Stainless Steel Watch $500-$700

Originally Posted by ScNCrash

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I want a really nice watch but only have $5-700 at the moment. I am a 4th year business student in the process of putting together a work wardrobe. I understand you're rational for holding off until I can afford better, but I should have substantially higher income in 3-4 years. This will allow me upgrade later on while still having something suitable in the meantime.

You are a student. Buy a Seiko. Completely suitable and respectable. Looks good, runs great, and Watch Snobs won't laugh at you behind your back. It's the Honda Accord of wrist watches.

P.S.: Noticed someone posted Louis Erard and that's an EXCELLENT recommendation.

Originally Posted by Mr. Lee

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P.S.: Noticed someone posted Louis Erard and that's an EXCELLENT recommendation.

Haven't heard too much about this brand. This one looks nice though:
http://www.isozaki-tokei.com/im/8884e.jpg

used one of these is what you want

Seiko with 6r15 movement

http://www.seiyajapan.com/

close thread.

Seiko black monster. Most watch snobs have one. When you can afford nicer, the monster will make a great beater.

There's absolutely no reason to buy a $500-700 watch...it's neither here nor there. Ranks same as buying a preowned entry-level Mercedes, or something

Instead downgrade to 150-200 (Seiko), or save up and get something decent in the $2-3K range...or both

Originally Posted by uhurit

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There's absolutely no reason to buy a $500-700 watch...it's neither here nor there. Ranks same as buying a preowned entry-level Mercedes, or something

Instead downgrade to 150-200 (Seiko), or save up and get something decent in the $2-3K range...or both

This seems to be the setimate I am getting from this thread.

I bought a used Hamilton for $500 off watchuseek. It's automatic and stainless steel, and I love it! Got quite a few compliments. Most people don't know about hamilton though haha

Originally Posted by ScNCrash

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I want a really nice watch but only have $5-700 at the moment. I am a 4th year business student in the process of putting together a work wardrobe. I understand you're rational for holding off until I can afford better, but I should have substantially higher income in 3-4 years. This will allow me upgrade later on while still having something suitable in the meantime.

Well, I'll put it to you this way, the guys who you're worried will scoff at your $100 watch will scoff equally at your $500 watch.

Also, as to your rationale for blowing all your money on a watch now because of future income, the same thought went through many a head in terms of overspending on a home because of its future value. Just saying.

I have decided to go with a Seiko for $60-200.

Has anyone had experience with worldofwatches.com? When I see 80% off of retail prices I tend to think it is a scam. Example: http://www.worldofwatches.com/Seiko-..._brand_id=2293

Originally Posted by ScNCrash

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I have decided to go with a Seiko for $60-200.

Has anyone had experience with worldofwatches.com? When I see 80% off of retail prices I tend to think it is a scam. Example: http://www.worldofwatches.com/Seiko-..._brand_id=2293

I've never dealt with them, not sure. Can you find reviews online? Overstock has a decent reputation, from what I'm told, and something like this will certainly see you through any occasion:

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Wat...9/product.html

Originally Posted by ScNCrash

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I have decided to go with a Seiko for $60-200. Has anyone had experience with worldofwatches.com? When I see 80% off of retail prices I tend to think it is a scam. Example: http://www.worldofwatches.com/results.asp?clr=5
Not a scam. Have purchased four watches from them, at different times, and all were authentic and in good working order, with all packaging and paperwork just as from any other retail store. Low prices are probably because they sell models that are unpopular or discontinued, and they move a lot of volume. One watch did run the battery out after about a week, I think it had been on a shelf for quite some time. Retail prices for wristwatches are imaginary. Those $500-700 watches often have the same or similar movements to those in the $150 MSRP ones. Cheaper watches generally have crummier bracelets though. A comfortable bracelet is a must. If you have doubts about the appearance of a bracelet get one with a leather strap (or buy one for it.) Leather is classy anyway. Or you can go with a James Bond/NATO strap. Poke around on any of the watch forums (3T, Timezone, PMWF, Watchuseek) and you'll soon know more than you ever wanted to know. And you'll probably spend that $500 and then some on at least half a dozen timepieces once you become addicted and find the used market. Oh yeah, as mentioned above, Overstock.com is also a good and reputable source.

Originally Posted by Mudhiker

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Retail prices for wristwatches are imaginary. Those $500-700 watches often have the same or similar movements to those in the $150 MSRP ones.
You're saying two different things here, and while neither is necessarily wrong, I think it's important to differentiate. Retail prices for watches aren't "imaginary" because the watches share movements with cheaper pieces, they're largely imaginary because nobody pays MSRP for watches* and they can always be found on sale at different retailers and different prices. As to your second point, there is a lot of overlap of movements even at different price points, but you very quickly start to see more extensive modifications the further up the ladder you climb. The modified ETAs in certain IWC watches, for example (perhaps the most finely-tuned movements using ETA bases) are virtually unrecognizable as such. I also think the $5-700 range is where watches start using ETA movements vs. cheaper alternatives. *This doesn't apply to very high-end watches, where the MSRP is sometimes enforced at an AD (Rolex, Panerai and Cartier come to mind), the MSRP is always the jump-of point for negotiations and discounts are considerably more uniform in terms of availability and %.

Originally Posted by TimelesStyle

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Not even maybe on:

New Breitling
New Omega
Used Rolex (in working condition with all-original parts)

A new Tag will be quartz. A new BM in that range isn't that hard to find, especially on a discontinued model. Longines should be a plenty.

You might also consider Oris, Hamilton, Seiko or Tissot.

You can find vintage Omegas in that price range, but if you are going vintage, make sure you really know what you're doing. Just because you get an Omega case/dial doesn't mean it's an original movement inside; you had better know what questions to ask, how to assess if you're buying from a legit dealer and what you are looking for.

sorry OP timelessstyle is right, for the brands i mentioned your looking at a grand or so but if you scour hard enough a decent used rolex can be had very close to your range
good luck