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Posted inReview

Casio W-219h Review: a great, cheap, G-Shock Alternative for 2024

Posted by By Dave April 6, 2024
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Posted inRanking

Watches with the Best Lume: Full Rankings

Posted by By Dave March 31, 2024
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Casio W-219h Review: a great, cheap, G-Shock Alternative for 2024

Casio W-219h Review: a great, cheap, G-Shock Alternative for 2024

Posted by By Dave April 6, 2024
In recent years Casio has started pumping out cheap digital watches that, at least in terms of style, share a lot of DNA with their G-Shock premium digital watches. One…
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Watches with the Best Lume: Full Rankings

Watches with the Best Lume: Full Rankings

Posted by By Dave March 31, 2024
Just the Watch Lume Rankings I love lume. So much so that a few years ago I developed a rating system to compare the brightness of lume across the watches…
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Casio AEQ-110: Almost a great beater watch

Casio AEQ-110: Almost a great beater watch

Posted by By Dave March 29, 2024
A tough, great looking ana-digi model from Casio that looks like a real bargain at $30, but the lack of an active light makes this a questionable buy. Read on…
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The Best Affordable Automatic Chronograph of 2024

The Best Affordable Automatic Chronograph of 2024

Posted by By Dave March 14, 2024
Founded in Korea in 2021, Pitzmann is a new microbrand that's been catching attention with excellently crafted watches that combine both western and eastern influences. Today we'll be looking at…
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The Best $30 G-Shock Alternative is still a Casio

The Best $30 G-Shock Alternative is still a Casio

Posted by By Dave March 2, 2024
Sometimes I'm not sure what the guys over at Casio are thinking. While every other brand has been increasing prices, Casio seems to be doing the opposite by creating ultra-affordable…
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The Best Affordable Black Bay Alternative of 2024

The Best Affordable Black Bay Alternative of 2024

Posted by By Dave March 2, 2024
In this video we see what Swedish Micro brand Tuseno is capable of with their new flagship dive watch, the Shellback version 2. With a silhouette that is reminiscent of…
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This New Seiko 5 GMT is the Best Affordable Rolex Explorer 2 Polar Dial Alternative

This New Seiko 5 GMT is the Best Affordable Rolex Explorer 2 Polar Dial Alternative

Posted by By Dave March 1, 2024
Seiko SBSC009 Review The Rolex Explorer II, particularly the white dial "polar" dial variants have always been a grail of mine. But since it's way outside my price range I've…
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The Best Watch Available Today Costs Just $20

The Best Watch Available Today Costs Just $20

Posted by By Dave March 1, 2024
Today we're checking out a watch that I think is a genuine contender for the title “Best Watch of All Time,” in the Casio AE1200WH. We’ll be putting this claim…
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Seiko SBDC159 – An affordable Rolex Explorer Alternative

Seiko SBDC159 – An affordable Rolex Explorer Alternative

Posted by By Dave March 1, 2024
As an avid watch enthusiast residing in Japan, I have encountered numerous timepieces that have captured my attention. Among them, the Rolex Explorer stands tall as one of my favorites.…
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Anson Belt & Buckle: Step up your belt game — get 2 bonus pieces FREE with the Box Set at http://ansonbelt.com/jtwmycollection I'm coming clean in 2026 Every year I do a State of the Collection video, but this year I decided to change things up. Instead of showing only the watches that fit neatly into my collection boxes, I'm going through **every watch I currently own, actually plan to keep, and personally wear**. After nearly nine years of running Just the Watch, that's a LOT of watches. In this video, I go all the way back to the watches that started my collection and work forward through nearly a decade of watch collecting, YouTube reviews, microbrands, Seikos, Casios, affordable automatics, field watches, dive watches, GMTs, chronographs, and plenty of weird and inexpensive watches. Some of these watches have been with me since the beginning of the channel, some became unexpectedly important to me, and others are watches I never expected to keep. Among the watches featured in this 2026 State of the Collection: **CASIO** * Casio AQ-163 * Casio W217H * Casio AE1200 / Casio Royale * Casio DW-6900 * Casio GW-BX5600 * Casio WV-200R * Casio AE-1600WH * Casio F-91W **SEIKO** * Seiko Nighthawk / Citizen Nighthawk * Seiko 5 SNX-S79 * Seiko Samurai * Seiko Alpinist * Seiko SARX029 * Seiko Flight Master * Seiko 5 Sports SRPE57 **OTHER WATCHES** * Nixon Baja * Timex Weekender * William Gregor 1791 * Guanqin Automatic * Bulova Lunar Pilot * Spinnaker Fleuss * Laco Casablanca * Orient Star Sports Outdoors * Hemel HFT20 * Solas Starlight * Orient RA-AC0K * RZE Endeavor * Vostok Komandirskie * Vostok dress watch * Squale x What A Watch collaboration * Hamilton Khaki Pilot Day Date * Rotary Cambridge * Tuseno Windseeker * Vario 1918 Pilot * Gavox Avidiver 2 * Pitzman 3 Automatic Chronograph * Nodus Sector Pilot Limited Edition * Erebus Ascent * Ginault Silent Service * Timex Expedition North Solar * Timex Marlin * Wise Adamascus ADX Automatic GMT * Spinnaker 50 Phantoms * Laco Type B Flieger * Zelos Skyraider 40 * Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical * Bulova A15 * Qimei Type II homage * Steel Dive SD-1944 * Rotate North Tempest * Direnzo DRZ02 * Direnzo DR04R * Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to Mercury * Erebus Titan * Vario Futurist * Invicta Pro Diver * Venezianico Nereide Grand Tour GMT * Custom Namoki Mod * Nezumi Voiture I also talk about how running a watch review channel has changed the way I collect watches, why so many watches have ended up staying in my collection, my favorite Seikos and Casios, my obsession with 12-hour bezels, and why my dream of having a small 12-watch collection has become increasingly difficult to achieve. After nearly nine years of collecting and reviewing watches, I'm somewhere around **56–58 watches** that I consider part of my personal collection. What do you think? How big is your collection, and what does your ideal watch collection look like? Thanks for watching! **CHAPTERS** 00:00 I've been lying 00:50 2015 - It Starts 01:14 2017 - First YouTube Review 02:00 2018 - First Real Watch 04:43 2019 - Viral Watch 06:31 2020 - First Seiko Diver 07:10 2021 - First Orient Diver 07:38 CASIO TAKEOVER 10:30 2021 - Vostok and Seiko 11:49 2022 - My Favorite watch 13:22 2023 - Got my Grail 14:05 2024 - Year of the Micros 18:00 2025 - Great gifts 22:37 2026 - Latest Pickups 24:30 Figuring out my collection #WatchCollection #StateOfTheCollection #WatchCollection2026 #AffordableWatches #Casio #Seiko #MicrobrandWatches #WatchReview
I've been lying about my collection...
Welcome to the September edition of **Microbrand Monthly!** This month, Dave is joined by Shane from Relative Time and Bob from Time to Go Travel and Time Pieces to take a look at five exciting watches from independent and microbrand watch companies. We've got everything from a **forged carbon GMT** and a high-accuracy quartz watch to an **aventurine dial**, a Swiss-made sports watch, and a new **Day-Date watch from Jack Mason**. ### ⌚ Watches Featured **Nodus x Raven Trail Tracker Carbon GMT** A collaboration between Nodus and Raven Watches, this new version of the Trail Tracker combines a **9075 true GMT movement**, forged carbon dial and bezel, 200 meters of water resistance, DLC-coated case, and a unique marbled appearance. At 39.5mm and just 11.8mm thick, it's an especially interesting option for anyone looking for a compact, adventure-ready GMT watch. **SWC Salto** Bob takes a look at the SWC Salto, a Swiss-movement sports watch featuring a striking blue dial, sapphire crystal, 100 meters of water resistance, hardened case treatment, and an **ETA 2824 automatic movement**. At $775, it's an interesting option in the affordable Swiss watch market. **Erebus Ascent High Accuracy Quartz** The Erebus Ascent gets a new high-accuracy quartz version powered by the **Swiss-made ETA F06.412**. Rated to an incredible **±10 seconds per year**, this is a very different proposition from a typical quartz or mechanical watch. We look at what high-accuracy quartz actually means, how it compares with standard quartz and automatic movements, and what it's like to wear. **Forward Watch Co. Stars of Night Aventurine** This young Texas microbrand brings us a beautiful **aventurine dial watch** with a 38mm case, unusual hollowed-out case and lugs, ostrich leather strap, sapphire crystal, and Miyota movement. At $550, it's an especially interesting combination of materials and design. **Jack Mason Canton Day-Date** The new Jack Mason Canton Day-Date takes the original Ken and makes it bigger and bolder, adding a **CNC-machined guilloché dial**, Day-Date complication, and Swiss-made **Sellita SW240-1** movement. With its 41mm case and distinctive chocolate dial, it's Jack Mason's take on the classic Day-Date formula. Which of these watches would you choose? Let us know in the comments! ### ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:00 Notice x Raven Trail Tracker Carbon GMT 03:40 SWC Salto 05:52 Erebus Ascent High Accuracy Quartz 9:10 Forward Watch Co. Stars of Night Aventurine 11:11 Jack Mason Canton Day-Date #MicrobrandMonthly #MicrobrandWatches #WatchReview #AffordableWatches #GMTWatch #QuartzWatch #AutomaticWatch #Microbrand #WatchCollector #WatchCommunity
5 Microbrand Watches You NEED to See This Month
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Latest Videos

Anson Belt & Buckle: Step up your belt game — get 2 bonus pieces FREE with the Box Set at http://ansonbelt.com/jtwmycollection I'm coming clean in 2026 Every year I do a State of the Collection video, but this year I decided to change things up. Instead of showing only the watches that fit neatly into my collection boxes, I'm going through **every watch I currently own, actually plan to keep, and personally wear**. After nearly nine years of running Just the Watch, that's a LOT of watches. In this video, I go all the way back to the watches that started my collection and work forward through nearly a decade of watch collecting, YouTube reviews, microbrands, Seikos, Casios, affordable automatics, field watches, dive watches, GMTs, chronographs, and plenty of weird and inexpensive watches. Some of these watches have been with me since the beginning of the channel, some became unexpectedly important to me, and others are watches I never expected to keep. Among the watches featured in this 2026 State of the Collection: **CASIO** * Casio AQ-163 * Casio W217H * Casio AE1200 / Casio Royale * Casio DW-6900 * Casio GW-BX5600 * Casio WV-200R * Casio AE-1600WH * Casio F-91W **SEIKO** * Seiko Nighthawk / Citizen Nighthawk * Seiko 5 SNX-S79 * Seiko Samurai * Seiko Alpinist * Seiko SARX029 * Seiko Flight Master * Seiko 5 Sports SRPE57 **OTHER WATCHES** * Nixon Baja * Timex Weekender * William Gregor 1791 * Guanqin Automatic * Bulova Lunar Pilot * Spinnaker Fleuss * Laco Casablanca * Orient Star Sports Outdoors * Hemel HFT20 * Solas Starlight * Orient RA-AC0K * RZE Endeavor * Vostok Komandirskie * Vostok dress watch * Squale x What A Watch collaboration * Hamilton Khaki Pilot Day Date * Rotary Cambridge * Tuseno Windseeker * Vario 1918 Pilot * Gavox Avidiver 2 * Pitzman 3 Automatic Chronograph * Nodus Sector Pilot Limited Edition * Erebus Ascent * Ginault Silent Service * Timex Expedition North Solar * Timex Marlin * Wise Adamascus ADX Automatic GMT * Spinnaker 50 Phantoms * Laco Type B Flieger * Zelos Skyraider 40 * Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical * Bulova A15 * Qimei Type II homage * Steel Dive SD-1944 * Rotate North Tempest * Direnzo DRZ02 * Direnzo DR04R * Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to Mercury * Erebus Titan * Vario Futurist * Invicta Pro Diver * Venezianico Nereide Grand Tour GMT * Custom Namoki Mod * Nezumi Voiture I also talk about how running a watch review channel has changed the way I collect watches, why so many watches have ended up staying in my collection, my favorite Seikos and Casios, my obsession with 12-hour bezels, and why my dream of having a small 12-watch collection has become increasingly difficult to achieve. After nearly nine years of collecting and reviewing watches, I'm somewhere around **56–58 watches** that I consider part of my personal collection. What do you think? How big is your collection, and what does your ideal watch collection look like? Thanks for watching! **CHAPTERS** 00:00 I've been lying 00:50 2015 - It Starts 01:14 2017 - First YouTube Review 02:00 2018 - First Real Watch 04:43 2019 - Viral Watch 06:31 2020 - First Seiko Diver 07:10 2021 - First Orient Diver 07:38 CASIO TAKEOVER 10:30 2021 - Vostok and Seiko 11:49 2022 - My Favorite watch 13:22 2023 - Got my Grail 14:05 2024 - Year of the Micros 18:00 2025 - Great gifts 22:37 2026 - Latest Pickups 24:30 Figuring out my collection #WatchCollection #StateOfTheCollection #WatchCollection2026 #AffordableWatches #Casio #Seiko #MicrobrandWatches #WatchReview
I've been lying about my collection...
Welcome to the September edition of **Microbrand Monthly!** This month, Dave is joined by Shane from Relative Time and Bob from Time to Go Travel and Time Pieces to take a look at five exciting watches from independent and microbrand watch companies. We've got everything from a **forged carbon GMT** and a high-accuracy quartz watch to an **aventurine dial**, a Swiss-made sports watch, and a new **Day-Date watch from Jack Mason**. ### ⌚ Watches Featured **Nodus x Raven Trail Tracker Carbon GMT** A collaboration between Nodus and Raven Watches, this new version of the Trail Tracker combines a **9075 true GMT movement**, forged carbon dial and bezel, 200 meters of water resistance, DLC-coated case, and a unique marbled appearance. At 39.5mm and just 11.8mm thick, it's an especially interesting option for anyone looking for a compact, adventure-ready GMT watch. **SWC Salto** Bob takes a look at the SWC Salto, a Swiss-movement sports watch featuring a striking blue dial, sapphire crystal, 100 meters of water resistance, hardened case treatment, and an **ETA 2824 automatic movement**. At $775, it's an interesting option in the affordable Swiss watch market. **Erebus Ascent High Accuracy Quartz** The Erebus Ascent gets a new high-accuracy quartz version powered by the **Swiss-made ETA F06.412**. Rated to an incredible **±10 seconds per year**, this is a very different proposition from a typical quartz or mechanical watch. We look at what high-accuracy quartz actually means, how it compares with standard quartz and automatic movements, and what it's like to wear. **Forward Watch Co. Stars of Night Aventurine** This young Texas microbrand brings us a beautiful **aventurine dial watch** with a 38mm case, unusual hollowed-out case and lugs, ostrich leather strap, sapphire crystal, and Miyota movement. At $550, it's an especially interesting combination of materials and design. **Jack Mason Canton Day-Date** The new Jack Mason Canton Day-Date takes the original Ken and makes it bigger and bolder, adding a **CNC-machined guilloché dial**, Day-Date complication, and Swiss-made **Sellita SW240-1** movement. With its 41mm case and distinctive chocolate dial, it's Jack Mason's take on the classic Day-Date formula. Which of these watches would you choose? Let us know in the comments! ### ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:00 Notice x Raven Trail Tracker Carbon GMT 03:40 SWC Salto 05:52 Erebus Ascent High Accuracy Quartz 9:10 Forward Watch Co. Stars of Night Aventurine 11:11 Jack Mason Canton Day-Date #MicrobrandMonthly #MicrobrandWatches #WatchReview #AffordableWatches #GMTWatch #QuartzWatch #AutomaticWatch #Microbrand #WatchCollector #WatchCommunity
5 Microbrand Watches You NEED to See This Month
This video takes a close look at the O&Hora Pictor Duet Submarine Canyon, an independent Swiss-movement watch featuring a genuine Grand Feu enamel dial—a centuries-old, highly labor-intensive technique more commonly associated with much more expensive luxury watches. I take a detailed look at how this remarkable dial is made, including the hand-engraved silver dial base, fired enamel, and solid silver chapter ring that are combined to create the watch's distinctive “submarine canyon” effect. We’ll also look at the heat-blued seconds hand, polished hands, and how the dial changes dramatically depending on the lighting. Inside is the Sellita SW200-2M Power Plus, a hand-wound Swiss movement with a 65-hour power reserve and a 28,800 bph beat rate. I compare it with the ETA Powermatic 80 and discuss why I think Sellita's approach offers an interesting compromise between power reserve and seconds-hand sweep. I'll also cover the watch's 35mm case, 10mm thickness, sapphire crystal, 50m water resistance, leather strap, wrist fit, accuracy, and what it's like to actually wear and interact with a hand-wound dress watch. The O&Hora Pictor Duet Submarine Canyon is limited to just 20 pieces and costs $2,892, so the big question is whether the craftsmanship and unique Grand Feu enamel dial justify the price. If you're interested in Grand Feu enamel watches, independent watch brands, microbrands, Swiss movements, hand-finished watch dials, mechanical watches, or affordable alternatives to traditional high-end watchmaking, this one is worth a look. #WatchReview #GrandFeuEnamel #OandHoraPictor #MechanicalWatches #SwissWatch #Watchmaking #EnamelWatch #MicrobrandWatch #Sellita #WatchCollector
O&Hora Pictor Duet Review: Is It Worth $3K?
Anson Belt & Buckle: Step up your belt game — get 2 bonus pieces FREE with the Box Set at http://ansonbelt.com/jtwkillers Looking for a G-Shock alternative that gives you the same rugged style and features without the G-Shock price tag? In this video, I’m looking at 5 Casio watches that could be considered G-Shock killers—including watches with atomic timekeeping, Tough Solar, 200M water resistance, tide graphs, and huge easy-to-read displays. Casio makes a surprising number of affordable digital watches that can go toe-to-toe with G-Shock models while costing a fraction of the price. Some of these are even more feature-packed than the G-Shocks they resemble. From the $55 Casio WV-200R with Multiband 5 atomic timekeeping to the $25 W-219H, these are some of the best cheap Casio watches you might not know about. The 5 G-Shock Killers ⌚ Casio WV-200R — Atomic timekeeping, 200M water resistance, mineral crystal, and a metal mid-case. ☀️ Casio AQS-820W — A GA-2100-inspired design with Tough Solar, world time, five alarms, and an ana-digi display. 👀 Casio AE-1600WH — A huge, highly legible digital display in a rugged tactical-style case. 💰 Casio W-219H — A $25 alternative to the DW-6900 with 50M water resistance and a surprisingly large display. 🌊 Casio WS-1700 — A G-Lide alternative with 100M water resistance, tide graph, moon phase, and dual time. Which of these is your favorite? And what other G-Shock killers should I check out next? If you're in the US, you can find all five of these watches on Amazon. I'll leave affiliate links below: 👉 Casio WV-200R https://amzn.to/4wUzT04 👉 Casio AQS-820W https://amzn.to/4cWiTPz 👉 Casio AE-1600WH https://amzn.to/3SpfQIQ 👉 Casio W-219H https://amzn.to/4c96VC2 👉 Casio WS-1700 https://amzn.to/3SjlgFf Table of Contents 00:00 5 G-Shock Killers You Need to Know 00:46 Why Casio Makes Its Own G-Shock Killers 01:35 Casio WV-200R — Atomic Timekeeping for $55 05:40 Casio AQS-820W — GA-2100 Alternative 07:58 Casio AE-1600WH — The Giant Display 10:09 Casio W-219H — $25 DW-6900 Alternative 11:28 WS-1700 - GLIDE Alternative 13:29 Which One Am I Keeping? 14:48 More G-Shock Alternatives #GShock #Casio #GShockKiller #CasioWatches #AffordableWatches #DigitalWatch #WatchCollection #WatchReview
Don't Pay $100+ for a G-Shock. Get these instead.
The Erebus Origin 40 has been completely upgraded—and it now packs an almost ridiculous list of premium features into a $499 microbrand dive watch. Purchase from Erebus: https://erebuswatches.com/ Get a T-Shirt from me: httsp://shop.justthewatch.com The biggest upgrade is the Miyota 9015 automatic movement, but that's just the beginning. You also get a double-domed sapphire crystal with AR coating, a fully lumed ceramic bezel, hardened stainless steel, an excellent bracelet with tool-free micro-adjustment and quick-release spring bars, and those new 3D lume blocks that have become one of the hottest trends in modern watches. And the lume isn't just there for looks. The new Origin 40 scored an impressive 14 in my lume testing, just barely behind the previous version's excellent score of 15. But there's more to a watch than specifications. While the Origin 40 offers an incredible amount of performance and value for the money, I have some reservations about the design. Is the relatively simple, geometric tool-watch aesthetic enough to make this a great watch—or does Erebus need to push the design a little further? In this review, I'll take a close look at the new Erebus Origin 40, including its specifications, finishing, lume, bracelet, comfort, design, dial options, meteorite version, and overall value. The standard black dial retails for $499, while the meteorite dial version is $629. So is the new Erebus Origin 40 one of the best-value microbrand watches available today?
Does Best Specced mean Best? - The NEW Erebus Origin
Welcome back to Micro Brand Monthly! This month we're taking a look at four exciting microbrand watches from around the world, including a unique Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso alternative, a premium Swiss-made dress watch, a titanium adventure watch inspired by Japan, and a professional 600m dive watch. Featured watches: Varo Versa Automatic – An affordable automatic reversing watch and one of the best JLC Reverso alternatives under $500. Tuseno Super Vintage – A Swiss-made dress watch powered by the ETA 7001 with an ultra-thin case and distinctive Scandinavian design. Makoto Boken – A Grade 5 titanium adventure watch with a Miyota 90S5 movement, designed in Canada and inspired by Japanese culture. Ocean Crawler Core Diver – A 600m professional dive watch assembled and tested in the USA with a Sellita SW200-1 movement. Joining me again is Bob from Time to Go Travel and Timepieces, who shares his thoughts on the Makoto Boken and helps us cover another great month of independent watch releases. If you're looking for the best microbrand watches of 2026, affordable luxury alternatives, or unique independent watch brands, you've come to the right place. 👍 If you enjoy honest watch reviews, affordable watches, and discovering new microbrands, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment letting us know which watch was your favorite! #microbrandwatches #watchreview #automaticwatch #dresswatch #divewatch #luxurywatches #watchcollector #watchenthusiast #watches #microbrandmonthly 0:00 The watches 1:07 Vario Versa Auto 4:23 Tuseno Supervintage 7:06 Makoto Boken 10:57 Ocean Crawler
Best Microbrand Watches of July 2026
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