recommend mechanical field watch <$300

S

stormshadow

Joined
Dec 15, 2003
Messages
137
title pretty much says it all; can you guys recommend some good mechanical "field" style watches for $300 or less? Something with at least 50m water resistance (I like to swim with my watches). thanks!

caleb
 
You might can find a used st. Moritz aquamatic for that price on the. Bay... Great watch
 
If a diver style works for you as a "field" watch then it's an easy choice....the Seiko SKX series (007 or 009). They are IMO far and away the best buy in a mechanical watch period.
 
I got my MKII for less than that. Check out watchforums.

I like the MKII. It's clean, accurate, very bright lume, and good down to 200m (not that I've tested that).
 
If you shop around, you should be able to find a Hamilton Khaki around your price limit. I used to have a mechanical model which I've since sold (great watch, I just prefer the 36mm to the 38mm) and currently have two older automatics - a L.L. Bean and another 36mm model. As far as water resistance goes, I haven't worn either one while swimming but I've submerged them plenty of times with no ill effects.

A Seiko 5 would also be an excellent option for an automatic.
 
Hamilton is a great suggestion! Wow! I completely forgot about Hamilton (the watch company Will Smith had in I Am), mainly I only thought of them as vintage, but they're really top quality.

Seiko 5 is a real great suggestion, too. It would be what I would suggest, save yourself about $200 as well.
 
You could also look at Russian mechanical watches. Vostok and Poljot for example make nice field watches and have a great history in military and aerospace. They're very affordable too. I once bought a Vostok Amphibia for 50 euros, it has an automatic movement, 200m water resistance and is quite shock proof.
 
Seiko Black Monster. Get it in the bracelet version and if you want to go tactical swap it out with a 20mm Zulu band.
 
check out ... Sky Watches... I got very good service on a Seiko... they are in Singapore but had no problem with the financials
 
You can pick up a Seiko 5 in various colors for about $80 brand new. That would be my choice for a field watch on the cheap, keep the other $330 for other goodies!
 
Seiko 5, good watch, loses about 5 sec a day on this one. You might want to try one of these
Seiko52.jpg
 
I like Seiko autos. Like the Black Monster better than anything, regardless of price. It was "just right" to me, from day one. Keep meaning to get the dang thing calibrated, though. I have to set it back 3-4 minutes every few weeks.
 
To echo what others have said, if you can handle a big watch, the seiko divers feel pretty much bombproof. They also have surprisingly nice movement for the pricepoint.
 
I have a Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic in 42mm. It's rated for 100 m. You should be able to find one with your budget, but you'll be limited to the leather strap. The steel bracelet is more expensive. If you do this though, you'll have to replace the strap before you take it swimming. Leather and water don't mix very well. There's a ton of aftermarket options out there, and you should be able to find a suitable rubber strap.

The Hamilton Khaki Auto is a nice watch, but I wish I had spent the extra coin for the bracelet. I've replaced the leather band twice already. It's okay if you like to switch out bands for different looks, but I don't really care about that. All I see is a recuring expense. Still, I have to admit that I like the look of other straps on this watch.
The factory strap is pretty thin and cheap looking.

dailycompanions2.jpg


I just picked up another watch, this time with a steel bracelet. I like the military look, so I got a Seiko 5. I've read very good things about the Seiko 5 line, and this watch should do well as a daily beater. Keep in mind that Seiko 5s tend towards the small size, and most of the ones I've seen have a < 37mm dial. I like big watches, so I made my decision accordingly. The piece I bought has a ~ 40 mm dial, 44 mm with the crown.
 
OwenM said:
I like Seiko autos. Like the Black Monster better than anything, regardless of price. It was "just right" to me, from day one. Keep meaning to get the dang thing calibrated, though. I have to set it back 3-4 minutes every few weeks.
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thats not too bad for an automatic how long have you owned the watch most auto manufactures set their watches fast so when the oil gets old and thick they still tell good time.
 
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