What watch should I get?
I am deciding to get a more expensive watch in the upcoming month (about $100-200 USD). I have decided on one of these two most likely. But I don’t know which one I am going to get yet. I kind of want both 😅. What do you guys think?
I really love the cersitilitu with different straps and bands for both watches. Also the timeless apeal of the Seagull and the rugged g shock feel of the Vostok.
Thanks for your help!
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Nate Hickman
Hey I am a watch collector who loves a good bargain. I use my watches and I don’t just put them in their box and let them sit. They are used and abused. (in a good way lol) One of the watches I hope t...
TN
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Last active: 4 months ago
17.78 cm
Owner of both Amphibia and Seagull here. Although they’re comparable in terms of dimensions and lug distance, etc, they’re 2 different animals.
If you’re planning to use the watch to work and for outdoorsy and don’t mind putting it through some rough situations, probably the Vostok is your better bet. It will take the hardest beating and keep doing its job, which is telling time semi-reliably. It’s also the better choice if you’re going to use it daily, as it is an automatic. However, it is not an elegant watch. It can be very tall and bulbous on the wrist if you’re wearing it on a NATO so consider leather straps for it if that bothers you.
A particularly annoying trait of the Amphibia is, if not worn daily, the date setting. It does lack a quick-set function, this means that you’ll have to go rotating through all the dates of a month till the date wheel advances to the right date. There is a way to backhack the date wheel and it makes the setting a bit faster but still it’s not great.
The Seagull is a much more refined piece in design and construction, and much less capable of being rough and tumble. It surprised me how dressy it can be on a leather strap and how it elevates any outfit I’m wearing. It is an elegant, legible and versatile watch that will serve well those that don’t plan on getting it wet. The chronograph function is very fun to use too, and when you’re bored you can just stare at the caseback. The manual wind means that it might be a bit annoying to remember to wind it up if worn as a daily. But at least there’s no date windows to worry about.
If you go for both, you’ll have in your hands a fantastic affordable but interesting 2-watch collection that you can rotate through to cover almost all your needs.
Owner of both Amphibia and Seagull here. Although they’re comparable in terms of dimensions and lug distance, etc, they’re 2 different animals.
If you’re planning to use the watch to work and for outdoorsy and don’t mind putting it through some rough situations, probably the Vostok is your better bet. It will take the hardest beating and keep doing its job, which is telling time semi-reliably. It’s also the better choice if you’re going to use it daily, as it is an automatic. However, it is not an elegant watch. It can be very tall and bulbous on the wrist if you’re wearing it on a NATO so consider leather straps for it if that bothers you.
A particularly annoying trait of the Amphibia is, if not worn daily, the date setting. It does lack a quick-set function, this means that you’ll have to go rotating through all the dates of a month till the date wheel advances to the right date. There is a way to backhack the date wheel and it makes the setting a bit faster but still it’s not great.
The Seagull is a much more refined piece in design and construction, and much less capable of being rough and tumble. It surprised me how dressy it can be on a leather strap and how it elevates any outfit I’m wearing. It is an elegant, legible and versatile watch that will serve well those that don’t plan on getting it wet. The chronograph function is very fun to use too, and when you’re bored you can just stare at the caseback. The manual wind means that it might be a bit annoying to remember to wind it up if worn as a daily. But at least there’s no date windows to worry about.
If you go for both, you’ll have in your hands a fantastic affordable but interesting 2-watch collection that you can rotate through to cover almost all your needs.
The is so much for the insight! That helps a lot.
Principle of using other's money: the more the better.
I say both, plus maybe a Bernhardt, a Laco, and a Steinhart. If there is any saving leftover, I hear Casio and Hamilton are also pretty good.
Get both if you like them both, can afford them and cant choose between the two 😊
Something Else:
Cronos BB54 37mm, currently selling for $192, exceptional finish and value for money
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtMcpZQ
I have a Vostok. It's a bit craptastic, but it survived a day of chainsawing. Only afterwards I learned that it's a tank only compared to other mechanicals. Oh well. But do get it! It is bulky, but very charismatic.
I can't speak to the Seagull, it's a higher game. Yes, it's relatively affordable, but chronographs are hideously complicated, I'd be in awe not to break something.
Or an old (pre-2019) Seiko 5. Or Orient Tristar. Not amazing, but a great daily companion which will still fit in your sleeve, unlike the Vostok.
Or an Aliexpress clomage: Cronos, San Martin, Addiesdive, Heimdallr, Steeldive.
Something Else:
Cronos BB54 37mm, currently selling for $192, exceptional finish and value for money
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtMcpZQ
That is a nice cooling black bay homage
I have a Vostok. It's a bit craptastic, but it survived a day of chainsawing. Only afterwards I learned that it's a tank only compared to other mechanicals. Oh well. But do get it! It is bulky, but very charismatic.
I can't speak to the Seagull, it's a higher game. Yes, it's relatively affordable, but chronographs are hideously complicated, I'd be in awe not to break something.
Or an old (pre-2019) Seiko 5. Or Orient Tristar. Not amazing, but a great daily companion which will still fit in your sleeve, unlike the Vostok.
Or an Aliexpress clomage: Cronos, San Martin, Addiesdive, Heimdallr, Steeldive.
Ok sweet, thanks a lot!
If you can get the Amphibia, go get one since it is getting harder to get Vostok watches because of politics. I don't think the Seagull is a good first mechanical watch since it has an older chronograph movement and it is going to be more expensive to repair and/or service it.
But then again, it is my opinion.