$1,000 or less

The first G-Shock, the DW-5000C-1A, designed by Casio engineer Kikuo Ibe, was released in April of 1983. The G-Shock design has mostly stayed the same over the years, which considering its unmistakable look, is a good thing. G-Shocks have long been known for their digital display and sporty shock resistance design, and although in recent years they have introduced upgrades and innovations such as: solar power, atomic timekeeping, analog displays and even an electronic crown - they are still best known for their distinctive large shock resistance resin cases and digital displays.

To celebrate G-Shock's upcoming 30th Anniversary (2013), Casio has released limited edition models of the best selling styles, all with red gloss or matte red finishes. Each piece features a special case back engraved with a "30th Anniversary" logo designed by graffiti artist Eric Haze.

Of the five models being released, the most notable are the Ref. GW-M5630A-4 (shown above), which is a throwback to the first G-Shock, and the Frogman model Ref. GWFT103A-1 (shown below), which is the most feature rich. It comes in a case made of titanium with gloss-red highlights, equipped with a Tough Solar powered and radio-controlled Multi-Band 6 Atomic quartz movement.

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Introduced in 2011, the Victorinox Alliance is a great watch for those looking for a Swiss made quartz watch on a budget. Available in a fully polished 40 mm stainless steel case with a black dial contrasting polished applied hour markers, and polished hands - this is a sharp looking watch. The sapphire crystal is flat and features a triple interior coated anti-reflective treatment that reduces glare, and unlike some exterior treatments, is resistant to scratching (because the entire coating on the inside of the crystal). Functions include hours, minutes and seconds, with a date display at 6 o'clock. Luminous material has been applied to the hour and minute hands, as well as to the dots around the slanted outer minute ring. Swiss Army's signature 24-hour military scale is painted in the center for reading military time at a glance. Screw-in case back and screw-in crown ensure water-resistance to 100 meters. Available with black or brown leather strap.

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Introduced at Baselworld, this is Edifice's flagships timepiece. Presented in a black IP steel case, it features a solar powered atomically calibrated quartz movement. Functions include chronograph, alarm and more. Read full article here.

Check out the Victorinox Swiss Army Infantry Mechanical that was introduced this past March at Baselworld. We previously wrote about it here. It will be available at retailers this Fall for $650. (It will also be available in a quartz version for $395.)

Introducing the Victorinox Swiss Army Infantry Mechanical. Unveiled earlier this year at Baselworld 2012, the Infantry Mechanical is presented in a 40 mm x 10 mm fully polished stainless steel military inspired case.

The dial comes in either dark grey (shown) or silver white. It features easy to read printed Arabic numerals, with a 24-hour inner ring (which is one all Victorinox Swiss Army timepieces) and allows you to read military time at a glance. Functions include hours, minutes, central seconds and date (at 3 o'clock). Luminescent hour hand, minute hand and hour markers.

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This is the new Edifice Black Label Multi-Band Atomic Solar timepiece. Available in a 45 mm by 14 mm black IP plated stainless steel case. Japanese solar powered quartz movement with 6-band atomic timekeeping (auto calibration up to 6 times per day, +/- 15 seconds per month accuracy without signal calibration). Black/grey dial with luminous hands and markers. Mineral crystal, solid case back. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, auto-calendar, 12/24 display, 29 city + UTC world time, 1/100th second stopwatch, alarm, 60-minute countdown timer and battery level indicator. Screw-in Black IP stainless steel bracelet with "Edifice" engraved folding clasp. Water-resistance is 100 meters.

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This past weekend I shot a Tissot T-Touch II Titanium in the picturesque Colorado Rocky Mountains. (The photos above were taken in Golden, CO and Dillon, CO.)

This Tissot T-Touch II is presented in a polished and brushed titanium case (43.4 mm x 14.6 mm). Polished and brushed titanium bracelet. Clear PVD coating protects titanium from scratches. Tactile sapphire crystal. Black carbon dial. Water-resistant 100 meters. Hours and minutes displayed via analog central hands. LCD display for functions (controlled by electronic crown and touch crystal): altimeter, barometer, chronograph, compass, thermometer, alarm and date.

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