A Forever everyday watch ?
Today I come to you guys with a question that is bugging me since a while, (apology to you, this might be a long post and maybe not intresting to read)
Being new to a watch hobbie, vintage watches intrigue me. After buying some HMTs and casios i have realised that I particularly like vintage watches which have a history to them, like a watch passed by a father or grandfather to son or daughter, unfortunately I do have family of watch lovers, we got some quarts movements which are still in use.
Here is what I want to do now,
I want to acquire a watch, which I want to wear for a long time as long as i can, I realise this probably won't be the last watch I buy but i will try my best. I am hoping this becomes a family heirloom someday.
As I said I am a student but given a few years of time i can actuire a few hundred $ and get a watch I would likely own/wear forever.
I was eyeing Seiko cap. Willard or maybe making one via namoki mods or something similar.
However i am open to suggestions as to what watch would you guys suggest which can stand the text of time.
I plan of taking it everywhere like swiming maybe shallow diving , hiking in all kinds of weather, also to formal and informal occasions. So it has to be automatic and waterproof
Please leave me your thoughts on this and watch suggestions under a 1000$ preferably less or any tips to choose.
Thank you all for reading thru this and your suggestions in advance. 💛⌚
Freashly bitten by the watch bug. So with the budget of a broke student I start this journey to stay broke but with good watches with me.
I would look at micro brands with movements made or based on well established movement makers that can be serviced be most any watch maker. Micros such as Monta or Christopher Ward.
Any dive watch or field watch.
Any dive watch or field watch.
Any model or company suggestions sir?
What are your thoughts on Seiko turtle or willard ?
I would look at micro brands with movements made or based on well established movement makers that can be serviced be most any watch maker. Micros such as Monta or Christopher Ward.
Thank you, i will check it out
Under $1k can get you a Hamilton Khaki Field, Seiko and Gshock - with money left over for a celebration dinner 👍😋
Any model or company suggestions sir?
What are your thoughts on Seiko turtle or willard ?
I personally like 62MAS reissue lines, like SPB143. About Turtle or Willard, i just dislike their design. Just personally not for me.
Under $1k can get you a Hamilton Khaki Field, Seiko and Gshock - with money left over for a celebration dinner 👍😋
Can the Hamilton khaki field automatic bare the 🤿 diving occasionally and swiming pool activities? I really like the field watch asthetic but i am afraid the lack of screw down crown is going to be a problem in future situations
If you like vintage I say a late 60s early 70s Omega Geneve is a great choise within your price bracket. There are a lot of variations of these simple but great looking watches. I think they are still looking temporary in style.
`buy the movement before the brand. At the top of the food chain is Swiss then Japanese and avoid Chinese. Successful Chinese brands use Japanese movements for less money than the Japanese brands. The most popular and easily modded is the Seiko NH35. Very little is out there to modd anything else. Most all the microbrands started by selling NH35 and are now branching out with higher beat rate movements but are still avoiding the more expensive Swiss movements. Quartz is usually cheaper and a GMT like the Swiss Ronda 505-24 watch can be found for a little over $200.00. I have a $2.00 Chinese quartz watch that keeps time as good as any other watch I own and far better than any mechanical so there is that.
I'd consider the 38mm Hamilton Jazzmaster Performer Auto. It has a screw down crown and 100m of water resistance, plus an 80 hour power reserve.
I'd consider the 38mm Hamilton Jazzmaster Performer Auto. It has a screw down crown and 100m of water resistance, plus an 80 hour power reserve.
This looks really beautiful, thank you for the lovely suggestion along with the picture 💛⌚
I will check it out💛⌚
I like Tissot Chemin de tourelles (povermatic 80). Exeptional bang for buck and it's a dressy everyday watch
Unable to find it on this app, but i will look on Google soon. Thanks for the suggestion
So I would say we are talking about 20 atm watches. But looking good enough to wear in many situations.
In case of diver style I would go for one of the Orient Kamasus for around 200 to 250.
Old
New
The Tissot Seastar
Certina DS Action Diver
There are mire diver alternatives, but they might be to chunky.
Or if you want a more dressy watch with the same sport and diving ability (except the bezel) the Seiko Alpinist.
If you want the watch to be serviceable, then your best bet is probably a Seiko 5 sports (you don't want a screw down crown because as far as I know on many inexpensive Seiko, once the threads wear down the whole case needs replacing). Most watches in the sub 1000€ range aren't really meant to be repaired, so they won't last. That doesn't mean they are bad watches, it just costs a lot to fix a watch because servicing a 3 hand Tissot isn't really more difficult than servicing a 3 hand Patek Philippe so it's cheaper but not 30x cheaper.
The best mods tend to be produced by enthusiasts with enough experience to know their specification and design preferences coupled with their knowledge of the ever evolving range of custom modding products available. Your idea to create a heirloom watch is great though modding may be ambitious for someone wanting to create a forever watch before fully fleshing out their likes and dislikes. One solution may be to select a solid watch (ex Seiko Turtle, SKX, Samurai) with a history of being modded so that as you develop your own sense of style you can mod the watch down the line. This could result in it being extra special to the eventual recipient in that you actually worked on the watch while it more closely reflects your personal design aesthetic during your own time with it. Just a thought. As always your wrist, your rules.
A modern SEIKO ALPINIST would be perfect according to your requirements.
- It's quite a vintage design with the cathedral hands and old world charm.
- The 20 atm WR makes it ideal for literally any kind of activity including even scuba diving.
- It can we worn everyday as well as dressed up or down with endless strap options.
- It has real brand heritage which would make it ideal as an heirloom to be passed down generations. Also, servicing would be trouble free and easily accessible anywhere in the world for at least the next couple centuries!
While I can't recommend one watch or even one brand, I'd just like to say that you and I have a similar story. I'm also a lover of vintage watches, and have no family that were very interested in the hobby, so I'm starting it all by myself. The best thing you can do is to find a watchmaker and talk to him/her. I feel that the quality of my collection as well as the emotional fulfillment each watch gives me has increased since meeting one or two good people.
As @Uhrologe mentioned, the Orient Kamasu and Seiko Alpinist will tick your boxes quite well. The Orient Mako- and Ray series offer much of the Kamasu's functionality at a lower price.
Good luck deciding when the moment comes!
P.S. Research will be your number one weapon, don't skimp on watching/reading reviews!
Sorry to say this, but if you’re a watch nerd enough to be on watchcrunch. I don’t think the journey ends with one $1,000 watch purchase!
Sorry to say this, but if you’re a watch nerd enough to be on watchcrunch. I don’t think the journey ends with one $1,000 watch purchase!
I saw that coming , so i even mentioned it in the most 😂😂
Get yourself a Seiko Sumo. you can pick one of these up for around $700 AUD. It is tough, durable, and accurate. I have the green version, but if you want just one, then maybe the black dial version could be for you. You can wear that watch anywhere either with a suit, or a t-shirt and shorts.
Friendly advice. Get out of this rabbithole while you still can. 😂 it will save you many dollars and time (no pun)
But if you are in for a lifetime hobby. Welcome 🙏🏽
Ah, yes. Fortunately i got a budget tighter then the tolerance in swis watch making.
And living in Indian household, parents are always there to give me a reality check about spending money uselessly, ( to an extent)
But it's too late to return i guess😂
I can't reccomend a watch but i can give you some advice (by someone that is obsessed in a term such as "forever everyday watch one day everyone will associate with you and you will pass down as part of who you were"):
- take your time finding what you like and who you are as a watch owner,
- set out hard rules and find something under it (like myself i new i wanted a field watch cause i love arabic numberals and their history but i wanted to be able to swim with it since that's the sport i do),
- buy the brand too. Even in perfect specs and perfect watch, if you have the intention of owning it for ever you need to have a personal connection to the brand and to feel proud of it. Me personally i connect most with microbrands, but everyone has their own thing they care for most. Deep history and heritage of the brand's name, design, etc is important? Consider brands like Hamilton or Longines with a rich horological history (even if the people that made that history of those great watches have nothing to do with the people running the company today). Care about it being a passion project of someone and feeling you're buying one person's art in their design? Microbrands are more for you, etc, etc.
- colors! Is timeless white or black your thing, or you are someone that enjoys a pop of color on your wrist? Don't let people tell you you can't wear an orange watch to a wedding, you wear whatever feels most like you, just figure out what that is.
- if you're going vintage, just be wary of changing the seals if you care about water damage. Also, care much more about the movement, some movements are either irreparable or too expensive to service (like so many vintage chronographs)
-enjoy the process! If you have to buy and sell your way into finding that watch that describes you the most, so be it. It's not a process to be dreaded, but enjoyed to the fullest.
A cheeky PD: since i went the route of going new, taking one year to choose the watch, and I've been wearing it every single day since then (540 days on the wrist for now) and now starting to save up for another one of the same brand, I'll recommend the brand just as a love recommendation to my favorite brand. Check out Serica if you'd like. $1200 diver that is 50,000 A/M antimagnetic and cosc certified that is also as elegant as toolish. Makes for a fine everyday forever watch imo.
I'll wait until Soprod fixes the issue with its Newton movement first before buying that one. They're great watches but it would suck big time for a possible heritage watch.
Ok, now for my recommendation, try the Germans watches or the new Titoni Seascoper 300. Uses a Sellita SW200-1 chronometer grade, it's a very well known brand in India (since you bought HMT before I assume you live there) so there's bragging rights.
Grand Seiko Quartz, whatever 38mm and below. I could literally wear one until I'm a pensioner.
I'll wait until Soprod fixes the issue with its Newton movement first before buying that one. They're great watches but it would suck big time for a possible heritage watch.
Ok, now for my recommendation, try the Germans watches or the new Titoni Seascoper 300. Uses a Sellita SW200-1 chronometer grade, it's a very well known brand in India (since you bought HMT before I assume you live there) so there's bragging rights.
Yes, titoni is well-established in India, and i live here. I have also came across vintage titoni before, i will check it out. This brand didn't corss my mind , thank for your suggestion ⌚🤘🏻
I can't reccomend a watch but i can give you some advice (by someone that is obsessed in a term such as "forever everyday watch one day everyone will associate with you and you will pass down as part of who you were"):
- take your time finding what you like and who you are as a watch owner,
- set out hard rules and find something under it (like myself i new i wanted a field watch cause i love arabic numberals and their history but i wanted to be able to swim with it since that's the sport i do),
- buy the brand too. Even in perfect specs and perfect watch, if you have the intention of owning it for ever you need to have a personal connection to the brand and to feel proud of it. Me personally i connect most with microbrands, but everyone has their own thing they care for most. Deep history and heritage of the brand's name, design, etc is important? Consider brands like Hamilton or Longines with a rich horological history (even if the people that made that history of those great watches have nothing to do with the people running the company today). Care about it being a passion project of someone and feeling you're buying one person's art in their design? Microbrands are more for you, etc, etc.
- colors! Is timeless white or black your thing, or you are someone that enjoys a pop of color on your wrist? Don't let people tell you you can't wear an orange watch to a wedding, you wear whatever feels most like you, just figure out what that is.
- if you're going vintage, just be wary of changing the seals if you care about water damage. Also, care much more about the movement, some movements are either irreparable or too expensive to service (like so many vintage chronographs)
-enjoy the process! If you have to buy and sell your way into finding that watch that describes you the most, so be it. It's not a process to be dreaded, but enjoyed to the fullest.
A cheeky PD: since i went the route of going new, taking one year to choose the watch, and I've been wearing it every single day since then (540 days on the wrist for now) and now starting to save up for another one of the same brand, I'll recommend the brand just as a love recommendation to my favorite brand. Check out Serica if you'd like. $1200 diver that is 50,000 A/M antimagnetic and cosc certified that is also as elegant as toolish. Makes for a fine everyday forever watch imo.
I was checking reviews of this and lot of people said that it has some issues with toh crown and some movement hacking.
Are you facing any of that?
I was checking reviews of this and lot of people said that it has some issues with toh crown and some movement hacking.
Are you facing any of that?
I have the 4512, not the 5303. From what i hear, the Soprod Newton was a new intent on getting a full balance bridge affordable movement. It wasn't really tested before and Serica jumped on the boat (since they're friends of Soprod). This new iteration changed the movement to a M100, copy of a Seiko 4L, which you can see online if it's a good movement or not. Personally I'll be getting one a year after they release, just to check the waters and how the new movement manages. Still, I'm too big of a fan of their design language, finishing and uniqueness while still being classic; so i would have even gotten the previous version haha with the movement problems since they're mostly ergonomic and not accuracy or movement dying problems.
I love this post. I immediately think of Seiko - I recommend 2 collections, Seiko 5 & Prospex. Both have a vast selection to choose from. I recommend the Prospex Alpinist, 200M WR - screw down crown, 70 HR power reserve but doesn’t matter since you won’t be taking it off ha ha, sapphire crystal, gorgeous dials, strap monster- dress it up or down. Can be found around $700, use the rest on straps.
I love this post. I immediately think of Seiko - I recommend 2 collections, Seiko 5 & Prospex. Both have a vast selection to choose from. I recommend the Prospex Alpinist, 200M WR - screw down crown, 70 HR power reserve but doesn’t matter since you won’t be taking it off ha ha, sapphire crystal, gorgeous dials, strap monster- dress it up or down. Can be found around $700, use the rest on straps.
I checked the alpanist, and man how did i missed it😂
It looks like a dress watch with great capabilities.
Thanks for the suggestion man. I will definitely consider it