On the trail I use a very basic Timex watch that only tells the time of day. My current watch has a little window that used to show me what day of the month it was, but it broke and now it is always the first day of the month.

My understanding is that the AT is so thoroughly marked with white and blue blazes every few hundred feet that a GPS is completely unnecessary for staying on the trail. It is kind of fun to know your elevation or the barometric pressure, but wholly superfluous. Your money would be better spent on more fundamental gear, like the best high-end down sleeping bag you can afford. A gaudy watch would be more of a toy than a necessity.