Watch recommendation?

R

ryts100

Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
337
I'm looking for an affordable and reliable watch, but I don't know where to start. I've looked at G-shocks, but they're all way too big for my wrist. I have a very small wrist by the way. I'm not if I prefer digital or analog, so suggestions for both are welcome. To help narrow down the list, here are some of my preferences:
-Comfortable band- Like I mentioned above, I have a very small wrist. I'd like something that I can tighten down without having a long strap hanging out.
-Small head size- I'd like to keep the thickness down to around 1 cm, and diameter somewhere around 3 cm.
-As accurate as possible.
-Solar powered is a big plus, as is shock resistance.
-Displays date.
-I like GITD/tritium :D.
-I'd like to keep this under $200, or somewhere near that.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
 
As for G-Shocks, have you looked at the 5600 model? It is a smaller watch. The Mudman model is also smaller than what it seems in photos. There is also the Baby-G and Mini-G line.

Not real sure what else is out there as far as quality digital watches. Maybe Timex...they have some shock models but I dont know how big they are.
 
watchcollector1968 said:
As for G-Shocks, have you looked at the 5600 model? It is a smaller watch. The Mudman model is also smaller than what it seems in photos. There is also the Baby-G and Mini-G line.

Not real sure what else is out there as far as quality digital watches. Maybe Timex...they have some shock models but I dont know how big they are.
Click to expand...

The 5600 doesn't really appeal to me, although the thickness isn't bad. The Mudman is too thick for me though. The Baby-G and Mini-G line seems like it's marketed more for women. Not really digging the Timex either. How about some analog watches? I'm not stuck on digital.
 
I have fairly small wrists too and I just ordered this one:
AW-590BL-5A.gif

I'll let you know how it turns out.;)
 
ryts100 said:
Man, I wish the G-shocks weren't so big. That's the only thing keeping me from getting one.
Click to expand...
I have small wrists and wear a 6900 series G Shock. It seemed huge at first but wears small since it's so light and comfortable, now it doesn't feel ridiculous at all.

If you insist on not getting a G Shock, go for a Timex. They have a bunch in the "Ironman" model line that fit your requirements.
 
Analog opens up some more choices. Citizen makes some nice automatic divers that are in the 37-ish mm range. They can be found for a hundred bucks give or take. They are quite durable.
 
Croton Aquamatic II, its a little bigger, but it's reliable, accurate, water resistant and most of all affordable. check amazon.
 
The Citizen Eco-Drive watches are great too and come in a great variety of models. Here's my Citizen BM8180. It's solar powered, very easy to read and has a diameter of about 37 mm. The thickness is about 8 mm. The band in the picture is not the original band. I bought that band later and also have a leather band for it, in case I wear it to the office.

This watch is very accurate too. I synced the watch at 1 january with atomic time and haven't synced it yet. It runs 8 seconds fast now.

I took it with me today as my field watch during hiking in the woods.

c1-1.jpg
 
A_Blade_Afficionado said:
I have small wrists and wear a 6900 series G Shock. It seemed huge at first but wears small since it's so light and comfortable, now it doesn't feel ridiculous at all.

If you insist on not getting a G Shock, go for a Timex. They have a bunch in the "Ironman" model line that fit your requirements.
Click to expand...

I don't like any watches over 12-13mm thick. They just seem too chunky. The Ironman models seem more for athletes, with the lap counting feature which isn't very useful to me.

mete said:
http://www.citizenwatch.com/COA/Eng...y=COA&Language=English&ModelNumber=BM8180-03E

I have this Citizens Military, 37mm diameter ,solar powered.
Click to expand...

I kinda like this one. I'll keep it in mind, thanks!

Harayasu said:
The Citizen Eco-Drive watches are great too and come in a great variety of models. Here's my Citizen BM8180. It's solar powered, very easy to read and has a diameter of about 37 mm. The thickness is about 8 mm. The band in the picture is not the original band. I bought that band later and also have a leather band for it, in case I wear it to the office.

This watch is very accurate too. I synced the watch at 1 january with atomic time and haven't synced it yet. It runs 8 seconds fast now.

I took it with me today as my field watch during hiking in the woods.

c1-1.jpg
Click to expand...

I might get a Citizen watch. What about analog watches with tritium in them? This is open to anyone to answer, btw.
 
I own a Traser P6500, an analog watch with tritium. They come in different styles, but are often a bit more expensive than $200, if bought brand new. The P6500 has a plastic case, there are models with stainless steel cases and bands, but they tend to be much more expensive.

Traser1.jpg


There's also the smaller P5900. I used to own one. It's smaller than the P6500 and about half its price. Here in the Netherlands the P5900 costs about 100 euros new ($137).

SDSCF0016.jpg
 
Take a look at the seiko skx007, its a little big, but they are built like tanks. I have small wrists too and just use a NATO strap and it works great.
 
I like Luminox,Traser and Marathon.Hard to do with out the tritium when you get used to it.
I know what you mean about the end of the strap hanging out,it bugs the crap out of me too.What ever watch you get make sure it will take a normal replacement strap,that way you can get a deployment style strap.They will trim down to size and have nothing hanging out.The best ones I have found so far are the ones from Countycomm.com
http://countycomm.com/silicone.htm
 
Also keep an eye out over on watchuseek.com
I have been seeing Traser and Luminox with steel cases going for under 200.00
I just picked up a Luminox 8050 over there for 165.00.I would also go for a sapphire crystal,the mineral crystals are good but I have yet to put a mark on a sapphire.
Traser code blues with the blue trit markers have been on the bay for 225.00 with free shipping.I am still after one of the blue trit watches,very cool color.
The 2 biggest things I look for in a watch is screw down crown (mostly only on steel case watches) and sapphire crystal.Tritium is also a big plus.
 
large.jpg

google this : Citizen Men's AT0660-05E Eco-Drive 200 Meter Chronograph Sport Strap Watch

it's a titanium chrono, I think I paid about 180 for mine and it looks like they can still be had for about that. if you put a zulu band from countycom on it you won't have a ton of material hanging off your wrist.
 
Harayasu said:
I own a Traser P6500, an analog watch with tritium. They come in different styles, but are often a bit more expensive than $200, if bought brand new. The P6500 has a plastic case, there are models with stainless steel cases and bands, but they tend to be much more expensive.

Traser1.jpg


There's also the smaller P5900. I used to own one. It's smaller than the P6500 and about half its price. Here in the Netherlands the P5900 costs about 100 euros new ($137).

SDSCF0016.jpg
Click to expand...

I like the top one. I was looking at a Tawatec(http://www.amazon.com/TAWATEC-TWT-4...U668/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1298320500&sr=8-2) but it's a little on the big side. Not in thickness, but in diameter. I'll think about the P6500, thanks for the suggestion!

u812 said:
I like Luminox,Traser and Marathon.Hard to do with out the tritium when you get used to it.
I know what you mean about the end of the strap hanging out,it bugs the crap out of me too.What ever watch you get make sure it will take a normal replacement strap,that way you can get a deployment style strap.They will trim down to size and have nothing hanging out.The best ones I have found so far are the ones from Countycomm.com
http://countycomm.com/silicone.htm
Click to expand...

What about the NATO bands? Will those trim down to size?

u812 said:
Also keep an eye out over on watchuseek.com
I have been seeing Traser and Luminox with steel cases going for under 200.00
I just picked up a Luminox 8050 over there for 165.00.I would also go for a sapphire crystal,the mineral crystals are good but I have yet to put a mark on a sapphire.
Traser code blues with the blue trit markers have been on the bay for 225.00 with free shipping.I am still after one of the blue trit watches,very cool color.
The 2 biggest things I look for in a watch is screw down crown (mostly only on steel case watches) and sapphire crystal.Tritium is also a big plus.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind. I prefer not to purchase things on the bay, too unreliable IMO.

u812 said:
Mods please remove this if it is not OK as it is a link to a sell thread on candlepower.com.
I just saw this at the top of the page over there and it is most likely just what you are looking for.It is not me and I have nothing to do with the seller.
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?246993-FS-Mint-Luminix-Colormark-Midsize-watch
Click to expand...

I might just pick that one up, thanks for the link!
 
The nato bands will trim down to size.You just need to melt the nylon were you cut it to keep it from fraying.
If you need to add holes in them you can heat a paneling nail with a lighter and poke one in.
Not a problem on the link,thought that one look like just the watch you were looking for.You hardly ever see the mid size for sell in the after market.
 
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