$700… what do I buy?

How about the Steinhart version of the Explorer.  It should make a solid, good looking go anywhere watch. 

Maybe a Hamilton field type watch? Or a brew?

@roberto inclusion of Serica warms my heart. Buy that.  Also, never go wrong with a Hamilton, Khaki, but seriously, buy the Serica. :-) 

But if not your thing, I propose a combo slightly over budget:

Start with perhaps one of the best GADA watch, the Alipinist, currently less than $500, even cheaper used. Fits amazingly, strap monster, just great all around watch.

Then extend the budget for something playful, the Brew Retrograph, currently $375.

Vaer makes a few which would be right in your desired price/style range. 

The Atlas seems like a pretty cool way to go. 

Pssst…

😉…

Add the vintage chronographs from Seiko 6139 6005 or Brucelee 6139 6015

Anything from Boldr Supply Co. They make great field watches. Christopher Ward makes nice everyday watches and is having a $125 off any purchase over $650 sale with promo code 125LOUPE26.

I think you need a little flyboy in your life, you need a pilots watch.  Many to choose from but Laco definitely has stuff in your price range.  Buy used and punch it up a notch by getting a more expensive piece within your budget.

My last 2 buys have been mentioned; I fully support a Serica at ~$600 or a Boldr at ~$400.

If I had a gap right now, I'd fill it with this: https://www.unimaticwatches.com/u2s-t-l/ I had the original U2 but sold it when I got my BB36, as they have quite similar dial furniture and basically held the same space in my collection. I really liked it though, despite the weird ufo case shape (this version is slimmer, and titanium). It's a bit more at $850. have to stop looking at it now, or I'll go and buy it myself!

So you still need a Chrono, Pilots, Field watch. 

For Chrono (i'm breaking the automatic rule here on two watches)

Lunar Pilot Below 400

Tissot V8 Automatic Chrono (probably the cheapest Swiss Auto) below 350.00

Seitona Below 700

For Field watches:

Orient Defender Under 210

Seiko 5 Field Watch Under 220.00

Hamilton Field Khaki under 420

Pilot's watches: 

Laco Type B Dial: under 450

Bulova A-15 Pilot

Alpina Startimer Many under 700

God Tier find many times under 700

Glycine Airman

Man, I love those. Never seen them before 🤯

How about a Tissot PRX quartz and a field watch from all the excellent suggestions above, I'd vote for the Hamilton or Serica. 

Or just PRX powermatic 80 for everyday sports watch. 

So how much is your commission 🤔

Here are their latest line up and also the new Le Jour watches just released.

If you want to add a bit of colour to your collection 👍

It is really nice. I am also a big fan of their upcoming release.  

Good question! In the price point you can find a lot of good pieces. I wouldn’t recommend you a vintage tho. I recently bought a Tissot PRX cheaper than that and I’m loving it. 

Some other good choices are: Hamilton Khaki for half that price, Mido Ocean Star, Christopher Ward C60 or C65, Longines Conquest.

Tissot PRX definitely gives the "Genta" vibes without spending $30k on a watch. I love mine as well.

But I gotta say @roberto  suggestion of Serica is top tier. What a cool bracelet too...its throwing me into a trading fever currently since I saw this thread.

Seiko 5 GMT

Liv Watches Gamma Green Diver's 41MM

It’s a 100$ over budget but worth the money! 

Adding in my suggestion, a Christopher Ward Sealander. Huge choice of case sizes , dial colours and strap types. You may be lucky and get the discount code too.

Citizen Collection check them out the ref# are at the bottom of the photo it’s JDm though Ck out sakurawatches.com 

Oh man I wish I get. A commission sadly just a fanboy 😉

I already did the moment I saw them. Price ranges $629-800+

Dammit, I am in love with that blue dial. It's like the poor man's version of that GS-which I can't remember its ref now-without looking poor at all. 

The white/silver leaf is nice to very under stated but the dial is the same as the blue one but the blue has that wow factor off the bat…so I could not decide which one so I got both…I’ll do a little review when I get them!! I suggest pull the trigger as the white dial is now out of stock and I expect the blue one to go out of stock soon 

Please do, as I couldn't find much info during my quick search yesterday.

That was great find 👏

If you look in the pre-owned space you can find some excellent deals. Also, some really good microbrands that make all purpose watches that can do duty as a diver/dress/daily (like WISE and Astor+Banks).

These are all references in current production. Here are a few that I have scored for $700 or less:

If you dive into the vintage space there are an immense number of alternatives for less than $700.

Lots of great options in the Seiko Presage range! 

I put these three in the best 3 watch option for under $3000, one as a cheeky 4th, one as dress option but who’s judging, and one as an alternative to a Timor dirty dozen field watch.

Kuoe Kyoto Old Smith 90-002, nice NH38 movement running a excellent field watch, very well made for $318. Alternatively, the Royal Smith 90-006 with a Miyota 9xxx series automatic with a paper textured dial and Breguet numerals for $468.

Lastly a Dan Henry 1945, clear homage to a Jardur Bezelmeter 960, but very cool at $280. I think that’s your budget covered. Ok, it’s not an automatic, but with the mecha-quartz movement it looks like one, and it is a cool watch… De Niro wore the Jardur in Ronin on a green NATO, so get one and joyride through the French Riviera, same effect.