Newbie collector seeks advice...
I'm a newbie and at 67 I'm trying to build a collection of watches $200-800 to leave to the grandkids. Practical mechanical watches they can use.
I would be grateful for any pointers, suggestions. Also anything I can learn from your experience would be more helpful. Thank you for your time.
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William
Retired musician. Old guy at large, storyteller, poet, wild philosopher...one to whom Time, is precious.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Member since
Last active: 1 year ago
Welcome to the Watch Community! I'd say there are A LOT of great watches in that price point. My go to is Seiko and Casio. You can get a ton of watch for that kind of money. There are of course many other brands, and I know my fellow Watch Crunchers will chime in.
Here are a few that I have...
Seiko, Citizen, Orient, Certina, Tissot and a bunch of microbrands!! There are so many watches in this price range. What kind of watches do you like?
For practical mechanical watches I really like my Orient Kamasu they do other colour combos if this one isn’t for you.
If you’re thinking mechanical to avoid battery changes Citizen Eco-drive‘s are fantastic. Here’s my Super Titanium one
I can’t comment on how they hold their value @Omeganut had a long thread on the matter it’s not why I buy the watches I buy. Otherwise like @11SWM11 says you can’t go wrong with Seiko and Casio in that price range.
In addition to the usual suspects (Casio, Orient, Seiko), I'd suggest that you check out some of the micro brands. You have to be careful with microbrands, and make sure you do your research, but I feel that they can offer the most appealing options in that price bracket. The great thing about micro brands is that you can get some unique and interesting pieces, although many of them tend to sell out quickly based on limited supply and substantial demand.
I'll need more information perhaps a shot of your current rotation? Seeing what you currently wear goes a long way toward recommending something that you will enjoy and use.
I would look at Tissot, Mido, Hamilton, Zeno, brands with Swiss automatics under $800 from Long est brands to start
First of all welcome to WC we're not letting you go :)
I do keep a list of watches so I can revisit them from time to time to see if I am really into them or just for the moment and ill pick some that fit your description. I hope you get inspired by this.
About 800€
Christopher Ward C63 Sealander
About 500€
Traska Everest
About 550€
Seiko SPB155
About 350€
Timefactors Smiths Everest Expedition
430€
SWC Bunker
About 600€
Studio Underdog
450€
Seiko SRPE43J1
About 600€
Mido Multifort Patrimony
I thought this was going to be shorter but here we are.
Hello welcome to the our rabbit hole 😂, I see you received plenty of advice already.
I m writing this to you just to express my sympathies to you, and all the best with your sacred mission.
Good luck, and all the best ❤😉
Hold on… by collection of $200-800 what are you thinking, total or per piece? Define collection - number and range of styles? How many grandkids? What do you define as practical?
At the risk of not being very helpful at all, if they are your watches then it should be what you like and wear, that way when you pass them on they actually might have some memories of you attached. Otherwise, you might as well just gift them watches, or money stipulated for watch purchases.
200 to 800 each. I'll need 10
Presumably you're not thinking about going anywhere for the next 25 or so years, right? If so, I'd stick to the major brands and avoid the microbrands, a large chunk of which you are likely to outlive. By sticking with major brands, it's likely that they'll continue to survive to provide your grandkids a servicing option over the long haul.
Is there a specific style of watch that you're looking to leave them? Are you looking for 10 of the same one? Once I know this, I can come back with specific suggestions later.
Hold on… by collection of $200-800 what are you thinking, total or per piece? Define collection - number and range of styles? How many grandkids? What do you define as practical?
At the risk of not being very helpful at all, if they are your watches then it should be what you like and wear, that way when you pass them on they actually might have some memories of you attached. Otherwise, you might as well just gift them watches, or money stipulated for watch purchases.
100% agree, you should collect what you like. For me the point isn’t that they be anything in particular, rather that they remind your kids/grandkids of you. Bottom line, either the kids will love them as Reminders of you, or they won’t care about them.
Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy yourself. Cheers.
Presumably you're not thinking about going anywhere for the next 25 or so years, right? If so, I'd stick to the major brands and avoid the microbrands, a large chunk of which you are likely to outlive. By sticking with major brands, it's likely that they'll continue to survive to provide your grandkids a servicing option over the long haul.
Is there a specific style of watch that you're looking to leave them? Are you looking for 10 of the same one? Once I know this, I can come back with specific suggestions later.
All kinds dress, sports, field, cronos. Only must is that they be mechanical. Not hating on quartz I own two...but I want them to feel the watch, see the movements enjoy the craftsmanship. Appreciate the craft.
All kinds dress, sports, field, cronos. Only must is that they be mechanical. Not hating on quartz I own two...but I want them to feel the watch, see the movements enjoy the craftsmanship. Appreciate the craft.
That's still kinda vague...um...here's some 3000 to choose from:
https://www.jomashop.com/watches-for-men.html?price=%7B%22from%22%3A200%2C%22to%22%3A800%7D&movement=Automatic%7CHand+Wind
Welcome. As many of the wise pointed out above: Get what YOU like. It's a nice, sentiment to want to leave to your grand kids, but reality is unless they're into watches like you or have a REAL strong sentiment tie, they'll likely be checking what the watch is worth monetarily on eBay, Craigslist (anyone still use that), offerup, etc..
BTW, I picked up that blue dial Mido Patrimony. It's a nice watch.
The watches you give can be anything. Your either going to give them a monetary asset or a momento of your life they can hold on to. Give them individually a watch that has your name on the back and that they think the watch had meaning to you. Wear them in front of them and tell them you like it. We are immortal through them so give them the memory instead of just an expensive watch. A cheap Casio can inspire as many memories in a kid as a Rolex.... And he won't sell the Casio
Welcome. As many of the wise pointed out above: Get what YOU like. It's a nice, sentiment to want to leave to your grand kids, but reality is unless they're into watches like you or have a REAL strong sentiment tie, they'll likely be checking what the watch is worth monetarily on eBay, Craigslist (anyone still use that), offerup, etc..
BTW, I picked up that blue dial Mido Patrimony. It's a nice watch.
It's a looker, that's for sure!
I would recommend reconsidering the notion of a deliberate legacy or heirloom watch. IMHO this is folly akin to collector editions. It just rarely works out the way people intend.
To be crasser, I'm of the belief that this is a delusional to disingenuous excuse to get something one wants, and as others have stated, it's best to lose the charitable facade and serve one's own desires. That goal has a better chance of fulfillment.
BillyD,
Welcome, and disregard everything the others have told you, they don't know jack****. I'm only kidding, it is a great community with some impressive time pieces shared by some knowledgeable collectors. Since your collection is for the sake of your grandchildren you may want to create a collection similar in style to mine. I try to collect samples of complications.
For instance, make your first watch extremely basic, hours & minutes, Second watch add a second hand. Third watch hours, minutes, seconds and a date window. Fourth can be a day date. At some point add a dive watch and tell them how a waterproof watch with a a decompression dial was necessary for underwater work. Then maybe a navitimer with slide rule to help pilots calculate fuel consumption. A chronograph for timing. Thanks to China you can afford to get them a real Tourbillion watch and retrogrades. Go for watches with display backs or easy to open backs so that so it is easy for them to view the mechanical works.
I can envision you having many hours of enjoyable time spent with this next generation showing them how the previous generation invented ways to cope. I wish you the best.
Seguss Tourbillion with Day & Date Retrogrades for under $800.00 new
Oceanaut Aviator Pilots Watch $230.00 new
Get them an SKX007j1. It's considered a classic and in ur price range. It is built to last!
Hold on… by collection of $200-800 what are you thinking, total or per piece? Define collection - number and range of styles? How many grandkids? What do you define as practical?
At the risk of not being very helpful at all, if they are your watches then it should be what you like and wear, that way when you pass them on they actually might have some memories of you attached. Otherwise, you might as well just gift them watches, or money stipulated for watch purchases.
is vintage smith included in this price category?
Welcome to WC! I hope you enjoy. Whew! Lots of awesome suggestions in this post. The Seiko lineup is filled with so many options, Hamilton has great pieces in that price range as well. Seiko Monster collection is right at $500 automatic movement and a Prospex line watch. Hamilton field khakis in steel ot titanium are automatic movement and Swiss made. Great value!
Don’t over think it. It’s not the watch that you pass down. It’s the fact that you want to pass something down to them and the memories you creat. my grandfathers watch is worth nothing to 99% of people but priceless to me. Your post warms my heart
is vintage smith included in this price category?
You can get a vintage Smiths in this price range, but it depends on whether vintage falls under “practical”. This was not elaborated upon, and so am assuming it probably does not fit the brief.
This Orient contemporary was my first mechanical watch. Not too expensive at 240 euros on chrono24. I like these open heart dials a lot because you can get a nice glimpse of the mechanical movement. They come in different colours too.
I forgot to mention that Ashford.com has some nice pieces by Glycine that are in your budget. Generally, they’re Swiss Made automatics for good prices.