£200 automatics recommendations for 21st birthday
Discussion
Am looking for a nice automatic for my son for his 21st birthday.
Budget is set by previous jewelry gifts for his older sisters at their 21st's, but maybe stretch to £250 for inflation as he is 8 years behind them.
Not a fan of "fashion" brands, and know there are some brands like Ingersoll, Citizen, Rotary are in that range.
Might just about find a Bering or Tissot if i'm lucky, but are there others that would be worth considering?
Hoping this might be an investment of interest for him, to appreciate this type of movement and appreciate what that sort of watch is about.
Something that might become a future budget classic?
I have browsed through the £200 watch thread, and some nice examples in there, but i am not sure what would be considered safe up and coming brands that would fit my criteria?
Thanks
Budget is set by previous jewelry gifts for his older sisters at their 21st's, but maybe stretch to £250 for inflation as he is 8 years behind them.
Not a fan of "fashion" brands, and know there are some brands like Ingersoll, Citizen, Rotary are in that range.
Might just about find a Bering or Tissot if i'm lucky, but are there others that would be worth considering?
Hoping this might be an investment of interest for him, to appreciate this type of movement and appreciate what that sort of watch is about.
Something that might become a future budget classic?
I have browsed through the £200 watch thread, and some nice examples in there, but i am not sure what would be considered safe up and coming brands that would fit my criteria?
Thanks
£200 to £250 would be a seiko for me - plenty of options from the 5kx range although if your willing to go a little bit obscure things like the revelot hexmariner would also be a good shout.
https://www.revelot.com/collections/r11-hexmariner...
https://www.revelot.com/collections/r11-hexmariner...
I have a couple of watches from Vario in Singapore which I like and are a bit different, such as their 1918 (ww1 style trench watch), but they're more like £300 than £200.
Very much depends on his taste and what fits with whatever else he wears.
Does it have to be an automatic? What about something with, say, a Seagull chronograph movement?
Very much depends on his taste and what fits with whatever else he wears.
Does it have to be an automatic? What about something with, say, a Seagull chronograph movement?
redrabbit said:
Citizen do some nice automatics. Their new Tsuyosa range is getting good reviews, they can be had for 200-250 depending on the exact model.
Ernest jones have a sale on and so this one is available for just over £200Edited by redrabbit on Wednesday 27th March 11:59
https://www.ernestjones.co.uk/citizen-automatic-ts...
NomadicTurbo said:
If possible to get at that price, Seiko SKX007 as this is what I went for at similar price point a few years ago.
Ship has long sailed on those prices - i've seen new skx go for north of £500!However you can gt a tandorio SKX homage off alixpress for £60 delivered. Its titanium, nh35, sapphire glass and ceramic bezel so a much better spec as well compared to a standard skx.
blue_haddock said:
Ship has long sailed on those prices - i've seen new skx go for north of £500!
However you can gt a tandorio SKX homage off alixpress for £60 delivered. Its titanium, nh35, sapphire glass and ceramic bezel so a much better spec as well compared to a standard skx.
Wow.However you can gt a tandorio SKX homage off alixpress for £60 delivered. Its titanium, nh35, sapphire glass and ceramic bezel so a much better spec as well compared to a standard skx.
Purchased mine back in 2015/2016, I've not looked at pricing of them since. Worn mine almost every day for the last 8 years.
Thank you, some nice pointers there.
Have found a couple of Seiko in the price range now, so that's good too.
I just need to try and subtly work out which style to go for, classic simplicity or divers, or something in between.
A job for his mum and i to try and determine over the next few weeks.
He has a Hugo Boss black and gold quartz which was his choice for 16th/prom, but i think he wants something little more subtle, as he has commented on a couple of mine over the years.
Have found a couple of Seiko in the price range now, so that's good too.
I just need to try and subtly work out which style to go for, classic simplicity or divers, or something in between.
A job for his mum and i to try and determine over the next few weeks.
He has a Hugo Boss black and gold quartz which was his choice for 16th/prom, but i think he wants something little more subtle, as he has commented on a couple of mine over the years.
cpszx said:
Thank you, some nice pointers there.
Have found a couple of Seiko in the price range now, so that's good too.
I just need to try and subtly work out which style to go for, classic simplicity or divers, or something in between.
A job for his mum and i to try and determine over the next few weeks.
He has a Hugo Boss black and gold quartz which was his choice for 16th/prom, but i think he wants something little more subtle, as he has commented on a couple of mine over the years.
If your happy to go for a grey import creation watches are a great source of cheap watches, in a similar style to the skx that has been mentioned Orient do some great value watches that could be an optionHave found a couple of Seiko in the price range now, so that's good too.
I just need to try and subtly work out which style to go for, classic simplicity or divers, or something in between.
A job for his mum and i to try and determine over the next few weeks.
He has a Hugo Boss black and gold quartz which was his choice for 16th/prom, but i think he wants something little more subtle, as he has commented on a couple of mine over the years.
https://www.creationwatches.com/products/orient-wa...
https://www.creationwatches.com/products/orient-wa...
https://www.creationwatches.com/products/orient-au...
I've actually got the Orient M Force watch and it looks loads better than the crap pictures on their website, its a bit of a beefy thing though!
NomadicTurbo said:
blue_haddock said:
Ship has long sailed on those prices - i've seen new skx go for north of £500!
However you can gt a tandorio SKX homage off alixpress for £60 delivered. Its titanium, nh35, sapphire glass and ceramic bezel so a much better spec as well compared to a standard skx.
Wow.However you can gt a tandorio SKX homage off alixpress for £60 delivered. Its titanium, nh35, sapphire glass and ceramic bezel so a much better spec as well compared to a standard skx.
Purchased mine back in 2015/2016, I've not looked at pricing of them since. Worn mine almost every day for the last 8 years.
blue_haddock said:
Just found my receipt email, according to the automated email it actually cost me £126.... Also from Creation WatchesMine was the K1 (Rubber strap) so cheaper in price
Watcho have some good Seiko deals at the moment
https://www.watcho.co.uk/watches/seiko/seiko-5-spo...
I might be abut to order one of these £232 on Watcho
https://www.watcho.co.uk/watches/seiko/seiko-5-spo...
I might be abut to order one of these £232 on Watcho
I think the days of the 200GBP seiko automatics are gone. You might be able to find a basic one but it will have a folded bracelet and not be that nice
I have this Orient Komaso and it's very nice for the money.
Otherwise you can find a nice Chinese brand watch on Aliexpress from the likes of Seagul, Steeldive, Cronos and Sanmartin who make nicer Seiko's than Seiko. All have fantastic finishing, sapphire crystal, a high quality bracelet and at least a Seiko NH35 movement.
I have this Orient Komaso and it's very nice for the money.
Otherwise you can find a nice Chinese brand watch on Aliexpress from the likes of Seagul, Steeldive, Cronos and Sanmartin who make nicer Seiko's than Seiko. All have fantastic finishing, sapphire crystal, a high quality bracelet and at least a Seiko NH35 movement.
alabbasi said:
I think the days of the 200GBP seiko automatics are gone. You might be able to find a basic one but it will have a folded bracelet and not be that nice
I have this Orient Komaso and it's very nice for the money.
Otherwise you can find a nice Chinese brand watch on Aliexpress from the likes of Seagul, Steeldive, Cronos and Sanmartin who make nicer Seiko's than Seiko. All have fantastic finishing, sapphire crystal, a high quality bracelet and at least a Seiko NH35 movement.
The ones o posted above do not have folded bracelets I have this Orient Komaso and it's very nice for the money.
Otherwise you can find a nice Chinese brand watch on Aliexpress from the likes of Seagul, Steeldive, Cronos and Sanmartin who make nicer Seiko's than Seiko. All have fantastic finishing, sapphire crystal, a high quality bracelet and at least a Seiko NH35 movement.
I’d be going Seiko all day long. Great value, well built (although some of the straps on the new 5 range aren’t so great, however you could throw in another strap so he could change them depending on what style he prefers). I bought myself the SRPE51 for my 50th as its a lovely style reminiscent of the Rolex Explorer. Comes on an Oyster style bracelet but can be paired with a nice leather strap too if he wants to dress it up, or even a NATO if he wants more casual. Couple downsides, the aforementioned bracelet feels a little cheap, and the glass isn’t mineral so can be prone to scratching. Crown isn’t a screw down type either like my SKX diver. Also, some of the dial markings are very slightly out of line, but that’s my OCD!
The other alternative I’m a huge fan of is my Spinnaker Fleus. First one of these I’ve owned, but won’t be my last. Looking at the Bradner next. Quality is excellent, wears comfortably on the wrist and looks superb. Also, it’s a bit different and I like that. A watch should be a conversation starter and one with a story (bought for his 21st) is a great place to start.
Going used might also be an idea. I have a friend that collects the Tag Heuer F1 editions and he loves them decent value too.
The other alternative I’m a huge fan of is my Spinnaker Fleus. First one of these I’ve owned, but won’t be my last. Looking at the Bradner next. Quality is excellent, wears comfortably on the wrist and looks superb. Also, it’s a bit different and I like that. A watch should be a conversation starter and one with a story (bought for his 21st) is a great place to start.
Going used might also be an idea. I have a friend that collects the Tag Heuer F1 editions and he loves them decent value too.
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