Watch for $500 - $700

[ArMiXiA]

Hey all,

My question relates to the $500-$700 range and was wondering what is the best watch that can be worn with a suit and worn casually in your opinion(s)? But bought brand new and not used.

Thanks for the help ! Looking to pull the trigger soon !

 

[PinkPantser]

Big fan of my stowa antea

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Stowa

or I'll seel you a Schaumburg AquaBlack 2

 

[bleedinggumsmurphy]

Why not go vintage? I picked up a 1968 Omega Seamaster for about $250 two years ago, then bough a nice ostrich strap for it and had to drop another $75 to get a vintage Omega buckle (it had been separated from the watch). In the end, I have a great looking watch for just a few hundred. Since your range is higher than mine was, you'll be able to find one a little fancier than mine. I get a compliment almost every day I wear it, mostly because people's eyes are drawn to the ostrich.

 

[Invicta]

Hamilton should have some watches in your price range.

Edit: There is even one for sale in B&S good price too. -->http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...light=Hamilton

 

[ArMiXiA]

About the Stowa's, I know they have a prodiver but what is the WR on the Anteas and Marine models I cant seem to find it on their site. But seemingly good choice. Would you wear the Antea casually though with lets say a Polo shirt and khakis for a round of golf?

 

[0b5cur1ty]

Both Stowa and Hamilton are good suggestions. Also check out the Seiko Spirit with the 6R15 movement (Japan market but available through Seiya and Higuchi - both trustworthy web dealers). If you're not a quartz hater, also take a look at the Seiko Premier Kinetic Perpetual Calendar models.

Can't go wrong with any of the above, IMHO.

 

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by bleedinggumsmurphy

Why not go vintage? I picked up a 1968 Omega Seamaster for about $250 two years ago, then bough a nice ostrich strap for it and had to drop another $75 to get a vintage Omega buckle (it had been separated from the watch). In the end, I have a great looking watch for just a few hundred. Since your range is higher than mine was, you'll be able to find one a little fancier than mine. I get a compliment almost every day I wear it, mostly because people's eyes are drawn to the ostrich.

This is the route I've gone. It can be either immensely satisfying, or immensely frustrating.

I have two old Seamasters and they represent both sides of the coin. The first is gorgeous, classy, elegant, and on my wrist right now. Ebayed for less than $300. Could use a new strap, an Omega crown replacement, and an Omega buckle, which would set me back another few hundred perhaps, and it's great.

The other one turned out to be a Frankenwatch. Genuine Omega dial/movement, and genuine Omega case, but they didn't belong together. In fact, the watch had problems because the movement didn't really fit into the case the way it should have. This watch cost more like $400, and I bought it for the look of the dial, but I had to get the whole movement/dial swapped out at great expense and loss of time, and the watch is now technically more correct but still something of a freak.

You have to know what you're doing to buy vintage. I'd know a little bit better today, but I'm sure there are still plenty of things I don't know that could bite me **********. I won't be buying any more watches off eBay anytime soon, I can tell you that.

 

[jcc123]

Why don't you try a nice Seiko from Japan?

 

[Levator Superioris]

+100 Vintage sea master, very suble they are also tanks. Mine hasn't been cleaned since it left to factory -> this was probably in 1952. Still runs accurate.

While it isn't flashy and most women won't notice it, I have been complimented many times by people in the know.

 

[butkusrules]

+1 Stowa, but I would do the Marine with black leather band.

 

[bdeuce22]

just got it the other day

 

[huy]

Originally Posted by ArMiXiA

About the Stowa's, I know they have a prodiver but what is the WR on the Anteas and Marine models I cant seem to find it on their site. But seemingly good choice. Would you wear the Antea casually though with lets say a Polo shirt and khakis for a round of golf?

The Marine is rated at 5atm and I would assume the Antea would be the same. It is a good buy right now, more than $100 less than it was last year from what I remember.

The Antea and Marine are both great watches that would be great as a casual watch and as a suit watch. A brown strap really matches well with the blue hands.

 

[chrisjr]

Gents, I am in the same boat. For shopping vintage, have any of you got any recommended websites or types of stores in a major city to check out? I found this guide to spot fakes on eBay: http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-Spot-...AT:-1:SEARCH:2 Any more tips? Glad to hear all of your seamasters turned out well. I'd love to get a vintage one of these and fix it up. Regards, Chris