Checking out digital watches over the last few weeks, it is very noticeable that so many of them are over-complicated. Displays (some not very good) that are really cluttered with so much information they are difficult even to read. Certainly not at a glance, which is how I’ve always checked a watch and usually because at that moment I simply want to know the time.

This got me thinking. Amongst all these offerings, could I find one that clearly and simply, could show me the basics – and at a glance.

First I decided what I wanted from the watch. What are my personal requirements?

Well, the first and foremost one for me is simple – CLARITY. I want to be able to read the damned time – without too many display distractions.

So, my requirements –
1) – It has to be easy to read the time.
2) – The display needs good contrast, be uncluttered and show me the basics clearly – Hours, Minutes, Seconds, plus the Day and the Date.
3) – I would like to be able to read the time in the dark.
4) – An alarm would be useful.
5) – It has to be easy to operate (without referral to instructions).
6) – Good quality construction, sensible sized case (without the ‘macho’ so-called ‘military’ silliness), plus a conventional strap (not a bespoke affair or a bracelet).

(Note – with a conventional strap & pin buckle, it’s easy to sit the watch up on a bedside cabinet as an alarm clock – see image)

Armed with my list I started my trawl of digital watches – and there are literally many, many hundreds. First I start eliminating the expensive ones, the over-complicated, cluttered displays and those with model specific straps and of course the poorly made ones.

After all that, I finally, finally came up with this one – the SNE 1206S Ultra Thin Digital Watch

It is Chinese, as many, many of the cheaper digitals are, but this one meets my requirements pretty well.

The Brand is SNE, though there are so many ‘brands’ in China, it could be a one man band, a family or a small assembly house, who knows? I suspect this is from a small outfit, who buy-in bulk parts, importing where necessary, case locally and then export the assembled product. Using Amazon you can supply the world!  This particular model was in an Olazone box with Panda logo, as the watch back (I’ve also seen a ladies white cased version).  And there are other sellers marketing this watch or similar with slight differences such as display data, so there should be one to suit almost anyone!

On this model, the case is PU resin, well made with a 4 screw stainless back plate, claims 5atm Water Resistance, though personally I would use this for everyday use, splashes and so on. Which is OK for me. The case is 43mm diameter and as advertised, Ultra Thin. It measures just 9.5mm. And being so flat on the wrist it looks good on smaller wrists. This model is also extremely light at just 36gms.

The thin flexible PU strap is OK, if a little bland and fits to the case with conventional spring bars. This means ease of changing to most watch straps of your choice if needed. (Note – not the first time I’ve said this, but many models have hard resin fitted or bespoke straps and difficult to replace, if at all – so, here’s my alternative in orange – certainly changes the look and it took me 43 seconds!)

A hard (probably imported) scratch proof acrylic crystal allows full view of the excellent and clear module display.

I particularly like the ease of reading, what I consider ‘at a glance’ – the main display of Hours, Minutes, running seconds. Plus the Day and the Date.

Having retired many years ago and no longer working, I never know what Day it is, or for that matter, the Date.  Simply as their relevance is of no real importance anymore.  (retired folks may well understand what I’m saying).
So, having both those displayed clearly is ideal for me.  And conversely, I don’t need the watch to indicate the month or the year, because for some reason I never seem to forget these!  And if I didn’t know them, well, I’ve got other issues!

So this uncluttered and excellent high contrast display, shows just what I want or need. Very clear and the EL back light for low light/dark use, is exceptional.

The watch is quartz powered of course and the battery required is the relatively large and easily sourced CR2016.

The functions are pared down basically to what is useful to me –

Mode pusher (B) – lower left – each press selects each display in rotation –

1) – Main Time, Day and Date display, with large Hour and Minute digits with running Seconds.
2) – Alarm – with snooze and hourly chime (selectable).
3) – Stop Watch – with split time (upper (D) pusher for start/stop and lower right (C) pusher for reset)
4) – Settings – adjusts with upper right pusher(D) and lower pusher (C) selects each item in turn.
Note – for the EL back light – press upper left (A) pusher. To instantly alternate 24hr/12hr time, press upper right pusher (D) when in Main display mode. Super simple.

Note that I haven’t mentioned setting the year and that’s because you don’t. The internal module is Auto Calendar. Once you set the Day and the Month, the module does the rest. These are usually programmed until 2099, so no worries on that score.

Another plus for me is, the watch and pushers are quite discreet, with no clutter on or around the dial.  If you want to liven it up, the best way is to change the 22mm strap for a coloured one (as shown above in a soft orange silicon). 

However, the real clincher is the price – this one just £17.99 with free postage from China and two weeks to arrive. Some of the variations of these models can cost even less, so it’s well worth checking them out and if you are into watches, then this both fun and cheap! However, this time my clear winner is the SNE as above.

Another model worth looking at  – The GoldenHour GH1313 with alloy case and different data display module.
This is slightly heavier at 59gms, but still a light watch. It has a different module and displays Time (Hrs, Mins, running Secs) plus Day, Date and Month (note the month precedes the date – not UK style and cannot be altered).

This display type is also quite clear, though in low light it can’t match the SNE watch above. However it also has an EL back light which is excellent, so not an issue. The pushers positions on this model are identified on the dial circumference, but I note it also has hour and minute  indices which are irrelevant, as this is not an analogue watch with hands!
Perhaps the information ring is used with other non digital models in their range? Who knows.

I fitted a quick release orange strap just to see how it looks – the original came with a very thin, green coloured flexible PU strap, but of course easy to swap around.
Once again this is a rather well put together digital model at a very low cost – worth a look (Amazon UK).

Colour straps can really liven up the often dark Digital models.

I’m very encouraged after trawling through so many cheaper Digitals, not expecting to find really decent watches. So, something of a surprise that there are a few that appear to get the basics right. This won’t be the last time I have a look at what’s on offer – and it’s fun!

A growing number of extreme low cost Digital models have been appearing over the last year or so. These models are challenging the better known Brands, such as Casio, Citizen and Timex. I’m unsure if these are genuine ‘Brands’ or Pseudo brands, as they seem to appear almost weekly in different guises and obviously utilise a variety of digital modules. Many offer the same features, or the same or similar case and all are very cheap.

For example – This is a very similar model marketed by ‘Hanposh’ with yet another name on the dial ‘Lenqin‘ and a slightly different module (shows the Month) and I recall it was even cheaper!

Buyer beware – So, whilst it all sounds great for the buyer, I’d caution that these products are basically just assemblies. They don’t appear to actually be watch Producers as we’d know them, so no real factory Quality Control and possibly no meaningful Warranties.  Also many of the descriptions (especially on Amazon) can be incorrect, such as dimensions, features and functions (as if even they get mixed up with the parts they assembled). And true Water Resistance (note – the term “water-proof” in regards to watches is never used) claims can be dubious to say the least. So as this paragraph title says – Buyer beware!

However, that said, I have two different models from different named suppliers and so far, they are both working as they should – but that’s the thing in this digital game, you’re either lucky or you ain’t.

But for me this time – this one is a winner.