Under $100

Timex Expedition Scout 40mm

Timex Expedition Scout Review: Go On An Adventure!

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Since 2013 I’ve reviewed almost every line Timex has released, but absent from the list has been the Expedition Scout. Finally, in a Black Friday inspired impulse buy, I decided to change that.

The Expedition Scout comes in many flavors, all of which are a variation of field watch theme. Military-inspired styling is evident as well, but especially so in some of the darker color schemes. The blue dial and tan leather combination I have here offers a taste without going whole-hog on the austere often associated with military style.

Timex Command Shock Digital Watch

Wearing the Timex Command Shock

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Timex is one of my favorite watch brands and it’s with that context that I write this review of the Command, a 54mm wrist-dominating plastic and camo digital watch from the American king of digital watches.

Long guarding its pervasive position as the “tough watch” segment leader, Casio now finds itself directly in the crosshairs of Timex. The Command is Timex’s answer to the G-Shock, and there’s no mistaking that Timex clearly has the G-Shock in its sights.

Invicta Specialty Mechanical

Invicta Specialty Mechanical Hands-On Review

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Invicta’s reputation is as polarizing as it gets in the watch world. I make a point of not being interested in popular opinion when assessing a brand as I’d rather see their watches hands-on and form my own opinion. It was in that spirit that I plopped down $80 to purchase this specialty and give it a fair shake

Given its low price, many will find the Specialty attractive, and there’s no denying that the Skeleton dial is atypical compared to the usual $80 watch. After several mixed experiences with similar watches from other brands, I was genuinely curious to see how the ultra-affordable Specialty would be.

Casio G-Shock DW-5600E

Casio G-Shock DW-5600E-1V

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The 5600E is the definition of what I wanted to find when I started WYCA. It’s a great value, with excellent water resistance, enduring battery life, unparalleled visibility, and rugged build quality. It also managed to remain aesthetically relevant more than 22 years after its introduction. These types of qualities are what I appreciate most in a watch. Let’s check it out.

Casio MDV106-1AV Affordable Dive Watch

Casio MDV106-1AV Hands-On Review

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The MDV106-1AV is handsome for a diver, and it’s absolutely as capable as its deep-water aesthetic suggests. I had to do a double-take on it, actually, as I’d have no idea this wasn’t a $200+ watch if I hadn’t bought it myself on Amazon and paid $45 for it. With that in mind, let’s make some waves with the Casio’s most affordable and ubiquitous diver.

Swatch Originals "Swiss Around the Clock" SUOR106

Swatch Originals “Swiss Around the Clock”

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The Around the Clock – newly released in 2017 – takes a similar approach to its appearance the Irony, displaying its quartz movement visible through its open heart dial. Not quite a skeleton, but satisfying nonetheless.

It’s somewhat rare for quartz-powered watches to show off the movement, and that’s a shame: a quartz might have fewer gears to look at, but they’re still interesting in their own right. Clearly, the Around the Clock agrees with my sentiment

It’s true, though: you either love it or you hate it. More than one person that I asked about the AtC found its intensity off-putting, but just as many thought it was awesome. I suspect by now that you already know which camp you’re a part of.

Timex Easy Reader 40th Anniversary Edition

Timex Easy Reader 40th Anniversary Edition Review

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The Easy Reader series from Timex is quite popular. According to SEMRush, the keyword “Timex easy reader” is searched nearly 2,000 times per month in the USA on its own– nevermind all the permutations of it. When considering Canada and the UK, as well as variations of “Timex Easy Reader”, monthly search volume climbs to north of 12,000 searches per month. Suffice to say, it’s a popular piece.

Why it took me so long to order one off of Amazon (this one is a gift for my father in law) I don’t know, but here we are: Timex Easy Reader on the wrist, and with great things to say. Let’s check it out.

Mileneal Classic Watch Review

Mileneal Classic Hands-On Watch Review

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Ahh, that new watch smell- gotta love it! Here on my desk is the Mileneal Classic Rose Gold White, which is – you guessed it – a classically-designed watch in rose gold and white. Smartly dressed, affordably priced, and available for pre-order now on Kickstarter, you may be asking yourself: is this micro worth my money? Is it it a smart buy? Why should I buy it? All good questions, and ones I hope to answer in this hands-on review.

Oath Black Tie

Oath Black Tie Review

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In a price point dominated by the Weekender, Seiko 5, and other affordable heavyweights, it’s easy to overlook the microbrands out there offering something different for the same money. You’d be forgiven for doing so, but the omission can be a real shame. Take this Oath, for example: currently on sale for $50 (shipping included, $110 regular), it’s an ultra-affordable quartz that’s definitely worth your eye.

In true WYCA fashion, I warmed up the Tamron macro and got to shooting. Let’s check it out.

Shark Tawny Sport Watch Dial

Shark Tawny Review

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The Shark Tawny is big, loud, and looks like it just came off the set of a cyberpunk movie. Anyone who considers themselves a watch person isn’t going to like the Tawny, but people looking for a stylized fashion watch will find that there’s a lot in its design to like. Found for well under its $89 MSRP, the Tawny is a bold watch from a growing microbrand.

Castle Watch Co. Corbel Standard Issue

Castle Corbel Standard Issue Review

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Castle Watch Co. is a small growing brand with a lot of potential. They’ve done some nice things with the Corbel; from a reliable quartz movement and unique details on the case. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to start or build his or her collection with this understated, affordable piece.

Timex Weekender Fairfield 01

Timex Weekender Fairfield Review

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Timex’s all-new Fairfield is a good addition to the Weekender line, though it’s considerably more expensive than other versions of the Weekender. If you live in the USA, where you can easily find the Fairfield for under $60, it’s a good buy. If you live in Canada, where it’s $95 and up, you have to really like the Fairfield for the value proposition to make sense- as a Canadian, I don’t know if I think it does.