SIGforum
Wrist watch question.

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/2830082025

April 11, 2026, 07:12 PM
techguy
Wrist watch question.
quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
quote:
Originally posted by CPD SIG:
It took this long for someone to say HELM?


Big Grin

I was waiting to see if he even wanted a dive watch at all, and if he needed it right away versus being able to wait a while on a waitlist, before possibly recommending Helm.



I’m leaning towards a divers style watch. I’m in no hurry for a purchase.
April 11, 2026, 09:20 PM
Rey HRH
quote:
Originally posted by gjgalligan:
I seldom wear a watch since I retired but I always wore less expensive watches.
I never understood why people payed high prices when the lower priced items kept the time just as good.


Because it’s not about having something that keeps time, your phone does that for you or even a smart watch. At this point, watches are more of an ornamental jewelry. It’s in the same category of why buy bigger natural diamonds when laboratory diamonds are less expensive and perfectly flawless.

I don’t work anymore but I switch watches every week from my collection instead of everyday when I was working. I also wear an Apple Watch on my right wrist because it allows me to always keep my phone silent while the Apple Watch tells me of incoming calls, texts, emails, as well as my schedule for the day.



"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.
April 11, 2026, 09:53 PM
Brackish
You might want to think about what type of movement you want. You're seeing a lot of automatic movements posted which are mechanical self winding, but you might be looking for something a little more set and forget like a battery powered quartz or solar. I have a mix.

I'm a sucker for a mechanical movement, and acquired my first Seiko automatic last week. I also have several Swiss made autos which I love, but frankly the maintenance costs have become obscene, and with Seiko I like the idea I could just replace the movement if necessary for a reasonable price. It's from their Prospex dive watch line, a redesigned "slim" or "mini" Samurai model SRPL51 which I'm enjoying. The specs on the movement felt pretty wide at +45/-35 sec/day, but mine seems very well regulated and is currently about -6.5 secs total at the 10 day mark.

https://www.seikowatches.com/u...ducts/prospex/srpl51

Something else you'll want to consider is the size of the case. 40mm is a pretty standard size, but the size you choose can depend on the size of your wrist, what you find comfortable, and what you just like the look of. Mine range from 40 to 44 mm, but the Sammie falls in the middle at 41.6 mm and fits me really well. Weight factors into comfort as well. I have a 44 mm that would be very heavy were it made os stainless instead of titanium.

Some watches you can find at pretty good discounts, others not so much. I found new one at 33% off, which falls in the middle of your budget, and I've generally found very good prices for Seikos and Citizens, provided they weren't a limited edition.
April 12, 2026, 05:35 AM
smpsmp
Are you wanting a quartz or auto?

Can also add in Hamilton and Sangin (some models from them are in that price range). I only own one watch, but plan on adding a Sangin overlord at some point just to have a quartz.
April 12, 2026, 07:37 PM
Aquilon
Vaer has some good stuff in that price range.
April 12, 2026, 08:01 PM
RogueJSK
I've owned two Vaer watches.

One watch's solar battery failed within just a month or so of their 2 year warranty expiring, and their response was effectively "We're sorry to hear that... Would you like to buy another watch?" Roll Eyes

My other one is still working, but I won't be buying another. (There are also a couple design choices that I don't really like on this watch.)



April 12, 2026, 08:39 PM
lyman
did anyone mention Luminox?
great watches


saw a couple of nice brands at Shot Show a few years ago, however they were not there this past year,

nice Swiss stuff, wish I could remember the name,



https://chandlersfirearms.com/chesterfield-armament/
April 13, 2026, 06:40 PM
CPD SIG
quote:
Originally posted by techguy:
quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by CPD SIG:
It took this long for someone to say HELM?



I’m leaning towards a divers style watch. I’m in no hurry for a purchase.


I learned about Helms here on Sig Forum from the Watch Aficionados here.
You’re getting a hell of a lot of watch for the price!
The movement, the quality and for $350ish?
Can’t beat it!
Pick out the right one for you, hit enter, and you’ll see where you are on the waitlist.
6-8 months, but again, it’s WELL WORTH THE WAIT!

Can’t go wrong with a Citizen or Seiko, G-Shocks are pretty much bulletproof.

Whatever you do, please keep us informed. There’s more than a few watch geeks here. Wink


______________________________________________________________________
"When its time to shoot, shoot. Dont talk!"

“What the government is good at is collecting taxes, taking away your freedoms and killing people. It’s not good at much else.” —Author Tom Clancy
April 13, 2026, 06:54 PM
pulicords
Check out the Timex Waterbury line. They've got some real nice watches at great price points! I bought this automatic for my wife, but it's such a good looking and comfortable watch to wear, that I occasionally steal it for myself. Wink





https://timex.com/collections/...ity=1&sort_by=manual


"I'm not fluent in the language of violence, but I know enough to get around in places where it's spoken."
April 13, 2026, 08:13 PM
stickman428
My advice is to tread carefully…

Watches can be somewhat addictive. Wink

You cannot go wrong with Citizen or Seiko. IMO they offer something for just about everyone interested in dipping their toe into the addictive and alluring world of watches.

Be careful. Citizen kicked off a hell of a watch addiction for me. (It was 100% worth it) Big Grin


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The price of liberty and even of common humanity is eternal vigilance
April 14, 2026, 08:48 AM
vthoky
quote:
Originally posted by stickman428:
Watches can be somewhat addictive. Wink


Quoting P250UA5 from another thread: "You don't say?!"

Razz




Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
God bless America.
April 14, 2026, 08:54 AM
Calif Phil
VAER is on my wrist now, R1 Quartz Chronograph, USA assembled.
Also have a VAER D7 Swiss diver that has been going strong for years.
Nice to see some watches assembled in the USA again.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Calif Phil,
April 14, 2026, 10:27 AM
BigSwede
I just got an email from Islander watch about some Turtle and King Samurai releases at $650, can't find them on Islanders page so I Googled and found them on Macy's site for some smokin prices. Tempted

https://www.macys.com/shop/fea...eiko-samurai?ss=true



Edited for update. Bought this one

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BigSwede,


April 14, 2026, 10:34 AM
YellowJacket
you can get a Hamilton Khaki auto for right around $600.

for a diver, I'd probably get a Glycine Combat Sub.



There ain't much difference in the man I want to be and the man that I really am.
April 14, 2026, 09:24 PM
goose5
I bought my Marathon from longislandwatch.com


_________________________
OH, Bonnie McMurray!