I'm in the market for a watch, but I've got champagne taste and a beer budget....

Wanting to spend under $800. It will be for work and business casual is my normal dress. I'm leaning towards at least 1 complication and a metal band. Something that says "I'm on my way up but still to poor to afford the Rolex Submariner I really want T.T;;;;"

I'm very brand/name focused- I want a watch enthusiast to see it and recognize its value and quality for its price point. What I don't want is someone to see it and think "what a cheap watch."

Any advice?

Cambium

United States16368 Posts

January 05 2015 00:09 GMT

#1302

Probably Hamilton.

Joedaddy

United States1948 Posts

January 05 2015 01:30 GMT

#1303

On January 05 2015 09:09 Cambium wrote:
Probably Hamilton.

Interesting that you say Hamilton- This is one at the top of my list so far:

+ Show Spoiler +

lichter

1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts

January 05 2015 01:34 GMT

#1304

Hamilton Intramatic.

solsken

Sweden182 Posts

January 05 2015 02:22 GMT

#1305

I'm kind of fond of the Seiko Cocktail Time.

lichter

1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts

January 05 2015 02:27 GMT

#1306

Cocktail Time is pretty cool too, but he said he's brand/name focused, and that usually means the people around him only recognize Rolex and aren't real enthusiasts, so no Seiko maybe :[

solsken

Sweden182 Posts

January 05 2015 02:30 GMT

#1307

There's a place where Hamilton is more recognizable than Seiko?

He mentioned that he wanted a watch that an enthusiast would recognize as a well bought watch in it's price range, I'd still say the sarb qualifies.

Joedaddy

United States1948 Posts

January 05 2015 03:29 GMT

#1308

Not being a watch guy, Seiko has a negative connoation in that... can't you buy a Seiko brand at wal mart? I'm not saying they don't make nice watches.

Carnivorous Sheep

Baa?21244 Posts

January 05 2015 03:33 GMT

#1309

You're sending a mixed message with "I want a watch enthusiast to see it and recognize its value and quality for its price point. What I don't want is someone to see it and think "what a cheap watch.""

A watch enthusiast will recognize a bunch of brands that the general population won't know. A "watch enthusiast" is the opposite of someone you describe in the second sentence who will see something that's not Rolex/Omega and think "what a cheap watch."

lichter

1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts

January 05 2015 03:53 GMT

#1310

A watch enthusiast will love the SARB. I personally really like it, and would buy it if I didn't have my eyes on a GS.

A common person will think it's a cheap watch compared to shitty mall brands

The Intramatic is sort of in between since Hamilton has a more positive connotation for non-enthusiasts, and most people like it

Depends who you really want to impress, I guess

Cambium

United States16368 Posts

January 05 2015 04:48 GMT

#1311

Or a Stowa, if you don't mind the wait.

lastpuritan

United States540 Posts

January 05 2015 09:49 GMT

#1312

solsken

Sweden182 Posts

January 05 2015 11:29 GMT

#1313

Well if you only buy a watch to impress random idiots, go buy a fake rolex then.
You're not into horology so why bother trying with a stepping stone piece.

With that Said, I like the Hamilton intramatic too, If that brings you an extra slap on the back go for it.

fLyiNgDroNe

Belgium4028 Posts

January 06 2015 12:55 GMT

#1314

i've always liked metal wrist bands and i'm fond of slim design, hence this watch suits me pretty well:
+ Show Spoiler +

SKAGEN Grenen Steel Mesh and Titanium Case Watch (Denmark)
[image loading]

Jibba

United States22883 Posts

January 06 2015 21:04 GMT

#1315

It's not the fanciest watch I own but it's by far the one I most enjoy wearing. It's light and relatively small for a G-Shock and most importantly of all, the thin clasp and band means it doesn't rub or scratch on my laptop while I'm typing. My nice watches are fine for events, but I hate wearing them on a day-to-day basis because of that.

Connors116

United States26 Posts

January 06 2015 21:48 GMT

#1316

Step it up scrubs

Glacierz

United States1244 Posts

January 14 2015 16:45 GMT

#1317

On January 05 2015 10:30 Joedaddy wrote:

Show nested quote +

Interesting that you say Hamilton- This is one at the top of my list so far:

+ Show Spoiler +

This one on sale for $800, dressier than a Hamilton IMO:
http://www.jomashop.com/frederique-constant-watch-303m4p6b3.html

If you want an actual dress watch, you need to go for leather straps and no more complications other than date.

GreenHorizons

United States23459 Posts

January 18 2015 02:50 GMT

#1318

I'm looking to pick up a skeleton (exposed internals) watch in the $100-$200 range So far I have found and liked these.

+ Show Spoiler +

+ Show Spoiler +

Anyone got any other suggestions in that range I could/should look at?

I particularly wanted something with blue accents if anyone knows of something like that. Other color accents besides chrome/gunmetal/black is something I would like to see too.

Watch 1
Watch 2

ShadeR

Australia7535 Posts

January 18 2015 10:34 GMT

#1319

this
+ Show Spoiler +

solsken

Sweden182 Posts

January 18 2015 11:32 GMT

#1320

You usually make a skeleton watch to show off a beutiful movement. Problem is that a 200$ watch rarely have much to show off. But sure you can probably raise an eyebrow or two from people that don't know watches with a cheap one.