Watches sold on cruise ships

[SantaFeFan]

I have to confess that I bought a watch on board years ago for $10 at one of their sales events. My Casio sport watch got damaged on an excursion and I wanted another cheap watch to wear on adventure outings. Ten years later it still works. I wear it a few times per month when I don't want to lug around my $600 phone just to tell time. No way would I rely on an expensive, hard to replace smart phone to tell time when I am dirt biking, cave exploring, etc. (Yes, it is true. I am one of those old fart types who is NOT tethered to my phone. I am not an iPhone cultist, so I can actually put the thing down for more than a few minutes at a time.) :D

 

So far, I only needed to swap out the battery once about a year or two ago. I think I got my money's worth out of the thing. ;)

Edited September 10, 2015 by SantaFeFan

[williebegoode]

Accurate time is kept these days by your cell phone. A $100,000 Vacheron Constantine will not keep better time than your Android or iPhone. Your Patek Philippe (except for certain exceptions) runs with mechanical (wind up) or automatic (winds up because of your body movement), but your $25 Swatch with a quartz movement probably keeps as accurate time. What would a ship-board jewelry clerk know about a $20,000 Audemars Piguet? Probably not a lot and would not have any flexibility on the price tag, and certainly not be a source of service.

 

If you want a luxury watch that's not quartz, you can go online to find the locations of the brand's boutiques. For example, Jaeger leCoultre makes wonderful luxury watches, and on our upcoming trip I found boutiques in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Tallinn, Riga, St. Petersburg, and Helsinki. That would be a safe bet, and I would not get a knock-off luxury watch in one of those same cities outside of the brand's boutiques.

 

If on our cruise, they have watches with a picture of our ship (...or a fetching mermaid...) I might get it for 20 bucks for no other purpose than a souvenir; not expecting it to last longer than the life of its battery. However, I do not believe that Luxury Cruises have true Luxury Watches. Those are best purchased from a trusted jeweler or a branded boutique.

Edited March 2, 2016 by williebegoode

[Nitemare]

Interesting stuff, but I don't think anyone here was planning to buy a $20K watch on a cruiseship, just a $20 watch.

[williebegoode]

Thought I'd add that just in case anyone confused a luxury cruise with getting a luxury watch.

[DirtyDawg]

I get my "utility" watches at CVS pharmacy for $10.99. I've never had one last less than two years.

 

Heck, I get my "good" watches at CVS for $10.99 and never had one last less than two years.:D

Edited March 2, 2016 by DirtyDawg

[williebegoode]

Since I am that fool who is separated from his money...on cruises and watches...I probably should get a CVS watch too!

[JTBCruiser]

Bought a $10 watch on board two years ago and it is fine. I always buy cheap watches because I'm so hard on them. When battery dies, simply toss it.

[marco]

I bought the same one at Ocean State Job Lot for $8 about 5 yrs ago, changed the battery twice and still tickin'!

[GUT2407]

$20 and works for 2 years?

You got your monies worth

 

 

.

 

So true

[Laughing Angel]

I purchased a $20 watch on a cruise ship about 5 years ago. Didn't wear it every day, but when I did, it was sturdy and serviceable. Other than a couple of battery changes, it's been working just fine...

 

Well, it was working until I sent it through the wash/rinse/spin cycle in a pair of jeans two weeks ago. RIP cheapie watch...I'll miss ya. :(

[Dayenu]

Every cruise that I have been on at some points has a "sale" of watches for $20. I am wondering if any people have bought a watch and if it worked longer than 2 years ?

 

Yes, I bought several times, first time for $10. Now they are $20. I bump into things, so they get scratches, or sometimes the battery dies, so I just wear them a year or two (probably more two than one) and toss them.

 

My husband uses them longer, I change the battery for him, don't remember how many times, but more than once. He's on his 2nd watch in the last 10 years, and it works.

[MollyFlyer]

I got a high-end brand-name watch at one of the sales two years ago; it's still going strong (with one battery replacement, but that's inevitable) and checking on Amazon now the exact same model is going for about twice what I paid.

 

. . . to clarify, my concept of "high-end" means it cost $60 tax-free.

Edited March 4, 2016 by MollyFlyer

[4x4bob]

I purchased a watch on board ship. Here is my story.

 

I took my cheap Timex watch on a cruise 5 years ago. My thinking was it keeps good time and if something happens to it I will not really miss it.

 

1st day on ship the battery died. So I headed up to the ship shops on deck 7.

 

A clerk developed a big smile when I asked for a watch battery. He stated We do not carry batteries, but I will sell you a new watch. As he was giving his little speech another passenger came in also looking for a battery and heard what he said. She did not look very happy either.

 

So, I stepped over to the counter with the watches. I walked right on past the Rolex's and down to the "cheap watch" section. I found a nice Ecco Drive that I liked and made the purchase.

 

After the purchase I looked around for the sign that stated "after purchase request a ship security to escort back to your cabin so you can place your item into the safe" Did not find one, but they should have had one. :D

 

The Wife broke out in a loud laugh when I showed my new watch. Asked what happened to your plan on wear a cheap watch?

 

Then to add salt to the wound two days latter the $10-20 watches were on display in several sections of the ship.

 

Bob

[CruisinHelloKitty]

I purchased an INVICTA watch worth $800 for ONLY $85.00, and one of the hands fell off within 2 months. :confused:

[terri-eddie]

I buy a watch onboard every cruise, either a $20 one or, more commonly, a $10 one...I know, big spender!

 

Anyway....I now have a half dozen of these watches, and they all still work....the oldest one is 8 years old and has only needed one battery change. The others are still going on the original battery. Granted, I do not wear them every day, and between wearings I pull the pin to stop the watch, which I am assuming saves the battery.

 

If you buy a watch because you like it, and you're not worried about it being the best quality available, then the bargain watches make a nice souvenir. I like remembering my cruises when I wear one of those watches. If it makes you happy, do it!

 

edited to add...once, I forgot to buy a watch while on the cruise...so I bought a $10 watch in the airport while waiting for our flight home! It still runs, too!

Edited March 5, 2016 by terri-eddie

[kimlovesfl]

My MIL bought my DH one of those cheapo watches on a cruise a couple of years ago; not only was it ugly, but it only worked for a week or two after she gave it to him. For myself, I have 2 beautiful Movado watches, one that must be at least 20 years old (the other has a great story behind it), and I wear them everywhere. No need for a cheap watch when I have 2 really good ones.

[lahlah57]

DH bought a Tusseot watch on a princess cruise. I am guessing that is how it is spelled. He saw it in GQ magazine and looked for it but far too expensive.

Saw it in the cruiseship fine jewelry store and kept an eye on it but still too expensive! The cruise went on but as it was concluding there was a 50% off sale. He went in and yes it was 50% off but since he is the silent poker faced type, he did not appear eager. The salesman was the overeager type and DH went in for the kill for 75% off. Still 7 years later he wears that watch proudly w/o even a battery change. Stateside jewelry said he got away with highway robbery with that particular watch.

Luck of the draw with a $20 watch or one for a few hundred!

[zqvol]

The only watch I need is my cel phone.

 

 

Maybe but most people over 30 use real watches.

[lenquixote66]

My wife bought a $10 watch on our cruise in January of this year.So far it is still working.:)

[Crew News]

Bought my wife a $10 watch on the Oosterdam in 2008. One battery change and it is still going strong.

[ansoninc]

I recently bought an expensive Citizens watch on Princess cruise. Before I did I checked out the price on Amazon and the ship was $50.00 cheaper. That was a surprise!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[GUT2407]

Every cruise that I have been on at some points has a "sale" of watches for $20. I am wondering if any people have bought a watch and if it worked longer than 2 years ?

 

Bought one on a cruise about 10 years ago, still going strong, (actually only paid $10) cost me more than $10 to replace the battery a few years ago.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Maybe but most people over 30 use real watches.

 

I don't, I use my Kindle :D

[Go-Bucks!]

The only watch I've bought on a ship is a beautiful Bulova watch and it was a little cheaper than a store or online. Works great and have had many compliments on it. Wonderful way to use up OBC!

 

But for my job, I have always worn a cheap black plastic Casio watch (wash my hands constantly and need the time, date, day, and 24hr functions). I've worn them for 25 years and am only on my 3rd watch. They retail for about $20. First one lasted 9 yrs, next one for 15 yrs, and I just got a new one a year ago. I've only had to replace the battery and band every few years. Casio makes excellent cheap watches. ;)

Edited May 25, 2016 by Go-Bucks!

[GUT2407]

The only watch I've bought on a ship is a beautiful Bulova watch and it was a little cheaper than a store or online. Works great and have had many compliments on it. Wonderful way to use up OBC!

 

But for my job, I have always worn a cheap black plastic Casio watch (wash my hands constantly and need the time, date, day, and 24hr functions). I've worn them for 25 years and am only on my 3rd watch. They retail for about $20. First one lasted 9 yrs, next one for 15 yrs, and I just got a new one a year ago. I've only had to replace the battery and band every few years. Casio makes excellent cheap watches. ;)

 

The one I mentioned above is a Casio.