Budget Watch Collections -Recommendations

I’d have a look at Orient. I got the Kamasu recently and it’s one of my favourites. Tissot also often have reasonably priced pieces, hopefully got mine coming this week. Good luck. 

You can go wrong with Seiko my friend, you have a wide array of choices, just be careful as some of the bracelets are not the best

Head over to the world of microbrand watches, the watch of your dreams is there waiting for you. Spinnaker, Phoibos, NTH, Stanton, Steinhart to name a few. Check out San Martin, Steeldive and Heimdall for good spec homage type wrist goodies. You won't be disappointed. 

Define budget friendly…

Vostok! And yes, I totally recommend vintage.

Orient is great

Vintage CAN be great; lots of potential misses to avoid. 

Been looking at Steinhart recently. 

But the thing I would do before expanding is ask myself what is my purpose for expanding. If it's just to expand, I just go for it. IF I have holes I am looking to fill (Diver, dress, Chrono, etc.), then I choose one at a time to focus on while also keeping an eye on potential deals for the others I'm looking for. 

There's no wrong way to expand, but maybe some better ways that would save some doghouse days with the SO/wallet. 

MTFBWY

I‘d tend to agree with @IanMc1, plenty of choice with Seiko. Depending on your views about buying from abroad, specifically China, get signed up on AliExpress. Wait for the sales mind, but there are some good quality and budget friendly pieces on there. Maybe ear mark a couple before the sales and check some of the YouTube reviews of them before jumping in. I think the next big AE sale is towards the end of this month.

Watches that come under 200-250 USD price tag. 

There’s a few options out there if you’re looking to get into quality automatics…even Swiss ones:

https://www.jomashop.com/calvin-klein-watch-k5s34141.html - $200

https://www.jomashop.com/tissot-watch-t065-407-22-031-00.html -$250
 

https://www.jomashop.com/tissot-watch-t1014072203100.html -$245
 

https://www.jomashop.com/tissot-watch-t065-930-22-031-00.html -$240
 

https://www.ashford.com/b-swiss-00-50501-08-16-22.html -$240
 

Hope these help!

Yes. I bought a Seiko 5 for my Dad last year.  I wasn't satisfied with the bracelet. It could have been more firm and thick.

Thanks, I somehow get this weird feeling when I shop at Ali Express. Sometimes  I wonder if this is a cheap copy or something. Their website platform is like that. Will definitely buy on next sale.

Thank You. I really loved that CK. 

Thanks bro

Orient is probably the next watch i am gonna buy.

You are absolutely right but just be careful, do your prep work beforehand and get an idea of how much you are to spend before the sales start. Check the reviewers…..I’m sure you’ll have some trusted ones you’ve found on YouTube. If your still unsure, just go for one relatively low value piece first just to give the whole thing a trial run - that’s what I did, but there are many out there that will give it the seal of approval.

My one word of advice though is to be careful when you‘re hunting for bargains on there. I’ve seen watches that appear to be the same as from some ‘official’ stores but like a third of the price. The specs are obviously no where near as good as they really won’t last five minutes. 

For the $200-250 price range, I think it’s hard to go wrong with Islander watches from longislandwatch.com. They have a great variety for being relatively new to the game but offer solid movements (generally Seiko) and sapphire crystals in all their watches. 
 

the other added bonus is their service. I have received defective items and they had replacements on the way before I had even shipped the defective item back. Marc (and his one or two employees?) are fantastic and I am often willing to pay a little more to order from them even after finding a better price elsewhere. They are a great store for the budget minded with very few watches over $1k.