Watch suggestions $450-$550 range

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unky_gumbi

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Aug 28, 2009
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I have decided that in the new year I am going to buy myself a nice watch. Yeah my Timex Expedition gets the job done and has never failed me, but I want something nice that I can wear daily. I really am drawn to Chronograph watches in that 40-43mm case range, and would like a few features like water proof to at least 100m, alarm, and self winding or something similar. At least all stainless including the band, I don't like leather bands:o, but Ti would be nice too if available in my price range.

If you have any suggestions post up brand and model for me to search and take a look at. So far I have been looking at the Citizen Eco Drives in the WR100 line, I just want to see what else is out there that I may not have thought of or heard of.

Thanks
 
I'm very tempted to get one of these http://www.ocean7watchco.com/cs2/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=123, better still they have a good GMT watch http://www.ocean7watchco.com/cs2/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=125.

Apparently the ETA 2893-2 is one of the better Swiss movements, often put in much more expensive watches.

For EDC I prefer my Reactor though, it's feature packed, built like a tank, and the company has a good warranty. It's not too hard to find reports of the big name companies just saying "you went in the water with your crown unscrewed" and denying warranty service.
Reactors can be found for under $200 refurbished or on closeout.
 
Nice watches and I am sure they are quality pieces, but this in more the style I am attracted too (not this exact watch).

citizen-chronograph-mens-watch-an0950-53l-6321.jpg


Right now the Eco Drives are at the top of my list, I just want to make sure I look at everything else before I make up my mind. When I went searching for a new knife a flashlight a few years back, it took me 2-3 months to make up my mind:o The watch will be a one time purchase so I want to make sure I get it right.
 
A watch is like a good knife. It will be used everyday and you can hand it down to your kids when you get lukewarm.

Anything from Seiko. Seriously. Never had ANY serious issue with them. If you want to spend more for something that will hold its value go 80's Omega Chrono with a screw back. In my watch collecting I have found that sometimes it's better to spend more so you can get all your money out if you want to sell it later down the road. If you are patient you can get a great deal on an Omega for 800 or so. It will hold that value if not increase AND you can hand it down to your great grand children easily!


I bought an Omega Chrono Dynamic a few years back for 750. I think it's a great deal if you can find them for under 1000. Here's a picture:
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With any watch you need to ask yourself: How long you want to keep it? How expensive will it be to fix (and you will need to maintain/fix it)? How easy will it be to get parts to fix it? How easy will it be to service? The top two brands that ALWAYS come out on top are Omega and Seiko. Eco drives and low end movements will break and be hard or non-economical to fix 3-4 years down the road. Warranties mean nothing IMHO here as a good watch will last hundreds of years if not abused.
 
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I also need to mention servicing watches will cost you 100-400 or more every 4 years.

Edit: I just checked the Price of the Dynamic and they are going for 700ish
 
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You could get your self a Marathon for a little more or a used one for about the cash you want to spend. Those may interest you, you being a Canadian and all that.....:p:thumbup:

I have had a Marathon auto (G-SAR) for a few years and have been quite happy with it. I actually wear it a lot more than some of my spendier watches.
 
petah said:
I also need to mention servicing watches will cost you 100-400 or more every 4 years.

Edit: I just checked the Price of the Dynamic and they are going for 700ish
Click to expand...

Just how does a watch cost 100-400 to service? What are they doing that costs so much?

Haze said:
You could get your self a Marathon for a little more or a used one for about the cash you want to spend. Those may interest you, you being a Canadian and all that.....:p:thumbup:

I have had a Marathon auto (G-SAR) for a few years and have been quite happy with it. I actually wear it a lot more than some of my spendier watches.
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I have been looking at the Marathons, but Invicta have caught my eye now too, and I have seen some in my price range:eek: On the less expensive side there are Reactor, but they may be a little bulky for me.
 
Beats me why it can cost so much... hahaha You should see my Rolex invoice... 800 bucks but it was serviced my Rolex...
 
Dont get an Invicta! I like the Citizen Pro Divers. I think that will be my next purchase. And I love my Marathon Gsar.
 
Well I stumbled into a watch store in my travels today, and that had quite the selection of watches and the sales staff was more than willing to let me try on a number of watches even though i told them I was just comparative shopping and not looking to buy till the new year. While they didn't have any Marathon watches in the store, one of the sales clerks did have one and even though it was a nice watch it wasn't for me. They didn't carry Invicta, but that's OK because after a brief chat with them on the phone, I understand why people complain about their customer service.

I had narrowed my choices down to Swiss Army, Seiko, and Citizen, then the sales clerk brought out this
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A Titanium Wr100 Sapphire For the size it is light, felt good on my wrist, and most of all I liked the look of it. Right now it is on sale at the store I was at for $100 off, but I don't know if it will still be on sale in January. Doesn't matter though because it still comes in under my upper limit:thumbup:
 
sirahren said:
Dont get an Invicta!
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I would agree with that. They tend to fall apart after some wear. I speak from experience.

My current watch is a Deep Blue Diver. Been wearing it for about 6 months now and it still reminds me of a tank. Runs like a top. I know it is not a chrono but you may want to take a look. They also have some of the best Lume in the business.
yhst-11234668104341_2190_89094955


They have a good range of pricing. you can find them here. Deep Blue
Good luck in your search.
trldad
 
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Check out the Victorinox Swiss Army Chrono Classic series. I've been looking at them for a while and am close to biting. Swiss quartz movement, sapphire crystal, 100 meter water resistance.
My two favorites are the new 241494 that can be had for around $360, and the 241122 which is available for under $300.

241494
241494.jpg


241122
241122.jpg
 
I don't remember the model,but Victorinox had one with a built in electronic compass. It was so sweet,that I couldn't look at it or I would buy it ,in spite of the 500.00 price tag
 
I wear a seiko skx007 with some mods daily. It is actually cheaper than your budget.

I have an omega but the seiko get all the wrist time.
 
Thats a nice watch you found. I dont remember if its 100m or 100ft that basically means its only water reistant. Its got to be the latter... At any rate I like all of my watches to have screw down crowns and backs. Yours definately has the back. Cant tell about the crown. And you really cant go wrong with a citizen. I gravitate towards diver/heavy duty watches, 99% because of my high speed low drag badass lifestyle, but 1% because im lazy and clumsy and cant be bothered to remember to take em off all the time. ;-)
 
It is rated to be water resistant to 100m, 333ft, or 10 atmospheres:p which would be more than enough for me considering I don't dive anymore. Even if I did still dive I haven't gone deeper than 130' and most of my dives were around 60'. The watch wont see anything that would push it passed its limits, nothing more than some rain. The back is screw down, but they don't mention if the crown is or not. I think not or they would mention it.
 
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