Guy’s like functionality, and a tie can’t tell the time (yes, your cell phone can, but that’s another debate). With Father’s Day fast approaching, retailers have started to launch a few deals on watches worth mentioning:
- Macys – Extra 15% off select watches with the code SUMMER
- Amazon
– free overnight shipping on select watches if you order by 3 pm Pacfic on 6/14
- Huckberry – just launched a watch deal with a brand that has quite the following (but know the shipping times will get these to your door well after Father’s Day, and it’s not truly a Dad’s Day deal.)
Quick Picks from each follow, with one bonus pick worth a real hard look at the end…
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Citizen Eco-Drive AU1040-08E – $119.00 w/ SUMMER ($175)
Balanced, clean, and no fussiness of any kind. It’s Citizen’s entry level eco-drive that can pull plenty of duty in almost any situation. 40 mm in diameter, and ships free through Macy’s. Going for $131.25 through Amazon with free overnight in case you need it soon. Macy’s shipping can be a little slow. A nice looking watch, but not a stunner. Still hoping that Citizen, one day, brings back the silver dial/blue accent version of the AT0550 Chrono
Braun Analog Black – $160 | Analog Date White – $210.00
Braun watches have a bit of a cult following. Designs inspired by longtime Braun Design Head Dieter Rams, whose 10th principle of good design is: “Good design is as little design as possible”. Cleaner than a nun’s whistle but still plenty eye catching and sharp. Being sold through Huckberry, and while not on sale, you do get free shipping as well as a $30 Huckberry credit with the purchase of the analog black, and a $40 credit if you purchase the white. Other styles are available with higher credit points. Not bad. You could always turn around and use that credit to buy your Dad some meat for Father’s Day. I’m sure he’d compliment you on your new watch when you handed him the jerky.
Bulova 96A102 – $71.86
An all time favorite. It’s extremely difficult not to like the way this Bulova reissue looks. And the price is awesome. The one drawback is the crystal is acrylic, so it’ll be awfully susceptible to scratches, but consider them extra character. Free overnight shipping through Amazon.
Bulova 96B104 – $77.66
Lots of class, not a lot of thickness on the watch strap. That’s the only drawback on this watch. While not noticeable from above, the strap is awfully thin feeling on your wrist. But that’s an easy fix. Now with the one day shipping through Amazon.
Golana Swiss Aqua Pro 100 – $74.44
Wow this thing has been killed in the reviews. So, be careful here. For what it’s worth, my Golana Aqua Pro rubber strap is doing more than just fine. The crown at 10 actually moves an interior bezel for time keeping. 200m water resistance, screw down crowns, different looking but not insane. But read the reviews and know the return policy. Free overnight shipping through amazon.
Citizen Eco Drive BV1085 – $161.25
A newer flight dial offering from Citizen. Equipped with the eco-drive powertrain, a second reading sub-dial, and a nice textured crown. 42mm so it’s not some dainty thing. Free overnight shipping through Amazon.
Timex Weekender Slip Thru Blue Band
, Black Band
, Red Band
– $25 – $32
Through Amazon, so… yeah, these qualify for the free overnight shipping. Might as well save the gas you would have burned driving to Target.
Invicta Pro Diver Automatic – $74.80 
The very poor man’s Rolex. 200m water resistance, 40 mm case, Japanese Miyota movement. After six hundred reviews (that’s… wow that’s a lot) it still gets 4 out of 5 stars. Maybe a watch to play around with bands on. Invicta is one of those brands that can make wildly obnoxious looking watches, and/or set a retail price that’s ridiculously high. But they never go for full retail. Quite the opposite. Free overnight shipping through Amazon.
The Wildcard: Maratac Mid Automatic Pilot Watch – $195.00
Not through Amazon, Macys, or Huckberry but the steal of the bunch. Not really on sale for Father’s Day, but it is in stock. The larger, 46mm version of this watch caught fire awhile back and is currently out of stock. This one is more of a mid to smaller size at 39mm. Citizen made 21-jewel automatic movement that holds 40 hrs of power when not in use. Sapphire domed crystal, comes with a watch strap, and has 20mm lugs. Zero branding on this one since they say it’s made for government/law enforcement use. 10ATM/100M water resistance. Hat tip to Dom and others who sent in a style tip about this one.
Pretty sure I was the one who first mentioned the Maratac Pilot to you guys a few months ago. Wait, yes, I was… I was then also shunned for calling the ugly quartz crap you’re recommending garbage. Whatever, entertain me this morning.
well latteyfrickindah…………..
You were shunned? I can’t imagine why.
you’re such a tool
Highly recommend the Maratac mid size pilot watch, their watch bands and the pens they sell!
The construction on the watch is top notch and you can easily change the look by swapping bands, mine currently has a Fossil “leather” nato style brown band on it, makes the look more expensive and like an old school pilot watch from the 40’s/50’s!
If you are going to get the Invicta 8926, make sure you get a “coin edged” version this way it will look like Rollie vs. a Tag – again an easy watch to customize via watch bands!
I will sing the praises of the Bulova all day. Throw it on a better strap and it easily looks like it cost 15x its price, and with the Bulova name people will often think it does. I have the two-tone rose gold version and its my go to dress watch + it looks good on NATOs for a sportier/trendier take. Quartz haters, pop it open and remove the seconds hand – you don’t need it on a dress watch.
For anyone who cares (which I doubt many do) here’s the post that carbonbased573 is referring to: http://dappered.com/2012/04/steal-the-style-dream-watches-part-iii/
He wasn’t “shunned for calling the ugly quartz crap you’re recommending garbage.” But it was pointed out that he didn’t seem to understand the point of those posts. It was an attempt to find affordable look-a-likes for Esquire’s 22 dream watches. Not the easiest thing to do, and honestly, I didn’t like the looks of most of them myself. Happens though. He also dropped a “does Macy’s own this blog?” Which was pretty lame, being that we’re doin’ our best to stay as independent as possible.
Did he suggest the Maratac on the first post? Sure. Was it the first time I had seen it? I don’t think it was. But I forgot about it until Dom recently sent in a style tip, and for that, I thank him. Plus, this one is the newer 39 mm version, which is great for those guys who don’t like wearing large watches.
Bottom line: Carbon’s comment serves as a good reminder for me personally. Most often it’s not what you say, but how you say it. You could be 100% right on, but the message will be worthless if you deliver it with the tact and grace of a dog humping a pillow. If I possessed a little more tact and grace myself, I might say that I kinda feel bad for you man, because nobody who’s actually happy with themselves would write/say something so trollish. But, I’m not quite there yet as a human, so… die in a fire asshat.
I feel like being so easily offended must be painful. You have my sympathies for your suffering.
Another reason I love this site/Joe
Do you prefer any straps other than NATOs? Thinking the Bulova might make a nice birthday present.
Take a look at the ostrich-grain leather straps from Holben’s Fine Watch Bands. They’re dressy, but more interesting than the standard croc-grain. Holben’s is a touch more expensive than some Amazon or eBay sellers but I like to give them my business because their CS is so good, their shipping is fast and free, and they offer some nice options like your choice of gold or silver hardware with their straps.
Just to bring some perspective.
There have been a lot of posts here where some people recommend that I wouldn’t wear for a bet, and other stuff I’ve loved (madras tie springs to mind most recently) that other people have vilified.
If we all had the same taste, the world would be boring as f@ck:disqus, and if we all had unlimited budget we’d be wearing Patek Phillipes (except those who will call it ugly crap).
Bottom line? Tolerance, mate.
Joe, I think there’s something wrong with the youtube link. It’s not a dog humping a pillow at all…
I already have a crocodile Hirsch strap and thats what I put on this when I wear it as a dress watch. The lug width is a standard 20mm, so you have a huge selection of straps to choose from.
“Die in a fire asshat”
-comments like this make me wish there was yearly Dappered meetup, where we could meet you and shake your hand. (And comment on everyone’s stylish, yet affordable getups)
+1 would like to meet you dappered gents
wakaflocka!
Nice selection and price point spread. My personal picks (as a dad – kids, you reading this?) would be the Braun, black dialed, or the Maratac.
And Joe, you’re a nicer guy than me.
I have an Invicta Pro Diver 8926 OB. I am a poor man and I liked the style, so it seemed like a good choice. I’ve been very happy with it! It gets complements on occasion and keeps excellent time. I’ll undoubtedly get another automatic in time, but for now this will do nicely, especially for the price.
Christopher Ward also has a Father’s Day sale going on…
They make amazing watches for the money.
Like the weekender its a snazzy watch!!!
Some nice value pics! Dig that Maratac. Very clean solid watch.
If yer looking to spend a bit more for a watch I recommend Seiko. Some the best value for yer money out there IMHO…
I nearly pulled the trigger on the black Braun watch for my 21st, but the yellow hand makes it odd-looking at a dress watch which was enough to put me off. Still a gorgeous piece though.
On the other hand, I think it’s time for me to finally pull the trigger on the Bulova.
I usually just lurk so this is my first comment. Well done Joe. That got a good laugh from me!
This comment thread is a good reminder to use the word “asshat” whenever I can.
Holy shit, man. I can’t believe the atrocities committed by this site against you. The fact that at some point in time, you claimed some publicly available information as your own, and when another site posted this information without crediting you? It’s just preposterous.
Just pulled the trigger on the Martac. Been waiting for months hoping they would have TSARs back in stock. No joy. Oh well. At least the mid has 20mm lugs so when I finally score one the NATO and Zulu straps will work for both! BTW, I saw the big ones are back in stock as well in case anyone is interested….
Love the poor man’s rolex up there (invicta pro diver). Good article
Got my dad the Timex in black, and he loved it. Thanks for putting this up!
While prices/styles vary, I just got a Bertucci (google “Bertucci watches”) and get comments on it constantly. On top of the aesthetic, its titanium, so even my 44mm A-4T is barely noticeable in terms of weight compared to my Breitling Colt.