Nice watch

L

Luckylefty01

Joined
Sep 6, 2004
Messages
278
Hey everybody,

Lately I've been thinking it might be fun to pick up a new watch to replace my cheap digital Casio I've been wearing for 3 or 4 years.

I don't know a whole lot about watches at the moment, but would like to learn (and buy^^). I'm interested in more of a nice stylish low key watch as opposed to something flashy with 17 different dials that does everything. Having the date would be nice though.

Basically, I'm looking to something analogous to my BM 705-401, which has consistently proved to be my favorite knife. It's sturdy, looks nice, and does its job well.

Does anybody have any advice as to what to look for in a good watch and any suggestions as to where I should start looking?

-L
 
A good question. Especially since I hadn't thought about it yet.

I did a bit of research, and it looks like the best of both worlds approach would be an automatic quartz watch, which winds itself but also keeps time off the wrist for more than a couple days yet still does need its battery replaced every year or two. Are there any good reasons (e.g. price, variety of watches to choose from, etc) to pick one or the other instead of going for both?

If I'd be better off just picking one I guess I'd probably tend towards the quartz, both because it wouldn't stop if I took it off for a couple days and because it keeps more accurate time.
 
do a google on solar power watch you don't need to replace the battery it is recharge by a lite source and will stay charged for months.even if you don't wear it.
 
I would take a look at the Eco Drive line from Citizen. They are quartz but with the Eco Drive it's basically a solar watch. Wear it daily and it will stay charged no problem. You may never need it but my favorite is the BN0000-04H 300m Diver's watch. I don't think I'll ever be going down to 300m underwater but it is a cool watch. Here is a pic of it on my 6.5" wrist. They can be found new for about $160-$175.
DSC01897.jpg
 
Thanks, the Eco Drive sounds like exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for. I'll do some looking into the various modals they offer and see if I can't find something I like the looks of^^.

How well do the hands/dial show up at night? Do they stay lit all night or only for a couple hours?
 
Casio, Edifice? Titanium 100m. $? but in South Africa was R1200 ($140). Comfortable, durable and light.
 
a seiko automatic diver is pretty hard to beat. very durable and, after some regulation, very accurate. lume is good on the current models. look around and you can get one for well under $200. btw looks cool.
 
ahgar said:
a seiko automatic diver is pretty hard to beat. very durable and, after some regulation, very accurate. lume is good on the current models. look around and you can get one for well under $200. btw looks cool.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Seiko as well. The Black Monster, SKX779 models are pretty much the lume by which the others are judged. But it is an auto though. Maybe take a look at either Luminox or Tracer. They use tritium tubes which need no light source to charge them and will glow 24/7. They are not as bright as others but I like the fact that no matter what time of night you look at it the tubes will be glowing :thumbup:.
 
Citizens and Seikos are generally good. You might also look at broadarrow.com, countycomm.com, and others, for hard use military and exotics. Some of them are even affordable. Most are analog - pro's prefer them, they are a watch after all.

Not to ignore one brand I've used for years - Timex. They are not all import junk at the 'Mart jewelry counter. I bought a nice 3 working dial chrono from Campmor.com at half price - and had it shipped to my deployment site. It was the exact same as the $65 model in the Navex. Two batteries in 5 years, I now have a Maratac silicone band with clasp lock buckle on it. It's been a great duty user, I wear it working a press brake, still looks good.

Oh, BTW, don't think you'll get away with just using the provided strap, the watch disease starts when you realize watch bands offer even more choices - link, strap, buckle, clasp, width, color, purpose, material . . .
 
tirod3 said:
Citizens and Seikos are generally good. You might also look at broadarrow.com, countycomm.com, and others, for hard use military and exotics. Some of them are even affordable. Most are analog - pro's prefer them, they are a watch after all.

Not to ignore one brand I've used for years - Timex. They are not all import junk at the 'Mart jewelry counter. I bought a nice 3 working dial chrono from Campmor.com at half price - and had it shipped to my deployment site. It was the exact same as the $65 model in the Navex. Two batteries in 5 years, I now have a Maratac silicone band with clasp lock buckle on it. It's been a great duty user, I wear it working a press brake, still looks good.

Oh, BTW, don't think you'll get away with just using the provided strap, the watch disease starts when you realize watch bands offer even more choices - link, strap, buckle, clasp, width, color, purpose, material . . .
Click to expand...


That's how it started with me, now I have 44 :o.
 
watches are about as addictive as knives. gotta be careful your watch budget may cut into your knife budget. dang there's never enough money. so many toys so little money.
 
Lorus RXN53BX9 – inexpensive quartz (submariner look)
Seiko SKX 007 – inexpensive automatic (mechanical), very robust

If you are willing to spent more and are interested in mechanical watches, check out Oris.

Tissot is another option. Tissot Le Locle is a great first mechanical watch.

Quick guide:

Mechanical watches don’t need batteries but should be serviced every 5 years or so.

Mechanical watches are less accurate than quartz watches.

Most people prefer sapphire glass because it’s very scratch resistant.

Most Swiss mechanical watches below a certain price use ETA movements, or ETA clones (the actual mechanical parts) even if the company claims otherwise. ETA movements are very well made, so no problem there.

Most automatic watches can be wound as well (some Seiko’s can’t). Expect a power reserve of 40 hours.

Rafael
 
Thanks for all the great suggestions.

Right now I'm leaning toward the Monster just because I like the look of it/the band on it and I guess I don't really need superb accuracy on my watch. If I do end up getting one will I need to adjust the size of the band? and will I need a special tool to do so? Just measuring my wrist by wrapping a tape around it I get 6.5-7 inches.
 
I have a modded Black Monster and am suprised at how much I actually like it, you will be very happy. On the bracelet I would just take it to a local jeweler and have them remove the links, it shouldn't cost you be they may charge you $5 if you haven't does business with them b4.
 
The Monster is a great watch (I've owned 4 of 'em through the years), but I'd still take a VERY hard look again at the Citizen EcoDrive if I was you...It's sure nice not having to worry about your watch stopping, like with the Seiko Monster (and other automatics). Another thing...If you care about accuracy, it's hard to beat a Citizen EcoDrive in that department. My daily wear is a Citizen SS 300m Pro Diver "Ecozilla", and I wouldn't have it anyother way.
 
I picked up an Oakley Detonator about a yearago. It may have a somewhat non-traditional appearance but I swear by this thing. I accidentally cut the band and they are replacing it at no charge. It should be back this thursday actually. It keeps time well and being only a year no battery replacement yet. The all black model that I bought has no shown any scratches on the lens or the coating and I have seriously put the thing through hell. The synthetic band held up well until I slipped with a knife and understandably it is no longer useful, got my arm pretty good too.
 
I have a Citizen Eco Drive (Calibre is the model name) that is very nice. I use it at work and for dressy occasions, because it looks elegant, but it seems fairly tough too.
 
There's just something cool about a mechanical watch.

My favorite watch so far is my Seiko SKX007....

HPIM4665.jpg
 
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