Posted: 10/31/2025 4:15:06 PM EDT
[Last Edit: urbankaos04][Edited]
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My Sinn watch needs to go in for service (still haven’t researched where to send it, lol), so I’m looking to buy another watch to use while the Sinn is out. I only have the Sinn and a Casio, lol, so, yeah, not much of a watch collector. I was thinking about something that would be under $600. As for style, I was wanting a dive-style watch. I don’t care if it is automatic or (gasp) quartz. I found this while on Insta and it caught my eye. Just wanted to see if you guys thought is an overpriced POS, or what. Linky-link! Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File This one also has a cool look: Attached File |
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus
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Just to share this is my Sinn watch: Attached File |
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus
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In that price range... Quartz.. Scurfa or maybe Yema. Scurfa is a real diver.  Automatic, Hamilton khaki or maybe Traska (pushing your budget). There's also a million Seiko 4R based models in that range. What about pre-owned? Maybe a Christopher Ward? There's a lot of small brands sourcing parts from China and having it assembled in Switzerland or the US (outsourcing the entire process). There are some really good value ones but I'm just not a fan of most. There are exceptions. |
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Originally Posted By bnoji: In that price range... Quartz.. Scurfa or maybe Yema. Scurfa is a real diver. https://yema.com/cdn/shop/files/NavygrafMNQuartzFrontFacingW1500.webp?v=1749122777&width=1400 Automatic, Hamilton khaki or maybe Traska (pushing your budget). There's also a million Seiko 4R based models in that range. Snoopy Timex!!   Plus some German bike & watch love while we're here: 
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Just getting into the watch thing, and I can see I'll need to assemble a serious budget. Hamilton Khaki Field is on my list for sure. They are classic, classy, and not a budget breaker.. but def. closer to $1k unless you're looking grey market (I don't plan to resell so not a big concern to me). Going to be watching this thread for sure, since I'm close to that budge for my next acquisition. |
| I like Mido, highly underrated. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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Originally Posted By FlockaCGulz: Snoopy Timex!! https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/450356/unnamed-3617519.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/450356/snoopy-2952792.png Plus some German bike & watch love while we're here: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/450356/AB20E539-39D9-41B5-82A9-3B185548D95A-2767689.jpg Snoopy Timex...es 
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Originally Posted By bnoji: In that price range... Quartz.. Scurfa or maybe Yema. Scurfa is a real diver. https://yema.com/cdn/shop/files/NavygrafMNQuartzFrontFacingW1500.webp?v=1749122777&width=1400 Automatic, Hamilton khaki or maybe Traska (pushing your budget). There's also a million Seiko 4R based models in that range. What about pre-owned? Maybe a Christopher Ward? There's a lot of small brands sourcing parts from China and having it assembled in Switzerland or the US (outsourcing the entire process). There are some really good value ones but I'm just not a fan of most. There are exceptions. Hmmm, some of those Scurfa watches look cool. The Yema style is not what I am looking for, but it does look nice. And the Hamiton Khaki just looks a little too plain for me. I really like how the Seiko watch looks in the OP, but I definitely don’t think it should cost as much as it does. It has a nice rugged look to it, though. Ill look around a bit more at what you suggested. |
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus
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Originally Posted By HiramRanger: I like Mido, highly underrated. Saw some nice ones, but all the ones I liked were between $800 to $1300. Lol. |
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus
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Originally Posted By urbankaos04: Saw some nice ones, but all the ones I liked were between $800 to $1300. Lol. Originally Posted By urbankaos04: Originally Posted By HiramRanger: I like Mido, highly underrated. Saw some nice ones, but all the ones I liked were between $800 to $1300. Lol. You’re welcome |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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These look very cool and fall in-line with what is catching my attention. The second one really stands out to me. Attached File Attached File Attached File |
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus
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I apprecite the link (I’ll look around there to see if I find anything I like), but that particular watch doesn’t catch my attention as much as this one or the others I have posted. Once again, thanks for the link! Attached File Here is another cool looking watch, but it’s close to 1k. I do have the funds to buy something closer to 1k but hoping to find a decent watch at lower price point. Attached File |
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus
Sticking with Swatch, Tissot Sea Star has a ton of options if you don't have a preference between quartz or auto. The auto will be the same powermatic 80 as the Hamilton. Same with Certina. Might find a pre-owned Longines in that range. If you like the vintage diver loot of the Traska, there's also Baltic. 
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Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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| "Beater-ish" and "dive watch" = Casio Duro. Dress it up with a bracelet from Amazon. |
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Everyone please read this carefully. Eric802 is correct. - DK-Prof, 1/27/15
Everyone please read this carefully. Eric802 is correct. - DK-Prof, 1/27/15
| Everything's relative...I guess if I had a bunch of Rolex's, a $500 watch would be a "beater". |
I don't know what will happen, or if anything will happen. But if something does, I'd rather be the guy with a gun than the guy without one.
Everyone please read this carefully. Eric802 is correct. - DK-Prof, 1/27/15
Everyone please read this carefully. Eric802 is correct. - DK-Prof, 1/27/15
Very true. To me, spending $1500 on a watch would be my max. No ARFCOM millionaire here.  ETA: Just looked up what my Sinn is selling for right now. Sheesh. The price has really gone up. I think I paid somewhere near $1500 for mine some time back. Sinn 104 A |
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus
I think the Certina DS Titanium Action Diver is really hard to beat for the price. They list around $1000 and can be often found for less. 
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I’m going to stick with auto diver on bracelet. For ages, in the equivalent price range and below- basically like 1996 to 2016- The answer was a kick ass Seiko auto diver on bracelet- Lirterally “the poor man’s submariner” a Seiko SKX007. From around 88-96 it was the Seiko 7002, And from ‘76 to ‘88 the Seiko 6309. Right now- Just go to Amazon and look at Seiko turtle. There will be a handful of variants for 5-600 bucks. Citizen has really come along- Look up citizen ProMaster automatic and some great options from 300-600 bucks should pop up. There has been a resurgence in Swiss entry level divers - Sticking to brands with long, legit history- For a submariner style squale should have some 600 dollar options. As well as Certina, Glycine, maybe Hamilton, Mido… It’s kind of amazing you can get a Swiss automatic diver with sapphire, signed crown, solid bracelet, etc. these days at that price. |
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I’m going to stick with auto diver on bracelet. For ages, in the equivalent price range and below- basically like 1996 to 2016- The answer was a kick ass Seiko auto diver on bracelet- Lirterally “the poor man’s submariner” a Seiko SKX007. From around 88-96 it was the Seiko 7002, And from ‘76 to ‘88 the Seiko 6309. Right now- Just go to Amazon and look at Seiko turtle. There will be a handful of variants for 5-600 bucks. Citizen has really come along- Look up citizen ProMaster automatic and some great options from 300-600 bucks should pop up. There has been a resurgence in Swiss entry level divers - Sticking to brands with long, legit history- For a submariner style squale should have some 600 dollar options. As well as Certina, Glycine, maybe Hamilton, Mido… It’s kind of amazing you can get a Swiss automatic diver with sapphire, signed crown, solid bracelet, etc. these days at that price. |
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Originally Posted By Eric802: Everything's relative...I guess if I had a bunch of Rolex's, a $500 watch would be a "beater". To be fair, buying the ultimate beater, a Seiko 6309/7002 in the 70s or 80s and into the 90s a SKX- Was close to 400 bucks in today’s dollars. We kind of had this freak deal from like 2000 until about ten years ago where a SKX diver NIB was like closer to 300 in today’s dollars. There are some orient and citizen models down around 200 that are a steal. And if you go quartz and rubber strap some citizen eco divers insane value. |
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Maybe give a micro brand a try. Maybe a Dryden? Seems to fit your price and desired style. |
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Originally Posted By ramairthree: (snip) There has been a resurgence in Swiss entry level divers - Sticking to brands with long, legit history- For a submariner style squale should have some 600 dollar options. As well as Certina, Glycine, maybe Hamilton, Mido… Squale $100 off with 15% coupon code. I’m wearing the predecessor to this- aluminum bezel insert, while my Sinn is about to go away for servicing. It keeps great time- +/- 2 seconds per day. |
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Originally Posted By TigerForce: Squale $100 off with 15% coupon code. I’m wearing the predecessor to this- aluminum bezel insert, while my Sinn is about to go away for servicing. It keeps great time- +/- 2 seconds per day. Yes. They have some offerings all their own, and some Rolex styled. Steinhart has similar models and pricing. But it’s basically a company that started making Rolex looking watches 25 years ago. Like Squale, great quality at the price point. But with Squale you get a company that made a ton of companies cases and parts for decades during some of the coolest dive watch history. |
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Why buy new if you’re going to use it as a beater? Let someone else take the 50% hit for the first scratch. $600ish can get you into some really nice watches on the used market. For example: CW C60 Trident 300 Longines HydroConquest I’m just tossing out examples, not saying that I like those specific listings, but going used opens up a lot more options - even some of the ones above that are out of your price range new. |
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Originally Posted By WI_DeerHunter13: Why buy new if you’re going to use it as a beater? Let someone else take the 50% hit for the first scratch. $600ish can get you into some really nice watches on the used market. For example: CW C60 Trident 300 Longines HydroConquest I’m just tossing out examples, not saying that I like those specific listings, but going used opens up a lot more options - even some of the ones above that are out of your price range new. yes, lots of great preowned stuff out there. After just a quick look at ebay, here's a gorgeous root-beer Squale:  ebay listing...not mine |
Then the priest says, "What are you mad at me for? I don't even own a kayak!"
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Originally Posted By urbankaos04: Saw some nice ones, but all the ones I liked were between $800 to $1300. Lol. Originally Posted By urbankaos04: Originally Posted By HiramRanger: I like Mido, highly underrated. Saw some nice ones, but all the ones I liked were between $800 to $1300. Lol. I'm also a Mido fan. Ashford usually has the best prices, starting in the 300's. https://www.ashford.com/collections/mido?sort_by=price-ascending&filter.p.m.custom.gender=MEN ETA: But no dive watches right now. |
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First of all, I just wanna thank everyone who has taken the time to offer suggestions and post up links. Much appreciated! In looking at all the watches, I keep coming back to this thing, because I am digging how it looks. Lol. How crappy is the movement? And is it eveb worth the amount they are asking for it? Attached File The next one I am really digging is this thing: Attached File It’s a quartz, but, it doesn’t matter, as the Sinn I have scratched that automatic watch itch and I am just looking for something that looks cool. The other watch that caught my is this Hamilton: Attached File Oh, and with a discount code this is under $600: Attached File So, once again, how crappy is that Seiko? Is it even advisable to consider buying it? Just looking for something that looks different than my Sinn and I really dig how that Seiko looks. If Hamilton or Tissot made something similar, it would be a done deal, as I know those are better quality watches. |
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus
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Who did the work on the BHP? eta: Attached File |
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Originally Posted By DoubleARon: Who did the work on the BHP? eta: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/73538/IMG_3833_jpeg-3656990.JPG Initial work was done by The Action Works (stippling front and back, installation of Heinie Straight Eight night nights and some trigger work). I later sent in the pistol to MK3 Firearms to do their trigger work magic, install different front and rear sights and re-finish the slide. I chose the orange front sight to mimic the Ameriglo Trooper sights I have on my G19, unfortunately Heinie doesn't make their rear sights with tritium inserts on either side of the rear notch.  Browning Hi power Custom with Mini Spur Hammer Attached File Attached File |
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus
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FWIW, Seiko didn’t make the watch in the OP. The case, bezel and such are all aftermarket. The dial says Seiko, but Seiko didn’t make the dial either. It’s a fantasy dial that I’d wager Seiko never authorized their name to be on. The Movement, yeah… NH34 is made by Seiko, but is their stuff made and sold to anyone. So even the movement isn’t used in Seiko made products. The NH34 movement is a cheap workhorse though. It is a nice looking watch, but it has nothing to do with Seiko. It’s a pure fantasy model. Not bad looking, but a NH34 based auto of substantially similar design can be had for 100$ with Invicta or Pagani Design or other brand on the dial. I’d go with Scurfa or Squale or other actual brand before a fantasy watch infringing on Seikos trademark. |
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Originally Posted By OiRogers: FWIW, Seiko didn’t make the watch in the OP. The case, bezel and such are all aftermarket. The dial says Seiko, but Seiko didn’t make the dial either. It’s a fantasy dial that I’d wager Seiko never authorized their name to be on. The Movement, yeah… NH34 is made by Seiko, but is their stuff made and sold to anyone. So even the movement isn’t used in Seiko made products. The NH34 movement is a cheap workhorse though. It is a nice looking watch, but it has nothing to do with Seiko. It’s a pure fantasy model. Not bad looking, but a NH34 based auto of substantially similar design can be had for 100$ with Invicta or Pagani Design or other brand on the dial. I’d go with Scurfa or Squale or other actual brand before a fantasy watch infringing on Seikos trademark. Makes sense. Appreciate the feedback. |
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus
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Originally Posted By OiRogers: FWIW, Seiko didn’t make the watch in the OP. The case, bezel and such are all aftermarket. The dial says Seiko, but Seiko didn’t make the dial either. It’s a fantasy dial that I’d wager Seiko never authorized their name to be on. The Movement, yeah… NH34 is made by Seiko, but is their stuff made and sold to anyone. So even the movement isn’t used in Seiko made products. The NH34 movement is a cheap workhorse though. It is a nice looking watch, but it has nothing to do with Seiko. It’s a pure fantasy model. Not bad looking, but a NH34 based auto of substantially similar design can be had for 100$ with Invicta or Pagani Design or other brand on the dial. I’d go with Scurfa or Squale or other actual brand before a fantasy watch infringing on Seikos trademark. This. I'd buy from a known China brand (San Martin, Addies, Steeldive, Pagani, etc..) before buying some "Micro Brand". These days everyone has their own "Micro Brand" with some backstory where they take pre-orders through FB and IG and the do a bulk buy of some customized watches from a China or Singapore factory. Basically, if it's got a NH3x movement then it's probably a random China brand. Some of the FB watch groups are like 75% brand owner posts shilling their latest pre-order. |
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There are plenty of really solid Microbrands out there… such as Scurfa mentioned in this thread. Great brand, solid watch. Helm is another micro that does great watches, good prices with Seiko NHxx movements… but the multi year waitlists are rough! Several others, Watchdives and San Martin are Chinese brands that seem to be offering solid watches. I don’t mind micros, or even homage watches… but I’m not a fan of using brand names that a seller has no right to use. |
I own one San Martin, a mechanical copy/homage of the Tudor Black Bay Chrono Panda. It is remarkably solid, and draws way more compliments than it should... or maybe I'd like. Damn it, compliment me on a limited edition Sin 203 Jubilaum... not a $300 San Martin!  
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The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
|
I have been looking everything you guys have suggested and have been a little overwhelmed by all the choices. Lol. I can either buy a new microbrand watch that won't cost much (under $600) or purchase a better quality watch on the used market for about $600 to $800, but I think I really wanna keep the purchase price under $600. After looking at about a million watches, I keep coming back to the Scurfa Diver One watch, as I just like how it looks and looks sufficiently different than my Sinn; however, it is a quartz watch, which I know many people don't really like. Thank for all the suggestions and links, as you guys exposed me to brands I was not aware of and where to look for deals on higher end watches. |
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus