Watch suggestions

[Miller1985]

So, I'm in the market for a new watch. I am a salesman for a hardware wholesaler, so I get into a lot of metal fab shops, etc. I need something that will go well with jeans and a casual shirt, as well as a suit and tie (if that's possible). I don't want a wall clock on my wrist... I'm not Flavor Flav. I'm looking for something lightweight. I also need something that's not so thick that it's awkward under a shirt cuff. If combining all this isn't too much to ask, I would really rather not spend more than $500-$1,000. I know that's not gonna get me an heirloom, but I just need it to tell time and look good. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Cheers

Dennis

[Geo17pip]

I'm a huge fan of the automatic seikos with the black leather straps. You can also buy NATO straps in various colors to interchange to match what you're wearing. 

[PapaDisco]

"Wall Clock"   I know fashion goes crazy every so often, but who's the idiot that got the Big Fat Watch craze rolling?  It used to be that a watchmaker demonstrated their art by making automatic movements that were thinner, smaller and more accurate with as many functions as they could cram in, but miniaturization was always the word.  There was no challenge if you were given unlimited size and weight to work with.  Breitling used to make fully loaded Navitimers 38mm wide, now it's not considered a real watch unless it's a mile wide, high, and three times the weight! 

[Colt45]

This is the watch I'd like to buy myself - Citizen Signature Grand Touring. Eco Drive, strap or bracelet and in your price range,

though I'm not sure it meets your size requirements:

 

[Miller1985]

10 minutes ago, PapaDisco said:

"Wall Clock"   I know fashion goes crazy every so often, but who's the idiot that got the Big Fat Watch craze rolling?  It used to be that a watchmaker demonstrated their art by making automatic movements that were thinner, smaller and more accurate with as many functions as they could cram in, but miniaturization was always the word.  There was no challenge if you were given unlimited size and weight to work with.  Breitling used to make fully loaded Navitimers 38mm wide, now it's not considered a real watch unless it's a mile wide, high, and three times the weight! 

Of course as a teenager I jumped all over the flashy 43mm + craze. I'm too the point where I would love to have something in the 38-40 range and the thinner the better. I have a small wrist, to start with, and as I've grown older (I'm 30 now) I've settled into a more classic way of life. 

[Miller1985]

13 minutes ago, Colt45 said:

This is the watch I'd like to buy myself - Citizen Signature Grand Touring. Eco Drive, strap or bracelet and in your price range,

though I'm not sure it meets your size requirements:

 

It is a touch larger than what I'm looking for, but it's a beautiful piece aesthetically. Thank you for the suggestion. 

[Miller1985]

3 minutes ago, SlimOne said:

Skagen makes a nice thin watch and affordable.

I've been eyeing those. Any experience with them at all?

[Miller1985]

15 minutes ago, SlimOne said:

Yes I have had mine for roughly 3yrs. No problems.

under 300canadian lots of comments on my nice watch.

looks like it would cost more than it did.

i had a hard time finding a watch that suited me. I didn't want a huge face nor a thick watch. 

IMO a good buy there is better there is worse. I like mine.

I'm happy to hear that, Sir. Did you get one of the titanium versions?

[archosaur]

My daily wearer is cheap, small (38 mm), and thin for a chronograph style watch, if that look or functionality interests you.  Draws many compliments.  Seiko SNDC99:

 

 

[Miller1985]

4 minutes ago, archosaur said:

My daily wearer is cheap, small (38 mm), and thin for a chronograph style watch, if that look or functionality interests you.  Draws many compliments.  Seiko SNDC99:

 

 

This is the reason I posted this thread. This is exactly the sort of thing I wanted. 38mm with a 6mm height! Thank you so much for the suggestion: This is now in my top few options. 

[Easttide]

Automatic Japanese movement with Nato band. I'm active and it works.

[leftimatic]

Been wearing a citizen slim eco drive for over a decade now. There's no night light on it and one needs to keep up on daylight savings time and the dates and such but I have never changed batteries or needed to wind it once. Nice and slim and been around the block a few times and considering the hell I put most things through it has been one of my most soundest investments. Since I took up farming and homesteading I don't wear it much anymore. Chickens don't care about things like that. But once in a while the Citizen and the Sendras go stepping out. Only bitch I have is that I got the leather band and have had too replace it twice now. Bt I dig it so much that $30 every five years is small potatoes. I think it was 180 Canuck bucks. Ten or eleven years ago mind you don't know what they would be worth now. 

[Miller1985]

4 minutes ago, Easttide said:

Automatic Japanese movement with Nato band. I'm active and it works.

That's a beautiful watch brother. 

[PatrickEwing]

1 hour ago, SlimOne said:

Skagen makes a nice thin watch and affordable.

Strongly second this. I have only two watches. One is a 1944 or 1945 Omega that my wife got me. I rarely wear it because I rarely trust myself not to ruin it. My other watch that I wear everyday is a Skagen that I got 7-8 years ago. Very slim, actually gets some compliments and think it was barely more than $100. I much prefer leather bands and they have plenty of option in that style. 

[Miller1985]

4 minutes ago, PatrickEwing said:

Strongly second this. I have only two watches. One is a 1944 or 1945 Omega that my wife got me. I rarely wear it because I rarely trust myself not to ruin it. My other watch that I wear everyday is a Skagen that I got 7-8 years ago. Very slim, actually gets some compliments and think it was barely more than $100. I much prefer leather bands and they have plenty of option in that style. 

Thank you for this. That is a beautiful watch. I prefer leather for suit and tie, and bracelet or rubber for casual. 

[amaxp81]

Save a bit more and get a used Tudor Heritage Black Bay in Noir.... can be worn with stainless.... with leather.... or with the NATO.... it's the PERFECT every day watch from the sister company of Rolex that only true watch enthusiasts will know.

I own 3 Tudors and LOVE the quality.



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[dangolf18]

Longines Hydroconquest fits the bill. Runs around $800 duty-free. 

[Philc2001]

This is probably more complicated than you may be hoping for, but you probably should narrow down the field a little more with some additional input points about what you are looking for. Here are a few things to think about:

Power Source:

• Automatic (kinetic)
• Battery
• Solar

Case Material:

• Stainless Steel
• Titanium
• Composite

Style:

• Dress
• Sport
• Dive

Function:

• Basic (hours/mins)
• Basic date (day of the month)
• Basic day/date (weekday and day of month)
• Chrono
• GMT (dual time zone)
• Digital
• Hybrid analog/digital

Strap:

• Leather
• Bracelet
• Nato

Lume:

• Bright
• Minimal
• None

Case Size (not including crown) 

• 38-40mm
• 41-43mm
• >43mm

I've collected watches for several years, mostly swiss automatics. It's a very personal thing, and it can be an expensive hobby.

[Miller1985]

8 minutes ago, dangolf18 said:

Longines Hydroconquest fits the bill. Runs around $800 duty-free. 

That's a beautiful watch. I love the blue dial. 

[dangolf18]

Yep it's my daily.



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[Miller1985]

3 minutes ago, Philc2001 said:

This is probably more complicated than you may be hoping for, but you probably should narrow down the field a little more with some additional input points about what you are looking for. Here are a few things to think about:

Power Source:

• Automatic (kinetic)
• Battery
• Solar

Case Material:

• Stainless Steel
• Titanium
• Composite

Style:

• Dress
• Sport
• Dive

Function:

• Basic (hours/mins)
• Basic date (day of the month)
• Basic day/date (weekday and day of month)
• Chrono
• GMT (dual time zone)
• Digital
• Hybrid analog/digital

Strap:

• Leather
• Bracelet
• Nato

Lume:

• Bright
• Minimal
• None

Case Size (not including crown) 

• 38-40mm
• 41-43mm
• >43mm

I've collected watches for several years, mostly swiss automatics. It's a very personal thing, and it can be an expensive hobby.

Ok so here are my answers. I'm not limited by these answers, just my preference if I can find the right combination of them  

1. Automatic

2. Stainless or Titanium

3. Something I can wear for both dress and sport. 

4. Basic date or Chrono

5. Leather or Bracelet

6. Minimal or none

7. 38-40mm

 

ill add one that is personal to me... 

Case height... 5-9mm but would consider 10 if everything is 100% money otherwise. 

[GavLew79]

I'd suggest Mondaine. Automatic. Thin. Swiss styling. I beleive they make the clocks at Swiss railway stations. My brother has one and I really like it. 

[Philc2001]

16 minutes ago, Miller1985 said:

Ok so here are my answers. I'm not limited by these answers, just my preference if I can find the right combination of them  

1. Automatic

2. Stainless or Titanium

3. Something I can wear for both dress and sport. 

4. Basic date or Chrono

5. Leather or Bracelet

6. Minimal or none

7. 38-40mm

 

ill add one that is personal to me... 

Case height... 5-9mm but would consider 10 if everything is 100% money otherwise. 

There are many boutique automatic brands that would probably fit the bill within your budget. However, you must bear in mind that most automatics are not going to be within your height limit. The majority are going to be in the 12-14mm, some up to 16mm height.  

Another point to consider is the origin of the movement. Since you prefer Automatic, there are Swiss automatics, and Asian automatics. Swiss is more money, but some would argue they are more exclusive or more desirable, but whatever.

Rather than try to sell you on a specific model or design, I would recommend you take a look at some of these sites and see if anything there strikes your fancy.

Orient http://orientwatchusa.com/ (you may like the Mako USA II)

Deep Blue http://www.deepbluewatches.com/ (some of the airblue are cheaper, whereas divers tend to have more height)

Hamilton https://shop.hamiltonwatch.com/ (they do run a bit big nowadays, but I have several and I love them)

Steinhart https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/ (German company making gorgeous Swiss time pieces, I have a few of these and they are awesome)

When you see something you like, just let use know and that will give us some idea what style you like.

[Miller1985]

2 minutes ago, Philc2001 said:

There are many boutique automatic brands that would probably fit the bill within your budget. However, you must bear in mind that most automatics are not going to be within your height limit. The majority are going to be in the 12-14mm, some up to 16mm height.  

Another point to consider is the origin of the movement. Since you prefer Automatic, there are Swiss automatics, and Asian automatics. Swiss is more money, but some would argue they are more exclusive or more desirable, but whatever.

Rather than try to sell you on a specific model or design, I would recommend you take a look at some of these sites and see if anything there strikes your fancy.

Orient http://orientwatchusa.com/ (you may like the Mako USA II)

Deep Blue http://www.deepbluewatches.com/ (some of the airblue are cheaper, whereas divers tend to have more height)

Hamilton https://shop.hamiltonwatch.com/ (they do run a bit big nowadays, but I have several and I love them)

Steinhart https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/ (German company making gorgeous Swiss time pieces, I have a few of these and they are awesome)

When you see something you like, just let use know and that will give us some idea what style you like.

In that case, I don't have to have an automotic. I genuinely love my auto that I have now except that I have stopped wearing it because of the 13mm height. 

[Miller1985]

13 minutes ago, Philc2001 said:

There are many boutique automatic brands that would probably fit the bill within your budget. However, you must bear in mind that most automatics are not going to be within your height limit. The majority are going to be in the 12-14mm, some up to 16mm height.  

Another point to consider is the origin of the movement. Since you prefer Automatic, there are Swiss automatics, and Asian automatics. Swiss is more money, but some would argue they are more exclusive or more desirable, but whatever.

Rather than try to sell you on a specific model or design, I would recommend you take a look at some of these sites and see if anything there strikes your fancy.

Orient http://orientwatchusa.com/ (you may like the Mako USA II)

Deep Blue http://www.deepbluewatches.com/ (some of the airblue are cheaper, whereas divers tend to have more height)

Hamilton https://shop.hamiltonwatch.com/ (they do run a bit big nowadays, but I have several and I love them)

Steinhart https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/ (German company making gorgeous Swiss time pieces, I have a few of these and they are awesome)

When you see something you like, just let use know and that will give us some idea what style you like.

This is exactly why I posted here. I am too ignorant on the subject to understand that the automatics are thicker.  I really love a simple two hand dress watch with either a white or off white dial. However, at the moment I can only afford one watch at a time, so I'm leaning toward either a chrono or a pilot with a narrower bezel. I don't like dive watches. Archosaur's Seiko is right in the wheelhouse that I'm looking for style wise. I do have a huge thing for a blue dial though.