Recommendations for 50 year milestone

I'd say a Longine Conquest L3.777.4.58.6. I think they come in a 38mm also, but couldn't find the ref. number. Also, in high accuracy quartz.

My choice

Nice! I’m in the same boat as you and will be 50 soon myself! It’s a banner year and you should treat yourself for 50 years on this earth. Have you considered the Hamilton Khaki Murph in 38mm? https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-us/h70455733-khaki-field-auto.html

So difficult as so many choices. For me it would be a Steinhart Ocean 39 Adventure classic. Every owner seems to love them and many compared the build quality to a Rolex. Well under budget too. Good luck whatever you get !

Traska Summiteer 38 would be a great choice in my opinion. I don’t own one myself, but I only heard good things and it’s on my wishlist as well.

I’m not sure if there’s a minimum price you’d consider as commemorative of such a milestone, but this my favorite “explorer” aside from my explorer.

https://www.watchcrunch.com/fearless2023/posts/wruw-2024-04-14-15b3d73c-zzhmiekn-384194

50 is definitely a big birthday. Have you considered a birth year watch? Seiko watches are easy to date but you could look at big releases for your birth year from a favorite brand - Rolex, Longines etc. I bought a Seiko Lord Marvel(the first Seiko hi-beat) for my birth year watch of 67. Happy early Birthday!

What an awesome occasion. Congrats! What about an Oris Big Crown. Over budget if new, but you could potentially find one in the gray market for less. I second the idea of a Hamilton and, if you buy it online you can engrave it for free. Cheers!! 🍻

Traska Summiteer, Lorier Falcon, Christopher Ward C63, Clemence Munro.

I would go take a look at the Sinn 556 series. Rugged watch, very well made, Sellita movement, fits your size. Variety of straps / bracelet to choose from, as well as several dial colours, numerals or indices, and date / no date.

Happy Birthday mate!

https://www.watchbuys.com/store/pc/Sinn-556-Collection-c74.htm

I second this recommendation. I've owned a Conquest VHP GMT, it was a very good watch. This one in the picture above looks awesome!

Good recommendation

Have a look at the echo/neutra averau, got explorer vibes, awesome lume, loves different straps and within your budget.

Excellent idea, soon enough will be my 50 as well so this post is very inspiring 🍻

I’ll second @YYZ_Frenchie’s recommendation with

The Serica field watches come in at just under €1000 which is close to your limit. If you like them, they are a bit different whilst being rooted in vintage looks similar to the explorer without being direct homage. https://www.serica-watches.com/collection-6190/

Would also suggest the Baltic Hermetique. Beautiful looking (have seen these in the metal, I haven’t handled the Serica). Better price too and colourful if that takes your fancy. https://baltic-watches.com/en/collections/hermetique

I strongly recommend that you get a REAL watch, whatever it is. Buying the real McCoy as opposed to some fake or ‘homage’ pastiche of something that you admire would dishonour your grand occasion, I think.

Mido, Hamilton and Longines have fantastic, solid, affordable watches that are worth aiming for.

You can get brand new pieces from Jomashop online for terrific bargains and you’re not buying a pig in a poke.

$700.00 Jomashop

$740.00 Jomashop

$824.00 Jomashop

$715.00 Jomashop

$750.00 Jomashop

These are just a few!

Have fun and congratulations on your 50th! I got a watch, for my 50th, too:

Cheers! 🎉

Since getting your hands on a new Rolex is a milestone of its own I would shoot for the Rolex if all else is equal.

Congrats on turning 50! I'm just a little ahead of you. Suggestions for new:

• Traska Summiteer 38 (multiple colors) $625

• Christopher Ward C63 Sealander $945 on bracelet + tax/shipping/possible import fee

• Christopher WardC65 Sandhurst Series 2 (a bit above your budget) at $1,295 + tax/shipping/possible import fee

• Christopher Ward C65 Dune black dial on Bader bracelet $1,095 + tax/shipping/possible import fee

• If you don't mind something used, maybe a Sinn 556 A or 556 A RS could fit into your budget

• Another used option: Monta Triumph - I got a year old example recently for just under your budget. It's very nice in hand! Use the Watch Recon Alert app for alerts on them, if you don't already.

• Seiko Alpinist line - SBP159 is discontinued now, but maybe you can find one, if you like it. The build quality is much better than Seiko 5 line SRPE55 and such. If you like green, the SPB155 is not discontinued and comes on a bracelet by default. Always look for discounts new or look for one used.

• Maybe a used Longines Spirit? I'm not sure how much those are going for used, but they have a 37mm that looks great.

• Hamilton Khaki Expedition 37mm H70225130 $1,045. Look at places like Mimo's Jewelry for discounted purchase (there are codes around).

I am in the same boat as you, but this year…Birth year watch or whatever. I’m heading to Japan to celebrate and I think I am going to look at/pick up a Kuoe Royal Smith 90-008 and try to find me a Seiko SKX007. Mine needs to be durable enough to be my main watch.

Good luck in the search, there are so many beautiful watches in your price range, mine as well. I think you can’t go wrong with a Seiko or a Christopher Ward.

Maybe you could find a Sinn 556 for a good price!

Serica 6190. I was offered an Explorer last year and looked down at the Serica 4512 I was wearing and said "Nah, I've got that covered."

6190 is even nicer. Thinner, better movement and those lovely bombe lugs.

If you’re looking for a Seiko that IMHO is actually more relevant to its predecessor than the Modern Explorer and more specifically toolish you can’t really do far wrong with

I second the @LTTang's recommendation. Longines is affordable luxury, but still as good as watches cost a lot more.

This is the right answer

Glashutte SeaQ…

Check out the Super Antarctic line from Nivada Grenchen. You get a Explorer watch with its own heritage and history, 38mm, 45mm lug to lug for around 850$.

As age is commonly associated with wisdom (and the Lorier Astra didn't make it to the market in time for my 50th), I gifted myself a Wise Adamascus AD7 last year.

If you're after the Explorer looks, I'd suggest the Traska Summiteer. It combines an Explorer type dial, Milsub hands, Sinn-like robustness and Miyota 9000 series affordability. In fact, it's one of the next three watches on my shortlist.

Thanks to all for all the great recomendations. Several I had not looked at. Will get things narrowed down to my short list and pick something out.

I forgot to mention it yesterday and I see the more vintage one is mentioned above, but the Super Antarctic 3.6.9. Black No vintage effect white luminous can be a good option that fits within your budget. They have quite a few bracelet options available. I'd go with a bracelet and then buy my own strap if interested. However, they are sold out of that one at the moment. Since you're not turning 50 until next year, you have some time though.