Recently I looked at GS and loved them and was recommended a bunch of Citizens to peruse as a lower price point since I can't financially afford a GS.
Seiko has a lot more choices, but it's quite perplexing how almost all their watches are Hardlex unless you're willing to spend over $700
Citizen doesn't have the wacky crazy dials of Seiko but their designs are very much classic.
Some of the more popular recent Citizen's that are really good value:
- Tsuyosa - PRX niche, ~$325 with sapphire crystal
- NB 1050 - basically what the SARB was but even better finished.
- NB 1060 - a polished dial monster to compete with the likes of Grand Seiko, for only $640