Disclosure: This post has affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I checked all three prices on Amazon on 23 October 2026 at about 9:40pm Manila time, and each one was under $200 at the time of writing. Prices, sellers and stock change, so check the live page before you pay.
A watch is one of the few gifts a man wears every day, so it helps to match the watch to the person. These three picks cover three different kinds of guy. The Citizen Avion is a solar pilot watch for the man who wants to strap something on and forget about it. The Timex Q 1979 Reissue is a retro style piece for the man who cares how things look. The Casio Edifice EFB-108D-7AV is a slim steel watch with a sapphire crystal for the man who wears a collar to work.
For each one I cover what owners like, what they complain about and who it suits.
The Three Picks at a Glance
- Citizen Avion BM7550-01E is a 43mm steel pilot watch with Eco-Drive solar power, 100m water resistance and a khaki nylon strap. It was $187.50 on Amazon at the time of writing.
- Timex Q 1979 Reissue 38mm TW2T80700ZV is a steel quartz watch with a blue dial, a blue and red top ring, day and date and a woven steel bracelet. It was $173.36 on Amazon at the time of writing.
- Casio Edifice EFB-108D-7AV is a slim steel quartz watch with a textured silver dial, a sapphire crystal, a date, an integrated bracelet and 100m water resistance. It was $150.00 on Amazon at the time of writing.
Citizen Avion BM7550-01E for the Man Who Wants Easy
The Avion is the easiest of the three to live with. It runs on Citizen’s Eco-Drive solar movement, so light keeps it charged and there is no winding. Amazon’s listing says it never needs a battery. The case is 43mm stainless steel with a spherical mineral crystal, the dial shows the date, and it is rated to 100m. It comes on a 22mm khaki nylon strap with a buckle.
The dial is the reason most owners buy it. The big cream numerals and the pilot style layout read at a glance, and Amazon’s review summary lists appearance and readability among the things buyers praise most. P.K. Frary, an Amazon reviewer, compared the oversized hour numbers to vintage airplane gauges. Tim Kolb, another Amazon buyer, wrote in September 2026 that it charges well in any light.
Owners raise five complaints.
- The strap starts stiff. L’Heure Passion, a French watch site that summarized buyer feedback on the BM7550 in August 2026, says the textile strap feels rigid at first, picks up lint and can take several days to shape to the wrist. P.K. Frary found the opposite and said it broke in fast, so this one varies.
- The date window is small. L’Heure Passion rated date legibility as the weakest part of the watch.
- The lume is modest. Two Amazon reviewers, P.K. Frary and Pg, said the glow could be brighter, and Frary also wished the glossy crystal had an anti reflective coating.
- The compass scale is decoration. Larry Smith, an Amazon reviewer, called the bezel headings meaningless, and AYWD, another buyer, noted the compass cannot rotate. Treat it as part of the look.
- It wears big. At 43mm it is the largest watch here, and Amazon’s review summary is split on size. L’Heure Passion’s main caution is to check that 43mm diameter first.
AYWD also wrote that when the charge ran low, the seconds hand started jumping every two seconds, and that about 30 minutes in the sun fixed it. AYWD took it as a low charge signal, so tell him to leave it near a window if the seconds hand starts to jump.
Amazon’s listing gives a 5 year limited warranty. At the time of writing it was in stock, shipped and sold by Amazon.com. Check that the selected color reads Khaki Nylon Strap, because the same page also sells a steel bracelet version and a black version.
See the Citizen Avion BM7550-01E on Amazon
Timex Q 1979 Reissue for the Man Who Loves a Look
The Q Timex is the style pick. It is a reissue of a 1979 Timex with a modern quartz movement, a blue dial, a rotating blue and red top ring and a day and date window at three. The case is 38mm steel and 11.5mm thick, the crystal is domed acrylic, and there is a working battery hatch on the back. It is rated to 50m, which Amazon’s listing says covers swimming, with no diving or snorkeling.
At 38mm it is the smallest watch here, which suits a slimmer wrist. 12&60, a UK watch site, said in its June 2020 hands on review that it wears very well and called the release a striking example of 70s design. Owners on Amazon praise the retro look, and Paul 1946 wrote in March 2026 that his keeps perfect time.
Two flaws come up again and again.
The bracelet pulls arm hair. This is the most repeated complaint about the watch. Amazon’s review summary says the band frequently pulls arm hairs. 12&60 said it is pretty bad for catching hairs. Beans & Bezels joked that you should “Prepare for a complimentary wrist wax, courtesy of Timex.” StrapHabit’s reviewer said he expected it to pull his arm hair and it did. ScottAK, an Amazon buyer, wrote in August 2026 that sizing the bracelet so it does not slide around helps, and Adam Gooch said his pulled no more than his other metal bands. Larry S found the bracelet a pain to size.
The acrylic crystal scratches. Amazon’s review summary lists scratching as a negative. Acrylic can be polished. 12&60 bought a used Q with a scuffed crystal and polished it clean in about five minutes with Autosol and Brasso. Amit sharon, an Amazon reviewer, also said the dome scratches easily and is easy to polish or replace.
Both have a fix. The lugs are 18mm, so a leather, rubber or nylon strap is an easy swap, and a tube of plastic polish costs little. If he has hairy wrists, add an 18mm strap to the gift.
Two other notes. Amazon marked this listing as a frequently returned item at the time of writing, and Amazon’s summary is mixed on timekeeping, with some buyers saying theirs stopped. Keep the receipt and set it up in the first few days. At the time of writing it was in stock, shipped and sold by Amazon.com.
See the Timex Q 1979 Reissue on Amazon
Casio Edifice EFB-108D-7AV for the Man Who Dresses Up
The Edifice is the most grown up of the three. Casio’s product description calls it an all stainless steel timepiece, and Amazon’s listing gives it a steel bracelet, a sapphire crystal, a date and 100m water resistance. The quartz movement is rated to within 20 seconds a month, and the listing puts battery life at about three years. The bracelet runs straight out of the case and closes with a one touch three fold clasp. The silver dial has a fine texture and a blue seconds hand. Thin and plain is the point here. It slides under a shirt cuff and looks at home with a suit.
Check the size before you buy, because the published numbers disagree. Amazon’s spec table lists the case at 48mm across and 8mm thick. Tempus, a European watch retailer, lists it at 47.5 by 45 by 8.7mm. Alberto Molina, an Amazon reviewer, wrote that it is not a 48mm watch and measures 42mm. Rvhere found it a bit too big on a 7 inch wrist, and Andrew, an Amazon buyer in Canada, warned that it may be slightly too big on wrists of 6.5 inches or smaller.
Sapphire is the standout spec at this price. The Avion uses mineral glass and the Timex uses acrylic, so the Casio is the one most likely to keep a clean crystal. Amazon’s review summary lists appearance, durability, materials and the slim case among the things buyers praise. FelixtheReader, an Amazon reviewer, wrote that it fits nicely under the cuff of the dress shirts he wears to work. Sergio wrote in July 2026 that he has worn it around town and to a wedding. Dusty wrote in August 2026 that it slides under his shirt cuffs and singled out the blue seconds hand. L’Heure Passion, in a July 2026 review that draws on owner feedback, praised the build for the price, the sapphire crystal and the solid link bracelet.
Owners note three things.
- The clasp is the weak spot. FelixtheReader called the pressed clasp the only negative, and Alberto Molina called the stamped clasp his one slight criticism, though he said it does not feel flimsy. Zach Panzarella, another Amazon buyer, called the clasp solid, so opinions differ.
- The lume is light. L’Heure Passion said the luminous paint seems too light, so a dial that reads well by day is much less practical in the dark. Andrew called the lume basic but functional.
- The bracelet is built in. Andrew noted that the integrated design limits strap options, so plan on him wearing it on the steel bracelet.
Two other notes. Amazon marked this listing as a frequently returned item at the time of writing, and stock looked thin, with only two left. Amazon’s spec table also lists the case material as resin. Casio’s own description says all stainless steel, so treat the resin entry as a listing error. At the time of writing it was $150.00, shipped and sold by Amazon.com. Check that the selected watch is the silver dial EFB-108D-7AV, because Casio sells this model with other dials.
See the Casio Edifice EFB-108D-7AV on Amazon
Which One Fits Him
- Pick the Citizen Avion if he wants one watch for weekends, travel and yard work that keeps running on light. It also suits a bigger wrist best.
- Pick the Timex Q if he likes vintage things and notices design. Add an 18mm strap if he has hairy arms.
- Pick the Casio Edifice if he works in an office, wears a suit now and then or wants one plain steel watch with a sapphire crystal. Check his wrist first, because owners say it wears big on a slim one.
If you want more options in this range, my guide to watches under $200 covers a Casio Duro, a G-Shock, a Timex and a Seiko 5. For a first watch or a younger guy, see my first watch gift guide. If he already likes solar field watches, my Casio MTP-S120L review covers a cheaper option, and the Timex Weekender 38mm review covers a simpler Timex.
Gift Tips Before You Buy
- Check his wrist. A 43mm watch can look large on a slim wrist, and a 38mm watch can look small on a big one.
- Check the color on the Amazon page. The Citizen page sells more than one version, and the Casio comes with other dials.
- Keep the gift receipt. Amazon’s return window gives you time to test the watch and swap it if it is wrong.
- Size the bracelet before you give it, or tell him a jeweler can do it. The Timex and Casio both ship on steel bracelets.
FAQ
Which of these watches never needs a battery?
The Citizen Avion. Amazon’s listing says the Eco-Drive solar movement never needs a battery. The Timex Q and the Casio Edifice are battery quartz watches.
Which one is the most scratch resistant?
The Casio Edifice, because Amazon’s listing gives it a sapphire crystal. The Citizen uses mineral glass and the Timex uses acrylic, which scratches easily and polishes out.
Can he swim with them?
The Citizen and the Casio are rated to 100m. The Timex is rated to 50m, and its Amazon listing says that covers swimming, with no diving or snorkeling.
Does the Timex Q bracelet really pull hair?
Many owners say yes. Amazon’s review summary, 12&60, Beans & Bezels and StrapHabit all mention it. A snug fit helps, and an 18mm strap fixes it.
How big is the Casio Edifice?
The published numbers disagree. Amazon’s spec table says 48mm, Tempus lists 47.5 by 45 by 8.7mm, and Amazon reviewer Alberto Molina wrote that it measures 42mm. Another buyer warned it may wear slightly big on a wrist of 6.5 inches or smaller.
Bottom Line
For most men, the Citizen Avion is the safest gift here, because it is easy to read and runs on light. The Timex Q is the most fun, as long as you plan a strap swap for a hairy wrist. The Casio Edifice is the dressiest and has the toughest crystal, and owners say it can wear big on a slim wrist. All three were under $200 on Amazon at the time of writing.
Sources
- Amazon US listings, review summaries and reviews for the Citizen BM7550-01E, the Timex Q 1979 Reissue 38mm and the Casio Edifice EFB-108D-7AV, checked 23 October 2026 at about 9:40pm Manila time.
- 12&60, Hands On Review of the Q Timex 1979 Reissue, 6 June 2020.
- Beans & Bezels, Timex Q Reissue review.
- StrapHabit, Q Timex 38mm Reissue review by Nick Lehner, 2023.
- L’Heure Passion, Citizen BM7550 review summary, August 2026.
- L’Heure Passion, Avis Casio Edifice EFB-108D by David Deteve, 16 July 2026.
- Casio US, EFB108D-7AV product description.
- Tempus, Casio Edifice EFB-108D-7AVUEF specifications.
Disclosure: Best Watch Picks earns from qualifying purchases made through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability were correct at the time of writing and can change.
