Brand new - looking for advice/opinions

[smurfocolypse]

Hi folks!

Brand new to the site, and to the world of watches (wow you guys are almost as crazy as the home theater guys!)

I'm looking to enter into the world of watches, however probably more slowly than I'd like..

I've been looking at watches that would be versatile, could be worn both as dressy and casual. I think quartz would probably be the best entry point for me. I'm thinking that Citizen and Seiko might be good choices based one what I've seen and read about their value.

What I'm looking for:
Would prefer a metal band.
$300 is the absolute cap of what I can spend.
I like the look of watches that have the date in other places than the 3oclock position (however don't mind the 3oclock date at all)

Bonus points would be for perpetual calendar, and/or chrono - however I'm not sold on the chrono features, as I doubt i'd ever use them.

Based on my searches, here's what I've found - any advice/opinions would be very very welcome.

thanks!

1) Citizen Calibre 3100 - I really like the look of the large 12oclock date, and perp calendar + eco drive. The watch has a nice uniqueness to it, without being too crazy - i think this is my #1 choice right now.




2) Overstock has a similar watch to the above - however it's showing with sapphire crystal - and only for $15 more. However, it's only listed as having a 12 month distributor warranty. Are they not an AD for Citizen?

Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Stainless Steel Watch | Overstock.com

3) Nice looking Chrono from Citizen - similar in price to the Calibre 3100 and with perp calendar.



4) Seiko - this one's a Kinetic - however it's a great deal on the Coutura - not sure that for my first "real" watch I should go with Kinetic or not... But it has a similar unique look to it as the first Citizen.



5) A fairly simple looking Seiko from the SNQ line - I think I like this one the best of that line because of the 6oclock date:



Those are the 4/5 that stand out to me initially. Any other suggestions or feedback (especially if anyone has owned any of the above) would be very welcome.

Thanks guys (and gals)!
~smurf

[captain kid]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

How about a SNDA67 or SNDA25 (no idea what the difference is)

[lvt]

With $300 you could get a nice automatic.

[jlow28]

I had this chrono Citizen Eco Drive for a while and felt like it was a great watch for the money.

[skywatch]

All of your choices would be solid watches, whether or not they're quartz or auto. I would pick that first citizen 3100 by a hair, perhaps because it reminds me fondly of an Ulysse Nardin GMT that I love but can't afford. Both Citizen and Seiko make very accurate excellent watches at this level, but the Citizen Eco-Drive charging method wins out for me a bit because their solar cells are super efficient, and they continue to charge if not worn for a while (just leave them in the daylight, on a desk or something.)

[Avayaman]

A Bulova!

Model 98B131 - the date is not on the 3:00 position, and this is a shade under $160. 200m WR as well.

[lvt]

A Bulova!

Model 98B131 - the date is not on the 3:00 position, and this is a shade under $160. 200m WR as well.

Not bad at all

[NCsmky]

With $300 you could get a nice automatic.

Kinda what I was thinking.
Definately in the ballpark for the SKX007, & enough left over for the Super oyster... but then again, he did say he needed to get into this slowly. Well, he signed up here, so that idea's out the window anyway.

[smurfocolypse]

Thanks for the replies guys - like I said, you guys are almost as crazy as some of the home theater guys!

I like the look of that Citizen on the leather strap - I'm assuming I could swap out the strap for stainless if I wanted, right?

I have considered an automatic (or two) in the price range I'm looking for ... but I think I need a "horse" to start my collection with. The Seiko Kinetic (Coutura) really has a nice look to it - I'm just not sold on the upkeep of a kinetic/mech watch just yet - and I think for my first watch, knowing that I'd be losing or gaining time to the point of having to set the time monthly (if not more often) would probably begin to aggravate me. If it were a 2nd, 3rd, etc watch - it would be more agreeable to me, as I'd start feeling like I was building a collection at that point. (make sense?)

I think the Citizen 3100 (first one listed) is still in the lead in terms of different styling but maintaining a classy/classic look. I dont know why, but the large date really catches my eye everytime I see pictures of it..

My biggest question about the Calibre 3100 - is Overstock not an AD? They have the upgraded version of the watch with sapphire instead of mineral for ~295 -- however as the link shows, it only has a 1 year distributor warranty. While bluedial has the mineral version of the watch @ 285 but with the full 5 year Citizen warranty. Does anyone have any feedback/opinion on the various online distributors?

[James Haury]

For 300 dollars you may want to check the TIMEX ...... you may be able to get a 600 msrp TX(TIMEXE'S HIgh end watch Line) on discount with some really neat complications.