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Affordable Men's Style

Would you wear it? The Blackout Hilfiger Automatic

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Tommy Hilfiger Automatic Ion Plated Leather Strap Watch – $165.00

Available through Nordstrom, so it ships and returns free from there.

As the kids would say, “Murdered Out” and it’s an affordable automatic.  Hilfiger makes mainly quartz watches, but they do make a few with automatic movements.  All of those usually have a cutout window on the dial that screams “hey look!  it IS an automatic!”  Kinda bothersome for some, but on this model it blends in thanks to the all black scheme.

Make no mistake.  Despite being made by Movado (like the BOSS watches over here) Hilfiger watches, by in large, feel far from bullet proof once you get them in your hands.  A few quartz models are even embarrassingly flimsy feeling.

Water resistance is only 30 meters.  The case is described to be a perfect for many, in-between 42mm, but it does have that big honkin’ crown.  Nice stripe of blue on the crown though.

So would you wear it?  Too expensive/trendy/etc?  Or would you consider it an interesting addition to a small but already established watch collection?  Leave your take below…

Comments

  11. Heck no. I learned my lesson with “cheap-feeling” fashion automatics after a pair of Kenneth Cole’s. The movement in each was garbage – one simply stopped working within a few months, the other developed slop in the hands. By contrast, I have a 5+ year old Seiko 5 that runs like a champ. That movement is excellent in this lower price range.

    Beyond that, I’m not a fan of blackout watches. It’s too great a compromise on function. They all seem to be trying too hard.

  12. I don’t think I would spend that much money on this, but if I received it as a gift, I’d definitely work it into the rotation.

  13. An interesting watch. I like the blue accent line. An automatic made by Movado for less than $200? You can barely see the “Tommy Hilfilger” and the decal due to the all black color scheme (thats a good thing). This one might be worth picking up.

  14. Not a chance. The only thing appealing to me about this watch is the blue stripe on the crown (which is as bulbous as [insert phallic humor here]). Just seems a little forced to me.

  15. Am I being unfair when I refuse to give any Hilfiger product a chance?  All I ever think about are those loud wind breaker suits with the massive red, white, and blue Hilfiger logos on them.  That was a long time ago, sure, but the brand lost any credibility.  To me it’s just too JC Penny.  

  16. 10 years ago.  But now I’m in a weird place where I’m not young, but I’m not old.  It’s a delicate balance.

  19. Don’t be impressed by the made by Movado thing. Fossil, Swatch Group, etc. also do contract manufacturing for fashion companies that cover a wide range of price points.

    Unlike the Movado-branded watches (and Coach, ESQ), the Boss and Hilfiger watches don’t have the ‘SWISS’ label anywhere on the face (Swiss Made/Swiss Movement/Swiss Watch).You’re likely looking at a chinese movement and a watch that was assembled in China.  

    The ONLY automatic watches under $200 I could ever recommend are Seiko/Orient

  21. I added another watch to my collection relatively recently and had to decide between a black IP version and a standard steel version. Eventually I picked steel. I actually like blackout watches, but they’re so trendy at the moment that it’s hard to imagine that they won’t look pretty dated a few years down the road. 

    Plus I’m not a big fan of open-heart mechanicals. An exhibition caseback is nice for personal enjoyment of the movement, but the open heart just seems like it’s trying to call attention to itself. Overall the design on this watch just doesn’t do much for me.

  22. Never thought I’d say this about anything made by Tommy Hilfiger, but I would definitely wear that watch.  But I’m in the 1% of Dappered readers who actually likes black and monochromatic styles.

  23. I would wear it but I would not buy it. I would prefer something with contrasting hands and numbers. Also, the crown is HUGE

  24. I would wear this.  I don’t have a blackout watch yet, but may be picking this one up.

  27. Doesn’t look so bad. I guess I’d wear it once in awhile. Would have to see how it looks on my wrist first. 

  28. Nope, that’s not unfair at all.  Hilfiger knows they had veered off course awhile back and they only recently relaunched/refreshed/righted the ship in the last few years.  The New York Times had an interesting article on it: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/fashion/16TOMMY.html

    I personally think, overall, they’re getting there and have some solid stuff now, but they still have some ways to go.  Especially with their website.  That thing is pretty clunky.

  29. Just a tad bit on the pricey end to be a “special occasion” all-black attire watch. I really dont know what I would wear it with either… Its definitely cool looking, but better stick to the cars when it comes to all black

  32. Wouldn’t. Price set aside I just don’t like the lack of contrast. I love black on black but through in something more than the hint of blue.

  34. That Timex looks like a blacked out Braun watch, much better than the Tommy but I’ll still pass on the mono look.

  35. “Water resistance is only 30 meters.” Unless you’re scuba diving (or a world class free diver) why would you need a watch that was waterproof beyond ~100 feet? More importantly, if you find yourself that deep and you aren’t doing either of these activities, you are most likely dead.

  38. I definitely would wear it. It’s there and grant scream for attention, but is nice enough to earn a earn a second look.
    Wear it yes. Buy it no

  40. Sweet, was never really a fan of Hilfiger watches as in the past they tend to be a bit showy but this is just nice!!!