All watches reviewed are obtained through purchase. Free samples are NOT accepted, to maintain journalistic integrity. These reviews are provided as a public service and are in no way conclusive. Opinion are those of the writer. "MW" - LIP look-alike
Available from ebay seller "Modernwatches", with the case marked(lightly etched) " MW" on the front, "ModernWatches" on the back, these pieces are being sold by auction, so the price varies - I got the one reviewed here for $46 USA! Construction
Satin finish stainless steel throughout, with a side-stitched leather band. Red LEDs. Plastic crystal/face. At 34 millimeters across both width and height, the watch is nice sized - average. With the leather band it only weighs 52 grams, which is fairly light. A slight drawback to the band is that the case has a single lug(the protrusion that the band connects to), so getting a replacement band may be tricky. That single lugged design also leaves the slightly large band pin showing at each end, giving the watch a slightly crude(IMO) look at that point. The watch comes with a 1 year warrantee. The band will loosely accommodate an 8"(210mm) wrist, and can be taken down to a little over 6.5"(158mm). The fit was very comfortable. THE WATCH IS NOT WATERPROOF, it makes no claim of being waterproof and actually tells you to take it off for showering or doing the dishes. Now, I personally thought it was as waterproof a construction as any modern I have reviewed, having a case-back gasket and fairly tight buttons. The leather band smells really "leathery", so it may be the #1 victim of water contact. Display
This is one of the very few watches of modern construction that uses something very close to old-style wire bonding. The digit sections are made up of rows of rounds DOT LEDs, using 7 to a full upright segment, such as the numeral "1", 4 dots to horizontal sections. The digits have a slight rightward lean to them compared to the horizontals...real slight, maybe 1 degree, but noticable. Other than the "lean", the numbers are gloriously bright, like an early Pulsar or Hamilton on steriods!! The LED section is fully encapsulated in clear plastic. The watch displays for 10 seconds at a push, which may be a factor in battery life. Interesting construction details: the module uses one driver transistor for each digit(5 total - 4 numbers and the colon). The oscillator is a chip style, rather than a can - no trimmer. Features
12 hour time, numerical date, no seconds. Setting is simple, initiated by a recessed setting button below the single Command button.
Power is by virtue of a 3 volt lithium cell, which should give a solid year of service according to the seller, but I wonder about that, due to the 10 seconds of display time... The battery is accessed thru a snap on back - funny, the back is notched to appear as a screw-on type! The watch comes in a small plastic bag, inside of a very small cardboard box. A folded instruction sheet in English[only], and a warrantee card round out the package. I thought this was a decently constructed, very comfortable and highly functional modern, for the price. Comments: ed@thedigitalwatch.com | 
