Help! Watch options, sub 700.00 range?

8

802-303

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Mar 23, 2015
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I'm looking for some bladeforum, expert advice on a new watch for myself. For the last 15 years I've owned two watches. One a Casio calculator watch. (Retro awesome) and a Nixon Don. (Plain Jane, analog watch.) While both work, and suit me well. They look outdated.
I've budgeted roughly 500.00 for a watch. (Up to 700.00 if it's perfect.) Requests for a watch seem simple, military/LEO style watch. I need durability, more then looks. Option to add a fabric band. Tritium tube everything! Chrono would be nice, but not needed. And nothing massive in size.
As you can probably tell, I don't know what to look for. What brands to look at. ( or steer clear of. ) And I'm sure I haven't figured out other aspects that make one watch better then the next. Toss some ideas my way, what do you want in a watch? What don't you want? Pictures always help! Thanks.

**** Update post #28. Bought something to fix my Tritium urge. I can now focus on a quality pilot/military watch.
 
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Luminox.
Your request for military/LEO/tritium tube reduces the pool significantly.
 
Luminox has been popping up a bit. I like them, and their designs. but hear unless you pay full retail from an authorized dealer your SOL on repairs. (Sure it's similar with all company's.) I hate seeing a 700.00 watch for 350.00 brand new on Amazon..... (Luminox has no Amazon authorized dealers I've heard.)
I've also looked at Armourlite, they have the features I like. But a high price tag for a company I don't know.
I have a lot of Internet hunting to do......
 
They've been around since 1995 as far as I know.
One of his watches was chosen as an official watch of the US Navy (nice contract, I'm sure!); it's a safe bet that some vetting was done.

As for repairs, you nailed it as far as warranty, but no watchmaker will refuse your money for an out of repair service on a mechanical movement.
And since they don't make their own movements (they get them form ETA, Rhonda, Miyota or similar), repair is really a non-issue.
 
Maybe Marathon or Borealis Scout Sniper? but those are more like dive watches and have a good size to them.
 
Robgmn, thanks! That's the kind of info I need.
Legion 12, Maratac hu? Run's off to their website.....

Keep them coming, thanks!
 
I have become a big fan of Reactor watches, I have a couple and they are very overbuilt well made watches!
 
I was instantly attracted to the Maratac design/layout. Is yours the mid size or the 46mm? I've got a bad case of twig wrist, and I'm tempted to get the 46mm. My other watch is mid 30mm and is "small" compared to the big watch movement.

Im also tempted by the Luminox A.5121.GN SXC it ticks all the right boxes. But also 46mm. Can anyone chime in on that model?
Do I need to worry about counterfeit watches.....?
6DCCEFCA-C383-42B1-B781-9F1677AF9EAD_zpswjiciw3c.png
 
Want LEO?

JG6500SecretService.jpg


Jorg-Gray model JG 6500, Secret Service issue, sold at the employee store at United States Secret Service headquarters, 920-934 H Street NW, Washington, DC.

You need to be one to buy one but not to wear one.

WatchingObamaA.jpg


WatchingObamaB.jpg


Knowing he's a watch guy, his bodyguards chipped in to buy one for his birthday in 2007. It's been his daily business watch ever since, but he still wears the TAG-Heuer on state occasions and campaigning.

A competent, inexpensive chronograph that I think looks better without the logo. Amazon sells it for $230 and you can order one from China for half that.

http://www.amazon.com/Jorg-Gray-JG6500-Analog-Display/dp/B002C40I18
 
802-303 said:
I was instantly attracted to the Maratac design/layout. Is yours the mid size or the 46mm? I've got a bad case of twig wrist, and I'm tempted to get the 46mm. My other watch is mid 30mm and is "small" compared to the big watch movement.

Im also tempted by the Luminox A.5121.GN SXC it ticks all the right boxes. But also 46mm. Can anyone chime in on that model?
Do I need to worry about counterfeit watches.....?
6DCCEFCA-C383-42B1-B781-9F1677AF9EAD_zpswjiciw3c.png
Click to expand...

That's a mid size.
 
Stay away from Luminox. Several guys I work with have had them and had several issues and their customer service is lack luster. At the price range you're talking about, I'd go with one of the Marathon Watches; they're built like tanks and hold their value. Their tritium watches a bit more but well worth it IMO. Look hard enough and you'll find one in your price range. The "watch You Seek" classified are a good place to look. For a little less, Tawatec and Deep Blue make a good tritium watch. Lastly, someone mentioned Reactor. The Reactors are nice and built well but the internals don't justify the price. If you look long enough on the "auction site" you can usually find them for allot less with the tritium tubes.
 
While they are controversial. I am happy with an Invicta automatic I recently perchased on sale for 69 bucks. It has the Seiko movement and it has been just as accurate as my COSC certified Omega Seamaster that costs several thousand. Both are about a second faster after a week. If you like quartz watches, there are plenty of good ones in your price range.
 
I know it may not be what you want after some of the comments on here but I have a luminox for sale at the moment. It was purchased from an Authorized dealer and comes with the warranty card. It has barely had any wrist time. it is the luminox XS.5082.BO Chronograph...
 
Luminox or Reactor for me. I have had a Reactor watch for about 3 years and beat the crap out of it and it runs like a brand new one.
 
Thanks everyone. I've gone from a watch novice, to someone who almost knows what the hell they want.... Going out tonight to test fit a few watches.
 
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