Best Vintage Digital Watch

Sporty, sleek, and always ready to go, vintage digital watches are the tech-savvy, multi-feature version of their analog counterparts. 

These digital timepieces are ideal for active watch wearers because they have the features that suit on-the-go, high-energy lifestyles.

Vintage digital watches also have this unique presence and style that can’t be found anywhere else. 

So, if you’re looking for the best vintage watch out there, we’ll share with you some handy information so you can pick the right watch with a little more ease.

Let’s get into it.

Top 7 Best Vintage Digital Watches

1. Bulova Archive Series: Computron – 96C139

Product Description

The Bulova Archive Series: Computron – 96C139 looks retro-cool. In fact, it’s one of the most unique watches on our list and it earned its rightful place because of its sleek design, retro commitment, and originality.

Just look at its trapezoidal stainless steel case and you’ll know. It also features a day and date window, dual timezone capabilities, and a blue LED display. It looks bulky but is really not uncomfortable when worn.

It is ultra-simple and super shiny.  It also weighs 8 ounces but is only water-resistant for up to 30 meters. This means that it can withstand quick handwashing and water droplets.

For being cooler than a submarine, it provides a good value for money.

Pros

  • Features dual time and LED display
  • Unique look
  • Cool retro watch
  • Mineral crystal case material
  • Covered by Bulovas 3-year global warranty
  • Splash resistant
  • Futuristic style
  • With time zone functionalities

Con/s

  • Water-resistance depth is only 30 Meters

Interested? Click here to buy it!

[You may also like: Bulova Precisionist]

2. Casio Men’s DATABANK Digital Watch

Product Description

The Casio Men’s DATABANK Digital Watch was once considered a nerdy calculator watch but look at it now. It’s cool because aside from allowing you to do a quick calculation, this digital timepiece is built with a stainless steel bracelet, guaranteeing its durability.

This vintage-style watch also comes with a 1/100-second stopwatch, full auto-calendar for up to 1099, button tone operation on, and 5 multi-function alarms.

As for its band, it is smart-looking and easy to adjust with a clasp that holds well.

And since it is built with up to 25 sets of data, you can store up to 25 personal memo pages in this watch. Truly, it’s the perfect retro-modern watch you could find in the market today!

Pros

  • Comes with an 8-Digit Touch Panel Calculator
  • Built-in world time
  • Calculator buttons are easy to press
  • Provides accurate time
  • With daily alarm
  • LCD screen for convenient viewing
  • 1/100-second stopwatch
  • Day-Date-Month function
  • Comfortable on the wrist

Con/s

  • Light does not cover the entire dial; not enough to read clearly the time at night

Like what you see? Buy this product here today!

3. Casio Men’s G-Shock Quartz Watch (DW5600E-1V)

Product Description

Next on our list is another watch from the Casio brand. It’s the Casio Men’s G-Shock Quartz Watch (DW5600E-1V). It is a black resin sports watch that features a multi-function rectangular dial, a comfortable resin strap, and shock resistance.

If you want a military-style digital watch that is not too big nor too small, this model checks the right boxes. The case can withstand bumps with ease and its 200-meter water resistance makes it reliable in shallow dives.

Other interesting features of this watch with a digital display include a timer, auto calendar for up to 2039, afterglow feature, countdown timer, and an alarm clock.

Pros

  • Black resin sport watch
  • Quartz digital movement
  • With multi-function alarm
  • Water-resistant for up to 660 feet
  • Suitable for recreational scuba diving
  • Shock-resistant
  • With afterglow backlighting

Con/s

  • the top left adjust button is recessed into the case, making it difficult to press the button

Don’t miss out! Buy this product here before it’s gone!

[You may also like: Casio A158 Vs A168]

4. Hamilton American Classic PSR Digital Quartz Watch

Product Description

Here’s one of the best digital watches that is nothing short of a classic. And why not? It’s a remake of the first digital watch – the Hamilton’s Pulsar Time Computer in 1970. 

Today, this Hamilton American Classic PSR Digital Quartz Watch sports a black digital dial, a quartz movement, and a silver-tone stainless steel case matching the silver-tone stainless steel band.

This watch is also water-resistant and is equipped with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. It has a solid case back and a fold-over clasp with a pull/push crown. 

Some users call it a “beautiful reproduction” of the original Hamilton Pulsar watch because its appearance is really as close to the original with few major improvements, mainly the 7 segment LCD daytime digital display.

The other improvement of this Hamilton American Classic PSR Digital Quartz Watch is the sapphire crystal and button cell.

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Good value for money
  • Hybrid digital display
  • Covered by a sapphire crystal
  • elegant  stainless steel case
  • Water-resistant
  • Cool design
  • Clear LCD display

Con/s

  • A firm press of the button is needed to activate the OLED

Ready to buy it? Check out this link today!

5. Timex Ironman Transit Full-Size Watch

Product Description

This best vintage digital watch list will not be complete without the Timex Ironman Transit Full-Size Watch.

This digital watch is as performance-oriented as it gets. However, its performance is not the only thing that makes it stand out. 

Besides being training-focused, this watch is equipped with 100-meter water resistance, a 10-lap memory stopwatch, and an indigo dial that illuminates during darker hours so your vital statistics remain clear and legible.

Moreover, this watch is aesthetically pleasing because of its slim silhouette, minimalist design, and colorway. If you don’t prefer the black/negative color option, you can even choose the blue, black/gray/negative, black with green accent, and black with red accent.

Pros

  • Comfortable and durable resin strap
  • Modern design
  • Built for active design
  • Comes with a countdown timer
  • With Indiglo backlight
  • Water-resistant for up to 100 meters
  • Up to 10-year battery life
  • Quartz movement
  • Easy to set

Cons

  • A negative display of numbers may not be so bright
  • The face is made of plastic, which means it may easily get scratched

Convinced? You can buy the product here! 

6. Casio Pro Trek PRW-3510Y Digital Watch

Product Description

If you’re looking for a watch that is meant for the outdoors, then you won’t go wrong with the Casio Pro Trek PRW-3510Y Digital Watch.

This Casio digital watch is equipped with calibration signals, altimeter, digital compass, full-auto calendar, thermometer, barometer, and a low-temperature resistance of (-10 degree celsius).

Unlike other retro Casio watches, this one stands out because of its built-in triple sensor. The digital display likewise delivers all the data and other features that will be useful in the great outdoors.

With a 48mm case, this watch is such a statement piece. It also has a comfortable strap and a lightweight build that is good for everyday wear.

Its water resistance is up to 660 ft, meaning it is suitable for serious surface water sports and professional marine activity, but not designed for diving.

Pros

  • Water-resistant 200m (660ft)
  • Tough solar power
  • WIth direction bezel (rotates both directions, not like a dive watch)
  • Silicone band (durable and comfortable)
  • Delivers altitude, direction, and barometric pressure readings 
  • Easy to read
  • Improved negative display than other Casio models

Con/s

  • The watch is big, although not that heavy

If you want to try it out, here’s where you can buy it! 

7. Nixon Regulus SS

Product Description

One look at the Nixon Regulus SS and it’s apparent that the American brand wanted to target a specific audience with this watch.

This 46mm Regulus watch is a “basic operation” watch with dual chronographs and LED display. Top these features with a 5-year battery life plus the shock-absorbent materials and you’ll know that it’s beyond just the look.

Designed to make undercover missions more possible, this watch has a silent mode option as well as a double locking clasp so it remains secure on every covert operation.

This handsome watch can also join you on your swimming and snorkeling adventures, owing to its 100-meter water-resistant case.

Pros

  • Adjustable LED backlight
  • Legible
  • Five-year battery
  • With silent option
  • Durable
  • shock-resistant 
  • Features dual chronograph timers
  • With three independent alarms
  • Adjustable LED brightness (ideal for light-sensitive situations, like undercover missions)

Cons

Here’s a quick link to where you can buy it! 

[You may also like: Nixon Corporal SS]

What to Look for When Buying the Best Vintage Digital Watch

Durability

It is important to know that as digital timepiece ages, its electric components start to erode, leading to less efficiency. Having said that, when you’re buying a vintage digital watch, look for one made of durable materials, including the dial window.

It would also be nice if the model can be repaired more readily or you can still find a lot of replacement parts so it can be easily replaced whether you choose the analog or mechanical watches.

Battery Life

The longevity of a watch battery depends on the type of watch, the amount of energy needed by the different functions, and its dimensions. For instance, a chronograph watch may need higher energy consumption compared to a watch that only indicates time.

LED vs LCD Digital Watch

When looking for a vintage digital watch that is not an Apple watch, you may have come across both LED and LCD in the descriptions. LED digital displays are the older technology, while LCD technology does not require you to press a button for the vintage digital time to be displayed.

If you prefer a watch with a digital display that is permanent only and operates like a modern-day digital watch, then choose a vintage watch with an LCD. On the other hand, if you prefer a digital display that oozes that vintage retro style, then go for an LED display.

Bottom line: Which One Should You Buy?

While we believe these vintage digital watches are all worth splurging for, our top pick would be the Casio Men’s G-Shock Quartz Watch

Its simple design offers a shock-resistance that is great for your vigorous sporting activities.  It is also equipped with features that rival high-end watches, like it keeps amazingly good time for an inexpensive price point, is comfortable, lightweight, and water-resistant for up to 600 feet.

If you like this review, you might want to read our other reviews at EvesWatch.com.