Broke man's watch thread

First time post... I found the forum because I'm interested in a pair of spectator shoes.  Four hours later, I'm still reading...

In my opinion, a man who is just starting out can get by on a shirt from Kohls and slacks from LLBean, but he can never, ever skimp on three important items:

#1. His shoes

#2. His belt

#3. His watch

A watch is probably the most important accessory a man can own.  People will always notice your watch.  

I remember how mortified I was when I saw President Bill Clinton wearing a Timex Ironman watch with his business suits.  Don't believe me?  Read about it here:

http://alanwatch.homestead.com/clintonwatch.html

Yes, you can get a Timex Ironman watch for less than $50, but do you really want to look like that?

You also have to pair your watch with what you are wearing and your activities.  Stay away from leather straps, they eventually start to smell.  Go with metal straps or fabric such as NATO straps.  

If you can only own one affordable quality watch, go with a Luminox 1820, although that is about $200 over your price point. 

If you must stay under $200, the Dean Stainless Steel watch from Fossil in Smoke will look good with a suit, or jeans, or while jogging.  Fossil watch Link below.  Best of luck.

http://www.fossil.com/en_US/shop/men/watch_styles/steel_dress/dean_stainless_steel_watch_smoke-fs4721p.html?parent_category_rn=357584&departmentCategoryId=&pn=c&cm_vc=341112&imagePath=FS4721

I would start at a minimum of $400 for Citizen watches.  At that price range, you get a titanium bracelet with a sapphire face.

My everyday watch is a Timex Flyback Chronograph in PVD. It was a gift. I think it looks nice, and I get a lot of compliments on it. It keeps near-perfect time; I've had it for two months and it's still within a second of my iPhone. And this seems like a small thing, but the second hand ticks exactly on all the second markers. I know that's nit-picking but I'm slightly OCD and that kind of stuff drives me batshit. I think it's a mark of good engineering.

They run about $100. 

Tissot is a great brand that you can get on sale for around $200-400 for the lower end models. I have a PRS 516 that I bought for ~$400 and it's great value considering it is Swiss made, automatic, sapphire crystal face, and keeps the day and date. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by LooksGood 

This thread is half a joke in reference to "Poor Man's Watch Thread", and also seriously to make sense to the rich here(being new here I have no idea what the income distribution of this forum could be).  So, what are some nice/decent watches for $200 or less?  Here are some I like:

 

Citizen Eco Drive Dual Pilot: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CITIZEN-ECO-DRIVE-DUAL-PILOT-WORLD-TIME-330FEET-CHRONOGRAPH-MENS-WATCH-/300842082252?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item460b95dfcc

 

CITIZEN AN3450-50L: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CITIZEN-CRHONOGRAPH-MENS-WATCH-STAINLESS-STEEL-GREEN-ACCENTS-AN3450-50L-/110991736162?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item19d79f7d62

 

seiko stainless steel chronograph watch: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seiko-Stainless-Steel-Chronograph-Mens-Watch-/180963077568?pt=Wristwatches&var=480189070942&hash=item2a223d6dc0

 

Timex Weekender: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Timex-Weekender-Slip-Thru-Watch-2N650-Black-on-Gray-/330852707155?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item4d085bab53

 

I don't understand why Citizen gets kind of a bad rap.  In terms of craftsmanship aren't they in the same tier as Seiko?  I like the way most Citizen watches look compared to similarly priced Seiko watches.

 

I know I can afford a more expensive watch but I like to have more than one watch for different activities.  What are some of your favorite watches <=$200?  btw, feel free to post related threads such as "In Debt Man's Watch Thread"(<=$100) and "Welfare Man's Watch Thread"(<=$50).

Citizen watches are pretty ugly IMHO. So is a humorless attempt to dilute a subject. 

Lots of more tasteful and inexpensive choices in the thread you referred to above. Why start another one to confuse people?

Well, anyone who is so offended by such a post could always post a response to it, and it would seem that many, many ppl have. Many of the watches showcased there are less expensive than Citizen watches. So all you're doing is getting people lost in a display of misdirected indignation. 

Also, I don't see the need to call people names. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSElliot 

 

A watch is probably the most important accessory a man can own.  People will always notice your watch.  

 

 

Maybe other guys, or at least guys who are into fashion, but I'm doubtful most women care much at all.  An obviously cheap watch might look bad, but there are $90 quartz watches that the vast majority of people will think "nice watch", if they notice it at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LooksGood 

I think I read the same thing in GQ about the 3 essentials.  I understand the shoes but not the watch or belt.  Your watch is sometimes covered by your sleeves and who really looks at a belt carefully?  I can only think women and if their eyes are fixated at that area I don't think you have a problem anyway.

A cheap belt will become scratched and worn with use.  They also tend to be on the thin side and won't fill out your belt loops properly.  Yes, a watch is sometimes covered by your sleeves, but how often do you pull back your sleeve to look at it?

I don't think women tend to be impressed by watches, but I don't dress to impress women.  I dress so that everybody who encounters me instantly knows who is in charge.