timer.  I would set it for three minutes, start it when I heard the horn and maneuver my boat--a Flying Scot--to cross the line when the start horn went off.  It was fun and I thought my Timex was highly cool at the time.  When I came across it years later in a cubby aboard my old boat, I found that the finish on plastic portions of watch had worn off and that black plastic/resin segments of the band were disintegrating.  I was going to replace the battery and keep it for a bang around watch anyway.  However, I totally sproinged it when I tried to change the battery.  I had watch pieces every where.  For awhile, I kept a small mound of the bones in my watch box.  But, ultimately, I ended up chucking the watch.  The boat had been donated to charity in the aftermath of a lay off and the watch was a bittersweet reminder of a bygone era.  But, every time I see that watch, I'm tempted to buy it again.

By Rept0n1x (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Kohl's even has an updated watch called the Timex Ironman Atlantis.  It looks similar and has a count down timer but it's not quite the same.  It looks like the band and case might be all rubber and it is just a little more rugged.  Now, if I could only find another yacht . . .

Timex Expedition Atlantis Digital Watch

[In 2024 - I found the Timex Atlantis on Amazon.  It has been rebadged as a Timex Expedition Atlantis, but the features and appearance are the generally the same.]

Izod Watches Are Surprisingly Affordable

[I'm revising this post in May of 2024 with Izod watches that I've seen recently.]

If you like preppy watches, you might check out the Izod brand.  On a recent visits to stores like Ross and Burlington, I've been finding attractive Izod watches for about $25.00.  This red and black Izod has a very cool look and works well with all of my Atlanta Falcons gear.

An IZOD watch in 2024

If you like digital watches, Izod also offers a few of those.  I recently came across this one in a Burlington store.

An Izod Digital Watch

Finally, here is an Izod with faux subdials and diver-style markings.  The hex pattern on the dial and perforated "race car driver" style band make this one eye-catching.

Each of these watches cost less than $25 and that's a pretty good deal! 

[Post updated in May 2024]

Tommy Bahama Life Guard Watch at T.J. Maxx

I spotted this Tommy Bahama Life Guard Watch at T.J. Maxx for $29.99.  I'm not generally into Orange Bands, but this is an attractive watch and would definitely be a great watch for summer, sand, and sun.

Tommy Bahama Life Guard Watch

 

[2024 Update:  I can't find this watch anywhere on Amazon.

1. I think I'm more into orange watch bands than I let on.
2. Watch models are constantly changing.
3. Watch models and brands come and go fast.
4. If you want a watch, you might want to grab it.]

Timex Watch Display for Valentine's Day

This Timex display at Walmart suggests that you wrap this Timex around a bouquet of roses for Valentine's Day.  These watches might make an interesting bonus gift for the holiday, but you might want to back them up with another gift!

[Update from 2024:  Here is an attractive Timex Weekender watch for Women. It's awfully cute for a nylon NATO strap watch. My wife likes the looks of it.  You can find this Timex Weekender on Amazon here.]

A Timex Weekender Watch for Women

Ana-digital Watches from US Polo Association

Over the holidays, I spent a little time nosing about in department stores and looking at watches.  Here are a couple of ana-digital watches from U.S. Polo Association.  Ana-digital watches supplement the traditional hands of an analog watch with digital watch features.  It's interesting to see how different watch companies strike a balance between traditional style and futuristic features with analog digital watches.

This first US Polo watch goes in a digital direction with a face that is dominated by digital features.

However, this US Polo watch takes a different tack by emphasizing the analog features of a very readable diver-style watch and adds a little extra digital feature at six o'clock.

I've read a few tweets disparaging U.S. Polo Association as a copy of the popular Ralph Lauren Polo brand.  Ironically, the U.S. Polo Association brand is the official brand of the actual governing body of Polo - the US Polo Association.  I figure that if I buy a US Polo watch from Kohl's or Sears, I'm a classy guy supporting the sport of kings.

By Ficflash (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

You can be a classy guy too.  Check out US Polo Association Watches on Amazon. Ironically, US Polo Association watches offer great looks at very affordable prices.

My Bulova is a winner!

I recently won a pair of sunglasses from Bulova through a Twitter contest. A photo of my Bulova watch was chosen as a photo of the day! Here's my picture. I call it "Bulova in the Boardroom."

Bulova dress watch (Model 9B168)

If you are looking for this watch, it is Bulova dress watch (Model 9B168). Bulova is a great brand for watches that are a step above the commonplace without getting into the stratosphere of ridiculous pricing.

[As of 2024, this watch might be a very hard find.  However, Amazon still offers plenty of classic Bulova watch styles here.]