“When Black Friday comes, I’m gonna stake my claim.” Millions of Americans are already busy following Steely Dan’s advice. Watch enthusiasts are flocking to Amazon – where deals aren’t always what they seem. After making sure the price on offer is “special,” I’ve chosen three tasty timepieces for your horological delectation. Note: TTAW does not receive compensation for our recommendations (no affiliate links).
Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Weekender Garrison Field Watch in Super Titanium – $375 $240
“Rekindle the past with this vintage-inspired men’s watch,” Citizen’s website entices (where the watch costs $255).
Rekindle 1970 maybe, when the Japanese watchmaker launched the the world’s first titanium watch (the failed X-8 Chronometer). Or 1976, when Citizen introduced Eco-Drive in the world’s first light-powered analogue quartz watch. Or 1996, when Sylvester Stallone’s Daylight made it OK to wear a 42mm (and larger) watch.
OK, sure, the Garrison looks vintage-y, what with those big fat luminous sword hands and 1940’s typography. Regardless, it’s a hugely legible and incredibly accurate watch that weighs next-to-nothing, doesn’t mind water (100m), doesn’t need a battery change and sits on a leather band that’s built Ford tough. All for $260. Get it while it’s hot.
CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series U Blue Planet – $1,299.00 $879.20
Speaking of legibility, this 2021 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève Challenge Watch Prize Winner is a bit challenging in time-at-a-glance terms. As the inner globe spins, the U Blue’s compass (top left) points to the rotating outer ring (hour) and inner ring minute (10:10 above). Oh WTH, here’s the video.
Amazon’s price for the U Blue is significantly cheaper than cigadesign.com’s Black Friday deal. It’s $879.20 vs. $1,118.40, factoring the CIGA’s 20 percent Vendredi noir discount.
The money buys you a beast of a titanium case (46mm), a one-year warranty, splash resistance and a Fluoro-rubber strap – which doesn’t give your wrist fluoride protection but does repel dust. (Not asteroids. Dust.) Just so you know, this watch “awaken people’s awareness of protecting the earth’s environment.” How they vote after that is a different question.
Swatch New Gent Red, Blue and White, by Piet Mondrian – $105.00 $80.03
“Our Swatch X Centre Pompidou watches reimagine modern art as timepieces,” swatch.com informs – leaving me wondering when I can put Edvard Munch’s The Scream on my wrist. Meanwhile, Mondrian’s Composition in Red, Blue and White II inspired this plastic fantastic wristwear.
I’ve chosen this timepiece because a) I identify as a minimalist and b) most men are monochromatic (regardless how they identify). The R B & W Swatch puts a 41mm multicolor pop on your wrist, adding pizzazz to your ensemble without clashing. (Queer watch for the straight guy? As if!)
Swatch sells the Red, Blue and White at full retail, so Amazon’s twenty dollar savings is real. Whereas I could argue – have argued – that the Swatch X OMEGA MoonSwatch isn’t. Just remember that all Swatches are loud AF. Tell it to sleep on the couch.