The Nixon 51-30 is a huge watch. Correction: The Nixon 51-30 is a fucking huge watch. With a 51.25mm diameter case (See what they did there? Nixon is so clever.), the watch monopolizes all of the wrist real estate of even the most big-boned individual. Weighing it at approximately one metric ton, it single-handedly has the power to make you walk lopsided. In short, this is not a watch for the faint of heart.

However, if you’re looking to make a “go big or go home” sort of statement (for one reason or another), this is the watch for you. It’s got a rotating bezel with countdown timer for long dives that you’ll never use. It’s got a screw down crown and tide control. The screw down crown has been relocated to the 9:00 position (along with the tide control) to prevent fucked up hands when spilling (it’s a skate/surf watch). Moving it is a great idea – in theory – but unless you’re built like The Rock the case is still going to dig into your wrist and the relocated crown is going to dig into your forearm. Still, it’s not a bad idea if you shred the powder/street/surf because sooner or later you’re going to eat it. When you do, you’ll be thankful you’re only left with a $300 watch bill instead of a thousand dollar insurance deductible. Which brings me to my next point – the price.

Currently available for $325+ at Back Country depending on trim (ceramic/wood/spinners), it’s not the cheapest watch on the market. You could pick up 30 Darch watches, 6 limited edition Timex pieces or even 2 Nixon Rubber Players for that amount of cash. We’ve established that it’s huge, mildly uncomfortable, pricey and totally capable of destroying your wrist in epic fashion. Why buy it? Because it’s huge, mildly uncomfortable, pricey and totally capable of serving as a bludgeon. All of the same reasons it’s a horrible idea – in theory – are what make it the best idea in watches. It makes a statement. It can’t be ignored. You would – quite literally – have to be blind not to be able to read this watch. For all its flaws, it still looks damn good. If I were buying it again (I would) I would opt for a bracelet instead of the weird “midnight” leather option, but those are the sacrifices you make for a $150 discount from Whiskey Militia.