Value Watch Bucket List
So I see a lot of posts on Luxury Grail Watches but I'm curious if others have a bucket list of value watches they want to experience. I do not have a Grail Watch but there are a lot of brands that I've read about that I have yet to hold in my hands. Although all these watches are definitely within my budget I try to keep my collection under 12 watches so I haven't pulled the trigger ... yet. Anyway my list would include:
- Orient - it may seem strange but I've not owned a working Orient watch (I do have 2 old vintage ones that I picked up to fix). However, I'm thinking I would like to try out a Orient Mako II or a Bambino at some point.
- Zelos - at some point I think I need to try a Zelos as I've never heard one person say anything negative. I wish I had jumped on the Spearfish.
- Phoibos - these are pretty high on my list particularly the Voyager
- Islander - I like what they are doing over there. I'll be honest not all the designs appeal to me but there definitely a few that I love.
- Laco - I quite like the Flieger Type B dial and Laco seems to offer it at a price in my budget.
- Steinhart - I have nothing against homage watches specially when the original is either not longer available or just stupidly unaffordable or impossible to get. Steinhart seems like a good alternative with solid watch with a solid movement.
Curious if others have a list of watches on they could readily pick up but hold off due to one reason or another.
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Darcy
Collector of value watches, watch modder, and vintage watch tinkerer.
Saskatchewan, Canada
Member since
Last active: 5 hrs ago
Great idea of a topic!
For me it'd be
Sinn
Towson
Seagull Chrono 1963
Oceanus
Love this topic and one I've thought about a lot.
I would love to experience an Orient Bambino Small Seconds (or any Bambino really). Its so hyped and yet so cheap. I love dress watches. Kismet.
I think, also, a Steinhart GMT, probably the Olko edition. Again, lots of folks I trust vouch for its quality, I don't really mind the homage-y look too much as long as they're not trying to misrepresent and it's not like you can find old Explorers anyway.
And anything by San Martin. I am super curious about how close the Ali Express guys have come to a luxury watch experience and San Martin is supposed to be the best.
That said, I try and practice a reasonably strict one in one out buying policy with more inexpensive watches (if only because I would go nuts buying Seikos otherwise) and I frankly don't know what I would flip out to add the above.
This my list of value for money.
You can find this ISO rated diver for less than 200
Glycine Combat Sub Swiss made automatic 350+ but some can go for 300 on ebay
Tissot automatic chrono for 329
Alpina automatic pilot 500+ and 500 - on ebay
Great idea of a topic!
For me it'd be
I picked up the G-Shock GW6900 this winter mount of nostalgia and have no regrets gets a lot of wrist time.
Sinn
Towson
Seagull Chrono 1963
Oceanus
I had the Seagull kinda regret selling it. Oceanus is another in my list
Love this topic and one I've thought about a lot.
I would love to experience an Orient Bambino Small Seconds (or any Bambino really). Its so hyped and yet so cheap. I love dress watches. Kismet.
I think, also, a Steinhart GMT, probably the Olko edition. Again, lots of folks I trust vouch for its quality, I don't really mind the homage-y look too much as long as they're not trying to misrepresent and it's not like you can find old Explorers anyway.
And anything by San Martin. I am super curious about how close the Ali Express guys have come to a luxury watch experience and San Martin is supposed to be the best.
That said, I try and practice a reasonably strict one in one out buying policy with more inexpensive watches (if only because I would go nuts buying Seikos otherwise) and I frankly don't know what I would flip out to add the above.
That is the exact same Steinhart I keep looking at
I only collect Timex, so value is throughout my entire collection. Believe it or not many of my Timex watches are $150 to $300, so not as cheap as their entry level models. I did recently pull the trigger and ordered The American Documents watch from Timex which is $500. That is a lot of money for a Timex, but still considered inexpensive for other watches. I am thinking about branching out to Bulova and Hamilton, while not exactly value, again, in the watch world, they are still very reasonable. #timex
This my list of value for money.
You can find this ISO rated diver for less than 200
Glycine Combat Sub Swiss made automatic 350+ but some can go for 300 on ebay
Tissot automatic chrono for 329
Alpina automatic pilot 500+ and 500 - on ebay
I had almost forgot about that Tissot Chrono. It was on my list last year think I need to add it back. :)
Shinola out of Detroit has some great pieces. Orient.....can't go wrong with the Bambino, the Kamasu, or the "Sun and Moon".
The main value more bang for the buck watch in my collection is my G Shock GSG 100 Mudmaster.
I had the Seagull kinda regret selling it. Oceanus is another in my list
hard to get them now 😓
I had almost forgot about that Tissot Chrono. It was on my list last year think I need to add it back. :)
Same here it's on my bucket list. Being a automatic Chrono, Swiss made for less than 400 I almost feel like I'm cheating. Usually you need to spend 2k+ for a Swiss automatic chrono.
Great topic!
Already tried on Seiko, Seagull, Hamilton, Tissot, G-shock, Protrek and Vostok. They all have their own positives as well as negatives but overall great value for money watches.
Would love to try Laco, Stowa, Glycine, Sugess and Zelos, if they may be considered in this category.
The problem is for me to really know about an old watch, it's already expensive. I would love some of the early Longines pilots watches from the 1930's, or an original Tudor Chrono from 1970.
I suspect 20 years ago, those could be had for next to nothing. Now they cost an arm and a leg.
On the topic of Islanders though, check out their new Bayport diver! I just ordered the brown dial, I think they've finally branched out from their previous homage, bare-bones styling. This new one really looks much more like a unique microbrand piece! Mine should be coming tomorrow.
That's a new one for me to never hear of it
I'm quite new to this world so definitely nor one ive heard of before. I've looked it up now!
I have actually got a lot of the entry level and budget brands I want, but there are always more. Some of the brands and watches I am interested in include; Hemel Sea Dart, Phoibos Nebula, Boldr Venture, Timex Expedition North Solar, Timex MK! Mechanical, and Bertucci A-11T Americana Chronograph.
I want a Certina but they don't sell them in North America so any that I purchase would be through Gray Market. Which isn't a bad thing but I just haven't done it yet.
Midi are great as well. I have owned a Tissot and a Longines and was impressed with them so a Midi is definately on my radar.
This has been in my mind for a long time. I’m 41, with a 9 month old and a 6yr old. I’ve been collecting watches for a long time. Well, collecting G-Shock’s for a really long time.
I recently felt the need to step up my watch game and have something more fitting for meetings.
I added a Bulova Luner Pilot and recently a Seiko Speedtimer. My plan was and is to put the brakes on to buy a “Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch”.
But, I had to add one last random purchase and ordered a Hamilton Field Khaki H70455733, to fill a hole I’ve got.
Here‘s a pic of my current collection. I’ve worn them all a few times, but really only wear the GWG-1000 and 2000.
Are you talking about the Seagull or the Oceanus ? I may be missing something here but the Seagull is still available or maybe you're talking about a model I don't know about.
i checked for the Seagull I want from Long Island Watch - N/A or Out Of Stock or Back Order iirc
Not exactly what you asked re: bucket list, but three I've already really enjoyed on the value end are a Seiko 5 (not inspiring but a great beater, and versatile with straps/bracelets), a Sugess with the ST19 (what a display caseback for the money), and a Vostok Komandirskie (good general fun with a cool story imo).
(caseback for reference! apologies for lacking a good camera/macro lense)
i checked for the Seagull I want from Long Island Watch - N/A or Out Of Stock or Back Order iirc
Pretty sure the one sold by Long Island is the same one available on Aliexpress.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000828363042.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.7bc52e0enwanlt
There is a whole debate on what is the Authentic Seagull Watch, apparently the authentic one is buy Sea-Gull (note the hyphen) and doesn't have a display caseback and costs way more but also on Aliexpress lol.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000209331059.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.0.0.45b71686B1EdvW&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22:%2212000020004665083%22,%22ship_from%22:%22%22%7D&gps-id=pcStoreJustForYou&scm=1007.23125.137358.0&scm_id=1007.23125.137358.0&scm-url=1007.23125.137358.0&pvid=9776ebac-b912-4692-a8b5-f6702418732b
Not exactly what you asked re: bucket list, but three I've already really enjoyed on the value end are a Seiko 5 (not inspiring but a great beater, and versatile with straps/bracelets), a Sugess with the ST19 (what a display caseback for the money), and a Vostok Komandirskie (good general fun with a cool story imo).
(caseback for reference! apologies for lacking a good camera/macro lense)
That Komandirskie in red is a looker
I want a Certina but they don't sell them in North America so any that I purchase would be through Gray Market. Which isn't a bad thing but I just haven't done it yet.
Midi are great as well. I have owned a Tissot and a Longines and was impressed with them so a Midi is definately on my radar.
You know I didn't realize Certina wasn't sold in North America. I'm use to lots not being available in Canada but south of the border typically it can be found.
This has been in my mind for a long time. I’m 41, with a 9 month old and a 6yr old. I’ve been collecting watches for a long time. Well, collecting G-Shock’s for a really long time.
I recently felt the need to step up my watch game and have something more fitting for meetings.
I added a Bulova Luner Pilot and recently a Seiko Speedtimer. My plan was and is to put the brakes on to buy a “Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch”.
But, I had to add one last random purchase and ordered a Hamilton Field Khaki H70455733, to fill a hole I’ve got.
Here‘s a pic of my current collection. I’ve worn them all a few times, but really only wear the GWG-1000 and 2000.
I think the Hamilton Khaki Automatic will be my next purchase. In all honestly after that I can probably stop (but I likely won't).
I think the Hamilton Khaki Automatic will be my next purchase. In all honestly after that I can probably stop (but I likely won't).
I really need to save for the Omega. The real issue is there’s actually a bunch I want that are a 1/3 the cost or less. It‘s hard to stop when deals come up all the time.
My brother mentioned the Hamilton Field Khaki a few weeks ago and I haven’t been able to stop looking at them. I finally pulled the trigger on one a couple of days ago. It’s supposed to be here tomorrow. I think I’m more excited about it than the Speedtimer at the moment.
Mission to the Sun
Scuba Dude - Vostok Amphibia
I agree - this is a fun topic. Nice job!
I want to try an Islander. I've read so many nice things about them, and the quality seems okay. Not interested in an NH35, so it's nice to see the brand getting into other movements.
I agree - this is a fun topic. Nice job!
I want to try an Islander. I've read so many nice things about them, and the quality seems okay. Not interested in an NH35, so it's nice to see the brand getting into other movements.
Totally agree, I have trouble buying watches with a NH35 as I make watches with that movement and always think I should just make one.
I’ve only ever heard good things about Islander