Watch Suggestion for $500 Budget

nmulax · 01-08-2010, 03:04 PM

As the title says, I'm looking for suggestions on a decent watch for under/around $500.
Not looking to spend a fortune because I'm just not a big watch person (haven't worn one in 7-10 years), and I don't have a ton to spend on it. I want something I can wear everyday and that's not complete junk.
All I've really checked out so far is Nixon.

My only real requirements are:
- Chrono
- Analog
- Suitable for swimming/surfing

Peanuto · 01-08-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmulax

As the title says, I'm looking for suggestions on a decent watch for under/around $500.
Not looking to spend a fortune because I'm just not a big watch person (haven't worn one in 7-10 years), and I don't have a ton to spend on it. I want something I can wear everyday and that's not complete junk.
All I've really checked out so far is Nixon.

My only real requirements are:
- Chrono
- Analog
- Suitable for swimming/surfing

HAHAHA was going to suggest Nixon. I worked in a surf shop for about 7 years. Never had one go to shit on me and put them through some pretty good beatings. Rip Curl also makes a few decent watches.

Kensta335 · 01-08-2010, 04:23 PM

Movado

jpsum · 01-08-2010, 04:42 PM

Nixon

Feyd · 01-08-2010, 04:48 PM

http://www.boschett-timepieces.com/p...avedweller.php

I've got one of the first generation Cave Dwellers and have had it for well over a year. Built like a tank/keeps way accurate time/and looks the shit. You'll also be happy to know that it is right on budget @ $490.00. Its not a chrono I know... but It'll be hard to get a chrono of any clout with 500 bones (sad, but true).

Keith (owner of the company) is cool as hell as well.

Also, if I may add an opinion. Purely from a value standpoint I don't think I would buy any "mass-market" watch that costs less than $2k. I'd probably set my limit somewhere around $150-$200. My belief is that until you get somewhere close to that $2k price-point you are only paying for a name. I know that gets thrown around a lot, but is very true. Most of the time the watches that reside between $200-$2000 are using the same inexpensive movements/case materials/bland design, etc. that you can find in a $200 Seiko (and sometimes the Seiko is a better package altogether than the $1200 Tag). Perhaps my single exception to mass a market purchase would be a Hamilton and that's only because their affiliation with ETA allows a modest $900-$1500 investment to yield you a damn fine timepiece.

I'm now going to sit back and wait for the "I know its out of your budget, but you should buy a Panerai" posts.

Memphis1 · 01-08-2010, 05:29 PM

http://www.swissarmy.com/timepieces/...4401+-+%24500&

radix · 01-08-2010, 05:33 PM

If I were to buy something decent for under $500, I'd get a technomarine abyss. It's rated for 12000 meters. Beat that.

http://www.jomashop.com/technomarine-abyss-abs19.html

Of course it's not a chronograph, but you can tell your friends that it has "liquid silicone between the dial and crystal that creates a bubble that floats around the case".

jpsum · 01-08-2010, 05:33 PM

radix · 01-08-2010, 06:05 PM

Now that I think about it, for that price you should be able to get a used PRS-14, but you might have to look a bit harder. The PRS-14 blows every suggestion made here out of the water. It's an automatic too.

http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index...howtopic=20344

If you can find one for $500-$600 you're getting a great watch for the price. Another one was sold here:

http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11802

lots of pics.

T7R_Sky · 01-08-2010, 06:20 PM

Seiko? I dont see why everybody wants to have a really nice watch :P

Peg_legs · 01-08-2010, 06:26 PM

The Tissot PRC200 is my favorite watch in that price range
http://www.amazon.com/Tissot-Mens-Ch.../dp/B000L3CHC0

nmulax · 01-08-2010, 06:32 PM

I'm digging this Victorinox http://www.swissarmy.com/Timepieces/...roduct=241255&

and this one from Nixon http://www.nixonnow.com/watches/mens...-A037_001.html

Any recommendations on where to find used watches if going that route?

nmulax · 01-08-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peg_legs

The Tissot PRC200 is my favorite watch in that price range
http://www.amazon.com/Tissot-Mens-Ch.../dp/B000L3CHC0

That looks pretty good too

jpsum · 01-08-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T7R_Sky

Seiko? I dont see why everybody wants to have a really nice watch :P

meanwhile, a guy at the hyundai forum said the same about cars.

kyleb350 · 01-08-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T7R_Sky

Seiko? I dont see why everybody wants to have a really nice watch :P

I'm with ya. I have a good looking one that's probably 4-5 years old running on the same battery. Serves me well

Peanuto · 01-08-2010, 07:06 PM

A lot of people here are ignoring the surfing clause in there. I don't know where you surf, but between shock of impact and needing a very good waterproof seal it seems a lot of these watches won't work.

Memphis1 · 01-08-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmulax

I'm digging this Victorinox http://www.swissarmy.com/Timepieces/...roduct=241255&

and this one from Nixon http://www.nixonnow.com/watches/mens...-A037_001.html

Any recommendations on where to find used watches if going that route?

i found the swiss army one

http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swi.../dp/B001CSCP52

BillLee · 01-08-2010, 07:17 PM

http://www.meisterwatches.com/collection

i want this black one:

jpsum · 01-08-2010, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillLee

http://www.meisterwatches.com/collection

i want this black one:

that's a nice one.

Feyd · 01-08-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillLee

http://www.meisterwatches.com/collection

i want this black one:

Or for 30 (yes 30) times the price you could get the real thing...

Or depending on who you talk to, you could spend 3 times the Hublot and get the "real origional"

I know I know.... I'm the guy that said this would happen, now look.

nmulax · 01-08-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peanuto

A lot of people here are ignoring the surfing clause in there. I don't know where you surf, but between shock of impact and needing a very good waterproof seal it seems a lot of these watches won't work.

Definitely not in Michigan

I get a chance to surf maybe once ever 18-24 months; so that's less important. But I swim frequently, and wake-board in the summer. I just want a watch that can hold up to use in the water. Something I can put on and not worry about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphis2012

i found the swiss army one

http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swi.../dp/B001CSCP52

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillLee

http://www.meisterwatches.com/collection

i want this black one:

That's sick!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feyd

I know I know.... I'm the guy that said this would happen, now look.

It's cool. I made this thread because every one I searched was suggesting $2k+ watches. Some of us just don't have that kind of coin to put on our wrist.
I dig that Cave Dweller, I just really want a chrono for use at the gym.

chungdae · 01-08-2010, 08:27 PM

Save your money, save up, and getter a higher end.

01-08-2010, 03:04 PM	#1
nmulax Brigadier General 391 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	Watch Suggestion for $500 Budget As the title says, I'm looking for suggestions on a decent watch for under/around $500. Not looking to spend a fortune because I'm just not a big watch person (haven't worn one in 7-10 years), and I don't have a ton to spend on it. I want something I can wear everyday and that's not complete junk. All I've really checked out so far is Nixon. My only real requirements are: - Chrono - Analog - Suitable for swimming/surfing __________________
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01-08-2010, 04:23 PM	#3
Kensta335 Brigadier General 165 Rep 3,637 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal 626 iTrader: (4)	Movado
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01-08-2010, 04:42 PM	#4
jpsum Major 286 Rep 1,088 Posts Drives: 2010 TSX Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Haven area iTrader: (4)	Nixon
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01-08-2010, 04:48 PM	#5
Feyd Major 366 Rep 1,288 Posts Drives: a DEEZZULL Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (2)	http://www.boschett-timepieces.com/p...avedweller.php I've got one of the first generation Cave Dwellers and have had it for well over a year. Built like a tank/keeps way accurate time/and looks the shit. *You'll also be happy to know that it is right on budget @ $490.00.* Its not a chrono I know... but It'll be hard to get a chrono of any clout with 500 bones (sad, but true). Keith (owner of the company) is cool as hell as well. Also, if I may add an opinion. Purely from a value standpoint I don't think I would buy any "mass-market" watch that costs less than $2k. I'd probably set my limit somewhere around $150-$200. My belief is that until you get somewhere close to that $2k price-point you are only paying for a name. I know that gets thrown around a lot, but is very true. Most of the time the watches that reside between $200-$2000 are using the same inexpensive movements/case materials/bland design, etc. that you can find in a $200 Seiko (and sometimes the Seiko is a better package altogether than the $1200 Tag). Perhaps my single exception to mass a market purchase would be a Hamilton and that's only because their affiliation with ETA allows a modest $900-$1500 investment to yield you a damn fine timepiece. I'm now going to sit back and wait for the "I know its out of your budget, but you should buy a Panerai" posts. Last edited by Feyd; 01-08-2010 at 05:23 PM..
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01-08-2010, 05:29 PM	#6
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel 97 Rep 1,838 Posts Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	http://www.swissarmy.com/timepieces/...4401+-+%24500& __________________
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01-08-2010, 05:33 PM	#7
radix you know he kills little girls like you 398 Rep 892 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: - iTrader: (0)	If I were to buy something decent for under $500, I'd get a technomarine abyss. It's rated for 12000 meters. Beat that. http://www.jomashop.com/technomarine-abyss-abs19.html Of course it's not a chronograph, but you can tell your friends that it has "liquid silicone between the dial and crystal that creates a bubble that floats around the case".
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01-08-2010, 06:05 PM	#9
radix you know he kills little girls like you 398 Rep 892 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: - iTrader: (0)	Now that I think about it, for that price you should be able to get a used PRS-14, but you might have to look a bit harder. The PRS-14 blows every suggestion made here out of the water. It's an automatic too. http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index...howtopic=20344 If you can find one for $500-$600 you're getting a great watch for the price. Another one was sold here: http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11802 lots of pics.
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01-08-2010, 06:20 PM	#10
T7R_Sky "I know you know that I know you know..." 25 Rep 795 Posts Drives: Sparkling Graphite E90 328i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Escondido, CA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 E90 328i [0.00]	Seiko? I dont see why everybody wants to have a really nice watch :P
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01-08-2010, 06:26 PM	#11
Peg_legs New Member 1 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 03 BMW Z4 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: _ iTrader: (0)	The Tissot PRC200 is my favorite watch in that price range http://www.amazon.com/Tissot-Mens-Ch.../dp/B000L3CHC0
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01-08-2010, 06:32 PM	#12
nmulax Brigadier General 391 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	I'm digging this Victorinox http://www.swissarmy.com/Timepieces/...roduct=241255& and this one from Nixon http://www.nixonnow.com/watches/mens...-A037_001.html Any recommendations on where to find used watches if going that route? __________________
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01-08-2010, 07:06 PM	#16
Peanuto Private First Class 66 Rep 122 Posts Drives: E92 335i Lemans Blue M-sport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	A lot of people here are ignoring the surfing clause in there. I don't know where you surf, but between shock of impact and needing a very good waterproof seal it seems a lot of these watches won't work.
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01-08-2010, 07:17 PM	#18
BillLee Major General 706 Rep 5,382 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: HTX iTrader: (21) Garage List 09 E92 M3 [9.00]	http://www.meisterwatches.com/collection i want this black one: __________________ Follow me on instagram: billy.by
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01-08-2010, 08:27 PM	#22
chungdae The Asian Sensation 59 Rep 708 Posts Drives: 2009 Alpine White M3, S1000RR Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (2)	Save your money, save up, and getter a higher end.
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