Looking for the best affordable Chronograph

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Seiko Speedtimer, Bulova Lunar Pilot are the usual pieces

If you like it a bit exotic take a look at Brew Metric for example :)

If you can do quartz the ones listed by others are good options (Seiko is even solar powered which is cool)

For mechanical in that price range, I would probably go with the Lorier, one of your only other options would be Sugess / Seagull stuff from Aliexpress, which are worth a look.

Seiko do chrono's well but there are other brands which use their movements at far better prices like Pagani. The Sea-Gull brand is good but there are a lot of Chinese companies making the same movement with less quality and also the service later will cost you the price of a new watch. A Pagani using the Seiko VK63 can be had for under a hundred bucks but any chrono with a VKxx Seiko will do around that price point.

The Seiko and Bulova are nice but I believe they're quartz right? I'd be looking for a mechanical one, I just love mechanical movements lol

The Brew Metric looks amazing as well, meca-quartz might do the trick, I'll look into it, thanks

only affordable mechanical chrono i know is the seagull 1963 and other chronos with their ST19 movement

i also own a 1963 and its very cool and beautiful to look at

for the price an absolute must have in every affordable collection

For a cheap chronograph save yourself some headaches and get a quartz, you are much better off in the long run. I also think the seiko chrono is pretty cool.

If you want mechanic the best options are the ones that use the Sellita sw510(a derivative of Valjoux 7750) movement and shopping around you could get one for 1,8k eur or directly a watch with Valjoux 7750, you can find those cheaper.

If I didn't have so many chronographs in my collection the Gemini would certainly be an addition to the collection! Great vintage looks with contemporary style and feel!

I've actually been looking closely at this one. I'll 100% end up owning one haha, it's an incredibly well made little piece

Yep, right now looking at the Lorier, Seagull and Brew Metric, which is not entirely mechanical but hey, gotta make some compromises sometimes

I haven't looked into Pagani yet, thanks for the suggestion

I know quartz definitely has its perks from a technical standpoint but the charm of a mechanical movement is just unparalleled. You're right though, I might wait, save a bit and get a pricier one if I'm not 100% satisfied with something at a lower price point.

I'll check out the SW510 options 👍

I think so too, it's an awesome piece and the Lorier founders look like they're really passionate about their craft.

They definitely are. Got to meet them at a watch fair and they're really down to Earth.

Am I correct that the speedtimer is a quartz watch?

Yes I've mainly come around it and I'm at a point where I want to own an acrylic crystal watch, even if only for the experience. Completely agree about just enjoying our watches, that's what we should be focused on 💯

This is my Lorier after almost two years of use.

And by use, I mean:

Land Nav, Shooting Courses, Rucks, Some light Rope/Helo practice, day shift, night shift, mid shift, more land nav, training events, breaching courses, demolition range work, more land nav, UXO work, hung ordnance on aircraft, driving courses, etc.

I'll be honest, don't think my work life is exactly what Lorier had in mind for their watch, but it was an anniversary gift. Meant to be worn through stuff so I can think of my lovely wife and home, regardless of where I might be.

I wear plenty of other tool watches too, but wear this one the most.

Biggest issue is that I've magnetized it a couple of times. And it could prolly use a regulation, but TBH, no one really needs down to the second accuracy. Even me, if it's getting down to the last minute of a demo charge/shot going off, I ain't gonna be close 😂.

I also see in your profile you're from France.

Have you looked at Wolbrook/Douglas?

They have some Chrono's. Brand has some historical perspective, though the revived version isn't exactly the same as the OG brand that was killed off in the Quartz Crisis.

Nice looking watch :) I love chronographs to look at but personally they hold no utility for me and if I decide to ever get one I think it will just be a Brew or a Bulova if they make one smaller than 43mm ( quartz will do for my purposes which really are zilch over than a fidget toy . ) The only integrated column wheel chronograph I would seriously entertain is a Zenith El primero , so I will need to get creative financially if I get a chronograph that will actually please me seriously….

Well you've put it through its paces no doubt, and if anything it gives it personality. How often have you been using polywatch?

I think I understand the feeling, it's almost like, if you get a sapphire one, you're clearly going for the always pristine look, but if you get acrylic, you almost want it to get scratched, it's part of the charm. Really looking forward to get one of those.

Nope I haven't, I'll give them a look definitely

This nice #lorier

Havent Polywatched yet, might not ever, we'll see.

If I'm going through some really tight or "bang-up" areas I'll briefly rotate the head to my inside wrist, or cover it with a bandana.

Sometimes it does come off and it goes in a pocket.

Havent decided if I'm using my Lorier Falcon or Douglas Skindiver II for a selection course I'm attending in the spring.

No other suggestions at the price point, Lorier all day long! I have a Tudor Black Bay Chrono, panda dial, and I enjoy wearing the Lorier just as much as the Tudor. It’s a beautiful watch, perfectly proportioned and a easy recommendation. As for the crystal, I did mark it once, but Poly Watch did the trick and the mark is no more.

Merkur do some very nice affordable mechanical chronographs

They have a couple good looking watches indeed. Wow that Seagull movement really is everywhere 😁

Let us know what you get!

I will for sure 😁

If you don’t mind quartz a Seiko Speedtimer is a good choice.

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