Best single entry level watch?
I think the Seiko SNSX79 is my vote. Useful for all occasions. Cheapest automatic you can get save for AliExpress deals. Great size and great movement.
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While the older Seiko 5 watches are great entry-level watches, there are others that may be as good, if not better. Orient has several good entry-level options, including the Gen II Bambino and the Mako Ii, both of which are only a bit more and have hacking and hand-winding. The Timex Expedition North Post Solar is also a great entry-level field watch option; 100m WR, sapphire crystal, signed screw-down crown, engraved screw-on case back, solar-powered Epson movement, signed buckle, and a design that references Timex's military heritage, all for $159 MSRP.
I second that motion!
Hard pressed to find a situation where the SNXS79 would be out of place! Looks good on strap and bracelet, have wore it to work on a suit and over the weekend on a t-shirt. Love the sunburst dial, the display caseback, the discreet lume... And all for a bargain!
Sure there may be other options from Seiko, Orient, Citizen, but dare anyone to make a top for this title and not include the SNXS!
I second that motion!
Hard pressed to find a situation where the SNXS79 would be out of place! Looks good on strap and bracelet, have wore it to work on a suit and over the weekend on a t-shirt. Love the sunburst dial, the display caseback, the discreet lume... And all for a bargain!
Sure there may be other options from Seiko, Orient, Citizen, but dare anyone to make a top for this title and not include the SNXS!
I concur!
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.
Great watch for sure but if someone who doesn't currently own a watch asks me my opinion for a grab and go all around watch that could be worn for every occasion. I would recommend the Seiko SUR341P1 slightly larger case 40mm, lug to lug 47mm and 8mm thickness 👀 not to mention a Quartz movement that seems to average +-2 sec a day! It has a cleaner dial and sapphire crystal to boot. Can be had in Amazon for $133
Great watch for sure but if someone who doesn't currently own a watch asks me my opinion for a grab and go all around watch that could be worn for every occasion. I would recommend the Seiko SUR341P1 slightly larger case 40mm, lug to lug 47mm and 8mm thickness 👀 not to mention a Quartz movement that seems to average +-2 sec a day! It has a cleaner dial and sapphire crystal to boot. Can be had in Amazon for $133
Good alternative if you don’t mind the quartz. Which I don’t. Although, at that mindset, I might have to recommend a solar quartz of some kind.
Seiko 5 was my first automatic and that thing ran for decades!
I’d actually say it is a great starter watch. Because if you can love a mechanical watch with no hacking or hand winding, it only gets better from there. I have a couple of these Seiko 5’s with the 7s26 movement and they’re charming.
Love mine!
Wore my SNXS75 today!
My vote: Orient Bambino v2. Available in many dial colors and very versatile. Under $200 and can be dressed up with a nice strap. This is ref. AC00009N.
It was mine too! The jubilee bracelet looks amazing! Where did you get it from?
It was mine too! The jubilee bracelet looks amazing! Where did you get it from?
Joma open box for $70. A steal IMO.
For an automatic it's hard to beat the SARV001 or 003
42mm case, 48mm lug to lug, 11.5mm thick, 4R36, 100m water resistance, drilled lugs and better bracelet! Only downside is no sapphire crystal but for the upgraded movement it's a no brainier. It can still be found for $130 👀 I ordered both from Sakura🫡
Picked up mine for £100 off CreationWatches. Another £50 for the strap.
This is the cheapest watch I own, but visually it is the nicest. IMO the case proportions are perfect, the polishing is perfect, the lines are perfect, and the dial is stunning. You have to ditch the bracelet. From there you can dress it up with a nicer bracelet/formal leather, or dress it down with a fun strap.
The lack of hacking is annoying, but the movement is reportedly very tough. The lack of hand winding isn’t an issue tbh and just eliminates another failure mode. It will start from zero after a couple of spins of the rotor. Mine is currently running at 0spd and has been for 3 days. I’m not sure why. I’m presently wearing it until it deviates to see how long this run can last. 😆
Picked up mine for £100 off CreationWatches. Another £50 for the strap.
This is the cheapest watch I own, but visually it is the nicest. IMO the case proportions are perfect, the polishing is perfect, the lines are perfect, and the dial is stunning. You have to ditch the bracelet. From there you can dress it up with a nicer bracelet/formal leather, or dress it down with a fun strap.
The lack of hacking is annoying, but the movement is reportedly very tough. The lack of hand winding isn’t an issue tbh and just eliminates another failure mode. It will start from zero after a couple of spins of the rotor. Mine is currently running at 0spd and has been for 3 days. I’m not sure why. I’m presently wearing it until it deviates to see how long this run can last. 😆
The bracelet is definitely the weakest part for me. Very lacking but it does keep the watch attached to my arm.
Simply the best.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/hakki501/posts/happy-snxs7x-day-204324