Best three watch collection under £30 (UKP)
I saw KevinK's post about the best watch collection under $3000, posted with the intention to crank up the budget in future editions to higher amounts...
Thing is: I own quite a few watches, but at a very different price point. My three most expensive watches would add up to something like $800. So, I thought: I do the equivalent, but way down the pecking order.
My perfect three watch collection under £30 (overall I paid £29.58, including shipping) is this:
- Jenises JS8012
This is the dress watch/gada watch of the collection. It is a bit like a fashion watch, but design-wise there is more going on than on, say, a typical DW.
2. Skmei 1278
Like many Skmeis, this is based on a Casio model - which is not an expensive watch either, but it'll cost you more than twice. I tried to order that Casio on amazon, but after a month it has not shipped - so one probably has to pay just a little on top and get it on ebay. Anyway, this watch is for your digital needs: alarm, countdown timer, stop watch. The copper-coloured ring looks IMHO better than Casio's silver-coloured one.
3. The Fngeen FZS666
This is the bling watch of the collection. It is dressy, but not business-dressy, just social-gathering-dressy. I am slightly cheating here, because this came on a metal bracelet which I hated; so I swapped in one of my reserve watch bands. Realistically, many people would want to do that, and that bumps up the overall cost.
Of course, these three are quartzes. For self-winders you would have to bump up the budget.
UK-based German expat. Likes cheap watches. Not bothered about brands.
Excellent thought experiment: what kind of watches can you buy for $30.00?
People ask me why do you buy vintage? My normal answer involves history, the allure and nostalgia for the past, that sort of thing. In reality, it is because I am cheap.
The purchase price for these total less than $30.00. When you buy online sometimes you have to be in the right place at the right time. I have seen these same watch models sell for more than $30.00 a piece. The slight of hand involved is that I am not counting shipping costs. For two of these watches the shipping cost exceeded the purchase price.
Behold the Three Raketa for under $30 Collection:
This is the least expensive piece ($1.00). It has scratches. It has taken some cleaning to remove gunk. It has a 19 jewel 2628HA movement with a quick set for the date. It was made in the early 1980's after this style of watch was unfashionable elsewhere. It is utterly reliable.
2. Raketa 671316
Again from the 1980's with 1970's styling. It has a 19 jewel 2614H movement. It also has a quick set. I didn't like it on a NATO strap, but I do on leather. It is a little worn. I am embarrassed to say that I paid less than five dollars for it. Shipping was twice the cost.
3. Raketa 47111763
Another Soviet era 1980's Raketa. It has a 19 jewel 2609H movement. I tried to buy this watch twice before actually getting it. The first time bidding got into the $40 range. I passed. It was back for auction two weeks later and bidding got into the $30 range. I passed and was mad at myself for not getting it. Two weeks later it was up for auction again. Payment must not have been made. I got it this time for less than $15.00. This is the only watch where the cost exceeded shipping.
I have not had to do anything but clean them with a toothbrush and Polywatch the crystals. They run as accurately as most of my mechanical watches. In each case the strap was more expensive than the watch.
There are finds out there.
Love this idea too! I spent entirely too long this morning looking across Amazon and AliExpress. I think mine should come at roughly $34 (30 gbp). Ive taken a similar approach to my post in the other thread, a core watch surrounded by others for specific applications.
First, a classic, Casio Royale ($24) on Amazon.
World timer, more than enough watch for office, home and everything in between. Also super moddable.
Second, a Soki Field Watch ($4.99 inclusive of shipping)
I would choose the green color way for a field watch. I feel like this Timex Expedition/Hamilton Khaki field stand in does exactly what is needs to do well. 40mm diameter and 9mm thick with 22mm lug widths so even some strap options.
Finally, this unbranded rose gold plated dress watch from AliExpress ($4.50ish)
40mmx7mm and 20mm lug widths. A low key dress watch for formal events.
Total bill, $33.48. Anyone have a 50 cent strap idea?
Love this idea too! I spent entirely too long this morning looking across Amazon and AliExpress. I think mine should come at roughly $34 (30 gbp). Ive taken a similar approach to my post in the other thread, a core watch surrounded by others for specific applications.
First, a classic, Casio Royale ($24) on Amazon.
World timer, more than enough watch for office, home and everything in between. Also super moddable.
Second, a Soki Field Watch ($4.99 inclusive of shipping)
I would choose the green color way for a field watch. I feel like this Timex Expedition/Hamilton Khaki field stand in does exactly what is needs to do well. 40mm diameter and 9mm thick with 22mm lug widths so even some strap options.
Finally, this unbranded rose gold plated dress watch from AliExpress ($4.50ish)
40mmx7mm and 20mm lug widths. A low key dress watch for formal events.
Total bill, $33.48. Anyone have a 50 cent strap idea?
I understand that Casio is the safe choice here as the centre piece of the collection. There is a cheaper Skmei equivalent though:
which costs £12, but I have no idea how good it is. Soki as a field watch looks like an obvious choice. The dress watch is a bit too generic for me. Perhaps one of those Wokais?
I understand that Casio is the safe choice here as the centre piece of the collection. There is a cheaper Skmei equivalent though:
which costs £12, but I have no idea how good it is. Soki as a field watch looks like an obvious choice. The dress watch is a bit too generic for me. Perhaps one of those Wokais?
I genuinely thought about swapping the Casio Royale for that Skmei/Pasoy/or any other number of fascimiles but erred on the side of the enforceability of a Casio warranty. If we're talking everyday watch, I feel better erring on the side of reliability or ability to get a repair.
I was mostly willing to trade off the nicer dress watch for that (and the wokai definitely counts as nicer) just because I'd use it less.
I genuinely thought about swapping the Casio Royale for that Skmei/Pasoy/or any other number of fascimiles but erred on the side of the enforceability of a Casio warranty. If we're talking everyday watch, I feel better erring on the side of reliability or ability to get a repair.
I was mostly willing to trade off the nicer dress watch for that (and the wokai definitely counts as nicer) just because I'd use it less.
Well, the two Wokais are actually cheaper than your dress watch (<$3). On Ali, the Wokais of very different looks are typically bundled together (e.g. here) and sold at (nearly) the same price in one listing as "colour variations". I strongly suggest to stay well clear of the multi-complication watches, because the subdials are highly likely to be dead as a dodo.
Well, the two Wokais are actually cheaper than your dress watch (<$3). On Ali, the Wokais of very different looks are typically bundled together (e.g. here) and sold at (nearly) the same price in one listing as "colour variations". I strongly suggest to stay well clear of the multi-complication watches, because the subdials are highly likely to be dead as a dodo.
Some differential pricing I'm afraid, probably due to location. They show up as $7 inclusive of all shipping to me. No doubt the extra two dollars are worth every cent.
The best part about this exercise is that if you expand it to $100, I feel like I've got so much ability to create an awesome collection.
@uhrensohn, are you intending to go up or down in budget? I feel like a $100, $400, $700, $1000 would give such an interesting set of answers.
The best part about this exercise is that if you expand it to $100, I feel like I've got so much ability to create an awesome collection.
@uhrensohn, are you intending to go up or down in budget? I feel like a $100, $400, $700, $1000 would give such an interesting set of answers.
Going up, like KevinK, but ending up well below his entry level of $3000. I am currently pondering where to set the next level, probably round about $100. I currently have two watches on order that would be candidates for that category, and they are likely to arrive during the next week. At any rate, I think it's a good idea to leave a week between these posts, as KevinK indicated, otherwise things get muddled up.
The jump to 400 is too big IMHO, there is a level between that and 400. And the distinction between 700 and 1000 is too small to justifiy two levels.