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entry level watches

post #1 of 18
1/22/12 at 9:52am
Thread Starter 
Ive always worn cheaper watches (ESQ, Bulova, etc) and they the job, but now I would like to upgrade to something a little nicer. I dont have a ton of money to throw at this, but what brands would you guys recommend in the 750 +/- range? I dont know alot about the quality level of watches, but at that price range, do you actually get a much nicer watch than say the 250 range?

I seem to gravitate to the cleaner, more dressy designs, typically rectangular or square faces. Definitely no chronographs, etc. Id be wearing this mostly at work, which is business to business casual, depending.
Edited by Redline9k - 1/22/12 at 10:04am
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post #2 of 18
1/22/12 at 11:48am

Fortis makes a nice watch for the money, understated quality, might be in the 1k range

 

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=fortis+watch&gs_upl=14398l17478l0l17939l12l5l0l3l3l0l1054l2640l2-3.6-1.1l7l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=661&wrapid=tlif132726162981710&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=14125613004456538577&sa=X&ei=0GccT5HsJoLq0gHxp4W3Cw&ved=0CGUQ8wIwAw#

 

Fortis Men's 595.11.41L Flieger Automatic Black Dial Watch

 

 

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post #3 of 18
1/22/12 at 1:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redline9k View Post

Ive always worn cheaper watches (ESQ, Bulova, etc) and they the job, but now I would like to upgrade to something a little nicer. I dont have a ton of money to throw at this, but what brands would you guys recommend in the 750 +/- range? I dont know alot about the quality level of watches, but at that price range, do you actually get a much nicer watch than say the 250 range?
I seem to gravitate to the cleaner, more dressy designs, typically rectangular or square faces. Definitely no chronographs, etc. Id be wearing this mostly at work, which is business to business casual, depending.

mechanical or quartz. Or do you care?

also, look here
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post #4 of 18
1/22/12 at 2:37pm
Thread Starter 
Im indifferent. Like i said, i dont know my way around watches or price points, but id imagine that a decent mechanical is out of the budget.

Im just hoping that for my money i can buy a nice watch that isnt a piece of junk with a brand label. If thats not possible w/ my budget, id rather know that too, and just keep wearing my 125$ watch until I can afford something truly worth the money.
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post #5 of 18
1/22/12 at 2:41pm
Seiko SARB in my opinion, is great for the price range.

http://www.seiyajapan.com/c=yGmSjO9HTM3BY9AYNFPH9dPbg/category/3_seiko_quartz_etc_/

Also, check out Hamilton, Stowa, and I will think about some others. You can also swing Ball second hand and maybe even Longines if you get lucky.

Stowa would be my first choice, but a bit out of your price range. Probably about $800-1000.
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post #6 of 18
1/22/12 at 3:04pm
Second a JDM Seiko. It's more than a decent mechanical movement, probably the only one worth getting in your price range. You might find a good deal on Rakuten.
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post #7 of 18
1/22/12 at 8:41pm
[quote name="black_umbrella" url="/t/284304/entry-level-watches#post_5136108"
look here[/quote]

+1 Check out the link to the Poor Mans Watch Thread that Black Umbrella has linked ^
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post #8 of 18
1/25/12 at 4:50pm
Quiet frankly, at your price point (and given criterion), you could not do much better than this:

Hamilton H32415735.

500
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post #9 of 18
1/25/12 at 5:04pm
The $500-$1500 price point is the fucking dead zone for watches, unless you know your shit and get a prime vintage example.

Get a Seiko or an Orient for <$300 and be done with it.
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post #10 of 18
1/25/12 at 5:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pebblegrain View Post

The $500-$1500 price point is the fucking dead zone for watches, unless you know your shit and get a prime vintage example.
Get a Seiko or an Orient for <$300 and be done with it.

To be honest, I kind of disagree with this. I think that the $500-$1500 range is actually a pretty good range for watches, and $1500 to $4000 is when things start getting dicey. There are an absurd amount of watches that I would wear in the $500-$1500 range. As long as you are fine with ETA movements, you can have a field day!
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post #11 of 18
1/25/12 at 6:06pm
I would suggest a Movado. Good quality, swiss made, timeless clean design and saphire crystal to prevent scratches.
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post #12 of 18
1/25/12 at 6:07pm
1) Japanese Market Seiko (www.seiyajapan.com)

2) Stowa Marine (http://www.stowa.de/Marine/index.htm)

stowa_mo3.jpg

3) Archimede Pilot (http://www.archimede-uhren.de/US/Pilot-family.htm)

3614855350_9a1efbea83_z.jpg

4) Chinese [Laoning factory movement] Flying Tourbillon (If you can handle no-name brands and appreciate Chinese mechanical watches)

(British Horological Institute BH 151 / Millionsmart 1801 / Vacheron Dumont / etc.). Contact me if you're interested, I've tracked down availability.

n1223405346_30347653_8274995.jpg

5) Hamilton (http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/)
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post #13 of 18
1/27/12 at 5:03pm

Check out Steinhart watches:

 

http://www.steinhartwatches.de/

 

Some original designs, some inspired by Rolex, but all well made.

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post #14 of 18
1/27/12 at 6:42pm
I claim no expertise regarding watches, but please allow me to make a well-intentioned suggestion. Watches that cost less than the price range you mention that you may want to consider are Citizen Eco-Drive. There are a couple of models available with rectangular faces (Stiletto is one; I belive the other has only a model number), they are reliable timepieces (assuming that is a consideration), and they never need to have batteries replaced. Whatever you choose, hope this helps.
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post #15 of 18
1/27/12 at 7:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redline9k View Post

Ive always worn cheaper watches (ESQ, Bulova, etc) and they the job, but now I would like to upgrade to something a little nicer. I dont have a ton of money to throw at this, but what brands would you guys recommend in the 750 +/- range? I dont know alot about the quality level of watches, but at that price range, do you actually get a much nicer watch than say the 250 range?
I seem to gravitate to the cleaner, more dressy designs, typically rectangular or square faces. Definitely no chronographs, etc. Id be wearing this mostly at work, which is business to business casual, depending.

You should spend more time deciding why you want this watch.

If you are thinking of picking it up as a hobby, I would wait and lurk at TZ, watchuseek, etc. Rushing a purchase will only lead to regret and expense - and watches are an expensive enough hobby as it is.

If you just want a "nicer" watch, narrow your criteria. Do you want a versatile watch? A recognizable brand? A storied brand? Are you interested/willing to buy a vintage?
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