See if they’ll put one of these on your tab

Story by Mark Nielsen • Photography by Michael Nielsen • Shot on Location at Brass Tap

A famous basketball player once said, “Everyone looks at your watch, and it represents who you are, your values, and your personal style.” He couldn’t have been more correct. A watch says a lot about you, almost as much as the car you drive: Are you practical? Flashy? Colorful? Understated? Do you appreciate well-made items? Are you a pilot, diver, surfer, explorer, or race-car driver?
A watch needn’t be expensive to make a statement. Here we show an array of timepieces that range from very aordable to quite expensive. See which one ts your style.

Watch: Timex Weekender, MSRP $60
Available in Lakeland from: Kohl’s
The Timex Weekender is a super-affordable watch with lots of style potential. It’s simple and understated, with the colorful cloth strap adding
a little punch. Plus, you can buy an array of different color  straps to fit whatever look you’re going for. This watch should be in every guy’s
drawer. It’s the one to wear when you’re not really sure what to wear.
BEER: Jai Alai Ipa from Cigar city brewing
 
Watch: Wakmann (vintage), $150
Available in Lakeland from: Parresol Jewelers
This is a vintage watch from the ’60s, which makes it cool enough. Plus, you can’t beat the price on this one. Wakmann was tied to Breitling in some capacity, although the exact connection is highly disputed. In any case, the NATO strap, domed crystal, black face, and stout numbers on the dial combine to make a rugged-looking watch with some history.
BEER: Unibroue La Fin du Monde

Watch: Bulova Chronometer, MSRP $450
Available in Lakeland from: Marshall Jewelers
Joseph Bulova founded his namesake company in Manhattan in 1875 after emigrating from the Czech Republic. Bulova makes a myriad of different styles; this particular one features chronograph functions. The beveled seconds dial is a nice touch and adds another level of detail to this model.
BEER: Brooklyn Brown Ale
Watch: Nixon The Corporal SS in Grand Prix, MSRP $175
Available in Lakeland from: Zumiez and Tilly’s
Nixon is my personal favorite watch brand. Their history is rooted in the surf, skate, and snowboard worlds, and they aim to make the little stuff better. The company makes high-quality watches that have great style and within a reasonable price range.
The Corporal has a nice, clean bezel; a restrained design; a big 47mm case; and a stainless steel bracelet with beveled edge details.
BEER: Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat
 

Watch: Nixon 42-20 Chrono in All Black, MSRP $500
Available in Lakeland from: Zumiez and Tilly’s
In basic terms, a chronograph is a watch that can be used as a stopwatch as well as a regular watch to keep time. This watch does that with authority. An impressive 42mm case houses dials
for the chrono features, 24-hour time, and date. The screw-down crown and pushers allow this to be waterproof to two hundred meters, so it’ll stand up to whatever you throw at it.
BEER: Green Oberon American Wheat

Watch: Tavannes Thinline Gents Watch, MSRP $595
Available in Lakeland from: George L. Gaines Jeweler
This is considered a formal dress watch. Its shape, leather strap, and uncluttered face create a classic silhouette that pairs well with a suit or even a tuxedo. Tavannes was established in Switzerland in 1871, so naturally this watch features a Swiss movement. While I gravitate to more substantial, “sporty” timepieces, a watch like this can be great for formal events.
BEER: Green Flash Cedar Plank
 

Watch: Citizen Blue Angels World Chronograph A-T, MSRP $650
Available in Lakeland from: Munchel’s Fine Jewelry
This watch is in Citizen’s Eco-Drive line, meaning it doesn’t need a battery — the movement is powered by light. This Blue Angels model is beautiful and wonderfully functional. It features automatic time in twenty-six world cities (via radio signal), 1/20 second chrono that measures up to sixty minutes, perpetual calendar, 12/24 hour time, power reserve, and a non-reflective sapphire crystal.
BEER: Stiegl Grapefruit Radler
 
Watch: TAG Heuer Formula One, MSRP $1,350
Available in Lakeland from: Parresol Jewelers
TAG Heuer is one of the most famous Swiss watch brands, having been around since 1860. TAGs have been the watch of choice for famous actors, athletes, and race-car drivers. The Formula One model features a red 41mm face, titanium-coated bezel, stainless steel bracelet, and accurate 1/10 chrono.
BEER: Oskar Blues G’Knight Imperial Red Ale
Watch: Rolex Vintage 1986 GMT Master II, MSRP $8,495
Available in Lakeland from: Munchel’s fine jewelry
Everyone knows Rolex. THE watch brand, Rolex has been around since 1905 and is the ultimate statement of luxury. The GMT Master was developed for airline pilots. This vintage ’86 GMT Master II — aka the Fat Lady — isn’t for everyone, but I was drawn to its dual-color bezel (used to distinguished daytime hours from night) and its rarity. If there’s anything better than a luxury watch, it’s one with a story.
BEER: Sam Adams Utopia
Watch: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean XL, MSRP $4,500
Available in Lakeland from: Munchel’s Fine Jewelry
The choice of James Bond as well as astronauts, Omega is a distinguished timepiece. Omega has been on six lunar landings, claims to have
created the first true diver’s watch, and continues to innovate with their co-axial movement. The Seamaster Planet Ocean harkens back to Omega’s
maritime legacy. I love the heft and simplicity of this watch — it’s manly and refined at the same time.
BEER: Breckenridge 471 IPA