Daily Workhorse Recommendations
I have a medium sized collection, and rotate watches daily. This is great but recently I felt an urge to stick with one watch for a longer time, to actually live with it. So, my thoughts are that I can either move through my collection and wear each one for a couple of weeks, pick one from my collection and stick with it, or get a dedicated daily workhorse. So I wondered what is out there, potentially.
Requirements are.... 100m WR minimum, US$2000 or less (ideally US$1500), big brand name. It needs to work at work meetings, weekends, cleaning the house, evenings out and everything in between, but I gravitate towards watches on the dressy side, something with a subtle 'bling' that I wont get tired of.
Collecting for a couple of years, initially focused on affordable watches. Now enthusiastic about microbrands...
Longines conquest 2023
I paid £1300 for my quartz Aqua Terra. Does everything a fine dress watch can & is my "G-Shock" when I don't want to risk any of my automatics.
Have worn it to funerals and on long motorcycle rides, on the beach and at work. It never feels out of its comfort zone, never inappropriate.
Yes it's quartz, but it's very accurate and a proper grab 'n' go GADA.
Longines Spirit; Seiko Alpinist; Hamilton Murph; Tissot Gentleman; Nomos Club
I find the Formex Essence 39 to be a really good GADA, with some AT vibe (teak dial, date at 6, COSC), but for fraction of the price (around 1500€). Plus the suspension case and the bracelet are really cool innovations. Otherwise Christopher Ward C63 Sealander in 39mm also make a perfect job for this !
Doxa sub 200
Longines conquest 2023
I have to admit that I often write off Longines as a bit.... dull. But this one is phenomenal, really nice mix of elegance and robustness!
I paid £1300 for my quartz Aqua Terra. Does everything a fine dress watch can & is my "G-Shock" when I don't want to risk any of my automatics.
Have worn it to funerals and on long motorcycle rides, on the beach and at work. It never feels out of its comfort zone, never inappropriate.
Yes it's quartz, but it's very accurate and a proper grab 'n' go GADA.
An AT had only crossed my mind as a 'like that, but one I can afford' watch and I had never considered the quartz version. But looking around, a lot seem to either start at US$3000 or be womens models (which wouldn't ordinarily be a huge issue, but these have crystals, etc). An AT at that price would be right near the top of my list.
Longines Spirit; Seiko Alpinist; Hamilton Murph; Tissot Gentleman; Nomos Club
The Spirit and the Murph are a little too retro for my taste, but I really do like the Alpinist, although I worry how versatile it is. The Gentleman is a watch that I love every time I see and then forget for some reason, I have no idea why as I like it WAY more than the PRX.
I find the Formex Essence 39 to be a really good GADA, with some AT vibe (teak dial, date at 6, COSC), but for fraction of the price (around 1500€). Plus the suspension case and the bracelet are really cool innovations. Otherwise Christopher Ward C63 Sealander in 39mm also make a perfect job for this !
I have a Sealander C63 but in the GMT distressed green dial. Its a fantastic watch. Formex is a watch that I had in mind when I wrote the original post, to be honest. They have everything except perhaps the brand recognition.