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Posts by Dave

About Dave
Dave is a Christian missionary living in rural North East Japan who also happens to loves to collect affordable watches. In his spare time he runs the Just the Watch channel on YouTube. Living in Japan he has a particular interest in JDM watches, but covers all sorts of watches on his YouTube channel and blog.
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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Latest Videos

Can’t keep up with every new microbrand release? Microbrand Monthly is your curated roundup of the most interesting new watches that won’t break the bank. In this episode, we take a quick look at three standout pieces that bring creativity, quality, and character without the luxury-brand markup. Featured Watches: ⏱ Vero x Smokey Bear 80th Edition – $603 Available from: https://vero-watch.com A rugged bronze field watch with real personality. Regulated Seiko NH38A movement, assembled in Portland, and backed by a 10-year warranty. ⏱ Charlie Paris GRX Spectral – $545 Available from: https://charlie-paris.com/en French-assembled mecha-quartz chronograph with a stealthy black PVD case, multi-layered dial, and outstanding legibility. ⏱ Nadir Vespera GMT – $690 Available from: https://nadirwatches.com/ True GMT with the Miyota 9075 automatic, great lume, and a unique dual-crown case design. Built tough, shipped free from Poland. Each of these watches will get a full review soon, but this episode gives you a fast, no-fluff overview so you can decide what’s worth a deeper dive. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 1:37 Vero x Smokey Bear 80th Edition 5:54 Charlie Paris GRX Spectral 8:56 Nadir Vespera GMT #microbrandwatches #watchreview #verowatch #charlieparis #nadirwatch #automaticwatch #watchenthusiast #watchcommunity #microbrandmonthly
Best Microbrand Releases of October 2025 - Vero, Nadir, Charlie Paris
👻 “50 Glow-in-the-Dark Ghosts on Your Wrist?” | Spinnaker × Seconde Seconde 50 Phantoms Unboxing & First Look 50 Phantoms Pre-Order: https://spinnaker-watches.com/pages/fleuss-automatic-seconde-seconde-2025-edition-sp-5170-unveil?utm_source=review&utm_medium=Just+The+Watch Get a T-Shirt: https://shop.justthewatch.com The Spinnaker × Seconde Seconde collaboration is back for Halloween 2025 — and this year’s 50 Phantoms is as haunting as ever. Join me as I unbox this limited-edition dive watch, packed with UV-reactive details, glow-in-the-dark lume, and a swarm of 50 tiny ghosts dancing across the dial. Inside the box, you’ll find a few spooky surprises — including an elastic paratrooper strap that glows in the dark and a UV pen light for charging up those wandering spirits. We’ll take a close look at: The silver-gray “ghostly” color scheme and low-contrast design The ripple-pattern bezel that mimics a ghost’s floating sheet The sand-textured dial filled with luminous phantoms Full lume test — it’s actually easier to read in the dark than in daylight! Build quality, finishing, and clasp details Whether you’re a Spinnaker fan, a Seconde Seconde collector, or just love Halloween-themed watches, this one’s worth a look before it disappears into the night. GHOST HUNT ANSWERS (SPOILERS) So there's two ways you might interpret the hidden ghosts, both of which revolve around the eyes. There are three lumed ghost eyes on the watch itself in addition to the 47 lumed ghost characters on the dial. The third LUMED ghost eyes are revealed in the video at 7:55 BUT If I think there's actually a fourth set of eyes, but ones that are not lumed, and also not on the watch itself which you'll see at 9:01
The Most Wanted Halloween Watch of the Year! - Spinnaker × Seconde Seconde 50 Phantoms
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Latest Videos

Can’t keep up with every new microbrand release? Microbrand Monthly is your curated roundup of the most interesting new watches that won’t break the bank. In this episode, we take a quick look at three standout pieces that bring creativity, quality, and character without the luxury-brand markup. Featured Watches: ⏱ Vero x Smokey Bear 80th Edition – $603 Available from: https://vero-watch.com A rugged bronze field watch with real personality. Regulated Seiko NH38A movement, assembled in Portland, and backed by a 10-year warranty. ⏱ Charlie Paris GRX Spectral – $545 Available from: https://charlie-paris.com/en French-assembled mecha-quartz chronograph with a stealthy black PVD case, multi-layered dial, and outstanding legibility. ⏱ Nadir Vespera GMT – $690 Available from: https://nadirwatches.com/ True GMT with the Miyota 9075 automatic, great lume, and a unique dual-crown case design. Built tough, shipped free from Poland. Each of these watches will get a full review soon, but this episode gives you a fast, no-fluff overview so you can decide what’s worth a deeper dive. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 1:37 Vero x Smokey Bear 80th Edition 5:54 Charlie Paris GRX Spectral 8:56 Nadir Vespera GMT #microbrandwatches #watchreview #verowatch #charlieparis #nadirwatch #automaticwatch #watchenthusiast #watchcommunity #microbrandmonthly
Best Microbrand Releases of October 2025 - Vero, Nadir, Charlie Paris
👻 “50 Glow-in-the-Dark Ghosts on Your Wrist?” | Spinnaker × Seconde Seconde 50 Phantoms Unboxing & First Look 50 Phantoms Pre-Order: https://spinnaker-watches.com/pages/fleuss-automatic-seconde-seconde-2025-edition-sp-5170-unveil?utm_source=review&utm_medium=Just+The+Watch Get a T-Shirt: https://shop.justthewatch.com The Spinnaker × Seconde Seconde collaboration is back for Halloween 2025 — and this year’s 50 Phantoms is as haunting as ever. Join me as I unbox this limited-edition dive watch, packed with UV-reactive details, glow-in-the-dark lume, and a swarm of 50 tiny ghosts dancing across the dial. Inside the box, you’ll find a few spooky surprises — including an elastic paratrooper strap that glows in the dark and a UV pen light for charging up those wandering spirits. We’ll take a close look at: The silver-gray “ghostly” color scheme and low-contrast design The ripple-pattern bezel that mimics a ghost’s floating sheet The sand-textured dial filled with luminous phantoms Full lume test — it’s actually easier to read in the dark than in daylight! Build quality, finishing, and clasp details Whether you’re a Spinnaker fan, a Seconde Seconde collector, or just love Halloween-themed watches, this one’s worth a look before it disappears into the night. GHOST HUNT ANSWERS (SPOILERS) So there's two ways you might interpret the hidden ghosts, both of which revolve around the eyes. There are three lumed ghost eyes on the watch itself in addition to the 47 lumed ghost characters on the dial. The third LUMED ghost eyes are revealed in the video at 7:55 BUT If I think there's actually a fourth set of eyes, but ones that are not lumed, and also not on the watch itself which you'll see at 9:01
The Most Wanted Halloween Watch of the Year! - Spinnaker × Seconde Seconde 50 Phantoms
A quick behind the scenes look at my budget production setup. Featuring the Vero Smokey the Bear Field Watch
Fake it till you make it #affordablewatches #watch #productphotography #bts
A new Japanese brand from Kyoto — KNIS — nails the balance of vintage charm and modern design with the Retro-Modern. Get a T-Shirt: https://shop.justthewatch.com Get the watch: https://knis-kyoto.com/en In this video, I take a closer look at KNIS, a new Kyoto-based Japanese microbrand making waves among watch enthusiasts. Their debut model — the KNIS Retro-Modern — blends vintage-inspired design with a clean, contemporary execution that feels distinctly Japanese. And the best part? It’s made in Japan and costs under $400. This isn’t a fashion piece or a rebranded import. KNIS is a brand built by people who genuinely love watches — and it shows. The Retro-Modern features careful attention to detail, refined proportions, and a subtle personality that sets it apart from the sea of look-alike designs at this price point. In the video, I’ll cover: – Who KNIS is and why they stand out among Japanese microbrands – A full hands-on look at the Retro-Modern – Design influences and materials – Movement, specs, and build quality – How it compares to Seiko, Citizen, and other Japanese classics If you’re a watch enthusiast who loves discovering unique Japanese designs that don’t cost a fortune, the KNIS Retro-Modern is a watch you need to know about. #KNIS #RetroModern #JapaneseWatch #MadeInJapan #Kyoto #WatchReview #Microbrand #AutomaticWatch #WatchEnthusiast #AffordableWatches
A new brand from Kyoto designed for enthusiasts, priced for everyone - KNIS Retro Modern Review
This is the first Casio product in nearly 80 years that doesn't use electricity. Thanks to @RelativeTime for footage from his Oceanus Watches! Get the watch (Affiliate): https://amzn.to/4nCaN1O Get a T-shirt: https://shop.justthewatch.com Check out More watches: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justthewatch Casio has finally stepped into the world of mechanical watchmaking with the Casio EFK-100 automatic, powered by the trusted Seiko NH35 movement. Known mostly for digital and quartz watches, Casio has surprised enthusiasts by delivering a 38mm, 100M WR, sapphire crystal, integrated bracelet sports watch that feels anything but generic. In this review, I take a deep dive into Casio’s new automatic, comparing it to popular alternatives like the Seiko 5 Sports, Citizen Tsuyosa, and even the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80. From the angular case design inspired by Japanese automotive aesthetics, to the unique forged-carbon style dial, Casio has clearly put effort into making this watch stand out. At a retail price of around $280, the EFK-100 undercuts much of the competition while offering premium components, solid finishing, and a surprising amount of detail for the money. But it isn’t perfect—integrated bracelet sizing and lack of micro-adjustment might hold some people back. If you’re considering an entry-level automatic watch and want something unique, this might be the most interesting option in its price range. Chapters: 0:00 A Casio Automatic? 4:20 Pricing 7:07 Automotive Design Inspiration 8:44 Integrated Bracelet 11:36 Dial Details 14:08 Build Quality 15:30 Automatic Movement?? 17:07 Final Thoughts #Casio #CasioAutomatic #CasioEFK100 #SeikoNH35 #WatchReview #AffordableWatches #Seiko5SportsAlternative
Casio Just Made a Mechanical Watch… And It’s Actually Good
The Second Hour Mandala Mk3 is a $600 microbrand sports watch that delivers the style and versatility of an Omega Aqua Terra alternative, but with a far more daring and distinctive design. Get a T-Shirt: https://shop.justthewatch.com Check out Second Hour: https://www.secondhour.com.au In this review I take a closer look at the Second Hour Mandala Mk3, covering its specs, build quality, design details, and overall value. With a hardened stainless steel case, Miyota 9015 automatic movement, 100M water resistance, and excellent lume, the Mandala Mk3 offers features typically seen in watches well over the $1,000 mark. The Mandala Mk3 stands out with its guilloché dial, oversized indexes, toothed handset, and bold design language that separates it from more conservative sports watches. It’s comfortable on the wrist thanks to its slim 40mm case, 10.5mm thickness, and versatile 20mm lugs with quick release spring bars. If you’re looking for a high-spec, everyday automatic watch that combines versatility with a bold and distinct character, the Second Hour Mandala Mk3 is a strong contender in the $600 range.
A $600 Sports Watch Shouldn't look this good
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