An icon versus the cheapest good watch on earth. One of them wins.
Product Image: Casio
7.5
KADS SCORE
Quick Take
The Timex Weekender at $119 and the Casio MQ24 at $29.95 are the two default answers to ‘what cheap watch should I buy.’ The Casio is the value king by a mile, but the Timex wins on style, presence, and versatility. Here is why the Weekender takes the crown.
What We Like
- Iconic design that works dressed up or down
- Indiglo backlight is genuinely useful at night
- Huge strap ecosystem with standard 20mm spring bars
- 50 meter water resistance versus basic splash resistance
- Feels like a real watch, not a disposable
What We Don’t Like
- Timex costs four times the Casio
- Casio's resin case and strap feel cheap next to brass
- Timex tick is loud; Casio is nearly silent
- Casio lacks a date window on most variants
Product Details
Full Review
Quality
How they compare. The Weekender brings a polished brass case, mineral glass, and a proper 50 meter water resistance rating. The MQ24 counters with a featherweight resin case and band at just 20 grams, a clean minimalist dial with 12 and 24 hour markers, and a 3 year battery. The Casio is honest plastic done well; the Timex is simply a more substantial object.
Value
Price comparison. The Casio MQ24 at $29.95 is arguably the best value in all of watches: accurate quartz, 3 year battery, and a clean look for the price of a pizza. The Timex at $119 costs four times more but delivers four times the style versatility. If money is the only factor, Casio wins outright. If you want one watch that handles every occasion, the Timex justifies the gap.
Who Should Buy It
Anyone choosing between the two most recommended budget watches on the internet.
Who Should Skip It
Collectors chasing automatics should skip both and save for an entry level mechanical.
FINAL VERDICT
The Timex Weekender wins. The Casio MQ24 is the smarter purchase on pure value, but the Weekender is the better watch: more versatile, more character, and still affordable. Buy the Casio as a beater; buy the Timex as your daily.
7.5 / 10
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