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Challenge: Three Watches for $1000

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Challenge: Three Watches for $1000

Post by recapt »

Okay, here's the scenario... you have $1000 USD to start a 3 watch collection from scratch. What do you choose and why? Make sure to read rule #3 below because there's a catch.

I thought this would be a fun thought exercise for us here on the forums. I've heard the guys from the 40 and 20 podcast do things like this a few times and it always keeps me entertained.

The rules:

1. For each watch, you must include the make/model, the price, a pic, and a link to where it can be purchased.
2. All prices should be standardized to USD. Do not include tax, VAT, shipping or cash back offers (just use the listed price for simplicity). Generally available coupons/discount codes are fine, i.e., AD10 for $10 off at Jomashop.
3. Only one watch from your collection can be from Seiko, Citizen, Orient, Casio or Timex.
4. Pre-orders, soon-to-be-restocked, and crowdfunded watches are fine (as long as they are still available).

You do not have to have any hands-on experience with the watches you choose, but commentary about why you choose each watch is appreciated. And don't hesitate to post multiple times. If you're like me, you would probably have a different response to this depending on the day.

Mods: Not sure if this qualifies as a "challenge" or not, so feel free to move this thread if there's a better location for it.
Last edited by recapt on Sat Apr 25, 2020 11:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Three Watches for $1000

Post by recapt »

Here's my first entry...


1. Casio G-Shock GW-M5610: $95

Image




This is the only one of this group that I actually own. Got it a few months back from Kohl's for about $70. I love the look, the smaller size, and the solar and MB6 features are fantastic. I find myself earing it a lot more than I ever expected to.


2. Lorier Hydra (Blue): $399

Image


https://www.lorierwatches.com/products/hydra

I'm a sucker for vintage-inspired pieces with high-domed crystal (plexiglass in this case). I love the overall look of this one. Plus the bracelet looks incredible and that crown looks pretty damn cool.


3. Glycine Airman "The Chief" Purist GL0251: $499

Image

https://www.ashford.com/us/watches/glyc ... GL0251.pid

I really wanted to get a more traditional GMT watch in this collection, but there aren't really any under $500 that I love, so kind of settled a both for this. I really like the look of it, and it gives me some flexibility since it's not another diver, and I don't need a dress watch.



Grand total: $993
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Re: Three Watches for $1000

Post by Sporkboy »

Definitely counts as a challenge and seems a natural for the challenge section. I might have a hard time with this one since watches over $100 are a rarity for me.
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Re: Three Watches for $1000

Post by Sporkboy »

NTH Tikuna
$650
Image

https://nthwatches.com/products/tikuna

Dan Henry 1962 Panda Chrono
$260
Image


https://danhenrywatches.com/collections ... 6427627602

Lorus Gents Lumibrite Military Style Watch - RXF41AX7 ~$31
Image


https://us.rubiconwatches.com/lorus-gen ... f41ax7-lnp

Add a couple of straps from Barton to round it out.

I figure that is diver, driver and field. The Dan Henry would fill in as my dressier option if needed. The Lorus would be my daily watch and I would wear the NTH when I needed to kick some ass.
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Re: Three Watches for $1000

Post by MoT »

Fun thread! I'm going to have to give this some thought and respond.
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Re: Three Watches for $1000

Post by recapt »

Sporkboy wrote:NTH Tikuna
$650
Image

https://nthwatches.com/products/tikuna

Dan Henry 1962 Panda Chrono
$260
Image


https://danhenrywatches.com/collections ... 6427627602

Lorus Gents Lumibrite Military Style Watch - RXF41AX7 ~$31
Image


https://us.rubiconwatches.com/lorus-gen ... f41ax7-lnp

Add a couple of straps from Barton to round it out.

I figure that is diver, driver and field. The Dan Henry would fill in as my dressier option if needed. The Lorus would be my daily watch and I would wear the NTH when I needed to kick some ass.
Awesome. How did it feel to image yourself spending more than $100 on a watch?
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Re: Challenge: Three Watches for $1000

Post by Sporkboy »

recapt wrote:
Sporkboy wrote:NTH Tikuna
$650
Image

https://nthwatches.com/products/tikuna

Dan Henry 1962 Panda Chrono
$260
Image


https://danhenrywatches.com/collections ... 6427627602

Lorus Gents Lumibrite Military Style Watch - RXF41AX7 ~$31
Image


https://us.rubiconwatches.com/lorus-gen ... f41ax7-lnp

Add a couple of straps from Barton to round it out.

I figure that is diver, driver and field. The Dan Henry would fill in as my dressier option if needed. The Lorus would be my daily watch and I would wear the NTH when I needed to kick some ass.
Awesome. How did it feel to image yourself spending more than $100 on a watch?
It felt strange. I did it with the Codek Spiral and I need to sell that one and get it out of my watch box. I just don’t wear it. Trying to limit my unnecessary trips to the outside world though, so I don’t know when I will be listing it.

I have just committed to have my father’s Seiko Bullhead repaired, so that will be by far the most money I have into a watch. It has family history though, so I don’t feel bad paying to take care of it. It is a brown dialed Seiko 5 Sport Speedtimer, which is the JDM version as it was purchased on my parents’ honey moon in Japan.

The NTH was the default that I thought of and then I looked to see what was left. I may do this again focusing on a nicer field watch and maybe a more budget diver and a decent digital, probably the 5610 for the radio syncing. I might do that and then 300-400 for the diver and field get a bunch of straps.
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Challenge: Three Watches for $1000

Post by recapt »

Sporkboy wrote:It felt strange. I did it with the Codek Spiral and I need to sell that one and get it out of my watch box. I just don’t wear it. Trying to limit my unnecessary trips to the outside world though, so I don’t know when I will be listing it.

I have just committed to have my father’s Seiko Bullhead repaired, so that will be by far the most money I have into a watch. It has family history though, so I don’t feel bad paying to take care of it. It is a brown dialed Seiko 5 Sport Speedtimer, which is the JDM version as it was purchased on my parents’ honey moon in Japan.

The NTH was the default that I thought of and then I looked to see what was left. I may do this again focusing on a nicer field watch and maybe a more budget diver and a decent digital, probably the 5610 for the radio syncing. I might do that and then 300-400 for the diver and field get a bunch of straps.
Very nice. I appreciate your thriftiness.

Cool story about your dad’s bullhead. Would love to see a pic... and that repair journey might be worth documenting in a thread here on the forums. I’d definitely follow.
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Re: Challenge: Three Watches for $1000

Post by TheJohnP »

Here's my first stab at this.

If I was starting fresh for a three watch and only had $1,000 to spend.
This might be what I'd go for and why.

#1) Dress watch.
Reason - I simply prefer dress watches. This would be my everyday wear. So looking for something that could go with just about anything.
Retailer - Page & Cooper out of the UK. This one is purchased through an AD, so watch would have full warranty.
Make/Model - Laco Classics Jena 38, model # 862067
Price - $402 (£325)
Link to watch - https://www.pageandcooper.com/laco-jena-38/
Movement - Automatic (Laco version of Miyota 9015)
Country of origin - Germany

Image



#2 - Field watch aka beater
Reason - As much a dress watch can be a daily wear, there is a desire for variety. Or there are times when you need something that can take a hit. So a military inspired field watch could fit the bill well.
Retailer - Jomashop. This one is purchased through the grey market, so savings all the way.
Make/Model - Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical, model # H69439511
Price - $336
Link to watch - https://www.jomashop.com/hamilton-khaki ... 39511.html
Movement - Mechanical (ETA H-50)
Country of origin - Switzerland

Image



#3 - World Timer
Reason - Now and again you will want to travel. So having a watch that can adjust for different time zones, or automatically update for DST, can be advantageous.
Retailer - Ebay. From a seller that is a suspected OEM vendor.
Make/Model - Citizen World Perpetual A-T Eco-Drive, model # CB0160-51L
Price - $154.99
Link to watch - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Citizen-Eco-Dr ... 4175662314
Movement - Quartz solar powered radio controlled (Citizen caliber H145)
Country of origin -Japan

Image



TOTAL = $892.99
With $107.01 left over.

So with that group, I've got an automatic, a mechanical, and a quartz.
A watch that's Swiss, Japanese, and German.
One bought from an AD and the grey market.
In a way, I've got just about everything covered.
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Re: Challenge: Three Watches for $1000

Post by Sporkboy »

OK, looking at this again, the field watch is the one I would wear most, so going heavy there would make more sense. I picked something on a bracelet. On quartz, one solar and one auto. I would feel comfortable wearing any of these at any given point and they would probably get about equal wear. And I didn’t cheap out on the last pick this time.

MKII Crucible Type A-11 no date $650

Image


http://boutique.mkiiwatches.com/ready-t ... -date.html

Douglas World Timer Skindiver MechaQuartz
170 Euro (pre order) about $200 USD
Image




Citizen Nighthawk (used $150)
Kind of a cheat going used on this last one, but they still pop up at this price.

Image

https://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-ci ... cs/5142595

This group is a little heavy on the black dials, but I think they are all good looking watches and would go with a variety of activities.
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Re: Challenge: Three Watches for $1000

Post by Sporkboy »

recapt wrote:
Sporkboy wrote:It felt strange. I did it with the Codek Spiral and I need to sell that one and get it out of my watch box. I just don’t wear it. Trying to limit my unnecessary trips to the outside world though, so I don’t know when I will be listing it.

I have just committed to have my father’s Seiko Bullhead repaired, so that will be by far the most money I have into a watch. It has family history though, so I don’t feel bad paying to take care of it. It is a brown dialed Seiko 5 Sport Speedtimer, which is the JDM version as it was purchased on my parents’ honey moon in Japan.

The NTH was the default that I thought of and then I looked to see what was left. I may do this again focusing on a nicer field watch and maybe a more budget diver and a decent digital, probably the 5610 for the radio syncing. I might do that and then 300-400 for the diver and field get a bunch of straps.
Very nice. I appreciate your thriftiness.

Cool story about your dad’s bullhead. Would love to see a pic... and that repair journey might be worth documenting in a thread here on the forums. I’d definitely follow.
As to not clutter this thread with non-challenge items, I have gone ahead and created a new thread for this Seiko Bullhead and I took some fresh pictures before packing it up.


My Father’s Seiko Speedtimer
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Re: Challenge: Three Watches for $1000

Post by cortman »

My pick for the three:

1. Dress watch - Glycine Combat 6, white dial, leather strap $270
GL0112_FLA.jpg
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Glycine-Mens-3 ... SwbiFZVGnS $270

This watch is conservatively sized, has a beautiful dial, a useful date, a top notch (for the sub-$1k price bracket) ETA movement, and a domed sapphire crystal. It'll work perfectly for any kind of casual everyday wear as well as for dress occasions. With 20mm lugs straps will be super easy to find for this one, and it'll switch from field to dress with an easy strap change. This is your classic Swiss watch.

2. Seiko Turtle, black dial, rubber strap, SRP777 $310
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Seiko-SRP7 ... SwFqJWnbMg
Seiko-Turtle-SRP777-9.jpg
I would also drop some money for a Strapcode Oyster Braclet with fitted solid endlinks. $87
https://www.strapcode.com/collections/s ... bcl20-b047
str.PNG
This is just such a terrific watch, from an aesthetic standpoint (is there a more classic, legendary Seiko diver look?) and a practical view, with a solid 4R36 automatic movement, durable hardlex, and a really excellent rubber strap. Between the bracelet and rubber you'll have two awesome diver looks that will take any abuse you throw at them. This is your quintessential Seiko watch, dive watch, and "beater" watch.

3. Timex MK1 Chronograph $110
https://www.timex.com/mk1-chronograph-s ... cgid=mk-1
tx.PNG
This watch is another win aesthetically and functionally. It's got the classic military-issue field watch look, true bicompax chronograph functionality subdials (no pointless 24hr subdial here), a lightweight aluminum case, a proper vintage style acrylic crystal, and probably best of all- Indiglo. Every watch enthusiast needs an Indiglo watch- the technology is just so incredibly useful. This one works great in the field and like the Glycine can be dressed up and down. It's not too expensive and therefore not hard to replace should something happen to it.

These three with the bracelet total to $777. So that leaves you with $223 for straps, tools, storage, etc- or better yet, with a little slush fund to try a new watch with. If you're careful and watch the deals here, you can make that fund increase everytime you try a watch, by buying a good enough deal that you don't lose on it when you resell it.
With these three watches you'd have your bases covered and a ton of fun and variety. If I were starting from scratch with $1k this is probably the route I'd go.
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Re: Challenge: Three Watches for $1000

Post by recapt »

cortman wrote:My pick for the three:

1. Dress watch - Glycine Combat 6, white dial, leather strap $270
GL0112_FLA.jpg
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Glycine-Mens-3 ... SwbiFZVGnS $270

This watch is conservatively sized, has a beautiful dial, a useful date, a top notch (for the sub-$1k price bracket) ETA movement, and a domed sapphire crystal. It'll work perfectly for any kind of casual everyday wear as well as for dress occasions. With 20mm lugs straps will be super easy to find for this one, and it'll switch from field to dress with an easy strap change. This is your classic Swiss watch.

2. Seiko Turtle, black dial, rubber strap, SRP777 $310
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Seiko-SRP7 ... SwFqJWnbMg
Seiko-Turtle-SRP777-9.jpg
I would also drop some money for a Strapcode Oyster Braclet with fitted solid endlinks. $87
https://www.strapcode.com/collections/s ... bcl20-b047
str.PNG
This is just such a terrific watch, from an aesthetic standpoint (is there a more classic, legendary Seiko diver look?) and a practical view, with a solid 4R36 automatic movement, durable hardlex, and a really excellent rubber strap. Between the bracelet and rubber you'll have two awesome diver looks that will take any abuse you throw at them. This is your quintessential Seiko watch, dive watch, and "beater" watch.

3. Timex MK1 Chronograph $110
https://www.timex.com/mk1-chronograph-s ... cgid=mk-1
tx.PNG
This watch is another win aesthetically and functionally. It's got the classic military-issue field watch look, true bicompax chronograph functionality subdials (no pointless 24hr subdial here), a lightweight aluminum case, a proper vintage style acrylic crystal, and probably best of all- Indiglo. Every watch enthusiast needs an Indiglo watch- the technology is just so incredibly useful. This one works great in the field and like the Glycine can be dressed up and down. It's not too expensive and therefore not hard to replace should something happen to it.

These three with the bracelet total to $777. So that leaves you with $223 for straps, tools, storage, etc- or better yet, with a little slush fund to try a new watch with. If you're careful and watch the deals here, you can make that fund increase everytime you try a watch, by buying a good enough deal that you don't lose on it when you resell it.
With these three watches you'd have your bases covered and a ton of fun and variety. If I were starting from scratch with $1k this is probably the route I'd go.
This is a really good list but you broke rule #3, which I set to try and get people to think more about micros and lesser known value brands.

Not that there are any repercussions though :)
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Re: Challenge: Three Watches for $1000

Post by cortman »

recapt wrote:
cortman wrote:My pick for the three:

1. Dress watch - Glycine Combat 6, white dial, leather strap $270
GL0112_FLA.jpg
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Glycine-Mens-3 ... SwbiFZVGnS $270

This watch is conservatively sized, has a beautiful dial, a useful date, a top notch (for the sub-$1k price bracket) ETA movement, and a domed sapphire crystal. It'll work perfectly for any kind of casual everyday wear as well as for dress occasions. With 20mm lugs straps will be super easy to find for this one, and it'll switch from field to dress with an easy strap change. This is your classic Swiss watch.

2. Seiko Turtle, black dial, rubber strap, SRP777 $310
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Seiko-SRP7 ... SwFqJWnbMg
Seiko-Turtle-SRP777-9.jpg
I would also drop some money for a Strapcode Oyster Braclet with fitted solid endlinks. $87
https://www.strapcode.com/collections/s ... bcl20-b047
str.PNG
This is just such a terrific watch, from an aesthetic standpoint (is there a more classic, legendary Seiko diver look?) and a practical view, with a solid 4R36 automatic movement, durable hardlex, and a really excellent rubber strap. Between the bracelet and rubber you'll have two awesome diver looks that will take any abuse you throw at them. This is your quintessential Seiko watch, dive watch, and "beater" watch.

3. Timex MK1 Chronograph $110
https://www.timex.com/mk1-chronograph-s ... cgid=mk-1
tx.PNG
This watch is another win aesthetically and functionally. It's got the classic military-issue field watch look, true bicompax chronograph functionality subdials (no pointless 24hr subdial here), a lightweight aluminum case, a proper vintage style acrylic crystal, and probably best of all- Indiglo. Every watch enthusiast needs an Indiglo watch- the technology is just so incredibly useful. This one works great in the field and like the Glycine can be dressed up and down. It's not too expensive and therefore not hard to replace should something happen to it.

These three with the bracelet total to $777. So that leaves you with $223 for straps, tools, storage, etc- or better yet, with a little slush fund to try a new watch with. If you're careful and watch the deals here, you can make that fund increase everytime you try a watch, by buying a good enough deal that you don't lose on it when you resell it.
With these three watches you'd have your bases covered and a ton of fun and variety. If I were starting from scratch with $1k this is probably the route I'd go.
This is a really good list but you broke rule #3, which I set to try and get people to think more about micros and lesser known value brands.

Not that there are any repercussions though :)
Oh ok, I read it as only one from each of these brands, not one from this group of brands.

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Re: Challenge: Three Watches for $1000

Post by recapt »

cortman wrote:
recapt wrote:
cortman wrote:My pick for the three:

1. Dress watch - Glycine Combat 6, white dial, leather strap $270
GL0112_FLA.jpg
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Glycine-Mens-3 ... SwbiFZVGnS $270

This watch is conservatively sized, has a beautiful dial, a useful date, a top notch (for the sub-$1k price bracket) ETA movement, and a domed sapphire crystal. It'll work perfectly for any kind of casual everyday wear as well as for dress occasions. With 20mm lugs straps will be super easy to find for this one, and it'll switch from field to dress with an easy strap change. This is your classic Swiss watch.

2. Seiko Turtle, black dial, rubber strap, SRP777 $310
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Seiko-SRP7 ... SwFqJWnbMg
Seiko-Turtle-SRP777-9.jpg
I would also drop some money for a Strapcode Oyster Braclet with fitted solid endlinks. $87
https://www.strapcode.com/collections/s ... bcl20-b047
str.PNG
This is just such a terrific watch, from an aesthetic standpoint (is there a more classic, legendary Seiko diver look?) and a practical view, with a solid 4R36 automatic movement, durable hardlex, and a really excellent rubber strap. Between the bracelet and rubber you'll have two awesome diver looks that will take any abuse you throw at them. This is your quintessential Seiko watch, dive watch, and "beater" watch.

3. Timex MK1 Chronograph $110
https://www.timex.com/mk1-chronograph-s ... cgid=mk-1
tx.PNG
This watch is another win aesthetically and functionally. It's got the classic military-issue field watch look, true bicompax chronograph functionality subdials (no pointless 24hr subdial here), a lightweight aluminum case, a proper vintage style acrylic crystal, and probably best of all- Indiglo. Every watch enthusiast needs an Indiglo watch- the technology is just so incredibly useful. This one works great in the field and like the Glycine can be dressed up and down. It's not too expensive and therefore not hard to replace should something happen to it.

These three with the bracelet total to $777. So that leaves you with $223 for straps, tools, storage, etc- or better yet, with a little slush fund to try a new watch with. If you're careful and watch the deals here, you can make that fund increase everytime you try a watch, by buying a good enough deal that you don't lose on it when you resell it.
With these three watches you'd have your bases covered and a ton of fun and variety. If I were starting from scratch with $1k this is probably the route I'd go.
This is a really good list but you broke rule #3, which I set to try and get people to think more about micros and lesser known value brands.

Not that there are any repercussions though :)
Oh ok, I read it as only one from each of these brands, not one from this group of brands.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
No worries!
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