A true affordable 5 watch collection.
Ok, this is a first for me. I am so tired of "affordable" collection costing thousands or tens of thousands dollars.
So here is my choices for a true affordable, dare I say, cheap, 5 watch collection. I'm giving a budget of $500 total. All of my picks can be found on Amazon and are actually under $500. And let's be honest, for the amount of money, all but 1 are quartz.
Orient Bambino. So to start this off. This is my choice for dress watch. It dresses up nicely. Easy to wear to a wedding, or upscale party. It can also be an everyday watch. Coming in as the most expensive and only automatic. $210
Pagani Design pd-1701. This watch covers the metal band selection. It can be dressed up or worn to work. Another nice everyday watch. Some won't like it because of how much it looks like Omega. But on the cheap, you can't beat it. $120
Casio MDV-106 The one you won't be afraid to get wet. Of course, you might not do real diving but swimming is no problem. Great beach watch. $50
Casio dw-5600. This is a true beater. You're going to use this to do yard, car, house work. Not much else needs to be said. $50
Timex Expedition Scout. My last choice can be the perfect casual watch. It's a nice watch to wear when nothing is really going on. I love this field watch. $40
All together I'm at $470. What do you guys think? What would you pick if you got to keep it cheap? What would you change?
I started wearing watches due to an OCD with timing. I've never had alot of money for watches. For along time, I wore Timex and Casio. I fell in love with the way watches look and work. Because I'm ch...
Pretty solid. Hard to argue.
I might swap the Orient for a Timex Marlin, or can the G-Shock and the Expedition Scout in favor of a cheap Seiko 5, but that’s just me looking for changes for the sake of argument. And there’s the fact that I don’t love G-Shocks or Bambinos, even though I’ve recommended them to others many times for the exact reasons that prompted you to choose them yourself.
Who am I kidding? I’d buy six HMT Kohinoors on eBay for $25 apiece and then just waste the remaining $350 on food or utilities.
Pretty solid. Hard to argue.
I might swap the Orient for a Timex Marlin, or can the G-Shock and the Expedition Scout in favor of a cheap Seiko 5, but that’s just me looking for changes for the sake of argument. And there’s the fact that I don’t love G-Shocks or Bambinos, even though I’ve recommended them to others many times for the exact reasons that prompted you to choose them yourself.
Who am I kidding? I’d buy six HMT Kohinoors on eBay for $25 apiece and then just waste the remaining $350 on food or utilities.
I just get tired of hearing "budget" or "affordable" watch with a budget of $2, 3, 5k. I even heard someone said they were looking for an affordable watch for $8k. Here I am with my most expensive watch was $400.
I just get tired of hearing "budget" or "affordable" watch with a budget of $2, 3, 5k. I even heard someone said they were looking for an affordable watch for $8k. Here I am with my most expensive watch was $400.
I agree. Whenever a YouTube video titles itself as being about budget watches, I always hold my breath for the first few seconds until I see where it’s gonna land.
My man. Right there with you. Plenty of nice watches in the truly affordable range. ❤
@TickyBurden suggested the Timex Marlin, and I can see that (I'm currently bidding on one), but I do have a Bambino v2 on my list as well, so it's a win-win with either choice.
You have a nice, well-rounded collection!
(As an aside, I'm going to be at Mickler's Landing sometime this week!)
Nice choices!
Forced to make a change, I think I'd drop to 3 watches, combining the Timex, Pagani, and Marlin into a Scurfa.
Other than the Casio Duro, I have every single watch on your list. I got my Orient Bambino for less than $150
I like.. most of your choices with the Timex being the best of the lot according to my personal taste that is 😉
If I only had $500 to spend on 5 watches... just keep reading heh
1) G-Shock GA-700 $25 (pawn shop)
2) G-Shock GA-100 $45 (ebay)
3) G-Shock GA-110 $20 (facebook marketplace)
4) G-Shock GA-2200 $110 (ebay)
5) Dan Henry 1945 $280 (new)
Total $480
Having my Lady steal 3 of the 5 for her watch collection.. priceless 😂 (True Story)
I’m equally sick of these types of post. I hate all of these equally bar the Duro, this doesn’t appeal. Just because they’re cheap doesn’t mean you have to compromise.
This is all subjective; this selection was all grabbed for about £150+ shipping in total, and is a nice mix of vintage and homage: field, diver, dress, sporty, and military. There is no right way to “watch”, but if you shop around and think outside of the box you can go in hard without the outlay.
[Update: now with images]
#steeldive 1970 AUD$110
#seiko SNKE01 AUD$160
#invicta 1953 AUD$130
#lorus RXF41AX7 AUD$80
#casio A100 AUD$70
TOTAL: AUD$550
That's USD$375, so I'll add a #seiko5 SNKL45 for USD$99
leaving me $26 for a burger and a beer 🍺
Great selection.
I'm not a fsn of homage brands, so I would try to avoid them in my selection. I chose the watches as I would be able to buy. So there might me brands as Dugena which might be difficult to find in other countries. I slso bend a little over the 500 limit to 540 because I thoughz one Casio is enough. I did also considered the discount what I usually get.
Circula Klassik (30% Discount on dress watches) 133€
Seiko 5 SNXS73 139€
Dugena Divers Friend / Nautica (Discount on several sites 20%) 95€
Casio AE-1200 30€
Dugena Madison (Discount on seversl sites 20%) 143€
I wrote an article about affordable collections few ago. But build up with german brands only.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/Uhrologe/posts/build-up-an-affordable-german-watch-collection-26005
I’m equally sick of these types of post. I hate all of these equally bar the Duro, this doesn’t appeal. Just because they’re cheap doesn’t mean you have to compromise.
This is all subjective; this selection was all grabbed for about £150+ shipping in total, and is a nice mix of vintage and homage: field, diver, dress, sporty, and military. There is no right way to “watch”, but if you shop around and think outside of the box you can go in hard without the outlay.
I like the looks of the Rotary. Is it quartz? I prefer my budget brands to be quartz for reliability, convenience and durability.
I like the looks of the Rotary. Is it quartz? I prefer my budget brands to be quartz for reliability, convenience and durability.
Nope - 17J from the 1970s
bummer...
I would not buy a chronograph if my budget was under $400. I think there are 3 handers that are much nicer and will last much longer. Chronographs are expensive to make because they are complex. If you are spending so little on one, they have to skimp somewhere.
Four Great choices.
I dislike the Pagani Design, for reasons you just stated. I don’t think they designed anything for this watch. But hey, who am I to judge?
[Update: now with images]
#steeldive 1970 AUD$110
#seiko SNKE01 AUD$160
#invicta 1953 AUD$130
#lorus RXF41AX7 AUD$80
#casio A100 AUD$70
TOTAL: AUD$550
That's USD$375, so I'll add a #seiko5 SNKL45 for USD$99
leaving me $26 for a burger and a beer 🍺
love that seiko SNKL45 wow...
love that seiko SNKL45 wow...
Classic piece eh?
yeh 100% solid choices.
i think i would consolidate this down to a 2 watch collection. i think this would cover most situations and you'd still have a couple of cool pieces while you save up for the next one.
Casioak - $100
with
2. Hoffman Racing 40 $229
or
3. Tissot PRX Quartz $375