First Mechanical Watch?
Hello fellow WatchCrunchers, I have very important question to ask all of you. I just recently got into watches, and I really enjoy both of the ones I own (DW5600, and Vaer R1 Chronograph). However, I have found my self gravitating towards mechanical watches for their elegance and engineering intricacies. I would like my first one to be something classy and very timeless, something I could keep for my whole life. Budget isn’t really a huge consideration, but I am still a high school student, so something under 2k would be preferable. Let me know what you think!
Just got into watches in late ‘22! Don’t have any interesting or notable pieces yet, but a family member told me about this site, and I’m super excited to start learning!
Hoglund and Sons, an American micro brand that uses the Seagull 1901 for their chronograph, a mechanical movement.
Just be aware that even with all their engineering intricasies, comes the fact that mechanicals will never come close to the accuracy of your quartz watches.
You can never go wrong with a Seiko. Maybe a Seiko 5 GMT if you like the complication of another timezone. You can get them for 400-500€. If like to spend a little more for a good GMT from Seiko you can look at the SPB383J1. If you want something more dressy you can look at the Seiko Presage collection.
I'm sure you'll get some good suggestions, so I'd just like to add that nailing all your preferences on the first go is basically impossible. Spending all of what you are willing to spend on watches on your first mechanical will teach you a lot about what you want and don't want, but it will be, in my opinion, a more expensive than necessary lesson. Personally, I'd look for a couple watches you would like that you can afford, rather than one for a higher price. If one of the suggestions you receive really, really jumps out at you, no one will stop you from going for that, but I'm just saying the beginning of this journey is mostly discovery and exploration, with typically few perfect decisions.
I think this looks great!
Nivada Grenchen F77 ~$1200
Tissot prx, Hamilton khaki line, sinn 556, seiko spb143j
A vintage Franken-HMT.
High school student. Save your money. Not worth spending anything close to $2k.
Get yourself a Seiko 5. Spend no more than $250
Sinn all day or Monta or Smiths or Nivada , Doxa , there are plenty in your price range . Not Seiko not that there is anything wrong with Seiko but for the money, I would look at the movements like Selita SW200 SW300 , Miyota 9039 or Soprod movements. Tried and tested my favourite for build quality and bang for the buck is still Selita SW300 , thin but well built , SW200 just thicker but still great 👍🏼
Seiko 5 all the way, you can find a nice one on eBay for cheap, I regret not doing this in the first place when finding my first mechanical.
Tissot PRX powermatic 80 with the blue waffle dial. Fantastic, classy, sporty, and timeless
Setting aside the fact you’re in high school and that there is maybe more important things you could spend your money on, I say go second hand on a Nivada Gretchen Chronomaster. It’s at the top of your budget but I think it balances everything you’re looking for.
Good luck!
I would suggest a sub $500 Seiko or legit microbrands for your first mechanical watch. That way you won't break the bank just for testing the water & you can scale up from there if you find you're really into mechanical. Just my 2 cents 🍻
I agree with Seiko suggestions. However, I would go a King Turtle or King Samurai. They are so solidly built that they will go for a VERY long time.
1st mechanical watch? Can't go wrong with Seiko.
I would also suggest a Seiko 5 as you are still very young. Your taste/preferences may very well change in the future, I think it's too early for a lifelong commitment. I know we are all different, so my experience may not apply to you but I don't have any of the watches I bought in my early twenties.
I like somewhere between 38-45 (I have a bigger wrist), pilots and fields generally catch my eye the most, dark dials look great, and I am open to lots of different textures of dial. I would also probably gravitate towards stainless, but I'm not married to any specific material. Chronographs are my favorite as long as they are not too busy. I also am a very big automotive enthusiast so any watch with that sort of theme is automatically more interesting.
Got one for you: german field/pilot automatic chrono 200m WR so you could just not take it off, $1600. https://www.archimede-watches.com/outdoor-chronograph.-s
Then there's my personal favorite if you love racing chronographs with a fieldish vibe https://eur.farer.com/products/bernina-titanium?gclid=Cj0KCQiAtOmsBhCnARIsAGPa5yYI4EiJl8DQKqXQgcq2OwIPLRfdASskjcKTp9UcqoK6fC-tWJV6qJcaAkQYEALw_wcB
Welcome my young friend, first I need to know where your from because at your age I would be afraid that a higher end watch may draw unwanted attention. 2nd I would recommend choosing a brand with some history before worrying to much about accuracy, all will be just fine.
For your budget look at Christopher Ward, beautiful well made watches.
Seiko
Tissot PRX. I bought one for a friend who of mine who is in your similar position. He had never own a mechanical watch and I wanted to introduce him into it. The price point is unbeatable. His wrist is in the bigger side so the 40 mm fits well. On my 16mm wrist, it looks a bit big. Good luck
1. Hamilton Khaki Auto, which sells at 500 dollars on amazon. While I prefer the design of some Vaer watches, the hamilton is more comfortable and got a much better movement (much more accurate, 80 hour power reserve)
2. Orient Bambino, for around 250 dollarsyou cna get a very accurate and nice looking watch
I would also suggest a Seiko 5 as you are still very young. Your taste/preferences may very well change in the future, I think it's too early for a lifelong commitment. I know we are all different, so my experience may not apply to you but I don't have any of the watches I bought in my early twenties.
Wow that’s interesting. Not even one for old times sake?
Welcome my young friend, first I need to know where your from because at your age I would be afraid that a higher end watch may draw unwanted attention. 2nd I would recommend choosing a brand with some history before worrying to much about accuracy, all will be just fine.
I am from Montana, nobody steals anything here so no worries there
I am from Montana, nobody steals anything here so no worries there
I would definitely look at Seiko's vast offerings.
Wow that’s interesting. Not even one for old times sake?
No. I bought my first watch when I was around 22-23-ish and was not interested in watches, I just needed one for timekeeping. For years I had only cheap quartz watches (not any Swatch, Casio or Timex), one at a time.
No. I bought my first watch when I was around 22-23-ish and was not interested in watches, I just needed one for timekeeping. For years I had only cheap quartz watches (not any Swatch, Casio or Timex), one at a time.
Oh ok that makes sense.
If you're still in high school you shouldn't spend that much on a watch. The watch that started my watch rabbit hole was this $360 Orient Kamasu. You can't go wrong with a Seiko either.
Just landed this morning