£500 budget...

[T40ORA]

I'm looking for a good, solid, nice looking, refurbished mechanical auto watch but I've only got (or will have) about £500 to spend.

Is there anything with a good reliable movement out there? What brands should I be looking at?

[GCH]

You can get a nice vintage omega - seamaster or constellation for example - for that budget

Edited by GCH on Wednesday 20th May 22:50

[T40ORA]

GCH said:

You can get a nice vintage omega - seamaster or consteallation for example - for that budget

Is there a recommended UK site?

[speedtwelve]

I'm a bit biased, but you'll get a very decent used 41mm auto Longines Hydroconquest for your budget. An alternative to the Seamaster, built in the same factory IIRC, similar heft and quality, much more rare. Here's mine:

[T40ORA]

speedtwelve said:

I'm a bit biased, but you'll get a very decent used 41mm auto Longines Hydroconquest for your budget. An alternative to the Seamaster, built in the same factory IIRC, similar heft and quality, much more rare. Here's mine:

That's actually the sort of thing that I'm after, if it doesn't swamp my wrist.

I've had a look at Chrono24 which I've seen mentioned on these threads. Is that the best place to look?

Lots of Omegas in Mumbai!

[marcosgt]

T40ORA said:

speedtwelve said:

I'm a bit biased, but you'll get a very decent used 41mm auto Longines Hydroconquest for your budget. An alternative to the Seamaster, built in the same factory IIRC, similar heft and quality, much more rare. Here's mine:

That's actually the sort of thing that I'm after, if it doesn't swamp my wrist.

I've had a look at Chrono24 which I've seen mentioned on these threads. Is that the best place to look?

Lots of Omegas in Mumbai!

I like the Hydroconquest, I have one, but your budget is going to be stretched unless you can find a used one (You might want to look at Iconic Watches as they have a 41mm auto of the old style in stock and MAY do a deal, but it's listed at £630).

You might want to look at Steinharts, which are cheaper and close to as good (some may say better, but I wouldn't say so personally and, again, I own a couple).

M

[T40ORA]

marcosgt said:

I like the Hydroconquest, I have one, but your budget is going to be stretched unless you can find a used one (You might want to look at Iconic Watches as they have a 41mm auto of the old style in stock and MAY do a deal, but it's listed at £630).

You might want to look at Steinharts, which are cheaper and close to as good (some may say better, but I wouldn't say so personally and, again, I own a couple).

M

Happy to go for used/refurbed if I can find one. I'll look at Steinharts too.

[Janesy B]

Isn't there a 39mm of the Hydroconquest?

[LC23]

http://www.georgebanks.co.uk/listing/watches/longi...

Good prices on new Hydroconquest here although the best deals may have gone.

[speedtwelve]

Janesy B said:

Isn't there a 39mm of the Hydroconquest?

Yes.

[T40ORA]

LC23 said:

http://www.georgebanks.co.uk/listing/watches/longi...

Good prices on new Hydroconquest here although the best deals may have gone.

Should this say 39mm and 300m?Rather than 29mm and 30m?

[speedtwelve]

T40ORA said:

Should this say 39mm and 300m?Rather than 29mm and 30m?

Yes, I'm assuming it's supposed to be 39mm; the Hydroconquest is 300m WR. Excellent attention to detail on their website...

[marcosgt]

speedtwelve said:

T40ORA said:

Should this say 39mm and 300m?Rather than 29mm and 30m?

Yes, I'm assuming it's supposed to be 39mm; the Hydroconquest is 300m WR. Excellent attention to detail on their website...

There's a ladies model - I think that's 29mm... Pretty sure this is one...

http://www.georgebanks.co.uk/product/name/longines...

This one, though IS a 39mm, but it's quartz, which will bother some.

http://www.georgebanks.co.uk/product/name/longines...
M

Edited by marcosgt on Thursday 21st May 15:25

[T40ORA]

marcosgt said:

There's a ladies model - I think that's 29mm... Pretty sure this is one...

http://www.georgebanks.co.uk/product/name/longines...

This one, though IS a 39mm, but it's quartz, which will bother some.

http://www.georgebanks.co.uk/product/name/longines...
M

Edited by marcosgt on Thursday 21st May 15:25

Ah yeah. 29mm is a ladies model.

I'm after a mechanical watch this time round; thinking of getting a smart-watch for my electronic fix!

[speedtwelve]

Soz! Had no idea there was a 29mm Hydroconquest!

[PJ S]

Don't get fixated on the HC – it's a decent enough watch, but not the only option.

https://www.chrono24.com/en/alpina/extreme-sailing... – 44mm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/certina/ds-action--id2... – 42mm, iirc
https://www.chrono24.com/en/certina/ds-powermatic-...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/longines/hydroconquest...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/longines/hydro-conques...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/mauricelacroix/miros-d... – £400 for me, given the next link
https://www.chrono24.com/en/mauricelacroix/miros-d...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/mido/ocean-star-os-cap...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/mido/multifort-two-cro...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/mido/ocean-star-captai...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/glycine/combat-sub-200... – if you like the Omega PO orange, then you may as well look at Christopher Ward, who've got some new colourful models coming very shortly.
And as above, if looking at Steinhart, go for the Ocean Two Premium.

If you push the budget, then the Miros above and these become available to consider

https://www.chrono24.com/en/fortis/b42-marinemaste...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/fortis/b-42-automatic-... – it's not a GMT
https://www.chrono24.com/en/porschedesign/flat-six...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/eterna/kontiki--id3121...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ETERNA-KONTIKI-HERREN-42...

[T40ORA]

PJ S said:

Don't get fixated on the HC – it's a decent enough watch, but not the only option.

https://www.chrono24.com/en/alpina/extreme-sailing... – 44mm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/certina/ds-action--id2... – 42mm, iirc
https://www.chrono24.com/en/certina/ds-powermatic-...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/longines/hydroconquest...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/longines/hydro-conques...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/mauricelacroix/miros-d... – £400 for me, given the next link
https://www.chrono24.com/en/mauricelacroix/miros-d...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/mido/ocean-star-os-cap...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/mido/multifort-two-cro...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/mido/ocean-star-captai...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/glycine/combat-sub-200... – if you like the Omega PO orange, then you may as well look at Christopher Ward, who've got some new colourful models coming very shortly.
And as above, if looking at Steinhart, go for the Ocean Two Premium.

If you push the budget, then the Miros above and these become available to consider

https://www.chrono24.com/en/fortis/b42-marinemaste...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/fortis/b-42-automatic-... – it's not a GMT
https://www.chrono24.com/en/porschedesign/flat-six...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/eterna/kontiki--id3121...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ETERNA-KONTIKI-HERREN-42...

A fair bit to work through! Thanks....

[T40ORA]

That Maurice Lacroix looks nice. Why so cheap compared to the other identical watch...?

[PJ S]

Pre-owned & condition vs new & brown is not the most desirable colour choice.

[MrBig]

GCH said:

You can get a nice vintage omega - seamaster or constellation for example - for that budget

Edited by GCH on Wednesday 20th May 22:50

I'm in a similar position to the OP. Where can I find a vintage seamaster for £500 because I'm really struggling.