Wristwatch Review: Men's Structure Instrument Panel Analog Watch

One great thing about being married is that a spouse can really bring perspective and clarity to a purchasing decision. For example, when I saw a dead ringer for a Bell & Ross Instrument panel watch among the Structure watches at Sears for only $29.99, my wife was able to cut right to the core of the purchasing decision. I explained about how Bell & Ross was a high end European watch maker that makes instrument panel watches. I explained that the square instrument panel watch was an iconic design. She explained that we will never be able to afford a $3500 watch and, even if we were rich, we'd probably never blow $3500 on a watch. So, she reasoned, if I liked the design I should buy the Chinese-made Structure watch. Thus ended my internal debate on intellectual property, the power of brand identity, and watch authenticity.

The Structure Instrument Panel watch has a square case that measures just over 1 3/4 inches by 1 3/4 inches and is about 10/16 of an inch thick. The center of the watch is dominated by the circular face which is 1 5/8 inch in diameter. What do these dimensions add up to? A big watch with a very readable face. The Structure watch uses fonts that are similar to those used by Bell & Ross for numbers at the twelve, three, six, and nine o'clock positions. The hours and minutes are also marked with highly visible instrument panel hash marks. The hour and minute hands are broad and readable. Even at seventy miles an hour on the highway, this watch is readable with an instant glance. In fact, this watch is the most readable watch I own and I own too many watches.

Of course, this Structure watch is not perfect. For some reason, this watch has small numbers from 2 to 24 (by twos) all the way around the dial between the watch face and the crystal. At first you'd think it was a cool military time-keeping feature, but the numbering scheme is off six is at three, twelve is at six, eighteen is at nine, and twenty-four is at twelve. Like many inexpensive watches, this Structure watch has a completely useless, totally non-functional, style element. However, it is not something that detracts from the watch on a daily basis.

Another drawback to this watch is an imprecise movement. While the Japanese quartz movement keeps accurate time, but the movement of the minute hand looked a little jerky from time to time. The minute hand seemed to fall on a minute hash when the second hand was a six o'clock rather than twelve. Perhaps these criticisms are merely nits that are only noticed when one stares intently at a watch? They are certainly little reminders that a $29.99 Structure watch from Sears is not a $3500 Bell & Ross from Switzerland .

Despite the minor flaws, this Structure brand watch is one of the best watches under $30 that I've seen. The watch fits any sized wrist since it has a black fabric band with a velcro clasp. According to the Sears website, the case is black resin, but it feels like a base metal to me. The watch feels solid.
It's simply a bold, fun, watch. If you like the looks of instrument panel watches and can't afford a real Bell & Ross, the Structure Instrument Panel watch at Sears is certainly a better alternative than a counterfeit watch from a shady source. A Bell & Ross inspired instrument panel watch is just as legitimate as the many diver-style watches inspired by the Rolex Submariner.

Overall, this Structure watch and many of the other inexpensive watches a Sears are good values. In general, they look a bit better than many of the generic watches at Kmart, Target, and Walmart. This Structure watch is a good watch value for just under $30.

Sources:
Personal Experience
Sears.com

Other articles by this contributor:
Dreaming of a Bell & Ross Watch
Seven Great Men's Watches for Less Than $30
How to Cope with Watch Snobbery