Help me find a watch... budget c£500 (and a thank you!)

[Drooles]

Gingerbiker67 said:

Drooles said:

I have the Hamilton field watch and it’s a nice thing - being a hand wound movement it’s a bit different from my other watches and I like that.

I’ve mentioned in another thread though, that I don’t wear it as much as I should because it doesn’t have a date window and I don’t seem to be able to function without one!

Water resistance is not great either...

Have you actually caused problems with water ingress, or is it problematic because you have to remember to remove it?

No water ingress - I’m just used to wearing a diver’s watch so I get paranoid if washing the car! In fairness, before all this Covid, I’d often take the kids swimming after work and I had to remember to take it off for that...

[aussieal]

I picked up a Seiko Alpinist with a discount from Jura Watches in December, which got it down to £550 ish from memory. It's the SPB119, the one with the sun burst white dial. Hard to beat at that price.

Although I'm starting to really like Baltic watches, particularly the Aquascaphe in black and silver. That would be my suggestion, even more so if they move to a swiss movement like they have with their GMT.

[Greendubber]

vixen1700 said:

Surprised you could get an automatic Laco Flieger for £345:

https://www.firstclasswatches.co.uk/laco-augsburg-...

https://www.firstclasswatches.co.uk/laco-aachen-bl...

Tempted by one of the blue Baumuster Bs myself at that price.

Those are great value for money, if I wasnt saving every penny going for my wedding I'd be all over one of those. First Class Watches are a great company to deal with and if you sign up to them you often get discount codes etc I've used them before and the customer service is excellent.

You have very similar tastes to me OP, this thread isnt helping my watch buying restraint. Everything suggested here ticks all my boxes, I have a Bulova Lunar Pilot and it's a really nice watch and I found it doesnt wear as big as some suggest. It feels absolutely bomb proof!

[CO2000]

If there is some budget creep

http://www.peplowjewellers.co.uk/watches-c7/gents-...

[Barchettaman]

That’s a decent price for the HydroConquest but it’s (arguably) much nicer with the ceramic bezel.

The aluminum bezel on mine was definitely a weak point of the watch; looked a bit cheap and tacky.

[CO2000]

The ceramic is a further budget creep away I have a black one and yes it's very nice and bought the blue ceramic one from there last week for a gift (tempted to keep it though!)

[AlexC1981]

Gingerbiker67 said:

And my favourite, but would probably have to be used:

Christopher Ward

Edited by Gingerbiker67 on Friday 19th February 09:38

If you really like that design you could consider an Orient Kano. It's quite a bit under your budget so may not have the quality you are looking for, however Orient are a decent Japanese brand and are well made.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orient-Analogue-Automatic...

[Gingerbiker67]

aussieal said:

I picked up a Seiko Alpinist with a discount from Jura Watches in December, which got it down to £550 ish from memory. It's the SPB119, the one with the sun burst white dial. Hard to beat at that price.

Although I'm starting to really like Baltic watches, particularly the Aquascaphe in black and silver. That would be my suggestion, even more so if they move to a swiss movement like they have with their GMT.

I have started looking at the Alpinist, the name and heritage appeal and they are definitely growing on me.

[Gingerbiker67]

Greendubber said:

Those are great value for money, if I wasnt saving every penny going for my wedding I'd be all over one of those. First Class Watches are a great company to deal with and if you sign up to them you often get discount codes etc I've used them before and the customer service is excellent.

You have very similar tastes to me OP, this thread isnt helping my watch buying restraint. Everything suggested here ticks all my boxes, I have a Bulova Lunar Pilot and it's a really nice watch and I found it doesnt wear as big as some suggest. It feels absolutely bomb proof!

It is hard to show restraint when there are so many nice choices out there. Currently looking at some second hand watches... cos then I get two; that does make sense doesn’t it?

[Gingerbiker67]

AlexC1981 said:

Gingerbiker67 said:

And my favourite, but would probably have to be used:

Christopher Ward

Edited by Gingerbiker67 on Friday 19th February 09:38

If you really like that design you could consider an Orient Kano. It's quite a bit under your budget so may not have the quality you are looking for, however Orient are a decent Japanese brand and are well made.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orient-Analogue-Automatic...

If only there was a ‘badge delete’ option!

The logo is just a little too fussy for me, but looking at them they do look quite well made.

[Gingerbiker67]

CO2000 said:

If there is some budget creep

http://www.peplowjewellers.co.uk/watches-c7/gents-...

The budget creep would equal the amount saved :@) makes perfect sense... it’s almost budget neutral...

[seefarr]

You could pre-order a Magrette Moana Pacific and get it shipped within budget:



https://www.magrette.com/shop/4807070744656?in=370...

...which would give you a couple of months to save up for the duty!

[CO2000]

Gingerbiker67 said:

CO2000 said:

If there is some budget creep

http://www.peplowjewellers.co.uk/watches-c7/gents-...

The budget creep would equal the amount saved :@) makes perfect sense... it’s almost budget neutral...

haha indeed & there is a quartz model that would be less creep

[wibble cb]

You could do worse than one of these, full automatic, less than 200 quid

[Gingerbiker67]

Thanks, so many good suggestions but following a recommendation on here this arrived earlier today:

[Uncle John]

Gingerbiker67 said:

Thanks, so many good suggestions but following a recommendation on here this arrived earlier today:

Well played Sir!

Hope you are pleased with it.

[Barchettaman]

Congratulations!

Plenty left in the budget for a half decent dive watch, too - I would suggest an Invicta 1953 Vintage as a solid choice.

(I own both watches BTW)

[Drooles]

Lovely choice. Well done!

[Gingerbiker67]

Uncle John said:

Gingerbiker67 said:

Thanks, so many good suggestions but following a recommendation on here this arrived earlier today:

Well played Sir!

Hope you are pleased with it.

It really is lovely, bought ‘as new’ from a seller on eBay; they had took very good care of it and well under budget.

I should stop looking at other watches now...

[Greendubber]

Nice choice