Alpina Vs. Tissot
Hi there.
I've been looking to get a 35 to 38mm diver (I have a rather small wrist) and I think I might have manage to find 2 watches that in my opinion, can be the definitive sub $500 swiss diver for those that have a small to medium sized wrist.
The thing is that they are both very good quality watches from very reputable brands. The Tissot Seastar 1000 (quartz) and the Alpina Comtesse Diver, both 36mm. I now have trouble deciding between these two as they are both very much everything I look for in a diver.
What do you guys think? Maybe I am skipping another great option that's out there?
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Jose
Beginner in the watch world
Colombia
Member since
Last active: 5 days ago
6.30” / 16.00 cm
Two solid options here but I think microbrands are where it’s at under 1k. So much more personality IMHO but you can’t go wrong with either. I’d try to find a store and get hands on with them. Nothing wrong with popping in, fondling watches and leaving without buying.
You might want to also consider the Certina DS Action Diver 38mm. Great go-with-anything watch that’s ISO certified. If you’re in the USA Teddy Baldassarre carries them.
The Alpina’s (sapphire?) bezel insert wins it for me. The added dimension is 👌🏾
Two solid options here but I think microbrands are where it’s at under 1k. So much more personality IMHO but you can’t go wrong with either. I’d try to find a store and get hands on with them. Nothing wrong with popping in, fondling watches and leaving without buying.
thats true, I'll 100% take a look at some microbrands, thank you.
https://www.vaerwatches.com/products/ds5-meridian-navy-auto-38mm
No experience with them, but I've read good things about them.
I don’t own those models, but I do own Alpina and Tissot watches. Based on my experience, the Alpina will be demonstrably better made compared to the Tissot. But, you should get the one that you think you will like more.
Christopher Ward do many of their watches in a 38mm. I have this Trident Pro 300 on my list. Bezel action is excellent.
https://wornandwound.com/review/hands-on-the-christopher-ward-c60-trident-pro-300/
Also Citizen do this one which is inexpensive and c.37mm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riaCEvy0xNY&t=442s
Alpina
Alpina > Tissot
The bezel, indices and numerals on the Alpina add some interest, while the Tissot is YADW/YASH (Yet another dive watch/Yet another sub homage).
Go Alina bro
Trust me
Look at Steinhart too from Gnomon
I would probably go with Tissot, as the Seastar at that size is pretty darn awesome. Now, if you want to get a perhaps tad better, but more left field watch, the Alpina seems pretty cool at that size and with it's design elements.
The Alpina is beautiful.
I would choose the Alpina. But another suggestion, Seiko offers a nice solar quartz option at around 500$.
Just bear in mind that because the Alpina has been created with the female market in mind, the bracelet is smaller and may not only not fit for you in number of links, but it may create issues to enter your hand thru the opening of the watch.
those two are great watch, but i always choose something which more underated so the alpina it is
Unless you have already tried them on, bear in mind that 36mm diver might look small especially if your other watches are in the range of 37-38mm which would mean you might be used to bigger dials. I have a similar wrist size with daily watches sweet spot for me being 37-38mm and 46mm L2L and I must say that new seiko SRPK29 38mm diver already looked kind of small when I tried it on...(I don't know, maybe I am giving in to the big watch trend 🙂 but I think that wider bezel on the diver makes the dial look excessively small comparing to non-divers of similar size). Another thing I have learnt from experience with my small wrist is to be careful with male endlinks on the bracelet - unless really curved down they might end up too big. Female endlinks are a much safer option. good luck.
Personally I would go for the Alpina 👌
Tissot between the two for sure
Alpina doesn't get enough respect or attention for the amount of heritage that they have
I would personally go for the Tissot as it outspecs the Alpina in several areas. But by and large, both choices are great!
Unless you have already tried them on, bear in mind that 36mm diver might look small especially if your other watches are in the range of 37-38mm which would mean you might be used to bigger dials. I have a similar wrist size with daily watches sweet spot for me being 37-38mm and 46mm L2L and I must say that new seiko SRPK29 38mm diver already looked kind of small when I tried it on...(I don't know, maybe I am giving in to the big watch trend 🙂 but I think that wider bezel on the diver makes the dial look excessively small comparing to non-divers of similar size). Another thing I have learnt from experience with my small wrist is to be careful with male endlinks on the bracelet - unless really curved down they might end up too big. Female endlinks are a much safer option. good luck.
Totally agree. I wear a lot of 36mm watches due to my thin wrist but when I tried the Tissot on it looked too small.