Audio/Visual

It's got the smooth sweeping seconds hand. 262 KHz from a three prong crystal. I have three Precisionists, and in my experience, they run roughly +2 seconds per month. I typically just set them dead on to time.gov after each month with fewer than 31 days.

*Canister

*Bag

*Watch

I prefer the Erebus. Longer lugs, it has crown guards, bezel edge is more interesting, they both have the same movement, and Erebus probably has better QC.

I know some people say dive watches can't double-up as dress watches, but I'd argue that a dive watch makes a better dress watch than an explorer makes a work watch. I use my rotating bezel multiple times a day at work. I wouldn't want to set a timer on my phone forever going forward, and being perfectly blunt, the last time I wore a suit was at a funeral.

Setting watch style aside, I think the best all-rounder watches for a beginner, assuming the same budget as you've established, would be Seestern, Phylida, Erebus, Islander, or Bliger.

All of those brands have NH movements, sapphire crystals, and solid steel cases & bracelets, so you're effectively getting Seiko for potentially hundreds of dollars less, and you'd probably end up with better QC too. 😬 I'll see myself out.

I have three quartz watches, all of which are Bulova, and two of those are Precisionists.

Since you mentioned tuning forks and being a musician, I thought this one might grab your eye. The dial is spiral-cut like the grooves on a vinyl record, there is a Grammy trophy on the left, and there is an audio waveform from left to right.

May not be a tuning fork Accutron, but Precisionists are the grandchildren of that innovation, and I simply cannot be convinced this thing isn't absolutely freaking RAD. Smoother seconds-hand sweep than any watch on the market, and accurate to within 15 seconds per year. It's literally my grail.

A dive watch you never have to wind or correct the time on?? Yes please.

This watch is nearly as accurate as my Precisionists, and I just love the dial. This was my very first "real" watch as an adult.

I still love automatics too, same as you. I simply love being able to pick any one of these three up at any given moment, and know I don't need to mess with it. When in a hurry, just grab and go.

My phases:

1. Smartwatch

2. Watch stand full of Bulovas

3. BUY ALL THE CHEAP WATCHES!!

4. Dream of Rolex

5. Learn basic building/modding/repairing of watches

6. Build my own watches

7. SELL ALL THE CHEAP WATCHES!!!

8. "I think I'd really like a Steinhart..." ⬅✨(I am here)✨

9. "I really should support Islander, Erebus, and other microbrands..."

10. Get a Rolex to celebrate retirement 💸

11. Death