[Zona]

I'm a big fan of Tissot for a Swiss movement in a stylish, affordable timepiece. I currently own the PRC 200 chronograph and I love it. It's just a tad over the $300 price point, but so far it's been an amazing watch and I get a lot of compliments on it.

PRC 200 - $315: http://www.amazon.com/Tissot-TIST0554171...sot+prc200



Tissot also makes some other classic looking pieces for around or below $300.

Tradition Chronograph - $302: http://www.amazon.com/Tissot-T0636171603...15&sr=1-15



T-Classic - $220: http://www.amazon.com/Tissot-T-Classic-T...B005DL3R8S



They've got quite a few different styles to choose from, and most models are available with black faces as well. I've also heard good things about Seiko and Hamilton, though I've owned neither. My daily watch is usually a simple Timex Weekender that is surprisingly stylish (particularly with different bands) and keeps good time, but is cheap enough that it won't bother me if it gets a little dinged up.

[Sam Malone]

You can sometimes score big at a pawn shop.

There are a few things to keep in mind, though, while you're browsing the DVD and Blu-Ray section before you make your move on that watch:

- The biggest thing to remember is that the pawn shop is willing to deal. They paid a lot less for that watch (or whatever else catches your eye) than you may think. If it sits in the case too long, they have incentive to move it.
- Nowadays, just about everyone has access to the internet in the palm of their hands. Use that to your advantage. Get the model number off the watch and see what retail is.
- In my experiences, I've found that if you offer 40-45% less (than their asking price), they'll counter with splitting the difference. $100 watch, offer $60, they'll counter with $80. Tell them to throw in that Blu-Ray of (whatever movie they have that you like) and it's a deal.

Bonus points if your local pawn shop has tags on everything, that have a series of letters that look random. Those letters tell the salesperson how much the shop paid for that item. Most pawn shops that use this format have one of two phrases, Blackhorse or MaryLouise, and those letters correspond to numbers.

Typically, the letters match up like so:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
B L A C K H O R S E
M A R Y L O U I S E

So a pawn shop using the Blackhorse phrase, has a tag with a sale price of $150, but the letters read 'EHBB'. Which tells you that they paid $95 for it. The MaryLouise tag will read 'EOMM'.
They're not going to sell it to you for $95, but an offer of $120 (20% less than their original price) will usually get you that item.

One more tip would be to have a 'regular' pawn shop. Check the place out every couple of weeks, buy a DVD or Blu-Ray (that you want) every so often. That alone can go a long way when you pull the trigger and decide to buy a watch from them.

[elgniak]

Did someone mention orient star ?
It s a japanese brand and now belong to seiko .they have good mouvement .and it not really expensive

I just buy on this website , fast and have good review
http://www.creationwatches.com/products/...-7181.html

I take the brown one .

[dorky44]

The following is a good forum to look for an affordable classic watch:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/afforda...ssic+watch

[N°6]

Any views on new mid-range watches v used premium range watches?

I have seen use Tag Heure watches for example at £500 from legitimate used watch sellers.

[Tail Gunner]

(11-25-2017 05:15 AM)N°6 Wrote:  

Any views on new mid-range watches v used premium range watches?

I have seen use Tag Heure watches for example at £500 from legitimate used watch sellers.

Years ago, I bought and sold used luxury watches on ebay as a hobby. Mostly lower-end Patek Philippe watches from the 1940's to 1960's. I can tell you that the best luxury watch brands are very similar to firearms (in terms of holding their value).

Once you buy a new watch or firearm they immediately lose half their value, but then they retain that 50% value for the rest of their lifespans (providing that you maintain them and do not abuse them). In fact, they may even increase in value over time. So, a used high-quality timepiece is a great value. You can wear it for decades and then resell it for even more. There are not too many consumer items like that.

I am talking about used watches from $2,000 and up, such as Patek, Rolex, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, etc. Not sure about the $500 price range. It is possible that used mid-level watches, such as TAG Heuer, might also hold their value. I wrote about this topic in another thread:

thread-2942-...#pid603609


A few of the watches that I have owned. The Patek was made in the late 1930's!

thread-6650-...#pid734693

[Dragan]

Seiko 5. Solid automatic watch, and got lots of compliments from people thinking it was a rolex.

Most are under 100USD new.

Not quite the model i'm thinking of, but close enough:

[sterling_archer]

What do you guys think about Vincero watches? Alpha m. channel recommended it and I must say, they look good and are affordable.

[Laska]

^If you have a big wrist, and merely want to look good and have it tell the time, then buy the Vincero.

1+ on the Seiko 5. I have one with a blue face. The 38mm size is perfect for my small wrist.

[Irenicus]

Avoid those. Most of those companies make their watches in China. If they are unknown, they are cheap. If they are more known, they are expensive. For example, Fossil and Hugo Boss watches are made in the same factory in China. The price between those two brands (for new watches) is high. The quality is the same. First hand experience.



I suggest you check Ebay, or locally (Njuškalo) for some similar watch (looks like a homage of some mid level watch). I suggest used, because you can get more for the price. Just make sure that you authenticate you watch before purchase (Seiko, Casio, Citizen and Tissot are faked a lot). Try to get a watch with original box and papers if possible.



For example, one year ago, I bought a Tissot titanium watch (with box, papers, and original invoice from 2008) for a 1/4 of the price (new one was $600). Of course, I authenticated it at the AD (despite the fact that titanium watches are not faked - titanium is much harder to melt than steel). Love it, and people (men) notice it.

[Kdog]

I rock this DW black with rose gold accents. They are simple and under $300. Tons of different styles.

[CaptainChardonnay]

Omega Seamaster for a proper mid range. DW for a very low mid but still nice looking watch.

[Nordwand]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but bear in mind that quality timepieces need servicing. That second hand Tag may not look so much of a bargain when work needs to be done, and independents that can do the work are becoming rarer, due to the restriction of the availability of parts by manufacturers.

[The Beast1]

When it comes to luxury goods (watches, clothes, glasses,etc), I expect it to be made in a 1st world country. Nothing irks me more than made in china crap at a 5000% markup.

My new glasses are made in Italy and my old ones are made in China. Both cost the same, yet one is using sweatshop currency arbitrage to make oodles of money while the other is an honest shop set up somewhere in Milan.

I'd be happy to pay for a wholly owned Chinese luxury brand that was born and bred locally in China. Anything else is just a waste of time.

[Ski pro]

   

I just bought one of these. Was about 250frs.

I like It and its a bit different. Looks good on the rare occasions I wear it.

It's by a Swiss brand called slow watch

[CaptainChardonnay]

(12-04-2017 12:34 PM)Nordwand Wrote:  

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but bear in mind that quality timepieces need servicing. That second hand Tag may not look so much of a bargain when work needs to be done, and independents that can do the work are becoming rarer, due to the restriction of the availability of parts by manufacturers.

Yeah servicing for automatics aka cleaning and lubrication usually goes around 200-250 USD every couple years.

[ElSanto]

This korean brand that has a lot of hype in watches forums: Tisell submariner

[Tail Gunner]

(12-04-2017 12:34 PM)Nordwand Wrote:  

independents that can do the work are becoming rarer, due to the restriction of the availability of parts by manufacturers.

In a nutshell, that is exactly why I stopped collecting, buying, and selling high quality watches. It all started with Rolex. I hate their styling (large and clunky) so I never bothered with Rolex watches. But then their pernicious policies forcing their clients to use only authorized dealers for servicing -- and limiting parts only to authorized dealers permeated the rest of the industry.

[Tail Gunner]

(12-04-2017 03:48 PM)ElSanto Wrote:  

This korean brand that has a lot of hype in watches forums: Tisell submariner

Always try on a watch before you make a purchase and give it a shake. Many watches with metal bands look cool, but then you find that the removable links are too large to provide a good fit (meaning that the band is either too tight or too loose on your wrist), the band pulls on your wrists hairs, or it pinches your skin. I have only owned a single watch with a metal band that really fit well (the band links were very small). Otherwise, I have always worn leather bands.

[nomadbrah]

I've seen copies in Thailand that look really good for $10. Of course they don't work more than a few weeks.

That's the feeling I get with most of these "new, incredible, kickstarter" watches. Just a bunch of chinese cheap parts.

I don't get the hype for custom or new watches honestly.

Swiss watch or everything else essentially.

[Soyouz]

The Maserati Watch R8871621005 is also worth considering. I've had it for one year and I'm loving it so far.
https://www.amazon.com/Maserati-watch-R8...8871621005

[DraperJ.hank]

Just got myself two Vincero watches ~150$ x2. Got to say they look pretty good. Can not comment on durability or longevity as of this moment

[ChefAllDay]

Since I just got back into actually wearing a watch after a long time of going without. Here is my favorite of those I have worn over the years. It's nice to wear a watch again, brings up the masculinity a bit I think.

** Edit $600 watch, retired from the Victorinox line-up. You can get them new for ~$275

[img][/img]

[jamaicabound]

(04-07-2014 08:47 PM)Espresso Wrote:  

Another solid option from Skagen (809XLTRB), only $130. Not as versatile as the one I posted above though.

I was actually going to suggest Skagen, I actually used to be a merchandiser for them. Great watches for the price, I think the watch looks nicer/more expensive than the price tag would lead on. Really sleek thin watch, interesting bands. I wound up selling mine they gave me on eBay a few years back when I was broke but they are nice watches.