Searching for the perfect watch...

Mundele

Mundele

Joined
Aug 5, 2000
Messages
403
Hey Guys... I am searching for the perfect watch. I know next to nothing about watches. I was wondering if there are cheap but good brands out there. Kind of like how CRKT is to knives. Cheap, but of high quality. Here's what I want: Analog watch, Leather band, preferrably a black or dark gray face. Metal housing (stainless steel or whatever) I'd like to spend less than $200 or so. plus I'd like one that's of good quality. Can any of you recommend brands or models to look at?

Thanks...

--Matt
 
Chase-Durer. Nice styles, fantastically hard crystal, and they have a few models that drop under $200. Best if you can check them out in person.
 
Seiko 200M Diver Automatic

Watch has been around for years. Great history and known for it's durability.

Just search Seiko 200m diver and you'll find all the links you want.

For the price, G-Shocks are still the way to go. They are making several analog styles nowadays.

Good luck and happy shopping !



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I'm not nutz, I've just gone sebenza!

Shep
 
I would suggest a Fortis Pilot Automatic!
I have had mine for two years now and it's a great watch. Tough and reliable all the way.
<center><img src=http://home19.inet.tele.dk/bshansen/fortis_2.jpg></center>
Can be found for around $ 200,- on the net and less if second hand!

The best
Bo
 
The Porcupine,
I was wondering if you could give us a little more info on the Fortis. I've done a preliminary search and it didn't turn up much information. Is the automatic mechanism an auto winder, or something like the Seiko Kinetic? How well do the hands glow in the dark? None of the sites I found had that model (595.10.41) for anywhere close to $200. Can you recommend a site that would have prices in that range? Perhaps the price difference is due to import costs (from Europe to U.S.).

Thanks in advance for any information you could provide. I really like that watch. It has the essential features I want in a watch. Simple face, arabic numerals, water resistant, no batteries to change, and luminescent hands and numbers.

Paul
 
Luminox has served me quite well, also. You can't go wrong with them. The luminous hands and points are outstandingly bright!

I have the SEAL watch with yellow face and the Captain's Field Watch with black face and leather band.

They keep better time than my Sekio Chronograph which cost me almost twice as much.

Ron
 
Citizen Promaster (diver) watches are the absolute value for money!
Very reasonably priced, very tough and really waterproof.
 
Hi!

Sorry, I should have told a bit more about Fortis!
First of all, it's a mechanical, automatic movement. It's an ETA 2824-2 which is very common in moderately priced automatic watches. However, it's a very good, accurate and reliable movement, which is easy to adjust and repair. Should all else fail, it's fairly cheap to replace too!
The case is stainless steel, 40 mm. in diameter, 11 mm. thick, regular mineral crystal. Weighs 128 grams with the steel bracelet and 70 g. with a leather strap.

I am including a few url's here. Don't let the retail prices fool you, they can be found much cheaper! I live in Denmark and have only bought from European dealers due to customs and rules might be different for US citizens. Anyway, I bought mine from www.smwatches.com in Switzerland.
Fortis' homepage is www.fortiswatches.com. To learn a lot about watches in general and Fortis inparticular, go to www.timezone.com - go to archives an/or classics and do a search for Fortis. Lots of info, but a word of caution....it's just as addictive as knives! I know, I have been a watch nut for the last four years!:-)

I have to mention the brand Invicta too. They are basically Rolex look-alikes, but great value for money all the same. Automatic Miyota (Citizen) movements and very fine quality for $ 85 - 120,-!
Can be found at www.ashford.com

The best
Bo

[This message has been edited by The Porcupine (edited 05-22-2001).]
 
The Porcupine -- Is that Fortis water-resistant? If so, to how deep?

I must agreed on Invicta. I bought one for my Dad for Father's Day last year and one from my brother for his graduation from seminary this year and they are great. Well made and durable. And relatively cheap!

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by CD Fleischer:
Is that Fortis water-resistant? If so, to how deep?

</font>
Click to expand...

200 meters w/ solid back. 50 meters w/ display back.
 
http://www.ashford.com currently has a few Luminox models in their Outlet store at what appears to be pretty good prices (but I don't follow the market prices of Luminox watches).

Can't get the to link doesn't work, so just go to their outlet store and select Luminox as the brand.

There is also a 15% off coupon : 68AABAAAAA
 
Hey Porcupine,

I don't think I could touch a Fortis for $200. If you know where to get one, please email me. I have found your exact watch on a dozen or so sites. They average $350.

Thanks for the help.


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I was looking for a watch that would meet similar criteria a couple of years ago, and I found the St Moritz Pathfinder Ti Alarm (Sp50w5).

It has a titanium case, Blackout luminous technology, water resistant to 100m (good for snorkeling and swimming), screw back and screwdown crown, built-in alarm (unusual benefit for an analog watch), hardened (heat tempered) mineral crystal (not Sapphire but still scratch resistant), and you can select from rugged band choices (or put on your own 20mm band). All for around $100 US. You need to email them for a dealer near you. If there isn't one then they will sell direct.

For me the biggest advantage a watch can have when it comes to knocking it around is to just stay the hell out of the way! This watch is thin and the crown and alarm button are low profile. Nothing to catch on sleeves, ropes, straps, rocks, branches, etc. I also have a Casio pathfinder (see above rec), and I like it too, BUT it seems like it is always catching on something. Day to day this is a minor nuisance, but in an extreme situation it can be a major hassle. The St Moritz Pathfinder Ti does not catch on things, which prolongs its life as well as yours.

The design is based on the military field watches of the last half of the 20th Century. It's a timeless look, and in my opnion attractive and dressy enough for anything (provided you hose it down after you get in from playing).

The model Sp50w5 that I have also comes with a Kevlar Superweave band (rubber and Titanium options are available). My Kevlar band has held up remarkably well, although I usually switch to a nylon NATO type band if things are going to get wet.

Check it out.

http://www.st-moritz.com/

hit the little "jump to a specific model" button at the bottom of the page and type in "sp50w5" in the dialog box tht pops up.

Sp50w5.jpg


 
Matt,
If any of the Luminox watches trip your trigger, be sure to give Patrick Ma at TripleAughtDesign a call. His prices are about the best I've seen, and his customer service is tremendous.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
Porcupine and jaiden,
I'm having the same experience as jaiden. I can't find that Fortis for anywhere near $200US. Maybe it's because of the import tariffs.

Ned,
I really like that watch you have. I'm looking for something that is like a field watch, but better quality. I'll have to check that one out further.

Paul

 
Hi Jaiden

I just took a look at some of the sites I mentioned myself and to my surprise, prices certainly have gone up lately! I paid $ 195,-for my first Fortis (on strap) and $ 228,- for my current one on bracelet.
Sorry to have mislead you! Must have been into the knife thing too long to keep current on watches.
On the other hand, I trust you will be able to find some on www.timezone.com's Sales Corner, either discounted or second hand!

Hope this helps
Best regards
Bo
 
Dangit, tma, I have a wedding to pay for and now I just bought this from Ashford.com's outlet:

View


It was about $130 with overnight shipping after using the coupon code. Thanks for the tip, tma.
wink.gif
smile.gif


Will let you all know what I think after I get it.

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
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