Oppos, I need some Horological advice!

"Tapas" (tapas)
11/12/2014 at 17:07 • Filed to: None

Opponauts, I am looking to buy a good watch under $300. Unfortunately, I know little about them and would like your recommendations.

I like classic and sporty designs, like the Autodromo Stradale, Tag Heuer Carrera and Seiko Sportura. I also look for some features, when I'm spending that amount of money, like solar powered or one with a chronograph (I'm not too picky). Not just a plain $300 watch with a dial. If the watch is automotive themed, that's a big plus:)

Please post your recommendations!

Update: Thanks for the feedback, guys! Keep the posts coming :)

DISCUSSION (35)

Lekker > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 17:15

There are some very nice Tissot watches around, I'll dig through some models later and try to find one. I have owned one for 6 years as a present, and they're by far one of the best watches ever.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 17:15

Citizen Eco-Drive Avion

Citizen Eco-Drive Scuba Fin

Citizen Eco-Drive Strap (Chrono)

TotallyThatStupid > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 17:19

I'm still crushing hard on this:

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/my-custom-desi…

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 17:20

Those are huge. Some would call then wall-clocks with a wrist-band.

Look at Peugeot watches. They may not have anything, but they do have that name. I am not certain they are related to the car company, but still.

I have this one:

Kinja'd!!!

But I changed the band for a hand-made leather strap from FormFunctionForm. It totally transforms the watch.

Also, while I get you want some features, do not fall into the 'busy it better' mentality. A watch should just tell you what time it is. If people are distracted by what you are wearing on your wrist, they won't be paying attention to what you have to say.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 17:21

Have you checked out the Autodromo watches in person? I fell in love with their designs when I first heard about them about 3 years ago - and of course they didn't have any in stores outside of the one boutique in Brooklyn, NY (I live on the west coast) - I happened to be visiting friends in NYC so I made the trek out to the store to check out the watches with the intention of buying one (I can't remember which model it was - they didn't have any automatics at the time though) - I really wanted to like these watches, but was sadly underwhelmed by the build quality and ended up not buying one. I certainly hope this has improved with time - so I would encourage you to try one in person before ordering.

I love the Tags too, but you're not going to find one for anywhere near $300. I'd suggest checking out Tissot, they might have a few close to that price point? I've personally had a few and they've treated me very well. Definitely a few notches down from a Tag or an Omega, but still very good build quality and more special than a Seiko or Citizen, I think. Some of their designs are a bit gaudy for my liking - but the simpler ones are quite nice (I have an automatic Seastar 1000 just like the one pictured below - worn everyday for the past 8 years and still doing great) -

Kinja'd!!!

WhereAreMyPants > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 17:24

Seiko 5

Proprietary mechanical movement, and they're quite classic, and not gaudy.

It's a great intro to higher-end watch upkeep also, without the entry price. If you want to find if you're into real watches enough to put up with the hassles, the 5 is the way to find out.

N51fanatic > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 17:34

from a pure watch perspective, autodromo is junk. $800 for a japanese movement? GTFOH.

$300 is not a lot of money for a good watch.

Tapas > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
11/12/2014 at 17:39

I know what you mean, Im really taken by the Stradale :) I haven't had a chance to see an Autodromo in person. But Im not worried about Autodromo. They are out of my price range. But there's no way I'm spending $875 to get the Stradale :D

Same goes for the Tags and Omegas. Yes they're amazing. But I'm not looking to spend that amount of money. I put them there to give you an idea of what kind of designs I like...

Thanks for your recommendation. Tissots look neat :)

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 17:50

For sure. I would think you'd be able to find something in the Tissot PRC100 range that fits your taste and budget. Also, I think Swiss Army/Victorinox makes some pretty sharp looking watches for a decent price (I think they mimic Tag Heuer quite a bit in their styling actually). Of course Seikos are great, but if you wanted an alternative that's a bit less common that might be worth looking into.

Can't really go wrong wtih any of the main brands, I think. I'd just encourage you to stay away from the "designer" brands - stick to companies whose line of work is actually making watches. A lot of the DKNY/CKetc. clothing lines just use re-badged Fossils or something like that and you end up really just paying for a silly brand name.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Lekker
11/12/2014 at 17:51

I replied above saying the same. I've had a Tissot Seamaster 1000 automatic watch for 8 years with daily wear, and it's held up great. Price was pretty good too.

TheJWT > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 18:11

Kinja'd!!!

I got a used Tag Heuer Formula 1 on eBay for about $250. It's not in perfect shape, but it looks like I paid a lot more for it then I did! Good deals like this are out there, but you have to do some digging. I was looking at used watches for a few weeks before this one finally came up.

If you can find an Autodromo for under $300, I'd be all over that. I bought a Veloce when it first came out, and yes, it is a bit expensive for what it is, but it's probably the best looking and most comfortable watch I have.

Tapas > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
11/12/2014 at 18:19

Thats a nice looking watch. I'd change the strap too :)

Yeah, I want a cleaner dial too. Not something with a "busy" dial...

Tapas > TotallyThatStupid
11/12/2014 at 18:27

That looks awesome!

I havnt heard of fewsome though....how is the build quality?

Is it durable? Does it run well?

Tapas > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
11/12/2014 at 18:30

I agree for the movement used and amount of money.

$300 is a good amount for me lol. Not a good amount to get a real time piece.

Tapas > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
11/12/2014 at 18:31

Mmm...Avion :D

Tapas > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
11/12/2014 at 18:33

Edited and removed - wrong response

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 18:39

Kinja'd!!!

pebble steel. A basic smart watch with a lot of quirky apps and lots of watch faces. 200 dollars at best buy and worth every cent. A gorilla glass front screen, steel body, and leather strap, it's as functional as it's fashionable. It makes a serious statement in a way.

Oh yeah. DONT get the Swatch Sistem51. Crap quality, as this is one of their parts.

Kinja'd!!!

N51fanatic > TheJWT
11/12/2014 at 19:14

My first good watch i purchased on my own once i graduated college in 2003 was a Tag F1 Indy 500 Edition. I still wear it occasionally to this day, mixing up the straps. Rocking it on nylon these days.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 19:30

I thought you'd like that. I've always been happy with Citizen Eco-Drives. They're quality watches at a decent price.

ranwhenparked > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 19:36

Orients are a solid, solid value. Very well made for the money and they make a number of attractively understated, classic looking designs.

Lekker > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
11/12/2014 at 20:04

They make some amazing watches indeed

JosephBerreta > Tapas
11/12/2014 at 22:09

Go for a replica watch mate, I would recommend them. They are very high quality if you find the right REPLICA WATCH FORUMS. I love mine and the quality to price is outstanding. The Chinese take Swiss movements and clone them so you have a reasonably easy watch to service also! Best of luck, I love my Rolex Yacht-Master

TotallyThatStupid > Tapas
11/13/2014 at 10:00

Don't know, but the Opponaut who bought it seemed to love it. I'm torn between ordering the same watch as he did or a different design.

Tapas > TotallyThatStupid
11/13/2014 at 10:32

So am I. The hesitation for me is to spend $217 on a watch brand isn't really known to me (or most other people).

I mean, I don't I need a name brand watch to show off. I'm speaking in terms of reliability, type of movement used, warranty, etc. If it was like $150, I wouldn't mind it as much if it broke.

Tapas > WhereAreMyPants
11/13/2014 at 10:34

I like the Seiko 5 50 year Anniversary models :)

Do you know good websites I can buy them from?

WhereAreMyPants > Tapas
11/13/2014 at 12:47

Check out Amazon, actually. They usually have pretty good deals on Seiko, as long as you know the specific model number you're looking for.

Tapas > WhereAreMyPants
11/13/2014 at 13:53

I did. I'm looking for Seiko 5 SRP415K1 and Amazon doesn't have it.

Only place I could find that has it in stock is this:

http://www.areatrend.com/seiko-snn257-w…

But I'm suspicious of the really really low price...

WhereAreMyPants > Tapas
11/13/2014 at 14:13

Yeah, I'm not sure about that one. It looks like that was a limited edition that's sold out. (at least from my 2 minutes of googling)