Watch Suggestions

[tgfencer]

Hey folks, I'm looking for watch suggestions. I like watches with smaller faces than is currently the fad, enough to allow proper wrist articulation. Ideally it would be waterproof, IPX 7 or 8. Aesthetically, I like simple leather/canvas millitary style watches. My father in-law had a british army watch from WWII which I really liked, but he no longer has it so I'm not sure what it was. Sub $300 would be ideal.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Genghis_F]

Hey folks, I'm looking for watch suggestions. I like watches with smaller faces than is currently the fad, enough to allow proper wrist articulation. Ideally it would be waterproof, IPX 7 or 8. Aesthetically, I like simple leather/canvas millitary style watches. My father in-law had a british army watch from WWII which I really liked, but he no longer has it so I'm not sure what it was. Sub $300 would be ideal.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any suggestions.

If you knocked over a bank or the trust fund paid out, this is what I’d get
Low key flex

https://www.panerai.com/us/en/collections/watch-collection/radiomir.html

 

[tgfencer]

If you knocked over a bank or the trust fund paid out, this is what I’d get
Low key flex

https://www.panerai.com/us/en/collections/watch-collection/radiomir.html

Haha, not quite in the sub-$300 category.

 

[user 16756]

Seiko 5

the SRPG41 looks really nice

 

[McMan]

I prefer a smaller watch too.

• I like the Seiko 5 SNK809. Very simple design, small (37mm), mechanical not quartz, ~$160, and there are a few iterations depending on how you like the numbers and what face color you want.
• Alpina also has a few reasonably priced ones that might fit the bill (though a bit larger than you might like). The Alpina Starttimer Pilot is available at a few places for ~$160 and might fit the bill in terms of style (though a bit larger at 42mm).
• The Hamilton khaki field watch is also similar in style, Swiss movt, not super small though (42mm), ~$400. Edit: Looks like they have a 38mm version too.

 

[nexus1935]

Marathon Watches has a wide range of military-spec watches, including 34-36mm field watches around your price range:

https://www.marathonwatch.com/collections/general-purpose-watches

 

[Danejah]

Look into CWC (Cabot Watch Company), they make watches for the British Military in both mechanical and quartz. A bit out of your preferred budget but really great watches and highly respected in the watch world.

 

[tgfencer]

Thanks everyone, lots of mull over.

 

[calostro5]

I prefer a smaller watch too.

• I like the Seiko 5 SNK809. Very simple design, small (37mm), mechanical not quartz, ~$160, and there are a few iterations depending on how you like the numbers and what face color you want.
• Alpina also has a few reasonably priced ones that might fit the bill (though a bit larger than you might like). The Alpina Starttimer Pilot is available at a few places for ~$160 and might fit the bill in terms of style (though a bit larger at 42mm).
• The Hamilton khaki field watch is also similar in style, Swiss movt, not super small though (42mm), ~$400. Edit: Looks like they have a 38mm version too.

About Hamilton, there is a 38 mm versions as you said.
I have this watch and I recommend it. Bit the prices are risen a little and in Europe I think that this watch could cost around 590€

 

[SwampDonkey]

I have this one as my primary field watch, it takes a beating and holds up well. Silent movement which is nice coming from a noisey Timex, and the Eco-Drive brings peace of mind when I'm out in the woods. There are a few different styles to suit your personal taste

https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/...dr9fnexNCKmePllbTOaedoYAwWw1gUDRoCiXoQAvD_BwE

 

[Corradobrit1]

Another thumbs up for the Hamilton Field Khaki 38mm. 80hr power reserve is amazing at the $400 price point. They are highly respected although a little higher than your budget, but if you are rigid about that look for a preowned. Automatic movements will cost more than quartz.

https://millenarywatches.com/hamilton-khaki-field-h69439931-review-complete-guide/

 

[WildBoar]

x100 on Hamiltons

 

[fortheloveofmoar]

Casio all the way if you don’t want a mechanical movement or drop a bunch of cash.

Hell maybe get a Casio anyways.

Putting my two cents in - seiko is great. Hamilton is also great, more heritage style



I’d also throw in Stowa. Good German brand. Lotta value higher end eta movements that they clobrate in house

I’d also look at sinn. They do cost more now than they did a few years ago… but still nice watches.

I’d honestly say get em used. They drop so much value even BNiB. Watch_exchange is still very active on reddit.

 

[shopshopshop]

not in price range but smiths watches are small and pretty classic british look.

https://www.timefactors.com/

 

[fortheloveofmoar]

I’d second smiths. Very classy styling and you can get them at decent prices used but that’s still 500ish (same as Hamilton though)

 

[tgfencer]

Thanks for the recommendations. I had been keeping my eyes out for a few Smiths models actually, but I ended up snagging two second-hand Stowa watches (Partitio and a 36mm Marine) and a Vario Trench watch. Somehow ended up with 3 watches instead of only 1 like I intended. I need another hobby I can't afford like I need a hole in the head, so gonna call it quits there and force my brain and computer to forget everything watch-related. When people are consistently hawking watches that are like 10-40% of all the money I made last year, I know that's something I don't need to be involved in.

Also the tip about buying used can't be understated for anyone else who might be watch shopping. That savings potential is really serious amounts of money, the new/used devaluation seems similar to cars, easily 25%-50% lower than retail for the non-collectible/rare stuff.

 

[fortheloveofmoar]

Huzzah!!!! That’s funny. The stowa partitio was my first real mechanical watch. Then my wife got me the marine. It’s a rabbit hole though….

 

[timebard]

Also the tip about buying used can't be understated for anyone else who might be watch shopping. That savings potential is really serious amounts of money, the new/used devaluation seems similar to cars, easily 25%-50% lower than retail for the non-collectible/rare stuff.

Any suggestions on safe/reliable marketplaces for used watches? There's a few recs here that caught my eye but can't bring myself up pay retail for any of them...

 

[tgfencer]

Any suggestions on safe/reliable marketplaces for used watches? There's a few recs here that caught my eye but can't bring myself up pay retail for any of them...

I used Watchuseek, which is a forum. It seems fairly reliable and policed, but there were some sketchy interactions. Seems like the Reddit mentioned above is also quite active. The usual caveats about online buying/selling apply, particularly as the watch collecting community is much bigger than the kitchen knife one, so it’s less self-regulating when it comes to community norms. Lots of folks asking for wire transfers/Paypal friend and family, etc, and in general way more scammers.

If you’re searching specific watches, there are a few websites that collate all the various sales posts on the major marketplaces and exchange sites in a one stop search engine which is super useful. I used Watch Charts.

 

[fortheloveofmoar]

Any suggestions on safe/reliable marketplaces for used watches? There's a few recs here that caught my eye but can't bring myself up pay retail for any of them...

Buy the seller for sure on reddit. I’ve always had good luck. Usually folks with a lot of rep are reliable (obviously). I would never do a high dollar amount transaction with low to no rep. There are a good amount of dealer or even watch enthusiasts who flip theough watches so not I bc I’m on to see folks with high double digits or hundreds of transactions.

 

[fortheloveofmoar]

Any suggestions on safe/reliable marketplaces for used watches? There's a few recs here that caught my eye but can't bring myself up pay retail for any of them...

Sorry one more thing. If you are going more high end. Then grey market is… an option (again don’t know if I would do this over Reddit). The warranty isn’t great but the discount is pretty big like at least 1k on some watches.

I’d say most people who post on r/watch-exchange are pretty invested in their rep since it allows them to continue to flip their watches. Not saying scams don’t happen but it is not super common.

 

[Uncle Danny]

didn’t read through the answers, but CWC G10 could be for you?

 

[tgfencer]

Yeah the two scammers I encountered, one on Reddit and one on the forum I mentioned, were the obvious kind. Just joined, no posts/reviews, and the kind of communication that screamed scam.