best watch under $500?

The narrow answer to a broad spectrum question such as this is....
"The one you wear everyday."

Now as to the question of best that would have to be quantified by cost.
Can you buy a better watch for $100 or $1000? It's really hard to say.
There are several makes that offer exceptional value for the quality of the
watch bought. Names such as Sekio, Citizen, Pulsar, etc. Then there
are the watches in the Rolex class that are little more than anything just
expensive time keepers.

Because watches are also jewlery they are seldom favored long term as
people get tired of the style etc. So I'd say that the watch you wear every
day is the best watch for that day.
 
Even though I've only been wearing it for five days, the Invicta 8926 Automatic is a major bang for your buck in the $100 range.

Paul
 
Dennis,
It's a broad price range and plenty of good watches are under $500.00
I would recommend you take a look at the Marathon SAR. Check the specs out on the sales page at www.broadarrow.net and see what you think. I have 2 of them (one 2001 contract, and one 2002 contract) and I wear one of them everyday. I have around 14 watches and but I like the look of the SAR so I wear it daily. It's pretty impressive!
Another less expensive watch that is nice looking is the Ollech & Wajs Cougar model(West Coast Time has some).
You might look at some Zeno watches and like Paul said, some of the Invicta models are good values.Good luck in your search.......
Shannon
 
I have looked at the SAR. I love the looks of it. Is it worth $500 though?
 
Dennis,
That is a good question that I would guess depends on the Person as well as the Watch. It was worth it to me, and even bought 2 of them. I think the watch is very solid built and uses a proven automatic movement not to mention that it looks great. I get comments about mine all the time.
I guess you might also consider the fact that it is a military watch that won't be heavily produced either so that might help with your decision.
It's a decision that you will have to make based on your research and personal preference.
Another watch you might look at that is a good value is a Seiko 200m Diver (automatic movement)
It's a nice looking, large watch that is very reliable (17 jewel movement I think) and I looked around and got one for about $180.00
If you would like, I can scan the Seiko and the SAR side by side to give you a comparison.
Let me know, I can email the scan to you.
Shannon
 
My choices would be:

Seiko Diver 200m Auto - $100 - $130

Luminox - $125 - $150

Sinn 656 - $450 - $500 (on strap)
 
today i got a Luminox Dive watch...damn, what a watch. I payed 125 dollars for it (http://www.omegamanenterprises.com/luminoxwatches.htm) which was the best price i could find anywhere. I would really recommend this watch!

When you ask what is the best watch, i would say that means a watch that is light, strong, and keeps good time. It is all of those things. It has a swiss movement that i have heard keeps very good time, but i have only had it for a few hours, so i can't say. I can say that it is very well built and is light as hell. If you go diving, it will be alright down to 600 feet! that is way below the point that you would be able to safely dive to..It also has these pockets of luminescent gas at every hour, and on the hands. They stay lit in all environments without having to be recharged by the sunlight...the battery life is also excellent from what i have heard.

If you like this style of watch, and are not looking for a watch that is more jewlery than a timekeeper, than go out and buy one, they are priced very well, and are the official watch of the navy seals...
 
I personally am sold on the Citizen brand...I bought my Titanium, Eco-Drive over a year ago, and this thing is on my wrist during the week and working on the house and cars over the weekend and really been beat and worked over and it still looks almost new.

I paid $330 or so at the time, but Ive seen them on e-bay go for around $150
 
Dennis is the best. I got the Luminox Stealth pilots watch with the steel bracelet for around $230 if I remember correctly and it is awesome. The first time I saw this particular watch was at Cabelas in Michigan and they wanted $400. Just click on The Leading Edge on Dennis's post and you'll be on his web site.:D
 
My choices would be:
Seiko Diver 200m Auto - $100 - $130
Luminox - $125 - $150
Citizen "Tough" - $200 - $250
Sinn 656 - $450 - $500 (on Sharkskin strap)

Damn Hollister you got good taste!
 
How's this? Since I got my Citizen "tough" on kevlar I've stopped perusing the watch forums. Not even the SAR reissue (with aligned bezel) got my heart racing. The tough rules :)
 
Check the preowned market. $500 goes a lot further there. Some brands suffer mammoth depreciation for no real reason. Breitling and TAG Heuer are 2 that seem to hold their value poorly, and they are good watches. Check Timezone.com for those brands or whatever catches your fancy. You may be able to get a Glycine Airman for around there as well, a cool and unique watch.
 
Citizen, SAK, Victorinox come to mind. I have experience with the first two (Citizen Navihawk, SAK uhh... Officer's Model, I think). Citizen developed a problem after about 8 months of wear. Sent it back, defective movement, replaced with no question. SAK hasn't had a problem in about 7 years, except the battery has had to be replaced twice (about once every 3 years; I'm not complaining about this, I'm being facetious). Both keep time to within a second a month, the best I have been able to measure, using the various internet timeclocks.
 
Decided on the SAR. May not be the best for $500 but I really like the looks of it. I also like the fact that it is a limited production piece, to the general public anyway.
 
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