Budget Watch Recommendations?
I have a relatively low budget of $200-$400.
Any recommendations appreciated of your favorite watches around this price range.
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its depend on the genre i guess. is it dive watch? or GADA watch? or dress watch? has to be quartz or automatic? if you give more specific clue there are many option i guess
its depend on the genre i guess. is it dive watch? or GADA watch? or dress watch? has to be quartz or automatic? if you give more specific clue there are many option i guess
I think this has to be a given for all recommendation posts, otherwise it just becomes a free for all.
Perhaps a post template for recommendations like we have for reviews: budget, style, movement, brands they like, extra details… nice and focused.
Think about what you need and what you are going to use it for, also consider going used as you'll get a much better watch for your money and you miss the depreciation hit 👍
It depends on the style you want, let's narrow it to these questions:
🤔
Hamilton Khaki Field is a great option towards the upper end of your price range, but can be found for lower prices.
Seiko SZSB011, SZSB012, and SZSB013 are also nice options in your desired range and can be dressed up much more effectively than the Hamilton.
I will happily deep-dive for someone because it’s fun and I like to perhaps steer people away from the usual suspects, but we need to choose the right part of the ocean. If you want to see coral, I’m not taking you to the trenches. If you want seals, we should stay on the beach.
In no particular order - Seiko (new and vintage), Hamilton, Tissot, Orient, Glycine.
I'm suggesting the Hamilton route too. Meaning to add the Khaki Field to my collection at some point. Might even go bronze to tick that box.
I suggest....
seiko Diver - SKX or Seiko 5 watches
Hamilton Field watch - Khaki Field
Seiko Pilot watch - Seiko flightmaster sna411
Tissot PRX - in trend watch
Vintage watches - Seiko, Longines , Tissot
Great Dress watches in the vintage category with brands such as tissot and longines
Cheers 🍻
Use the money towards a budget friendly starter collection... some examples:
Enjoy the journey....!
I paid about $270 for my Wolbrook on a beads of rice bracelet. It is a mecaquartz with a sweeping seconds hand. After two weeks of ownership it runs dead on. Overall I feel it is a good bang for the buck.
In terms of a diver, the Orient Kamasu is hard to beat in that price range. They have unique colors too in red and green.
If you want an automatic, try Islander watches. They offer field, dive, dress, and everyday watches in your price range.
For quartz I recommend Vaer, or Marathon.
The Marathon Navigator comes in right at the upper end of your price range, but it gets you a Swiss made quartz watch with tritium lume, made by a reputable watchmaker with a long history of making military watches.
In terms of a diver, the Orient Kamasu is hard to beat in that price range. They have unique colors too in red and green.
Can recommend aswell.
Without any specifics to go on, I’d recommend starting with Seiko or Orient. There’s going to be something that appeals to almost anyone from those brands in that price range.
I really like Scurfa in this range.
Without any specifics to go on, I’d recommend starting with Seiko or Orient. There’s going to be something that appeals to almost anyone from those brands in that price range.
Thank you, because there are at least 30 watches already in this thread so this is just a pointless exercise going forward.
If it's straight up spec-for-buck you're looking for: San Martin or Cronos
If it needs to be a "respected" heritage brand: any Seiko or Orient in that price category will do
If it should be a bit more "left field": check out one of the more accessible micro brands, such as Vario
The Citizen Corso and Drive are both well done entry level watches with reliable EcoDrive movements. Both of mine have been accurate and trouble free for about 10 years. The Corso is on a replacement band - I’m not a fan of the Citizen leather bands; the Drive is on a comfortable rubber strap.
GW-5000
Hamilton. All day
I paid about $270 for my Wolbrook on a beads of rice bracelet. It is a mecaquartz with a sweeping seconds hand. After two weeks of ownership it runs dead on. Overall I feel it is a good bang for the buck.
Thanks for the information on this watch/brand. Had never come across my views. A lot of watch for the money.
Seiko srpe93 $370 on Long Island. Iconic case design, in house movement, tough as shit, lume that’ll make the sun jealous. if you don’t want something so sporty than the seiko cocktail time series is great. really beautiful dials. other than that the manual wind Hamilton khaki is super cool
SRPE07 is less than $400 on ebay and is a hell of a watch for this price
If you're into automatics, my top recommendation would be the Orient Kamasu, which is tipically around/below € 200. You get a beautiful watch with a modern movement and sapphire crystal. If quartz, it's hard to beat the Citizen BN0151 with a solar movement, well under € 200.
I owned this Orient Kamasu, fantastic watch:
Take a look at Deep Blue. Incredible value for money and healthy secondary market for these. Rally diver is under $400 and has a Swiss auto movement:
https://www.deepbluewatches.com/rally-diver-1000blkwhtbrace-watch.html
What specific type you looking for. Its not a GADA watch but I recently picked up the Orient Bambino. $300 AUD but if your in the US im sure thats below $200 and its a SOLID watch for the price. Theres a huge reason their so popular. All the best on your choice mate. 🤝
Invicta?