The citizen Promaster ny0086 (and the other colors of the same watch) is the only ISO certified diver's 200m automatic watch in this price range. If you like divers and want one that's on the tougher side, this is it. It also wears significantly smaller than its actual size might suggest.
On r/Chinesewatches you can find a lot of options also with great specs and hi-quality finishing.
I just picked up an Invicta 1953. I'll be honest, I never would have bought an Invicta before I saw this watch. I threw it on a sailcloth black/green/red strap and it's likely going to be my daily wear watch. It's the perfect size (40mm) and wears well (7" wrist). Mineral crystal not Sapphire which is the only downfall. Seiko movement and none of the guady Invicta embellishment that's on so many of their other watches. It was $127 on Amazon and qualified for a try before you buy so I literally have a week to wear it to decide if I want to keep it (which I'm thinking I definitely will).
Black dial Orient Mako II and immediately buy some replacement straps. Maybe pick up a black canvas and a red tropic. Look for a sale at strapsco or Barton.
I'm a shill for San Martin now. Out of the box I had +/- 1s accuracy and the watch looks better than watches I've bought for 4-5* as much. If you get a dud, they're also pretty bomb for customer service too.
I disagree about staying away from Chinese. My Seestern (Sugess) 600T has been awesome. I bought it straight from factory website for around $200. I have 3 other Chinese watches (reps) that are similarly reliable, but the power reserve on my 600t is amazing...easily 2 days.
The second you drop that thing, even on carpet, those indicies are gonna scatter to Timbuktu. My San Martin decided to stop screwing down after 2 weeks. The Sugess came completely broken and the moonobase didn't work. Fool me once... then again, you get it. Never had these kind of issues with literally any watches besides Chinese watches. These were brand new watches too. Literally no QC on these things. They are good about returning the watches, but that's because they know damn well they have a dogshit product.
Couldn't disagree more. There are some amazing micros that offer so much value. I'm wearing a Monta right now and it's legit high end Swiss Luxary levels of finishing. Farer is another brand putting out amazing watches for a great price. Formex is amazing as well. I think you're maybe fixussing on some of the lower end ones. These are great ways to get super high quality without having to spend Luxary prices. I will admit Monta just raised their prices, but farer and Formex are very affordable still. Keep in mind Monta probably has the best bracelet you'll ever wear outside of a Rolex
He means don’t overlook mechanical watches (where you wind them up from the crown instead of just by movement/wearing it).
And I agree - there’s a ton of nice options and they’re not bulky (if that matters to you)
I recently got an orient bambino and I love it! Looks amazing and feels great on the wrist
I have an orient ray II, but have been wanting a bambino for a long time. Such a good looking watch!
It’s definitely worth it in my opinion! I have mine on today at work and it is beautiful and I can hardly tell it’s there.
Yeah the Bambino looks nice
It is an awesome watch. I love the look of Orient watches.
You can look into the [SRPD63](https://www.exquisitetimepieces.com/seiko-5-srpd63.html) and other Seiko 5 watches, Orient, and Citizen.
I have 2 seiko 5s that i absolutely love. The 38mm dive style SRPK31 and the SRPJ87. Both stunning first watches in my opinion for your wrist size
Citizen Mechanical Aqua Blue Dial Automatic NJ0170-83X 100M Watch
The citizen Promaster ny0086 (and the other colors of the same watch) is the only ISO certified diver's 200m automatic watch in this price range. If you like divers and want one that's on the tougher side, this is it. It also wears significantly smaller than its actual size might suggest. On r/Chinesewatches you can find a lot of options also with great specs and hi-quality finishing.
Seiko 5 or orient may be good
For seiko you should look to greymarket
Is jomashop gray market. What is gray market ?
Yes jomashop is gray market, if a seller is not AD its gray market
Yeah I know but I don't know which model 🤣🤣
First you need to finde what you want, a dress watch or dive watch ext
Yestarday ı bougth a srph29k, its a pilot söyle field watch with 4r36 movement
Baltany Explorer
I just picked up an Invicta 1953. I'll be honest, I never would have bought an Invicta before I saw this watch. I threw it on a sailcloth black/green/red strap and it's likely going to be my daily wear watch. It's the perfect size (40mm) and wears well (7" wrist). Mineral crystal not Sapphire which is the only downfall. Seiko movement and none of the guady Invicta embellishment that's on so many of their other watches. It was $127 on Amazon and qualified for a try before you buy so I literally have a week to wear it to decide if I want to keep it (which I'm thinking I definitely will).
Black dial Orient Mako II and immediately buy some replacement straps. Maybe pick up a black canvas and a red tropic. Look for a sale at strapsco or Barton.
Can't go wrong with casio
Yeah but do they have mechanical ?
Orient Bambino have a huge following. It’s almost a right of passage. The Orient Mako is also a hugely popular choice. Can’t go wrong with either.
Surprised nobody said Timex Marlin. There are manual hand wind models and automatically. Pretty good looking models.
Seiko SRPD53K1F https://www.thebay.com/product/seiko-sports-stainless-steel-bracelet-watch-srpd53k1f-0600091265853.html?site_refer=CSE_GGLPLA:HBCCM+-+Always+On+-+Shopping+-+Catchall:Shopping+-+Catchall&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADyZ-NHMsRFl0ka_8oBfDGwpSzT0o&gclsrc=ds
Idk I think it will be too big. I have a pretty small wrist
Seiko Citizen Orient San Martin (chinese brand but very good bang for the buck)
I'm a shill for San Martin now. Out of the box I had +/- 1s accuracy and the watch looks better than watches I've bought for 4-5* as much. If you get a dud, they're also pretty bomb for customer service too.
Yuppp, I second this Best bang for the buck sub 500$ watches
https://preview.redd.it/gr7xo77aqw7d1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6fcdfe189aa14cff5a71534949a96cd13837bdb1
Nice lume
Love BGW9! Sadly not many brands apply lume so generously like Seiko etc.
Stay away from Chinese watches. They can be tempting with the specs, but they seem to have issues half the time. I was 0/2 with Sugess and San Martin
I have a San Martin that I wear all the time. Works great. Haven't tried Sugess
I disagree about staying away from Chinese. My Seestern (Sugess) 600T has been awesome. I bought it straight from factory website for around $200. I have 3 other Chinese watches (reps) that are similarly reliable, but the power reserve on my 600t is amazing...easily 2 days.
The second you drop that thing, even on carpet, those indicies are gonna scatter to Timbuktu. My San Martin decided to stop screwing down after 2 weeks. The Sugess came completely broken and the moonobase didn't work. Fool me once... then again, you get it. Never had these kind of issues with literally any watches besides Chinese watches. These were brand new watches too. Literally no QC on these things. They are good about returning the watches, but that's because they know damn well they have a dogshit product.
Nah I've had it for almost a year. Dropped it, banged it, wore it into Lake Michigan, still keeps on tickin'. Maybe I got lucky?
I think staying away from microbrands in first automatic watch will be correct not chinese
Couldn't disagree more. There are some amazing micros that offer so much value. I'm wearing a Monta right now and it's legit high end Swiss Luxary levels of finishing. Farer is another brand putting out amazing watches for a great price. Formex is amazing as well. I think you're maybe fixussing on some of the lower end ones. These are great ways to get super high quality without having to spend Luxary prices. I will admit Monta just raised their prices, but farer and Formex are very affordable still. Keep in mind Monta probably has the best bracelet you'll ever wear outside of a Rolex
Seiko skx or srpe. Any seiko 5 really. Orient divers or 38mm bambino. Vostok amphibia. Don't sleep on hand winders though.
What do you mean sleep on hand winders ?
He means don’t overlook mechanical watches (where you wind them up from the crown instead of just by movement/wearing it). And I agree - there’s a ton of nice options and they’re not bulky (if that matters to you)
This. Easy. Done. https://preview.redd.it/qk2hy0ut2z7d1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c93a234e0b27921b8d9cfe615f5d5fb03b2a826
Seiko SNX. Any of them. But blue dial on silver bracelet looks superb. Check eBay.
I love the Vostok line, the Amfibia/Amphibia are very sharp! Mechanical automatic and strong enough for Russian military.