Here is a nice Eco Drive for $213

https://sellout.woot.com/offer...nt_lnd_cat_sprt_25_4

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
Hamilton Khaki. Go with Swiss.

My first thought as well, except looking at Jomashop it seems they are just under $600.

I got a Citizen Eco Drive dive watch from Dave Troung several years ago. Black face and bezel and black rubber band. Very happy with it even though I mostly wear an Apple Watch now due to health considerations.
It was around $250.00 if I remember correctly.
Go with Dave. He’s the best.

Maybe a Sigforum Watch from our friend David Truong?

Checkout longislandwatch.com and their islander house brand, which are homages to popular Seiko and other great watches. They are popular and good value.

If you can push it a little bit, I'd suggest something like this watch from Mido. It's a swiss watch with a 72 hour power reserve and a COSC chronometer rating which guarantees accuracy at -4/+6 seconds a day.



Jomashop has one here for $635, but if you don't like this exact watch, there are others in the Multifort series that might tickle your fancy. Not all of them have the Chronometer rating, but you should get similar accuracy as the rating without the guarantee.

https://www.jomashop.com/mido-...-m0384313709100.html

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
Hamilton Khaki. Go with Swiss.

I'm partial to the automatics. I'm super happy with the Hamilton Khaki field titanium automatic that I picked up early this year. The one I ended up with wasn't quite in the targeted price range, but they have several variations that I'd think would get pretty close. Black Friday is just around the corner and there's bound to be something in that price range.


Seiko's automatic 5 sports can be had well under your budget - I've had one for several years - it's taken a beating and it still works well.

Are you willing to go vintage? An MRG-120t is a pretty cool watch, at that price range.

You should seriously look at Steinhart. Quality German made watches @ your price range in various homage and original styles and capabilities.

Dave T would be a great place to start…

Long Island Watch has a broad selection…

Helm is probably the value leader…Vaer and Lunar Pilot deserve a look.

Ares is also a US micro brand worth checking out.

Also check out Zelos they have some nice watches too.

Victorinox is an often overlooked great bang-for-the-buck option.

If you bump your budget a bit, I’d sat look at Marathon or Christopher Ward. Marathon SAR’s are absolute top drawer.

A Bronze Helson Shark Diver would be on my short list if you wanted something different.

If you want a wrist computer, Garmin IMHO.

$0.02 worth

B

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:
In the under $500 range, I personally would look at Seiko, they have a metric ton of good timepieces both automatic and quartz. Dive watches for something sporty, or their Presage line for a more elegant look.

Seiko would be about the only mechanical watch I would look at in that price range.

Lots of advice in here but only one right answer. Go to your Rolex AD with an obtainable model in mind like and Explorer 2 or something other than a Submariner or a Daytona. Tell the salesperson what you want and mention that you have wanted one your entire life. Tell them it is your very own lifetime achievement award. In a few months you may get the call like I did. You go buy your watch and then you wear it and enjoy it as your children and their children will after you. All this and the fact that the watch you just purchased is worth more than you paid the moment you walk outside the AD. Buy a Citizen or a Seiko and those are disposable given enough time. A Rolex can go and go and go.

^^^

Woo hoo!!!

I'm off to my Rolex dealer to buy me a $500 Rolex!

I must say, I do love my Helm Titanium Khuraburi. I wear it daily, except on Sundays when I wear my Tag Carrera.

quote:

Originally posted by Ogie:
^^^

Woo hoo!!!

I'm off to my Rolex dealer to buy me a $500 Rolex!

Try Canal St. NYC

If the Rolex look does it for you, just stay in budget and get a Relax.

I bought this or a very similar one from Dave a few years ago in a group buy. https://www.citizenwatch.com/c...duct/BN0200-56E.html

I've really like it and the titanium case and band make it extra light. Give him a call and see what he can find for you.

I was getting tired of daily winding my 1970s pilot watch, and setting it back 1-2 minutes a day. I bought a $50 Timex. It keeps perfect time.