Barely under $80 but I love my G-Shock 6900-1. I've owned two. The first one I had for about 6 years and went on three deployments to Iraq with me and still functioned flawlessly, till I lost it on vacation. Went for a couple years without a watch and just picked up the same model from Amazon. Couldn't be happier with it (again).
Casio G shock. I've had the same tough solar on my wrist now since 2013. It's been all around the world, in oceans, rivers, mud, blood, dirt, welding, shooting, hiking, racing and crashing motorcycles and mountain bikes. Good for 20 bar (660 ft of water) It showed a low battery coming out of the box in June of '13, and the solar cells in the face filled it up. It's never had a low battery since, and It's never had a battery change At around midnight it pings a signal from the atomic clock and sets its own time to the millisecond (same as gps satilites)
Casio Men's G-Shock GW6900-1 Tough Solar Sport Watch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00284ADAI/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_KZEDVV1W4CEMB8XN9NHE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
$52 OFF!
NOW: $1135.35
Casio Men's GW6900-1 "G-Shock" Atomic Digital Sport Watch
Also, if anyone wants to check it out, the GW6900 is at a unusually low price of $76.50 here: Amazon GW6900 This is the “same price” compared with the DW6900-ws1 that I had just recently ordered. So I know it’s a special colourway but I prefer function over form to an extent. Thanks for the confirmation that this is a good move friends!
GW6900-1.
It’s got the atomic syncing and solar of the GWM5619-1, but in the same form factor as the DW6900. Mine is on the way from Amazon right now as a complement to my square!
We’re on the same page with the atomic. This was my initial pic but I’m open to others.
Another vote for Casio. I use the G-Shock GW6900-1. It is waterproof, has illumination, solar powered, and syncs nightly with the atomic clock. Also, it's cheap for a G-Shock.
https://www.amazon.com/G-Shock-GW6900-1-Tough-Solar-Black/dp/B00284ADAI
I've owned all of the listed watches in this post, and I can say the most economical choice would be a G-Shock, by Casio.
I've ruined every watch that wasn't a G-Shock while searching for something stylish, and just gave up. Toughness or GTFO, lol.
The model I wear daily has solar-charging, so you won't ever have to replace a battery. It's pretty much the wrist-powered watch style, but replaced with a tiny PV-panel on the face.
It's $82, so $32 over your budget, but well worth the money.
G-Shock GW6900-1 Men's Tough Solar Black Resin Sport Watch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00284ADAI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4D.Ayb29C7VEQ
I just bought the similar model to the white one you have but in black. I haven't received it yet though. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00284ADAI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It is the 6900-1 and is solar and has the atomic clock. After 6 years how is the solar battery? That was my main concern.
I have this G Shock. It's a tank. It autosyncs with the atomic clock for increased accuracy (so you never have to set it, even for DST, time travel, etc.) and it's solar powered.
I've owned the G-Shock for about 4 years now and love it. The reviews on Amazon were helpful for someone like me who researches the heck out of certain purchases.
Or
I can’t believe they are so expensive now. Damn inflation. I like those or the classic squares. It’s really personal preference, but the two I sent look like what the seals got instead of Rolexes.
Anyhow, it won’t do fitness tracking. I wear a Gshock and a cheap fitbit. Both combined are still affordable.
The g shock is tough and waterproof and won’t run out of batteries. If you’re getting muddy or something, you can take off the fitbit and still have a watch.
I’m almost 40, so most of my life a running watch was a fitness watch.
Whether you buy the cheapest "gshock" or the most expensive gshock, all gshocks are tested to survive everything. Your bones will most likely break before your gshock cracks. With that said, theres a few gshock channels on youtube that focuses that difference. You only need to tell the time and solar, right? The dw6900 should be enough. It gets kinda wonky when you want like a 25th, 35th, or 50th anniversary one for a metal screwdown case back. Unnecessary, really but more for gshock enthusiasts. Theres also bracelets for that extra great look instead of the traditional silicon strap it comes on.
Also a good option if you prefer the look of the 6900 series. Same features as 5610 (solar, atomic)
Casio Men's G-Shock GW6900-1 Tough Solar Sport Watch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00284ADAI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_Y388FbJP4YM21
Have you seen the GW-6900? Basically the round version of the 5610.
Itse suoritin intin casion g-shock 6900-1 ranteessa. Kätevä peli kun ottaa auringosta virtaa. Kello on kestänyt myös -27°C ja 80°C:n lämmön sekä sukelluksen 200-metriin.
GW6900 is probably one of the best values. It even has atomic timekeeping so it'll automatically set itself. It doesn't, however, have analog hands if that's what you're looking for. If you're willing to stretch your budget a tad, and still have the same features, you might like the AWGM100 or one of its variants.
This was the winner. We got him a nice g-shock watch.
There's a thousand different models. It depends. Does he travel a lot? Is he outside a lot? Does he swim/fish/boat? What's he like? The watch I got is good because it is solar powered, has auto sync to an atomic clock daily, is rugged (almost all G's are, though), displays every time zone around the world + standard G features. There are Casio G-Shock Mudmen which are more rugged than the standard G. The standard has been frozen, heated, pressure tested, etc. And still works. The Mudmen are mud and dirt resistant and they are even more waterproof. There are other G's that have tide charts and moon phases for more water-based people that do fishing and such. If he hunts/shoots/hikes/whatever, they have models that have altimeters, barometers, thermometers on 'em. Do note that these models are more expensive than the basic G. The US Navy SEALs wear this G, mostly. It has auto-illumination, too. Mine has that, also. It's a nice feature (tilt the watch up past 30 degrees and it lights up, if the feature is turned on).
Anything else? I can recommend other G's, too.
I wouldn't bother with the atomic version as the solar quartz is plenty precise and is half the cost. At that price get both =D
Military style watches work great with streetwear but if you are worried about it get a bunch of different straps and swap them out as you please. It can radically change the look of the watch.
Hamilton makes some very pretty military watches.
You may consider the GW-6900. It has the classic design of the DW-6900 with the technological advancements of solar power and atomic time sync. It's a great watch that is an homage to the classic g-shocks.
Additionally, you may consider this thread on watchuseek.
"doesn't have to be fancy just keep time well and have a stop watch"
G-Shock. Take your pick. I prefer the multiband radio atomic models such as the GW-6900.