Bulletproof Watch for <$200

[mrbobian]

As the title says, I'm in need of a new watch that is under $200. I'll give a brief history of why I say I need a "bulletproof" watch. First off, I'm 21 and have fairly small arms, only wear analog, and forever will be in love with my father's Submariner. I started wearing watches at a pretty young age and have always liked a classy diver look. However, I ALWAYS break them. I don't take my watch off for anything. Working in the oil field, wrenching on a car, wakeboarding, or jumping in a hot tub, my watch never leaves my wrist.

My first more serious watch (if you could call it that) was a Casio MDV-106. It was a bit big but it felt beefy. Sadly, after my abuse, it stopped working after about 6 months. I received a replacement on warranty and the second one lasted about the same. Just stopped altogether. My last was a Timex Expedition Diver, the T49615. This watch absolutely took a brutal beating. After accidentally spraying it (and my arm) with urethane based, automotive grade, safety blue paint, I thought it was done for. My only chance was to hose it down with brake cleaner. It cleaned up surprisingly well, and continued to be waterproof enough for me. After only a year though, the resin links in the bracelet began to face and crack (probably from lots of UV exposure) and I cracked the mineral face. This story sadly ends when it was ripped off my wrist while wakeboarding to forever be swimming without me.

After much reading here, I began looking at watches like the Mako, Ray, 007, and the Monster. While the first three are beautiful, I am afraid they may not hold up to my abuse. As for the Monster, I'm certain I would not be happy wearing it on my wrist. I simply cannot stand the look of it, at least in pictures. I do, however, seem to read that the Monster is a hefty timepiece.

I would love to be pointed in the direction for a great looking watch that can take a beating. A stainless band and clasp are also a requirement...

Sorry for the long post, I just feel you may need a little background on my tastes and experiences. Thanks in advance!

Mike B.

[Hoc]

BFK?

--edit--
I should say that new I think would be over 200. But not by much.

[clouser]

If you're that tough on watches, I'd recommend going with a quartz instead of automatic. The 007 is a tough watch, but in my experience, the 7s26 movement doesn't like relatively hard bangs very much.

If the budget can handle it, I'd go with 2 watches...a g-shock for abuse and a used 007 for all the other times.

[E8ArmyDiver]

clouser read my mind(except for the 007 part)!Get yourself a G Shock for tough duty & then find that perfect analog for more relaxed times.If I might ask,what is it about the Monster that you find so revolting?

[OzO]

Seiko skx009

[mrbobian]

clouser read my mind(except for the 007 part)!Get yourself a G Shock for tough duty & then find that perfect analog for more relaxed times.If I might ask,what is it about the Monster that you find so revolting?

I must say, the more I look at it, the better it does seem to look. Would it take a beating?

I feel like two watches would not work for me. There are many times where I might come home from work and right away have my hands going on a project. No doubt I would never change out of the nice looking watch... I haven't seriously looked at the G-Shock watches but from what I recall the appealing ones are WELL out of my price range. :(

[OzO]

clouser read my mind(except for the 007 part)!Get yourself a G Shock for tough duty & then find that perfect analog for more relaxed times.If I might ask,what is it about the Monster that you find so revolting?

The hands, the dial, the chapter ring, the bracelet, the shrouded bezel guard...

I bought one last year to see what the fuss was about... I didn't rate it at all. Kept it for a few months, it didn't grow on my at all so I flipped it

Now the SKX9... That's a neat watch

[Askr]

Take a look at the new monsters in this thread, if you haven't already.

SRP New Monsters -- Post 'Em Here!

Some major aesthetic differences that you might prefer to the classic design.

[Fullers1845]

If you must have only 1 watch, get a G-Shock. Abuse it till it falls apart. Then get another one. This one is analog and has a SS bracelet:



Available here for $95: http://www.nywatchstore.com/g520scd1av.html

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[Fullers1845]

If, OTOH, you prefer the classic diver style, I heartily second the Seiko BFK. Forget the automatics and go Kinetic. The case & bracelet on the BFK are sturdier than the Monster anyway.







Solid, comfortable, Prospex-grade Seiko diver.

There's a cool looking modded one on the sales forum right now for under $200 (no affiliation).

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