Posted: 1/18/2026 2:33:20 PM EDT
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Looking for a new daily driver to wear at the office (business casual) and going out. Currently wearing a Suunto Core around the farm, and a cheap fossil leather strap at the office. Would like to keep it under $500 or $600. I've been eyeing some of the Citizen watches but open to any other suggestions. Watch 1 Watch 2 Also need some recommendations on how to keep up with whatever I pick. What do I need to do for quartz versus automatic etc. Like how often they need winded if there is a case that does that etc. |
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James Mattis
James Mattis
Joined:
Oct 2022
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VA, USA
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For a bit more you can get a Hamilton khaki field watch. I have the mechanical version, with the canvas strap (which is very comfortable). They do make it with a leather band. https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-us/filter-by.html?hamilton_collection=5501&hamilton_strap_type=5627_5625&product_list_order=price For a little less, you could get a Seiko presage automatic. I love the clasp on the leather band on mine. https://www.seikowatches.com/us-en/products/presage/cocktailtime Glycine makes a combat sub that is pretty cool right in your price range. https://www.glycinestore.com/glycine-combat-sub-42-bronze-gl0547/ |
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Over budget automation https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-us/T0064071605300.html Because both the watches you linked where Chronograph https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-us/T1256173605101.html |
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Tissot and Seiko are your best bets in that range. You can also supposedly snag a Zodiac at TJ Maxx in that price range if you’re lucky, too, which is phenomenal. Maintenance on watches is pretty minimal, regardless of quartz or mechanical. On a base quartz, change the battery every 3-5 years. If it’s a solar charging kind like that Citizen, maybe every 10 years. The performance of automatics degrades over time, but it’s a slow decline in accuracy over potentially decades, rather than just dying out of the blue like a quartz. It’s usually not worth servicing a mechanical watch in that price range, to be honest. Also, the whole point of an automatic is that it winds itself if you wear it, so you only need to wind it if you go a few days with it sitting. Jomashop is a trusted source in that price range and can save you a ton. Here are a few more options: Tissot Automatic Tissot Quartz Chronograph Seiko Automatic If you’re open to upping your budget just a bit, Mido, Formex, and Christopher Ward are all putting out some fantastic watches right now. |