£500 Watch Challenge

[Jinba Ittai]

For a bit of fun, myself and a mate have set ourselves a task, to buy each other a watch, with a value of up to £500, or a couple of watches with combined value of £500. No criteria, anything goes. It could be a sports watch, diver, dress watch, vintage, something to use as a beater, or an occasional wear, new or pre owned. But we’re both watch geeks, so would need to be something interesting and that we would appreciate.

So far I’ve been thinking Junghans Max Bill, which might just be in budget for a dress watch, Seiko SKX013 for a dive/beater, and Hamilton Khaki Field for a more sporty watch.

For a two watch combi, I thought a Seagull 1963 and a Swatch Sistem51.

Any ideas or thoughts gratefully received!

[richthebike]

https://www.ebay.es/itm/303703269001

With this brief I'd look for the best vintage 'jumbo' I could find.

A few years ago, I got a Meistersinger 1Z for just under £500, which offers something interesting.

Have a look at Zelos on ebay. You may find a meteorite dial under 500. I really enjoyed my Helmsman II.

There's a lovely vintage Squale here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133530360758

Which leaves a few hundred quid for an LE G Shock... see if you can find a Bamford maybe as a bit of fun?

[AlexC1981]

Chinese tourbillon just a little over budget?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000074310308.htm...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000097711895.htm...

For a two watch combination:

The panda version of the 1963 you mentioned.
Vintage Bulova Accutron dress watch - impeccably smooth sweep.
The Geckota website is worth a look.
Citizen Ana-digi.
Re-cased USSR pocket watch. I love mine.

Edited by AlexC1981 on Sunday 27th September 12:32

[seefarr]

I like this game. I'd go for a "3 decades of Seiko" theme:

A vintage cool '55 with some serious patina that the seller describes as "amazingly accurate" which from my similar '50s Seikosha movement watch I can well believe:


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-1950s-SEIKO-UNI...

A '64 Sportsman for a dress watch:


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEIKO-Sportsman-CALENDA...

And finally '70s style is well represented here with a DX with a bright blue dial and angular case:


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Apr-1974-SEIKO-...

Please buy them so I don't!

[Jinba Ittai]

There’s some really interesting ideas here, thank you. Keep them coming!

[T6 vanman]

A challenge like this should never result in a normal watch, It should show thought and imagination along with consideration for time taken in the decision process
A little bit of budget creep for this - Based on a 70's design (A no hands watch)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZODIAC-ASTROGRAPHIC-MEN...



The 70's version sometimes were fitted with a 36000 hi beats movement
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/zodiac-astrographic-hig...


Maybe a ceramic watch
https://www.jomashop.com/rado-d-star-watch-r157621...


A 24Hr face watch
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Botta-Uno-24-Plus-Titan...

[blingybongy]

If he doesn't want 3 ratty old Seikos

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/gmt-ocean-one-3...

[seefarr]

blingybongy said:

If he doesn't want 3 ratty old Seikos

I know it's hard to believe but:
My random selection of 6 vintage Seikos, from 50s to 70s (some costing £57 - £450) are all way more accurate than my 2 new Swiss movement watches (£600 - £1700).
My 70s King Seiko has night and day build quality compared to 70s Rolexi I've handled.

There's a lot of great value quality and fun to be had!

[r159]

This year I added a

Casio Gshock 5610,
Victorinox Inox
Certina ds Chronograph automatic

for a few quid off £500, all second hand and tbh made all the rest of my watches superfluous.

[T6 vanman]

Jinba Ittai said:

For a bit of fun, myself and {b}a mate{/b] have set ourselves a task, to buy each other a watch, with a value of up to £500, or a couple of watches with combined value of £500. No criteria, anything goes. It could be a sports watch, diver, dress watch, vintage, something to use as a beater, or an occasional wear, new or pre owned. But we’re both watch geeks, so would need to be something interesting and that we would appreciate.

I've changed my recommendation based on the bold text
I believe something from this brand .... The last one you could say your cheif driver was that it's a very early Communist movement
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MEISTER-ANKER-TAUCHER-D...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Meister-Anker-M...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-ANKER-TAUCHERUH...

[richthebike]

Also...

[richthebike]

blingybongy said:

If he doesn't want 3 ratty old Seikos

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/gmt-ocean-one-3...

I'd think pretty long and hard about buying somebody a Rolex replica. Fine for yourself if thats your thing, but a bit borderline as a gift.

[makaveli144]

Take a look at Meccaniche Veneziane:

https://www.meccanicheveneziane.it/

Personally I think they have some beautiful pieces

[Macneil]

I like this one...

[blingybongy]

richthebike said:

blingybongy said:

If he doesn't want 3 ratty old Seikos

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/gmt-ocean-one-3...

I'd think pretty long and hard about buying somebody a Rolex replica. Fine for yourself if thats your thing, but a bit borderline as a gift.

Get over yourself.

[richthebike]

blingybongy said:

Get over yourself.

Woah, hold up.

I wasn't trying to offend anyone here. What's your thinking behind the comment?

[AlasdairMc]

You might be able to get a Pogue for that money, albeit with some frankenwatch bits.

[magpie215]

You could do a lot worse than a Seiko Sarb.

May have a bit of change from £500 too.

[Barchettaman]

richthebike said:

I'd think pretty long and hard about buying somebody a Rolex replica. Fine for yourself if thats your thing, but a bit borderline as a gift.

It’s not a replica.

[richthebike]

Barchettaman said:

richthebike said:

I'd think pretty long and hard about buying somebody a Rolex replica. Fine for yourself if thats your thing, but a bit borderline as a gift.

It’s not a replica.

Whatever the right word is (homage?) This is the exact reason I wouldn't buy one for somebody as a gift "I know it looks like a GMT Master 2 rip off but technically it isn't a replica because by the dictionary definition that denotes an exact copy whereas if you look closely this has a different script on the dial, the movement is... etc"

Again, not having a pop at anyone, I just think there are enough interesting things with their own design language out there to not get involved in these. Its not a price thing - see earlier suggestions.

Out of interest what is the correct word?