I need a cheap/durable watch

[jlee]

My Timex Ironman finally bit the dust...on its second battery and second band, but one of the pins that holds the band in pulled out of the body, cracking the plastic with it. I definitely I got my $30 out of it over the last 5-6 years...but now it's time for a new one.

Is there a better option out there, or should I just go get one of these? This watch will be abused...used at work, working on cars, etc. It might get scraped against greasy stuff, smashed against a concrete wall, etc.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I've always liked Timex Expedition for a cheap, functional, durable watch. I used to work with them underwater everyday when I worked at an aquarium. I've taken them down to 120ft while diving in the ocean. Pretty similar to your ironman, different styling.

 

[brainhulk]

g-shock atomic solar

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-GW500A-...r_1_1?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1328921361&sr=1-1

 

[manimal]

I bet a certain Mod can recommend you one that costs 2.25 shipped. His hot deal watches are always gooz!

 

[jme5343]

Another vote for G-shock. I'm partial to the white ones.

 

[lxskllr]

Third on the Gshock. They aren't as good as they were 20 years ago, but they're still pretty decent. I put mine through hell, and they keep on going.

 

[RavenSEAL]

I bet a certain Mod can recommend you one that costs 2.25 shipped. His hot deal watches are always gooz!

LOL!

 

[theprodigalrebel]

I have always liked Swatch and found them very reliable. I have one of the Irony series (was a little over $100) that I have worn every single day for the past two years and it's taken a ton of abuse without a scratch. This is the most decent looking one that I could find for less than $50. Not very flashy or feature packed (minimalist design) but I'm sure it would last.

http://www.amazon.com/Swatch-GB743-Mens-Watch/dp/B0001MLMKY/ref=sr_1_7?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1328929596&sr=1-7

 

[DesiPower]

$80 OK?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I've had a Casio G-Shock for 8 years or so and its always held up very well. The black lettering is now gone (just the engraved stainless so its still easily readable) and its scratched to hell and back but its still going. I even ran over it once. Broke the urethane band that attached the stainless band to the watch itself. Paid $4 to have a have replacement urethane bands shipped from Casio and I was back in business.

Love my GShock :thumbsup:

 

[jlee]

$80 OK?

Too fancy for what I'm going to put it through (I have a Citizen Skyhawk if I need a nicer watch for some reason). I'm looking for my work watch / garage watch, so if I get it banged up/etc it's no big deal. I'm going between a G-Shock or Ironman now, but thanks!

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Buy 10 watches that Perknose always recommends. You will get your money's worth!

 

[DesiPower]

Too fancy for what I'm going to put it through (I have a Citizen Skyhawk if I need a nicer watch for some reason). I'm looking for my work watch / garage watch, so if I get it banged up/etc it's no big deal. I'm going between a G-Shock or Ironman now, but thanks!

Then probably this expedition will serve your purpose

 

[Triumph]

I will never buy another Timex watch. Every single one of them I've ever had have broken. I would like to get something like a Casio G shock, but without the "bigness" of the G shock casing. Does anyone know if the regular Casios are still pretty tough?

There's no way I'm paying 3, 4, 500 bucks for a watch like some of the people on here love to do.

 

[RavenSEAL]

+1 on the GShock btw.

 

[jlee]

I will never buy another Timex watch. Every single one of them I've ever had have broken. I would like to get something like a Casio G shock, but without the "bigness" of the G shock casing. Does anyone know if the regular Casios are still pretty tough?

There's no way I'm paying 3, 4, 500 bucks for a watch like some of the people on here love to do.

Mine did break, I'll give you that - but it was after 5 years (or more, I can't even remember when I bought it). For the <$30 price tag, I really can't complain. I might end up getting another one..I also don't like big watches - I may have to stop by a store and see if the G-Shocks are too big. I have small wrists and large watches look silly.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Mine did break, I'll give you that - but it was after 5 years (or more, I can't even remember when I bought it). For the <$30 price tag, I really can't complain. I might end up getting another one..I also don't like big watches - I may have to stop by a store and see if the G-Shocks are too big. I have small wrists and large watches look silly.

Haha, yeah, I got this watch when I 14 years old and at the time it was HUGE on me. At almost 22 now, the watch looks like a normal sized watch on my arm. Most of the G-Shocks are definitely very thick though.

 

[Gooberlx2]

This one doesn't look huge, pretty typical feature set, and is more affordable than the solar atomic ones.

 

[busydude]

This one doesn't look huge, pretty typical feature set, and is more affordable than the solar atomic ones.

That watch makes me nostalgic. That was the watch to get when I was going to grade school. Good to know that watch is still in production.

 

[Sluggo]

I found a used Nixon Private for a daily wear on watchuseek forums for about $60, I love it. Nice look and a great size for my wrist.

http://www.amazon.com/Nixon-Private-Watch-Silver-Brown/dp/B006GATW1G/ref=pd_sbs_watch_5

Nice deals to be had on lots of everyday wear watches on the watchuseek FS/FT forums.

 

[LTC8K6]

This one doesn't look huge, pretty typical feature set, and is more affordable than the solar atomic ones.

That's the best one.

 

[MetalMat]

 

[Triumph]

This one doesn't look huge, pretty typical feature set, and is more affordable than the solar atomic ones.

Seems like the 5600 line is the "classic" G shock. I may have to pick one of these up today.

 

[lxskllr]

Seems like the 5600 line is the "classic" G shock. I may have to pick one of these up today.

They aren't as good as they used to be. It's still a decent watch, but made in China, and they cut some corners. The backlight is better than the old models at least.

 

[Joseph F]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2191673