Classic Dresswatch below 300$
happy sunday watchcrunch. first of all what do you think of a dresswatch? is it necessary to own at least one? personally i think we all should have one, just in case to attend formal meeting, wedding party, etc.
back then in my early days of watch collecting im really impressed with junghans max bill as a dresswatch. but it is out to reach for me, so im looking for more affordable mechanical alternative below 300$. there isnt much to look at to be honest. from seiko, microbrand, etc. until i find this orient bambino, there are plenty dial option too from real classic and a little bauhaus touch like this particular v3. im not very impressed first time to look from the render, for me it is like an ordinary fashion watch but at the end i like to give a shot to this bambino and pull the trigger.
but when the package arrived ohh boy im kinda like it. the attention to detail and built quality are different than most of my previous fashion watch. case design and dome crystal style kinda remind me of most dresswatch from 50-60. i changed the strap immediately because i think brown strap and black dial are more beautiful than all black watch. few things i like and dislike about the bambino.
positive:
- affordable price
- solid built quality
- plenty dial option
- beautiful case design with brushed and polished finishing, signed crown, and nice domed crystal
negative:
- size is too big for a dress watch, its 40mm but looks large because of the case design. but it is still acceptable for my wrist
- big mineral crystal scratched easily
- water resistant logo, and date window. dial looks cleaner without any of those😂
if tudor is called poor man rolex, i would say this a poor man max bill but it is worth it. nowadays orient came with 38mm version which is more better size than this one, if you have a need for an affordable dresswatch with classic looks you should check the orient bambino. if there any reasonable option let share some on the comment section. cheers🍺
Considering myself as a man of culture and taste
That is a great looking watch. 40mm seems a bit large but I thought there were a smaller version as well. And yes, IMO you need a dress watch.
If you want mechanical watches under $500, here's an article with recommended pieces.
https://horologisto.com/best-dress-watches-under-500/?amp=1
That is a great looking watch. 40mm seems a bit large but I thought there were a smaller version as well. And yes, IMO you need a dress watch.
thx, there are new 38mm version. but back in the day there are only 40mm version
If you want mechanical watches under $500, here's an article with recommended pieces.
https://horologisto.com/best-dress-watches-under-500/?amp=1
good article, thx. that baltic looks awesome but it is hard to find here. i got an eye for the marlin todd snyder edition but bambino specs is more superior than the timex (movement and the crystal)
I own mostly "dress" watches. I really reject that category. The are just watches. Divers and field watches have just been hardened and modified for a specific purpose.
I am a fan of the Bambino's styling. They borrow from the right era. 40mm is too big because the large dial plays larger. I am glad that they have finally figured that out.
I own mostly "dress" watches. I really reject that category. The are just watches. Divers and field watches have just been hardened and modified for a specific purpose.
I am a fan of the Bambino's styling. They borrow from the right era. 40mm is too big because the large dial plays larger. I am glad that they have finally figured that out.
me too sir, i wish they made 38mm sooner😀.
me too sir, i wish they made 38mm sooner😀.
You could watches sell one for the other if you really want a 38
You could watches sell one for the other if you really want a 38
i'll think about it lol
I don't really need a traditional dress watch but this is my date night watch.
I don't really need a traditional dress watch but this is my date night watch.
beautiful, what brand is it?
You might try something like this Escapement Time: it's £151; vintage looks, 38mm case, sapphire crystal, 50m water resistance, high-beat (28,800) pt500 movement, 11mm thick. Avalailable as either a black dial (as depicted) or white dial, with colour matching date wheel.
Nice watch you have there! Definitely it is good to have options for dress watches. One way is to have the kind of watch that can be dressed up and down to make it versatile. In this regard, I think the seiko 5 range is well suited to the task and can be had for a relatively low amount of money... which means anyone can own a few. :))
You might try something like this Escapement Time: it's £151; vintage looks, 38mm case, sapphire crystal, 50m water resistance, high-beat (28,800) pt500 movement, 11mm thick. Avalailable as either a black dial (as depicted) or white dial, with colour matching date wheel.
wow, this one is really beautiful. and 28800 bph? thats a beast. aestheticaly speaking is pretty same with bambino, but matching colour date window, saphire crystal and high beat movement is a big bonus. what movement inside this beauty?
I do agree that one should have a dress watch but in my case, I rarely need one so I don’t feel the need to break the bank to get one. I just wear my father’s old Wittnauer to any formal events I go to. As far as the Bambino, that was a dress watch option for me but I prefer version 2 as opposed to the one the OP featured.
Nice watch you have there! Definitely it is good to have options for dress watches. One way is to have the kind of watch that can be dressed up and down to make it versatile. In this regard, I think the seiko 5 range is well suited to the task and can be had for a relatively low amount of money... which means anyone can own a few. :))
is this seiko 5 snx series? i actually considered this one before, but as i say i want something with junghans max bill vibe, so at the end i bought a bambino 😃. but that seiko is a nice piece too
thx for the appreciation. i love the white one, also if you put on a bracelet it would be nice gada watch too
It’s got 100m WR, screw down crown, and sapphire crystal, so it could almost be a GADA for me.
I got the classic blue hands with champagne dial. I dont have a pic of mine but with the strap it kinda looks like this:
One last suggestion for something different: Geckota dress watch.
that is imo the nicest Bambino you have there 👌
is this seiko 5 snx series? i actually considered this one before, but as i say i want something with junghans max bill vibe, so at the end i bought a bambino 😃. but that seiko is a nice piece too
Thanks! Yes the snxs series. :)
The Bambino is your best bet and there are many bambino styles to choose from. I have the largest one with the dark blue dial and my other half stole it and refuses to give it back. You can get it for around a hundred bucks plus or minus, I think i paid $130 for mine.
Seiko, Citizen etc all make quartz dress watches in the price point you want and maybe you can even find an auto in there with a little sleuthing.
Vintage, if you are ready for that plunge, could be possible as well.
The Bambino is your best bet and there are many bambino styles to choose from. I have the largest one with the dark blue dial and my other half stole it and refuses to give it back. You can get it for around a hundred bucks plus or minus, I think i paid $130 for mine.
Seiko, Citizen etc all make quartz dress watches in the price point you want and maybe you can even find an auto in there with a little sleuthing.
Vintage, if you are ready for that plunge, could be possible as well.
thx for the recommendation sir. as for vintage im still not ready to do it. i dig into vintage style but not for their built quality and durability
I will be buying a bambino, the 38mm version. I'm an Orient fan. In the meantime I visit the @Gasworks store for my vintage affordable seikos which fit the dress watch Bill very nicely!
Very beautiful watch!! I think it's a good decision that they started making it in 38 ☺️
thx, there are new 38mm version. but back in the day there are only 40mm version
Can confirm the 38mm is great, I had to go for it due to thin wrists. However when searching I did not see the 38mm in the black colourway. Hoping it is available somewhere!
very nice 👏🏻👏🏻
Very beautiful watch!! I think it's a good decision that they started making it in 38 ☺️
indeed sir. cheers to orient 🍺
Can confirm the 38mm is great, I had to go for it due to thin wrists. However when searching I did not see the 38mm in the black colourway. Hoping it is available somewhere!
i hope you find the black colourway in your area
So tempted having a Bambino it will have not much wrist time for me because I hardly ever dress up or work in a office space. I for sure have a Orient a watch name you can rely on.
The Bambino’s are good….. but these Orient Star are way better for a few quid more.
The Bambino’s are good….. but these Orient Star are way better for a few quid more.
thats true sir, too bad im not a fan of power reserve indicator. other than that im sure this orient star is superior than a bambino