Best Chronograph or diver under USD$450

Hey @stafford that is great but I think that could be much better if you add more details about you and what you expect of the watch.

here are some my reccomendation:

diver

orient kamasu

seiko turtle, mini turtle

phoibos voyager

spinnaker cahill

islander automatic dive watch

nethuns aqua steel

chronograph

orient panda chronograph

seiko ssc017

seagull 1968

yema rallygraph

hope it will helps 

for a mechanical chronograph, seagull 1963, 38mm, so your wife can wear it as well 😉 at least, it happened with mine...

What kind of watches you already have? I see you have 2 seikos, so do you want to stick to seiko or do you want to venture out of the seiko world?

There are a ton of great options out there.

If you are cool enough.

(I really like the Phoibos, but they are getting hard to find retail.)

GW-5000.

I usually answer Scurfa.

Seiko Flightmaster. It's been covered a lot on YouTube but it offers both chronograph and 200m water resistance. 

Undone - you can also get it customised.

I think you could do quite well with a Vaer D4 for $339-429 depending on strap choices. 

It has an Epson (Seiko) solar movement, and is a great size. I have the D5 Miyota 9015 powered version, and like it a lot. They come in at $499

You may want to check out the watches on AliExpress.

I particularly like the following, should be able to get it below $ 400.

1. Ciga Design - won couple of awards. I have this, watch is well made.
2.  Aesop Flying Tourbillon - what else can you ask for at this price 

Only have experience with the Mako II but Orient Divers are great value below 500$.

Bulova Lunar Pilots are also below 450$, though you might have to get a bracelet separately.

Old me would have said a Seagul 1963, but they are not for everyone, and two the QC is crap. Mine, like many others, I had the crown pop off, unprovoked. That said, not everyone has had that experience, but more than enough have that I would never own another Seagul movement. 

I do like the Yema rallygraf. The Brew Chronographs are not bad for the money.

Also, for that money, the Tissot PRS 516 line offers a whole lot of value and you can get a variety of sporty looks from a classic brand.  

Best answer so far 🤣😊🤣

So, I have a Mako XL and a King Turtle. So that's Orient and Seiko out of the running for a diver (but solid suggestions! Fully agree!) 

I have been eyeing up both Phoibos and Spinnaker for a while so they are def worth a look. Actually Islander as well, mostly because I like their YouTube channel and they put out good content! 

I was going to buy an oruent as my own birthday present to myself LOL so that's kinda sorted! 🤣🤣🤣

If I was forced to, I'd go with the green Seiko dive chronograph SSC615P1... But you know... Only if someone forces me! 

The Yema is an interesting thought - something I hadn't considered...

That helps! Many thanks @Unholy 

Yeah, I have been wanting one for a while. But as @AllTheWatches notes, quality control is a bit of an issue. What do in you think though: you like the 38mm? I thought the bigger one maybe. 

Thanks @jose.manuel 

Chronos, divers and field watches for the most part

And my Casios:

And a few randoms not pictured. Mostly Japanese because I've spent a lot of time there and reliability and whatnot. 3 of those Casios are approaching 20 years old. 

If not Seiko, what would you suggest @Bessio 🙂

I've got the GW-5600: 

SNA411

 or old-school SND367?

Saw this the other day and almost lost my mind 

I say go for it. Granted they may be the it micro brand at the moment, but they are making distinct designs and not one else around will have one.

All three for under 300.

38mm works really good for me ! Just be aware with the lug to lug distance ! For the 38mm - 47mm lug to lug and for the 40mm - 50mm lug to lug...

A couple that I really like. Best of luck in your search

I'd say the SNA41 !

HELM Vanuatu only $275 but the wait-list is ridiculous.  Found mine used on eBay. Worth at least twice what they sell it for in my opinion.  

https://helmwatches.com/vanuatu.html

Virtually unbeatable…. You could get two for your Budget

Nice. I have a Mako XL in the mail (my present to my self)😜

#orient 

The Mako XL is just a fantastic piece,

slightly on the large side for me these days but ridiculous value for money. The one I had was very accurate as well, within 2 seconds a day which again is ridiculous for the price, the non hacking and hand winding never bothered me at all, in fact it evoked a certain charm.

An update for @everyone: my birthday happened around the AliExpress March sale. So rather than buy a watch, I got my wife to buy me 2 watches 🤪

Steeldive SD1970 - the best Cpt. Willard knock off (I mean "Homage") you're gonna find for AUD$100; auto, sapphire crystal, sweet bezel, 200m WR...and

Qimei fieldwatch AUD$70; sapphire crystal, quartz, 100m WR. 

Thanks for all the suggestions, happy birthday to me!