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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

Is this the best digital watch Casio has ever made? In this video, I review the Casio G-Shock GW-BX5600, the first square G-Shock to combine a MIP (Memory In Pixel) display, Bluetooth, and Multiband 6 in a classic 5600 form factor — and I explain why it may set a new benchmark for real-world watch functionality. LINKS TO PURCHASE WATCHES IN THIS VIDEO (Note, the MIP watch featured is not yet available in the US) GW-BX5600 (MIP): https://www.casio.com/intl/watches/gshock/product.GW-BX5600-1/ DW-5600RL (LCD) (Affiliate): https://amzn.to/3NkZ8qZ Casio Royale (LCD)(Affiliate): https://amzn.to/3YsOLE7 AE-1500WH: https://amzn.to/3NdkTcj My Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justthewatch The GW-BX5600 builds on earlier MIP G-Shocks like the GBX-100, GDB-200, and DW-H5600, but refines the formula into a smaller, simpler, and more practical everyday watch — all at around $200 / ¥30,800. 🔍 What I Cover in This Review • MIP Display – Pros & Cons The biggest upgrade. Higher resolution, better contrast, wider viewing angles, larger numbers, and labeled menus that make setting the watch dramatically easier. I also cover the downsides, including the slower refresh rate and screen timeout behavior. • Backlight Performance The LED backlight is usable in total darkness but dim compared to other Casios — and I explain why it holds back otherwise excellent legibility. • Size & Wearability Nearly identical to the DW-5600, with a slightly larger screen: 44mm wide 48mm lug-to-lug 12mm thick • GW-M5610 vs GW-BX5600 Same core functions, but with Bluetooth added and a vastly improved display — plus a discussion of what you don’t get compared to the 5610. • AE-1200 “Royale” Comparison Why the Royale still wins on accessibility and backlight — but not on accuracy, durability, or long-term convenience. ⌚ Features & Functionality Time & Date World Time 5 Alarms Stopwatch (1/100s) Countdown Timer Auto LED Backlight Bluetooth (phone finder & easier setup) Multiband 6 atomic timekeeping Solar powered (no battery changes) 🏆 Why This Might Be the Best Watch Ever When judged on the things that actually matter in daily life — accuracy, durability, legibility, functionality, and convenience — the GW-BX5600 arguably ranks at the very top. It’s incredibly low-maintenance, always accurate, intuitive to use, and tough enough to outlast almost anything else. It’s not a smartwatch. It’s not flashy. But as a pure tool watch, this may be the most complete digital watch Casio has ever made. If you’re interested in G-Shock reviews, Casio MIP displays, or finding the best everyday digital watch, this one’s worth a close look. 👇 Let me know in the comments: Is the GW-BX5600 the new king of G-Shock squares?
Casio’s MIP G-Shock Might Be the Best Watch Ever
The Vario Futurist might just be the most unique microbrand watch release of the year. Designed by Singapore-based microbrand Vario, this watch channels a 1970s vision of the future while delivering modern specs that make it a true GADA (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) watch. CHECKOUT THE FUTURIST: https://vario.sg/ Get a Just the Watch Hoodie: https://shop.justthewatch.com At first glance, the Futurist looks wild — and it is. The standout feature is the faceted sapphire crystal, which resembles the windows of a retro spaceship and creates incredible visual depth. The engraved stainless steel case, finished with a radial sunburst pattern rather than traditional brushing, is completely unlike anything else on the market. Add in the 12 o’clock crown, and you get perfect horizontal symmetry and a sleek, futuristic case shape. Despite its bold design, the Vario Futurist is highly functional. It features a 39mm case, 48mm lug-to-lug, 11mm thickness, and 20mm lug width, making it very wearable on a wide range of wrists. Water resistance is rated at 100 meters, and the lume is outstanding — easily the best I’ve seen from Vario to date. Inside is the reliable Miyota 9039 automatic movement, paired with a sapphire crystal with AR undercoating for everyday durability. Dial options include Black, Orange, and Purple, each adding to the watch’s bold, retro-futuristic personality. The Futurist comes standard on a beautifully embossed Italian leather strap, but Vario also offers an optional elastic metal bracelet for $32, which perfectly complements the vintage-future aesthetic. While the 12 o’clock crown can be a bit tricky to wind and the engraved case may require extra cleaning over time, these are minor trade-offs for such a striking and original design. At $688, the Vario Futurist proves that microbrands can still push boundaries. This is not a novelty watch — it’s a thoughtfully designed, modern mechanical watch that feels like it came straight from the future imagined in the 1970s. Easily one of the coolest microbrand watches of the year.
Easily the coolest watch of 2025 - Vario Futurist Review
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Latest Videos

Is this the best digital watch Casio has ever made? In this video, I review the Casio G-Shock GW-BX5600, the first square G-Shock to combine a MIP (Memory In Pixel) display, Bluetooth, and Multiband 6 in a classic 5600 form factor — and I explain why it may set a new benchmark for real-world watch functionality. LINKS TO PURCHASE WATCHES IN THIS VIDEO (Note, the MIP watch featured is not yet available in the US) GW-BX5600 (MIP): https://www.casio.com/intl/watches/gshock/product.GW-BX5600-1/ DW-5600RL (LCD) (Affiliate): https://amzn.to/3NkZ8qZ Casio Royale (LCD)(Affiliate): https://amzn.to/3YsOLE7 AE-1500WH: https://amzn.to/3NdkTcj My Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justthewatch The GW-BX5600 builds on earlier MIP G-Shocks like the GBX-100, GDB-200, and DW-H5600, but refines the formula into a smaller, simpler, and more practical everyday watch — all at around $200 / ¥30,800. 🔍 What I Cover in This Review • MIP Display – Pros & Cons The biggest upgrade. Higher resolution, better contrast, wider viewing angles, larger numbers, and labeled menus that make setting the watch dramatically easier. I also cover the downsides, including the slower refresh rate and screen timeout behavior. • Backlight Performance The LED backlight is usable in total darkness but dim compared to other Casios — and I explain why it holds back otherwise excellent legibility. • Size & Wearability Nearly identical to the DW-5600, with a slightly larger screen: 44mm wide 48mm lug-to-lug 12mm thick • GW-M5610 vs GW-BX5600 Same core functions, but with Bluetooth added and a vastly improved display — plus a discussion of what you don’t get compared to the 5610. • AE-1200 “Royale” Comparison Why the Royale still wins on accessibility and backlight — but not on accuracy, durability, or long-term convenience. ⌚ Features & Functionality Time & Date World Time 5 Alarms Stopwatch (1/100s) Countdown Timer Auto LED Backlight Bluetooth (phone finder & easier setup) Multiband 6 atomic timekeeping Solar powered (no battery changes) 🏆 Why This Might Be the Best Watch Ever When judged on the things that actually matter in daily life — accuracy, durability, legibility, functionality, and convenience — the GW-BX5600 arguably ranks at the very top. It’s incredibly low-maintenance, always accurate, intuitive to use, and tough enough to outlast almost anything else. It’s not a smartwatch. It’s not flashy. But as a pure tool watch, this may be the most complete digital watch Casio has ever made. If you’re interested in G-Shock reviews, Casio MIP displays, or finding the best everyday digital watch, this one’s worth a close look. 👇 Let me know in the comments: Is the GW-BX5600 the new king of G-Shock squares?
Casio’s MIP G-Shock Might Be the Best Watch Ever
The Vario Futurist might just be the most unique microbrand watch release of the year. Designed by Singapore-based microbrand Vario, this watch channels a 1970s vision of the future while delivering modern specs that make it a true GADA (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) watch. CHECKOUT THE FUTURIST: https://vario.sg/ Get a Just the Watch Hoodie: https://shop.justthewatch.com At first glance, the Futurist looks wild — and it is. The standout feature is the faceted sapphire crystal, which resembles the windows of a retro spaceship and creates incredible visual depth. The engraved stainless steel case, finished with a radial sunburst pattern rather than traditional brushing, is completely unlike anything else on the market. Add in the 12 o’clock crown, and you get perfect horizontal symmetry and a sleek, futuristic case shape. Despite its bold design, the Vario Futurist is highly functional. It features a 39mm case, 48mm lug-to-lug, 11mm thickness, and 20mm lug width, making it very wearable on a wide range of wrists. Water resistance is rated at 100 meters, and the lume is outstanding — easily the best I’ve seen from Vario to date. Inside is the reliable Miyota 9039 automatic movement, paired with a sapphire crystal with AR undercoating for everyday durability. Dial options include Black, Orange, and Purple, each adding to the watch’s bold, retro-futuristic personality. The Futurist comes standard on a beautifully embossed Italian leather strap, but Vario also offers an optional elastic metal bracelet for $32, which perfectly complements the vintage-future aesthetic. While the 12 o’clock crown can be a bit tricky to wind and the engraved case may require extra cleaning over time, these are minor trade-offs for such a striking and original design. At $688, the Vario Futurist proves that microbrands can still push boundaries. This is not a novelty watch — it’s a thoughtfully designed, modern mechanical watch that feels like it came straight from the future imagined in the 1970s. Easily one of the coolest microbrand watches of the year.
Easily the coolest watch of 2025 - Vario Futurist Review
In this video, I take an in-depth look at the Nadir Vespera GMT, a rugged adventure-style true GMT watch powered by the Miyota 9075 automatic movement. Priced at $700 USD (with free EU shipping from Poland), the Vespera GMT offers genuine traveler GMT functionality, a bold and unconventional case design, and impressive specifications for the money. Get the Watch: https://nadirwatches.com/collections/vespera-gmt Get a T-Shirt: https://shop.justthewatch.com The Vespera GMT is the upgraded version of the original Vespera, featuring a new true GMT movement, an updated dial with applied indexes, and the same distinctive winged case design. Available in multiple colorways, this review focuses on the green dial version, which stands out with its unique color accents and strong visual identity. I break down how the Miyota 9075 True GMT works, including its traveler-friendly jumping local hour hand that allows you to change time zones without stopping the movement. The dial features large applied Arabic numerals, a green-tipped GMT hand, a 24-hour rehaut, and strong BGW9 lume for excellent nighttime legibility. A domed sapphire crystal with four layers of AR coating ensures clarity from all angles. The 42mm case wears more compact than expected thanks to its hidden 4:30 crown, offering comfort and reducing wrist bite. With 200 meters of water resistance, this watch is clearly built for travel and adventure. The included black leather strap features matching green accents, a signed buckle, and complements the case nicely, while a leather watch roll is also included in the package. That said, no watch is perfect. I discuss my main issue with the Vespera GMT: the sharply machined caseback, which tends to snag wrist hair and can become uncomfortable over long wear. Aside from that flaw, the watch wears well and offers strong value for a true GMT at this price point. If you’re looking for a distinctive microbrand GMT watch, a true traveler GMT under $1,000, or something visually different from the usual sports watch designs, the Nadir Vespera GMT is absolutely worth a closer look.
A True GMT with a Truly Unique Design - Nadir Vespera GMT
Anson Belt & Buckle: Step up your belt game — get 2 bonus pieces FREE with the Box Set at http://ansonbelt.com/jtwcollection Get a Hoodie: https://shop.justthewatch.com It’s time for another State of the Collection! It’s been a full year since my last watch collection update, and since then my collection has grown from two boxes to three. In this video, I go through every watch currently in my collection—from the pieces I’m testing out, to my “keepers for now,” and finally the watches that have made it into my permanent collection. You’ll see everything from affordable Casios and microbrand gems, to unique pilots watches, GMTs, bronze field watches, mods, and some truly original designs. If you’re interested in affordable watches, microbrands, field watches, GMTs, pilot watches, or you just enjoy seeing how other collectors curate their collections, you’ll enjoy this walkthrough. 🕒 Chapters 00:00 – Intro / Why the Collection Grew 00:50 – Box 1: Watches I’m Actively Trying Out 01:41 – Swatch x Omega Mission to Mercury 02:21 – Hamilton Khaki Mechanical 03:03 – Casio EFK-100 Automatic 05:54 – Addy’s Dive SD1944 (Benrus Type II homage) 06:44 – Wayforth Voyager Mechaquartz 07:15 – Vario Futurist 07:55 – Vero Smokey Bear 80th Edition 08:38 – Casio MRW-200H 09:39 – Box 2: Keepers for Now 10:03 – Direnzo DRZ-02R 10:58 – Laco x Whatawatches Aachen LE 11:44 – Wise Adamascus ADX GMT 12:20 – Erebus Ascent 13:06 – Gavox AviDiver GMT 13:52 – Nodus Sector Pilot PVD 14:37 – Tuseno Windseeker 15:03 – Casio Royale Bronze Mod 15:53 – Box 3: Permanent Collection 16:18 – Zelos Skyraider 40mm Titanium 17:02 – Ginault Silent Service 18:14 – Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Day-Date (Interstellar) 19:16 – Seiko SARX029 Urushi Dial 20:19 – Seiko SBDC159 "Deep Lake" 21:40 - Casio W-217h 22:20 - Bulova Lunar Pilot
I've reviewed 300+ Watches... these are the ones I actually kept
30% OFF BLACK FRIDAY SALE ON NOW (Affiliate): https://verowatch.pxf.io/RGekWv Get a Hoodie: https://shop.justthewatch.com Discover the new Vero x Smokey Bear Field Watch, a charming bronze watch that blends rugged durability with nostalgic outdoor vibes. In this full review, I take a close look at the design, specs, movement, and the incredible 10-year any-damage warranty that makes this one of the most unique microbrand releases of the year. This officially licensed collaboration celebrates 80 years of Smokey Bear, and Vero has leaned fully into the warm, friendly, and outdoorsy aesthetic. With a 38mm bronze case, bold field-watch dial, excellent lume, and U.S. regulation of the Seiko NH38 movement, this watch offers a surprising amount of value—especially during the Black Friday sale. If you enjoy bronze watches, microbrand field watches, or watches with real personality, this one is definitely worth a look. I’ve been wearing it a lot, and in this video I explain why it’s such a fun and nostalgic piece to own. 00:00 – Intro & Smokey Bear Nostalgia 00:30 – Price, Discounts & Why It Matters 01:20 – Design Overview: Bronze Case & Field Watch Style 02:10 – Dial, Lume & Legibility 02:50 – Build Quality, Specs & Water Resistance 03:40 – Movement, Regulation & 10-Year Warranty 05:00 – Straps, Wearability & My Impressions 06:30 – Final Verdict & Should You Buy It?
A Bronze Watch That Feels Like Childhood Camping Trips
Today I’m reviewing the Direnzo DRZ 04R Mondial, an integrated bracelet sports watch that delivers high-end design, Swiss quality, and a level of refinement that’s rare in the microbrand world. I’ve been impressed with Direnzo’s design maturity ever since they sent a couple of watches last year, and this new DRZ04R takes everything they’re known for even further. DIRENZO WATCHES: https://direnzowatches.com/ GET A HOODIE: https://shop.justthewatch.com In this full review, I take a close look at the integrated bracelet, the bowl-shaped dial, the finishing, the custom strap options, the Sellita SW200 movement, and the overall value of this sub-$1,000 Swiss-made sports watch. If you're looking for a watch with PRX vibes but with far more thoughtful design and customization, the Direnzo Mondial might be exactly what you’re after. Whether you're a microbrand enthusiast or just exploring integrated bracelet watches, this detailed hands-on review will give you everything you need to know before buying. 00:00 – Intro 00:16 – Why Dorenzo Stands Out 02:04 – What Is the DRZ04R Mondial? 02:27 – Integrated Bracelet Explained 04:12 – Bracelet Quality & Fit 05:46 – Clasp Options 06:12 – Strap & Dial Variations 08:09 – Design Language & Dial Details 10:18 – Lume & Finishing 10:53 – Movement & Specs 11:43 – Price & Pre-Order 11:58 – Final Thoughts
This Microbrand Beat the PRX Trend at Its Own Game
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