OT: Q for the watch enthusiasts

[theboucher]

I'd like to buy a new watch. I already have a Garmin for exercise, etc, but I'd like to get something cool/timeless (pun intended) to wear every day.

I like the looks of Shinola watches, though it seems like watch people aren't very impressed with their mechanicals.

Budget is sub 1k ideally, so Richard Mille is out. What should I be looking at?

[buddybikes]

If you are looking at dress watch, an older American watch can be had for "pennies" i.e.: Waltham. Probably get a sold gold and still have plenty $$ leftover. Nice wearing piece of history.

[parallelfish]

I have some more expensive watches, but still my favorite is the 38 mm Hamilton Khaki Field watch.

https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-int...ield-auto.html

[theboucher]

This is all very helpful, thank you. I don't know quite what I want yet.

I think a tool watch is probably the right thing - certainly nothing dressy. No complications necessary! Dive - maybe?

Baltic looks right up my alley (the aquascaphe titanium) as does the Hamilton Khaki Field watch.

[GonaSovereign]

Originally Posted by theboucher

This is all very helpful, thank you. I don't know quite what I want yet.

I think a tool watch is probably the right thing - certainly nothing dressy. No complications necessary! Dive - maybe?

Baltic looks right up my alley - I'm going to take a closer look at the Aquascaphe Titanium.

The Aquascaphe ti is pretty new; the steel versions have been around for a few years and are pretty highly regarded. Searching for reviews will turn them up on all the usual sites like Fratello and Hodinkee.

[Buzz Killington]

https://momentumwatch.com/collection...41118575886514

[GonaSovereign]

Originally Posted by Buzz Killington

https://momentumwatch.com/collection...41118575886514

I think the OP is looking for a mechanical watch. The Momentum has a very basic quartz movement from Epson. (Which is a Seiko subsid, but it’s literally a $5 movement and is likely unserviceable )

[Matt92037]

Look for a Japanese made Seiko with a sapphire crystal.

[Steve in SLO]

Wear what makes you smile when you look down at it. Don’t let anyone shame you into wanting something “better“.
I have a goodly number of very expensive vintage watches, but my favorite all rounders are relatively inexpensive tool watches with Seiko mechanical movements in them. I like how they look on my wrist and am of the opinion that pretty much any watch is decent these days, as opposed to 30 or 40 years ago.

[jimcav]

keep something going just like you as you age together.

I have a '69 omega dynamic--i like the retro looks. downside is it is no longer waterproof so have to be careful handwashing and can't jump in the shower without taking it off.

so many great options, but if you won't wear it daily then think about if you want to have to set time and date when you do (or at least look for an easy date set function).

The omega is automatic, but I also have a manual wind Hamiton military watch issued for vietnam--have to wind it, but that is easy to do once you have the habit (satisfying too).

I got my sons each an early 1970's seiko ''ufo'' watch--they like the retro style too. very easy to set those.

not vintage, really, but as someone above stated some of the seiko prospex are nice--my son likes my "nemo" prospex diver--several years old now, orange dial.
.
shopworn often has some great deals compared to retail on some modern watches.

[IJWS]

I like the bezel on the aquascape though the case maybe a bit tall.

Three pieces of advice:

1. Go to a watch shop(s) and try things on. It'll give you a better feel for what appeals to you. Don't buy anything but take notes (and wrist pictures) of what you like and do "research" from there.

2. Try to figure out what size watch you like. Watches generally range from 34mm-44mm and the difference between a millimeter or two makes a big difference. Think about the proportion on your wrist, what feels comfortable, and how much attention you would like the watch to attract. This is something to think about when you're looking at watches in person. (I think a watch around 38-40mm is going to last in your collection longer than a 42mm+ dive watch by the way.)

3. I like this website Watchrecon Even if you don't want to buy a used watch, it's a great place to see a ton of different watches and get an idea of what appeals to you. This is another great way to do "research".

If I had $1000 to spend, I would love to pick up 1) a Seiko Sarb033, 2) a Nomos Club, 3) a Unimatic U1 or U2, 4) Sinn 556. These are all specific to my tastes though which is why I prefaced this with more "universal" considerations above.

Good luck in your search! Please link anything you're interested back to this thread--I'm sure you'll get some honest opinions really quickly!

[Matt92037]

The Sarb033 is such a classic. Timeless.

Originally Posted by IJWS

I like the bezel on the aquascape though the case maybe a bit tall.

Three pieces of advice:

1. Go to a watch shop(s) and try things on. It'll give you a better feel for what appeals to you. Don't buy anything but take notes (and wrist pictures) of what you like and do "research" from there.

2. Try to figure out what size watch you like. Watches generally range from 34mm-44mm and the difference between a millimeter or two makes a big difference. Think about the proportion on your wrist, what feels comfortable, and how much attention you would like the watch to attract. This is something to think about when you're looking at watches in person. (I think a watch around 38-40mm is going to last in your collection longer than a 42mm+ dive watch by the way.)

3. I like this website Watchrecon Even if you don't want to buy a used watch, it's a great place to see a ton of different watches and get an idea of what appeals to you. This is another great way to do "research".

If I had $1000 to spend, I would love to pick up 1) a Seiko Sarb033, 2) a Nomos Club, 3) a Unimatic U1 or U2, 4) Sinn 556. These are all specific to my tastes though which is why I prefaced this with more "universal" considerations above.

Good luck in your search! Please link anything you're interested back to this thread--I'm sure you'll get some honest opinions really quickly!

[Applesauce]

I'm not a watch enthusiast really, and all I aspire to is a Tudor Pelagos, which I would then wear every day forever. Maybe my wife will buy it for me soon?

I have a Seiko PADI Turtle that I love. It's probably a $500 watch. It wears great, I've had it in multiple oceans, I've whacked it on a certain bench vise almost every time I walk by. I have it on a leather NATO strap and it's now a dress watch.

[yinzerniner]

Originally Posted by IJWS

I like the bezel on the aquascape though the case maybe a bit tall.

Three pieces of advice:

1. Go to a watch shop(s) and try things on. It'll give you a better feel for what appeals to you. Don't buy anything but take notes (and wrist pictures) of what you like and do "research" from there.

2. Try to figure out what size watch you like. Watches generally range from 34mm-44mm and the difference between a millimeter or two makes a big difference. Think about the proportion on your wrist, what feels comfortable, and how much attention you would like the watch to attract. This is something to think about when you're looking at watches in person. (I think a watch around 38-40mm is going to last in your collection longer than a 42mm+ dive watch by the way.)

3. I like this website Watchrecon Even if you don't want to buy a used watch, it's a great place to see a ton of different watches and get an idea of what appeals to you. This is another great way to do "research".

If I had $1000 to spend, I would love to pick up 1) a Seiko Sarb033, 2) a Nomos Club, 3) a Unimatic U1 or U2, 4) Sinn 556. These are all specific to my tastes though which is why I prefaced this with more "universal" considerations above.

Good luck in your search! Please link anything you're interested back to this thread--I'm sure you'll get some honest opinions really quickly!

Above is a good starting list. Just a few add ons:
Point 2 - watch sizing is very subjective, and case diameter only tells some of the story. Best idea is to go to a watch store with a decent selection and try on a few staples which have established sizes/styles/designs so you can compare it to others that might catch your eye. IE, try one chrono, one tool/dive, and one dress/hands only.

Point 3 - Also a good place is Reddit watchexchange. You get a nice idea of what other serious collectors are enthusiastic about, and they'll be able to comment on certain watches which you might not hear of but have loyal followings and/or are held in high regard

But for $1k or under you can't really go wrong with Seiko, Hamilton, Sinn, Stowa, Junghans et al. But even the mechanical Timexes are pretty nice for not a lot.

[Louis]

+1 on Sinn. 556i would be a great place to start.

(You'd have to stretch your budget if you want to get a new one, or you could get a used one.)

Edit: but if you really want to stay within your budget and go for value, then I'd say Seiko. They make some great auto's under $1k. IMO you really can't beat them for their combination of price and design / variety. Just about anyone can find something nice somewhere up or down the Seiko line. Eventually I'm going to get one with a Spring Drive movement, but that's still a bit down the road.