Bewildered- need advice

[Silenoz]

Hi, I'm hoping to tap the collective wisdom on here for some ideas....
I really like the look of this Omega watch https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Omega/Seamaster%2030...
But - I'd like something that looks similar but that is (ideally) solar powered and under £500. When I've looked, all I can find is a number of Citizen EcoDrives or some low-end Seikos. Am I asking the impossible or is there any options I have missed?
Thanks

[BrokenSkunk]

I'm unaware of a solar powered Seamaster, but then I don't pay much attention to quartz stuff.
The model that you're looking at goes for upwards of £1000.

Here's a pre-bond Seamaster. I don't expect it to go for anything close to your budget, despite the estimate.
https://www.fellows.co.uk/3338-lot-98-Omega-a-Seam...

Here's a newer multifunction watch that may appeal:
https://www.fellows.co.uk/3338-lot-88-Omega-a-Seam...

Don't forget the buyers premium. I think it's about 30%.

Look at Chrono24 rather than Watchfinder, you may find them more competitive.

[Silenoz]

Hi BS, thanks for your reply.

I know I won't get an Omega for my budget and criteria of solar powered- I just wondered if I was only finding Citizens and Seikos because that's all there is out there, or if there is something I'm missing because I'm not looking in the right places.

[x5tuu]

Solar isnt mega popular or common, Casio do a few (and in their GShock range too) - but nothing like the Seamaster look. I have a couple of solar GShocks and they are good, but UK daylight isnt great at keeping them topped up, even leaving them out on a windowsill for a few days barely makes a difference to them.

Is there a reason you dont want an auto?

[Silenoz]

Past experience of automatics is of cost and hassle to maintain, whereas with the solar ones I've had (and currently got) they are the opposite. I can not pick them up for a week or so and they are still working and accurate when I come back to them.

I've got a Skagen solar with black case and white markings as a casual watch, and a Seiko Titanium solar with a black face and white and silver batons which is a bit smarter so wanted the Seamaster / diver style to complement these two and complete my set.

[BrokenSkunk]

Oh, you can get an Omega for your budget. But you're unlikely to get that one!
Generally speaking their divers are more expensive than the dress watches. In between there are sport models that may appeal (e.g. the Dynamic - which is mechanical). It's hard to know what may appeal. It's unlikely you'd like the Polaris, but it should be in budget. Getting a decent, interesting quartz Omega under £500 isn't impossible, but it may take time.

For Solar, yes, as far as I know, just Citizen and Seiko. Is changing a battery every two or three years really an issue? A simple battery change should not ever cost more than £20. If you want seals changed and a pressure check, add another £20.

Would you choose a solar powered watch that you were not in love with over a battery powered watch that you were?

Shaking off the requirement for solar powered would open up the world of microbrands. Most of these use mechanical movements, but if there are a wealth of chronos based on the meccaquartz movements. Omologatos pan america as a sports watch for example. There are similar gorgous offerings from the Straton watch co.

Or getting back to something that looks a we bit like the Seamaster (if you've had a few and mislaid your glasses) how about a Scurfa diver One?

[hilly10]

As said on the last post take a look at Straton watches they have some beautiful pieces.

[liner33]

Pagani do a Seamster clone for £100ish , auto but at that price disposable https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BP125WMH/ref=twister...

Closest I can think thats quartz would be the Duro in blue
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-MDV-106B-2AVCF-Casu...

[gregs656]

Solar just isn’t very common.

Could easily get a nice quartz diver.

[SWoll]

Solar is pretty much Japanese exclusive.

For around £500 your best bet would probably be a used Longines Hydroconquest Quartz.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325876563079?hash=item4...

[Sporky]

This is about as close as Eco-drive gets.

https://www.citizenwatch.co.uk/aw1770-53l.html

[WayOutWest]

SWoll said:

Solar is pretty much Japanese exclusive.

For around £500 your best bet would probably be a used Longines Hydroconquest Quartz.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325876563079?hash=item4...

For what it's worth I have a 43mm chronograph version of one of those and it is very nice. I chose it over an Omega or Tag. The build quality is superb.
Battery change every few years is a minor pain/cost as it usually has to be sent away. I don't even think they offer a quartz version of the chrono any longer (mine is years old) so they probably don't come up used very often. Cost new was only slightly less than an automatic regular non-chrono Hydroconquest if I recall, but just loved the look of the chrono.

As for what else? Seiko Prospex Solar or Citizen Pro Diver seem obvious choices but If you don't want a Japanese brand or micro brands, and want to buy new and Swiss then I guess that leaves something like a Tissot Seastar?

Edited by WayOutWest on Wednesday 15th November 17:19

[Silenoz]

WayOutWest said:

SWoll said:

Solar is pretty much Japanese exclusive.

For around £500 your best bet would probably be a used Longines Hydroconquest Quartz.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325876563079?hash=item4...

For what it's worth I have a 43mm chronograph version of one of those and it is very nice. I chose it over an Omega or Tag. The build quality is superb.
Battery change every few years is a minor pain/cost as it usually has to be sent away. I don't even think they offer a quartz version of the chrono any longer (mine is years old) so they probably don't come up used very often. Cost new was only slightly less than an automatic regular non-chrono Hydroconquest if I recall, but just loved the look of the chrono.

As for what else? Seiko Prospex Solar or Citizen Pro Diver seem obvious choices but If you don't want a Japanese brand or micro brands, and want to buy new and Swiss then I guess that leaves something like a Tissot Seastar?

Edited by WayOutWest on Wednesday 15th November 17:19

Thanks for these replies and also to BrokenSkunk, they have given me quite a bit to think about.

I do have a preference for solar powered, but it's become clear that this is an incredibly limiting factor and I will have to take this out of my criteria - especially as I really love the look of the Omega Seamaster and want to get as close to this as possible if I can't stretch the budget to get the actual Omega

I really like the look of the Longines watch that has been posted, and (having taken on board BrokenSkunks comments from earlier this week) had also spotted the Tissot Seastar - which I've seen as both quartz and automatic variants?

So if I do look to something like one of these, which would be the best bet? This is going to be a significant purchase for me, and will be a watch I intend to keep for the rest of my life and pass on but I've no experience of whether a quartz or automatic would be best. To also add, I'm not really sure about micro brands or something like a Pagani Design - I'd prefer to get a second hand Longines like the one linked.

Oh, and I have applied a bit of man maths and sold a few other things so could stretch to £1k maximum but for that I'd have to be really sure about what I was buying.

Thanks again, I do appreciate the collective wisdom and have taken the advice on board!

[gregs656]

I think you should save and buy the Omega you actually want. Prices have been falling.

[SWoll]

At £1k or less I'd still suggest the watch that best meets your requirements would be a Logines Hydroconquest if your after a classic diver style watch.

You should be able to pickup a new quart model in budget at this time of year with many sales kicking off, or a lightly used automatic.

The automatic models have more cachet, especially for something you intend to pass on, but will require more expensive maintenance and are of course more expensive to begin with.

This auto example is 18 months old, still under warranty and comes with box and papers. Currently sat at £750 with no bids, need to be quick though!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266492874345?epid=22051...

[gregd]

Could you run to £840? Not a bad buy.. https://www.laingsuk.com/pre-owned-tag-heuer-formu...

[gregs656]

SWoll said:

At £1k or less I'd still suggest the watch that best meets your requirements would be a Logines Hydroconquest if your after a classic diver style watch.

You should be able to pickup a new quart model in budget at this time of year with many sales kicking off, or a lightly used automatic.

The automatic models have more cachet, especially for something you intend to pass on, but will require more expensive maintenance and are of course more expensive to begin with.

This auto example is 18 months old, still under warranty and comes with box and papers. Currently sat at £750 with no bids, need to be quick though!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266492874345?epid=22051...

The Hydroconquest in that form has never been popular. I don't think you could say it is classically styled.

You might spend more on the Omega up front but it will always be worth more.

Seems obvious the Hydroconquest line is being revamped, the new GMT is much nicer.