Yet another which watch thread

[Sharief]

Wetwipe said:

a bit of a left field suggestion this one perhaps but how about you buy a watch that you like

Or perhaps he asks for watches that people have an experience of and can recommend, instead of buying a watch he likes the look of that breaks after a month and keeps crap time?

[4941cc]

bobthemonkey said:

A question for the horologists out there.

I'm after a new watch, but something really valuable such as a Tag or Breitling isn't appropriate. I don't really want to have something worth that kind of money disappear and besides its likely to have a bit of a hard life.

My budget therefore is around £250 but could go higher. I like the style of the Breitling Aerospace and want to keep to something a bit restrained (stainless steel, black/blue/grey face). I did try a Tissot but although it looks nice in print, in reality its very shiny and hence looks, as well as feels cheap, especially the bracelet.

Any suggestions?

Edited as the OP had the spelling and grammer of a 5 year old. Admitttidly its not much better.

Edited for 'grammer' also? Had to chuckle at that. Sorry, self confessed pedant. I'll go away now.

Edited by bobthemonkey on Wednesday 18th April 17:03

[AlexC1981]

There's so many wealthy people on this forum.

It's just not fair.....I want to ask for recommendations on something expensive to use as a cheap everyday item!

[selmahoos]

I've a decent collection inc some quite dear ones, but a big favourite is the cheapest watch I own which is a solar-powered titanium-cased Citizen. Cost less than a hundred quid, keeps perfect time, and looks as sturdy as it is. I think Argos sell Citizens, tho not this model which I got from a Citizen specialist on ebay.

[Suckmychrsitmas]

You could get a Rosendahl Le Mans watch for around the price you specify.

www.rosendahl.com/main.php?qsContent=product_view&qsProductGroupID=1380

[angrys3owner]

topsparks said:

Save your money for LS6 upgrade and buy a Citizen shitter for £50,like us Griff boys!

Give it time James, give it time!

[justayellowbadge]

Suckmychrsitmas said:

You could get a Rosendahl Le Mans watch for around the price you specify.

www.rosendahl.com/main.php?qsContent=product_view&qsProductGroupID=1380

And it's an interesting looking thing. But, I would rather not buy a watch from a comapany that calls a stopwatch a chronometer. And whose main business appears to be kitchenware.

[Stu R]

Another vote for Seiko Kinetic here. Had mine for going on 3 years now, and in that time it's had a very hard life.
It's been bashed and scraped every time it's worn when I'm on the ships due to the nature or working in engine rooms. (heard all the jokes already ) It's been dropped in heavy fuel oil, cleaned in diesel and has never shown the most remote sign of failing. Fantastic watches.

[cyberface]

Seiko make their own movements - that alone IMO gives them more credibility than the 'cheap' 'swiss' watches sold in sunday newspaper magazines with 'swiss' sounding names and bought-in movements. They're a proper watch company, their products may not command posh Swiss money but they've been responsible for several proper innovations in mechanical movements, so I'd definitely choose one over a 'jewellery' piece.

[Suckmychrsitmas]

justayellowbadge said:

And it's an interesting looking thing. But, I would rather not buy a watch from a comapany that calls a stopwatch a chronometer.

I wouldn't hold it against them. And that the bulk of their design seems to be kitched oriented is besides the point, at least as far as I'm concerned.

Edited by Suckmychrsitmas on Thursday 19th April 18:20

[tertius]

justayellowbadge said:

Civpilot said:

justayellowbadge said:

I'd probably look at something like this:

http://bernardwatch.com/item/ZOD2003S

Have bought a number of things from these guys, and they are top notch, and astonishingly cheap.

Nice watch, but I'm not sure of the suggested retail price? Zodiac are actually owned by Fossil. And the ETA2824 movement as fitted to that watch can apparently be bought for as little as $60 at the moment (Seen high end 282's sell for $90) and whilst it is a good movement, it's not exactly indicative of the price they are charging. In fact looking around I cannot find one site selling them at the "retail"... everywhere appears to sell them between $500 & $700

Although, like I said, very nice looking watch

for the OP's budget I would also have a look at Briel. Made by Seiko and just that slight bit different, they do a nice stylish GMT well within price.

I can't think of another auto chronograph from a named manufacturer for the same sort of money. Great finishing as well. I have a couple of Breils and the the Zodiac is a definite cut above, tbh.

I reckon you could get a Laco Chronograph (7750-based) for that sort of money. Would be last year's model but still NIB with papers. There's a shop on ebay that does them - here.

[RDE]

That sort of thing float your boat? It's a Chase-Durer Pilot Commander. I've had mine four years and it has only just had the battery replaced. Seems to keep time fine and is sturdy. I think it looks pretty good too, but obviously I would. They're about 300 USD but you can't buy them in the UK I don't think.

[bobthemonkey]

RDE said:

That sort of thing float your boat? It's a Chase-Durer Pilot Commander. I've had mine four years and it has only just had the battery replaced. Seems to keep time fine and is sturdy. I think it looks pretty good too, but obviously I would. They're about 300 USD but you can't buy them in the UK I don't think.

Ah, thats rather tasty, and usefully cheap at this exchange rate - just need to get it shipped to some family across the pond.

[CivPilot]

bobthemonkey said:

RDE said:

That sort of thing float your boat? It's a Chase-Durer Pilot Commander. I've had mine four years and it has only just had the battery replaced. Seems to keep time fine and is sturdy. I think it looks pretty good too, but obviously I would. They're about 300 USD but you can't buy them in the UK I don't think.

Ah, thats rather tasty, and usefully cheap at this exchange rate - just need to get it shipped to some family across the pond.

I agree, thats pretty nice

[justayellowbadge]

If that floats your boat, I would suggest looking out for the Combat Command model. It's the automatic version. I picked up a boxed and papered one for a friend on fleabay for £200 last year.

[tertius]

Has anyone suggested looking on www.chronomaster.co.uk ?