help: Men's Watches
 

I'd like to get my BF a nice, new watch for Christmas. But I don't know mens' styles very well at all. He's a conservative guy (likes to shop at Brooks Brothers) and would definitely like a classic all metal watch over a cloth or funky plastic watchband.

which brands are good quality? I'm looking to spend between $100 and $150.

If he's a fraternity guy, you might be able to get him a nice watch with the fraternity crest on the face. Check the fraternity website for officially sanctioned merchandise.

I had one -- I think it cost $150-175. Unfortunatley it was gold on gold and it got to the point where I had trouble reading it in certain light conditions.

Now, I use a very nice and extremely accurate $19 Timex.

Fossil watches are very nice for men. I have always thought they were a very classic look for men. My brother swears by Fossil watches. You can get them pretty much at any department store but the two department stores that carry them which I can think of off the top of my head are Belk's and Dillard's.

There are some very nice, inexpensive Citizen Brand watches out there. I work in a jewelry store, so I'm very familiar with their line...and I love it!

Citizen has a FIVE year warranty (covers the inner workings of the watch only). They have a NEW line called Eco-Drive, which is actually a light-powered watch. I especially like this line because you then never have to open the back and risk it to water damage (because there is no battery) ;)

I also sell Seiko's in my store, however they are a little more expensive - 3 year warranty.

I do not like Fossil. They are a PAIN IN THE BUTT when it comes time to change the battery - you will find that almost ALL jewelry stores refuse to service them. Why? Because you can't get the back back on (after changing the battery) and end up breaking the crystal.

Ditto, ditto, ditto on the Fossil watches! I'm so glad to hear another jeweler say this. Fossil watches may have a nice look to them, but you are pretty much SOL if they break. You can get a nice Citizen, or if you're going for a plain, simple look, you can prob. get a Seiko for around that price.

I think the Delt watch I mentioned above is a Citizen. The other thing is that whoever sells the watches gives a small percentage to the fraternity.

Hmmmm, I didn't think Citizen did those. I could see Seiko, but I'm not 100% sure on that either.

Another thing....Pulsar is a sister company of Seiko (same warranty) so they're really inexpensive!

You can find great deals for watches on Ebay. They're one of those items that have a HUGE markup so don't be too disturbed by the low prices you'll find on ebay.

Swiss Army watches are awesome. They come in styles for men & women and I think they're simple and stylish.

The only problem with that, is that you never know what you're REALLY getting. As stupid as it sounds, there are knock-off citizens and seikos wandering around out there...and if you buy something off ebay, you're not garaunteed to get a warranty or an authentic.

I bought a fossil for mine about 6 years ago and it has been a great watch. I have never had a porblem getting the battery switched on it. No one has ever told me no. I also got my brother one 2 years ago and his is great also. I think they look very nice!

i got my fossil at a Marshall Fields Store and i have never had a problem with it! They can usually change the battery at the place you buy it from :)

I know this thread doesn't talk about lady's watches, but another one to watch for is Anne Klein....even places you buy these watches from will not change the batteries. Gucci is another bad watch for future service.

Movados are a great watch...but you cannot change a battery in the store. They make us send them to the factory - and the battery costs $75! Just a little FYI ;)

I asked this very question last May when my son graduated.
I shopped all over the place, looked at every single watch in this town. All the above mentioned brands and then some of the investment watches as well. I let my son make his choice and
at first he liked the Kenneth Cole watches, Citizens were very nice too. It was the Swiss Army that he chose. It is a very handsome watch.

If you can find a deal on a Tag Heurer watch, i'd recommend that. They're pretty sleek and in style for our demographic.

I bought my ex a Seiko for his B'day last year and he seemed to really like it.

Could have been an after market product that uses Citizen as a platform.

Check this out:

http://www.greekwatch.com/fratwatch.html

Half of the profit goes to his fraternity.

The one I have (but don't wear much anymoe) is the gold on gold one with the gold band.

Says it's a Citizen.

Swiss Army watches in my experience have kind of been crappy. We used to get a disproportionate number of defective ones back at my old job where we sold the things. I also bought one on duty free once which only lasted 2 years before going kaput.

I used to work in a jewelry store and never had a problem with changing the batteries in Fossil watches. Hmmm maybe I just have a knack for it. hehe come to me if you want your Fossil battery changed. :D

The jewelry store gave me a five year warranty. Hope it doesn't need anything after that because they don't come cheap!

CC1GC-Taug Heuer! Yes indeedee, my son really liked that one! However, I suggested that brand would be more like college graduation. Wow are they pricey! ...but really great looking!

I have to disagree on this... My father gave me his '78 swiss army watch in '99 and I have had it cleaned once, I change the battery myself, and I have NEVER had a problem with it. Now, I might be in the minority, but I love it. I have a Tag also, but I will tell you, I would rather have the Siss Army one if I had to choose, and the Tag was DAMN expensive. You won't find a hard-band Tag for under $500-600 anyhow. I would recommend spending $200-250 rather than $100-150 if you can. It makes a world of difference. ALso, if he is a little more preppy, and doesn't want the "outdoorsy" look of the Swiss Army watch, they have a more dressy "gentlman's" style named "Wenger". It is a Swiss Army watch that is a targeted towards dressier outfits like suits, etc. Has the same symbol, but says Wenger. Nice watches...

Another vote for Swiss Army. I have one--I love it. However, I don't wear it because the strap broke and I can't find a retailer in my hick town! When I come back to the city after Christmas, I'll bring it back. I've only had to have the battery replaced once in 6 years.

Currently, I wear a Citizen--I have had it since my freshman year in college. I think it's wonderful as well.

It might sound totally 80s and corny, but Swatch also has some pretty decent watches that aren't the plastic kind.

I also second the "spending more" thing. Would you rather give him a watch that lasted forever, or just a few years? If he's conservative, he's probably more into the classic looks, and classic dependability that those three brands have.

hmm... I do want to get him a quality piece but I don't have the cash to really blow it all on a watch. I found this one that looks pretty nice to me... made by Kenneth Cole. What do you guys think?

http://slimages.macys.com/products/1...=10.0&cvt=jpeg