Watch Recommendation Under $1000
Your friend, not watch enthusiast (geek), ask for your recommendation what watch to buy to commemorate something important in his life.
- He only want 1 watch to wear everyday
- Budget $1000
- Any diameter/size is acceptable
- No type/style preference (diver, dress, field, etc)
- He is 25-40 y.o.
What would be your recommendation?
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Hamilton Murph, Tissot Gentleman Sicilium, Seiko Sharp Edge GMT, Seiko Alpinist, Tissot Seastar…there are a lot of choices beyond that.
That's really not much to go on. So... Christopher Ward C63?
Just don't buy whatever the current #1 YouTube recommendation is... for the rest of your life, you'll be forever marked as somebody who watched a lot of YouTube videos in 2023 😰😰😰
Very broad question. The biggest thing I ask to narrow it down:
Do I benefit from other people thinking I'm frugal, or thinking I'm fancy?
That determines your country of origin.
For a variety of reasons, it's frugal for me. So, I want unsexy brands that deliver high-quality features without being able to trade on their social cachet. That means it has to be Japanese. (I love Chinese watches, but I would not recommend them to somebody who doesn't want a collection. A sub-$1,000 Chinese tourbillon would be an interesting choice for someone who wants to impress and doesn't care about reliability.)
If I was in the opposite situation - which is totally ok! - for instance wanting to show my professionalism as a junior lawyer or something, then I would look for whatever Swiss brand rings in at exactly $1,000. I like Christopher Ward and have no opinion about Tissot.
He needs to decide what colors he wants. That would narrow it down more.
Marathon SS Navigator, accurate, cool story, and tritium tubes. It also has the convenience of +/- 10 seconds a year accuracy.
Marathon SS Navigator, accurate, cool story, and tritium tubes. It also has the convenience of +/- 10 seconds a year accuracy.
I second the Marathon.
Ares Field-1.
Benrus Type I/II.
Marathon Steel Navigator.
Marathon SS Navigator, accurate, cool story, and tritium tubes. It also has the convenience of +/- 10 seconds a year accuracy.
It's funny due to service issues where I'm at this didn't load, great minds and all that. 🤘🏻
Hamilton is the first brand that comes to mind but as @gbelleh says that’s not a lot to go on so I’d, personally show some of my watches that I think you could wear everyday and ask if anything jumpa out.
Then I’d take it from there.
Serica, Charlie Paris
My old favourite and GADA answer … given he’s not an enthusiast this is uber convenient as it only needs setting once.
I think Christopher Ward has great stuff in the 1k range
Well under $1000. It looks great and there are plenty of reviews for you to check out. https://www.watchfinder.com/articles/review-baltic-mr01. I have no experience with the movement.
Baltic Aquascaphe.
(Image: Baltic)
Or Junghans Max Bill
(Image: Hodinkee)