Exchange year watch
Hi, I am going on a exchange year for my second year of high school. I will live one year on a sailboat and have school at the same time. Therefore I need a capable watch. Waterproof, preferably 20 bar+, maybe a GMT feature to keep track of my familys timezone(not a must), and lastly it would have to come on a robust strap. Budget: 1000$>
Thanks
60 comments
Sort by
Simen
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Oslo, Norway
Member since
Last active: 5 days ago
That Yema in the photo looks amazing.
Seiko GMT would be your best bet. If the worst happens, you'll be able to find somewhere local to get it repaired ( not that it's likely to break, in my many years experience I've found Seiko to be particularly robust,if lacking a little in accuracy)
The Yema looks nice, but I found their reliability and toughness to be sub-par, almost as crap as Vostok but far more expensive (and the manufacturers aren't helpful or pleasant to deal with)
The Squale is nice, but no GMT and a bit posh to get bashed about.
This story needs a sponsor!
There has to be a maker eager and savvy enough to attach themselves to a story like this.
Following along as Simen embarks on a quest for personal growth and environmental exploration, testing himself and his watch along the way and connecting with the next generation of enthusiasts is a promotional goldmine.
If somebody knows somebody consider hooking Simen up. Recognizing opportunity when it presents itself is often the only difference between success and mediocrity.
Wishing you the Best of Luck Simen!
That Yema in the photo looks amazing.
Stunning watch
Seiko GMT would be your best bet. If the worst happens, you'll be able to find somewhere local to get it repaired ( not that it's likely to break, in my many years experience I've found Seiko to be particularly robust,if lacking a little in accuracy)
The Yema looks nice, but I found their reliability and toughness to be sub-par, almost as crap as Vostok but far more expensive (and the manufacturers aren't helpful or pleasant to deal with)
The Squale is nice, but no GMT and a bit posh to get bashed about.
I have the same concerns about Yemas customer service and the fact that thay use in-house movements is not great servicing wise. Great call on the Seiko:)
Zelos just came out with a new gmt that might be worth a look. Don’t know the specs myself but Zelos are a safe bet and I believe it uses a standard Miyota 9075 movement making it easy to check if needed. Otherwise RZE have one coming in June. Quartz options probably the safest bet there’s a Citizen Ecodrive with both gmt and worldtimer functions. This sounds exciting. Let us know what you go for.
This story needs a sponsor!
There has to be a maker eager and savvy enough to attach themselves to a story like this.
Following along as Simen embarks on a quest for personal growth and environmental exploration, testing himself and his watch along the way and connecting with the next generation of enthusiasts is a promotional goldmine.
If somebody knows somebody consider hooking Simen up. Recognizing opportunity when it presents itself is often the only difference between success and mediocrity.
Wishing you the Best of Luck Simen!
Wow I am overwhelmed. Thank you sir.
There’s a lot of watches that would hit the mark. Though most of my suggestions lack the GMT function.
Tuseno and many other micro brands make some cracking good divers, Rze, Jack Mason stratotimer, Boldr odyssey free diver gmt. It doesn’t have to be a diver either, you could get a deck watch or a gmt without the dive bezel. But water resistance is certainly a concern.
Zelos just came out with a new gmt that might be worth a look. Don’t know the specs myself but Zelos are a safe bet and I believe it uses a standard Miyota 9075 movement making it easy to check if needed. Otherwise RZE have one coming in June. Quartz options probably the safest bet there’s a Citizen Ecodrive with both gmt and worldtimer functions. This sounds exciting. Let us know what you go for.
The Zelos is beutiful. Quartz is definitely a great idea. Better accuracy and cheaper. However, there is just something specially intriguing about a mechanical movement😅
A capable watch with100% reliability, if I were in a "castaway" situation, I'd take a solar quartz Seiko (with GMT if you wish). The Citizen ecodrive I'd also consider.
Honestly, having spent a considerable amount of my adulthood on the ocean...
You need this. GWM5610U.
But with the extra in your budget. Seiko Alpinist GMT
In all seriousness, this is a full collection with just these two...
I have the Squale that’s pictured there and I can recommend it. It’s always been a faithful companion.
There’s a lot of watches that would hit the mark. Though most of my suggestions lack the GMT function.
Tuseno and many other micro brands make some cracking good divers, Rze, Jack Mason stratotimer, Boldr odyssey free diver gmt. It doesn’t have to be a diver either, you could get a deck watch or a gmt without the dive bezel. But water resistance is certainly a concern.
Thanks for some great imput. The stratotimer is my favourite off the bunch. Also been loking at the Traska Venturer GMT.
Honestly, having spent a considerable amount of my adulthood on the ocean...
You need this. GWM5610U.
But with the extra in your budget. Seiko Alpinist GMT
In all seriousness, this is a full collection with just these two...
The G-Shock is a beast and with the alpinist GMT i would be covered in any scenario
The G-Shock is a beast and with the alpinist GMT i would be covered in any scenario
Pretty much! You'd honestly be set through your sail, past high school, past Uni/post-secondary, and well into a career...
If you can't find the GMT within budget (don't forget to check pre-loved). The regular three-hander Alpinist is also a great choice and should be well within budget.
Baltic, zelos and Seiko are good shouts.
Would also suggest Mean if you want to keep it Scandinavian
Steinhart or if you forgo the GMT function I would go for an FXD homage with fixed spring bars
Definitely consider the Alpinist
And a G-shock too for a casual day
I’ll throw the Venturian Daytripper in for consideration. Solar titanium dual timer WR 100, screw down crown for added confidence. Sapphire. Maintenance free.
Comes with leather and nylon - can spice it up with any strap you prefer - like this James Bond. $349 with free US shipping. www.venturian.co for more details!
Id go seiko diver only gmt if screw down crown. If no screw down then ditch gmt its more important to be robust on a trip like that. But yes definitely seiko (or screw down citizen diver)
Id go seiko diver only gmt if screw down crown. If no screw down then ditch gmt its more important to be robust on a trip like that. But yes definitely seiko (or screw down citizen diver)
Seiko GMT would be your best bet. If the worst happens, you'll be able to find somewhere local to get it repaired ( not that it's likely to break, in my many years experience I've found Seiko to be particularly robust,if lacking a little in accuracy)
The Yema looks nice, but I found their reliability and toughness to be sub-par, almost as crap as Vostok but far more expensive (and the manufacturers aren't helpful or pleasant to deal with)
The Squale is nice, but no GMT and a bit posh to get bashed about.
AGGGHH man!! Just bought a Yema!!
I say get a Rolex Explorer or Submariner no date .. or if that's too much, maybe a Tudor Pelagos, or Tudor Black Bay 36
I’ll throw the Venturian Daytripper in for consideration. Solar titanium dual timer WR 100, screw down crown for added confidence. Sapphire. Maintenance free.
Comes with leather and nylon - can spice it up with any strap you prefer - like this James Bond. $349 with free US shipping. www.venturian.co for more details!
Very cool strap and watch
Done lots of sailing - used to race a Corsair F-31 trimaran
Lately I like to do ocean going trips in a kayak, since more difficult is more fun 😉
My 0.02 - yup, I also feel better about 200m. 100m fine as well but needs a screw crown. I killed a 100m non screw crown with seawater ingress
on sailboats you regularly bang watches into stantions, wire back stays and forestays, against winches and ropes … Regular spring bars break too easily.
Fat spring bars (Seiko divers) or some Casio Pro treks and or Gshocks etc. My point - asses how watch and band attach. Don’t trust regular spring bars 👍
my old cheap (400 buck?) solar pro trek bomb proof and unbreakable with integrated Ti band worked great for a lot of years (digital conpass sometimes useful as well!)
That old fella still works fine, but now that I’ve got a fancy Seiko LX diver, 300m, Ti, Massive Fat spring bars, and looks amazing… so now I wear it on the water 😜!
Can't believe Doxa haven't been mentioned yet
The Aquadive Bathysphere posiden should just come in at the top of your budget.
Done lots of sailing - used to race a Corsair F-31 trimaran
Lately I like to do ocean going trips in a kayak, since more difficult is more fun 😉
My 0.02 - yup, I also feel better about 200m. 100m fine as well but needs a screw crown. I killed a 100m non screw crown with seawater ingress
on sailboats you regularly bang watches into stantions, wire back stays and forestays, against winches and ropes … Regular spring bars break too easily.
Fat spring bars (Seiko divers) or some Casio Pro treks and or Gshocks etc. My point - asses how watch and band attach. Don’t trust regular spring bars 👍
my old cheap (400 buck?) solar pro trek bomb proof and unbreakable with integrated Ti band worked great for a lot of years (digital conpass sometimes useful as well!)
That old fella still works fine, but now that I’ve got a fancy Seiko LX diver, 300m, Ti, Massive Fat spring bars, and looks amazing… so now I wear it on the water 😜!
That looks great, thank you
AGGGHH man!! Just bought a Yema!!
You may have a good one, there's plenty of folks on here that like 'em.
Good luck 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Which Seiko gmt has 200m wr?
https://www.seikowatches.com/us-en/products/prospex/special/1968_gmt/index
But a Seiko 5 has more than enough & it's much cheaper.
Just seen this which would fit the bill.
Glycine combat sub GMT
You may have a good one, there's plenty of folks on here that like 'em.
Good luck 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Hopefully thank you