Looking for a good watch (on a budget)

Not sure you can get your first "big boy" watch at that price but I could be wrong. Mechanical watches usually go over $200.

I was afraid of such an answer, I know the seiko 5's are around here and there, but I don't want to go out and spend that money if I should just save up for a little longer and go buy somthing from say the seiko prospex line. My personal favorite being the SRPE93

How about these two

I'd deff recommend saving up as much as you can for a killer piece! Longines has insane value for money on the $1k-2.5K range. Or even go with a cool microbrand under the $1k range!

I do quite love the orient bambino range, the cream dailed IV is probably one of my favorite styles out there. The seiko 5 is such a beautiful sport watch. Do you think they would be a worth while investment? 

Ope my bad it's not the IV it's the II that I quite like

did you mean by the invesment the price would go up? i dont think so as they have plenty stocks avaible. for daily wearer i prefer seiko 5 option, it is a tough watch and case isnt too chunky. for bambino it is more suitable for more office work i think, i have a v3 bauhauss bambino for over 3 year. it is a nice watch except for the strap, but the dome crystal can scratch very easily

I don't really mean a investment as the price will go up, but rather would they last a long time for my money? I wouldn't want to end up buying a new one every year.

then i guess its a good invesment, i got a few orient and seiko 5 srpg wear it daily for 3-4 years and it still running good

Good, I think I'll start with the SRPE51K1, I really enjoy that gray dial. It will go nicely with a leather strap.

good luck then. you wont regret it 🙏🏻

If you can hold out until you have $400, the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical (hand wind) is an absolutely killer field watch, and gets you into Swiss Watches. 

Hello Fellow,

this price range is tough but not impossible.

To get watch from a serious manufacturer you can go the Japanese (automatic) or the German way (quartz).

But it depends of course on the availability in your country.

Japan:

The Orient Bambino

The Orient Kamasu (currently zhe prices are raised due to last minute christmas gift shoppers). The dark green/turqoise dial is usually 180 in germany.

Look also for the old Seiko 5 line, like the SNXS77 aa long you can finde one.

Germany:

There are few who offers good vslue for money watches in this price range but of course with quartz movements. But most of them has a long history.

Zeppelin watches.

They offer classical flieger and pilot design watches. The leather straps are not that good but you can change them of course. Check definatly their watches.

DUGENA

These manufacturer is over hundret years old. The company was founded by Swiss watchmakers as a german subsidairy but is more or less independent today. The bracelets and cases are well finished and most uses Sapphire.

Junkers

Well finished watches in classical Bauhaus design for much less money than a Junghans. In the lower price ranges they don't use sapphire. But the designs are great.

Also, Orient Mako II is in that range. I still rock mine, even though I’ve got more high end stuff kickin around. But the mineral crystal will get scratched if you wear it often.

Sounds like you're ready for the Orient Kamasu!! Green because it's green😉

I'm actually in America, But I ordered my two HMTs off of eBay. The story of the brand intrigued me and the playful looks caught my eye.

I'd suggest Aragon...some really good choices of mechanical watches for less than $200. But you need to have a reasonably large wrist to handle them.

Aragon Watch - Timeless Collection of Automatic & Quartz movement - Home Page

I wrote an earlier thread about Aragon with some examples of their watches in my collection that you can explore here...

Do you know about Aragon? A watch brand I don't see too often on the Crunch. | WatchCrunch

I have a 7 3/4 inch wrist, do you think thattle suffice? 

Perfect - here is a good guide for lug-to-lug and diameter...

The ULTIMATE Watch Size Guide [COMPLETE] • The Slender Wrist

Aragon has a great holiday sale going right now. You can pick some really nice watches for less than $150 - they also have a BOGO offer as well.

BUY 1 GET 1 FREE (aragonwatch.com)

I would suggest sticking with the 45mm diameter for your wrist.

Here are a couple that are available in the BOGO that are really good choices for a total of $185...

Or you could go to the holiday sale section and pick up one of these...

HOLIDAY SALE (aragonwatch.com)

Sugess makes some excellent mechanical watches that can be had for under $300. For example, check out the Merkur Pierre Paulin which uses a Sugess movement and can be had right for $175 USD.

Those Pierre Paulin watches are very beautiful, the specs seem to be good and I'm Familiar with the Sugess movements, what more to ask? They seem like the best combination of form and function.

Look for the Seiko5 models.  They offer a couple automatics that look great.  Easy to size the bracelet. 

Save up stay focused on building wealth first . Delay means more pay 💰 Don’t worry keep window shopping, we all do that ! 

I'd search your local classifieds first. That way you can meet watch and seller in person. Ebay only if you can send them back. 

You should look into a brand called Orient.

If you’re into the field watch style, the Seiko SNK line is great. it was my first automatic watch and was like $80 when I picked one up. I still wore it every once and a while until replacing it earlier this year with vintage Benrus of a similar style.

I’d suggest you save up and get something mid-tier but still under $1k. Think Christopher Ward C63 Sealander. It’s an incredible value. They will Email you $125 off coupons and you can buy it on a strap and add the bracelet as a separate purchase when you can afford it (about $250 and worth every penny). If you must keep under $200, you already have a G-Shock, so I would only recommend a San Martin (like their v4 62 MAS homage) to get something at the fit and finish level you are likely aspiring to. But Christopher Ward is charging way less than they could get away with, its just not their values to do so.

Hamilton makes a great field watch but IMHO the Orient Defender is a better watch for way less money. 

Why do you think it‘s better?  I’ve not had hands on with the orient, so curious what you have found. 

I own a gen 1 Defender. It has better water resistance than a Hamilton. More interesting dial, in house movement. Under $250.