If you’re looking for Christmas-themed watches, these picks deliver maximum holiday cheer!

1. Swatch “Golden Merry” Holiday Special

A highly decorated, full-energy, and nostalgic Christmas watch featuring chalet illustrations on the dial surrounded by red, green, and white accents. Even better, the leather strap features stitched mistletoe and a tiny physical bell. A true extreme Christmas watch that is impossible to ignore.

2. Swatch “Wondrous Winter Wonderland”

This unique Simpsons-themed watch shows Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie singing carols under a blizzard of snow. The dial sits in a red case and strap decorated with candy canes and gingerbread Simpsons. A perfect combination of festive design and pop-culture fun.

3. Timex x Peanuts Weekender Holiday 38mm

A cheerful Timex Snoopy watch featuring Snoopy lying on a red house covered in Christmas lights. Red numerals and a strap full of additional holiday lights make this a true festive standout. The 38mm case size is wearable for most wrists, making it a great Christmas watch for both kids and adults.

4. Accutime Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skellington Watch

Perfect for spooky-holiday energy, this watch is ideal from October through December. While the specs are basic, it is a fun and affordable addition to any holiday watch collection.

5. Santa Claus Workshop Pocket Watch

If you prefer a Christmas-themed timepiece that doesn’t need to be worn on your wrist, these vintage-inspired Christmas pocket watches from Etsy are a great choice. You can even leave a personal message inside, making it a sentimental gift or card alternative for watch enthusiasts.

6. Konstantin Chaykin – Santa

This luxury watch brings holiday whimsy to the next level. Featuring a playful automaton-style Santa that moves with the time, this watch is as technically impressive as it is fun. If you’re searching for standout men’s luxury Christmas watches, this is the ultimate festive statement, though, unfortunately we couldn’t find any for sale.

Final Thoughts

These six watches prove that Xmas watches can be playful, bold, and even outrageous. From cheap quartz watches to haute horology, there is an extreme Christmas watch for anyone confident enough to wear one!

Would you wear one of these watches?

The post Top Extreme Christmas Watches (6 Wild and Festive Picks for This Holiday Season) appeared first on StrapsCo.

Swatch Barns-Graham’s Orange and Red on Pink
Price: $110

Swatch has long been associated with the art world, reinterpreting famous works of art into its colorful watches. Within the Swatch x Tate Gallery capsule collection is the Barns-Graham’s Orange and Red on Pink model, inspired by the artwork of the very same name.

The orange dial inside the 41mm is decorated with black brush strokes that resemble tiger strips while the transparent loop on the printed strap is decorated with the Tate Gallery logo. Powered by a quartz movement, water resistant to 30 meters, and priced at just over $100, this Swatch art-inspired piece is a cheap and cheerful way to wear an orange dial watch.

Casio G-Shock GM2110D-4A
Price: $300

Affectionately known as the “CasioOak” for it’s subtle similarity to the Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet,  the G-Shock GA-2100 series—characterized by eight-sided bezels—burst onto the scene in 2019. The “metal covered” bezel GM-2100 series soon followed in 2021, and in 2024, the GM2110D series with metal bracelets joined the party. G-Shock has been dutifully expanding these octagonal watch collections to keep up with demand and one that caught our eye is the G-Shock GM2110D-4A with an orange dial.

The tough and 200m-water-resistant case measures 49.3mm by 44.4mm and is 11.8 mm thick — the slimmest of all G-Shock combination models. The analog-digital combination dial is rendered in a cool orange color, furnished with high-brightness double LED light for easy in-the-dark legibility.

Seiko SRPD59
Price: $325

Belonging to the highly popular Seiko 5 Sports SKX series, the SRPD59 is the orange dial version of the beloved “5KX” diver. True to form, the 42.5mm steel case is topped with a unidirectional dive timing bezel and features the characteristic 4 o’clock crown.

The bright orange dial is home to the customary day and date windows at 3 o’clock while the oversized hands and hour makers are generously coated with LumiBrite for top-notch visibility in low light. Powered by the dependable 4R36 automatic movement with 40 hours of power reserve, the sporty look of the SRPD59 is finished with a matching steel three-link bracelet.

Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic
Price: $360

It’s no secret that integrated bracelet watches have gained immense popularity in recent years, and plenty of brands have hopped onto the trend to attract more customers. And Citizen offers an excellent affordable option within the Tsuyosa Automatic collection.

Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic watches are available with a wide range of dial colors, including a bright orange one. The dial, encased inside a 40mm steel case, includes a trio of hands at the center and a date window at 3 o’clock with a magnifying lens above it. The display caseback provide a view of the Caliber 8210 self-winding movement, which supplies 42 hours of power reserve.

Nomos Glashütte Club Campus
Starting price: $1,500

Nomos Glashútte is known for its range of minimalist, Bauhaus-inspired designs. Yet, that doesn’t mean the German watchmaker can’t have fun with color. The Nomos Club Campus is home to various vibrant shades such as Future Orange.

The orange dial is a Califonia-style dial, characterized by a combination of Roman numerals, Arabic numerals, and sticks. What’s more, the small seconds subdial includes a dark orange hand. Inside the 36mm steel case is the in-house Alpha manual winding movement with up to three hours of power reserve. The Nomos Glashütte Club Campus Future Orange watch is paired with a velour gray leather strap but buyers can opt to upgrade to steel Sport bracelets for an additional charge.

Doxa Sub 300
Price: $2,550

No other watch brand is as closely associated with orange dials as Doxa — the company released its first orange-dialed diving watch in 1967 as it was more readable in the dark depths of the water.

The modern-day Doxa Sub 300 pays tribute to that groundbreaking dive watch, retaining 300 meters of water resistance and the unidirectional bezel with a dual scale for depth and dive time. The steel case, which houses a COSC-certified automatic movement, measures 42.5mm in diameter and the orange rubber strap complements the quintessential orange Doxa dial perfectly.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Orange Diver
Price: $3,500

TAG Heuer has been busy expanding its Aquaracer dive watch collection in recent years, adding new iterations, complications, and colorways to the mix. One example is the funky TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Orange Diver with — you guessed it — a head-turning orange dial with horizontal grooves, a magnified date window at 6 o’clock, and a trio of large and luminous hands at the center. Contrasting with the matte dial is the ultra-glossy black ceramic bezel with 12 sides.

While the 43mm steel case has some polished surfaces on its mostly brushed finish, the three-link steel bracelet is entirely brushed. That design decision leans into the watch’s tool watch origins.

Breitling Chronomat B01 42 NFL Editions
Price: $8,800 – $9,200

Aside from wearing the color because it’s fun, another reason to wear an orange dial watch is to show support for your favorite sports team! For football fans, Breitling recently launched a collection of Chronomat B01 42 NFL Edition watches, one for each of the 32 teams. These chronographs feature 42mm steel cases, bezels with rider tabs at the 15-minute marks, automatic in-house movements, and come with the choice of a rubber Rouleaux style strap or a steel Rouleaux bracelets.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Dever Broncos editions flaunt full orange dials while the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, and Clevand Browns models include orange details on the dials — all in keeping with the team’s official colors.

There you have it; our top eight orange dial watches to suit a range of budgets. Do you have a watch with an orange dial in your collection or have you considered adding one? Let us know in the comments if you have a favorite one.

The post Top Orange Dial Watches appeared first on StrapsCo.

Minimalist watches may be simple and understated but that does not mean they are boring — far from it. In fact, these timepieces are appealing because of restraint. Here are 12 of the best minimalist watches to prove that point.

Swatch Minimal Line Blue
Price: $85

Starting off our list with a cheap minimalist watch, it’s all in the name with the Swatch Minimal Line Blue watch, which combines a sleek almost all-black design with pops of electric blue. The 41mm Biosourced black case is paired with a black silicone strap and Swatch has even managed to add a day-date window at 3 o’clock without disrupting the minimalist design of the watch.

Timex Marlin Automatic
Price: $259

Inspired by the sixties Marlin model, the modern Timex Marlin Automatic is an excellent option if you’re looking for an affordable self-winding minimalist watch. Housed inside the 40mm steel case is a clean silver dial punctuated with slim hour markers, slim hands at the center, and a subtle date window at 3 o’clock.

Tissot Everytime 40MM
Price: $295

One way to pull off a simple watch design is to keep everything in one color. A striking illustration of that approach is this monochromatic gold-toned Tissot Everytime 40mm quartz watch, which features a yellow gold PVD stainless steel case, a gold PVD stainless steel mesh bracelet, and a champagne time-only dial. However, if you want a change of pace from the one-tone look, the interchangeable system makes it easy to swap out the strap on this minimalist watch for men or women.

Sternglas Naos Automatik
Price: $479

Minimalism doesn’t mean a lack of color – just look at this vibrant Sternaglas Naos Automatik with a punchy yellow dial inside a 38mm steel case. Adhering to classic Bahuas design, Sternglas keeps the hour markers and hands on the minimalist Naos watch super thin and includes a subtle date window (with a color-matched disc) at 6 o’clock.

Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic Auto
Price: $1,045

For a dressy minimalist watch, the Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic Auto is a delightful choice. The combination of a PVD rose gold-tone 38mm case, smokey brown dial, and brown leather strap dress things up while the uncluttered dial with ultra-thin hands and indices keeps things understated. Hamilton also makes this model with a 42mm case for those who prefer larger watches.

Junghans Max Bill Automatic Bauhaus
Price: $1,450

Chances are if you say the term “minimalist watches,” one of the first names you’ll hear is Junghans Max Bill–and for good reason. Designer Max Bill teamed up with watch brand Junghans in the early-1960s to design minimalist Bauhaus watches and the rest is history. This particular version includes a 38mm steel case and a matte white dial that comes alive with dashes of red.

Nomos Glashütte Tangente
Price: $1,900

Another hero of the minimalist watch movement is the German watch brand, NOMOS Glashütte. With a catalog that is packed with understated watches, the one that arguably put the brand on the map is the Tangente with its restrained 35mm steel case and appealing dial that mixes numerals, stick markers, and blue hands. Plus the watch runs on an in-house hand-wound NOMOS Alpha caliber.

Oris Artelier S
Price: $2,200

Introduced in 2023, Oris states that the Artelier S is “one of the most elegant watches” it has ever made – and we don’t disagree. The 38mm steel case of this automatic watch includes a slim bezel while its rich forest green time-only dial with unobtrusive markers is a beautiful illustration of design restraint. A dark brown leather strap with a stainless steel folding clasp completes the timepiece’s clean look.

Grand Seiko Elegance SBGW281
Price: $4,800

Grand Seiko has made its mark on the luxury watch market with seemingly simple watches that are exquisitely finished. The automatic Grand Seiko Elegance SBGW281, which draws its inspiration from Bantō, the season in Japan when the warmth of the sun signals the end of winter, includes a beautiful champagne-colored textured dial with just a trio of hands at the center that point to faceted indexes.

Omega De Ville Tresor
Price: $7,100

The De Ville Tresor line is home to Omega’s dress watches, many of which benefit from minimalist designs. For instance, this steel 40mm version is home to a spectacular blue patterned dial, which sets the perfect background for the slim hands, baton indexes, and date window. Finishing off the elegant style of the minimalist hand-wound Omega watch is the matching blue leather strap.

Tank Louis Cartier
Price: $13,000

One of the world’s most famous watches, the Cartier Tank is available in countless variations, including ultra-minimalist ones. Take for instance this hand-wound Tank Louis Cartier, released in 2003, which marries a solid yellow gold case with a gorgeous black lacquered dial void of any indices. All we get is a pair of gold sword-shaped hands at the center, topped with the illustrious Cartier name, framed within the signature square-shaped case.

H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Centre Seconds Vantablack®
Price: $25,000

Independent watchmaker H. Moser & Cie goes the extra mile when making its minimalistic watches by eschewing any logs or text on the dial. A perfect example is the H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Centre Seconds Vantablack® watch with a 40mm steel case. Vantablack® is the blackest man-made material in existence and using it for the dial adds incredible depth to this understated time-only Moser watch.

Those are our top picks for the best minimalist watches. As you can clearly see, these no-nonsense timepieces are far from boring. They generally focus on one or two design aspects, whether color, typography, shape, or texture, and keep everything else understated to allow those to shine.

Do you own a minimalist watch? If not, would you consider adding one to your collection? Did we miss any of your favorites – leave us a comment down below!

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Love them or not, skeleton watches are a staple of the watch market, particularly in the high-end segment. Luxury watch brands love to show off their intricate movements with skeletonized dials. One major complaint about skeleton watches is that they can be hard to read – some watchmakers execute legibility better than others. Here are 10 excellent skeleton watches, ranging in price from $250 to over $135,000.

1. Swatch Sistem Through Again
Price: $250

Powered by the automatic SISTEM51 movement and featuring an aluminum open dial with skeletonized indexes, the Swatch Sistem Through Again is perhaps the best affordable skeleton watch on the market.

There’s a generously sized 42mm stainless steel case (13.8mm thick), a comfortable black rubber strap, and both the front and back of the watch offer a view of the innovative self-winding Swatch movement with 51 pieces powering the watch.

2. Bulova Sutton Classic Skeleton
Price: $595

For a dressier yet inexpensive skeleton watch, look to the Bulova Classic Sutton Automatic with a 43mm rose gold-toned steel case and blue leather strap.

The open-worked dial not only provides a look at the automatic movement inside the case but it’s also punctuated with matching rose gold-toned hands and skeletonized Roman numeral hour markers, as well as a pair of blue chapter rings.

3. Hamilton Jazzmaster Skeleton Auto
Price: $1,395

Hamilton offers a wide selection of budget-friendly skeletonized and open-dial watches, and this Jazzmaster Skeleton Auto is a solid pick for a classic aesthetic.

The 40mm rose-gold toned stainless steel case (11.05mm thick) is paired with an elegant brown strap and a white cut-out dial with an open center. The self-winding movement inside boasts 80 hours of power reserve and since it’s on display, it’s also handsomely decorated.

4. Rado DiaStar Original Skeleton
Price: $2,050

Now here’s a funky skeleton watch that leans into its retro design – the Rado DiaStar Original Skeleton watch with a 38mm x 45mm helmet-shaped case fashioned from stainless steel and topped with a Ceramos (a ceramic and metal alloy) bezel.

The 80-hour power reserve automatic movement is proudly shown via the open dial and exhibition caseback while legibility is kept in check thanks to yellow gold indices and matching hands filled with Super-LumiNova.

5. Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto Rosa
Price: $4,210

The Christopher Ward C1 Bell Canto took the watch world by storm when it was released in late 2022 as it offered a chiming movement (historically only available in ultra-expensive watches) at an affordable price point.

Aside from the beautiful tones emitting from inside the 41mm titanium case, the architecture of the dial replete with movement components is simply beautiful. The C1 Bel Canto Rosa is the salmon-ish colorway, which is very much a beloved shade among watch collectors. A joy to listen to and look at.

6. Oris ProPilot X Caliber 115
Price: $8,000

To show off its then-new in-house movement, Oris opted to place Caliber 115 inside a skeleton watch so all could admire it. Caliber 115 supplies the watch with an impressive 10 days of power reserve thanks to a new alloy for the single mainspring and it offers an accuracy rate of +6/-4 seconds per day.

As for the Oris ProPilot X watch itself, it’s futuristic in design with a 44mm titanium case, a skeletonized titanium dial, and a superbly finished titanium link bracelet.

7. Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton
Price: $11,000

The Defy Skyline is emerging as one of Zenith’s most popular modern creations, featuring design details that speak to contemporary watch buyers including angular cases, 12-sided faceted bezels, and easily swappable integrated bracelets.

The Defy Skyline Skeleton is one of the newer models to join the line, putting the Caliber El Primero 3620 SK movement on full display via the striking blue open-worked dial.

8. Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days
Price: $26,300

Bulgari has been singularly focused on making some of the world’s thinnest watches over the last decade or so by expanding the Octo Finissimo collection.

Among them is the striking Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days, crafted from titanium and featuring a skeletonized dial, movement, and caseback. The 40mm case measures a mere 2.5mm thick and despite that, the manual-winding watch offers eight days of power reserve.

9. Cartier Santos Skeleton
Price: $31,500

Cartier’s Santos watch has been with us for more than a century, yet it’s the modern iterations that have become some of the most popular luxury men’s watches in today’s market.

Chief among them are the skeletonized versions, which Cartier does so well. This particular monochromatic version includes a 39.8mm black ADLC steel case, an easily interchangeable bracelet, gray-lacquered skeletonized Roman numerals, and an open-worked manual-winding movement.

10. Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton
Price: $135,000+

A member of the so-called Holy Trinity of watches (alongside Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet), Vacheron Constantin is one of the most revered watchmakers, known for a vast range of complications.

One standout model is the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton, starring the beautiful skeletonized dial and intricate mechanical movement inside the 41.5mm rose gold case. With its hefty price tag and high-complication movement, this is an ultra-luxurious skeleton watch that only a few can own and appreciate.

We’ve reached the end of our top ten skeleton watches list, covering a wide range of options to suit a range of budgets. What do you think about skeleton watches? Do you like them? Or do you find them too busy or difficult to read? What skeleton watches, if any, would you add to the list? We love to hear from our readers, so share your opinions with us in the comments below.

The post Top Skeleton Watches appeared first on StrapsCo.

Swatch Dark Glow
Priced at $85

Cheap and cheerful has been Swatch’s mantra since the company’s debut in the 1980s. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that this beloved Swiss watch brand has a few affordable day-date watches in its catalog. One that caught our eye is the Swatch Dark Glow, which is a new model for 2023.

Part of the New Gent collection, the Swatch Dark Glow is a black watch with bright multicolored accents on the dial and vibrant light blue stitching on the outer edge of the solid matte black silicone strap. The day and date windows are easy to read at the 3 o’clock position while the thin and light case (made from bio-sourced material) adds almost no weight or bulk to the wrist. Powered by quartz and priced at less than $100, this Swatch is one of the most affordable Swiss-made day-date you can get your hands on.

Islander Mitchel DAY-T
Price starts at $199

Founded in 2019, Islander is the in-house watch brand of Long Island Watch, which is an online retailer of affordable and reliable watches. Islander has gained quite the following in recent years thanks to its range of inexpensive quality timepieces that are assembled in the USA. Case in point is the Islander Mitchel Day-T collection.

The Islander Mitchel Day-T is a classic field watch, complete with 12- and 24-hour markings for military time, a water-resistant rating of 100 meters, and a woven nylon strap with leather backing. The steel case measures 39mm in diameter, 12mm thick, and houses an automatic movement. The day and date display are unconventionally placed at the 6 o’clock position, which is surprisingly balanced with all the other elements on the dial.
There are a few dial and strap color options to choose from, yet the classic white dial and beige strap configuration is the one we gravitate towards. Coming in at less than $200, the Islander Mitchel Day-T is an affordable day-date watch that punches well above its weight.

Timex Marlin Automatic 40
Price starts at $259

For a vintage-inspired day-date timepiece that won’t break the bank, you can’t go wrong with the Timex Marlin Automatic 40. The subdued black dial includes simple stick hour markers, a trio of hands at the center, and an understated pair of day and date apertures at 3 o’clock that blend into the background. The dial is encased within a 40mm stainless steel case that clocks in at 13mm thick.

The watch also features a transparent caseback for a view of the automatic movement inside the case. Plus, there’s also the quick-release leather strap that sits between the lugs that are 20mm wide, which makes it a breeze to switch out the watch band when the mood strikes. With a retail price well below $300, the inexpensive Timex Marlin Automatic 40 with a day-date display looks a lot pricier than it actually is.

Bulova Surveyor Classic
Price starts at $350

With its steel case and steel bracelet, blue dial, and domed crystal, the Bulova Surveyor Classic checks off a lot of boxes for a “go anywhere, do anything” (a.k.a. GADA) modern watch. The 39mm steel case is ideal for a range of wrist sizes whilst the quartz movement is ultra-low maintenance.

The day and date windows at 12 and 3 o’clock, respectively, are similar to the display that Rolex made famous—right down to the arched day window at the top of the dial. Speaking of the dial, the rich blue color is the perfect backdrop for the silver-toned hands and baton hour markers and if you zoom in on the periphery, you’ll notice the snailed detailing on the minute track. With a sticker price of $350, this affordable day-date watch is one worth checking out.

Seiko Prospex SRPE93
Price starts at $495

A list of reasonably priced yet solid quality watches wouldn’t be complete with a Seiko. Enter the Seiko Prospex SRPE93 “Turtle”, which is a highly capable diving watch that happens to also have a day/date indicator on the dial.

As a diver, it has everything you need: a unidirectional timing bezel, a 45mm steel case water-resistant to 300 meters, and more than enough lume to go around. Its colorway is classic with a black dial, black bezel, and black silicone strap. Moreover, that signature crown placement at 4 o’clock means that you don’t have to deal with it digging into the back of your hand. Oh, and did we mention that this is an automatic ISO-standard diving day-date watch with a price tag of less than $500?

Tissot Heritage Visodate Powermatic 80
Price starts at $675

What the Tissot Heritage Visodate Powermatic 80 brings to the table is a little bit of that midcentury magic. Part vintage-inspired, part dress watch, and entirely suitable for the modern watch enthusiast, this Tissot is one of the best value propositions among Swiss-made day-date watches.

The watch features a prominent 42mm steel case (12.1mm thick) that’s topped with a domed sapphire crystal. On the black dial, we see the framed set of day and date indicators, along with faceted hands and hour markers. If you flip the watch around you’ll see the automatic movement that supplies the watch with an impressive 80 hours of power reserve via the display caseback. Finally, this elegant dressy watch is paired with a black leather strap furnished with a push button-activated butterfly clasp.

Hamilton Jazzmaster Day Date Auto
Price starts at $845

At the top of the price range for affordable day-date watches is the Hamilton Jazzmaster Day Date Auto, priced at less than $900. With its clean design, crisp white dial, and brown calf leather strap attached to its 40mm steel case, this Hamilton is an exercise in casual elegance. Fun fact: Sandra Bullock wore this exact watch model in the film ‘Ocean’s Eight’ (2018) when she played Debbie Ocean.

Powering the Hamilton Jazzmaster Day Date Auto is the automatic H-40 movement with 80 hours of power reserve, which is visible through the transparent caseback.

There you have it: seven fantastic day-date watches under $1000 that run the gamut from sporty to casual to dressy. Do you own a watch with day and date indicators? If not, would you ever consider adding one to your collection? Let us know in the comments below.

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Without breaking the bank too much, here are seven excellent options ranging from $85 to $895 that would bring a smile to anyone that’s not the Grinch this holiday season! Here’s our guide to the best watches to gift this holiday season.

Swatch Turquoise Rebel
Price starts at US$85

If you’re looking to gift something fun, lightweight, and not all that expensive, it’s hard to go wrong with the Swatch Turquoise Rebel SUOL700. The turquoise-tinted transparent case is fitted with an oh-so-comfortable integrated rubber strap. A reliable quartz movement keeps the stick hands ticking along the blue-turquoise dial with easy-to-read stick indices.

The day and date indicators are color matched with the indices, giving the whole package an eye-catching, uniform look. Plus, the 30m water resistance is sufficient for playing in the snow on Christmas Day. All this for under $100 is an amazing deal.

Casio G-Shock GW-M5610
Price starts at US$150

If you’re shopping for someone that would appreciate a no-nonsense true tool watch that’s unobtrusive on the wrist, then the G-Shock GW-M5610 is the answer. The resin case and band easily absorb impact and protect the tough solar movement that’s housed within the classic square design.

At 51.7g, this is a featherweight, and it comes with a heavy amount of functions. The ability to show a second time zone and the non-flashy nature of the design make this an excellent travel watch for someone looking to explore the world. Multi-band 6 automatically corrects the time daily in reference to an atomic clock, keeping this timepiece as accurate as can be — Santa and his elves might even be using these to keep them on schedule this Christmas morning.

Timex Marlin Automatic California Dial
Price starts at US$259

One of the mesmerizing aspects of watches is seeing the balance wheel and balance spring sprint back and forth, allowing for the movement of the hands on the watch dial. Combine that with the rotor of an automatic movement going back and forth and a clear case back, and you’re in watch heaven.

This Timex Marlin offers all that at an affordable price point that’s hard to beat. The 40mm stainless steel case and acrylic crystal show off the California dial design, which mixes Roman numerals on the top half and Arabic numerals on the lower half. The classic look is completed with a 20mm wide leather strap. This is perfect for someone with a beginning interest in mechanical watches.

Islander ISL-35
Price starts at US$299

Islander is a brand with an excellent quality-to-price ratio and would certainly be enjoyed by anyone that desires a solid-feeling timepiece on the wrist. This particular 43mm stainless steel model pays homage to the Seiko SKX007, and comes equipped with the extra features of a sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel insert, and the automatic NH36 movement, which supports hacking and hand-winding. The stark white, arctic-feeling dial would blend in nicely next to Frosty the Snowman.

The solid linked metal bracelet can be swapped to your favorite 22mm strap in a breeze thanks to the drilled lug holes. If you’re gifting for someone interested in mechanical tinkering, this is also an excellent platform for watch modding.

Seiko SNJ025 “Arnie”
Price starts at US$525

Is someone in your family or friend circle a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger or tough, cool watches? If yes, then the Seiko SNJ025 would be a perfect gift under the tree. Nicknamed the “Arnie”, this is the modern interpretation of the watch that Arnold wore in several 80’s movies you may or may not have seen, depending on your age. While the 47.8mm diameter might sound large, it wears much smaller due to the case shroud and bezel taking up much of the visual area.

A solar-powered analog-digital movement gives +/-15 seconds per month accuracy and allows for several extra useful functions when you’re fighting the Predator. Two extra crowns on the left side of the case for controlling the digital functions, 200 meters of water resistance, and a supple rubber strap just give this Seiko that added toughness factor that is sure to please.

Citizen Promaster Dive Automatic
Price starts at US$550

This eye-catching dive watch would be welcomed by anyone this holiday season. With its red timing bezel and screw-down crown located at the atypical 8 o’clock position, this Citizen Promaster has that little extra touch for the holiday season. The 44mm stainless steel case houses an automatic caliber 8204 movement, powering the day, date, and time functions as seen through the sapphire crystal.

The generously lumed rectangular indices and hands offer optimal legibility on those short winter days in the Northern Hemisphere. The 20mm lug width is perfect for a wide range of strap options if your gift recipient wants to switch it up from the rubber strap (if you’re feeling extra generous, consider a few NATO straps as stocking stuffers). The pufferfish, or fugu, engraving on the case back provides added fun.

Hamilton Khaki Field “Murph” 38mm
Price starting at US$895

This recent release by Hamilton would be well received by the space geek and movie buff in your life. This watch design, a.k.a. the “Murph,” played an integral part in the 2014 film Interstellar, and now it comes in a smaller-wrist-friendly 38mm stainless steel case. The exhibition case back shows off the H-10 automatic movement, which has an impressive 80 hours of power reserve — so it’ll still be keeping accurate time when you come back to it after a weekend on the ski slopes. While this new 38mm Hamilton Murph is at the higher end of our affordable watches gift list, it’s still a solid deal for a well-designed Swiss-made automatic watch.

A 20mm black leather strap keeps this watch securely wrapped around the wrist while the black dial contrasts nicely against the beige-lumed Arabic numerals and cathedral hands. A prominent crown at 3 o’clock makes this a breeze to manipulate the time; don’t forget to calculate for the effects of gravitational time dilation.

That concludes our list of top affordable watches to gift this holiday season. What are some other great watches that you would include on this list? Will you be getting a loved one a fun timepiece this winter? Or is there a watch you’d like to unwrap this season? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Top Affordable Watches to Gift for the Holidays appeared first on StrapsCo.

Right now, 1990s movies, fashion, and music are back, so we thought we’d have a look at some 1990s style watches. Many of these watches models are still around, albeit designed more in line with today’s tastes. However, if you were around in the ‘90s and of watch-wearing age, it might be worth digging around to see if you have any left from back in the day.

Swatch

In 1992, Swatch produced its 100 millionth watch, illustrating just how popular these fun and affordable fashion-forward watches were in the previous decade. Swatch watches continued to dominate in the 1990s, fueled in part by collaborations with artists, limited edition series, and special models to celebrate big events.

From Pop Swatch and Swatch Skin to Swatch Irony and Swatch Chrono, there was a Swatch to suit just about anyone’s style.

Casio G-Shock and Baby-G

While Casio introduced the G-Shock line in the 1980s, it was in the 90s that these Casio watches became a phenomenon. For instance, Keanu Reeves wore a G-SHOCK DW-5600C-1V in the film Speed (1994) and Martin Lawrence wore a G-Shock DW-5900 in the film Bad Boys (1995).

Casio then introduced the Baby-G in 1994 as the ladies’ version of the G-Shock, which became a massive success. Baby-G watches were the must-have watches for girls and young women in the nineties, offering a wide range of super fun colors and designs.

Timex Ironman Indiglo

In the early 1990s, Timex unveiled a new night-light feature (activated by pressing on the crown) called Indiglo. While this electroluminescent backlight panel may seem quaint by today’s standards, its brightness (and on-command operation) was pretty mind-blowing back then. Wearers would even use the light for purposes other than reading the time off their watch. Think navigating dark corridors, checking in on sleeping babies, and finding the right seat in movie theatres after the film started — basically how we use our phones today.

When Timex paired its already popular digital Ironman watch with the then-novel Indiglo light feature, it created a sensation. According to a 1997 L.A. Times article, the Indiglo Timex Ironman was the best-selling watch in the United States at that time. President Bill Clinton proudly wore his during his time in office.

Seiko Diver SKX007

Seiko was all the rage throughout the 1990s with so many great models up for grabs. However, the one that ruled them all was arguably the Seiko Diver SKX007, offering big lume energy (anything that glowed in the dark in the nineties was automatically cool) and a superb price-to-value ratio.

Although the SKX007 was only introduced in the later half of the nineties (1996), this particular Seiko watch (and its many sibling variants such as the SKX009) is often cited as the one model that got watch enthusiasts hooked into the hobby. Plus, it laid the groundwork for the watch modding culture, and the 1990s was all about customizing your stuff, whether jeans, Doc Martens, or school binders. The impact of this 1990s Seiko diver on the watch world at large is undeniable.

Swiss Army

For the outdoorsy or adventure types, Swiss Army watches (now known as Victorinox Swiss Army watches) were the ones to own in the 1990s. Associated with the famous Swiss Army knives, the watches were prized for their utilitarian vibes and durable architecture.

Fun fact: Fox Mulder (played by David Duchovny) on the hit 90s television show, X-Files, wore a Swiss Army watch.

Breitling Chronomat

Similar to other watches on this list, the modern incarnation of the Breitling Chronomat was originally released in the 1980s but the watch hit its stride in the following decade. With its big case, bold attitude, and sporty looks, the Breitling Chronomat was one of the most popular luxury 90s watches.

This was no doubt helped by the fact that some of the most famous people on television at the time—Jerry Seinfeld on Seinfeld, Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) on Friends, and Robert Barone (Brad Garrett) on Everybody Loves Raymond, all wore their Breitling watches on-screen as millions of viewers tuned into their hit sitcoms. Seinfeld and Cox wore their Breitling Chronomats on the famed bullet-style Rouleaux bracelets while Garrett opted for a leather strap for his yellow-dialed Chronomat.

Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M

In 1993, Omega launched what would eventually become one of its key sports watch collections – the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M (now known as the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M). The diving watch featured a unique scalloped bezel, a wave-patterned dial with skeletonized hands, a steel link bracelet, and (as its name implies) a case water-resistant to 300 meters deep. While the earliest version had a quartz-powered movement, Omega quickly expanded the collection to include automatic variants.

Two short years after its debut, the Seamaster Diver 300M became James Bond’s official watch in the 1995 film Golden Eye, starring Pierce Brosnan. As you can imagine, the popularity of the Diver 300M soared as James Bond’s watch and it was everywhere — in magazines, on TV, plastered on billboards, and of course, on people’s wrists. The Brosnan Bond Seamaster was the it watch of the decade and played a large role in the future success of the Diver 300M lineup.

TAG Heuer S/El

If there’s one watch brand that encapsulated the vibe of the 1990s, it’s without a doubt, TAG Heuer. Techniques d’Avant Garde acquired Heuer in 1986 and the first collection developed by the then-new TAG Heuer was the S/El — shorthand for “sports” and “elegance.”

While TAG Heuer made a huge assortment of S/El models, ranging from automatic to quartz, time/date to chronograph, and steel to gold, the defining characteristic of this collection was the distinctive bracelet with s-shaped links. We also have to give an honorable mention to the TAG Heuer Kirium (introduced in 1997), which also had a unique bracelet style and is often dubbed the quintessential nineties watch.

If you were around during the 1990s, did you wear any of these watches? If so, do you still like these designs today, and more importantly, do you still wear them? Drop a comment below!

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Swatch SISTEM BOREAL – $215

Swatch is often cited as having saved the Swiss watch industry during the Quartz Crisis by offering fun, fashionable, and affordable Swiss watches made from plastic and powered by quartz movements. That was in 1983 and fast-forward 30 years, and Swatch made a head-turning statement yet again by releasing the Sistem51—an automatic Swiss watch with a movement built from only 51 components but boasting 90 hours of power reserve, and priced at 100 Swiss francs. As expected, the brilliant move was a success and the SISTEM collection is now a mainstay of the brand’s catalog.

For just slightly more than $200, the Swatch SISTEM BOREAL packs a punch. The stainless steel 42mm case is fitted with a matching full steel bracelet and furnished with an exhibition caseback for a view of the groundbreaking automatic movement inside. The vibrant blue dial is designed after a maritime compass and even includes a date window at 3 o’clock.

Timex Marlin Automatic California Dial – $249

Timex is another watch brand known for making affordable watches but with the added benefit of being watch snob approved. For fans of vintage-looking watches, Timex offers a fantastic value proposition in the form of a modern iteration of its famed 1960’s Marlin model priced at less than $250. What’s more, this particular Marlin Automatic line houses a 1930’s era California dial, characterized by a layout that combines Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and geometric hour markers.

Further emphasizing the Timex Marlin Automatic’s retro vibe is the dramatically domed acrylic crystal that sits above the 40mm case. On the opposite side is a display caseback to showcase the 40-hour self-winding movement that powers the watch. The dressy Timex Marlin Automatic California Dial is currently available in two colorways: a steel case with a light natural colored dial and brown leather strap and a rose gold-tone steel case with a black dial and black leather strap.

Orient Pilot – $280

With a reputation for making reliable and inexpensive watches that run on in-house movements, Japanese watch company Orient has built a loyal and appreciative fan base. One of the brand’s more popular models is the Orient Pilot, which brings together the fundamental design traits of a traditional military aviation watch and a budget-friendly price point.

For the easy-to-digest price of $285, you will get a 42.5mm black ion-plated steel case with a stealthy brushed finishing that encases a dark gray Flieger Type-B dial. The Orient Pilot dial comes alive in the dark due to the super bright Nemoto Luminova coated hands and indexes while the green nylon NATO-style strap completes the vintage military pilot watch look.

Dan Henry 1970 Automatic Diver – Starting at $280

Longtime watch collector Dan Henry is the eponymous founder of a relatively new watch microbrand, established in 2016. With a passionate watch enthusiast at the helm of the company, it comes as no surprise that the watches are thoughtfully designed. However, what is refreshing is that Dan Henry watches are affordable too, therefore accessible to a wide range of watch fans.

Although the majority of Dan Henry watches are quartz to keep prices low, there’s a stellar automatic diving collection steeped in vintage character. Meet the Dan Henry 1970 Automatic Diver watch, featuring a 40mm steel case water-resistant to 200 meters, punctuated with two crowns to operate the inner rotating bezel and adjust the time. The seventies-inspired dial is not only home to period-correct oversized markers and thick hands but is also available in a range of bright color palettes.

Seiko 5 SRPD – $295

Arguably the masters of ultra-dependable and affordable watches, Seiko has plenty of economical watches under its far-reaching umbrella—particularly in the automatic dive watch space. While it was tough to choose a single reference, one of our favorites right now is the Seiko 5 SRPD.

Carrying a price tag of under $300, the Seiko 5 SRPD boasts a fantastic mix of classic diver styling with a variety of colorways to choose from. The 100-meter water-resistant 42.5mm steel case can be paired with black, blue, or green bezels and dials, and there’s even an orange dial variant for those looking for something more dynamic. Whether fitted with a matching steel bracelet or a lighter nylon strap, a Seiko 5 SRPD checks all the boxes when shopping for a reasonably priced automatic diving watch.

Bonus Contenders:

As promised, in addition to five of the best automatic watches under $300, there are two extra watches worth your consideration. First up is the self-winding Spinnaker Hull Riviera, which, thanks to its large 42mm cushion case, blue striped dial, and steel tapered bracelet, satisfies that hankering we all seem to have for the nautical luxury steel sports watch genre that was born about five decades ago. The Hull Riviera is currently priced at $315; however, there’s a 20% promo code (still relevant at the time of publishing) that brings the price down to under $300.

Next on the list is the Bulova Hack with a higher MSRP on the brand’s website but the watch is regularly available for less than $300 across different platforms. The Bulova Hack is a classic military field watch with a restrained 38mm steel case and black leather strap. The ivory-colored dial gives a fresh touch to the watch and allows the customary duo of hour and minute markers to stand out. The 42-hour automatic movement is shielded by a solid steel caseback while a double-domed mineral crystal covers the dial.

If you’ve wanted to add a new automatic watch to your collection but have been wary about how much it would cost, we hope the above sub-$300 self-winding models give you some inspiration.

Do you have a favorite from this list, or are there any other automatic watches that cost less than $300 that you think we should add to the roundup? Share your comments with us below.

The post Five of the Best Automatic Watches Under $300 – Plus Two Bonus Entries appeared first on StrapsCo.