Affordable or save up?

Fellow addicts,

 I'm about six-months into this bad habit and I need to buy a dress watch.  How many of you would get an affordable piece so you can more quickly build your collection and how many would save up to buy something in the next tier? Obviously this is a totally subjective question.

Thanks!

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First question first…why do you “need” a dress watch?  Do you have an upcoming event?  Next, what’s your use case for it?  Is it going to be a rare occasion piece or a daily for work, or something in between?  My thoughts on the matter need more context than your initial post provides.

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Well, I have 19 watches & the whole thing is less than $1500. 

Granted, I don't have the coin to buy a Steinhart one month and a Straton the next or even an Omega once ayear.

I DO have a scratch the itch fund & a Grail fund. Money from scratch the itch can go to the Grail fund, but never the reverse. 

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JBird7986

First question first…why do you “need” a dress watch?  Do you have an upcoming event?  Next, what’s your use case for it?  Is it going to be a rare occasion piece or a daily for work, or something in between?  My thoughts on the matter need more context than your initial post provides.

jbird, My job requires I get dressed up several times a year.  I'm old fashioned and am more comfortable dressing up or down depending on the occasion.  Really I'm looking for a dressy everyday watch.  I've considered the Tissot Gentleman, Hamilton Field Khaki with a bracelet, and other similar options.  Just curious what sort of buying strategy folks have.  Thanks!

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Any seiko or Orient dress watch is all you need. The brands are well known and affordable. Get a more expensive one but only if you need to flex. Money is better spent on the hand your holding than the watch on your wrist.

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I once went bird watching in Central America. We were told that you take away the trees, leaves, vines, and what is left is the bird.  That is how you find it.

Take away the divers, pilots, digital displays, and fields and you are left with "dress" watches. You "need" one for what purpose?  Business meetings, dates, television appearances?

You have more options than you can possibly ever completely digest.  This is $160:

Orient 2nd Generation AC00 Version 1 Classic Watch | FAC00001B0

That is a better watch than anything else at that price point.  It is studier than a vintage Omega or Eterna.  And that is just the beginning.

I would rather have more variety than just one next tier watch.  It is a personal preference.  Don't listen to random strangers on the internet, just explore.

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My suggestion, buy a good "everyday" watch, and change straps based on use. 

The Islander ISL-102, 133, 39, or 38 all make perfectly good "everyday" watches at a reasonable price. 

If you're set on a "dress" watch, a Timex Marlin hand wound would be hard to beat in the budget price range. 

For me, the CW C63 is my stand-in dress watch. I don't dress up often enough to justify spending on a specific "dress" watch. 

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Tissot Gentleman with that sector dial!  Absolutely gorgeous!

Though, quite honestly, the one I would go with is that Quartz Tissot Gentleman in titanium.  Beautiful dark hued titanium case and bracelet, quartz gives you the whole "grab and go" capability, quartz is much more robust than mechanical, and you can always dress the watch up with leather straps, etc.  And, because it's titanium, it'll be super lightweight and comfortable on the wrist.

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$373.80 on Amazon!!!

https://www.amazon.com/Tissot-Gentleman-Quartz-Swiss-Titanium/dp/B092RGLRXB/ref=asc_df_B092RGLRXB/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=509467491088&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16604969416600484939&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031340&hvtargid=pla-1290276291982&psc=1

Edit:  I take it back.  After watching this review, sounds like the automatic version is the way to go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPNRdae1OXc&t=196

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Old_Winder

jbird, My job requires I get dressed up several times a year.  I'm old fashioned and am more comfortable dressing up or down depending on the occasion.  Really I'm looking for a dressy everyday watch.  I've considered the Tissot Gentleman, Hamilton Field Khaki with a bracelet, and other similar options.  Just curious what sort of buying strategy folks have.  Thanks!

Its interesting, I would consider neither of the options you offered a dress watch.  It sounds like you're looking for a dressy sports watch which is probably the single most common watch type outside of divers.

My first dressy GADA watch was quite expensive as a first watch (sort of the roughly $10k) purchase.  I was fortunate that the purchase turned out to be a long term keeper for me but I know plenty of folks who ended up feeling indifferent to their first watches.

If I were to do it differently, I probably would have started off with more reasonably priced pieces (sub $1k) to inform my preferences.  Less about building the collection and more about figuring out what I liked and didn't like.  You don't need to buy an IWC to figure out if you like fliegers for example.

As for specific watches, Seiko does beautiful dressy everyday watches throughout the presage line with a multitude of price points, case shapes, and dial textures.  Orient Star has some lovely sports watches ( the classic is a rare symmetrical execution of the power reserve). There is also a whole host of midtier swiss brands that would scratch the itch (Certina DS, mido multi fort, Tissot PRX/gentleman/etc, Frederique constant classics).  You've got a ton of play area.

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Mr.Dee.Bater

Tissot Gentleman with that sector dial!  Absolutely gorgeous!

Though, quite honestly, the one I would go with is that Quartz Tissot Gentleman in titanium.  Beautiful dark hued titanium case and bracelet, quartz gives you the whole "grab and go" capability, quartz is much more robust than mechanical, and you can always dress the watch up with leather straps, etc.  And, because it's titanium, it'll be super lightweight and comfortable on the wrist.

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$373.80 on Amazon!!!

https://www.amazon.com/Tissot-Gentleman-Quartz-Swiss-Titanium/dp/B092RGLRXB/ref=asc_df_B092RGLRXB/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=509467491088&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16604969416600484939&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031340&hvtargid=pla-1290276291982&psc=1

Edit:  I take it back.  After watching this review, sounds like the automatic version is the way to go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPNRdae1OXc&t=196

Omeganut, Thanks!  

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Old_Winder

jbird, My job requires I get dressed up several times a year.  I'm old fashioned and am more comfortable dressing up or down depending on the occasion.  Really I'm looking for a dressy everyday watch.  I've considered the Tissot Gentleman, Hamilton Field Khaki with a bracelet, and other similar options.  Just curious what sort of buying strategy folks have.  Thanks!

What’s the budget?

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JBird7986

What’s the budget?

$1000

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If you know what you're looking for, go for it! Otherwise I'd say keep it more affordable for exploration.

For my first watch, I had a large budget + I knew I wanted a Cartier. And thus.

For sports watches, I never thought I'd like a 45mm pilot watch on my wrist but here I am. However I do realize I like diver watches more, and thus will be purchasing a more expensive piece when the stars align.

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Decide which watch you want first, then figure out if you need to save up for it. 

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Is this the kind of look you’re looking for?

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https://www.jomashop.com/mido-watch-m010-408-11-033-00.html

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https://www.jomashop.com/longines-watch-l16114522.html

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At this point I'd suggest that you go shopping with the express intent not to buy anything but just to check out what you like, see what works for you, and then make a more informed decision.  Since you are new to the hobby building up the knowledge is an important factor.

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Given you will seldom wear a dress watch in all likelihood, make it a half decent one from the start. Save up, even if it's just an extra month or two of $$ and get something tasty.

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you can do both... you can buy now an an affordable dress watch, and play with it for awhile (there are plenty of it, that you will enjoy for sure)... meanwhile, save up for a more expensive piece... maybe you´ll enjoy so much the first one, that you´ll have no need to buy the last one...

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Dressy but sporty, Tissot Powermatic or for the less expensive version and if your not going to be wearing everyday I would go for the PRX, quartz version. 35mm or 40mm variant.

I very rarely need a dress watch as I work in the transport industry, so I didn't want to spend a lot on a watch that wouldn't get worn often. I liked the idea of just being able to pick up the watch, maybe just have to set the date if it bothered me, which it really doesn't and just go out the door. So the Tissot PRX was my pick, beautiful retro style 70's case, excellent build quality, Swiss made and dare I say it, pure style and class.

Alternatively just get yourself an Orient Bambino, cheap, gorgeous and a sister brand to Seiko with an in-house automatic. These watches have literally sold in their millions and for good reason, great watch at an affordable price.

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plan to discard some of my watch to save for  a high end one for dress watch grand seiko

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KristianG

My suggestion, buy a good "everyday" watch, and change straps based on use. 

The Islander ISL-102, 133, 39, or 38 all make perfectly good "everyday" watches at a reasonable price. 

If you're set on a "dress" watch, a Timex Marlin hand wound would be hard to beat in the budget price range. 

For me, the CW C63 is my stand-in dress watch. I don't dress up often enough to justify spending on a specific "dress" watch. 

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I'm with you there 100%, my CW C63 Sealander is my sports/ dress piece also, but I did pick up a Tissot PRX for those rare occasions when I'm required to dress up and head out with the family. I suppose it depends on a, well a lot of factors, which Steve can only clarify.

How big is his wrist?

Does he like smaller watches or large watches?

What's his budget?

Stainless Steel or Gold plated?

There is so many variants just in those 4 questions.

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Go affordable, enjoy then slowly go up in the tier to explorer which style or brand you like

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Never been able to save up, always see something and have to start again so don't even try anymore

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I would not purchase anything at the moment, as your question is still very broad. Or maybe start at the very low end of watch spectrum. I'm wearing a dressed-up Seiko SNK to work today. A small watch that fits under the cuff, and set me back $80.

I own more expensive watches, but I still like wearing the SNK. What I want to say is that you can spend more money, yet not be satisfied with the results.

I would spend more time looking at watches, especially since the options in the <$1000 range are near endless.

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Right now I'm saving up for a watch. Idk which one yet, but thanks to places like watchcrunch I know I got a ton of options at under $500. Typing that out seems like a lot of money, and it is, so I'll probably go with something closer to 2 or 3. 

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Always save for what you want, don't fall into the trap of instant-gratification!

You will end up with a bunch of watches that you're not happy with--and still be yearning for the watch you wanted originally.

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Maybe look for a vintage dress piece. There are a lot of great watches from great brands in vintage sections of online markets. I picked up a great condition Longines model on EBay that looks like a Cartier Tank for not much money at all. Makes a great dress watch for under 500$. Lots of nice Omega, IWC, Girard Perregaux, and other storied brands for not much money. Good hunting!

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I will always vouch for spending more on something you truly enjoy. My personal pick would be the new porcelain dial Seiko that was just announced, but that comes in a little over the $1000 budget. For under 1k, I'd recommend the Frederique Constant Classics Index, the Tissot Gentleman, Seiko Presage, or the Hamilton Jazzmaster. 

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So many great suggestions already! Dress watch with a suit is more flexible than dress watch with a tux. Tissot PRX in my world is sports dress that can be worn with a suit. Mido Belluna goes with a tux.  Whatever the watch, make sure it fits under the cuff. 
happy scouting!

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I’d suggest looking at Alpina as generally you can find good deals on this solid Swiss brand. I believe they are under appreciated.

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Alpina Men's Alpiner Swiss Quartz Sport Watch with Stainless Steel Strap, Silver, 21 (Model: AL-240GS4E6B), Black/Stainless https://a.co/d/j1007Od

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Take a look at vintage Omega. Lots and lots of options there. Omega Geneve is particularly overlooked yet they are the quintessential dress watch so this makes them surprisingly affordable. You will find something for your budget, no matter how low you think it is. I speak from experience when I say the charm of vintage Omega will get to you. It's one of those things that you have to experience to understand. Happy hunting!!