The Armitron you knew from the past is not the same Armitron of today. Some watch brands add a few models and increase prices to redefine themselves. But not Armitron… the brand has completely redefined itself while maintaining the durability and value they have always stood for. Meet the new Armitron.

The brand’s lineup now includes vintage all-digital models, automatic skeleton timepieces, a model using recycled ocean plastic, and many more. Their collection runs the gamut of sizes from 32mm to 55mm. And one of my favorite parts about Armitron is that they truly have watches for every budget. Their timepieces range from $30-$175 with multiple models available at each price point. Check out the full collection here.

I already utilize Armitron as my go-to workout watches but I recently got the chance to take the Wave for a test ride. The Wave is Armitron’s new sustainable watch, made from ocean plastic obtained from the #tide organization. For those new to eco-friendly watches, this means that Armitron did not use new plastic or metal materials to craft the Wave’s case; instead, it used plastic bottles, containers, etc. collected from the ocean.

The wave comes in 3 colorways – orange + black, green + black, and white + navy. Here are my thoughts about the white and navy model…

The Dial

The dial of the Wave is a subtle nod to the conservation efforts it supports. With a slight swirl in the dial’s pattern to the “Ocean Plastic” words where a “Swiss Made” would go on many watches. A mixture between and simple dial and complications, the dial utilizes bold white Arabic numerals for all hour markers except 3, 6, and 9. The subdials represent the time in 24 hours (effectively an AM/PM indicator), the date, and the day of the week. As an interesting twist, the two pushers control those complications versus the typical chronograph. The navy almost had a dark grey hint to it, and it matches the white and gold beautifully.

The Case

Simple yet stylish, the case complements the dial perfectly. The 40mm size is perfect for many wrists and the watch can thusly serve as unisex. Wave’s case is made from recycled ocean plastic as well, giving it the same hues as the dial. At 13.5mm thick, it is on the thinner end of the watch spectrum while also retaining water resistance of 50m. The caseback highlights that the timepiece utilizes ocean plastic and specifies the movement inside the watch. Powering the Wave is a Japanese quartz movement, the VX9J. As an added bonus, future battery changes will be a piece of cake with the 4 screws holding on the caseback.

The Bracelet

Rounding out the watch is a unique rubber strap, solid on the underside and textured on the side facing onlookers. The strap style meshes with the ocean plastic elements for a well-paired duo. And Armitron takes the chance for high contrast with bright pops of color via the strap. The navy case pairs with a white strap and the orange/green models utilize bright orange and lime green respectively. That being said, the strap does not have Armitron branding so you’re free to swap it for your favorite NATO or Velcro strap if that’s more your style.

Final Thoughts

As a budget-conscious collector, I have heavily shopped the market for quality watches under $100. While there are a handful, it’s challenging to find quality and style at the price point. After wearing this timepiece for a couple of weeks, I can confidently say Armitron’s Wave is a fantastic option. The style is neutral so you can dress it up or down depending on the wardrobe and/or strap you pair it with. I also love the fact that this is a “green” choice to better the planet. Finally, I think the size is just right for most wrists – male or female. Pick up your Wave, or browse the whole collection today!

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