SuperWatches

Smartwatches for the Space Age

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G-Shock Watches – Are they as good as we think?

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G Shock

Introduction

G-Shock Watches – Are they as good as we think?

Not everyone is good at being on time. Even in our current world of smartphones that can do pretty much anything and everything. Our wristwatches remain the best thing we can own that will help us organise our days. 

If you’re one for outdoor adventures, you’ll be needing something rugged to keep up with you. One that’s a bit stronger than your everyday watch. One of the most hard-wearing watches in the world is the G-Shock from Casio.

They’re known for being pretty brutish. G-Shocks are great for those who belong in the military or otherwise are hardcore athletes. They have a construction comprising of no less than 10 layers which protect the quartz movement on the inside. 

G-Shock is the perfect choice for a reliable timepiece that will survive an apocalypse. There are a lot out there, what with there being 35 years of development undergone. This list will give you 10 of the best.

Background

The concept for the G-Shock came about in 1981 when a Casio engineer accidentally dropped a precious pocket watch that his dad had given to him. From here, a team was assembled to develop a watch that would withstand everyday impact and more. The engineer was delighted when he learned that the centre of a rubber band ball doesn’t suffer from the shock of the whole ball being bounced. This is what sparked the inspiration for the G-Shock. 

Water-resistance was also important to this team, as well as protection from falls and all within a watch that would offer exceptional battery life to boot.

So in 1983, the world saw the release of the G-Shock DW50000C. The TV station who were testing it did so live. They bashed it with a hockey stick and it survived. The world was amazed.

So, let’s take a look at the top 10 G-Shock watches.

GBD800UC5

$105.00

This belongs in the power trainer collection and enables the obliteration of fitness goals. The 800UUC5 offers an accelerometer with 3 axes that will record your steps as well as twenty combinations of timer and the memory to keep hold of 200 laps. It’ll also tell you how many calories you’ve burned during your training, too.

There’s an app you can download to keep hold of your data.

GA700SK-1A

$120.00

The GA700SK1A has a clear skeleton feature which shows you everything that’s going on under the hood. Made from a semi-transparent resin material with metallic colouring, the watch is inspired by a retro 80s style. 

It has a 200m water-resistance rating, which is great if you find yourself in an outdoor adventure. 

It also has an LED illuminator light which offers great readability after sunset.

GWM5610-1

$86.90 

This solar-powered offering comes with the shock-resistance you’d expect and a backlight, stopwatch, 5 alarms, an automatic calendar, power-saving and battery indicator. It has an automatic light that can be switched on or off with the flick of a wrist. Although, this won’t work if the battery is low.

It offers 200m water-resistance so feel free to jump in for a swim, but no diving.

GA2100-1A1

$315.41

This particular model is an import from Japan. It makes the most of G-Shock’s sleek design and has a carbon case of only 12mm and this makes it one of the slimmest models to date. This watch has an incredibly strong resin construct and offers both digital and analogue timekeeping. 

It’s shock-resistant, of course, and offers a double LED light. It’s 200m water-resistant and will stay faithfully working under the roughest conditions.

G-CARBON GA2000 (E)

$281.52

This collection offers carbon-fiber reinforced resin in a double-backed case. The GA2000E will last through all kinds of impact and spills without worry.

It’s 200m water-resistant like its siblings, offers 31 time zones, features that double LED lighting, shock-resistance and an accurate stopwatch. 

It has high-contrast hands and sub-dials for easy reading on the go.

GBA800EL-4A

$156.99

You can’t help but notice this is really unique watch. Boxing gear titan Everlast got involved here to bring something bold to the party.

The one linked is obviously pink, but you can find a boxing-glove red in the collection too. It has a 3 axis accelerometer, which is perfect for keeping tarck of your steps. It has a stopwatch and will record up to 200 lap times. Perfect for runners and anyone into HIIT.

MUDMASTER GGB100-1A3

$239.50 

This watch is part of the Master of G-Series range called Mudmaster. It’s build to last. Built to stay with you. It’s made from rigid carbon material developed to withstand harsh conditions. It protects the watch from damage and offers tight seals inside to keep the elements at bay.

The bezel has three layers of extremely high-quality resin and carbon fiber elements.

It is mud and shock-resistant as well as offering a quad sensor and that familiar dual LED lighting which is perfect for varying terrain.

GMWB50001JF

$359.50

You’ll notice straight away this has the classic Casio look with a bit of a rugged twist.

This metal watch has all the original Casio design with a vintage square case. It offers the dual LED light, powered by a solar battery.

This watch has atomic timekeeping, meaning it’ll always be precise no matter where you are because it listens to radio signals from 6 locations around the world. 

It has to be said that the whole GMWB50001JF range is the better-looking out of all of G-Shocks collections.

Summary

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed your whistle-stop tour of the G-Shock range. In answer to the original question, are they as good as we think, the answer is a clear, yes. Casio are one of the best watchmakers in the world and have been for decades. They’re price-accessible and you’ll get a watch that will stay strong and accurate even if you give it a regular bashing.

If you go for a Casio G-Shock, you’ll get brains, brawn and beauty all in one.

If you’re considering investing because you’re a regular outdoor person who loves muddy adventures, you’d benefit from reading 5 Features to Look for in a Rugged Watch.

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Tissot Watches for Men – The Ultimate Review

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Background

Charles-Félicien Tissot and son Charles junior created Tissot in Switzerland in 1953. Tissot became the first company to produce, on mass, the first pocket watch, as well as the first one that displayed two time zones.

Much later, in 1930, they made the first-ever anti-magnetic timepiece.

Tissot’s history of innovation certainly stems from their love of using new materials in their craft. In 1971 they began using plastic. In 1985 it was stone. 1987 was mother of pearl and 1988 saw them using wood.

Since the 1980s, Tissot has belonged to the Swatch Group. This is known for its huge selection of brands who all offer cost-effective luxury and mid-range model watches.

Tissot watches – are they worthwhile?

You’re here because you want to know if Tissot watches are worthwhile. Perhaps you’ve not heard of the brand before and want to learn more.

If you’re researching a new watch before you buy, what you’ve found here is a brand that is slightly on the more expensive side, but you’ll find out why.

Tissot has been at the peak of innovation for Swiss watches since they were founded in 1983. They certainly have world-leading design on their side and Swiss time-keeping developments in their artillery. They really push the envelope when it comes to developing the timepiece.

A Tissot watch will offer you a sophisticated design with a luxury finish but underneath that will be reliability in its components.

As Tissot belongs to the Swatch Group, you’re guaranteed that Tissot offer many, many years of experience.

If their association with companies like Hamilton, Omega, Calvin Klein and Breguet wasn’t enough, Tissot is an official timekeeper for many sports like ice hocket, rugby, motorsports, basketball and fencing. You might be thinking you recognise the name now?

So, in answer to the question, are Tissot watches worthwhile, the answer is yes.

Let’s look at their top seven selling watches for men

Tradition Chronograph

$299.99

First in line is this Swiss-made quartz timepiece. It has a rose gold plated finish on top of a stainless steel case which is 49mm by 11mm. This is quite chunky in the watch world.

This chrono is powered by quartz movement which offers reliable accuracy.

The dial is cream and features the same rose gold colour details on the markings and hands. It has three subdials and a date window between the 4 and 5 positions. All this is protected by a sapphire crystal glass dome which is scratch-resistant.

This watch has a genuine leather wristband which is really supple. 

PRC200 Chronograph

$371.49

Here we have a second wildly-popular Tissot quartz. The large black dial is exceptionally easy to read. It has big bright white numerals to aid readability.

There’s sapphire crystal covering the dial here too. The case itself is a fairly-large 42mm.

The wristband is made of rubber so all in all the watch offers an incredible water-resistance of up to 200m.

Inside you’ll find Swiss quartz.

Classic Dream

$196.00

This is a more price-accessible Tissot option. The Classic Dream is a 38mm stainless steel option with high-grade Swiss-made ETA movement inside. You get awesome accuracy with this system.

It’s quite a slim watch at only 8mm thickness. Most people will wear it as a dress watch or something for the office. You can get it with a dark brown leather strap or a stainless steel version if you prefer.

Under the sapphire crystal dial is a white dial with Roman numerals and a date window at the 3 position.

It only offers 30m water-resistance, which is OK for a small splash of water but not for a shower or swimming.

Couturier Automatic Chrono

$658.90

At the other end of the budget scale is this Swiss auto chrono. The Tissot Couturier is one of the more luxurious models from the Tissot brand. 

This model has a 43mm stainless steel case and a thickness of 15mm.

At the core you’ll find the signature Swiss-made automatic movement.

There are 25 jewels detailing the exhibition back of the case. The dial is protected by sapphire crystal for reliable scratch-proof assurance.

It’s only water-resistant to 30m, so take care not to get it wet.

Seastar 1000 Chrono

$390.63

This is a truly beautiful timepiece. It’s perfect for anyone interested in good-looking dive watches. It comes from a passion to create something uniquely designed as well as 100% functional.

It has highly-visible hands that have a bold luminosity (covered with Tissot’s super-lumi nova) which means you’ll be able to see it even in the worst of lighting conditions. Protecting this is a sapphire crystal dome of ultimate scratch-resistance.

As it’s a dive watch you’ll find a unidirectional bezel and extendable strap.

It boasts 300m water-resistance and a helium value to let the watch depressurise automatically.

Inside is, you guessed it, Swiss-made quartz movement. If you’re diving, you want something that’ll be a reliable time-keeping companion. 

T-Race Chrono

$390.00 

This last suggestion is the T-Race model with chronograph.

It’s a beautiful statement piece. Bold, chunky and attention-grabbing.

This huge 45mm by 13mm stainless steel case with black PVD coating and matching black silicone strap is a monster. The round dial is covered by a sapphire crystal dome. This offers incredible scratch-resistance.

It has luminous hands and markers. There’s a date window at the 3 position. It’ll give you minute markers as well as a tachymeter on the outer-rim. There are 3 subdials for 0.01 of a second, one second and one minute. 

The rubber strap has a simple push button.

Inside is Swiss quartz and overall this timepiece will offer 100m water-resistance so do be careful with it!

Summary

There you have it, a whistle-stop tour of the 6 best men’s Tissot watches on a range of budgets.

If you’ve enjoyed this but still aren’t sold, maybe you should check out some alternatives. You can read our article on what five features you must look for in a tactical watch, here.

Otherwise, you might be interested in learning about the most luxurious watch brand… Cartier

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Bulova Watches for Women

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Bulova Watches for Women

Background

You’re probably keen to learn a little bit about how Bulova watches came into existence and how they’re manufactured. So, this article will cover everything you want to know and a quick review of the ten best Bulova watches for women.

Firstly, Bulova is a company from the US which was founded way back in 1875. This was at the height of industry and progress in America. 

Joseph Bulova started the company’s now-famous association with its iconic movements. His innovative influence certainly changed the whole market, and it and all started in a small shop located in Downtown New York.

The store is where a lifelong venture for developing really high-quality watches began. 

For generations, Bulova has relentlessly dedicated itself to efficiency, quality craftsmanship and precision. Their watches are as close to perfect as you’ll get.

Bulova has certainly made continual progress which has been fuelled by their desire for innovation. They have a passion for technology and this has kept them going for all this time.

So, with all this hype you’re probably thinking you should definitely buy a Bulova watch? 

Furthermore, Bulova has consistently made some stunning watches for men (and you can see our review of them, here). They haven’t forgotten the ladies, though. A watch is essentially a fancy accessory and this is exactly why women shouldn’t be ignored. They are the connoisseurs of fine accessories.

Bulova have been producing watches for women for an incredible amount of time. Bulova must’ve been all for equal rights because he didn’t shy away from producing any less than ten models for women.

Let’s have a look at them.

96L116 Swarovski Crystal

$120.00

This is a beautiful timepiece that started life around the $400 price level. Now you’re able to grab yourself a bargain.

This watch is made in the States. It contains Japanese quartz movement on the inside an analogue display.

The case is made of stainles steel. It measures at 30.4mm by 6.9mm so it’s fairly dainty and lightweight on the wrist. 

The bracelet is also made of stainless steel and is 177mm in length. You can get it in silver, gold, rose gold or black. It has a double fold-over clasp for a secure fit.

The dial comes in different colours too; silver, white, black or blue. Protecting it is Swarovski crystal. The face offers an hour, minute and second hand, which are all luminous. 

This is a round watch that offers mother-of-pearl on the dial. You’ll also find Swarovski crystals surrounding the bezel as well as the lugs, links and hour markers.

The handy thing is, it’s water-resistant to 30m.

96M126 Classic Analog

$98.46

This is a budget watch that offers a classic look – as the name suggests. It comes from the Precisionist collection and has a beautifully minimalist design.

The case is stainless steel and bigger than the Crystal, coming in at 34mm by 9.7mm. It has a black and silver ion-plated finish and a curved dial made of crystal.

The minute and hour hands are luminous. The second hand offers a sweeping motion. There’s a calendar window at the 6 position.

The movement is Japanese quartz and it has a water-resistance of up to 30m.

98R239 CURV

$447.75

This is another rounded face offering from Bulova. It’s got a high-quality quartz movement that functions at a 262kHz vibration frequency. This offers incredible precision. It also has a chronograph function.

It has an exhibition dial that has rose gold hands, three subdials, hour markings, a minute track and the Bulova logo.

The case itself is made of stainless steel and titanium. The strap is rubber. The measurements are 38mm by 10mm.

Marine Star

$239.99

This is a more detailed timepiece. It has a white ceramic case that features stainless steel detailing. There are 5 diamonds placed by hand on the bright white face. You get a sweeping second hand and an hour and minute hand to boot. There’s a date window located at the 3 position.

This all sits under sapphire glass protection. 

The bracelet is also ceramic with stainless steel details and has a double clasp for security. 

It’s got quartz movement on the inside and will withstand up to 100m water-resistance.

Ladies Dress Watch

$151.25

This formal dress watch belongs in the Diamond collection. It has a stainless steel case and features 4 diamonds. It measures 27mm by 6mm and is incredibly slender. You’ll find these having been individually placed by hand on a mother of pearl dial. It doesn’t offer numbers or a second hand, but it does have stainless steel hour and minute hands and crystal accents.

It’s got quartz movement and is water-resistant to 30m.

All in all, it’s a classy watch that will dress up any outfit.

96P172 – Diamonds

$147.98

This comes from the collection of the same name.

It has an incredible 12 diamonds individually hand-placed on the familiar mother of pearl black dial and has an hour and minute hand as well as a sweeping second hand. It offers no numbers, just diamond accents.

On top of the dial is a dome of mineral glass. 

The bracelet is made of stainless steel and has a deployment closure. 

The movement is analogue quartz and it’s water-resistant to 30m; fine for a shower but not recommended for swimming.

Rubaiyat

$505.98

This timepiece comes from the collection of the same name. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful offerings on this list.

The 35mm case is made of two-tone stainless steel which offers beauty as well as durability. The dial is white and has the signature hand-placed diamonds for indices. There are more diamonds placed on the outer-rim. In total there are 50. This gives the piece a stunning look compared to others on the list. 

It has a traditional design with a deep blue face. There’s a unique blue crown at the 12 position. 

It has a quartz movement inside and offers 30m water-resistance.

Are Bulova watches worth buying?

Bulova produces some really high-quality watches thanks to the materials they use. It’s not often you find sapphire crystal on a watch that costs less than $500.

They offer a huge range of colours, you can find one that suits your personal taste.

All watches in all collections are analogue. 

Water-resistance ratings vary, but at the very least you can shower in all of them. 

You get a handy 3 year warranty with each Bulova watch too, which is reassuring.

They look great and they stay true to Bulova’s initial dreams for the company. You wouldn’t be going wrong investing in a Bulova watch.

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Movado Watches

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Movado

Background

Movado has been manufacturing Swiss watches for over 100 years. Their first big break came in the 1940s in the form of their Museum watch. Since then, they’ve been creating simple, but bold watches.

Nowadays Movado is part of a group which incorporates MVNT and Concord to name two.

Movado makes stunning timepieces that are affordable.

Every Movado timepiece carries the Swiss-made stamp, even though they’re technically an American company now. They’re still very focused on the original Museum watch and have developed it. It’s now bigger with a marginally modified design to keep up with the times.

Their overall design is minimalist, sometimes on the verge of detrimentally so; it’s hard to tell the time accurately. They took some of the Museum’s features and folded them into today’s designs to make beautiful dress watches. 

They’re cost-sensitive Swiss watches. Where could you go wrong?

Let’s look at what’s on offer:

Museum Stainless Steel (Black)

$1,095.00

As mentioned, the Museum is the signature model of all Movado watches. You can’t deny the design here, it’s instantly-recognisable. There’s one single huge dot at the 12 position. The Movado logo sits at the 6 position and that’s pretty much all the markings you get!

The design comes from the original 1940s version and they’ve been subtly adding elements of it into a lof of their models. 

This one has a black dial with a contrasting stainless steel case and either a stainless steel bracelet or black leather wristband.

The case is 39mm by only 8mm. The dial is protected by sapphire crystal, which is scratch-resistant. As promised, the Swiss-made logo is stamped on the back. 

Inside you’ll find Swiss-made quartz, and the whole watch is water-resistance to 30m, so you can have a shower in it, but not much more.

Museum Bold Ladies Gunmetal

$392.99

The Museum collection is vast. They have a cool corner where they use bold metals like gold, rose gold, gunmetal, black and silver. It makes the unique design really pop.

The stainless steel gunmetal ladies version really stands out. The case is 34mm. It’s uber-modern. It’s sleek. It shows off the signature dot at the 12 position. Everything else is wonderfully-minimalist. It offers hour and minute markers.

The matching band comes in the same material and colour. The dial is protected by mineral crystal, which is a shame to not be sapphire. 

Inside is Swiss made quartz to keep it accurately telling you the time.

Bold Blue Sunray Dial

$427.01

The style just gets better and better. This Museum model moves away from the simplicity of the other models without markers. This one comes in a single blue which is just delicious. It offers three sub-dials, which differs from the original. They are hours and minutes as well as the day of the week.

There’s a second hand run by a chronograph.

It truly belongs in the Bold collection. It has a stainless steel case which is blue ion-plated. The mesh strap matches. The case itself is large, coming in at 44mm, but a conversely thin 10mm.

Masino Stainless Steel Chronograph

$433.54

If you’re on the market for something more dressy, this choro is perfect. It has a clear black dial and has the classic 12 dot. It offers three sub-dials as well as minute and hour hands around the case.

This watch is surprisingly small, which means it’s the perfect size to slide under a dress shirt. It’s only 40mm by 10mm and a simple stainless steel watch that you can work into any occasion,

It’s water-resistant to 30m so that’s handy.

Movado Dress Watch with Leather Strap

$386

Moving along from the Chrono is another dress watch that has more of a traditional look. It has a simple white dial which shows off triangular hour markings. 

It moves away a fair bit from the look you’ve come to recognise within the Museum range. It’s definitely one for someone who likes something subtle but classy.

The case is 40mm by 10mm again, and the dial is protected by sapphire crystal. This time you get a date window at the 3 position. 

It has quartz movement on the inside and is water-resistant to 30m.

Movado Heritage Chrono

$795.00

A mix of dress and sport here. The Heritage Chrono is very much like the above. It comes with that classic clean dial, this time in ivory rather than white. There are black sub-dials. There’s a minimal, round silver case, which is a dainty 26mm by 6mm. The detail that stands out the most is the air holes which point out black against the tan leather band. It has chrome pushers around the side.

It has quartz movement on the inside and this one is water-resistant to 100m.

Summary

There is no doubt about whether Movado timepieces have become popular or not. They display the time and their subtle features so elegantly it’s hard to beat. 

The price might put some people off, though. It’s a little pricey considering alternatives who also offer the same quality. Raising the price has driven demand away from the mid-range as they creep up toward luxury.

The answer is, “it depends”. It depends on what your requirements are in a timepiece. If you want something sophisticated, then definitely. Everything about the design and build is chosen with care. It’s hard to make something minimal look so beautiful.

If you want something you can read in an instant, then maybe they’re not for you. The signature dot at the 12 position can make it really hard to actually know what the time is.

Perhaps you’d like to see more variety? They’re beautiful, for sure, but the designs don’t stray far from one another.

If you like them, then treat yourself. However, if you’re not sure, keep looking until you can be that you’ve found the watch for you.

If you like the minimal vibe, you have to check out the beauty of simplicity that comes from Skagen (and the prices might suit you better, too). Read our review here.

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Bulova Watches for Men

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Bulova

Introduction

Bulova isn’t a new player on the watch market. They were founded in 1875 and have so much heritage behind them. They don’t make luxury watches on par with Rolex. Their sweet spot is the $100 – $500 range. 

Bulova has been owned by Citizen since 2007.

Luxury

If you do like brands such as Rolex and Omega but don’t have the readies to buy one, you’re really going to love what Bulova do at this price bracket.

The watches they make aren’t considered to be high-end (luxury starts at $500), but, they are very good quality.

Is it a decent brand?

To judge if Bulova is a decent brand you need to look at their movement and quality.

A lot of watch connoisseurs look down on the likes of Fossil and Guess and anyone else producing Japanese quartz movement timepieces. Granted, it used to be a cheap alternative to Swiss-made quartz, but these days it’s a sign of quality. It depends on who you ask.

Bulova has been making fantastic watches for many years and they offer precision and accuracy. 

Are the watches worth buying?

The simple answer is yes. Bulova is all about innovation. They’ve made a few splashes in the industry which has pushed competition.

Let’s look at 5 of their best timepieces.

Precisionist Chrono

$499 / £499

This is a thickset watch, at 47mm by a huge 17.5mm. The case is made of stainless steel, as is the band (which is a width of 23mm). The dial is protected by a scratch-resistant mineral. The face that sits underneath that is a glorious mix of silver, black and deep blue. The hands and markings are both luminous so there’s great readability in low-lit conditions.

This is an incredibly accurate watch that belongs in the Precisionist collection. You get their signature Japanese quartz movement that is accurate to one-one-thousandth of a second.

If you’re a keen water sports enthusiast you can rest assured that this watch has a water-resistance of 300m, which is great for snorkelling, showering, and maybe a shallow dive.

If you like the look of luxury with a sporty edge, this one’s yours.

Advantages

  • Analogue display is good
  • Second hand gliding movement is enjoyable
  • Fantastic design

Disadvantages

  • If you have less than perfect eyesight then you might find it tricky to read in low lighting conditions

Marine Star Chrono

$264 / £199

This is a sleek chronograph within the Marina collection. It makes for an attention-grabbing dress watch.

The case is 43mm by 12.22mm with a 22mm case. The whole thing is stainless steel. The dial is blue and offers up Roman numerals for an elegant feel. It has a stainless steel bezel to make the blue really pop.

It has a water-resistance of up to 100m, which is OK and has a 6 hand calendar chronograph feature. No diving in this.

It runs on that Japanese quartz so you know you’ve got accuracy on your side.

There’s also a date window that sits between the 4 and 5 positions. There’s also room for the date.

If you have a slightly bigger wrist, this will proportion it out.

Advantages

  • Excellent price for what you get 
  • Incredibly durable
  • The luminosity of the hands add to the design as well as the function
  • Great design with blue/silver contrast

Disadvantages

  • If you need the band adjusting, you’ll need some watchmaker help

Lunar Pilot Chrono – Special Edition

$400 / £355

There’s some history here. It’s a replica of the second timepiece ever to be worn on the moon. Back in 1971, Dave Scott wore this during the Apollo 15 mission. 

The stainless steel case is 45mm by 13.5mm, so no hiding from this beast. The strap is made of black textured leather and is 22m in width. The dial protecting the face is made of sapphire crystal which is both incredibly scratch-proof and anti-reflective.

It has Bulova’s famous UHF quartz Chrono movement inside. This has yet to be beaten for its accuracy.

The second hand offers a smooth glide. It has luminous markers and hands, as well as a calendar and tachymeter.

The strap might be the best part. It’s supple and the texture is almost layered. Not that you’d want to, but you can swap it for a nylon version that pays homage to the Apollo 15.

Advantages

  • Stunning timepiece layered with history
  • Satin finish on the case looks incredible
  • Incredibly high-performance
  • Unbeatable value

Disadvantages

  • Water-resistance is only up to 50m

Devil Diver Oceanographer – Limited Edition

$411 / £399

Another tribute watch with only 666 released. All individually stamped with their number. The 666 is how many feet you can take it diving.

The case is smaller in comparison to the above at 41mm by 14.5mm in stainless steel, as is the bracelet. The dial is protected by an anti-reflective, anti-scratch sapphire crystal.

Bulova doesn’t offer you less design finesse on their lower-priced watches. This watch offers you the date, luminous hands and a bright orange face. There’s also a uni-directional bezel that rotates.

It runs off a self-winding auto-movement and offers the trademark reliability.

If you’re into retro, you’ll love this 70s throwback.

Advantages

  • Rejuvenation of a timeless classic
  • Solid case
  • Solid bracelet
  • Well priced

Disadvantages

  • The power reserve isn’t great

CURV Chronograph

$500 / £499

Here have another chronograph. You’ll notice instantly that the design is a knockout. The name Curv comes from its uniquely wonky structure.

The case is 44mm by 10.1 and the band is 25mm in width, all of which come in stainless steel. On top of the dial lives a curved and anti-reflective/scratch sapphire crystal.

Inside, you get the UHF quartz movement. 

It’s a 5-hand Chrono, with an intense deep blue dial that shows the workings of the watch. It has silver hands and matching markers. The back of the case is also an exhibition.

It doesn’t tell you the date, but with the exhibition feature, you’ll be glad of the dial being clutter-free.

If you need something that’ll look good in the office but won’t make your boss think you get paid too much, here you go.

Advantages

  • Endlessly cool look
  • Curved crystal is protective and unique to look at
  • Very comfortable fit 
  • A really unique watch at an accessible price

Disadvantages

  • It won’t tell you the date

Summary

It’s hard to beat the sensational quality you get with a Bulova and rare to see materials like sapphire crystal being used on a sub-$500 watch. It’s usually reserved for the luxury timepieces.

If you liked the exhibition feature of the CURV, you’ll love our article on skeleton watches, which you can read here.

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Junghans Watches

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man looking at smartwatch

Background

Junghans, originally known as “Junghans and Tobler” is a German company specialising in watches and clocks since 1861. 

They started developing wristwatches back in 1927 and were crowned the biggest clockmaker in 1903 boasting sales of 3 million watches every year.

Junghans pride themselves on their deliberately subtle classic design and do this through close attention to detail and keenness for innovation.

They don’t make smartwatches, but they certainly did make huge strides using the technology of their era.

The Collections

In comparison to the massive brands on the market, Junghans catalogue is modest and small. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular. What you’re about to read is a wonderful history lesson of a classic watchmaker that has stayed true to its roots.

Meister

The Meister appeared in the 30s as a mechanical watch. They hit a peak between the 50s and 60s. During this time they made chronometers and very quickly became known as the biggest producer on earth.

Within the Meister range, there are a lot of models to pick from. The one with the most sales is the Classic ($1,695 /  £1,380.00). Released back in the 30s with the original timepieces, this is a 38mm watch comes in stainless steel in four different colours.

The next in the range is the Mega ($1,039 / £990). This is the more evolved version of the range. This collected relies on radio movement and is therefore incredibly accurate. The Mega has an app where you can sync your iPhone or Android smartphone you can use to sync the time when there’s no radio reception.

Max Bill

The Max Bill Auto 100 Jahre Bauhaus came out in celebration of Bauhaus’ 100 year birthday. There’s a concrete-grey strap and silver dial to represent the Bauhaus Dessau building. Simplistic, but beautiful. 

There’s a bold red date window sitting at the 3 position. It has red markers for the minutes and hours. On the flip side, there’s a window that gives you access to the movements inside the watch.

You can still purchase a Bill today. The design has remained untouched. You can still purchase a timepiece with a simple dial, rounded numerals and a dome of glass atop of the face.

You can get a Bill for men or women as they come in different sizes. Either way, you’ll get clean lines and clear numerals. 

Master Pilot

$2,560 / £2,140

Back in the busy 1930s (busy for Junghans, at least), Junghans was producing clocks that sat on both airships and planes. Cut to 20 years later and they released the Bundeswehr Chronograph. This was a watch specifically designed for pilots. The most special feature being the dodecagonal bezel. Since the first Master Pilot was sold, this has been a staple feature. 

They’re somehow both sleek and rugged. They’re inspired by the vintage feel. As it was designed for a pilot, you won’t be surprised to see there are luminous hands and numbers. 

When you look at today’s version next to the 50s version, there’s really very little difference. Junghans stayed loyal to the design. The difference being today’s is slightly larger in a 43.4mm case and the leather strap comes in either brown or black.

Radio Control and Solar

Cut to 1985 and here we see Junghan producing its first-ever radio-controlled table clock. They outlandishly claimed this clock was accurate to a second in the space of a million years. Not sure if they’re still testing this claim. 

Skip forward to the 90s. A time where innovation was everything. Junghans evolved this very same technology and put it into a wristwatch. The first in line was the Mega 1, followed closely by the release of the Mega Solar. You might guess that the latter was powered purely by the sun. 

Amusingly, you can pick up an original Mega one on auction sites for less than $100. Today’s version of the Mega Solar comes in either titanium or ceramic versions with a sapphire crystal face for no less than $1,500 (around £1,285).

After the release of these two watches, Junghans has gone on to build some immense innovations. Namely, a larger radio control and solar collection. Models in this range include the Chronoscope Solar (1972). 

This was a truly special watch that became the face of timekeeping in the Olympic Games held in Germany. 

Later, they developed the Mega a final time to produce the Milano. A highly accurate radio-controlled timepiece. The Milano is a little more budget-friendly compared to the latest versions of its predecessors, at a modest $750 (£580 in the UK).

Form

Our final stop sees us looking at the Form collection. It has a distinctive convex shape which makes the watch seem thinner. The unique selling point for this range is a nice ergonomic feel that fits perfectly. 

The Form range offers simplicity and elegance. It’s minimalist design at its best. 

The most popular within this collection is the Form A. A pleasant surprise about this watch is that it’s been received really well by critics and also has a modest cost of less than $1,000. 

There’s another tribute in the Form A100 Jahre Bauhaus with a cutesy design with striking rainbow colour markings. There were only 1.000 of these timepieces released and can be found for a surprisingly low $1,000.

Which are the best alternatives to Junghans?

If you’ve enjoyed reading about Junghans but want to consider alternative brands, you’ll probably also be a fan of Certina watches. Read our review of Certainas collections here.

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