Recommend me an automatic watch under $200

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L

LeetViet

Platinum Member
Mar 6, 2003
2,411
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I want it to be
1. Automatic/self winding
2. Dressy
3. Reasonably accurate

I have been looking at the Seiko 5 and have read mixed reviews.
 
Fern

Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
26,907
174
106
Originally posted by: LeetViet
I want it to be
1. Automatic/self winding
2. Dressy
3. Reasonably accurate

I have been looking at the Seiko 5 and have read mixed reviews.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty low price for an automatic movement.

Swiss is out (no valjoux, ETA or SW).

Stay away from Chinese.

I think you're left with a Japanese (Miyota. EDIT: Info on Miyota movement

Why do you want an automatic?

Fern
 
deadlyapp

deadlyapp

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2004
6,660
737
126
There are some armitrons in the 125 dollar range that look rather spiffy. I doubt their accuracy is anything great but you're going to be hard pressed to find a good automatic in that price range anyways. We sell a super ridiculous bulova at sears that is in the 400 dollar range close to 300 on sale but it's gargantuan.
 
F

FreedomGUNDAM

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2006
2,405
0
0
I'm currently sporting the Invicta 6926 with the coin edge. Love it, get lots of comments that it looks like a Rolex Submariner
 
L

LeetViet

Platinum Member
Mar 6, 2003
2,411
0
76
I want an automatic because I'm lazy and it looks cool.

This would be my first watch purchase and I'd like to get an entry level automatic before moving up.
 
jonnyGURU

jonnyGURU

Moderator <BR> Power Supplies
Moderator
Oct 30, 1999
11,815
104
106
Wenger has some automatic watches starting at about $250. Pretty easy to find, look nice, etc.
 
Fern

Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
26,907
174
106
Originally posted by: LeetViet
I want an automatic because I'm lazy and it looks cool.

This would be my first watch purchase and I'd like to get an entry level automatic before moving up.
Click to expand...

I think the best reason to get an automatic watch is an appreciation/fascination with the old-school craftmanship of a bazillion tiny parts. Most automatics will have an exhibition caseback so you can see the movement (little wheeels etc) at work, and many are skeletonized (meaning part of the dial on the face is removed showing even more of the movement.)

They will never be more accurate than a decent (and far less expensive) quartz watch. However, you'll never have to change a battery. Even thought it's automatic you may have to wind it occansionally. I have an Invica 4469 (swiss automatic) and I still have to wind it occasionally; I guess I don't wear it often enought or move around enough to keep it fully wound up.

Decent brands with decent prices that have the Miyota movenment are Invicta, Phillip and SWI (as well as japanese watches). Those I listed are all Swiss watch companies.

You might wanna check out those watches at shopnbc.com and google around for other sites. There is a pretty big watch geek community (in fact watchgeeks.com is enthusiast site you might look at).

Fern

Edited to correct info

 
C

Chryso

Diamond Member
Nov 23, 2004
4,039
13
81
Originally posted by: LeetViet
I want an automatic because I'm lazy and it looks cool.

This would be my first watch purchase and I'd like to get an entry level automatic before moving up.
Click to expand...

There are entry level watches?
 
Mo0o

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
Hey Fern, maybe you can give me a recommendation:

Know any watches that look like the IWC Portugese or Dornbluth and Sohns 99.# that's not 40mm+? I love the look but all these watches are way too big for my wrists and look like dinner plates. Ideally I need something around 30-32mm
 
D

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
I've got two Seiko Kinetic watches. I think they are quite nice. The Kinetic watches are not true automatics though. The automatic mechanism is used to charge a rechargeable battery which powers a quartz mechanism.
 
oogabooga

oogabooga

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2003
7,806
3
81
I was using this watch : Text

Seiko 5 - It served me pretty well though I recently broke it. Not sure how but damaged the casing on the back. It was plain but effective. Wearing it once a week was nogo since it would die, but wearing it weekdays as a regular watch it would power on through.

It can be had for much cheaper than that I'm 100% sure, I just linked the first hit off of amazon.
 
jonnyGURU

jonnyGURU

Moderator <BR> Power Supplies
Moderator
Oct 30, 1999
11,815
104
106
Originally posted by: Fern
Croton... all Swiss watch companies.
Click to expand...

Actually, Croton is an American company that assembles watches in Hong Kong with Swiss movement. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I'm still heart broken about having my rose gold Croton Chronograph with carbon fiber face stolen from me. :(
 
Fern

Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
26,907
174
106
Originally posted by: Mo0o
Hey Fern, maybe you can give me a recommendation:

Know any watches that look like the IWC Portugese or Dornbluth and Sohns 99.# that's not 40mm+? I love the look but all these watches are way too big for my wrists and look like dinner plates. Ideally I need something around 30-32mm
Click to expand...

IDK, I'm into 43/44mm and up (and I have small wrists too).

I haven't run across a men's watch that small in a long time.

I have one about that size but it's a vintage watch (an Eberhard & Co. I think), got it in a speacialty shop in Amsterdam about 25 yrs ago.

So how about a vintage watch? Way back then case sizes were quite small. There are a number of shops specializing in vintage watches, they're refurbished etc. Google for vintage watches and you'll see a number of dealers/repair shops specializing in them. There are also quite a few vintage watch forums (just google that).

As far as new watches in that size, well I suppose you'll just have to google. But if you LMK your price and other details I'll look around a bit at the sites I have bookmarked.

Fern
 
Blackjack200

Blackjack200

Lifer
May 28, 2007
15,995
1,688
126
I have to say I don't understand the appeal of an automatic watch at all except for the novelty factor. I have three watches that I routinely wear: a dressy watch for work, a stylish watch for social settings, and a cheap digital sport watch for active stuff.

None of these watches are on my wrist more than 45 hours a week, and if any of them were automatics I would be constantly winding them. As it is, I've replaced the battery in my dressy watch once in ten years, the other watches I got recently, but I don't anticipate having to change the battery for them for years either.

My uncle has a whole bunch of automatic watches that he keeps in a giant walnut cabinet that does nothing but spin the watches around all day long so they stay wound. How crazy is that?
 
EvilYoda

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
I don't think I've seen it yet, so I recommend Orient watches. Plenty of different designs, great price points, and if you watch orientalwatchsite.com, you can find some good deals.
 
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