Lego Sports Basketball Watch Review - 4238542 / 4182611

My son has a history of choosing very fun watches for me as a gift. I didn't think the Swatch Neon to the Max that he got me a year ago could be topped, but I might have been wrong. This year I unwrapped a package to find a Lego Sports Basketball Watch! I knew that Lego made watches in the past after seeing James May wear one in the Grand Tour, but I had never seen one quite like this! Keep reading to find out more!

Although StrapHabit doesn't currently sell straps to fit this watch, you can view our favorite straps for your other watches at the links below. You can also read the Guide to Choosing a Watch Strap.

-All Straps
-Best Sellers
-What's New
-Rubber Straps
-Accessories

If you'd like to learn about other great watches under $500, you can read the StrapHabit Top 10 list, or view other reviews of watches under $500.

Lego Sports Basketball Watch 4238542 Details

The watch says copyright 2001 on the back, but a search revealed that it was released in 2004. Despite being over 20 years old, the full kit was included. Inside the box was the watch itself, extra links and a number of Lego accessories.

It includes two bezels, which can be popped off by hand. One is a smooth timing bezel giving the watch a (slightly) more conventional look.

The other bezel features 8 Lego studs, spaced appropriately to hold a brick or minifig.

And speaking of minifigs, this watch includes a cool one! A mini basketball player has springs in the legs, and arms that lock into position. This gives allows it to shoot a mini basketball (also included). Someone creative could probably build a backboard on the stud bezel to fashion a hoop.

Wearing the Lego Sports Basketball Watch 4238542 

Because it's likely designed to be worn by people of all ages, the Lego basketball watch is only 26mm in diameter. The plastic "band" is almost as wide as the watch case, so it wears more like a fun bracelet than a watch.

It's comfortable and light, and legibility is good considering its small dial.

Either bezel can be rotated, and feature subtle clicks.

The small crown is a bit difficult to grip, but it's quartz, so you won't need to adjust it often.

And it even has a small amount of lume!

Lego Sports Basketball Watch 4238542 Bracelet

This watch has a bracelet unlike any that I have seen before, but it is also the easiest bracelet that I've ever sized! I was worried that it would only allow fitment for children, but it fit my 7.25" wrist with a link and a half to spare!

Plastic links clip together, and can easily be removed by rotating the link perpendicular to the next and simply popping it off. Three colors of links come with the kit, including blue, purple, and even bright orange half links! This allows you to get the perfect fit, and customize the pattern.

Each link has two studs, allowing you to mount the included minifig, or to accessorize with your other favorite Legos.

Lego Sports Basketball Watch 4238542 Movement

Although the packaging says that batteries are included, the Lego watch was not running when I opened it, likely due to its age. I was anxious to see if it still worked, so quickly popped the back off. The battery was in place and was labeled as SR626SW. I ordered a replacement and waited. When it arrived, the tiny battery was a bit tricky to get in. Once installed, the watch started ticking!

The movement is labeled as Japanese Miyota. According to the engravings, it is unadjusted and has no jewels. It's been keeping good time since I set it.

Lego Sports Basketball Watch 4238542 Conclusion

I'll admit, this watch is a novelty. But if you're looking for something fun to wear, it's a lot less expensive than a Moonswatch. Fewer people are likely to have seen one as well.

As a lover of Lego since I was a kid, I was really happy to have received it as a gift!

Lego Sports Basketball Watch 4238542 Specifications: 

Name: Watch Set, Basketball
Reference Number: 4238542 (alternate 4182611)
MSRP: Unknown (no longer available)
Diameter: 26mm
Height: 34.1mm
Thickness: 11.1mm (including accessory bezel studs)
Lug Width: Fixed, 10mm
Weight: 60g
Movement: Miyota Quartz
Water Resistance: 30m
Crown:  Push-pull
Bezel: Bidirectional rotating (60 minute or 8 stud)
Bracelet: Plastic