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sqImpalaLS 3T WIS 
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Hello, I am new to the forum, and came here looking for some quality input on my first watch. My budget is $200-$300. I know that is less than most watches. Can someone tell me about a few brands I have been considering: Akribos, Stuhrling, Invicta? I will be wearing it every day, what is the best type for this use. I am in an office position, so not much activity other than typing. Also, what should I stay away from? I will be disappointed with a watch that says Made in China, Sri Lanka, Korea, etc. My favorite color is rose gold, and I think I will go with a black leather band, but will consider a metal one with a nice closure. Thanks for your input! Last edited on Wed Jun 4th, 2008 03:31 pm by sqImpalaLS |
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sqImpalaLS 3T WIS
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Let me narrow my field a bit after doing some research. I like European watches (especially Germany). The style of Junkers I like is just out of my price range. I do not want a Seiko or Citizen. |
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KenC Admin 
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1st...stay away from Invicta. 2nd understand that unless you are will to spend A LOT of money for a solid Rose gold case, they are all plated and scratch very easily. 3rd, it would help a lot if you were to tell us what watch styles you prefer and whether or not you care if it is quartz or mechanical. |
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Upside 3T WIS 
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KenC wrote: 3rd, it would help a lot if you were to tell us what watch styles you prefer and whether or not you care if it is quartz or mechanical. Ken has nailed an important one here. This could open or close a lot of possibilities and price points. You'll need to look inside yourself and decide what you like. Will it need to look just as good with a suit as without? Will it be a subtle treasure or will it stand out to all at 50 paces. Will you want certain functions or just time and date? My advice is to shop, shop and shop to see all that's available to you and what you like and don't like. Then you can narrow down the list a bit and then eventually get one of each !woohoo.gif |
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Watchstuff 3T WIS 
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Agreed Ken - $200-300 is plenty for a decent watch, that is not the problem; most things rose gold in that range will probably not last well with everyday wear. Too bad about the Seiko Citizen ban; those are some of the best values you will find, the Citizen eco-drive line, for example, has tons of styles, well made, with solar power so no battery changes or mechanical services. I won't go so far as others when they say NO Invictas (I agree 90% though!) as they are one of the larger suppliers of decent (again, at least some of them!) watches in this price range that are readily available. So here are a few, with no preference for mechanical or quartz, staying away from Citizen and Seiko... Invicta 8926 and family (9937 and family if you don't mind used, they are a definite step up). Sandoz is another brand that offers reputable mechanicals in that range. Luminox offers nice bright tritium tubes but some can be a bit colorful for an office. Wenger and Swiss Army and Victorinox are usually good bets as far as decent quality and reliability. Consider Casio, either some of their analog types or if you can go digital the more understated Gschocks...heck, if you are going digitial, look at the mid range Suuntos for a cool change of pace! Orient and Pulsar are Seiko subs, but both offer quartz and mechanical in your range with good quality and reliability. Hamilton usually offers some in this range, particularly their quartz models, and their quality is generally quite good. And I will add a couple personal favorites to the mix - both Sector and St. Moritz offer mostly quartz at that price point, very well done. I will add Zodiac to that group; their quartz offerings are very reasonable and while some are a bit over the top, many are office suitable. You can sometimes find quartz Tissots in that range that are always a good bet. And I do have to get a plug in for my favorite, the Debaufre Magnum...  There are tons more but I will let better minds unearth them! For that kind of money I would personally stay away from Sturhling and the like... |
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Willieboy 3T WIS 
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First, welcome to the 3T forums. I'm fairly new to collecting watches but have been fortunate to have landed some very nice pieces at prices within $200-$300. I like divers so my thoughts revolve around those. One of my favorites in the Citizen Eco-Zilla that can be had for about $225 on a rubber strap or $270 on a hefty stainless bracelet.  The Seiko Monster is also thought to be a great value. I got mine, on a bracelet for about $180 from Long Island Watch.  My next may well be the Debaufre Ocean 1 Magnum for about $265. The Zilla and the Ocean 1 are quartz, while the Monster is an automatic. You might also check out the Traser or Luminox lines with the gas tubes. I have a Traser that I picked up for $100 and it's been a nice watch.  Good luck with your purchase. Last edited on Wed Jun 4th, 2008 07:23 pm by Willieboy |
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Paxman 3T WIS 
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First off welcome to 3T. Hope to see you around for some time! :dude: The brands you are considering make some nice watches in your desired price range. I think you've been given some good options here but I will reiterate the opinion that you may want to stay away from Invicta or at least be very careful when considering Invicta. I also think you are doing yourself a huge disservice by putting a ban on Seiko and Citizen. they are the two largest watch manufacturers in the world and put out some mighty fine products. Stuhrling and Akribos are both Asian sourced brands so only you can answer your question re: disappointment. It would be helpful to see the Junkers which appeals to you too. Let's see what we can come up with!!  |
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grayman 3T WIS
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You might also want to consider an Aristo watch from Germany. They have several that use a Russian hand-wound movement similar to the Unitas. (This is an excellent Swiss movement which the Russians copied after WWII. The movements had previously been made locally using Swiss equipment.) They are in your price range and can be used either for work or sport. I have several Aristos, though not one with a Russian movement, and they are excellent watches and fine values for money. One website that carries them is Gnomon, which is listed on the 3T forums, I believe. Grayman |
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sqImpalaLS 3T WIS
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So far I have written off Rose Gold as most have stated it will not wear well for everyday use in this price range. After looking at the Debaufre Magnum, I think this would be a good starter watch. Although not exactly what I had in mind initially, I want a high quality watch. To explain my ban on Seiko and Citizen, it is not because I think they are bad watches, but it is my personal taste in just about everything to have something obscure and unheard of by most, except enthusiasts. The 10% discount on the Magnum is what sold me. I wish it were available in green. I will post some links to others I am considering, but right now it's time to get back to work. |
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Watchstuff 3T WIS
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If you decide to go with the Magnum - good choice! It is available with a green bezel, I have included a picture below. If the green bezel is not mentioned in the order section, just make a note or mention it if you call, etc. Sorry the picture does not do it justice - it is not a "Studio" shot! To me, the most important thing is to have fun looking around and deciding!  |
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Ablejack 3T WIS 
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This watch from Gnomon watches. They have a Link on the TTT home page left side. There are lots of links to good places to search there. http://www.gnomonwatches.com/Ollech&WajsOceanMasterVintage.html Here's an option. Also it would help to know what style of watch you're looking for. flieger, diver, tank, vintage, "clean", dress, sport etc. You could give examples of watches you like in any price range and see if someone can help you find one in yours. Another couple hundred and availability and perhaps value really expands. Especially in some of the used watch fora. My little brother scored a beautiful German diver for 475. Good luck and welcome. |
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Paxman 3T WIS
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Ablejack wrote: This watch from Gnomon watches. They have a Link on the TTT home page left side. There are lots of links to good places to search there. Great watch, AJ. In fact... http://www.timetechtalk.com/view_topic.php?id=12114&forum_id=8 |
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sqImpalaLS 3T WIS
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I especially like skeleton watches. I just returned from a lunch with coworkers at the local Yacht Club. A gentleman at the table next to me had a huge skeleton goldish color watch with a leather band. It looked awesome, granted he was 3x my age approx. I think I might like to go with a black watch, like this: |
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sqImpalaLS 3T WIS
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Wow, I had always thought most watches capped at approx. $50k. I had no idea a Hublot MSRP is in the $200k+ range. I want the watch to look good while wearing a short sleeve polo, but not out of place when I am wearing a suit. Good news about the green bezel on the Magnum. Maybe I will pick up one of those, and an "homage" piece to the Hublot Bigger Bang I previously mentioned. Only my first week on the forum and I am already thinking about multiple watches...uh oh. This is going to be an expensive hobby. |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS 
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Oh yea there are some very spendy ones out there I have seen a few North of the $1,000,000.00 mark. Yes Million! :cool: |
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