Mechanical under $300?

ReconTech

ReconTech

Joined
Dec 3, 2002
Messages
316
I'm looking to get my first mechanical watch, and would like to start out spending under $300 if possible. Suggestions? (And if you can't tell by my username, as tactical as possible, please):D :D
 
I'm not sure what you mean by a tactical mechanical watch, but Poljot makes some very nice watches in that price range. I just picked one up on eBay. Check them out on poljot.com in the Aviator chronographs section. You might like the Aviator with the blacked-out case. The prices on that site are a little high, but russiansouvenirs.com has good selection and price, or look around on eBay.

Aviator Poljots are water resistant to 3 bar, so you can't go diving in them, but they'll stand up to rain just fine.

There is a Swiss Army Officer's Mechanical watch for about 300 bucks that has an automatic movement and a sapphire crystal (the Poljots are mineral glass) but I don't think it looks as good, and the mechanics aren't in the same league. No chronograph either. Still, it's probably worth checking out for comparison.

Anyway, I just found out about Poljot about a week ago. I did some digging about them and came away highly impressed. I have no doubts that the quality exceeds that of many production Swiss watches such as Tag Heuer.

Come to think of it, Oris makes some very nice watches too, but they are very tough to find at that price. I've seen a few go on eBay for pretty cheap, but I'd still rather have two or three Poljots for the money. Take a look at an Oris BC3, though. I think they're pretty sweet.

Or you could buy 1/8th of a Bell & Ross.
 
If you want a quality all-purpose mechanical watch for under $300 there are really only two options:

1) Seiko 7S26 automatic

2) Poljot 3133 Chrono

There are other products in the price range, but they really can't compare to the Seiko or the Poljot.

I'm not sure what you would consider a "tactical" watch (one with a garotte like in the movies, perhaps?) but Poljots are available in literally dozens of styles, many of which are clearly based on the old concept of a military "pilot's watch". I'm sure one will fit the bill.

Poljots (especially their chronos) are fine products, and can easily compete with nice Swiss pieces that cost many times more. Please see the post I have in this thread for a further explaination.
 
Can you link to the 3133 Fishbulb? Are you referring to a model number or movement?
 
The 3133 is Poljot's chrono movement. It comes in a large variety of case styles.

You can look at some of the watches here.
 
ReconTech
I second alanforbes recommendation. Howard only sells quality stuff, and he a fine gentlemen to deal with.
semper fi
Tuna out
 
I have to agree about Howard Marx. A couple of years back I purchsed 2 watches from him on Ebay. He was honest and a straight shooter to deal with.

Mith.
 
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