Watches that exceed expectations

I inherited this titanium Citizen. It’s far from perfect: too much wording on the dial, uninspired hand design, and date complication that can’t be viewed unless the light angle is ideal. But one of the best integrated bracelets I’ve seen (despite the crap photo), and oh soo comfortable to wear.

Couldn't agree more about comfort lol. I wear my casioak miles more than any watch because it's so light I just forget about it. It's one of my cheapest watches but its just so easy to wear and so robust. Thanks for sharing 🙂

So far this, I was just saying on another post that I’m stunned that for£350 you can get a grade 5 titanium watch, finished to an extremely high standard. Yip exceeding my expectations by a lot!

Love it. Is the bracelet comfortable on your watch? I like that San Martin have incorporated micro adjust clasps on a lot of their models but I've never seen one in person to try on. There's so many bad bracelets on budget watches that I'm always a little hesitant unless I've tried it on first. Wish I had used that information before buying the watch I'm highlighting in the post 🫠, but that's what natos are for I suppose. Thanks for sharing!

Bracket is very comfortable. The on the fly clasp is great, screwed links are well made so was bang on fit wise. The jubilee on tmy Rolex is bang on also but this is a close second equal with my CW Bel Canto, it also has a great on the fly clasp.

Thanks for the feedback! I might try to pick one up this year and see for myself. I'm also incredibly jealous you have a Bel Canto that watch is so 🔥

Nodus and Cincinnati watches certainly exceeded my expectations as to quality and appeal vs price.

Looks big on my wrist on photos but it isn’t, works very well. In the picture the burst tail is cocked up ready to strike. It does this about 10 mins before the hour 😁❤️

I really like nodus and want to check them out someday. Those unity models in pink and blue both looked great. I also saw the creators on the smoking tire podcast and they seemed like real down to earth enthusiasts. Also heard favorable reviews on Cincinnati watches so great picks!

Such a beauty 👏

Has to be my 36mm AddiesDive 2030. Less than $100, but wears and looks well beyond that price. The Seiko Mecha-Quartz movement ticks like an auto but never needs adjustment or winding. I reach for this when I'm feeling fancy and in a hurry.

Coincidentally wearing a Casioak as I read this!

I have terrible watch envy for the Bel Canto

Here is a great interview with Wes, a co-founder of Nodus @Wes_nodus. He talks about the history of the brand, its future and the watch industry, as well as IPAs.

https://youtu.be/e2emgrwbQII?si=lXaxIMmIl6oCNxLV

Sand dunes on your wrist!. That's a belter.👍

I'll echo this with my King Samurai, it feels so solid. It is the most solid and indisctructible feeling watch I own, maybe I should nickname it the Hilux (that will not make sense in every country).

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'll say it again. My Steeldive 1970 has far exceeded my expectations.

This came to mind immediately

That m.o.p. dial is so pretty 😍

Seems to be a running theme so they must be doing something right 👍

It's even better in person! Can't recommend this watch enough

Definitely one of the my favorite picks on here so thanks for sharing 🔥

My two cents for this post ist the pagani design speedmaster which is - though being a bit sharpish on the bracelet edges - pretty well made and very solid.

Have not owned a Rolex after selling my Datejust and a few subs back in the 80s but was curious about modern Tudors when they were re launched in NA/ Canada. Purchased the brown dial bronze when I was walking out of a business meeting, bought the ceramic sight unseen during the lockdowns. The Tudors attract hate and love but reminds me of what Rolex used to be before social media and massive advertising by the brand. They are thick, rugged not suitable for being spotted at some over rated diner or bistro.

That's what I'm wearing at home today so couldn't agree more 😊. The bracelet was a little too sharp for my liking and it's the biggest watch I wear regularly but I still like this thing a lot and it's always worked great for me

I've only heard terrific things about the black bay line and I'd love to own a bb54 or bb36 someday. Great picks, and I like that you have two of the more unique models with the bronze and the blacked out variants instead of the standard black/gilt or blue. Lovely watches ❤️

I probably bought too many already but passed along my 58 to my younger daughter and a blue dial Pelagos to my older girl. Keeping the PO1 myself, nobody in my family cares for it. When he earns it might give a Ranger to my son in law who is a G-Shock and Shinola fan.

That's great your spreading the wealth around to the family and making more watch enthusiasts! If you ever feel like adopting a 30 year old daughter you know where to find me 😁

DEAL! You are younger than my younger daughter who just became a first mom. I hope her adorable baby takes after mom and less like dad in her watch choices. ❤️

Looks great on that strap btw!