Let’s Talk Watches

[bowhuntercoop]

the price jump on the explorer and sub is nuts. I've just gotten into watches a bit over the last year or two and Rolex seems so insanely expensive these days it's hard to imagine a daily wear in that $10K+ range

The explorer is literally the goat. It just disappears on the wrist and goes with everything. Mine will be given to one of the kids some day.

You can pick up a clean 114270 for very reasonable prices imo. Proportions and dial layout are much better then the current 124270 as well, plus much cheaper! Better movment as well! Like it said, it the goat. Best tool watch Rolex ever made.

 

[arlenmyles]

I build my own using the NH35 movement with seiko 28.5mm dials. Unlimited possibilities! Minimal tools needed

 

[Trogon]

The explorer is literally the goat. It just disappears on the wrist and goes with everything. Mine will be given to one of the kids some day.

You can pick up a clean 114270 for very reasonable prices imo. Proportions and dial layout are much better then the current 124270 as well, plus much cheaper! Better movment as well! Like it said, it the goat. Best tool watch Rolex ever made.

This is my "within reach" grail. Maybe the best all around watch in existence IMO, simply perfect.

 

[eamyrick]

Anyone have any insight into Vaer watches?

They have some designs similar to other watches called out as well as good price points.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’ll refer to my upper comment. Don’t buy mid tier watches. Just get a Seiko or buy something like Tudor, Omega, Seiko. You can get every look you could ever want from a Seiko and the performance will be as good or better than any boutique brand.

Also if you want to spend money and don’t care about the above buy whatever you want.

 

[Goodelife]

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m just a boring Timex guy but I’d like to have something that counts steps.

 

[akhunter3]

The explorer is literally the goat. It just disappears on the wrist and goes with everything. Mine will be given to one of the kids some day.

You can pick up a clean 114270 for very reasonable prices imo. Proportions and dial layout are much better then the current 124270 as well, plus much cheaper! Better movment as well! Like it said, it the goat. Best tool watch Rolex ever made.

They are gorgeous and one of the better Explorer refs, but I think I'd still end up with a Tudor or an Omega at that price point...darn 007 movies

 

[Q child]

Classic choices for me.
Under $200, my choice is a G-Shock 6900. Every time. Love those things. I have a few.
Or stretch to $300 and get a Seiko 5. Both the diver and the field watches are nice.

View attachment 1027841View attachment 1027842
Went down that rabbit hole, careful…it’s slippery.

My daily is my explorer 114270. Best watch they ever made imo.

Sold my sub last week since I never wear it. Bought it new in 2015 and made a great profit 11 years later.

For budget dive watches nothing is even coming close to an Orient Kamasu. They are fantastic for the money, and when regulated very accurate.

Op I’ve prolly spent 40-50k on watches over the years in my journey of buying, selling, flipping, wearing.

For your budget buy an orient. That 500-1000 range plenty of micros and used micros. Used Ginualts would be my top pick imo.

Fare warning like I said, if you dive down the rabbit hole it’s addicting, start saving, all roads lead to Rolex at the end…

Haha. Showing off your Rolex on a thread about $200 watches.

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

Anyone have any insight into Vaer watches?

They have some designs similar to other watches called out as well as good price points.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like mine a lot for what it is: a quartz field watch with a design I like for <$150. I'd be wary of their more expensive automatics, you have a lot of options in that price range. I'm not sure I agree to skip anything between a Timex and a Tudor, there are a ton of interesting watches in the $500-$1,000 price range. A basic, reliable automatic movement is pretty cheap, so small brands can do cool stuff without having to tool up an in-house movement, and a lot of the big brands have nice pieces in that range.

 

[JS.Fletch5]

Timex Ironman is a fantastic watch for $50. Tough as nails, great battery life, has continuous seconds as well. Great backlight for night use as well.

Timex makes some more classic watch styles below $250 as well. I was eyeing their new huckberry watch that’s based of a 70s black watch.

 

[jsig]

These are hard to beat for the money too

https://www.casio.com/us/watches/gshock/products/type/2100.filter.IN_STOCK-K84vKnGqtC0oykxO9ckv98hMz1DTKi7JT84OLkksKS229fSLDw7xd@YGAA%3D%3D/

 

[Ashy Larry]

The Seiko Speedtimers “Seitona” are some really nice watches that can be had under $500.

I have a Hamilton day-date leather and an Oris Classic Date dress watch I need to sell. Both would be under $500

 

[bowhuntercoop]

They are gorgeous and one of the better Explorer refs, but I think I'd still end up with a Tudor or an Omega at that price point...darn 007 movies

Ranger is a fantastic watch. Can pick them up for 2-3k all day on the grey market brand new. If I didn’t daily the Ranger that’s the Tudor I would prolly wear, black bay 54 being a close second.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

Classic choices for me.
Under $200, my choice is a G-Shock 6900. Every time. Love those things. I have a few.
Or stretch to $300 and get a Seiko 5. Both the diver and the field watches are nice.

Haha. Showing off your Rolex on a thread about $200 watches.

Did you miss the g shock in that roll? Or the orient comments Haha. If I wanted to really brag would have broke out the Patek…

 

[bowhuntercoop]

I like mine a lot for what it is: a quartz field watch with a design I like for <$150. I'd be wary of their more expensive automatics, you have a lot of options in that price range. I'm not sure I agree to skip anything between a Timex and a Tudor, there are a ton of interesting watches in the $500-$1,000 price range. A basic, reliable automatic movement is pretty cheap, so small brands can do cool stuff without having to tool up an in-house movement, and a lot of the big brands have nice pieces in that range.

Henry archery and traska are both prime examples of what you stated, in house designs with basic, proven cheap movements,

The micro scene is awesome right now with what ya get for the money. Ginault is another one, his watches easily compare to the 4-6k subs on the market for a fraction of the cost.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

One thing to note. Everyone raves about seiko but their hardlux crystals suck! Scratch pretty easily. Where the orient with the sapphire is far supierior. I will only own a watch with sapphire, nothing else is acceptable from 200 dollar to100k watches

 

[Choupique]

will only own a watch with sapphire

I share this sentiment. They should all have sapphire crystals. I do some heavy industrial type stuff occasionally and sapphire id thr only thing that will hold up.

 

[Reburn]

Henry archery and traska are both prime examples of what you stated, in house designs with basic, proven cheap movements,

The micro scene is awesome right now with what ya get for the money. Ginault is another one, his watches easily compare to the 4-6k subs on the market for a fraction of the cost.

my henry archer gets as much wear time as my omego apollo 8 or my IWC portegese 42. For $600 its really well built and pretty watch. Its a better value then some watches at double to triple the price.

It is triple what the OP asked for but I feel its a better value then some of the $200 watches listed.

Vesterhav - Ultraviolet

With a case height of just 10.45 mm, VESTERHAV is our slimmest automatic watch to date. Despite its impressively slim profile, we have not compromised on durability or functionality. VESTERHAV is engineered for endurance as well, and can also take on the challenges of diving, boasting a water...

henryarcher.com

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Vaer has some stuff under $200. The Ole timex expedition is solid and way under that. G-shock 5610 series also well below and ubiquitous.

Suunto Core can probably be had under budget for an ABC watch

I have been so impressed with my vaer I would buy another within a few days if mine broke.
The crystal is amazingly tough.
I would like a black bezel but afraid it may look like crap after awhile.I work out side and around heavy equipment and hardly ever take it off.
It’s the battery version and last about 18 months.
I would like to have a automatic some day.

 

[betelgeuse]

So many to choose from ! Tons of Micro brands using proven movements.

 

[dh.hamilton1]

So many to choose from ! Tons of Micror brands using proven movements.

So many to choose from ! Tons of Micror brands using proven movements.

What’s some good micro brands in my price range of $200 - $300 and under


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk