Let’s Talk Watches

[dh.hamilton1]

For those who are watch collectors, enthusiastic, etc.

What are some of the best watches under $200 to look for? I know that’s sort of a low price point but that’s where I’m at.

I’m especially interested in dive watches and field watches. Compass watches are also of interest.


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[Geewhiz]

For $21 it does everything I ask of it.

 

[bozeman]

Double that and get you a Hamilton.....

 

[intunegp]

I'm not a collector or an enthusiast, but I think you can still find the Seiko 5 field watch around that price point. I've always been happy with mine (not my picture).

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

I like Vaer in that price range. Also look for Citizen, Timex, Seiko, and of course Casio (check out the Duro).

 

[270-300]

I'm not a collector or an enthusiast, but I think you can still find the Seiko 5 field watch around that price point. I've always been happy with mine (not my picture).

I was coming here to say this. They were $75 when they stopped making them in 2017. And they have a display back to see the movement.

 

[dh.hamilton1]

I like Vaer in that price range. Also look for Citizen, Timex, Seiko, and of course Casio (check out the Duro).

Yea, I was actually looking at the duro for an affordable dive style watch that has a functional bezel.

I don’t dive but I think having it to use for a timing function is cool.


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[CO_MTN_GUY]

Gotta have a G-Shock in the collection, plenty of flavors to choose from too. Orient Ray II and Mako II are some nice affordable divers. If you can swing a bit more in your budget, Islander watches are one of the best values in the $250-$400 range.

 

[270-300]

I bought an orient triton for $140 in 2022. I had to slightly adjust the regulation to get it perfect. It was off by about 20 seconds a day from the factory.

Its a very robust mechanical movement. The lume is bright enough to use as a flashlight when i get out of bed at night. It has a good one direction dive bezel. Very stout and comes polished well, with a sapphire crystal. Ive had it swimming in the flaming gorge, and spent many hours with it submerged in the saratoga hot springs. Going from the lobster pot to the river behind the springs when the river has some ice has not caused any issues with it. I have taken it hunting and fishing all over wyoming. Seems to be indestructible.

I like mine on a nylon band. Lets the wrist breathe.

For work i wear the seiko Seiko 7S26-02J0 that someone already pictured above. They were $75 when they quit making them in 2017. 21 jewel movement. Mine is several years old and keeps good time. Excellent for a small light weight watch.

 

[dh.hamilton1]

Gotta have a G-Shock in the collection, plenty of flavors to choose from too. Orient Ray II and Mako II are some nice affordable divers. If you can swing a bit more in your budget, Islander watches are one of the best values in the $250-$400 range.

I have always liked G-shocks. I’ve been looking at protreks as well.


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[270-300]

I have always liked G-shocks. I’ve been looking at protreks as well.


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G shocks got crazy expensive the last few years. Many seiko and orient automatics can be had for less than many g shocks.

 

[Tradchef]

I don't know how much they are anymore but the older Victorinox Field watch and the LL Bean Field watch were both fantastic.

 

[270-300]

I don't know how much they are anymore but the older Victorinox Field watch and the LL Bean Field watch were both fantastic.

About like buying a rifle for the victorinox.

Looks like ll bean dumped the field watches.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Pocket watch. I hate wearing jewelry of any kind.

 

[akhunter3]

In that price range you can find some decent makes from Seiko, Orient, Citizen. If you check places like JomaShop you can often get $3-400 watches in your pricepoint.

 

[270-300]

Something else you might consider is phoibos. They are a chinese company that buys citizen mechanical movements and puts them in cases. Ive had two of their dive watches. One had a relief engraving of an octopus on the back of the case and had blue lume with a mitoyo mechanical movement. I regret selling that one. The other was black quartz with the brightest lume i have ever seen. If i had gotten lost on a mountain i think the satellites in space would have seen that lume. Both were had for about $100 on sale.

 

[DangerRanger]

I wore a timex weekender until I saved up for my Hamilton khaki auto and I was very happy with my choice.

But if you wanted something a little nicer to start with I’d do a seiko 5 as mentioned.

An srpg of the color you like is a nice watch

 

[Tradchef]

About like buying a rifle for the victorinox.

Looks like ll bean dumped the field watches.

Ahhhh too bad. I had a one of each and I don't think they went over $120 a piece. Bombproof back then and lasted years with just a battery change

 

[CO_MTN_GUY]

G shocks got crazy expensive the last few years. Many seiko and orient automatics can be had for less than many g shocks.

I suppose it depends on what features you want. The Mudmasters and Rangemasters are way up there for sure but the OG DW5600 can still be had for $65 which is still a killer deal for a bombproof watch. Many awesome choices in the $100ish area. I'm currently wearing my GA2100 (CasiOak) in black with white hands and markers. One of my favorite pieces

 

[CO_MTN_GUY]

Something else you might consider is phoibos. They are a chinese company that buys citizen mechanical movements and puts them in cases. Ive had two of their dive watches. One had a relief engraving of an octopus on the back of the case and had blue lume with a mitoyo mechanical movement. I regret selling that one. The other was black quartz with the brightest lume i have ever seen. If i had gotten lost on a mountain i think the satellites in space would have seen that lume. Both were had for about $100 on sale.

Always contemplated a Phoibos. Glad to hear someone with great experiences of them