One watch collection competition. All under 400. Episode 1. Intro.
Hey everyone. I'm a sucker for a little competition, ratings and comparisons. From time to time my non-watch friends ask me what would be the one watch to buy and wear all the time on a budget. There should be either a lot of love or a lot of money to spend 2, 3, 5, 10K or more on a watch. For my friends it should be a watch that would substitute a smartwatch – simpler, more practical time-tracker, not a luxury piece.
So I decided to organize a little bracket to find the most loved ones among watch community. There is a term of GADA watches (Go anywhere, do anything). So let's call it GADA competition, if you like. For reference a lot of time you would hear of Omega AquaTerra, Rolex Explorer or Rolex Oyster Perpetual in conversations of the GADA watch. Let's step down several levels and limit ourselves with 400 USD. I understand that you can save a little bit more and buy a more expensive piece, but for non-watch guys 400 is already saving up for an accessory.
What are the criteria? 37-41 mm case size, water resistance of 100 m and more (50 can still make the cut, but it should be perfect), ideally 20 mm lug width (for changing straps on occasion), universal look to dress up or down. Other features are optional.
I've selected 16 watches by myself that I would reveal in upcoming episodes. For now I would like to ask you guys what are the watches that you think I should include there. Let's see if there is anything I've missed and create a few wildcard spots in the competition. Also I would like to share the honorable mentions that haven't made it to the final selection for one or two reasons.
Seiko SARY197
Image source: sakurawatches.com
Reason to cut – 50m water resistance, fixed minute bezel
Citizen Arezzo 40mm
Image source: watchshop.com
Reason to cut – 50 m of water resistance, a bit too dressy
San Martin SN020-G2
Image source: sanmartin.watch
Reason to cut – even though I'm okay with homage watches, I've decided to leave all direct homages out.
Phoibos Nebula #PY030D
Image source: phoiboswatch.com
Reason to cut – a bit too sporty. Difficult to dress up
Daniel Wellington Iconic Link Automatic
Image source: danielwellington.com
Reason to cut – pffff. Just kidding. No value for the price.
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time
Image source: longislandwatch.com
Reason to cut – 50m water resistance. Too dressy.
Tissot Luxury Powermatic 80 T0864071106100
Image source: jomashop.com
Reason to cut – 50m water resistance. Too dressy.
Let me know what your picks for GADA watch under 400 are and what you think of my honorable mentions.
Relatively inexperienced and humble watch wearer. Not much of a collector. Enjoy the design, engineering and history. 6.7 inch (17 cm) wrist. Love to look for hidden gems, especially in affordable pri...
100m water resistance
$399 so under budget
You could dress it up with the right strap but it’s not a dress watch.
Titanium so light and comfortable.
Solar powered and 20mm lug width.
Big Idea Design x RZE Titanium Field Watch.
40mm diameter and 46 lug to lug
So what do you think?
I'm really happy with my Boldr in those parameters. $400, 38mm(?), Ti, 200m, 20mm lugs.
100m water resistance
$399 so under budget
You could dress it up with the right strap but it’s not a dress watch.
Titanium so light and comfortable.
Solar powered and 20mm lug width.
Big Idea Design x RZE Titanium Field Watch.
40mm diameter and 46 lug to lug
So what do you think?
A very good one. Though I only could find it for 499$ now. 😉
Tissot PRX Quartz with a strap option
A very good one. Though I only could find it for 499$ now. 😉
Maybe you we’re looking at the automatic
Maybe you we’re looking at the automatic
Indeed. Well noted. I've added that to the WildCard. Thank you!
Tissot PRX Quartz with a strap option
That is no doubt a wonderful option. We think similarly. So I've added that to contestants at early stages of my little research.
I'm really happy with my Boldr in those parameters. $400, 38mm(?), Ti, 200m, 20mm lugs.
That is a super nice watch. Fits you well. The only issue for the competition is that it is really sporty and tooly. It's pretty difficult to dress up. Not impossible of course.
here's my nomination. 40mm, 100m WR, casual https://www.jomashop.com/tissot-titanium-quartz-blue-dial-mens-watch-t127-410-44-041-00.html
Only downside is 21mm lugs, but could get a custom leather strap on Etsy for like $50-$70. In my experience, Nato straps also fit fine if they're a little oversized (20mm nato fit fine on my Nomos with 19mm lugs).
here's my nomination. 40mm, 100m WR, casual https://www.jomashop.com/tissot-titanium-quartz-blue-dial-mens-watch-t127-410-44-041-00.html
Only downside is 21mm lugs, but could get a custom leather strap on Etsy for like $50-$70. In my experience, Nato straps also fit fine if they're a little oversized (20mm nato fit fine on my Nomos with 19mm lugs).
Great choice. Matched! Though I added a non-titanium version of quartz gentleman. 🧐
Unless I can chat and use my Hamilton kfa (I got it used for just under $300).
I'd say maybe my SZSB016 since it checks a lot of boxes and using the rest of the budget for some different straps.
Or maybe a custom build I've made.
Unless I can chat and use my Hamilton kfa (I got it used for just under $300).
I'd say maybe my SZSB016 since it checks a lot of boxes and using the rest of the budget for some different straps.
Or maybe a custom build I've made.
Hamilton KFA is not a cheat. You still can get it for under 400 USD. So it's in the list. Thanks for the SZSB016. Nice one. Straight to WildCard.
I can confirm this Edifice is quite a bargain. I do want to get a different clasp but for what I paid ($75) it's well worth it.
It's fantastic. Can you name a model for Citizen, please?
I can confirm this Edifice is quite a bargain. I do want to get a different clasp but for what I paid ($75) it's well worth it.
Added that one as well. Huge savings. 🙏
Thanks so much! 🤝
Lots to choose from in the Seiko 5 range. This is mine, but there's all sorts, field watches etc too.
Daniel Wellington? Stopped reading at that point. $10 Chinese made fashion watches sold ridiculously high above what they are worth.
Daniel Wellington? Stopped reading at that point. $10 Chinese made fashion watches sold ridiculously high above what they are worth.
First of all, these are watches that didn't make it to the final competitors, and secondly, it's a joke of course. I write just below the reason to cut quote "pfff, just kidding".
Lots to choose from in the Seiko 5 range. This is mine, but there's all sorts, field watches etc too.
Previous generation of Seiko 5 is great of course. They would dominate the range below 200, but in the competition under 400 it's a bit tough for them, die to the older movement, bracelet and mineral glass. Design wise some of Seiko 5 are still phenomenal.
Lots of watches your friends can browse through with Vaer.
https://www.vaerwatches.com/
https://www.vaerwatches.com/collections/field-watch
The lugwith is 18,5mm, but it will take 18 and 19mm natos and CWC got a bunch of cool straps. It got fixed bars, so natos are basically the only option. But here you got a watch with real personality, with a real history, from a brand with real credentials.
38mm. Quartz or mech without date or auto with date.
Lots of watches your friends can browse through with Vaer.
https://www.vaerwatches.com/
https://www.vaerwatches.com/collections/field-watch
Vaer are great. One of them is on the list 😉
The lugwith is 18,5mm, but it will take 18 and 19mm natos and CWC got a bunch of cool straps. It got fixed bars, so natos are basically the only option. But here you got a watch with real personality, with a real history, from a brand with real credentials.
38mm. Quartz or mech without date or auto with date.
Really great watches. lug width is really a bummer for universal watch.
Really great watches. lug width is really a bummer for universal watch.
I think there will be more options for 18mm/19mm as smaller watches get more and more popular 😊
I think there will be more options for 18mm/19mm as smaller watches get more and more popular 😊
Hope so too!
Lots of microbrands to choose from too: Alcadus, Bertucci, Boldr, Brew, Lorier, Marathon, Momentum, Nodus, RLG, RZE, Smiths, Steinhart, Swiss Watch Company, Van Banner, Weiss, and Wise.
Of course, don't forget Citizen, Laco, Orient, Orient Star, and Timex.
Lots of microbrands to choose from too: Alcadus, Bertucci, Boldr, Brew, Lorier, Marathon, Momentum, Nodus, RLG, RZE, Smiths, Steinhart, Swiss Watch Company, Van Banner, Weiss, and Wise.
Of course, don't forget Citizen, Laco, Orient, Orient Star, and Timex.
Thank you a lot. Looked through several brands that I forgot to cover in the initial research. Added Van Banner watch to the poll. One of Wise watches would also fit, but they are tad more expensive and on the preorder now.