Watches every collector should have

Hi Guys

I‘m completely new in the watch collecting business and I’m looking for some inspiration. What are your must haves in a price range up to 500$?

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Casio, like F91W, square G, casioak

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It’s really all about what YOU want. What YOUR must haves are. Don’t get a watch just because it’s popular or one that everyone has. Get it because you want it. Now there are of course brands that a lot of us start off with, like Seiko, Orient, Casio and micro brands that have great offerings below that price. But if another brand is calling your name do some research and go for it!

All that being said, can’t go wrong with a Casio Duro or a Seiko 5 as (one of) your first watche(s)😂

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Hi ! Welcome in the "community" (sound weird lol) !

That is so hard to tell. There is so many watch brands and so many different styles ! What kind of watch do you like ? (Simple/complex design, quartz/automatic, an everyday watch or a "tool" one...).

Feel free to show pictures of watches/types of watch you like ;)

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I like watches with some type of history or story - especially automatic ones. Just ordered a Seagull 1963 yesterday and I‘m thrilled to finally wearing it 😍

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Seiko Divers, Seiko5, Hamilton Field Khaki Mechanical, Orient Bambino and Kamasu

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SpecKTator

Seiko Divers, Seiko5, Hamilton Field Khaki Mechanical, Orient Bambino and Kamasu

Orient bambino is definitely on the top of my wishlist 😍

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My advice is to avoid all of the "must have" watches out there, and buy the watches that appeal to you.

I'll pick on the F91-W a bit since it's usually one of the first suggested. It's not a great watch, it's just cheap. For a few dollars more you can buy similar Casio, or Timex models with more features, more WR, better back-light, and that aren't the default "must have" that every second person has. If you want a suggestion, the Timex Atlantis 100 is less common, but older(though updated over time) and has more features.

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KristianG

My advice is to avoid all of the "must have" watches out there, and buy the watches that appeal to you.

I'll pick on the F91-W a bit since it's usually one of the first suggested. It's not a great watch, it's just cheap. For a few dollars more you can buy similar Casio, or Timex models with more features, more WR, better back-light, and that aren't the default "must have" that every second person has. If you want a suggestion, the Timex Atlantis 100 is less common, but older(though updated over time) and has more features.

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You are missing the point, F91W and calculator casio, they are iconic, not because they are good, I mean do you really need a calculator on your watch? No, but it's funky! Same deal with F91W

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Nicksen

Orient bambino is definitely on the top of my wishlist 😍

Buy it, wear it, love it. It’ll be part of your journey. I’ve been stuck in this “beginning” part of Watch collecting for over 10 years. The logical side of my brain says don’t buy stuff for the sake of buying stuff, it’s gotta be something you will use and not be afraid of abusing it. Also, I’m not out to impress anyone and frankly, no one should be impressed by someone because of their watches.

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Lord_Dappingtonshire

You are missing the point, F91W and calculator casio, they are iconic, not because they are good, I mean do you really need a calculator on your watch? No, but it's funky! Same deal with F91W

I'm not missing anything, I lived through the age of those watches, and disliked them even then.

You can argue that the calculator watches are "iconic" but they are "iconic" in the same way that cabage patch kids are...The F91-W is just old and cheap. It's praised in the watch community almost entirely because it's cheap, and influencers praise it. Essentially it has become the Kardashians of the watch world, famous because it's famous.

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Vostok Scuba Dude for something left field.

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Cantaloop

Vostok Scuba Dude for something left field.

I‘ve been looking for a vostok amphibia but didn‘t find any place where I can buy it.. any recommendations?

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Cantaloop

Vostok Scuba Dude for something left field.

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KristianG

I'm not missing anything, I lived through the age of those watches, and disliked them even then.

You can argue that the calculator watches are "iconic" but they are "iconic" in the same way that cabage patch kids are...The F91-W is just old and cheap. It's praised in the watch community almost entirely because it's cheap, and influencers praise it. Essentially it has become the Kardashians of the watch world, famous because it's famous.

The F-91W is possibly more iconic than Rolex as it has changed even less over the decades. For under $20 one can get a watch that is nearly perfectly identical to the one made over three decades ago. It is immaculately authentic, an horological time capsule. I know of nothing else that achieves this for so little. It's a big club, and you can join it easily. It's perfectly egalitarian and non-hierarchical. Except for the fact that some countries get a few cooler colors and one can mod the things, generally any new purchaser is immediately on the same level as every other F-91W owner with their purchase.

One can argue about whether it is of meme-worthy legendary unkillability or delightful economy that has become spectacularly outclassed, but that is all beside the point. Cultural icon! People remember them, people have them, they are immediately recognizable and relatable.

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Vostok themselves will usually be the cheapest, I've ordered all mine from there. Not the quickest post service though. It's worth looking through the site to get a view on case shapes (the first 3 digits of the reference) and the myriad of designs (often quite odd).

Poljot24.de carry new and used.

eBay, usually overpriced but not always. Same with Amazon.

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The must have are the one that you like, otherwise what's the point?

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I don't belive in this concept, but I think there are some watches that are "safer" to get than others. It still doesn't mean that it will be a hot for you.

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I would try inexpensive watches to see what style of watch you like. It's near impossible to recommend a specific watch to somebody you don't know. There are of course brands like Seiko, Tissot, Orient or Citizen with watches of a quality that you won't regret your purchase, but I would strongly recommend looking at watches at a store.

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There's not such a thing as a 'must own' in my opinion, what's a 'must own' for one person is a 'would never own' for another. Watch collecting depends so much on your personal style it's hard to call what someone else should buy, so my choice below is entirely based on which affordable watch I plan on buying next as it fills a gap in my collection.

So...

If you want a mechanical watch which is value for money, is interesting to look at and isn't the same as what everyone else has for a good price, you might have a look at a Seagull 1963? You may think it's hideous or you may love it, but when you consider what you get for around $200 (I think, I'm in the UK so prices may vary) I think it's a great piece to start a collection with.

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Check out Steel Dive watches. They have really nice homage watches of popular brands.

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I would advise that you stick to more well established brands to begin with - purely for reselling later on. Seiko, Hamilton, G-Shock, etc. These are known brands which people know well and will want to buy on the used market. Don't go too left field with an independent watch brand until you've established what you like and don't like.

I would also advise not to buy watches brand new, it's a lovely experience, but depreciation is a bitch and it can take a while for you to develop your tastes and interests.

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Don't start 🤣🤣 your wallet will thank you for it ....but playing devil's advocate I'm a massive fan of Citizen Watches EcoDrive is the best solar watches you can buy yes its quartz but you will never change a battery, Promaster range is solid, other great watches include Seiko Any they don't miss, and king of value Casio's retro digital watches or better quality Edifices

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TheMightyOz

All the better. If a person is new to the hobby this is good information to know. I have a number of sub $500 watches (mostly homages), all purchased with the knowledge that they are just to enjoy and without trade or resale value. I have a Seiko 5 that I enjoy very much, again with full knowledge that it has little to no trade value (though more than the homage watches, clearly).

I’m not saying not to purchase budget watches, because I have and probably will again. My warning is not to get too deep into this market segment financially, because it can be a trap in the hobby.

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You will lose money on the watches of course but they still have resale value. Take a look at the seiko 5 collection. You might buy one for 200bucks and you'll get at least 100$ when trying to get rid of it. Watches should be bought with spare money. You have to afford everything else BEFORE buying watches. If you get your money back, than thats a plus. Even if it turns out to be a financial trap it should'nt have a negative impact on your life.

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King_Louis

You will lose money on the watches of course but they still have resale value. Take a look at the seiko 5 collection. You might buy one for 200bucks and you'll get at least 100$ when trying to get rid of it. Watches should be bought with spare money. You have to afford everything else BEFORE buying watches. If you get your money back, than thats a plus. Even if it turns out to be a financial trap it should'nt have a negative impact on your life.

Ever try to trade in a sub $500 watch? No dice when I tried.

As far as reselling one, why buy used when for a hundred bucks more you could have a brand new one with warranty?

Look, I’m not advocating watches as an investment. I never have and never will. But if you start collecting watches, and find yourself with a dozen sub $500 watches, and you realize how much money you spend on the lot . . . Consider it a warning in advance. Trying to sell them will be a huge pain, you’ll get next to nothing for the hassle, dealers won’t buy them, and probably get ripped off if you try to sell online. Sub $500 watches are fine to buy. Just don’t lose track of how much you are into them for, because if can be a trap.

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I'd say a Hamilton Khaki Field watch (if you can get it on sale or used it should be under $500), a Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (same disclaimer), and a Casio Duro (way under $500). Maybe also an Orient Bambino, and the Orient Kamasu, both well under $500 and excellent watches.

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Can’t go wrong with a Seiko 5. Great value and quality build. See thru case back.

Insane amount of variety and truly a watch you can wear to any occasion.

They look great with every type of strap as well 😎

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Gshock GWM5600. Casio Oceanus. Steinhart.

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benno1024

I'd say a Hamilton Khaki Field watch (if you can get it on sale or used it should be under $500), a Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (same disclaimer), and a Casio Duro (way under $500). Maybe also an Orient Bambino, and the Orient Kamasu, both well under $500 and excellent watches.

great suggestions, I think Citizen Tsuyosa is right in this realm as well, no?

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Get whatever you like, but my vote is Hamilton Khaki Auto. They have 38mm and 42mm I think, so can find the best size for you. They are also absolute strap monsters. Come with a leather strap, but looks good with just about anything. NATOs, rubber straps, leather straps, etc. I’ve gotten way more joy out of that watch than other more expensive ones in my collection. It’s a great piecs!

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Seriously, just buy what you like. It’s the only opinion that matters.