Shinola is a cool watch to check out
this post was submitted on 22 Oct 2023
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Tempore Lux Racing One.
I have one with a red and a red leather strap. It is gorgeous.
Seiko presage my guy
For that budget, look at the Orient Bambino.
My suggestion is and will always be Seiko.
Everyone, despite the value of their collection, own a Seiko. It’s a lot of watch and history for the money. If you eventually get stuck with this hobby you will always be able to ”upgrade” your first Seiko to a much superior Grand Seiko and it will feel amazing.
Bookmarking this post for later! Thank you!
Best bang for the buck, Seikos. They have solid watches, divers, dress, etc. Look the Seiko 5 line up, Seiko Presage, Citizen promaster and casio gshock and edifice. You will find automatic or quartz reliable moments.
Tissot gentleman was my first Swiss automatic purchase but it’s almost $900
Surprised nobody’s mentioned Forge & Foster. They are fairly new but their watches are awesome, this is my daily beater
So many good options that fit this bill, really. Depends on your style but I think on "go-to" option is a Hamilton field auto, if you don't want to think too hard about it (or even of you do). It looks right to me in almost any outfit or situation and doesn't cost a ton. But really... You're spoiled for choice here, and you just might become a watch nerd if you're not careful.
Citizen Tsuyosa
Seiko Alpinist or something alike.
Seiko, Tissot
Have already been mentioned, but I have both a Lorier Falcon II, and a Maen Hudson (more than $500, but still roughly in that ball park), and both have held up amazing. I typically switch off wearing them every day. Big fan of both!
Go to jomashop.com, look for Tissot, Seiko, Orient, Citizen. Maybe can find a Hamilton at that price, dunno.
At £500 I'd go seiko. If your in the office a day date complication is handy.
I like a dive bezel for timing my coffee in a French press.
Not many people know of Nodus.. I'm not a watch guy but their $500ish watches look great.
Check out Lorier. They have several well-built vintage-inspired watches at the $500 price point. They're very versatile and can be worn in both casual and professional contexts. My pick would be the Neptune IV, but you can't go wrong with the Falcon or the Astra if that speaks to you more.
In that price range Tissot, Hamilton, Seiko all make great time pieces with respected heritage and movements. You can also go micro brands like brew, farer, etc.
My recommendation is tissot PRX, it has a timeless design and can be dressed up or down.
Just all depends what you like. Automatic watches are more fun for a first watch IMO, the ritual of setting your watch, date etc. are part of the fun. Quartz watches are also great if you want a movement that requires 0 effort to set and will keep perfect time till the quartz batter runs out. Automatic is cooler to me for a first watch cause it’s all mechanical with 0 electronics, that said, I own watches with both types of movements, it’s all personal preference.
Tissot
Seiko, Hamilton or Orient
Plot twist, OP wants to flex and stand out?
In addition to Seiko (especially the Presage line) and Citizen already mentioned:
TIMEX Marlin Automatic
Sugess. Arguably the best bang for the buck after Seiko (Seiko, especially the Seiko Presage line, is much better quality). Just got my Sugess moonphase.
Splurge option ($650): Tuseno WINDSEEKER collection.
Look at Vaer. They are American assembled, and use American quartz , Japanese mechanical, and Swiss mechanical movements. They are headquartered in Southern California, and are guaranteed waterproof unlike all other brands, and they use Swiss lume generously. They are also affordable relative to Lorier.
If you want something a little different, made in America, and just above $500 check out Dufrane Watches out of Texas.