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I recently purchased the Uzi Protector watch made by Uzi. The watch is made by campco which is a sub division from them. This is also the same company that makes the Smith and Wesson watches. I found that out when I asked how the links were removed (not the typical pin links), these are actually held together by some sort of clamp set up. I have not yet had it sized, as I decided to give it as a gift to my little brother after receiving. Though so far, shows no significant failures and is certainly on my best buy for 100$ watch list.
I purchased the stainless steel band over the strap or rubber band. I already have a good G shock, and a standard military digi strap with a edifice chrono set to be strapped on. (used a pen tip amount of jb weld and secured the pins w.o a band to thread it on the strap, looks pretty sweet/really funny at the same time. I did that because it has a strap that goes over the face to hide it from reflections.Great for hunting.
The features of this watch are pretty standard for people who are looking for something in the "good" department.
I will start off by saying I have had it sitting on my shelf waiting to be wrapped (so I can keep an eye on it to see if it needs to be returned before wrapping. Nothing more bogus than opening a non working watch on christmas as a kid.)
To this day, (4 weeks tomorrow set around noon time) the time has not dropped, nor gained 1 noticeable fragment of a second based off the navy master clock. To me, this was astonishing for an analog watch for 100$
These are the specs from the website:
Rotating bezel
Screw down crown
Water resistant to 200 M
High quality Swiss component movement
3 Year battery
Hardened mineral crystal
Weight: 0.35
I will start with the plus' of this time piece first.
As you can see this watch is incredibly light. So light it is hard to even notice the watch is on your wrist when you cannot see it. A benefit in my opinion, and certainly something that adds to making it a more "child proof watch" persay (am not certain on the durability) though kids who know not to smash it off rocks are less to bump it around anyways due to it being less clunky.
Second, the face display is really clear, and really easy to read. The date display is easy to read (not at night), and starts to switch between the days at the 12AM mark, and finishes right on the 12PM and is legible through the transition besides when it is in between the two as the window is somewhat small.
The tritium on this watch is EXCELLENT. Love how it is portrayed and how sharp it says all the time on the hour hands and markers. All being green, except the 12 that is orange.
Third, the tritium is amazing. It is encased in what looks like a small plastic case, rather than painted on like other watches. This makes it present real nice, and gives it a good "hand made" look.
The crown is a push down screw in crown, 3 point adjustment. 1st pull for seconds, 2nd pull for hours, and 3rd for the date.
For the price, you cannot beat the water resistance level. of 200m,
So far, the component movement has kept up with the term "swiss movement" with 0 seconds lost or gained with not wearing it for almost a month. Though I have not opened the watch yet to confirm it.
The face of the watch is small though, it is considerably smaller than my Edifice, or my gshock or armatron. At a guess, I would say it is no larger than 35mm but more along the sides of 25-30mm.
The bezel is some sort of composite plastic and is painted. It can be scuffed, or scratched, and is rather hard to turn. Only turns counter clockwise as well.
The clasp is great and strong, a typical pull up clasp piece that shows no sign of just becoming un-done
The band:
The way the links are put on is rather odd, and imo (have not got it sized, I will ask the jeweler how efficient and practical it is when I get it sized.) has way more structural support than the typical pin that retracts on the ends. I will try to get a picture of the inside of the band up soon.
I am not sure how the band is colored, I am assuming ionized plating. I wore the watch roughly for about 5 days, from 9-10 each day it the band and back plate / clasp showed no sign of wear at all. No scuff, no fading.
The cons of the band:
It rattles. A lot. I did not get it sized, but I assume sizing it will not necessarily decrease the rattling substantially.
Where the pins are connected to the band, it looked fragile in my opinion. I am not 100% sure on how good the design is. The band has the space for the pin to go through and is shortened (not as wide as the rest of the band) to allow pushing the pin end pieces in to remove. Though over the section of space between the band and the watch face, there are prongs that go over the holes. I assume it is for re-enforcement. But the covers are not attached to the face but the band it's self. (does not pinch when worn, when worn they are flat.) So I am confused to the reason for it being like that but will see what the jeweler says as well.
Made in Thailand. Though for 100$ what do you expect? The movement certainly is better than anything you could ever find at walmart for a 100, and arguably BJs or any other store. Sears ect too.
My over all rating. 4/5 the -1 for being small, a plastic bezel, and rattling band. Its purpose in being a time piece, 5/5. Its got tritium, 200m water resistance, swiss movement, and a real ionized (or anodized) band that shows hard effort to fade. What else could you want for a "beater" watch? I think this one takes the cake in my opinion. This watch is GREAT for any kid/geek/late night office person, or a standard beater (who already does not own any exquisite watch that surpasses it) hands down.
I will come back in a year and add a post/edit my original post with pictures and up dates to how it's life has been. Hope anyone who buys it finds this review useful.
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