# Cheap Watch that Lasts **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 18, 2019, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965 "2019-01-18T04:04:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![molten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ec9cab/32.png) [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/1 "2019-01-18T04:04:57Z")
I am looking for a simple watch with a countdown timer. I bought a Casio that has a 10 year battery two years ago but the resin band broke in two places. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/2 "2019-01-18T05:01:00Z")
So have the band replaced. I have a $15 Casio that’s nearing a quarter-century of service. I have gone through several batteries and a few watchbands. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/3 "2019-01-18T13:19:17Z")
Casio watches seem to last forever. A ten year battery is nice, but I got a solar powered one that doesn’t need battery replacements at all. As for the band, the first thing I do when I get it out of the package is throw away the band and attach my decades-old Speidel Twist-O-Flex band. ---
**Author:** ![senoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@senoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/senoy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/4 "2019-01-18T13:44:56Z")
I’ll also throw a nod in for Timex Expeditions. I have the model linked below although I paid maybe 45 for it, not 60 like it’s listed. It’s lasted for quite a while. Certainly years I might be up to a decade. The band is fine as well, although I’ve found with all Timex’s and I would assume Casio’s as well, that the band and the watch face will always fail first. They’re cheap to replace though. [Timex Expedition](https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-20812/timex-expedition-gunmetal-leather-watch-t470129j-men.jsp?skuid=02920225&ci_mcc=ci&utm_campaign=OPENSELL%20WATCHES&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_product=02920225&CID=shopping15&utm_campaignid=196834172&pid=googleadwords_int&af_channel=CSE&gclid=Cj0KCQiAj4biBRC-ARIsAA4WaFgjp_0Pk1qScOSUqI5CeJb--AJNUJLmrGX7ez8TOMSvk3lfVzqa9qcaAjs4EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/5 "2019-01-18T14:24:01Z")
Cassio G-Shock > **[MEN | CASIO](https://gshock.casio.com/us/products/men/)** From $99 to $3,000 - all built like a tank ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/6 "2019-01-18T17:07:35Z")
Timex. I’ve had the same basic Timex watch and band for over 30 years and while its been a secondary watch for 15 of those years (one I wear when I expect damage is possible) and its needed a new battery about every 2-3 years I am more than pleased with the maybe 10 bucks I spent back then. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/7 "2019-01-18T18:10:03Z")
> [@Mr\_Downtown](#): > > So have the band replaced. I have a $15 Casio that’s nearing a quarter-century of service. I have gone through several batteries and a few watchbands. The problem is it’s gotten to where watch bands can easily cost around $20 and even watch batteries have gotten more expensive. It’s frequently cheaper to replace the whole watch than just the band. ---
**Author:** ![molten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ec9cab/32.png) [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/8 "2019-01-20T00:25:33Z")
Replacing the band for my watch would cost as much as the watch and I don’t even have the tools to do it. I am willing to buy a separate band for the watch if it is easy to install. I used to have a G-Shock but it doesn’t run forever and battery costs a fortune to replace and waterproof. I used to also have a solar Casio which broke, just two years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/9 "2019-01-20T01:08:13Z")
My G-Shock uses a lithium battery that lasts around 5 years and costs under 5 bucks. I find it hard to believe other G-Shocks being different. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/10 "2019-01-20T01:20:16Z")
Many stores that sell watches will install the new watchband for you. I have never been charged for this. One of the many reasons I try to support locally owned brick and mortar. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/11 "2019-01-20T07:10:30Z")
A G Shock on a nato or Zulu strap sounds like what you are looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/12 "2019-01-20T20:41:37Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > My G-Shock uses a lithium battery that lasts around 5 years and costs under 5 bucks. I find it hard to believe other G-Shocks being different. My G-Shock has a solar cell for charging. I’ve had it at least 15 years, never a problem. I did have to get a new band last year - fairly cheap to do. It also allows you to set alternate timezones without changing your home time, and resets its time every morning about 4 am. Which was great except when I was in Finland where that was the middle of the afternoon. Awesome watch. Best I’ve ever had. ---
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/13 "2019-01-21T08:15:13Z")
The Casio F-91W. Endorsed for it’s durability by all good terrorists. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-watch-that-lasts/827965/14 "2019-01-21T20:45:33Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > Many stores that sell watches will install the new watchband for you. It’s also not really difficult to install a new watchband yourself, if it’s got those ordinary spring bar pins that stick into little holes in the lugs of the watch case. You just use a straight sewing pin or paper clip or what have you to retract the end of the spring bar pin enough to ease it into or out of the hole.