First watch $500 budget

[vbuskirk]

You gotta admit that's a tough question. Not quite as personal as a wedding ring, but ...


Let's see, do you prefer (A) or (B)?


(A)

(B)

 

[Patek14]

Originally Posted by boxdiver

Looking at purchasing my first watch....and would like to keep the budget at around $500.

I would be wearing the watch mainly for nights out and possibly to work. I really don't know what kind of band...so I guess I would say any kind.

Basically my wrist is naked...I'd like to get a good-looking watch...and I'd like to spend around $500.

Thanks.

Are you looking for a watch that those "in the know" would approve of or are you looking for watch that will impress the average person?

If you want something that would gain approval here for $500, either seek something pre-owned or try to find something ETA 2824 (common swiss automatic movement) based that isn't too gaudy.

If you want impress people when going out just buy some watch w/ a brand that is easily recognized (i.e., with big obnoxious gucci letters on the face) or buy a cheap movado online.

If you want none of the above, FWIW I am very happy with my japanese automatic movement seiko 5 with a transparent caseback. I wear it with equal frequency to my breitling.

 

[boxdiver]

Originally Posted by Patek14

Are you looking for a watch that those "in the know" would approve of or are you looking for watch that will impress the average person?

If you want something that would gain approval here for $500, either seek something pre-owned or try to find something ETA 2824 (common swiss automatic movement) based that isn't too gaudy.

If you want impress people when going out just buy some watch w/ a brand that is easily recognized (i.e., with big obnoxious gucci letters on the face) or buy a cheap movado online.

If you want none of the above, FWIW I am very happy with my japanese automatic movement seiko 5 with a transparent caseback. I wear it with equal frequency to my breitling.

To be completely honest, I'm looking for a watch that the average person might f be "wowed" by, or at least think it's worth more than I paid for it. Eventually, my goal is to buy a better watch like a lot of people on here have...but I simply don't have that type of money right now.

 

[Patek14]

Originally Posted by boxdiver

To be completely honest, I'm looking for a watch that the average person might f be "wowed" by, or at least think it's worth more than I paid for it. Eventually, my goal is to buy a better watch like a lot of people on here have...but I simply don't have that type of money right now.

Then you need to ignore most of the advice people here have given. C'mon, this is a site that adores edward green shoes. Even though EG's cost 3x a pair of prada or gucci shoes, if you buy a pair of pradas w/ an obnoxious logo, tell me what an average person will notice and recognize. Your average person may never have heard of Vacheron Constantin, Kiton, EG, etc.

Think like a normal person, think what brands normal people associate with wealth and wat brands normal people see in the mall and act accordingly.

I may have posted this before but I was at a lunch at a conference and one of my colleagues had just bought a new nasty fashion brand quartz watch - i think it was gucci. He got more compliments during that lunch than my watches have ever gotten.

 

[Matt]

Originally Posted by audiophilia

Email [email protected] She'll sort you out.
yup, Wera is great. Look at the watch Appreciation thread, a few pages back, and you will see that I recently bought the Christopher Ward forum limited edition. I love it. I have number 55 of 100. It comes to 315 GBP shipped, so around your budget. There may be some left. Otherwise, +1 on the Hamiltons. I bought one from Overstock.com with a pretty heavy discount a couple of years back, and it's a great watch as well.

 

[whacked]

Some of the replies made me

, so much so that I had to post in MC..

I'd look first into Seiko's newer 6R15-powered watches
Spirit

Alpinist

or a little bit of Grand Seiko aesthetic

http://www.seiyajapan.com/c=tZcjWwvi...ko_mechanical/

Solid in-house movement + clean aesthetic + rich history + great values = Seiko

Oris, Stowa, CW are nice alternatives. Hamilton is but a shadow of its great American heritage, but they do have a few nice models.

 

[bigasahouse]

Originally Posted by musicguy

I know what you mean... I'm kinda regretting posting it here now. It looks better on I think. Maybe it's time for me to get a new watch.

Sorry- now I feel bad.

 

[thinksimple]

Originally Posted by Matt

yup, Wera is great. Look at the watch Appreciation thread, a few pages back, and you will see that I recently bought the Christopher Ward forum limited edition. I love it. I have number 55 of 100. It comes to 315 GBP shipped, so around your budget. There may be some left. Otherwise, +1 on the Hamiltons. I bought one from Overstock.com with a pretty heavy discount a couple of years back, and it's a great watch as well.
Thanks for the tip, it seems as though their website is working again. I'm deciding between a C7 Rapide with a SS bracelet, a Tissot PRC200, or holding out for a used Breitling. Obviously the latter will cost more, but I've seen a few come through eBay at my price point. Thoughts anyone?

 

[Lustre]

If you want to wow people, I agree with the sentiment that a "fashion" watch with a quartz movement would probably accomplish your goals at your price range. Seiko makes some excellent bang-for-the-buck watches, but the name isn't very "wow" inducing in general. Although, an interesting Seiko watch that could probably snag a lot of attention is the Orange Monster, which has a pretty strong following:

It's probably going to be my next watch purchase.

 

[gram thorpe]

Have you looken into rolex showroom?

 

[audiophilia]

Originally Posted by btinl

check out debaufre

I read they've been having some quality issues since the split from Steinhart. YMMV

 

[audiophilia]

Originally Posted by Matt

yup, Wera is great. Look at the watch Appreciation thread, a few pages back, and you will see that I recently bought the Christopher Ward forum limited edition. I love it. I have number 55 of 100. It comes to 315 GBP shipped, so around your budget. There may be some left.

Sold out.

 

[IBJanky]

Originally Posted by Lustre

If you want to wow people, I agree with the sentiment that a "fashion" watch with a quartz movement would probably accomplish your goals at your price range. Seiko makes some excellent bang-for-the-buck watches, but the name isn't very "wow" inducing in general.

Although, an interesting Seiko watch that could probably snag a lot of attention is the Orange Monster, which has a pretty strong following:

It's probably going to be my next watch purchase.

I have this exact same watch. Bought one two weeks ago.

I like it a lot. Great everyday watch for work.

myke

 

[DNW]

Just placed an order for a Timefactors Speedbird III. The total, shipping included, was about 360 GBP, which was about $570 in USD. It's a lot of watch for the money, and extremely versatile. I've yet to read a bad review about this watch. Can't wait for it.

Review here: http://www.watcharoo.co.uk/speedbird3.htm Appreciation here: http://www.mdracing.co.uk/precista_prs22.asp Buy here: http://www.timefactors.com/speedbird.htm

 

[Matt]

Originally Posted by audiophilia

Sold out.

ahh, too bad. May be worth emailing Wera and a guy called Hans ([email protected]) and see if there are any left. Surely they'd have to have a defaulter or two....