Buy These Watches…..Quit the Game- Budget Version

@Max recently released an excellent video presenting five “one and done” watches, with the idea that any of these watches could, if purchased, be your “exit watch”, or the last watch you will ever buy, as each is an almost perfect one watch collection. This video really impacted me and got me thinking. Max presented watches from different tiers, but the lowest tier watch he presented, the Seiko Alpinist, is still expensive for many collectors like me who operate more at the budget and entry-level tiers. But what about the budget or entry-level “one and done” watches? Are there even any “one and done” watches at the budget/entry-level tiers? I think there are, and I would like to discuss several watches from my own collection (and a couple that are not in my collection) that I view as go to GADA watches; the watches that I can wear anywhere (maybe with a strap change, as they are also strap monsters). Of the ones I own, these are the sub-$500 watches in my collection that show up quite frequently on my wruw posts on Watch Crunch for a substantial period after purchase; they very quickly became go to watches for daily wear and would see my wrist at least once a week, and often multiple times in one week. Each of these watches also displaced one or more other watches from my regular rotation, and in some cases even replaced one or more watches in my collection that have since been sold.

Timex Expedition North Post Solar

Timex is a brand with a rich history and heritage going back more than a century and is one of the early US brands. Timex has really upped their game over the past few years, releasing a number of watch series that have become quite respected and popular in the watch community; the Marlin line (featuring both mechanical and automatic movements), the Q line (the GMT is quite popular), the T80 line (there is a new full steel 36mm T80), the Waterbury line, the M80 line, and more recently, the Gallo line and the one I want to discuss, the Expedition North line. I have the 36mm Expedition North Post Solar (it also comes in a 41mm model), and this is a great option for a one watch collection. The combination of gun metal steel case and gun metal arabics give it an understated elegance making it a watch suitable for dress occasions (change to a black leather strap and it could even work in formal situations). The solar movement means it has a thin case that slips easily under cuffs. This is also a tough little watch, with a full stainless-steel case featuring a screw on case back, a screw down crown, 100M water resistance, and even sapphire crystal, all for less than $170. If you are looking for a budget one watch collection, the Expedition North Post Solar is a great option.

Vaer C3 Korean Field

Vaer is a more recent brand, founded in 2016. Their focus is on sport and outdoor watches with a military theme, primarily producing field and dive watches. Their stated goal is to produce a watch that can be worn from the ocean to the office and everywhere in between. They utilize a variety of movements; quartz, automatic, and more recently, solar, coming from Japan, Switzerland, and the US. The watches are assembled in the US, and they source as much of the production as is possible from the US. They also donate a percentage of their profits to environmental causes each year. The watch I have is the C3 Korean Field Solar, a 36mm field watch modeled after military watches from the Korean War (the C5 Korean Field is a 40mm version). It has an engraved screw on case back commemorating the Korean War veterans, a screw down crown, 100M water resistance, domed sapphire crystal with AR coating, and every Vaer watch comes with two straps. The case is easily thin enough to slip under a cuff, and on its black silicon strap looks nice with a suit but is tough enough to go straight from work to the weekend. Not bad for less than $260.

Citizen Promaster Diver EO2020-08E

This next one might seem a bit unusual, but please allow me to present my reasoning. Citizen is a brand with a rich heritage that includes important innovation, especially their Eco-Drive movement. I have long advocated for the Promaster Diver line of watches as one of the best, if not the best, options for an entry-level dive watch. I had never really thought of the Promaster Diver as a potential one watch collection until they released the new 36mm version of the Promaster Diver Eco-Drive. I loved the smaller size as soon as I got it on my wrist, but it wasn’t until I changed the strap out for the grey Cordura/silicon hybrid strap from Barton Watch Bands that it occurred to me I could wear this watch with a suit, and it would look good. Having an Eco-Drive movement makes it thin enough to fit under a cuff, and the smaller 36mm diameter is a more appropriate size for dress occasions than the larger 41mm size, at least on my wrist. It is just as tough as its larger cousins, as it still has the Diver’s text, indicating it is an ISO compliant dive watch. I think there could be a wider variety of options in the future, like the number of options for the larger size Promaster Diver BN01 line. I am happy with the black dial version, but others may prefer a variety of dial colors. The MSRP is the same as the larger Promaster Diver, at $375, but it can be found for substantially less, even at ADs, just like the larger models.

Islander/Urban Gentry Rangemaster

Islander is the house brand of Marc at Long Island Watch, and I believe they have been in production for about five years now. Islander started off doing homages of the discontinued Seiko SKX Diver’s watches but has since produced many models and variants, including some more original designs and collaborations. Every Islander watch has a screw on case back, a screw down crown, sapphire crystal, and at least 100M water resistance. The watch in the picture is a limited-edition release that is no longer available, but is a great GADA watch I purchased for $369. While this one is not available or is only available for substantially more than the MSRP, I have seen it for less than $500, and there are a couple of Islander models that are similar and would make good options for one watch collections. The first is the Manhasset, a 36mm Explorer style watch. The second is the #ISL-54 Pilot (and similar models), a 40mm 3-6-9-12 style pilot watch. Both models are automatic, look stylish for dress situations, and have the usual package of Islander features making them tough sport watches. Honestly, there are many Islander watches that would be good GADA watches, including the Hawkeye, a collaboration with Hemel on a Flieger-style watch, the Mitchel, a field watch, and even the Brookville, for a dressier option that is tough. The Manhasset is $285 while the #ISL-54 Pilot is $229. Prices for Islanders range from $137 (on sale) to well over $500 (for models with Swiss GMT movements).

Seiko 5 SRPE

We now come to the watches not in my own collection. I was not a fan of the SRPD “5KX” at all, as I had an SKX013, and felt that the 5KX was a letdown, not being a true Diver’s watch. When the SRPE “DressKX” models were first released, I thought long and hard about adding one to my collection. I liked the dressier look of it compared to the SRPD line and had come to peace with the lower water resistance. While I ultimately decided not to get one, I still find the aesthetic of the fixed bezel Seiko 5 appealing, and I can easily understand why there have been so many positive reviews of this model, and others advocating the notion that it is a great one watch collection. The newer Seiko 5 models all feature at least 100M water resistance and the 4R movements, and while I decided against the DressKX, I do have familiarity with the newer models and have a Seiko 5 SRPJ85 in my collection. The DressKX is a great one watch collection option that can be found for under $300.

The second watch that is not in my collection that I think is a great budget option for a GADA one watch collection is the Lorier Falcon, and I am in the process of saving the money out of my budget to add one to my collection by the end of the year, unless I get derailed by another shiny watch. It is 36mm, and it features a hesalite crystal to honor past manufacturing. It also has 100M water resistance, and a Miyota 9000 series movement. This watch has had almost all positive reviews and really seems to be a great one watch collection. I am looking forward to adding this one to my own collection soon.

So, there are my suggestions for budget exit watches. Each of these watches that are in my own collection has had an impact on my collecting habits. I have looked at watches with the intent to buy them right up until I compare them to one of these watches. One example is the Islander Manhasset. I have that watch sitting in my cart at Long Island Watch and it has been there since it came out. I like the look of it, the size of it, and the price of it. What keeps me from pulling the trigger is my Rangemaster. I don’t think the Manhasset would replace the Rangemaster, either in my collection, or in my rotation, so I refrain from buying it. The other impact these watches have had is making me much more willing to sell watches out of my collection. Having several watches that are great GADA options for me has me questioning the size of my collection and moving to reduce it even more. I may wind up with twelve or so watches by the end of the year. These seem to be partial exit watches for me.

So, tell me what I missed. What are the watches in your collection or on your list that are potential GADA one watch collection exit watches? Post in the comments below.