Looking for a good, inexpensive watch

[jeffm]

In line with my 'inexpensive knife' thread, I'm also looking for a quality watch that will not cost me next months rent.

I have no idea where to even begin. The last watch I bought was $15 at Wal-Mart, and it served me well for two years before it finaly broke. (Okay, that's a lie - not the last one, when it broke I was touring through Asia, so I bought another cheepie on the street for a buck, but it was ruinned at the end of the trip when I forgot to remove it when I took a shower).

I don't even have a budget outlined for this, but consider that I'd like to spend as little as posible to get a product that will be reliable. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it must work. I don't really care if it is digital or not.

Things I'm looking for in a watch:

Water resistance (doesn't need to be water proof, but must survive some rain), alarm function, the ability to read it at night (anything with tritium is probably out of my price range, so glow-paint or some form of EL backlighting), and day/date function (good, but not necessary).

From one of the other threads here, I'm looking at some of the lower end Swatch watches, but all ideas are welcome.

Thanks all.

-Jeff

[sak_collector]

Check out the Casio G-Shock line. Specifically the 5600. That model can be found cheap, under 40 bucks, water resist to about 660 feet, nearly indestructable and relatively small and thin.

[Sunnie]

Since you're okay with digital, I completely agree with sak collector's recomendation. The Casio DW 5600 is a *design classic*. Does what it says on the box and does it with style. There isn't a single genuinely usable function that is missing in my opinion. It's also damn near indestructible, has a totally illunimated screen at the press of a button and can be had for very little money. In some ways it's almost the perfect everyday watch.

Sunnie

[greencobra]

I think any inexpensive watch from a "brand" manufacturer are all pretty much equaly good. I lean toward the Timex Expidition line for a beater and work watch. Found on sale for under $20 at times, the Expidition keeps really good time, found in digital and analog and so on. The Casio's I've owned do just as well.

[uspopo]

+1 for the Casio G-Shock. I've had mine for almost 7yrs with the same battery and it is still running strong and very durable. O0

[PWork]

Another vote for Casio. I just bought my third. O0

[Deaths Head]

People used to make fun of cheap digital watches like Casio and Timex. I think the quality of those watches are beyond that now. You can by either brand and it will last you years and it will look good. Just go to Wal-Mart and pick the best looking watch in your budget and you can't go wrong.

[heathah]

I agree with Deaths Head. The quality has definitely improved. I currently use a Timex Ironman as my edc watch here in the office. It works great and it cost under $50. It has two time zones, a chronograph, countdown timer, intermittent timer, and five alarms. It does everything I need it too but it probably wouldn't stand up to really hard abuse. That's why I use my Casio G-Shock when I'm out working in rough environments. They each have their places and they each serve them well. :)

[Sunnie]

Agreed. These are watches that can take being used and abused. They are so reasonably priced that it's now viable to have a number of them to throw into various EDC bags (... they can certainly take being thrown about!) as back up timing devices.

Sunnie

[flashlite]

I just bought a Timex Ironman for $30. It has all the features you're looking for and it's very stylish.

[xem]

:)
Was looking for a nice watch on Rolex's site, found one I liked, "the yaghtsman", cost, $25,000.00, so
I went to Walmarts and both a Timex, cost, $25.00. Saved $24,975.00. Who says men can't
shop?

xem

[sak_collector]

:)
Was looking for a nice watch on Rolex's site, found one I liked, "the yaghtsman", cost, $25,000.00, so
I went to Walmarts and both a Timex, cost, $25.00. Saved $24,975.00. Who says men can't
shop?

xem


LOL...what ya gonna do with that 24 grand ya saved?

I bought a Timex today. While looking at the selection, I have to say I was amazed at some of them. They have some dressy styles made to look like Rolex's of various types. I handles a few and obviously they aint no Rolex, but the quality seemed really quite amazing for the price.