Help me decide on a very affordable watch

In the market for a cheap watch.
My Criteria:
1. Reliable and Durable- this will be a watch I wear all the time. I want it to be able to uphold a little use- borderline on abuse
2. Have to be able to get it wet. At least wear it in the rain, preferably in the shower/ocean/pool.
3. Good Lum in dark
4. And almost as important as number one- impressive looking. Should be an eye catcher without being Gaudy.
5. Able to wear with anything, except maybe a suit.
6. Finally, around $60

I've attaches link to a photo bucket album with pictures. I realize they are all "homages" of more expensive/better watches but that is not a concern to me as long as they are not replicas.

http://s655.photobucket.com/albums/uu275/tpthornell/

My options:
Alpha Explorer I
Alpha Speedmaster
Invicta 5017 Diver (or Comparable Alpha)
Herc Pan. Homage.

i;'d go for the invicta of those options

I'm leaning that way too, or maybe the Herc.

Of those four, I'd take the Alpha take on the Explorer I. A little smaller, but unless you've got really thick wrists, 36mm is the perfect size and much more wearable. Def. go for automatic whatever direction you go.

Cant go wrong with either the Alpha SM or Invicta Sub

I'm not familiar with these brands. How does the quality of an invicta weight against something else at a similar $50-$70 price point like say a Fossil/ Diesel watch?

Holy shite. The only brand you should be considering at low price points is Seiko. You get amazing quality for the prices.

Ok, you might have to spend more than $60, but for less than $200 you'll get something that will last a long, long, time. Seiko's dive watches are what you want and they are classic, rugged, and good looking. Best of all, they are not complete copies of other watches like the ones you have shown photos of. You can wear one and be proud of yourself for buying something that is a great watch on its own merit. There may be some Seiko models that have some resemblance to Rolex Submariners or Explorers if you want that look, but they still have their own differences.

Look for deals on eBay and check out some watch forums, especially the Poor Man's Watch Forum marketplace.

If you are set on spending $60, then good luck at getting anything good. Invicta is not even worth looking at when you can get Seiko. I wear a Rolex Submariner, but have owned very inexpensive Seikos, have been impressed with them, and would buy more. Invicta is not even on my radar.

-Ian

much better IMO.

Originally Posted by BrettChaotix

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I'm not familiar with these brands. How does the quality of an invicta weight against something else at a similar $50-$70 price point like say a Fossil/ Diesel watch?

Whatever you do, please don't that Panerai knock-off abomination. Spend/save slightly more and get a Seiko Black Monster

used swatch chrono

The lume on all of these suck.


If you can expand your budget to ~$100, reach for a Seiko diver, like one of these:

Seiko SKX007


Black Knight, SKXA49K1 (actualy I think the white model looks better)


Or the Orange Monster, which is the watch I get most compliments on (there's a black version also)

I would spend a bit more and go with the Seikos.. if not, then get the Invicta.

IMO, double your budget and go with an appropriately discounted Hamilton mechanical watch. Vintage military style is definitely in, and they are very durable for the price. If you want more the Omega/Rolex dive watch look, go with the Seiko.

seiko 5 maybe? automatic under $70...

type in "seiko 5 automatic" or "seiko 5 military" in ebay.

+1 on the Seiko recommendations. I got a Seiko diver last weekend.