Armitron Classic day/date design Review

Many of us have resting in our drawer a dozen or more of our coveted, polished and protected watches. Of those, some remain at the back…sulking due to lack of attention. Others find some pleasure in the occasional handling from its owner’s fingers. But a choice few delight in the pleasure-filled eyes its owner beams upon its dial while his fingers gently peruse and caress its metallic lines and glass angles.

My Armitron Classic enjoys the latter. Born decades ago in the Eugene Gluck Armitron factory in Little Neck, NY, my Classic sat in the warehouse for decades as an unsold and unworn watch until several months ago. Armitron scoured their shelved inventory to discover this gem of a watch amongst a few others. Revived, polished and packaged into a beautiful stitched leather box (complete with a certificate of authenticity and a six-month warranty), my watch was put up for sale as one of only two of this style (new old stock).

The watch is a true delight. It enjoys a classic 36 mm diameter (crown not included) and rests gently and unobtrusively on the wrist at a pleasing 78 grams. Its shimmering silver dial contrasts harmoniously with the gold-tone coin edge numbered bezel as the two-tone ensemble segues along the jingly-jangly steel bracelet.

The clasp is lightly brushed and avoids any adornment almost to comment that ‘less is more’.

The caseback follows the theme of a spartan embrace as only the obligatory text of the watch’s model number, movement model number and water resistance is present on its cleanly-brushed surface.

The watch is very accurate at about +6 sec/month as its venerable (and now discontinued) Hattori VP44 movement properly advances its step motor 32,768 vibrations at a time.

I have been outwardly delighted with my Armitron Classic and count it amongst my most treasured watches. It generates endorphin-laced chocolate-covered cinnamon bears for my soul every time I snap this virgin old chap on my wrist. When it comes to the sheer enjoyment we like-minded derive from this fusion-induced hobby, my Armitron Classic is a sparkling ember from its brilliant core.