Ever since high school, I鈥檝e been a fan of those cheap silicone bracelets that come emblazoned with organization names, hashtags, and inspirational sayings. My latest one is approaching two years old鈥攁 near miracle, given the chintzy construction鈥攁nd聽the writing on it has long since faded to the point where I can hardly remember what it read. (It might have聽been 鈥#workhard #playhard.鈥 Don鈥檛 judge.) More than once, my wife has watched me put it on and, with a look of mild disgust, asked, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e still wearing that?鈥
But I鈥檓 older now, and it鈥檚 time to kick the bracelet habit. So I was thrilled to get my hands on 聽($125). No聽bells and whistles here, just聽an analog face with glow-in-the-dark minute and hour hands, which is all I need. And I admire the matte green finish on the dial and water-resistant case. The strap is nylon, made from recycled plastic bottles, and while the Velcro closure may be a turn-off to some, it鈥檚 simple to adjust. It also keeps the watch light, and I prefer it over a beefy steel band weighing down my wrist all day. Bonus points that the SWII is, as the name implies, solar powered.
It鈥檚 no Rolex, but the SWII is a solid field watch, approachable and user-friendly for someone like me who just wants to wear it out hiking or聽paddleboarding or to the occasional semiformal party. And if it means those cheap bracelets find their way to the trash bin, so much the better.