I am a law enforcement officer, so I can be hard on watches.  I chose this watch when it first came out and purchased it at Sunglass Hut for over $150.  This was over 8 years ago.  The band finally broke and I was delighted to see that I could still purchase the same watch at a more than great price.  By the way the watch I bought originally still works great and I will be saving it for spare parts in the rare instance that I should need one.  The first reason I chose this watch is its durability.  The second reason is the watch looks great with the metal band so I can wear it with any outfit for any occasion.  I also love the atomic clock feature so I know I am getting the most precise time.  The solar feature is great (I have never had to replace a battery)...however in the winter, if you live in an area that the sun doesn't come out often, or if you work nights, you will need to take off the watch and charge it in a window sill or under a fluorescent light.  This is a minor inconvenience to pay for such a great watch.