What are my options? HELP NEEDED
I'm looking to get my cousin his first watch and am trying to figure out my options. He's turning 18 next month. Looking for a mechanical/auto movement. 38mm would be perfect, but can be slightly larger or smaller. He really seems to like arabic numerals that have an older style font similar to the orient bambino pictured. I'd like to get something a bit nicer than the bambino though. Hoping for $500ish. The baltic Mr01's are currently unobtainable, and the oris pointer date is more than I'd like to spend. What other watches are out there that fit this style for this price range? I can't think of too many. Thanks in advance!
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Steven
Took the dive down the watch rabbit-hole at the beginning of 2021. Love this stuff.
helena, MT
Member since
Last active: 4 months ago
I would like to recommend a Junghans Max Bill. It checks A LOT of boxes:
I would like to recommend a Junghans Max Bill. It checks A LOT of boxes:
I definitely thought of the junghans max bill. Terrific watch. Might be slightly out of my price range. Thanks for the input man. 👍
Auto and go second hand purchase and choose a rugged watch. Seiko is, I believe, where you will fill your wants with a lower price. Seiko has incredible history, size and dial you are looking for. Good luck with your choice, you will make a good one for sure.
I definitely thought of the junghans max bill. Terrific watch. Might be slightly out of my price range. Thanks for the input man. 👍
In that case I also suggest the Seiko Presage Cocktail line, specifically a model called “Old Clock” (SRPE43J1). I have one of this and I can attest that in person it looks fantastic! The guilloché dial is incredible. Just to let you know that the strap is very much “Seiko strap”. That is all I have now, good luck!
Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 38mm is a good option; plenty of styles to choose from too.
Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 38mm is a good option; plenty of styles to choose from too.
Great recommendation, it would be my first pick 👍
As other people have said, Seiko Presage would be 100% my choice. Those (kind of) new Cocktail time 38mm versions are extremely good and the dial is so rich in details... It plays with the light like no other dial for around 500€. You (and your cousin) just need to be ok with the golden rotor that Seiko uses in those models, it's just not my cup of tea. But what a great watch it is! The blue one that @thiago has mentioned or the green one are fantastic. Here is the green one (inspired on matcha tea):
Junghans Max Bill hand wind or an Hamilton Khaki Field
Nothing wrong with a Bambino except the strap. The straps really let watches down in this price range. Give him the Bambino and then tell him you'll buy a strap or two of his choosing.
hello, when you put it that way i agree with @thiago choice. from the pricepoint and oh man the dial is so beautiful. here are some another colour for consideration
personally i'll go with blue colour
You have an Oris Big Crown in your original post. I have that watch. You can easily get one new in the $1500 range, which is a lot of money, no question, but is worth it if that person is going to wear it every day. It's a joy to wear at 40mm diameter, 48mm lug to lug and only 12mm thick. The bracelet is awesome. It can be both sporty and dressy depending on the strap. Very versatile. A great every day watch. My only issue is the power reserve at only 41 hours, but if you are wearing it every day, that doesn't factor in. It's the second most worn watch in my collection behind only my Aqua Terra.
I tried to see if I could find something with bregeut numerals in that price range and came across the Tissot 1936 heritage in 36mm.
These hour markers are quite distinctive… but tells me he might be more into dress watches perhaps? If so, you might as consider this Frederique Constant as a worthy first watch too.