I want old things... but new.
Okay - here's the challenge (if you choose to accept it)
I love vintage watches, small, thin cases, simple dials, elegance...
BUT
I don't want that creeping terror, (you know the one,) like when you're driving your +200k mile Volvo and are just SURE it's going to break down on the highway.
SO
What are some great "vintage spirit" watches being made right now?
Some preferences (but not requirements):
- 36mm-40mm (love small, but 34mm is just TOO small for me)
- thin lightweight (could even use this as an opportunity to incorporate a QUARTZ into the rotation)
- 20mm lug width (18mm really does look small)
-sub $500 (preferably VERY sub!)
The easy (and not wrong!) answer is the Orient Bambino 38mm, but what else is out there. Open to homage brands etc. Any ideas??
(pic via google)
No idea what day it is.
Casio, Timex, Sekonda, and Accurist all have vintage ranges now.
All of them are new and none of them come with ghosties that attach themselves to the original dead people watches.
I had not considered Casio, I always think of them as purely digital. But you're right.
A vintage Seiko could be the ticket, and within your budget. There are many to choose from, as always buy the best you can get.
A vintage Seiko could be the ticket, and within your budget. There are many to choose from, as always buy the best you can get.
Funny - I have a 1970's 7009 that is occupying this spot in my collection now, it's the one I'm trying to "update" - it's beautiful though, I may just end up sticking with it. Just wanted to see if there was something new and shiny out there (also as much as I LOVE vintage seiko, I really miss hand winding)
Stowa has some interesting hand wind options like the Marine, Flieger, & Antea. The problem is you will need to up your budget a little, go preowned or maybe a little of both.
Stowa has some interesting hand wind options like the Marine, Flieger, & Antea. The problem is you will need to up your budget a little, go preowned or maybe a little of both.
Will check 'em out. Thanks, John.
Armitron and Bulova both have some nice looking vintage style quartz dress watches. You might also look at the Islander Brookville.
Armitron and Bulova both have some nice looking vintage style quartz dress watches. You might also look at the Islander Brookville.
Oh cool I didn't know Islander was doing one. Will look, thanks.
Tissot has some great vintage looking watches in that price range.
https://www.ashford.com/glycine-gl0428.html
$270 after coupon.
Tissot has some great vintage looking watches in that price range.
Nice. That reminds me I was interested in their Visodate for a while until I realized it's a (relatively) HUGE case at 42mm. Great retro look though.
https://www.ashford.com/glycine-gl0428.html
$270 after coupon.
Interesting...
Baltic mr01 and lorier falcon 3 sre currently my 2 watch collection that I would personally recommend as they give me so much joy. Both 20mm lug width and 36mm. One for outdoor and one dressier.
Baltic mr01 and lorier falcon 3 sre currently my 2 watch collection that I would personally recommend as they give me so much joy. Both 20mm lug width and 36mm. One for outdoor and one dressier.
Dang those two brands keep hitting it out of the park. I already have a Lorier Neptune and something that's Explorer-y, but I'll take a look at what Baltic has. Thanks.
Captain Ice Blue from Cincinnati Watch Company. When it is in stock...
Quite a lot of my watches are "neo-retro", new watches.
The Mathey-Tissot MT369 is a recreation of the Explorer 5500 from the 50's. It also has 19mm lugs width so not really the answer.
Still a Mathey-Tissot but this time a model they have all the rights to recreate: The Type XX from the 60's.
The San Martin SN007-G-X is perhaps the best recreation of the original 1965 62MAS.
The Yema Superman I'm wearing today is very true to the original Superman from the 60's. Unfortunately it's also a 19mm L2L.
The Casio AQ-230 that I wore yesterday is so 80's that it could be used as a prop in a movie. I didn't measure the width of the bracelet but the watch is so small that I'll be surprised if it's more than 16mm. Damn.
The best is probably the Yema Wristmaster. It's a new design but it takes many queues from the 70's and the combination of ivory dial and black accented indices is a winner.
And of course, let us not forget the Vostok Amphibia, but can a you really classify as vintage inspired a watch that is actually still in production from 1965? It also has 18mm L2L, so probably not a good match to your specs.
I've been eyeing a Baltic MR01 for this aesthetic. Plus it's the most affordable way to get a micro rotor on a watch.
San Martin has some quality homages that are below 500, depending on which movement you choose. Some fun explorer 36mm options included in there.
https://jackmasonbrand.com/collections/the-ellum-collection
I purchased a Jack Mason Ellum year ago at full price. It's a great dress watch at 40mm and quartz. Seems to hit most if not all of your boxes. Looks like they're on sale for $125 which I think is insane for what you're getting. Good luck in your search!
Anything by Lorier
This is great! Do they have one without the fautina by any chance?
They do! It's usually around 200-250 but I just snagged one on an Ali sale for $160.
On the cheap side, there is Parnis, a brand that does not get a lot of love here. For example, they do a homage to that VC posted by Biggun1960 earlier:
Just a tad cheaper at £63. It is also with 41mm a bit large. Parnis also do a 40mm Milgauss homage, and a 38mm version of the Tudor 1926.
Great tip!
I've been eyeing a Baltic MR01 for this aesthetic. Plus it's the most affordable way to get a micro rotor on a watch.
Very pretty.
https://jackmasonbrand.com/collections/the-ellum-collection
I purchased a Jack Mason Ellum year ago at full price. It's a great dress watch at 40mm and quartz. Seems to hit most if not all of your boxes. Looks like they're on sale for $125 which I think is insane for what you're getting. Good luck in your search!
Nice one!
Lorier is a microbrand doing vintage style watches at just under $500. Nivada grenchin is a solid option too if you're willing to go to more $700-$800 range
You can never go wrong with quality watches from so-called 2nd tier swiss watches- rolex, omega, iwc, cartier, if your budget permits. If not, Seiko, Oris, Hamilton and even Casio and Timex are nothing to sniff at. Theyre great at what they do, so whatever floats your boat, go get it!
Seiko SGEG97P1. Most beautiful $100-$200 vintage style watch ever made.
Seiko SGEG97P1. Most beautiful $100-$200 vintage style watch ever made.
Very nice! I'd like to try that on. Cool that they made a pie pan dial.
Very nice! I'd like to try that on. Cool that they made a pie pan dial.
But it's not a pie pan dial. I also thought it was from its photos. Then when I unboxed it, I saw that it was not. The silver disc in the middle creates an optical illusion. For the first five seconds I was disappointed, and then I liked it even better, because the illusion is so ingenious. Seiko does the same trick on the SGEH79P1, another watch you may like. I picked one up for $60.
But it's not a pie pan dial. I also thought it was from its photos. Then when I unboxed it, I saw that it was not. The silver disc in the middle creates an optical illusion. For the first five seconds I was disappointed, and then I liked it even better, because the illusion is so ingenious. Seiko does the same trick on the SGEH79P1, another watch you may like. I picked one up for $60.
Ha! Nice one none the less. Thank you for clarifying.
Tissot!