Retro is all the rage these days and that’s what the Armitron Griffy is all about. Nostalgic themes have manifested in major aspects of popular culture, from entertainment, video games, cars and even the items we use every day (e.g. the re-emergence of the enamel cup, something I grew up watching my grandfather drink morning coffee from decades ago). Of course, the watch industry is no different, with a plethora of retro-themed designs from a variety of manufacturers.

The collective “hive mind” that is watch enthusiasm gravitates to mechanical watches, so it is no surprise that new releases with vintage callbacks, such as Timex’s Marlin re-issue, are hot sellers. However, digital quartz watches have themselves seen a recent resurgence in popularity. Casio’s A100-WEPC is surely testimony to this digital nostalgia. Hamilton and Yema have also sought to capitalize on this, with their releases of the PSR and LED watches respectively, both referencing their 1970’s era LED designs, replete with red displays and period-appropriate gold finishes.

Given the popularity of Casio and Timex at the entry-level, Armitron is not a brand that often pops up when discussing watches with enthusiast credibility. However, Armitron may have turned the tide in their favor, with the launch of their “Retro” line-up of quartz watches and most notably, the Griffy.

The Armitron Griffy is unquestionably a retro design, with its LED display and svelte dimensions of 35 mm width and 40 mm lug-to-lug. The acrylic crystal is neatly sized into the stainless steel case, with a slight beveled edge. The case itself, being stainless steel, was quite unexpected, especially considering that the major competition at this price from Timex and Casio feature plated resin or brass cases. Moreover, the use of stainless steel offered a noticeable heft that belied the watch’s size; when coupled with the folded link bracelet, this added a bit of drape on the wrist that made the Griffy quite comfortable to wear. The bracelet, attached to case via shrouded lugs, is near identical to that found on the ubiquitous Casio A158.

The display, according to Armitron, is a true LED unit. Since LED displays have relatively high power demands vs. LCDs, the Griffy opts to utilize a two-handed approach to time telling: with the watch on one wrist, the wearer needs to press the upper button on the right of the case with the other hand to activate the display. Pressing the button two more times will reveal the date and running seconds respectively, all with LED digits that are crisp and easy to see in any light. The only additional functionality would be time/date adjustment, via the button on the lower right.

Off the wrist, the level of detail that was added to the Armitron Griffy (at this price) can be admired from a variety of other angles. The laser etched caseback adds a level of quality that I’m still to find from other competitors in this price range, and the finely brushed case sides with a hint of polish on the bevel near the crystal, is akin to something I would see on watches easily three times this price. Lastly, the stated 50m of water resistance is adequate for most activities in daily wear.

While it is easy to praise a watch that I bought with my own money, there are downsides worth noting. The bracelet can be a pain to wear for those with hairy wrists (this can be solved by wearing the watch more snugly than one normally would). Additionally, the need to press a button to tell the time makes discreet time checks during meetings near impossible.

In summary, the Armitron Griffy is a watch that celebrates the advent of quartz time keeping and does so in a design and style that stays true to its roots. Plus, at the price of <$70, one can easily buy multiple combinations of display and case colors for a nice variety in daily wear. To me, the Griffy is a truly endearing choice, just waiting to be discovered.