Five Watches for $150 or under

From the Mailbag:  Watch picks for under $150.00

First, thanks to Rob for the kind words.  It’s flattering and honestly still sort of odd to hear that level of praise. Glad we could be of assistance.  And second, thanks to him for the reality check.  It’s been awhile since a watch in Rob’s price range has been featured.  Some guys like to spend a little more on shoes.  Others (cough: me) like to spend a little more on watches.  Looks like my personal preference has caused the starting price on our featured timepieces to bloat.

But not this time.  The max price has been ratcheted back down to a highly affordable $150.  Here’s five watches in different categories that won’t cost a dime more than the top end of Rob’s timepiece budget:
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The Leather Strap Sport Watch:  Pulsar PF8305 Chronograph – $131.25

Pulsar is the step-down brand of Seiko but there’s nothing second rate about the quality.  One of my first “nicer” watches was a Pulsar.  And I still have it.  I’d still be wearing it too but after a few beers one evening I tried to put a new grosgrain strap on it.  I was using nothing but a tweezers and what I thought was a steady hand… and I promptly lost the spring bars.  It’s been sitting on a desk ever since awaiting a new strap.  Anyway, they’re almost indestructible and the combination of the black case, off white accents, and red second hand and band stitching is incredible.  A steal at $130.
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The Fabric Strap Sport Watch:  Tommy Hilfiger Nylon Multi Strap Watch – $115.00

The striped fabric strap watch came out of nowhere this summer and there’s no reason why you can’t wear it straight on through the colder months.  Especially if the stripes are a more muted gray and black like they are on this one from Hilifger.  Nice big numbers on the dial, perfect color scheme, and is it fair to assume that it comes with not one but two straps?  Being that two are featured on the product page?  Maybe?
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The Brown Leather Casual Watch:  Nautica N14582G – $98.82

You’ll be wearing a brown belt more often than not on your down time.  And thus, you’ll want a brown leather strap watch.  Usually it’s a good idea to stay away from brown watches that match the face and band because it blends in too much.  But thanks to the silver textured sub dials on this Nautica, that parade of brown is broken up.  Extra points for the coin edge rotating bezel and stand out crown.  You could easily wear this with a suit.
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The Black Leather Strap Dress Watch: Bulova Silver Dial 96B120 – $149.25

Speaking of suits, when you’re wearing one (or God forbid a Tux) your watch can act like a pocket square.  You’ll be draped in dark cloth, so a simple white or silver dial will stand out in all the right ways.  This one from Bulova is clean, sharp, and the right case size for dressed up events at a mid size 40mm.
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The Stainless Steel Watch – Wenger Battalion II Diver – $142.50

There are some hideous, absolutely hideous stainless steel band watches out there.  And it seems like the lower in price you go, the more gaudy they get.  Not the case with this one from Wenger.  It’s simple, with good size links, a Swiss quartz movement, and it’s from a dependable mid-price brand.  Usually these run about $200.  On sale for under $150.

Any other suggestions for Rob?  Leave them in the comments section below…
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