The great inexpensive watch thread! (Page 7 of 10)
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Originally Posted By TimeOnTarget: edit. The inner chapter ring is different. Your new one has a 24 hour ring instead of a 12/12. Originally Posted By TimeOnTarget: Originally Posted By Torf: It looks identical to mine other than the strap. I might be mistaken on this, but the 24-hour hand generally was sold with a different pointer that had a head on the end. The needle style pointer is unusual from what I've gathered. Back when Yes was selling out their old watches at a discount, I bought this blingier version. It has the standard pointer with lume. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/10628/File-Mar-15--22-09-28-166669.jpg My preference is the needle style pointer. edit. The inner chapter ring is different. Your new one has a 24 hour ring instead of a 12/12. |
"This is a free country, and I have the permits, background checks, licenses, and tax receipts to prove it." --Zippster (4/10/13)
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Duxot makes some nice inexpensive stuff and they are running a sale now with many half off… and yeah are worth the $150ish many are going for. Wouldn’t pay $300ish, but $150 yup. Spinnaker is another nice affordable brand, especially their Fleuss line. |
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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My FIL recently passed away, and I was given his watch. Pulsar VX-43. He was a civil engineer (helped build the I5 corridor through Seattle/Tacoma), and it was NASTY. Had all kinds of gunk inside the band, band was broken, battery dead, and just scuffed up all around. A working-man's watch. Took the band off, alcohol soaked for a couple of days then and threw it in the ultrasonic cleaner for about 10 cycles, had to replace three pins in the band, polished all the metal, then replaced the battery. Sharp looking watch, it's become my new daily "dress" watch. Good reminder of a good man. Attached File And now the DEFINITION of a great inexpensive watch: Attached File Timex Ironman Triathlon. I bought this watch in 1991 for $22 and change in the Grand Forks, ND Walmart. I needed a dual time zone watch for work. It has gone through 279 days of nuclear alert, 357 days in Afghanistan, countless hunting and fishing trips, who knows how many camping trips with the Boy Scouts (both boys are Eagles...), five countries, and every state in the Union. It's outlasted four watch bands, and I figure I've easily spent ten times the cost of the watch on batteries alone over the last 35 years. The only real problem with it is there's a hairline crack in the face right above the light button, so when you press it it doesn't have enough force to activate the light. (The light still works when you take out the movement and press the button, though). It's selling for about $6 on Ebay, so I could easily replace the case with another, but then, it just wouldn't be MY watch.... It's been semi-retired, now it sits on the nightstand as my alarm clock. I've got one other cheap day to day watch (another Walmart special, this one's a $40 Casio), but this thing is just indestructible. |
"Three, two, one, keyturn."
"If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." - Thomas Paine
I know the voices aren't real, but MAN do they have some good ideas!
"If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." - Thomas Paine
I know the voices aren't real, but MAN do they have some good ideas!
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Originally Posted By limaxray: And now the DEFINITION of a great inexpensive watch: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/30315/20250918_232112_jpg-3761213.JPG Timex Ironman Triathlon. I bought this watch in 1991 for $22 and change in the Grand Forks, ND Walmart. I needed a dual time zone watch for work. It has gone through 279 days of nuclear alert, 357 days in Afghanistan, countless hunting and fishing trips, who knows how many camping trips with the Boy Scouts (both boys are Eagles...), five countries, and every state in the Union. It's outlasted four watch bands, and I figure I've easily spent ten times the cost of the watch on batteries alone over the last 35 years. The only real problem with it is there's a hairline crack in the face right above the light button, so when you press it it doesn't have enough force to activate the light. (The light still works when you take out the movement and press the button, though). It's selling for about $6 on Ebay, so I could easily replace the case with another, but then, it just wouldn't be MY watch.... It's been semi-retired, now it sits on the nightstand as my alarm clock. I've got one other cheap day to day watch (another Walmart special, this one's a $40 Casio), but this thing is just indestructible.  Unfortunately this isn't mine. Mine was lost many years ago in a lake when the spring pin popped. Anything subsequent to this that I actually tried was a bit of a disappointment, quality wise. |
"This is a free country, and I have the permits, background checks, licenses, and tax receipts to prove it." --Zippster (4/10/13)
When I was younger I thought this fossil coachman I saw in a mall would look great as a dress watch (ended up replacing the leather with a stainless linked band) and I still think it's my prettiest without being garish. I think it was like $80 at the time. I've always liked simple field watches like the Hamilton Khaki (though I prefer a larger diameter), and I love solar or automatic rather than having to worry about battery swaps. So when I saw a Timex Solar Expedition 40mm for like half off I had to get it. I replaced the strap with an OD nato strap and it looks great.  Then I was like "hey, this Hamilton knockoff from Aliexpress has a sapphire crystal, a PT5000 automatic movement with sweeping hand and I can customize the logo for less than a Benjamin... "  So I got that, and then wondered if I could modify my Timex with a sapphire crystal, which led me down the path of researching watch modifications, and came across a "brass case" mod of a Timex Field Chronograph (basically just sanding off the outer coating) and loved the vintage look, so I ended up getting one and adding a leather strap.  Then the algorithm fed me a modified NASA themed Casio Royale (AE1200), which I had no interest in originally, but it led me down a rabbit hole and I saw how much of a cult following modding casio AE1200s were. Then I came across this... it reminded me of a digital version of the Hamilton Khaki style watches so I wanted to replicate it, and the watch is silly cheap so why not?   But the Casio Royale is resin and I want something that lasts, so of course... spend 3 times as much as the watch to upgrade to a stainless case and sapphire crystal from SKXMOD Then the natural progression... when I was at the store buying the donor watch, I thought "all those G-Shocks look alike, what's the differences in them anyway?" and now I have like 3... in my defense, they were on clearance. I'm looking into getting a mudmaster, a negative screen GD350 and an old school GW400 Silencer (Solar + vibration alarm) Finally I decided I needed to stop spending so much money on watches, but then saw a deal on my grail watch, so "just one more..."  Will replace the crystal with a sapphire crystal also. I might have a problem  |
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Originally Posted By binthere: Prometheus is a micro brand from Portugal since 2008 that makes some decent divers. Right now they have some for $415.00. I’ve been looking for a 2011 Prometheus Jellyfish tritium for years. Current model “Jamanta” https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263143/IMG_6172_jpeg-3759274.JPGhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/263143/IMG_6171_jpeg-3759275.JPG Funny you mention them. I have one that had the bezel pop off like 10 years ago. They wouldn't fix it. Sent it to a place in the US, "we dont have the right part." Found a watchmaker here in town that popped back on. Its now bidirectional without any clicks... but isn't falling alart. Literally picked it up on Monday... Regarding that Maratec pilot. I had a big, and regular, with the red crown. Absolutely hated the hands, way too hard to tell at a quick glance. Loved the case and design, though. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By neshomamench: I collect these. This is the new release. Most Snoopy watches are inexpensive. https://i.postimg.cc/MTV1XnM0/IMG-2676.jpg Snoopy is awesome! Attached File My Seestern arrive today! Attached File Attached File |
"I will leave when I have your wounded." MAJ Kelly
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Originally Posted By Bohr_Adam: You should make that your avatar. That's an awesome "flex." Originally Posted By Bohr_Adam: Originally Posted By TF82: In your face Rolex in a Porsche bros. Dirty Seiko in a dirty Hyundai. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/383638/IMG_9699_jpeg-3757454.JPG I bought it lightly used around $500 in like 2018 or so. I forget the model number but they called it the 62 mas reimagined or something like that (everything was being “reimagined” then). Then they came out with one that looked a lot more like the original and this one got the axe. I like it a lot though. Super legible with a pretty clean design. The car is a Sonata. I know you were wondering.  You should make that your avatar. That's an awesome "flex."
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Help: My wife's birthday is the 30th. Any recommendations for understated, functional watches for women? Say sub $400? I think i might just get her a Casio like one of these g-shocks: https://www.casio.com/us/watches/gshock/product.GM-S2110SR-7A/  It matches her color preferences. And perhaps something nicer for Christmas if she decides she is a watch person. I didn't see any Seiko or Citizens that just jumped out as sure things. But maybe there is a micro brand somebody knows of? Thanks Edit: a Timex Deepwater might be a good choice 
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Originally Posted By TexCorriente: Help: My wife's birthday is the 30th. Any recommendations for understated, functional watches for women? Say sub $400? I think i might just get her a Casio like one of these g-shocks: https://www.casio.com/us/watches/gshock/product.GM-S2110SR-7A/ https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/276591/1000032673_webp-3764106.jpg It matches her color preferences. And perhaps something nicer for Christmas if she decides she is a watch person. I didn't see any Seiko or Citizens that just jumped out as sure things. But maybe there is a micro brand somebody knows of? Thanks Citizen Women's Eco-Drive models The Peyten and Garrison both jump out at me as stylistically similar to what you posted...There's a Garrison with the green dial but shown on a leather strap so I posted the black dial. I cannot recommend Titanium highly enough - she won't believe how light it is.   |
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Originally Posted By BullpupFan: Citizen Women's Eco-Drive models The Peyten and Garrison both jump out at me as stylistically similar to what you posted...There's a Garrison with the green dial but shown on a leather strap so I posted the black dial. I cannot recommend Titanium highly enough - she won't believe how light it is. https://citizenwatch.widen.net/content/oy7v2mop2c/webp/Peyten.webp https://citizenwatch.widen.net/content/yuikivrs9e/webp/Garrison.webp Great suggestions; I agree on the Ti. I think she is likely to pick a funky NATO strap, might even get the kids in on picking one. Edit: it'd be easy pickings if she didn't think Disney was gross or loved Snoopy, geeze. |
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I killed a bacon puppy. :(
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Originally Posted By TexCorriente: Great suggestions; I agree on the Ti. I think she is likely to pick a funky NATO strap, might even get the kids in on picking one. Edit: it'd be easy pickings if she didn't think Disney was gross or loved Snoopy, geeze. Originally Posted By TexCorriente: Originally Posted By BullpupFan: Citizen Women's Eco-Drive models The Peyten and Garrison both jump out at me as stylistically similar to what you posted...There's a Garrison with the green dial but shown on a leather strap so I posted the black dial. I cannot recommend Titanium highly enough - she won't believe how light it is. https://citizenwatch.widen.net/content/oy7v2mop2c/webp/Peyten.webp https://citizenwatch.widen.net/content/yuikivrs9e/webp/Garrison.webp Great suggestions; I agree on the Ti. I think she is likely to pick a funky NATO strap, might even get the kids in on picking one. Edit: it'd be easy pickings if she didn't think Disney was gross or loved Snoopy, geeze. Ah, sorry, some reason I was thinking bracelet vs band/strap - the Garrison BM8560-02X might be your Huckleberry! 
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Seriously though, the Citizen Garrison, BM8180-03E, is a fantastic inexpensive watch. You can dress it down with a NATO, or dress it up with leather. They're fairly rugged, and since they're Eco-Drive you won't need to replace batteries. It'll go a few weeks without much light before you need to throw it in a window if you're not wearing it that often. It's one of my go to beater watches. Attached File |
I killed a bacon puppy. :(
This post is brought to you by The Pogues, the official punk band of the .mil forums.
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Originally Posted By BolivarBill: I've had a Swiss Army Lancer for 35 years or so: https://www.watchuseek.com/attachments/img_1321-jpeg.15883776/?auto=webp&fit=bounds&format=pjgp&height=1920&optimize=high&width=1920 My wife bought me this Swiss Army Oddyssey Etreme in 2000, in Luxembourg. Unfortunately, it started having problems recently--it started running erratically, the day/date won't roll over properly and the bezel doesn't rotate very smoothly. And, because it's the European version, parts and repair in America is almost nonexistent. I finally retired it last summer. Attached File |
"Three, two, one, keyturn."
"If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." - Thomas Paine
I know the voices aren't real, but MAN do they have some good ideas!
"If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." - Thomas Paine
I know the voices aren't real, but MAN do they have some good ideas!
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Originally Posted By TexCorriente: Help: My wife's birthday is the 30th. Any recommendations for understated, functional watches for women? Say sub $400? I think i might just get her a Casio like one of these g-shocks: https://www.casio.com/us/watches/gshock/product.GM-S2110SR-7A/ https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/276591/1000032673_webp-3764106.jpg It matches her color preferences. And perhaps something nicer for Christmas if she decides she is a watch person. I didn't see any Seiko or Citizens that just jumped out as sure things. But maybe there is a micro brand somebody knows of? Thanks Edit: a Timex Deepwater might be a good choice https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/276591/1000032674-3764139.png  I was planning to get one for my daughter for high school graduation, but she said she wasn't interested. 
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"This is a free country, and I have the permits, background checks, licenses, and tax receipts to prove it." --Zippster (4/10/13)
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Originally Posted By FrogEyes: Wife just got me this for our anniversary https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/102203/IMG_6424_jpeg-3764215.JPG I'm not normally a fan of white faces, but that looks sharp! 
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Eternity is coming for us all. It cannot be denied, debated or avoided.
We would do well to ponder how we're going to spend that eternity, because eternity is a long time to be wrong.
We would do well to ponder how we're going to spend that eternity, because eternity is a long time to be wrong.
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Originally Posted By Tomac: I'm not normally a fan of white faces, but that looks sharp! Thanks! Not sure it's something I would have picked out, but I like it. It's actually more of an ivory than white. I was concerned it would be too big at 43mm, but it wears well. |
Not sure if this would be considered inexpensive, but I'm wearing my 1958 (I think) Hamilton Parker B. It's pretty small considering it's a ~32mm men's watch, but I got it free. It belonged to a good friend of my grandfather when he passed. Family and friends were invited in to help claim the leftovers, and I found this in a pile of other junk. No one wanted it. A $100 cleaning and a new leather band and it's back to life! It's a 25 year employee watch. The inscription on the back is from Hiram Walker & Sons, Inc. |
"This is a free country, and I have the permits, background checks, licenses, and tax receipts to prove it." --Zippster (4/10/13)
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$140 from Amazon. I put it on a Zulu strap, but the bracelet it came with is good for the price and even has screws instead of pins. Attached File Attached File |
"I will leave when I have your wounded." MAJ Kelly
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‘ I have a thing for Seikos….. Attached File . |
A gentleman always asks her, “In you or on you ?”
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I'm seriously considering picking this up for my 63rd birthday this month. Regal Watch Exchange  |
"In knifemaking everyone gets cut and everyone gets burned." Devin Thomas
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Originally Posted By Burncycle: https://i.imgur.com/nusoJ2Q.jpeg I have a sterile face tandorio like yours. It's been great for every day. |
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Originally Posted By Tweek: Arrived earlier this week, my first Seiko Monster. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/86524/seikoSRPG57-3774304.jpg That’s a nice watch. Similar to this one that I wanted before covid and then became unobtainable… Attached File The one I have now is a lot darker blue… . |
A gentleman always asks her, “In you or on you ?”
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I killed a bacon puppy. :(
This post is brought to you by The Pogues, the official punk band of the .mil forums.
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Originally Posted By neshomamench: Watches must be under $1000 bucks. A thread for the more practical or even value based but interesting timepieces. I love my Citizen Nighthawk Eco Drive. I wear it when I travel and sometimes when out and about. Probably paid 300 bucks for it 15 or so years ago. Soaks up the sun and just keeps going. https://i.postimg.cc/SNhWCg6L/IMG-1246.jpg I have that same watch! I wore it last night to my daughter's HS Graduation. The only watch I have worth more than $1k is the Audemars Piguet from my grandfather. Several Citizens, Timex, Swatch and no-brand watches. rob |
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Originally Posted By LDAguy: That’s a nice watch. Similar to this one that I wanted before covid and then became unobtainable… https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/31492/IMG_7986_png-3774308.JPG The one I have now is a lot darker blue… . Originally Posted By LDAguy: Originally Posted By Tweek: Arrived earlier this week, my first Seiko Monster. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/86524/seikoSRPG57-3774304.jpg That’s a nice watch. Similar to this one that I wanted before covid and then became unobtainable… https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/31492/IMG_7986_png-3774308.JPG The one I have now is a lot darker blue… . I don't know what it is about these, but I really enjoy wearing it. Islander has their own homage orange version I'm trying to resist. |
"Oh you're going to Memphis? You might want to get a bigger gun." - Chief Taylor, Hazen PD
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Originally Posted By Tweek: I don't know what it is about these, but I really enjoy wearing it. Islander has their own homage orange version I'm trying to resist. Originally Posted By Tweek: Originally Posted By LDAguy: Originally Posted By Tweek: Arrived earlier this week, my first Seiko Monster. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/86524/seikoSRPG57-3774304.jpg That’s a nice watch. Similar to this one that I wanted before covid and then became unobtainable… https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/31492/IMG_7986_png-3774308.JPG The one I have now is a lot darker blue… . I don't know what it is about these, but I really enjoy wearing it. Islander has their own homage orange version I'm trying to resist. Islander had a black one a few years ago, but it’s not available anymore either. I need to get my OG Black Monster repaired. . |
A gentleman always asks her, “In you or on you ?”
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Originally Posted By mcculver5: I have a sterile face tandorio like yours. It's been great for every day. Yeah it’s definitely a great value for what you’re getting! I’m in the process of picking one up in titanium. I don’t care for Tandorio’s logo and want something more than a sterile dial, and wanted one of their larger field watches (the 39mm as the classic 36mm is too small for me) but I was interested in a date window… which is a combination that is apparently hard to find at the Chinese sellers. So I picked a 39mm aviator style dial with a date window and I’m working with them now to get a custom dial made with different hands and adding the inner numbers like a field watch, hopefully it turns out well 
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After realizing I have a handful of watches scattered here and there, I went on the hunt for a case to keep them all in. Wound up with this one from Amazon. For $34, I'm pleased with it.  
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"Oh you're going to Memphis? You might want to get a bigger gun." - Chief Taylor, Hazen PD
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Originally Posted By Tweek: After realizing I have a handful of watches scattered here and there, I went on the hunt for a case to keep them all in. Wound up with this one from Amazon. For $34, I'm pleased with it. www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4NNVGCF I have that same case or its clone. It was a gift from my wife and at the time I thought, "I won't ever have enough watches to fill that." I now have a second winder case as well.  Rob |
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Tudor FXD "homage." $200 Plenty of 22mm straps to play with Attached File |
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I did the thing. I hope I did it right. (I haven't worn a watch in 20 years and never owned more than a cheap $30 watch before) Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Arkturus: I did the thing. I hope I did it right. (I haven't worn a watch in 20 years and never owned more than a cheap $30 watch before) https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/351202/Untitled_jpg-3781725.JPG I like it. I have a few Eco-Drive watches. If you end up not wearing it often, at least keep in in some light. They don't like being drained all the way down. |
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Originally Posted By LDAguy: ‘ I have a thing for Seikos….. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/31492/IMG_5117_jpeg-3773455.JPG . Attached File |
Eternity is coming for us all. It cannot be denied, debated or avoided.
We would do well to ponder how we're going to spend that eternity, because eternity is a long time to be wrong.
We would do well to ponder how we're going to spend that eternity, because eternity is a long time to be wrong.