I have no idea what watch I'm looking for

[zarquon]

So I'll move my previous thread here, since about the only thing I do know is that I'm looking for something in the affordable range.

What I know is that I'd like to have automatic, just because everything I do in life is so freaking digital.
On the other hand, I travel a lot, so GMT would be nice to have. And so would be an alarm clock (which goes against automatic).
And, since I do quite a lot of public speaking, a chronograph would be nice to have. Or, maybe even a diver's watch could be used to time a presentation. And I'd like it to be suitable for business meetings. Oh, and I like the concept of 24 hour dial.

I visited a local dealer (they have a limited choice) today and I realized something odd, It seems I liked a simple Japanese quartz (forgot the brand, maybe it was even casio) the most. I tried a Certina and there was no chemistry between us.

Good lord, no wonder I don't have a watch. It's the simplest choice!

[IanC]

Best bet would probably be to browse through a site like amazon and settle on a style that attracts you the most...without any solid criteria people are just going to come in and post their favourites, which will range from divers to pilots to chronos...

[DPflaumer]

Sounds like you just need a good, solid watch to start with so that you can figure out what you like and what features you would actually use in the event you had them. I'd recommend starting with something simple like a Hamilton Khaki Field, Seiko SARB, or Tissot PRC 200.

Going by your additional thread budget, you could just get two or three watches and figure out what you like that way. For example, you could easily get a Citizen Bullhead (vintage chronograph), a Poljot Traveller (mechanical alarm), and a Seiko SKX007 for less than your budget.

[zarquon]

I had a bit of enlightenment today....

Who am I kidding. I'm not buying a watch for function. I'm buying it for the most serious of the 7 deadly sins - the Pride!
In reality, focusing on functions is probably kind of self-trickery, masking the pride behind it.

Hmm.. I guess this is a but too much for a watch forum. Sorry guys, I just like to think out loud

[kmusky]

I had a bit of enlightenment today....

Who am I kidding. I'm not buying a watch for function. I'm buying it for the most serious of the 7 deadly sins - the Pride!
In reality, focusing on functions is probably kind of self-trickery, masking the pride behind it.

Hmm.. I guess this is a but too much for a watch forum. Sorry guys, I just like to think out loud

It's OK. A little deep thinking never hurt anyone.

Have you looked through some of the daily WRUW (What aRe yoU Wearing) threads yet? Those are great places to find watches and styles that appeal to you. I know that's where I found the blue Mako, which remains one of my favourites to this day.

[zarquon]

That's a great idea kmusky! Not only WRUW but also brand forums where people show their watches, thanks!

For my future reference, I'll bookmark some watches that caught my eyes here.

PRS516: simple, elegant


A bit more dynamic... still nice


I browsed through hamiltons... I just don't connect with them...

But on the other side of the spectrum... aww.. this is art. Comes with a price though.

[stratct]

Best bet would probably be to browse through a site like amazon and settle on a style that attracts you the most...without any solid criteria people are just going to come in and post their favourites, which will range from divers to pilots to chronos...

This

[ShaggyDog]

For example, you could easily get a Citizen Bullhead (vintage chronograph), a Poljot Traveller (mechanical alarm), and a Seiko SKX007 for less than your budget.

With all due respect I really wouldn't recommend a vintage automatic Citizen Bullhead for someone looking for one of their first watches. Bullhead chronos are fantastic watches with a striking style, but I feel that the OP would be better off with something a little more versatile. Seiko and Tissot make some great quartz chronos on bracelets that would be a solid start, and not necessarily something that you'd be liable to flip shortly down the line when you start to find out what styles you really do like. The Breitling Navitimer is a great choice in terms of style and function. Smart enough to go with business attire, chronograph and date for time keeping functionality, and a classic timeless style. Sure, it's out of the equation in terms of price, but have a look at this Rotary I picked up (For my Father-In-Law's birthday) for £50. Ok, it's a quartz and not an automatic, but seriously, at that price it's a no brainer, and cheap enough that it's no big deal if you decide sometime in the future that it isn't you.

[kyleman]

I didn't catch your budget, but the Hamilton Traveler GMT II is a GMT suitable for business meetings. I don't own one, but would love to someday.

No chrono, but I think the brand has sufficient cache for the price.

Thanks for admitting your pride in watch ownership, btw . I don't think I had admitted that to myself prior to reading your post.

[zarquon]

I was traveling a bit this week, and paying attention to people's watches. The interesting thing that I've noticed is that it's really, really, hard to identify a random watch - even the brand. At least if you are not hard core watch guru knowing each and every model there is. Even if you speak to the person face to face - the logo is really to small.

So in reality a cheapo Esprit or Armani looks good and 99% of people will not know what to hell you are wearing. And a 1kE tissot might appear cheaper than el cheapo Esprit, huh.

The above tissot is also a bit less attractive in person. It is a very nice watch, but seems very simple in a way (which is also a good thing). I've seen a nice Certina, which in person has a bit more of a touch.

z5470117X.jpg

But I don't know. A part of me just wants to get a seiko quartz, which looks quite nice really, plus has some features which I could use.