Walmart Watches
While waiting for the Walmart Pharmacy to fill a prescription I was wandering around the store when I saw a watch display. There, between a lovely pink “Hello Kitty” and an island-vibe “Little Mermaid” was this field watch.
It had drilled lugs and crown protectors and the dial was a pastel green with a darker green on the minute and hour hands and a red second hand. The case had a combination polished and brushed stainless steel. Unfortunately, the band was a hideous bright green plastic with a faux alligator grain.
I had recently purchased a green herringbone tweed sport coat and thought this would be a nice match, albeit, with a different band.
The price was right at $3.97.
When I brought it home I changed it to a proper leather strap and have been wearing it for twenty years. I have received compliments on this watch several times.
Factoring in the $25.00 strap it is not my least expensive watch, but one that continues to give me pleasure.
I have a chronological collection of watches from my first to most current. I only bought what I liked over the years and still wear most of them today.
MZ Berger is a notorious collector of old trademarks, but I've never seen their name on an actual product. I'm guessing this was one of the Walmart private label George watches, which tend to be around $8.88 or so, as some of them were classically handsome and sterile, albeit not stellar materials or construction.
I love this whole post. Congruent with my own collecting philosophy.
Buy what you like, wear it proudly.
Right on, Ed. 👍
MZ Berger is a notorious collector of old trademarks, but I've never seen their name on an actual product. I'm guessing this was one of the Walmart private label George watches, which tend to be around $8.88 or so, as some of them were classically handsome and sterile, albeit not stellar materials or construction.
I think MZ Berger bought the Gruen name and released some hideous quartz models in the late 90's, although I changed a battery in one and it had a branded Seiko PC32 (and a Berger marking on a sticker on the inside of the caseback)... it must have been before China started undercutting the Japanese producers.