Sub £500 - sense check on brands

[ro250]

I know nothing about watches but I am considering purchasing one and as a PH'er I see there are experts around...

I'm looking at brands I've heard of but that means I may be discounting top brands I haven't so would be interested to know if there's anything to head for or avoid.

To give an idea of what I'm looking at, I really like the Tissot Seastar 1000 Chronograph. Having researched Tissot (who I always thought were good) the online comments range from that they are good, to they are poor Chinese watches.

I'm obviously not looking at high end stuff but don't want to buy something which will fall apart as £4-500 is still a lot of money to spend on anything.

Thanks!

[Jamescrs]

I don't really have any comment on Tissot as I have never owned one but in the sub £500 bracket I would be looking at Seiko personally, I have one myself which I wear for work and a big fan of the brand

Edit- a quick Google search came up with this

https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Seiko-Prospex-Chronog..._adty_____prch__Online___stco_____prid18280001,utm_medium:cpc&msclkid=d3d74d3220091c997f982da05da6a247&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Bing%20-%20Shopping&utm_term=1100600108264&utm_content=All%20Products

Which is very similar to mine.

[Gecko1978]

I have 2 Tissot, wearing one right now a T race, and I have a touch also. Pretty much fine everyday watch (i don't have an expensive watch unless you count my tag F1), the tissot work fine keep good time, are durable and comfortable etc not flash and I don't think of it as a look at me I have a tissot more like a casio with hands.

Seiko I have a kinetic I bought in 2001 still works far as I am aware also a good everyday.

So buy either and you will not be disappointed

[Ninjin]

ro250 said:

I know nothing about watches but I am considering purchasing one and as a PH'er I see there are experts around...

I'm looking at brands I've heard of but that means I may be discounting top brands I haven't so would be interested to know if there's anything to head for or avoid.

To give an idea of what I'm looking at, I really like the Tissot Seastar 1000 Chronograph. Having researched Tissot (who I always thought were good) the online comments range from that they are good, to they are poor Chinese watches.

I'm obviously not looking at high end stuff but don't want to buy something which will fall apart as £4-500 is still a lot of money to spend on anything.

Thanks!

Nothing wrong with Tissot, haven't a clue what they mean about poor Chinese watches!

As you are looking at a chrono setup, £500 budget will get you a battery powered quartz watch, like the Tissot you like.

I've always found Certina so under the radar in the UK and if you are looking at the Tissot, you should look at a Certina too.

This I found is on sale and is the Certina version of the Tissot you like:

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/certina-...

If you want to get something that I think is more value at that sort of price range, I would go for a mechanical movement. Many brands of the Swatch group will have Automatic movement watches (Tissot is part of the Swatch group as is Omega too). However, you will only be able to get a 3 hander with your budget.

Here is an example:

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/certina-...

(10% off code for first time purchases, so around £550)

Have a look at the Jura website as they seem to carry the most Certina models in the UK.

To help you on your wonderful journey into watches, here's the Swatch Group website that shows which brands it owns, it may surprise you!

https://www.swatchgroup.com/en/brands-companies

Edited by Ninjin on Wednesday 5th May 16:54

[ro250]

Thanks for the replies, really useful.

And the extra info Ninjin. Lots more browsing to do!

[Veesix75]

As above, I’d look for an automatic Certina, first class watches have an option to make an offer on new watches, so nothing to lose offering on one over budget but up to your £500, worst they can say is no. I have a certina and wear it everyday.

[seefarr]

Some great suggestions above but I like spending someone elses £500. Assuming a chronograph:

If it were my money, I'd be getting a Bulova Lunar Pilot but that may be because of watch / space nerd tendencies. This is a classic watch who's ancestor went to the moon.

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/mens-251...



On the other hand, a classic looking Junghans from Germany is in budget:

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/mens-251...



Alpina have a good reputation and this one is 40% off. Black on black on black looks nice on this, but I have a black car with dark wheels so what do I know?

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/mens-251...

[robsa]

Probably get stoned to death for this, but have you thought about a Chinese automatic? There are some really good ones, and they are very well priced.

San Martin:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002098846597.h...

Review:

https://youtu.be/A8EkNa6RgGE

[bristolbaron]

Tissot, the Swiss brand with the Swiss flag in their logo and ‘Swiss Made’ on the dial are Japanese? Don’t read reviews!

Go for it, a lovely looking watch.

[r159]

Veesix75 said:

As above, I’d look for an automatic Certina, first class watches have an option to make an offer on new watches, so nothing to lose offering on one over budget but up to your £500, worst they can say is no. I have a certina and wear it everyday.

I can vouch for Certina, I have a DS Podium Chrono auto and it’s a very nice thing, I got mine second hand.. worth considering second hand.
For non chronos:
Another solid bet in a Victorinox Inox, quartz in budget either std or diver, you might be able to find a std automatic.
As said there are some very good Seikos for £500.
Glycine is another good brand but expensive in the uk, good value from the States though.

[romeodelta]

I would (and did) go with Tissot and Longines in this price bracket.

You will have to go grey dealer and maybe stretch the budget a little bit for Longines if you want automatic.

[gizlaroc]

Some dealers doing some good prices on the Glycine Combat subs, great watch for the money, and silly good with some of the deals out there.

[ro250]

All great help this - the more I browse the suggestions and sites the longer the list gets. I hope to get to a physical shop soon to at least see some in the flesh which might help the decision making process.

[Deckert]

To be honest, if I was looking at sub £500 and a divers type watch (non-Chrono admittedly) I would be going for a Steinhart Ocean One, maybe the titanium version.

[Barchettaman]

gizlaroc said:

Some dealers doing some good prices on the Glycine Combat subs, great watch for the money, and silly good with some of the deals out there.

I was just about to suggest the Glycine CS.

To the OP: Tissot make excellent watches. If you can, try on the Seastar as it’s a chunky old thing.

Conversely the Glycine is about the thinnest dive watch you can get and wears absolutely beautifully by all accounts.


If you’re desperate for a Swiss watch and can stretch the budget to £1k, consider the Longines HydroConquest with the ceramic bezel or the Mido Ocean Star GMT.

If you get sucked down into the rabbit hole of Chinese watches, make sure (if it’s an automatic) that it has a Seiko NH35 or Miyota 9015 movement. Loads of budget watches use Chinese-assembled clone movements which are best avoided.

An Invicta Pro Diver is a decent watch for £80 on sale (they nearly always are). NH35 movement, solid, reliable.
They also do a vintage style dive watch, the 1953.

If you’re considering a chronograph style watch then that Bulova is an excellent option. I have one; it’s terrific. Avoid automatic chronographs at your budget unless you can find a lightly-used example. Tissot make good ones! The Seiko meca-quartz module finds its way into loads of brands and is a good option.

Have a good look at the Steinhart range: lots of Rolex homage-style watches but some nice original designs too, and absolutely unbeatable VFM.

The Seiko Prospex “Samurai” range is worth a look. Their new 5 range is in my view overpriced.

Apologies for the long post!

[vixen1700]

Was about to suggest looking at Steinhart, don't own one but hear nothing but good things about them.

Also have a look at the Microbrands thread in this forum, lots of decent and unusual automatics in your budget.Watches you don't see in the high street shops.

Marloe for example:

https://www.marloewatchcompany.com/

[tonyg58]

What about a Christopher Ward?

I had never heard of them until i bought one (Lotus 7 Club special edition).
Was about £300 i think, by far the most accurate watch i have ever owned.
Lots of models available.

[Deckert]

tonyg58 said:

What about a Christopher Ward?

I had never heard of them until i bought one (Lotus 7 Club special edition).
Was about £300 i think, by far the most accurate watch i have ever owned.
Lots of models available.

You won't get a CW below £500 now , their prices have shot up over recent years.

[Barchettaman]

Lightly-used, probably yes, If that’s something the OP would consider.
I got an immaculate Trident diver for £200.

Edited by Barchettaman on Friday 7th May 18:55

[ro250]

I must say I'm not sure I'd consider a used one. I can see it may mean better value but not sure used is for me.

I'm doing lots of online research but what I don't know is how big some will look (I'm tall/slim-ish). Noting a comment above about the Seastar, and comparing sizes of some I like, it's hard to know if 3mm difference in width is significant from one watch to another. Or 1-2mm thickness. I don't want to look like a footballer! I like the slightly sportier styles.

I expect the chance of trying any on in the current situation is slim.

Continued thanks for the responses!