I have the blue dial version of this watch (GL0416) and got it and two others from Ashford - a Hamilton KFA and another Combat Sub. Good experience with all orders. It is available now on Gnomon, but at almost twice the price as Ashford. (https://www.gnomonwatches.com/products/combat-sub-42-vintage-bi-color-ref-gl0259) I would just set an eBay search alert and go back to Ashford every few days - it may pop back up soon there. Can't go wrong with a Combat Sub and lots of color combinations.

Go for the Bulova 96B158. It is not nearly as expensive or big and garish as others in Precisionist line. It also comes in other colorways, like black dial on rose gold with brown leather (96B267) and blue dial on steel with black strap (96B257).

I have several more expensive automatics and this is probably the cheapest watch on my rotation, but it is probably the nicest dress watch I have for a black suit. Mine is currently borrowing the black leather strap from my Hamilton Murph 42mm and looks spectacular. The movement is smoother than my 4hz automatics - it really is the "poor man's Grand Seiko."

Here is a great review by Ben's Watch Club.

https://www.benswatchclub.com/blog/bulova-precisionist-96b158-review

I will say one of the reasons I don't find GS attractive as an option, despite the great finish, smooth and innovative movement, and captivating dial finishes, is that they all have stick indicies (not a fan). The Breguet numerals make it look awesome - they definitely should make more.

I had a quartz chrono for years. Admired the looks, but never used it. Now that I'm into mechanical watches, I really love a chrono's looks and the mechanical genius and ingenuity in the most complex ones, like the El Primero (amazing timepiece - could watch videos on the movement all day), but could never justify paying so much for something I would never be able to utilize. A 3-hander automatic/mechanical is much more utilitous while being arm decoration - it's giving me the time at a glance. But the chrono is much less user-friendly than grabbing the cell phone and using the stop-watch function. Also, the subdials are almost illegible to my aging eyes without my reading glasses . . . so, there's that.

Not sure the model number, but the first watch I specifically remember was just like this, a Casio calculator watch in about 1985, 8th grade I believe. Just remember that it was useless in math class because it chirped every time pushed a button, notifying the teacher.

I have the 42mm Murph and found that Hamilton's metal bracelet for the 42mm Khaki Field Auto fits it perfectly - reference number H695.705.110. Also love my Murph with single-pass fabric and burgandy leather straps.

Hamilton seems over your budget, so, if you don't mind a "clomage" watch, San Martin has great-quality versions of the Tudor Ranger and the Hamilton Khaki Field for less than $270 - they contain the NH35 automatic movement. The Hamilton clone is the SN0137-G for only $158 and has a sapphire crystal with AR coating (which Hamilton sadly lacks), is 38mm, and has a great-quality nylon strap that looks as good as Hamilton's (I don't have this model, but did get a couple of the straps, which are great). I do own the Ranger clomage, SN0107-G, which was surprisingly-good quality - there are several variations in colors and even a higher-beat SW200 (ETA clone movement, making it a little more expensive) - in 38mm or 36mm, AR coating, $268, and a great steel bracelet that I switch out with the above nylon straps made for the SN0137-G (and one-pass straps from Crown & Buckle).

I have two Hamiltons and, while they are better quality and I really like them, it frustrates me that this homage company beats them in some areas, like AR coating, and is significantly cheaper.