Poor man's watch thread

[TheWraith]

Don't worry about it, @Jazzmenco. All is good

 

[New Shoes1]

Geez guys, I didn't mean to start any controversies, I thought the photo of the Monteblanc against the orange sweater looked great and I didn't know about the $1000 rule.

I am more into the aesthetics of the photo than the value of the watch. I have several under $500 watches that I am very fond of. Stay tuned

Wait a second . . . won't that violate the $500 rule???

 

[Jazzmenco]

OMG I just can't win

 

[TheWraith]

Don't worry, no such rule

 

[apost]

why are the invicta watches sold in such huge discount on amazon? are they really so overestimated at their original selling price?

 

[DLJr]

Yes? Yes.

 

[Neognosis]

In my opinion, Hamilton and the non-grand Seiko automatics are the perfect "poor man's" watches. They are the best bang for the buck. I think a 500 dollar Hamilton IS 10 times the watch a 50 dollar timex is. But I do not think a 5000 dollar omega is really necessarily 10 times the watch the Hamilton is. I think after 1000 dollars or so, you start paying on a scale of diminishing returns.

Don't get me wrong, I would love an omega or even a Tudor. I don't consider myself a "poor man," I consider myself a man of modest means with more important things on which to spend my money.

This is my favorite watch right now, and it sees wrist time most of the week.

 

[TheWraith]

Hamilton make some fine watches, that's for sure. Thanks for sharing.

 

[apost]

seiko alpinist:

the amazing thing was thar it took less than a week to come from Japan to greece, plus it skipped customs for some reason.

A Hamilton is on the next to buy list.

 

[mimo]

They are the best bang for the buck. I think a 500 dollar Hamilton IS 10 times the watch a 50 dollar timex is. But I do not think a 5000 dollar omega is really necessarily 10 times the watch the Hamilton is. I think after 1000 dollars or so, you start paying on a scale of diminishing returns.

That is the essence of it, I think. I'd agree completely that a Seiko for $1-200 is a real sweet spot for value, and a ETA-powered Swiss watch (personally I like Tissot in that range, but Hamilton makes the same sense), for $500-$1000, is another: one is just a very accessible and respectable mechanical watch, the next is into the reams of respectable Swiss watch brand as well as a predictably solid level of quality.

That's not to say that diminishing returns are not still returns. Then it just comes down to life priorities. Would I spend $20-50k on a Lange? Damn right, if that were the kind of budget available to me for a personal indulgence. $5k for a discounted or used Rolex, IWC, whatever: heck, yes, that's definitely in my plans as life goes on. The $500 Tissot is an overpriced trinket to some, the $50k Vacheron Constantin makes sense to very few. At the end of the day, it's what ever makes sense to you, your budget and your personal pleasure.

 

[ShawnBC]

I do love the Seiko Alpinist! Very attractive watch it is!

 

[aging in rhythm]

New to the automatic watch world:

Seller accepted my offer of $90 +$18 shipping for this Seiko 007. Does this look like a good example of one to you guys? (Probably should have asked before I bid)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191687115780?_trksid=p2057872.m2748.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Jarmo]

Started my mechanical watch collection with these two.

 

[Michigan Planner]

My newest addition - the new Diver One Stainless from Scurfa Watches. If you don't mind quartz, Scurfa makes some great watches that really stand up to the elements (this is my second from them).

New to the automatic watch world:

Seller accepted my offer of $90 +$18 shipping for this Seiko 007. Does this look like a good example of one to you guys? (Probably should have asked before I bid)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191687115780?_trksid=p2057872.m2748.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

As long as it's running well, I think you got a good deal. I know if you are patient you can often get them a bit less on WUS and other similar forums but the one on that eBay link appears to be pretty clean and unmarked up. My word of advice though - invest in a couple cheap NATO straps, an Isofrane rubber strap (you can often find them used for a good discount), or a steel bracelet for it as the stock rubber strap on those from Seiko is stiff and uncomfortable (but it's definitely serviceable until you do decide to swap it out).

 

[TheWraith]

Poor man's Explorer 1 here:

Goes well with my poor man's Sea Dweller methinks: