Recommendations for a watch.

K

KershawKid1994

Joined
Feb 3, 2015
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39
Hi all, I am in the market for a watch and could use your help. My last watch was a $20 something or other about 6 years ago, and I think its about time I got myself a nice, dependable watch. My price range would be, up to $600 (prefer to not go over $450, if possible). This watch will have to be professional looking (I am in customer's houses), rugged (I am in the trades, it will be out in the rain, in dirt and mud), preferably with illuminating face. As for the type of face, analog, or digital, it doesn't matter. If there is anything else you need to know, please let me know, and I will get back as soon as I can.

Thanks!
The Kidd
 
I was going to suggest a Skagen because I have found them excellent, and surprisingly rugged considering how sleek they are. Especially with the mesh band. However, I'm not sure how much gunk might build up in the metal mesh bands if you are routinely getting it dirty. I wore one years ago when I worked on a golf course ground crew, but I can't recall if I actually wore it on my wrist during work now. In any case I tend not to wear mine in the field these days.
 
Take a look at westcoasttime ... plenty of swiss made automatic dive watches in your price range. Once you get a self winding mechanical, you'll never buy a battery powered watch again.
 
You might want to take a look at the Casio G-Shock line of watches. As tough as they come and there are over a hundred different models to choose from.
 
Check out the Seiko SARX line. Automatic, steel cases and bracelets, sapphire crystal and water resistant to 200 meters. They can be found for under $450 and I think they are a great value at that price.


S-SARX015_a_1024x1024.jpg
 
fq55 said:
Check out the Seiko SARX line. Automatic, steel cases and bracelets, sapphire crystal and water resistant to 200 meters. They can be found for under $450 and I think they are a great value at that price.


S-SARX015_a_1024x1024.jpg
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Small point about the SARX above - I think it's water resistance is 100m, not 200m. I don't think you can get better value around the $500 mark or below than Seiko. I would suggest a Seiko "Sumo" - rugged build (200m water resistance - way more than enough for rain, etc.), yet still professional looking in my opinion - can either dress down or up as needed. SBDC001 is the black dial variant and SBDC003 is the blue. If interested, I can message you a source (I don't sell watches - or anything for that matter, and am not affiliated with the vendor - just a satisfied prior customer).
 
Yep your right, its 100 meters which should be more than enough for what the op describes. The Sumo would also be an excellent choice. Im attaching a picture of the Sumo. Its supposed to have excellent lume and its also a larger watch.


2a641751163f866aeeff82ae.jpg


plk7 said:
Small point about the SARX above - I think it's water resistance is 100m, not 200m. I don't think you can get better value around the $500 mark or below than Seiko. I would suggest a Seiko "Sumo" - rugged build (200m water resistance - way more than enough for rain, etc.), yet still professional looking in my opinion - can either dress down or up as needed. SBDC001 is the black dial variant and SBDC003 is the blue. If interested, I can message you a source (I don't sell watches - or anything for that matter, and am not affiliated with the vendor - just a satisfied prior customer).
Click to expand...
 
Charlie Mike said:
Once you get a self winding mechanical, you'll never buy a battery powered watch again.
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In principle, I agree with this statement. In practical terms, however, the Citizen Eco-Drive has a LOT to offer. You might want to take a spin through the catalog and see if there is something there that strikes your fancy. I bought a relatively fancy Eco-Drive for my son as a graduation gift and was well within your budget: http://www.citizenwatch.com/en-us/watches/watch-detail/?model=BL5400-52A

BL5400-52A_dimensions.jpg



MSRP is $475 but street price is about $250.
 
rbmcmjr said:
In principle, I agree with this statement. In practical terms, however, the Citizen Eco-Drive has a LOT to offer. You might want to take a spin through the catalog and see if there is something there that strikes your fancy. I bought a relatively fancy Eco-Drive for my son as a graduation gift and was well within your budget: http://www.citizenwatch.com/en-us/watches/watch-detail/?model=BL5400-52A

BL5400-52A_dimensions.jpg



MSRP is $475 but street price is about $250.
Click to expand...

Looks like a Breitling.

You need one of these. Just increase your budget by another $11,700.

 
That is a nice looking watch, CM! It would be quite awhile before I could afford anything like that. Haha.

These are all very nice looking watches. I guess I got some serious researching ahead of me! Good thing its the weekend.
Charlie Mike said:
Looks like a Breitling.

You need one of these. Just increase your budget by another $11,700.

Click to expand...
 
rbmcmjr said:
In practical terms, however, the Citizen Eco-Drive has a LOT to offer.
Click to expand...

Citizen is a good company and makes a lot of good styles. However beware because they also make a lot of "department store" watches that are frankly styled like gas station knives.

The OP didn't specify but beyond picking digital vs. analog, the next important decision is mechanical vs. quartz. I like mechanical watches the most and wear them every weekday, but on weekends I normally wear quartz watches. There are pros and cons for each- a mechanical watch will never have a dead battery but a mechanical watch (at least automatics) must be worn a lot to maintain its spring power. This is why I don't normally wear them on weekends.

As for Eco-drives, I have owned 3 of them and still own one. I learned the hard way that this technology is not as good as it sounds. For someone with a lot of watches I didn't wear my eco-drive watch that much and although Citizen advertises at least 30 day power reserve, if you store the watch out of the light and just wear it a few days every 30 days, the battery will be ruined shortly. I found that there are a lot of companies that specialize in replacing the batteries for a high price. I sent my third one in to Citizen and it cost well over $100 to replace the battery, after only a few years. I have a Luminox that has a battery that lasts 7 years, and I can replace it myself. So buy an eco-drive if you like it but give it plenty of light almost every day.

Citizen, Seiko and Orient are good companies for analog watches. Casio G-shock is probably the best of the digitals. None of these have to be expensive. A price was already mentioned for one of the better eco-drives. Most of the Citizen/Seiko/Orient watches that are favorites with watch enthusiasts are available for under $200. The Seiko Sumo was also mentioned and it is one of my favorite watches at any price, available now for under $400. This brings up an important point- you have to buy watches at the right place just like you have to buy knives at the right place. Sure you can pay $200 for a Para2, but you can also find them at a good retailer for about half that. Similarly you can pay twice as much for a Seiko as you should if you don't buy them from the right place.

Here is an old photo of my watch collection:

DSC_6318b.jpg
 
Any Seiko automatic that fits your style and budget. Unlike Eco-Drives, or quartz watches you'll never have to replace the battery and you'd be surprised by how long they can run before needing a cleaning. I've had a base model seiko 5 ($65 automatic) thats held regular time and taken a beating for 8 years and is still running fine. Also unlike G-shocks they look professional for those of us where that matters...

In particular the Seiko skx-007:

Seiko-skx007-bezel.jpg
 
rbmcmjr said:
In principle, I agree with this statement. In practical terms, however, the Citizen Eco-Drive has a LOT to offer. You might want to take a spin through the catalog and see if there is something there that strikes your fancy. I bought a relatively fancy Eco-Drive for my son as a graduation gift and was well within your budget: http://www.citizenwatch.com/en-us/watches/watch-detail/?model=BL5400-52A

BL5400-52A_dimensions.jpg



MSRP is $475 but street price is about $250.
Click to expand...

+1.
Had a self-winding Seiko, it would loose accuracy of ~4 min every 2 weeks. It also requires a lot more shaking to wind for 24 hours of work, than just everyday regular wear.
So I decided to give the Citizen Eco Drive a chance, and got the above pictured one. I am super happy. Very accurate, battery live is ~20 years. Love it.
Seiko also joined the solar powered watches game by the way. I do nto keep mine in a box, and have not had issues with charge.
 
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