Which budget automatic
I'm looking to buy a budget automatic in my collection. I've shortlisted 2 watches as both are just £100 right now. First is the well know and loved Vostok Amphibia Scuba dude. I think much has already been said about the history, quirkiness and that uniqueness about this watch. My only concern is reliability.
While looking for alternatives, I came across this Iron Annie automatic pilot style watch. For one, I have a diver in my collection but not a pilot watch, so this makes sense. This watch has a miyota 8215, for which I have read mixed reviews. I'm not sure if this has new version with hacking. However, that's not a deal breaker.
My concern with this watch is again if these would be reliable. I've seen so many watches by Iron Annie across the Internet with some amazing designs and decent specs. They're all made in Germany so that's a plus. However, somehow I don't see much content around this brand or many people talking about it. Which makes me rethink if it's a reliable brand.
Any advise from the experts here would be appreciated to decide. The fun starts now.
Have been buying watches for few years now but have recently started taking watch collection as a serious activity. Have been reading and learning a lot about different types and brands of watches and...
A quick Google search shows Iron Annie used to be Junkers. Name was changed due to royalty pay out issues.
Same company makes Zeppelin watches.
$100 is a good price. I couldn't find anything below $200.
If you are on a tight budget, I would look into chinese brands such as Pagani, Addiesdive, Tandorio, Baltany, who offer exceptional specs in the $60-$100 range.
I'd recommend buying used.
Personally I'm not a fan of Vostok's, had 3 & they're fragile, unreliable and not very accurate. A shame coz I like their history and design.
If you are on a tight budget, I would look into chinese brands such as Pagani, Addiesdive, Tandorio, Baltany, who offer exceptional specs in the $60-$100 range.
Hey. Thanks for the input. I've had a few pagani and addiesdive watches before and I agree it's hard to beat the specs they offer for the price. This time I'm looking for something non Chinese.
I'd recommend buying used.
Personally I'm not a fan of Vostok's, had 3 & they're fragile, unreliable and not very accurate. A shame coz I like their history and design.
That's exactly what I was worried about. Can't deny they have history being them, but reliability is not something I want to compromise with. Used is something I was looking at. Couldn't find anything that fit. Will try again. Thanks for the input.
Many of the budget options even by the Swiss have at least Chinese parts in them because of labour costs. Even Casio make a lot there. The Japanese have outsourced a lot of their watch production for the same reason years ago. The German option looks a lot better than a watch from a sanctioned country in the middle of a war. They were never very good watches in the first place and is why they are so cheap.
Many of the budget options even by the Swiss have at least Chinese parts in them because of labour costs. Even Casio make a lot there. The Japanese have outsourced a lot of their watch production for the same reason years ago. The German option looks a lot better than a watch from a sanctioned country in the middle of a war. They were never very good watches in the first place and is why they are so cheap.
That makes sense. Thanks :)
I don't think you can go wrong with a Vostok with an automatic movement, ex any Amphibia, as those are typically tanks in terms of durability. My experience with Vostok manual wind movements have not been good at all, either very fragile or prone to be "new old stock" movements of questionable condition after years of storage.