Dress watch alternatives

Good question, honestly, Bambino’s are pretty hard to best for the price. Citizen does have some attractive choices, though: 

cant go wrong with a Seiko 5 at this price point. 

Check out some vintage pieces on eBay, there are still brands that offer a ton of value for not a lot of money.

As an example, here is my Doxa. I purchased it on a trip to Budapest, but I'm sure you will find some good stuff on eBay, just be patience and find a seller with good reviews 👍🏻

OmG!! I think I just fell in love with your watch!! Please send me details! def need in my collection this might just be the gold watch I’m looking for!!

I don't know anything in the Bambino price range that would even touch the Bambino in value. Heck, even Timex automatics (I love Timex, not hating on them) are a good bit higher than the Bambino. 

If you WANT something that is not Bambino, I can suggest you the Sternglas Naos in white or black. It is a traditional German brand specialized in watches with Bauhaus design. That is the more affordable and yet reasonable alternative I can imagine but it still more expensive (USD 269) and this model uses a quartz movement. Sorry but, as far as I know, Bambino is unbeatable. I don't even recommend go Vintage in this price range because the chances you got garbage is immense. Expect @TheLeftyWatchNerd,, your doxa looks amazing!

Another alternative is HMT, it is a Indian Watch company you can find watches in this price range. They re-open the factory a few years ago but the quality is way inferior of Bambino.

Ive got the Sternglas Naos and currently Im trying to sell it because even tho it is a 38 mm watch it also wears really small with the Lug to Lug of 41 I think. Also a not mechanical. 

At the price of the Bambino and with your requests I would be looking towards China. Ive got two options for example. They are both available but you need to order them from Aliexpress and it will take some time for them to arrive. 

Merkur Pierre Paulin Levee 

Or 

Seagull ( ST17 movement) 

Have a few Aliexpress purchases. Pierre Paulin was on my radar but not this model. Thx

One option is spend a bit more and get the Orient Star Classic….. blows the Bambino out of the water

Thx

Looking at the Tri Star range....any experience with this?

Any thoughts on the Tri Star range of Orient?

I can't give you an account on quality as I don't own one, but Poljot do some nice dress watches. Someone on here has one and it always looks lovely when he posts pics. I think you can pick it up for Bambino money on eBay.

Just got an ebay-Poljot today in the post. Looks great, but very temperamental - essentially a non-runner. Not for the office.

Regarding AliExpress, the vast majority of dress watches there are are either large, or have a day function, or both. Merkur is an exception with several nice dress watches that match your specs, not just those two.

A bit above Bambino money is the Farasute brand, watches around £300 on Ali. They look very nice, but I havent seen a single review of any of them.

I'd go for the Seagull.

I don't think you can go with the Timex Marlin automatics at 40mm (I like the silver and black dial).  I also love the reissue but at 34mm might be too small, but looks beautiful.  If you want to make more of a statement, the Timex Falcon Eye in blue or green is stunning.

If you’re looking for something as a dress alternative, I think a Hamilton Khaki or just any polish finish field watch would work for you.

I will send you something better than details, the website where you can purchase it (I bought it in the brick and mortar store they have at Budapest):

https://www.10ora10.hu/en/

Awesome!! I was about to purchase the timex !! But doxa would be beter thank you sir!!!

Hope that store ships to your country, they are not very friendly in person, but their pieces are great, and I have a good memory buying that watch during that trip that my gf gifted to me, Budapest is such a beautiful city, and I love my Doxa 👌🏻

A classic Omega Seamaster is always very classy.

This is Watchco NOS.

Not sure about the Bambino pricing/availability.

This Omega mesh is awesome, but any kind of strap will do.

Be careful of eBay "vintage" watches with sellers in India. Franken watches at best. 

I would recommend to pick German and Japanese sellers on eBay, as they normally are very good at taking pictures and most of times they show the defects of the watch too.

Passing a reply that I did on another post:

I just remember another one on that price-rage. I am considering horological value with this Sun and Moon complication. 

I would like to suggest you the Orient Sun & Moon (around USD 270.00 but never pay retail for it, you can find discounts everywhere 😉). Here are a few nice photos that I gathered for you.

Things I liked on this watch:

• "horological value 01"- Elegant Son and Moon complication.
• "horological value 02"-  In House movement.
• "horological value 03"-  The use of traditional Breguet hands on the seconds hand.
• "horological value 04"-  The use of traditional Guilloché dial.

I hope that is useful.

Great feedback thank you