Watches A to Z: Maurice Lacroix

Maurice Lacroix is a Swiss luxury watch brand. They make the watches that many people can only dream about. On Amazon, the highest priced Maurice Lacroix watch costs about $10,000. However, they have plenty of models that are priced around $2000. That's quite a bit of money, but its also the kind of money that could come your way with hard work over time, a nice bonus at work, or a sizeable tax refund. The brand is a bit of a departure from this blog. But, Maurice Lacroix watches are attainable. They are a dream watch that could easily become a goal watch!

NAC, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The brand was established in 1975 as part of an old Swiss Company that originated in trading silk. They bought a Swiss watchmaker that specialized in making private label watches and expanded frome there. Maurice Lacroix expanded rapidly, building the capability to make their own watch movements and buying a Swiss watch case manufacturer. 

They led off with a flagship Masterpiece collection which continues with watches like this Maurice LaCroix Gravity 43mm Automatic.  

Maurice Lacroix Gravity 43mm (Amazon Photo)

Their most popular watch line is the Maurice LaCroix Aikon line of watches. The Aikon combines urban flair and sophisticated style that is perfect for any occasion. With prices usually a bit above $2000, these are dream worthy luxury watches.

Lacroix Aikon (Amazon.com)

If we're going to enjoy the Riviera, we may want to go into the water. The Maurice Lacroix line can have us ready with their Ponto S Diver watch with 300 meters of water resistance and quick change straps for any situation. It also has a cool dial with an internal rotating bezel! There are a few neat variants of this watch out there. You can check out this version of the Maurice Lacroix Ponto S here on Amazon. If you poke around a bit, the bronze versions are also very appealing.   

Lacroix Ponto S (Amazon Photo)

Finally, for an everyday dress watch, try a Maurice Lacroix Men's Classic & Simple Automatic like this one from their Les Classiques collection here on Amazon. Or, visit their website for their 1975 Collection and quartz options.

Lacroix Les Classiques Classic and Simple Automatic (Amazon photo)

To peruse the Maurice Lacroix collections more thoroughly, visit their store here on Amazon.

TGIF: Two $50 Watches to Buy For Father's Day

Father's Day is June 15th. That's practically right around the corner. A watch is almost always an appropriate gift choice for Father's Day, too. But, kids aren't made of money. Depending on their age, they are often buying with allowance, odd job, or minimum wage money. In some cases, Dad's money is paying for Dad's gift. For most families that means a Rolex is right out. Instead, let's look at some decent watches that are priced for less than $50.

Father's Day Watch Choice: The Casio MDV-106 Series Dive Watch 

This Casio is a perennial favorite among watch collectors. Often priced at less than $50, the MDV-106 (informally called the Casio Duro or Marlin) offers dive watch features and performance. It has a stainless steel case, a Japanese quartz movement, 200-meters of water resistance, a unidirectional rotating bezel, a date window, and a fish right on the dial. It's a great choice for an active father and makes a great bang around watch.

Casio MDV-106 Duro Dive Watch

Father's Day Watch: Timex Men's Highland Street Watch

Watch collectors are gaga about simple watches like the Rolex Explorer. They go on and on about the readable dial and substantial build quality. At some point, you just want to raise your hand and say, "A Timex can do that, too." Take the Timex Men's Highland Street watch with Expansion Band. It has a 39mm diameter case.  For those counting that's 3 more millimeters than the typical 36mm Rolex Explorer I. Of course, Rolex came out with a 39 and 40mm case options at various points after 2010. But, by then, they were just trying to keep up with revered brands like Timex.

Timex Highland Street

A quartz watch like the Timex Highland Street is exactly the functional tool watch that most dad's need. As an added benefit, after buying this watch, kids will still be able to have a college fund.

Both of these watches are attractive gifts for Father's Day. They are practical, attractive, and affordable.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Blue Diver-Style Watch of Mystery

No brand. No markings. No depth rating. This watch just has a beautiful blue dial and the classic markings of a dive watch. What is it? Is it a new microbrand? Is it a custom build? Do you like it?

A rather mysterious Blue Dial Diver-Style Watch

It is actually a comfortable watch with a bracelet that fits me well. The bezel does not rotate, but the bracelet is rather attractive. While there are microbrands that make watches that look like this and there are custom builds that watchmaking hobbyist can make with a generic dial, this quartz watch is a George watch from Walmart. It only cost $11.96.

Do you still like it? It makes you wonder: How important is a good brand name?

Sharp Watch Shout Out: NUOVO Men's Quartz Watch

Every once in awhile, a cheap watch with an interesting design will catch my eye. Today's sharp watch shout out goes to a brand I haven't heard of and a watch I've never handled, but it looks pretty cool. It's a Nuovo Men's Quartz Watch with Leather Strap.  That's the boring description from a Chinese company far, far, away. I'd rather call it the Crazy Green Thing Watch. Look at this watch in Kermit the Frog green. That dial design is eye-catching, funky, and kind of cool.

Nuovo Men's Quartz Watch (Amazon Photo)

On Amazon, this timepiece is priced at less than $20 so buying it isn't that big of a risk. It averages 4.1 stars out of over 250 reviews. But, the negative reviews have mentioned short initial battery life and rather flimsy straps. Others have mentioned that it is a big dial watch measuring nearly 2-inches (50mm) in case diameter. The seller calls this watch light brown. I don't see that as the dominant color. If you'd like to see this big great watch and more reviews by purchasers, it is available here on Amazon. This kind of watch is about fun, whimsy, and interesting dial design. It might be worth $20 for fun.

Watch Deal Alert: The Stuhrling Original Pro Dive Quartz Watch is 78% Off

If you're looking for an iconic dive watch style on a tight budget, you may find what you are looking for in the Stuhrling Original Pro Dive Quartz Watch for men. This 42mm timepiece evokes classics like the Omega Seamaster, but has its own design touches and fits right into the dive-style watch milieu. It has a magnifying cyclops bubble over the date window and it has a screw-down crown for a professional dive watch feel.  You can check this watch out here on Amazon.

Stuhrling Original Depthmaster Dive Watch (Amazon photo)

While this Stuhrling Original may be labeled Depthmaster Professional, it really only offers 100 meters of water resistance. This isn't the only bit of watchmaker hyperbole. The Amazon listing says that it is 78% off of the full retail price. However, full retail for this watch might be more appropriate at $100 instead of the claimed $395.  The watch is still a great deal because it is a sharp looking and selling for a smidge less than $80. If you are a normal person and don't hang out with Rolex or Omega enthusiasts who might go full watch snob on you, this is a decent watch for everyday wear. Plus, if you invest the $6,000 to $12,000 that you'd save over a Rolex or Omega, you might get rich enough to afford a ultra luxurious watch somewhere down the road of life.

This watch was offered in this beautiful gold and blue theme. But, that has reverted to a much higher price and the Blue on Blue format is now the special. It just shows that sometimes, you have to jump to get the style you want.

Stuhrling Original Depthmaster Dive Watch

[If you are interested in this Stuhrling Original watch, you might like my post-- "TGIF: Should We Still Hate Sturhling Original?" I think it might be time to look at SO for deals and the value proposition offered.]

[This post was updated on June 5, 2026 with the latest links, photo, and price information.]

Wristwatch Review: Geoffrey Beene Diamond Watch with Mesh Band

One of my more comfortable and attractive fashion watch purchases has been this simple quartz Geoffrey Beene Diamond watch with a mesh band.

Geoffrey Beene Diamond Watch in Gold and Gunmetal with a stainless steel band

Watch Construction

This watch has a stainless steel caseback and gunmetal stainless steel mesh band which is very adjustable and generously sized. The quartz movement is powered by a common SR626SW battery. The diamond is a tiny gem diamond that looks good from some angles, but is of no great value. The case appears to be a good quality base metal.

Geoffrey Beene Diamond Watch in Gold and Gunmetal with a stainless steel band

Watch Style

The Geoffrey Beene Diamond watch with mesh band comes in four color combinations on Amazon. In my opinion the gunmetal and gold looks the best. It combines the menace of gunmetal and the richness of gold very nicely. 

Geoffrey Beene Diamond Watch

This watch is very well styled and does minimalism better than some dedicated minimalist brands. The 42mm diameter case brings presence to the wrist and the band is quite adjustable for a perfect fit.

Overall Impression 

This Geoffrey Beene watch is one of the most comfortable in my collection. The mesh band wears smoothly against the skin and the dial in clear and readable. I like it and I got a good deal on it for $30 or less in a Ross or Burlington store.

Where can I get this Geoffrey Beene Watch?

You can get this Geoffrey Beene watch on Amazon here for less than $50.

TGIF: Diving into Geoffrey Beene Watches

Geoffrey Beene brand watches are among the modestly priced quartz watch brands that I regularly come across at brick-n-mortar retailers like Kohl's, Ross, Burlington, and online at Amazon. They are modestly priced and generally cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $25 to $35 dollars.  At this price point, they have proven to be good looking, comfortable, and quite reliable watches. 

Geoffrey Beene Diamond Watch

Are Geoffrey Beene watches any good?

There are tons of watches in the less than $50 range and I often think of them as "commodity quartz" watches. It seems like the forms and functions are often quite similar at this price. However, I think this Geoffrey Beene punches a little above its price point. The case shapes are interesting and the colors complementary. They don't appear to be cheap. Personally, I think Geoffrey Beene watches are pretty good. They deliver a good product at a good price and they look good in any situation.

Who was Geoffrey Beene? 

For a little background, Geoffrey Beene was a highly regarded American fashion designer. He was born in 1924 and died in 2004 at age 80. A graduate of Tulane University, he was known for creating men's fashions that married comfort and luxury. He won 8 COTY awards, 3 CFDA awards and an honorary doctorate from Rhode Island School of Design. His designs were known for "impeccable styling, superb tailoring, comfort and quality." 

Who makes Geoffrey Beene watches?

Since his death, his brand has been produced by a variety of licensees. The Geoffrey Beene brand is currently owned by the Authentic Brands group and it is licensed to the Versa group who has the watches manufactured to their specifications by a variety of makers.