Hey there watch lovers, Jill here – your resident fashionista and accessory addict. Today we‘re diving deep into the world of Nixon watches. Since its founding in 1998, this California-based brand has made a splash with its eye-catching designs and dedication to top-notch craftsmanship at reasonable prices.
As someone who‘s owned several Nixon watches over the years, I‘m excited to share my honest take on the brand. We‘ll explore the features that make Nixon‘s timepieces stand out, check out some of their most popular models for men and women, and see how they compare to other leading watch brands. Whether you‘re a surfer, musician, artist, or simply a style enthusiast like me, there‘s a lot to love about Nixon. Let‘s get into it!
What Makes Nixon Watches Special?
So what‘s the big deal about Nixon? In my experience, it comes down to three key factors: style, quality, and value.
First and foremost, Nixon is all about bold, trend-forward designs. From sleek minimalist faces to bright patterned bands, they‘re not afraid to push boundaries and make a statement. I always get compliments when I rock my rose-gold Kensington! But Nixon is more than just looks. They also prioritize durability and performance, with features like:
- Water resistance up to 300m on select models
- Tough stainless steel cases and hardened mineral crystals
- Reliable Japanese Miyota and Swiss quartz movements
- Comfy, durable straps in genuine leather, rubber, and stainless steel
And here‘s the kicker – you get all this good stuff at seriously reasonable prices. Most Nixon watches cost between $100-$500, with many of their bestsellers under $200. So you can snag a stylish, high-quality timepiece without blowing your whole paycheck.
Nixon‘s Standout Models for Men
Alright fellas, let‘s talk specifics. Here are three Nixon watches that consistently wow reviewers and customers alike:
The Rugged Yet Refined Sentry
With its clean lines and military-inspired details, the Sentry is a classic Nixon model that oozes cool. The 42mm stainless steel case strikes a nice balance between lightweight comfort and masculine heft.
I‘m a fan of the Sentry Leather, which combines a supple genuine leather band with a striking sunray dial in your choice of seven colorways. The deep blue is a stunner! Sentry prices range from $150 to $350, but you can often find them on sale.
Reviewers praise the Sentry‘s sharp look, substantial feel, and ability to pair with everything from tees to suits. One happy customer raved, "The perfect balance of dressy and industrial. I‘ve worn this watch daily for over a year and it still looks brand new."
The Tactical Regulus
Calling all adventurers – the Nixon Regulus was built to keep up with your wildest exploits. Water resistant up to 100m, this burly watch features a 46mm case wrapped in a durable fiber-reinforced case with a stainless steel bezel.
Flip it over and you‘ll find a solid stainless steel caseback stamped with "The Mission Continues," a nod to Nixon‘s partnership with the veteran support nonprofit. A portion of Regulus sales help fund TMC‘s efforts to empower vets through community service.
Starting at $150, the Regulus packs a ton of useful features like dual time display, silent mode, and an LED backlight for nighttime visibility. The comfy 24mm rubber band stands up to serious sweat sessions. It‘s no wonder Outside Magazine called the Regulus "The Best Watch for Extreme Sports."
The Minimalist Time Teller
Prefer to keep things simple? Check out Nixon‘s all-time bestseller, the Time Teller, starting at just $125. With its clean lines, high-contrast face, and pared-down features, this watch proves you don‘t have to shout to make a statement.
The Time Teller‘s 37-40mm face hits the sweet spot for most wrists, and the 20mm band comes in a huge variety of materials and colors. I‘m currently crushing on the silver/sage colorway.
On Nixon‘s site, the Time Teller has over 1,000 glowing reviews with an average 4.8-star rating. Customers call it "light and comfortable," "super versatile," and "an excellent value." Sounds like a winner to me!
Top Picks for Women
Ladies, don‘t think I‘ve forgotten about you. Nixon‘s watches for women skillfully balance on-trend style with everyday functionality. These three models especially caught my eye:
The Lovely Kensington
With its petite 37mm case and vintage-inspired details, the Kensington is the perfect pretty-meets-practical timepiece. The sleek stainless steel band comes in a spectrum of chic hues, and the pearlescent dials are downright dreamy.
Dress it up, dress it down – the Kensington just works. Priced at an agreeable $125-$145, it‘s a watch you‘ll reach for again and again. Just ask one of the hundreds of reviewers who gave it 4.9 stars!
The Chameleon Small Time Teller
One of my absolute faves in the women‘s line is the Small Time Teller with its iridescent "chameleon" finish. Photos truly don‘t do justice to the mesmerizing way the stainless steel shimmers from icy blue to rich violet in the light.
Colorful accents on the face and a cool faceted bezel add to the Time Teller‘s enchanting look. Throw in 50m water resistance and a sub-$200 price, and you‘ve got yourself a watch that‘s as captivating as it is practical.
The Modern & Minimal Small Kensington
If your style skews more minimalist, you‘ll adore the Small Kensington. It takes all the things we love about the original Kensington – the classic good looks, reliable Japanese movement, 50m water resistance – and shrinks them down to a chic 32mm case on a skinny 16mm band.
The result? A fresh, thoroughly modern take on a Nixon staple. Choose from all silver, gold, or my personal fave, the mixed metal LTTD colorway. Prices start at a quite reasonable $150.
How Nixon Stacks Up to the Competition
Now I know what you might be thinking: with so many great watch brands out there, why choose Nixon? To help you decide, I‘ve put together this handy table comparing Nixon to a few of its biggest competitors:
| Brand | Price Range | Style | Quality & Durability | Unique Features | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nixon | $100-$500 | Bold, modern, youthful | Great | Customizable, limited ed. | Young trendsetters |
| Fossil | $50-$300 | Classic, vintage-inspired | Good | Solar powered, Android Wear | Everyday wear |
| Movado | $300-$2000+ | Minimalist, iconic | Excellent | Museum dial, Swiss-made | Luxury seekers |
| Shinola | $550-$1500 | Preppy, heritage styles | Excellent | Detroit-made, Horween leather | American-made fans |
As you can see, Nixon offers some of the most affordable prices and trendiest, eye-catching designs. If you‘re a young (or young-at-heart) style lover on a budget, they‘re hard to beat!
More FAQs About Nixon Watches
We‘ve covered a lot of ground, but you may still have some burning questions about Nixon watches. I‘ll do my best to answer a few more:
Q: How long is Nixon‘s warranty?
A: All Nixon watches come with a 2-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. I‘ve never had to use it myself – my Nixons are tanks!
Q: Are Nixon watches waterproof?
A: While no watch is fully waterproof, Nixon watches have excellent water resistance for their prices. Most can handle swimming, surfing, and snorkeling, no sweat. The saltwater-ready Regulus boasts a crazy 100m water resistance!
Q: Do Nixon watches come in plus sizes?
A: Great question! Most Nixon watches have fairly standard case sizes (37-45mm for men, 31-38mm for women). If you have an especially large or small wrist, I‘d suggest trying one on in person to ensure a good fit.
Q: Are Nixon watches eco-friendly and sustainable?
A: As a California brand, Nixon definitely talks the talk when it comes to ocean conservation and sustainability. They‘ve supported environmental nonprofits, invested in green packaging, and used recycled ocean plastics in their products. That said, I‘d love to see even more transparency around their eco efforts!
Final Thoughts: Are Nixon Watches Worth It?
Phew, you still with me? We‘ve taken quite the deep dive into the world of Nixon watches. But I know what you really want to know – are they worth spending your hard-earned cash on?
As a long-time Nixon fan and watch geek, my short answer is a resounding "yes." Nixon watches strike an impressive balance between distinctive style, solid craftsmanship, and affordable prices. They offer a little something for everyone, from budget-friendly basics to splurge-worthy statement pieces.
Personally, I‘ve put my Nixons through their paces – from the office to the beach and beyond – and they‘ve never let me down in the looks or performance department. And I‘m clearly not alone. Thousands of glowing online reviews back up the brand‘s claims of quality and durability.
Plus, in a sea of lookalike minimalist watches, Nixon‘s bold approach to design really stands out. These are timepieces that get noticed and invite compliments. Throw in thoughtful collabs and customization options, and you‘ve got a watch that feels totally unique to you.
Of course, as with any fashion purchase, it ultimately comes down to your personal taste, budget, and needs. If you prefer a dressier or more understated look, Nixon‘s youthful surfer-meets-rockstar aesthetic may not be your jam. And if you‘re looking for the absolute cheapest or the absolute finest watch on the market, you‘d probably do better with a Timex or an Omega.
But if you‘re after a cool, high-quality timepiece that won‘t decimate your bank account, I can‘t recommend Nixon highly enough. Their combination of fun style and serious value make them a smart bet for most watch shoppers.
So go ahead and treat yourself (or a lucky loved one) to a Nixon. With so many fresh options to choose from and free returns, you really can‘t go wrong. Here‘s to making every minute count!
Your friend in fashion,
Jill
