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Digital watches are loved because they provide accuracy, sturdiness, reliability and a very affordable. The best digital watch brands are mostly Japanese, due to their superiority with this technology. Other countries and brands have tried to throw their hat into the ring, but it is very difficult to compete with the masters of this craft.
Thankfully due to the means of mass production, it is possible to buy both cheap and stylish digital watches for men without having to break the bank. There are many different styles, such as casual or retro, although most manufacturers seem to go for an outdoor sports style watch. This makes perfect sense as digital watches fit the criteria perfectly for physical activities.
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How Long Do Digital Watches Last?
Digital watches last just as long as analog quartz watches, if not a little longer. Typically this depends on the brand, as some digital modules have a lot more longevity than others.
Casio digital watches for example, are known to have a battery life of approximately 10 years. This does not mean that the watch is useless when it stops, but does mean the battery will need to be replaced. Usually, this is very inexpensive and costs around $10-$15.
Are Digital Watches Worth Buying?
Yes, for a number of reasons. Firstly digital watches are very durable. Compared to both analog watches and smartwatches, digital can take a lot more of a beating. Even if you exclude the Timex Ironman and Casio G-shock from this debate, a typical Nixon or Suunto is much more functional than almost any analog watches on the market.
Secondly, digital watches are great value for money. Once again comparisons can be made to other types of watches. Mechanical and smart watches are far more expensive than every watch except luxury digital models. Quartz watches are also on the whole a little more expensive, although this is somewhat brand dependant.
Lastly are the functions you are able to get on a digital watch for the price. A Casio with a perpetual calendar, chronograph and alarm can set you back around $25 in a digital format. The cheapest you will find these specifications on an analog watch are around $100 – 4x the price.
Are Digital Watches Still In Style?
At least to some extent. Digital watches were at a level of popularity you will not understand when they were first released in the 1970s. Even James Bond wore a digital Pulsar in Live and Let Die, as digital watches were truly a technological breakthrough and cost more than a Rolex!
From the 1980s to the early 2000s, digital watches went through a strange period. Whilst they were never out of style, they were certainly less popular. Some of the original novelty had worn off and mechanical watches started to become more popular again, with many luxury brands producing only automatic timepieces and completely shunning digital models altogether.
Fast forward to modern day and there is somewhat of a retro renaissance with watches that were previously only worn by geeks and professors, now become popular amongst the masses. It wouldn’t be unusual to see a man or woman wearing a Casio databank in the year 2021, however, in 2004 this would have been considered extremely unusual.
Much of this credit can be given to G-Shock, who revolutionized digital watches and made them popular for the masses. By producing something functional and visually appealing, this re-ignited a lot of people’s love with digital watches, as well as appealing to the younger generations. This has led to the relaunch of classic watches such as the Bulova Computron.
Best Digital Watches For Men
Casio G-Shock
Arguably the king of digital sport watches for men, the Casio G-shock is the most recognizable digital watch in the western world. In more recent years, many of the Casio G-Shock models (including this one) have become much better value for money since switching to solar powered technology, meaning you will no longer have to replace the battery.
Not only this but G-Shock watches are made for outdoor sports. They are rugged, super resilient, and come with useful features such as stopwatches, alarms and second timezones. Considering this watch is pretty much indestructible, it doesn’t cost a whole lot more than any other digital brand other than Timex.
Timex Ironman
One of the most low profile digital watches you can buy. The Timex Ironman is no looker but was never designed to be. Timex have not spent much money on development and research towards the aesthetics of the Ironman – although in complete fairness these savings seem to have been 100% passed on to the customer.
When compared to the appearance of the G-shock series, the Timex obviously doesn’t quite match it but is usually around 50% cheaper. However, from a pure specification point of view, the Timex Ironman matches its feature for feature.
Nixon Regulus
Nixon is an American based watch company that outsources much of its production to China and Japan. The Regulus is a very visually appealing model and looks far more sophisticated than a Casio or Timex. As one of the many digital military watches for men, the Regulus, although a professional looking digital watch, proves itself by having input into the design by US special operations personnel.
It has all of the displays and functions you would usually associate with a digital watch, as well as a very easy to use silent button below the front dial. Not that you would be using this watch for a military operation, but even in the office, it can be useful to silence your watch, so not to annoy others.
Overall it is very fairly priced considering the specification and design that it is built to.
Wenger
The Wenger multifunction watch is the budget rival to the T-Touch and another ana-digi timpiece. Also Swiss-made, this Wenger model is considerably cheaper than the T-Touch and has all of the same functions. As you can see, the case and strap are not titanium, so this is where some of the saving comes from. Secondly, the movement is not quite as sophisticated with the analog hands running separately from the digital display.
If you have the budget, the T-Touch is well worth the extra money spent (see below). But if you’re on a budget and want a Swiss-made digital watch, this is your best choice.
Tissot T-Touch – Swiss Digital Watch
You will not find many Swiss-made digital watches at all, however the Tissot T-Touch is one of a very select few. Although not quite a luxury watch, the T-Touch has a huge array of features not too dissimilar to a Casio Pro-Trek, but is clearly made for more than just hiking.
In short, you wouldn’t be surprised to see a T-Touch in an office or restaurant since it is a very stylish and fashionable watch. On the other hand, it is a titanium made watch that has everything you would need for hiking such as a compass, barometer and thermometer.
It is a fairly expensive watch, but is very high quality compared to other digital models.
Suunto Core
Perfect for outdoor sports, the Suunto Core is a digital watch that looks like a smart watch. Its 49mm case allows you to view a crystal clear display which couldn’t be any more clear. Much like a Casio pro-trek, the Suunto Core has every function you will need for activities such as hiking – making good use of an altimeter, compass and barometer.
Not only this, but the Suunto Core is also very good value for money and is the cheapest brand name watch to have all of these functions. Usually, you would pay around 50-100% more money for a watch with these specifications.
Guess
Guess are not a brand you would usually associate with digital watches at all, they are most well known for producing fashionable timepieces at very affordable prices. This lightweight digital watch has an easy to read dial and is both functional and stylish. It has 100m water resistance as well as a backlight and alarm capabilities.
Unfortunately, this model is only available in black and there are no real alternatives.
Diesel – Crusher
In the general scheme of things, there are not enough fashion digital watches for men. Making full use of the 46mm case size, the Diesel Crusher has an extremely easy to read and visible display. You are instantly able to see the time, day and date, with no effort at all, this is made equally as easy in the dark with use of the top left light button.
Overall, this is a solid watch and OK value for money. It is more expensive than a budget G-Shock and doesn’t offer too many more features, but it is a fashionable watch by a well known fashion house.
Citizen Navihawk
Although it may be daunting looking at the dial of a Navihawk for the first time, as soon as you’re done setting up this watch it couldn’t be any easier. For a start, it is an eco-drive model – so you won’t have to replace the battery every 2 years, secondly it uses atomic time, meaning that it automatically synchronizes to your nearest atomic clock. This feature gives the watch superb accuracy, as well as longevity from the solar movement.
The digital display on this watch allows you to keep track of a second timezone whilst the analog hands allow you to tell the time in your local region. Of course, it has all of the other features you would expect from a digital watch such as alarms, a chronograph and even a manual compass around the outer dial.
Bulova Computron
Sadly this is one of the few gold digital watches for men there is. Casio also makes some gold models, but these are very cheap and are examples of budget watches. The Bulova Computron is not really in the same league as a basic Casio. It is not too expensive by any means, although is pretty pricey for what you’re getting.
The Computron allows you to track two timezones at once and displays a digital read-out of the time in red numerals when the button on the side of the watch is pressed inwards. For those that do not like the gold coloring on this watch, fear not as it is available in black and silver too.
