The watch DISCUSSION thread

[Phileas Fogg]

I am new to watches and I am seriously looking at getting one.

what is something in the 200-800 dollar range that would provide good value? Ideally looking for something reliable and made in the USA, Japan or Switzerland.

Would this be possible given my price range? Any recommendations?

Tissot and Hamilton come to mind. There are smaller, micro/mini brands but those two offer the greatest variety of styles and can be serviced at almost any jeweler.

 

[smittycl]

Hamilton is a decent place to start.

Hamilton

Free shipping on all Hamilton Watches over $100. Jomashop.com features a huge selection of authentic Hamilton Watches at low prices, including Hamilton Khaki watches and Hamilton vintage watches.... - On Sale:

www.jomashop.com

German watches are generally excellent.

Archimede Watches

ARCHIMEDE produces high-quality automatic and hand-wound watches: Pilot Watches, DeckWatch Marine Watches, vintage watches 1950's, Classic and Retro …

www.archimede-watches.com

 

[smittycl]

Tissot and Hamilton come to mind. There are smaller, micro/mini brands but those two offer the greatest variety of styles and can be serviced at almost any jeweler.

Great minds think alike. ?

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Great minds think alike. ?

never heard of Archimede. I like that bronze pilot watch.

 

[smittycl]

never heard of Archimede. I like that bronze pilot watch.

I have the Pilot H in 42mm and really like it. Mulhle-Glashutte is a better brand but out of the price range mentioned above.

Precision since 1869 | Mühle-Glashütte - watch manufactory

Over 150 years of family history and experience combined in modern wristwatches - precise ✓ robust ✓ excellent readability ✓ | Mühle-Glashütte

www.muehle-glashuette.de

 

[smittycl]

I am new to watches and I am seriously looking at getting one.

what is something in the 200-800 dollar range that would provide good value? Ideally looking for something reliable and made in the USA, Japan or Switzerland.

Would this be possible given my price range? Any recommendations?

Christopher Ward has some well made and affordable watches as well.

Premium watches within the reach of everyone. | Christopher Ward

British designed, Swiss made watches from Christopher Ward. Exclusive men's watches, watch straps and watch accessories.

www.christopherward.com

 

[smittycl]

Saw these go by on Mark Cho’s IG. Nice but well out of my price range.

NAOYA HIDA & Co.

熟練職人による手作業と最新の工作機械による加工を組み合わせた現代のヴィンテージ ウォッチ。まだ誰も見たことのない作品を作ろうとする試みからNAOYA HIDA & Co.の時計は生まれました。

naoyahidawatch.com

 

[NakedYoga]

I am new to watches and I am seriously looking at getting one.

what is something in the 200-800 dollar range that would provide good value? Ideally looking for something reliable and made in the USA, Japan or Switzerland.

Would this be possible given my price range? Any recommendations?

If you want a diver, go for a Seiko. You can get a King Turtle (among others) in the middle of your budget. For a field or pilot style watch, check out Hamilton.

 

[radicaldog]

I am new to watches and I am seriously looking at getting one.

what is something in the 200-800 dollar range that would provide good value? Ideally looking for something reliable and made in the USA, Japan or Switzerland.

Would this be possible given my price range? Any recommendations?

We need more info to answer those questions.

1. Do you have a type of watch in mind? Dress, diver, field, pilot etc? If this is going to be your only watch you'll want something versatile, so divers and pure dress watches are probably out. A Hamilton Khaki or Stowa Flieger may be good options for you if you can get a little discount.

2. Must the watch be mechanical? Quartz would give you a lot more options. Or just get a smartwatch and be ready to replace it in a few years' time.

 

[NakedYoga]

We need more info to answer those questions.

1. Do you have a type of watch in mind? Dress, diver, field, pilot etc? If this is going to be your only watch you'll want something versatile, so divers and pure dress watches are probably out. A Hamilton Khaki or Stowa Flieger may be good options for you if you can get a little discount.

2. Must the watch be mechanical? Quartz would give you a lot more options. Or just get a smartwatch and be ready to replace it in a few years' time.

@Kevin24 these are all very good questions/considerations, too.

 

[K. Nights]

German watches are generally excellent.

I have to agree. I'm not a big watch guy (the below is pretty much my only "nice" watch), but I find a lot of German watches appealing.
This is my Sinn 103 Sa, purchased just before the pandemic. I did a special order to get one with the German day wheel, which does feel a bit more special to me because I studied German in college and my partner and her family are from Munich.

It's pretty chunky and robust, which is not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm really enjoying it. At some point I'd like to get a Nomos for something that can be dressed up a bit more, but I'm not in a hurry.

Side note: I was thinking of getting a textile strap of some kind to have another option. Thoughts on olive versus tan?

 

[smittycl]

I have to agree. I'm not a big watch guy (the below is pretty much my only "nice" watch), but I find a lot of German watches appealing.
This is my Sinn 103 Sa, purchased just before the pandemic. I did a special order to get one with the German day wheel, which does feel a bit more special to me because I studied German in college and my partner and her family are from Munich.

View attachment 1657112
It's pretty chunky and robust, which is not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm really enjoying it. At some point I'd like to get a Nomos for something that can be dressed up a bit more, but I'm not in a hurry.

Side note: I was thinking of getting a textile strap of some kind to have another option. Thoughts on olive versus tan?

Nice watch! Olive is easier to keep clean on tool watches. I always end up staining lighter colored bands with dirt and sweat. Sinn is a great brand and used by numerous German military and police groups. I love the clean look of their 556 as well.

 

[K. Nights]

Nice watch! Olive is easier to keep clean on tool watches. I always end up staining lighter colored bands with dirt and sweat. Sinn is a great brand and used by numerous German military and police groups. I love the clean look of their 556 as well.

Thanks! And good point regarding the potential for staining. Olive seems like the way to go

 

[Kevin24]

If you want a diver, go for a Seiko. You can get a King Turtle (among others) in the middle of your budget. For a field or pilot style watch, check out Hamilton.

Sorry for the late reply.

I just want something I can wear to an interview and day to day (if possible).

 

[Scuppers]

In the watch appreciation thread there's often a tension between people wanting to post their actual watches and talk about them, and people wanting to discuss watches in general, usually in a more abstract manner. So maybe the latter topic needs its own thread.

To kick this off, a classic theme: the one watch collection. Parameters: just one piece, from black tie to the beach (and into the sea). Preferably one should be able to achieve this without swapping straps or bracelets. And the watch should be reliably waterproof, so vintage stuff is probably out.

Here's my submission (a watch I don't own though I might buy once we're allowed into shops where I can handle it without having to make an appointment, sigh):

View attachment 1595035

(Part of) the argument:

- The design language is such that it transcends the various registers of dress formality, and the matte black colour keeps it discreet.

- Despite being on a bracelet it's not a sports watch (nor a dress watch, that's the point!), and has nothing to fear from water: 50m wr is enough for swimming, provided I have the gaskets checked with each battery change (or service for the mechanical fans out there: there's also an automatic ETA version, slightly thicker, and which to me defeats the purpose of this design, but to each their own).

- In terms of historical interest, Rado pioneered ceramic and this is their most current interpretation of the design (by Konstantin Grcic, a respected designer).

- It's not a rare watch that needs to be babied for the sake of horological posterity.

Thoughts? Alternative suggestions?

NB: Those aren't "change my mind" questions. I'm not even that set on this particular watch (my daily wearer and failed attempt at one-watch is something else entirely). I'm just curious about what people think, what their ideal one-watch solution might be, etc.

Or indeed if people want to discuss other watch questions in the abstract, well, that's what this thread is for.

Cheers!

What welcome respite!
And for a one watch collection, might go a JLC Reverso.

Currently considering liquidating the majority of my collection, not because i don’t love them, just don’t wear them. Looking to a simpler 3 watch collection. 1 dress; 1 complex, 1 casual/sporty.