Watch purchase advice/suggestions requested

[Rodneybaker13]

Gents,
Went through Christmas without making a major purchase - the wife and I agreed to forgo major gifts for each other and concentrate on the kids. However, I have been looking for a good, quality diver watch/chronograph that will last. I want a good, heavy hunk of metal that will last. I will spend up to $500 or so, give or take. I saw the Seiko Velatura SNDA59 on Amazon, but it seems to be discontinued and only available used. I've heard ebay is an unreliable source for expensive watches due to counterfeiting, but am not sure if this is true or not. I recently looked at the Bulova Precisionist 96B175 - it is big, heavy, a chronograph, and roughly in the price range. However, if there are other suggestions from those of you out there, I would love to hear them.
Thanks very much.

 

[dklaiman]

There are a lot of dive watches you can get in this price range. I'd check out the dive watch forum on www.watchuseek.com There's a daily thread of watches that people are wearing. That will give you ideas of other watches to consider. I'd also consider if you want a chronograph or a dive watch. In my opinion (and others will have different opinions) they serve totally different purposes and have different aesthetics.

 

[dklaiman]

I was messing around on the site. Forget what I said before. I think this is a great looking watch that will fit your desire for a diver/chronograph:

http://www.balihaiproject.com/watches/modelc.htm

 

[little Big feather]

I would not touch that watch!!! It does not say SWISS Made. It says Swiss Quartz...That means it is probably Chinese.
You can do better than that.

 

[dklaiman]

Good eyes. A lot of their other watches say Swiss Made on the dial. This one only has Swiss Movement on the case back. I'm not sure that's a reason not to buy the watch. I'll leave that decision to the OP.

I followed up with the manufacturer about where the watches are made. Not to derail the post, but here is his response:

Assembled in Switzerland, with majority Swiss content and so qualifies for "Swiss Made" appellation as well, though case/metalwork and hands are sourced outside of Switzerland. I generally prefer to be more conservative on use of the marking, because some people seem to misapprehend what "Swiss Made" means.


Best regards,
Chris
www.balihaiproject.com

 

[ReAndyMator]

I'd buy the seiko. There's plenty of Velaturas / Premieres (etc) out there, and they're pretty tough and reliable. My 'other' watch is a Premiere (it was a toss up between that and a Velatura, but the premiere was 1/2 price...)

 

[rushchairman]

If you're looking for a bombproof/steel/diver, Marathon's Search And Recovery line of watches MORE than fits the bill. here's an example in your range: marathon t-sar. an "oyster" style steel bracelet is available for a couple hundred more.

 

[djh]

There are a lot of dive watches you can get in this price range. I'd check out the dive watch forum on www.watchuseek.com There's a daily thread of watches that people are wearing. That will give you ideas of other watches to consider. I'd also consider if you want a chronograph or a dive watch. In my opinion (and others will have different opinions) they serve totally different purposes and have different aesthetics.

Agree with this totally. Any extra opening in the case is simply another possibility for water leakage- a diver's watch should be as rugged as possible.

 

[little Big feather]

Check out XEZO Air Commando......I have two XEZO watches and they are good.

 

[benvh]

For a diver around that price range I would look at a Seiko Sumo (SBDC001, 003, 005). See http://c-watch.co.jp/ww/sbdc001003.html for images.

Ben

 

[bjh618]

Get a seiko. I love my seiko auto divers watch - simple and solid. you can get one new for less tha. $300.

 

[DEGuy]

Seiko Men's SKA371 Kinetic Dive Silver-Tone Watch

Check out the Seiko SKLA371 (Amazon) at $219. Great dive watch at a reasonable price.

 

[red zeppelin]

I own, and have owned several dive watches. They have varied in price up to a bit above your limit, not much. For the money, I believe the Seiko Monsters are a great watch. I currently am wearing an Orange Monster, and I know the black are available as well. Seiko movements are pretty reliable, and their cases are virtually indestructible. Plus, for the money, you could buy two!

 

[little Big feather]

View attachment 296218Take a look at the CHRISTOPHER WARD model C-60 a good dive watch in your range on strap.
Anybody can wear a Seiko...But only a few can wear a Christopher Ward....

 

[cstone28]

I agree with LBF. To me seeing a Seiko says I need a watch and I know Seiko makes good watches, where as something like a Christopher Ward says I know watches and I know what good value watches really are. Christopher Ward is different, it will start conversations.

 

[StillShaving]

You may want to check out Steinhart, he has a number of watches in that price range, many of which take styling cues from other manufacturers but all should be quality pieces. Unfortunately the wait is long....which gives you plenty of time to change your mind.