Value for money watches
Discussion
What watches do people think are "value for money"?
By that I mean removing marketing, branding, or scarcity what watches are fair swap for a watch plus some markup for the manufacturer?
Is this the land of Casio or are there other brands at different price points.
Many thanks in advance.
By that I mean removing marketing, branding, or scarcity what watches are fair swap for a watch plus some markup for the manufacturer?
Is this the land of Casio or are there other brands at different price points.
Many thanks in advance.
Christopher Ward seem to be ramping up their prices lately trying to compete with some of the big swiss brands such as Tag Heuer and even pushing towards Tudor prices and I don't see anyone choosing CW over those brands.
Seiko for me would probably be the main one, I think most people respect them as a brand regardless of whether they wear a Casio or an AP
Seiko for me would probably be the main one, I think most people respect them as a brand regardless of whether they wear a Casio or an AP
I'd add Farer to the list, certainly for their mechanical chronographs and world timers. Their other watches are also good VFM but I think the chronographs and world timers are particularly so.
Agree about Longines and maybe Oris.
Seiko have also ramped their prices a bit over the last couple of years in my opinion, although I think the Presage line still represents good VFM.
Agree about Longines and maybe Oris.
Seiko have also ramped their prices a bit over the last couple of years in my opinion, although I think the Presage line still represents good VFM.
I always liked Damasko and Sinn for good quality watches at reasonable prices. Damasko in particular. And you can almost guarantee you’ll never bump into someone wearing the same watch.
Going up in price a bit I think the Tudor BB58 offers very good value for money but I don’t really like the rest of their range.
Some people really rate the Time Factors watches. I only ever had a Speedbird and, to be fair, for £300 there isn’t much to touch them.
Going up in price a bit I think the Tudor BB58 offers very good value for money but I don’t really like the rest of their range.
Some people really rate the Time Factors watches. I only ever had a Speedbird and, to be fair, for £300 there isn’t much to touch them.
paulguitar said:
Some that spring to mind are Oris, Christopher Ward, and maybe Longines.
Oris would have been my answer a few years ago, but their prices appear to have shot up recently. For a diver's watch Id suggest Longines, because their Hydroconquest models still offer great value. CW: not at all, from my perspective.Further to the above: I haven’t looked at anything other than Oris diver’s watches for a good while, overlooking the BC3.
It is still available as a 40mm or 42mm watch on a bracelet or a rubber strap. They’re dearer than they were by some margin, but at £650-ish (£750 bracelet) for a 40mm and +£10 for 42mm(!) they offer brilliant value, and they are virtually indestructible.
This is my work watch, after Joe Horner improved it cosmetically. It wears pretty large for a 40mm, so I’m not sure that the 42mm would suit many, unless you prefer the Flavor Flav look…

It is still available as a 40mm or 42mm watch on a bracelet or a rubber strap. They’re dearer than they were by some margin, but at £650-ish (£750 bracelet) for a 40mm and +£10 for 42mm(!) they offer brilliant value, and they are virtually indestructible.
This is my work watch, after Joe Horner improved it cosmetically. It wears pretty large for a 40mm, so I’m not sure that the 42mm would suit many, unless you prefer the Flavor Flav look…
gregs656 said:
The area I see least value are the expensive fashion watches, and the £500 mecha quartz chronos etc.
Why the latter? Furlan Marri seem to be getting great reviews, haven't really looked into mecha quartz but sounded similar to the very nice Grand Seiko spring drive range. Seiko 5 is great quality for a few hundredCurrent and long term boom in Rolex's, AP Royal Oak and Nautilus are a bit mad to me. GP Lauretto a sub 10k alternative.
I would also consider Jaeger relatively good value vs other high end dress watches.
On the budget side I find the G-Shock more fun than Timex, Swatch , etc but more personal preference than value.
Dnlm said:
Why the latter? Furlan Marri seem to be getting great reviews, haven't really looked into mecha quartz but sounded similar to the very nice Grand Seiko spring drive range. Seiko 5 is great quality for a few hundred
Current and long term boom in Rolex's, AP Royal Oak and Nautilus are a bit mad to me. GP Lauretto a sub 10k alternative.
I would also consider Jaeger relatively good value vs other high end dress watches.
On the budget side I find the G-Shock more fun than Timex, Swatch , etc but more personal preference than value.
Mecha quartz is nothing like spring drive at all. A VK63 costs almost nothing - less than £20. I’m not a massive movement snob but I just don’t see the value in expensive quartz chronos with cheap movements. Current and long term boom in Rolex's, AP Royal Oak and Nautilus are a bit mad to me. GP Lauretto a sub 10k alternative.
I would also consider Jaeger relatively good value vs other high end dress watches.
On the budget side I find the G-Shock more fun than Timex, Swatch , etc but more personal preference than value.
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff



