I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve never been the most significant “Watch Person.” Not because I didn’t like their look or deem them impractical in 2024. More so just because I’ve always found watch culture to be a little… much. The same type of people in the music industry obsessed with watches are usually the same type of people obsessed with Crypto. Need I say more?
All this being said, I’ve always been open to wearing watches as long as they didn’t come off as pretentious, and when Armitron came on my radar with an opportunity to try out some of their affordable, sleek watches, I jumped at the chance. Could these be the exact types of watches I’ve been looking for? Let’s dive into my hot takes and general overviews of these affordable timepieces, talking about what I liked the most about them, when I found them best to wear, and who else might enjoy them as much as I do.
What I Liked Most About The Armitron Watch Brand
They’re Sleek And Minimal
Watches aren’t necessary these days.
You have a phone in your pocket to tell the time. They’re more of a statement or an accessory than anything else, meaning some people won’t miss such an opportunity to flex their status through their timepieces. While this is far from anything new, it creates a barrier of entry for those who want something nice and their wrist without having to walk around with $10k of jewels and gold.
But that’s precisely where I think this entire brand of watches fits into the broader marketplace. The minimal designs aren’t gaudy or overly lavish. I never felt burdened wearing them at clubs, conferences, date nights, on walks, and running errands. I’m sure the Look-At-Me types of people like the constant reminder that they’re walking around with a year’s paycheck on their wrist just with the weight that often comes with expensive watches, but that’s not the case with these.
While wearing all three watches I was sent, they felt like me as much as the shirt or jeans I wore. I’ll talk about the other benefit here shortly, as the lack of pretentiousness in these watches was a feature in its own right. Still, I wanted to stress that these watches’ overall minimal design aesthetic is great.
They Fit The Few Vibes I Have To A Tee
Having had a child two years ago, it’s safe to say that my ranging territory has diminished a bit since he arrived and that I’m not out and about nearly as much as I used to be. Still, as a semi-professional DJ who occasionally tours and plays gigs in various spaces, these watches were a constant companion. So let’s chat a bit about why and where I like to sport these watches.
Wave (For Day Parties)
Armitron’s Wave collection is a light-colored and gentle vibe type of accessory that, out of the entire line of products the brand sells, is the most laidback. This is the vibe I aim for when I’m hitting a day party held by the likes of All Day I Dream or a similar label.
When chill beats are playing, the sun is shining, and everyone’s sipping on something cold and light, the last thing you want is a gold watch or something too eye-catching. The Wave series is excellent for adding a touch of what I can only define as BoHo-metropolitan. The brighter colors pop in a way that catches the eye without standing out from the crowd, which is precisely what I aim for in dressing for day parties with friends and good music.
Ross (For Nightlight)
The Ross line has more flash than the other watches in their product lines, which has its own time and place. For me, the Ross line of watches is perfect for nightlife events where the lights are low in the club, and nice jewelry pops out more, especially when worn with the conventional all-black clothing seen across nightlife culture. The fact that it costs less than $100 while feeling like it costs five times its price tag is a great way to have a nice-looking accessory without going broke to get it.
While certainly not captured while out at a club, the above picture shows me repping this watch while attending NAMM in Anaheim in 2024. Being one of the biggest music-related trade shows where all the movers and shakers in the tech side of the industry are, it added a nice professional touch to what I was wearing (admittedly, a fairly casual outfit, which is usually my go-to style).
Aura (For Gigs)
DJs got to look cool, and while I’ll be the first to admit the above photo is far from the best-looking candid shot I’ve ever taken while performing, the Aura watch is clearly shown as part of my go-to fit while spinning. It’s got a unique pop of color, meaning it’s not generic by any stretch of the word, and its low profile means it doesn’t get hung up or caught on things when I’m moving my hands around the decks.
And while the last thing I would ever want to do is lose this watch, the fact that it’s just over $100 to replace means I don’t need to tiptoe around everything while wearing it. To reiterate the point above, I can just be me in it and look good.
They’re Not Pretentious
This has been foreshadowed a fair amount through the writing of this review, but the fact that these watches are pretty damn affordable in the grand scheme of things is a real plus. As the status symbol, watches often inflate their price quickly (especially when you start getting into the name brands). But the entire product line of these watches hovers around $100, give or take $15 bucks either way, meaning they’re incredibly accessible to most people.
Plus, I will add that I got compliments on tour and at NAMM about how cool the watches looked, especially the Ross line, which came from bonafide (albeit self-proclaimed) “Watch People.”
Who Is The The Armitron Watch Brand For?
In closing, it’s essential to talk about who the target market is for watches like this. If you’re a “watch person” who likes to flex about having the flashiest Rolex or even a Movado, these probably are not the watches for you. You can snag other timepieces that impress the other bros in your echo chamber.
But if you’re looking for an affordable, classy, sleek, and, at times, sexy watch to wear to parties, work, or around town, this is one of the better brands I’ve encountered. Other testimonials from across the internet say that the Ross line is also a great line of watches for weddings, as it’s not so expensive that you feel terrible asking your groomsmen to get matching ones while also allowing them to take home something fancy to remember the day by.
But regarding my orbit, this watch brand fits everything I need. The Waves collection is excellent for daytime relaxation, from day parties to hikes and everything in between. The Ross line is perfect for when I need a little flash in my life without breaking the bank, and the Aura is a low-profile watch that’s great for everything else.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
