300 USD diver with great spec
Hello all watch nerds,
I am looking for nice 300 USD diver watch but I have quite a lot of expectations in my head. So far I have decided for Wise Hitman in a nice green sunburst fumé dial with a brushed ceramic bezel. I will probably choose the red tip of a second hand. I have already bought Wise Adamascus AD8 which is a phenomenal watch, not regarding the price but in general. It's absolutely fantastic watch in every way possible.
So I am just thinking about possible other options here.
My criteria are quite strict though:
Great finishing
Good lume and bezel action
Fully marked bezel (for every minute)
A bracelet option is preferred
No Seiko, Citizen or Orient: I have tried many of them and they failed in many aspects - bad finishing, poor lume, terrible bezel action etc. Those mass-produced soulless watches are just bad and overrated (I have 7 Seikos in my collection, had Kamasu and have tried 5 Citizens)
I do not have a problem with Chinese brands and even some homages but I would like to stay away from Rolex, Omega, Breitling and other well-known designs.
So, can you come up with nice watches that I have missed so far?
Thank you for your tips and enjoy your day.
Watch collector and hobby watch photographer. I enjoy all types of affordable watches. I really like beauty in detail and my favorite watches must be well-made.
Well the upcoming Zelos Swordfish just so happens to be $299. I think this will check all the boxes.
https://zeloswatches.com/products/swordfish-40mm-ss-teal-launch-special
Well the upcoming Zelos Swordfish just so happens to be $299. I think this will check all the boxes.
https://zeloswatches.com/products/swordfish-40mm-ss-teal-launch-special
This one looks really good! Dimensions, nice dial, looks like on the fly adjustable clasp. Only the bezel is not to my liking. But Thank you for this tip, this is really nice option 👍
This one looks really good! Dimensions, nice dial, looks like on the fly adjustable clasp. Only the bezel is not to my liking. But Thank you for this tip, this is really nice option 👍
Sure let us know what you end up with
Sure let us know what you end up with
This will take some time, I expect this "problem" to be solved no sooner than in January or February :-)
Seems wise to buy for that price pun intended 🤣👌nice watch
Wise Hitman - kills all Japanese competitors and thinks deeply about it ;-)
Helm Vanuatu. More of a tool look than dress diver tho. Comes with an awesome super engineer and strap at $275US.
Helm Vanuatu. More of a tool look than dress diver tho. Comes with an awesome super engineer and strap at $275US.
Helm looks great but If am not mistaken there is some kind of waiting list for it, right?
Helm looks great but If am not mistaken there is some kind of waiting list for it, right?
Yes. But get on it and see if you get called by your time to purchase?
I am very intrigued by their full lume face special edition, it looks very neat
I always like Wise. I should have one that look different from all my existing watch. Bezel, dial, indices, and long second hand.
Well the upcoming Zelos Swordfish just so happens to be $299. I think this will check all the boxes.
https://zeloswatches.com/products/swordfish-40mm-ss-teal-launch-special
Look at that lume on the Zelos!
Just a thought on the Wise.
Twice I’ve browsed their site looking to make a purchase. Both times I’ve had a question and emailed their customer service and both times I received no reply at all. For me that takes them completely out of the game for any future consideration.
I have truly enjoyed my Seestern S434 which I picked up during the last Aliexpress sale for $137.
It should check all of your boxes. The only question mark is the finishing. The finishing on mine has been very good, but of course that’s a risk with the AliX brands.
Movement is nothing to gaze at, but it’s a tool watch plain and simple. Yes it’s an homage, but it was such a common design in the era, it’s hard for any of the $1,000 to $7,000 versions to claim the mantle of original design.
I have truly enjoyed my Seestern S434 which I picked up during the last Aliexpress sale for $137.
It should check all of your boxes. The only question mark is the finishing. The finishing on mine has been very good, but of course that’s a risk with the AliX brands.
Movement is nothing to gaze at, but it’s a tool watch plain and simple. Yes it’s an homage, but it was such a common design in the era, it’s hard for any of the $1,000 to $7,000 versions to claim the mantle of original design.
Yes, S434 is a fantastic watch. I have a great experience with SM, Proxima and Cronos brands. Also this design was pretty common in 60'. I really like blue one. Thank you for this tip.
Just a thought on the Wise.
Twice I’ve browsed their site looking to make a purchase. Both times I’ve had a question and emailed their customer service and both times I received no reply at all. For me that takes them completely out of the game for any future consideration.
TBH I have asked them a few times about bracelet for AD8 series and their response was far from OK. I got response in 50 % of cases. Luckily their watches are really good.
Yes. But get on it and see if you get called by your time to purchase?
I have been on one for 2 of their watches for like a year now. I'm still like a 1000th for the Miyako and have somehow gone backwards on the komodo list to like 5000 or so.
I wouldn't expect tog et anything anytime soon from there.
Wise Hitman - kills all Japanese competitors and thinks deeply about it ;-)
And in bullet time…
Asking much for $300 limit. Glycine Combat Sub? (Though bezel not marked every minute.)
https://www.ashford.com/glycine-gl0083.html
Jody at "Just one more watch" is about to release his own watch, should be good, we don't know much yet but I have faith it will be good, strange to here the new Zelos will be released a day before according to a previous post, I think he is using the same designer ?
Im looking at the Bulava Mil ships at the moment. A little over budget but you can get the Oceanographer Automatic for around that money.
Asking much for $300 limit. Glycine Combat Sub? (Though bezel not marked every minute.)
https://www.ashford.com/glycine-gl0083.html
Was thinking the same here
There is the upcoming dive watch from Eberus, a new microbrand founded by non other than Jody of Just One More Watch. The unveiling and pre-order starts on Oct 7. Price will be U$300.
Asking much for $300 limit. Glycine Combat Sub? (Though bezel not marked every minute.)
https://www.ashford.com/glycine-gl0083.html
Nice watch but not for my liking, thank you for tip.
There is the upcoming dive watch from Eberus, a new microbrand founded by non other than Jody of Just One More Watch. The unveiling and pre-order starts on Oct 7. Price will be U$300.
looking forward for his brand. Thank you.
Im looking at the Bulava Mil ships at the moment. A little over budget but you can get the Oceanographer Automatic for around that money.
Looks great 👍
Asking much for $300 limit. Glycine Combat Sub? (Though bezel not marked every minute.)
https://www.ashford.com/glycine-gl0083.html
I have one,it’s a hell of a watch.can’t beat the price