From time to time I get an urge to buy a watch, I was going through the phase and decided to get one. This is the first time I am buying any watch below the $100 mark, my current favourite is a Tissot PRS 516 Automatic which I had bought a decade ago for $500. I had no intention of spending that kind of money on a watch now. My criteria for a watch and challenge to myself was to buy a watch for under $50.

The inspiration came from an interview of Steven Spielberg who admitted that his favourite watch was a Casio and that he could afford to buy one every month to replace the one on the wrist. If Steven Spielberg could do it why can't I do it too. I thought to myself that I must have been  a stupid fool having owned an Omega Speedmaster in the past (which I eventually sold). If I could buy a watch under $50 I could very well replace it every few months and the cycle could repeat itself. It would be fun buying a watch every now and then and not worry about the pocket, breaking it or loosing it.

Here is what I was looking for:

Under $50.
A quartz for accuracy.
Had to have the traditional hands and not be just a digital readout..
It had to be a black dial (I like them and they are easy to read at a quick glance).
Must be elegant to look at and not be gaudy like the G-Shocks.
Have a unique feature that sets it apart from run of the mill watches.
Must be water resistant to at least 50 meters.
Had a light switch for in middle of the night viewing
A multi-purpose watch (casual/dress) which one can wear with jeans or a suit depending on the occasion. That meant a bracelet instead of the typical resin strap which I certainly do not like.

This watch fit the bill not just perfectly based on all the above requirements but was one step ahead in some aspects. I you have the same criteria for a watch that I had, you could very well consider it and not waste time looking around. I am very happy with my purchase.

Above is not just my initial impression but my final impression as well. I am not one of those who like to discuss about durability of a watch when it actually cost under $35, I could say that for a Tissot and rightly so as it is still serving me after a decade but not for this one. If it lasts me even a few months (which I am pretty sure it will) it would be worth every penny I spent on it, and I would be back looking for another one similar to this.