Please Help me pick up a Nice Daily Wearer!

[vcash]

Hey All,

So after a long while, I have taken my first step in becoming a watch afficianado. As some of you may have seen in Pilots and Military Watch forum, I bought my first nice watch: A Hamilton Khaki Auto X-Wind (White Dial / 45mm / black leather / Chrono) - which I absolutely love. But since this is such a nice watch - it is going to be my weekend / dress special occasion watch. However Automatics now have me hooked and I need a nice daily wearer to replace my Tissot PR-50 / Guess Water Pro / Swatch Chrono which are all Quartz. So I look forward to some of your valuable suggestions!

I know this is a very picky list but I would love to make a shortlist of models based on your suggestions. Thank you very much in advance.
This is what I am looking for:

1. Brand: Seiko / Seiko 5 / Wenger / Swiss Army / Invicta - etc. (No Orient - I don't know why - just not a fan of the brand)
2. Movement: Swiss or Japanese Automatic - Sweeping Seconds Hand
3. Dial: Black
4. Case Size: 42mm - 43.5mm
5. Case Material - SS or other metal (Brushed look preffered)
6. Mineral or Saphire Glass
7. Day / Day and Date - Preffered but if missing - its okay
8. NO Chronograph
9. Medium - Thin Hours and Minutes hand with Luminous (Light Blue or Red Seconds Hand would be a bonus!)
10. Bracelet - Brushed Steel or combination of Brush / Shiny
11. Inspiration - Diver / Pilot / Automobile etc. (Should be a nice solid piece)
12. Bezel - Either way - (Color - Steel or Black) - Should be on the slimmer side
13. Numbers - White / Silver or Light Blue - Araibic Preffered.
14. Price - $75 to $150 (Ebay Snag prices so don't mind waiting)
I found this Orient and Sieko - I like the designs very much but they are smaller at 40mm plus the orient gets dinged cause of the brand.







OT: I really think these BR-01 Hommage watches are cool but at 50mm are a tad to big for my wrist. 45mm is my cutoff. If I find something a little smaller - that will be my next purchase after the diver.

[leewmeister]

Why would you ding Orient because of the brand? They produce solid watches and have a history to match. They are one of the few companies that use in-house movements in affordable watches AND they are >51% owned by none other than SEIKO. Many of us consider the the fact that it is an Orient to be a positive feature.

If there's an Orient that looks good to you, don't be afraid of the brand.

I happen to have the one you pictured with a blue dial. They usually sell for ~$100 and it is a HUGE value. Look in the "Reviews" sub-forum for Orient Mako. I think there are 2 reviews (one of them mine).

And then there's ... DING DING DING ... Invicta.

[vcash]

[quote=leewmeister;360100]Why would you ding Orient because of the brand? They produce solid watches and have a history to match. They are one of the few companies that use in-house movements in affordable watches AND they are >51% owned by none other than SEIKO. Many of us consider the the fact that it is an Orient to be a positive feature.
quote]


Thanks Lee!

Orient's are nice watches - No doubt about that. It is definelty my brand perception (I don't know why - If It is any consolation, I don't like the 'Lamborghini' brand either!). I guess I am leaning towards something more mainstream - Invicta / Swiss Army / Wenger / Seiko. But I will read your review and also read up on Oreint's hsitory if it can help me change my perception. Till then - would love to hear of other models and makes!

[leewmeister]

Clarification: When I said Orient Makos go for around $100, I was thinking of a high quality used one off a Sales Corner. New ones are more in the $130-150 range, I believe.

[zippofan]

Clarification: When I said Orient Makos go for around $100, I was thinking of a high quality used one off a Sales Corner. New ones are more in the $130-150 range, I believe.

I got my Blue Mako brand new on the 'Bay with box and papers, $100 shipped!

In all honesty, I believe my Orient Mako is comparable to my Hamilton Khaki Navy in fit and finish. The Hamilton has an ETA, hand winds and hacks, SEL bracelet and has a display back, but the Orient leaves nothing behind in regards to case finish, dial (a must see in person!), hands and bracelet.

I wear the Orient more...

Cheers,
Griff

[vcash]

Wow... another vote for the Orient Mako. Hmmm...Leaning more towards this and trying to change my Orient Bias. Question - is it 42mm? I thought I read somewhere that it was smaller.

Also I want to see all my options before jumping the gun on this so guys please keep those suggestions coming. Thanks!!!

P.S. Sorry for the Noobish question but are Citizen Eco Drives and Seiko Kinetics Automatic Movemets i.e. do they have sweeping seconds hand?

[M1996A2]

Sorry to hijack (with my first post even), but after an exhaustive day of research aiming to rejoin the watch-wearing world I pulled the trigger on this.

Under $100 shipped black Orient Automatic Diver. I'm pretty sure that this particular eBay seller had 13 in stock of this watch.

Good luck to you and thanks for creating this thread, it helped me a lot.

[jwalther]

Get the Orient. I have the blue dial version, and it is the best watch you will find for the money. They can be found on Ebay for $90-100. If you get it, and don't like, I'll trade you my 8926 for the Orient, and pay you to ship it to me. How's that for an endorsement!

[KenC]

While I have both the black and blue dialed MAKO's, if you are dead set against Orient, I would suggest the Seiko SKX007. Pictured here on a NATO strap, it comes on SS Bracelet for about $125.00.

[thodgins]

Orient has some watches that are an acquired taste, but they have been around for quite awhile since 1950. They make their own movements and make a quality watch. They have a few different lines that range in price. Now they are partly owned by Seiko, but still maintain a certain independence. Orient, like Seiko, offers a wide range of watches for every taste and budget.