jamie weiss
A hundred years ago, cheap watches were made from chrome-plated brass. These days, plastic ones are the norm. The least glamorous of watch case materials, but definitely the most practical, plastic is cheap, highly impact resistant, and easy to mold into various shapes. It may lack precious metals or even good old stainless steel, but at Time+Tide we don’t think of plastic as a dirty word. Here are some of the best plastic watches that are not only easy on your wallet but also easy on your eyes.
Casio CA53W-1
Casio is the undisputed king of plastic watches, and the Japanese brand makes the majority of its watches from plastic resin. So what should you choose? We chose the iconic CA53W-1 calculator watch (the model worn by Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly in Back to the Future II). That’s because it’s one of the most feature-packed watches at any price point, and it’s also very good. Made of plastic at an affordable price. In addition to the calculator function, it also has a 1/100 second stopwatch and a second time zone function. Price: $54 USD from the Time+Tide shop
Swatch again
Arguably the most iconic plastic watch of all time, the original Swatch from the 1980s is an undeniable design icon that almost single-handedly saved the Swiss watch industry from the so-called quartz crisis. For the 2020s, the Swatch Once Again brings back the OG Swatch as a fairly faithful recreation, complete with a day/date window and a minimalist dial. A notable change is that the straps are now made from bio-based materials, making them just a little bit better for the planet (a recurring theme in this buying guide). Price: $60
Timex Waterbury Ocean
Timex, like Casio and Swatch, is a brand known for its affordable plastic watches, but the Waterbury isn’t your run-of-the-mill plastic watch. It features a case made from #tide Ocean material, which is composed of marine waste. #tide collects bottles in the oceans around Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, then shreds, washes, and compresses them before processing them into useful granular plastic. The result is a plastic watch that is by no means disposable. Price: $99
block 33
Although this is technically a children’s watch, I couldn’t help but include it because I think the Blok 33 is one of the coolest plastic watches on the market. Designed to help young children tell the time, it may be made of plastic (a Swiss biopolymer) but is decidedly less disposable than other children’s watches and is designed for intense play. It is made to withstand. In fact, its entire design revolves around ease of use, including integrated lugs for added sturdiness. The screw-down crown on the left hand won’t dig into your growing wrist and provides 100 meters of water resistance. The fan-shaped numbers and the engraving on the bezel make measuring time easier… Above all, it looks cool, so even adults can wear it without feeling embarrassed. Price: USD 202 from Time+Tide Shop
Maurice Lacroix Icon #Tide Camo
An interesting melange of watches that combines an integrated design, a bold camo look, and eco-friendly certifications. This is one of Maurice Lacroix’s more eccentric interpretations of the popular icon. Like the Timex featured in this buying guide, this Maurice Lacroix also features a case made from #tide Ocean material and doubles down on its oceanic inspiration with a “Jura Wave” textured dial. Price: $825
Ulysse Nardin Divernet Azur
While plastic watches are often affordable, some luxury watches are made from this humble material. Ulysse Nardin’s Divernet Azur is a notable example. The case elements are made of a composite material of (recycled) steel and carbon fiber, but primarily of nylo, a product made from recycled fishing nets manufactured by the French company Fill & Fab. Injection molded like #tide. The result is a watch that is both eco-friendly and distinctly luxurious. Underneath the exhibition caseback is the in-house caliber UN-118, which features a 4Hz beat rate, a 60-hour power reserve, a bridge decorated with circular Côtes de Genève, and a DiamonSil escapement. Price: $13,300
