Help Please - Your Favorite Sub-$1,000 Watch?

Most of the watches in my collection (and the watches that I tend to spend time researching) are priced well beyond the $1K mark.

Within my own collection, two of my favorite sub $1,000 watches would be my Bulova Precisionist (96B158), which I love for it's super smooth second had sweep, and my "Slow Jo" from Slow watches, which I like for it's unique way of looking at time (it's a one hander with a 24 hour dial).

For watches I don't own, I regret missing out on the Zelos Blacktip with the crimson red dial, which I just happen to think is a killer looking watch. 

Hello,

Tough question! I have to pick only one favorite watch in my collection (budget and entry level collector here, so all my watches are <$1000.😀)? Easier to pick my one favorite family member! 🤣

Anyway, one of my more recent additions to my collection that is rapidly becoming my absolute favorite and is definitely in my top ten, is my Seiko SNJ025 "Arnie." I really like the update to a solar movement. Not exactly a "newer" model, but the watches in my collection that are becoming my favorites lately seem to be reissues; the Lunar Pilot, the Hack, the Computron, and most recently, the Devil Diver (been on a bit of a Bulova kick with their military and archive reissues). I am also interested in the Mil-Ships and the Seiko "Willard" reissues.

I hate "absolute favorite" scenarios because without a way to narrow it I get overwhelmed with all the great choices and never land on 1. So let's go with what I thought of first before I spiral out of control - The Autodromo Group B in either Corsica Blue or Orange!

I own many but this one is probably my favorite

Right now I’d say the Seiko SARX055 is probably my favorite sub $1000 watch. Though it was released over 3 years ago.

Man, narrowing that down to one is HARD. 😂

If I have to choose just one, I gotta go with my Squale Montauk. 
 

Christopher Ward C63 Sealander automatic, falls under $1K CAD on the strap, or under $1K USD on the bracelet, even without a discount coupon. 

Essentially CW's take on the Aqua Terra, down to even the name(the one thing I dislike about the watch).

I would opt for a Vario 1918 Trench with Orange Lume.

I think I need to go with my Seiko Flighty aka the SNA411. If you had asked me before I owned one I would never have thought a quartz overly busy dial pilots watch would appeal to me but I love the thing. 

The first watch I ever wanted was the Christopher Ward Trident Pro and years later; and 3 watch boxes later I still have never owned one. Because it was the first watch to catch my eye I feel I need to mention it. It may be my birthday present to myself this spring. 

CW C63 Sealander three hand

Thanks everyone for taking the time to contribute. I truly appreciate it. 🙏 

I'm discovering some gems here; what an awesome community.  Keep 'em coming!

Easy choice for me: https://baltic-watches.com/en/products/aquascaphe-dual-crown-blue

Favorite ATM. 'Old faithful' SKX

Under $1k at some gray market dealers, I am looking at the Mido Ocean Star Tribute. https://www.midowatches.com/en/ocean-star-tribute-m0268303804100.html
 

Comes in a couple different flavors that I all love, but the PVD rose gold has caught my eye.

I'm gonna put two out there. I would buy them for myself 😄. Actually there is a lot to chose from in both brands.

Both good looking, playful and quirky. At that price point, $709.00 for the Yema GMT and $395.00 for the Brew chrono, they offer something really cool to have fun with 👍.

Casio F91W

Tough question. I think I'd go with the Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium. Close by would be the hand-wound Hamilton Khaki Field 38mm.

Serica.  This on specifically is the 4512.   

Easy my 3 would be:

Field watch: Hamilton Khaki Field

Dress Watch: Orient Sun and Moon

Dive Watch: (Quite a cliche but) Seiko Turtle or SKX (if on a budget)

Hodinkee just did an article with pics for sub 1k, has some good ideas and so does the comment section if you want some more ideas.

hodinkee.com/articles/our-favorite-watches-for-under-a-few-way-way-under-dollar1000

I recently stumbled upon this watch brand which makes a cool skin diver that is not a homage to any skin diver I personally saw and its from a brand called Marin Instruments it comes in a black dial version and a "Polar" which is a white dial watch and they are priced at $895. 

https://www.marininstruments.com/skindiver

Hi thatguy, you won't regret getting the CW, enjoy! Absolutely excellent value for your buck 👍

Hi CelineSimon if you can find 1 of these I highly recommend it, it's the Mido Ocean Star GMT it's a 200m divers watch with a GMT hand. I purchased mine for just under 1K.

Fantastic Four under $1000:

1. Zelos Mako Titanium mkiii
2. Vaer D5 Tropic USA Diver 
3. Seiko Sumo SPB103 Hulk
4. Traska Commuter

Squale GMT. Under $900!

Tag Heuer Aquaracer ref WAY111a

Timex Marlin

A simple great watch!

Tournek-Rayville TR-660 for me. 

I'd probably go with Christopher Ward or Farer as my sub $1K watch. They are not too scarce where you can replace them if something should happen to them. They also have plenty of designs to choose from.

Here's the published article, thank you all for your suggestions! 

https://strapsco.com/2022s-best-watches-under-1000/