If you have been shopping for new watches in online superstores like Amazon, there’s a good chance that you’ve stumbled upon the brand Armitron – I know I did. From what I’ve seen, Armitron offers a wide range of watches and it seems to be a brand catered to the lower price market. It seems to be an interesting brand that compelled me to write this Armitron watch review.
There are so many unknown watch brands out there and they’re all competing for your attention. Many pull you in with their unique and beautiful designs while others attract you with their budget-friendly price point. Armitron seems to be the happy medium of both spectrums as it offers some good-looking designs (albeit derivative) but for a good price.
Today, we check out the Armitron watch brand. We take a look at the history of the brand, the things that we love and don’t love about it, and highlight some of the best Armitron watches out there.
About Armitron Watches
My first impression with Armitron is that it’s an up and coming brand and that it’s fairly new. However, I was surprised when I found out that it’s been around since 1956 and was founded by the gentleman called Eugen Gluck in Little Neck, New York. According to the Armitron website, the brand is:
Devoted to nurturing the spirit of individuality with high-quality, high-style watches at affordable price points.
This is about right because Armitron strikes me as a lifestyle, boutique watch brand. Also, Armitron claims that it looks to highlight personal style among others instead of being influenced by others. On the Armitron blog reads,
Driven by the understanding that a timepiece is both a common thread and a distinguishing factor.
True enough, Armitron provides a wide range of timepiece collections that should appeal to everyone. From Swarovski steel watches to rugged sports chronograph, there’s really is an Armitron watch for everyone.
Having said that, Armitron seeks to appeal to the younger generation with watches that come in hip designs but with affordable price points. Armitron is becoming very popular in the United States and is gaining quite a lot of traction in the UK as well. In fact, the brand has been endorsed by sports teams and professional athletes such as Jerry Rice, Boomer Esiason, Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, Larry Bird, and more. The brand is also a current sponsor of the New York Yankees.
Armitron Watch Review: The Pros and Cons
Is Armitron a good watch brand? Here are the things that we love and don’t love about this U.S.-based lifestyle watch brand.
What We Love
Wide Range of Options
One of the many things that are going for Armitron is its long list of watch collections. The brand has a collection for Dress, Travel, Casual, Sports, and Night Out watches. Also, both men and women have given a lot of attention so there’s definitely something here for everyone. There’s some overlap between the two categories in terms of themes but the designs and aesthetics are decidedly distinct.
Apart from these collections, Armitron also offers their watches by types like Sports, Analog, Solar, and Graffiti. The graffiti collection is particularly interesting due to the youthful street design that fits the name.
I have to admit that the sheer number of watches offered by Armitron can be quite overwhelming. However, with the lower-end price point, you can purchase multiple watches if you’re having difficulties when choosing. And this brings us to the next appealing aspect of Armitron
Budget-Friendly Timepieces
Perhaps the best thing about the Armitron brand is the price. Simply put, Armitron is a brand that targets the lower-end market. I’ve been checking out Armitron watches and there are only a few models that are sold for over $100 like the Armitron Adventure AD/1004BKTIBK.
Other than that, the majority of Armitron models are priced between $20 to $100, and that’s a lot of watches to choose from. That’s right, you can find Armitron units that are priced in the 20s like the Armitron 204604DBSVBK Dress Swarovski. But if you dig even deeper, you’ll find watches as low as $12 (although it’s for sale) such as the Armitron Sport 45/7053.
When it comes to price, it’s hard to argue with what Armitron has to offer. If you’re looking for timepieces that won’t break the bank, Armitron’s offering should do nicely.
Lively Designs
With a variety of collections comes a variety of designs. Many Armitron watches are quite eye-catching, especially from the aforementioned Graffiti collection where the designs are lively and colorful. Regardless of your aesthetic preference, you’ll find something to like with Armitron’s collection.
However, that’s not saying that all of Armitron’s watches have striking designs. In fact, many of them are fairly derivative – some models remind me of G-Shock watches while some seem to be inspired by Timex timepieces. Like most watch brands, some Armitron designs are good while there are also uninspired ones.
At the end of the day, it all comes down with the buyer’s preference. But since Armitron offers a wide range of designs, it’s not hard to find a watch for every unique aesthetic requirement.
Robust Timekeeping Tools
Armitron watches are fairly reliable. In terms of accuracy, there’s not a lot to complain about here. Many of Armitron’s watches are digital and quartz, so accuracy isn’t really an issue. In terms of durability, some models ended up on my daily beater rotations. I’m not expecting these watches to last forever but for the price, the durability is surprising.
Some of the watches come with added features, especially the digital chronograph models. These added features are fairly basic but they work as intended, most of the time. It’s not going to blow anyone’s mind but for a $20+ watch, it’s silly to complain.
What We Don’t Love
Quality Can Be a Hit or Miss
As mentioned, Armitron watches are geared towards the lower-end market. So as you might expect, the quality of the watches can vary especially concerning the price. The quality of the watch in the $20+ price point is very different when compared to the ones approaching the $100 price.
Some Armitron watches can feel rather light and plasticky. Again, my expectations were quite low but some of the models almost feel like a toy watch. Also, some watches look good on photos but once I’ve pulled them out of the box, I can’t help but get disappointed.
When buying Armitron watches, make sure that you manage your expectations, especially when it’s a lower-end model.
Durability Issues
The issue with budget-friendly watches is that the manufacturer has to cut some corners to keep the price down – that’s applies to Armitron as well. What I’m saying is that don’t expect these watches to have the highest quality materials.
For instance, the finish in many of the watches is not scratch or chip-resistant, making them very vulnerable to scrapes after high impact. Some of the bands are easily broken as well after months of use, even the leather strap variants. The clasps could use a bit of work as well since they are quite loose in some models.
Best Armitron Watches
If you’ve been reading this Armitron watch review, you’re probably wondering which models are worth checking out. Here are some of the best Armitron watches that you can get:
1. Armitron Sport 40/8284 Digital Chronograph
The Armitron Sport 40/8284 Digital Chronograph is quite possibly the quintessential Armitron watch. It’s big, loud, and high-style. Although it’s very reminiscent of some Casio G-Shock watches, it stands out on its own.
This sports watch looks great in person and although it’s priced at $20+, it feels surprisingly solid. It’s a digital chronograph watch that comes with features like lap time, alarm time, dual time, military time, back light functions, two zone LCD display, and more. Plus, it’s water-resistant up to 100 meters, so it’s a good option for water sports lovers as well.
Overall, it’s a pretty good digital chronograph watch considering the very low price. It’s a good daily beater for sure.
2. Armitron 20/4935 Day/Date
The Armitron 20/4935 Day/Date is one of the more expensive offerings from the brand (but still very affordable). This watch is simple but stands out with its handsome design and striking face. The hands are luminous as well, so that’s a nice bonus.
The Armitron Men’s 20/4935 Day/Date is a casual dress watch which means that you can wear this every day but will work to a formal dinner as well. The higher price also ensures that the quality and construction are better.
Overall, it’s a great stainless steel watch if you require a less sporty offering from Armitron.
3. Armitron 204677BLSV Stainless Steel
For another solid option, the Armitron 204677BLSV Stainless Steel fits the bill perfectly. The sunburst dial is a good design element and this what made me buy it.
Although it reads Tachymeter on the watch, it doesn’t have such a feature which is understandable considering the price. It does have a day/date function and 24-hour subdials. In terms of features, the watch is quite bare-bones but I imagine some people would prefer it this way.
Ultimately, the Armitron 204677BLSV Stainless Steel is a highly-fashionable piece and keeps time accurately. It’s a good mid-range Armitron option.
Armitron Watch Review: Should You Buy Them?
We end this Armitron watch review by giving a verdict of the brand. Is it a good brand? I think so! However, since it’s a budget-friendly brand, the watches come with problems that are usually common with affordable timepieces.
The best part about Armitron is its wide variety of options and cool designs. Nothing particularly mindblowing but its offerings are solid for the most part. The value proposition is pretty good but you have to keep in mind that other brands like Timex and Casio also compete at this price point.
Overall, Armitron is a competent lower-end watch brand and its watches are worth checking out for value seekers.
