Bit of context: I’m 27, always liked watches but never really had an actually interest until about 2 years ago when I really began learning through Reddit, YouTube yada yada yada… Although I’d consider myself an enthusiast I wanted to learn before I bought and when I did decide to buy I wanted to do it ‘right’, by right I mean that personally I feel like watches especially more expensive watches should mean something, almost even need to earn the right to own, through achievement or milestones etc. For example owning a Rolex but living month to month doesn’t sit right.
I started with your basic Casio stainless steal and more recently a G Shock as a beater and I can’t understate how much I love them but I think I’m ready to step up. Like most I have a wish list but I haven’t in my head reached the place in life to own them yet, for example a Cartier Santos will commemorate my 30th birthday and when my business hits a certain financial milestone l’Il buy a seamaster diver 300, so on and so forth.
So I’d like to ask for suggestions for a watch to scratch the itch I have for a mechanical watch to buy myself for my birthday. I think my max should be the twelve hundred mark and I’ve considered the Tudor 1926 but I’d say the front runner is a Tissot PRX but I’m still learning and id love to hear more experienced collectors.
Thanks in advance guys and girls 👍🏻
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People are saying you’re “doing your research” but it’s seems like your research is aimed in the wrong direction - instead of researching watches you’re researching people’s (and specifically reddit watch nerds’) opinion about watches.
Like, what do you even actually mean by “starter”?
If you’re going for the mechanical watch route, then any of the above suggestions in the comments could be good choices. That said, if you really want the PRX, you’ll have to consider a few things before buying one. What color and size do you want? Some go with 35 mm while others go with 40 mm. The automatic version costs about $300 more than quartz, though the build quality and design are basically the same. You might want to go to the store and test how your wrists fit into the butterfly metal bracelet as well (it’s one of those integrated bracelets where you’ll have to go to a watch repair shop to make size adjustments if necessary). And if you’re keeping history and tradition in mind, the PRX is based off a quartz model Tissot issued back in 1978.
Anyway, I hope you find this information helpful in some way. Best of luck in deciding what watch you want to buy next!
Agreed! Some great suggestions already.
Funny you mention preferences because I only started to re consider the PRX due to the new release of the 35mm auto. I lean towards the smaller sized pieces anyway just as a matter of preference which sounds contradictory with the seamaster on my wish-list I know but with the integrated bracelet the 40mm PRX seems to wear bigger than the 40mm sizing would suggest, I know for a lot 35mm is too small but that’s the beauty in personal preference I guess!
Very helpful mate and thank you for taking to time to comment, appreciate it 👊🏻
My first serious watch was an Oris Big Crown BC3 and it’s less than $1200
https://www.oris.ch/en-US/watch/bc3-day-date/01-635-7534-4164-07-8-20-69
I second this. Oris is a great brand.
If your heart wants a PRX, grab yourself a PRX. But if you’ve got $1000-ish to spend, I would suggest you take a look at used/vintage watches. That’s where you can get some great deals and things start to get more exciting: Longines, Sinn, Doxa, Grand Seiko, vintage Omega. You’ll be able to get a watch that may be a “starter” but that you’ll still be excited to wear even after you’ve bought your Santos and Seamaster. Enjoy your search!
Your right mate, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there my heart isn’t set on a PRX, like it is with the Santos, seasmaster or even getting the Casio I wear daily over my Apple Watch.
I like them don’t get me wrong, style wise and the case back etc but after reading some negative takes about the plastics used within the movement I thought I’d open out to suggestions on watches that are more respected within the community under that budget, less because I care what people think and more because I value knowledge from those more knowledgeable than myself if you get me?
Thanks for commenting dude!
I could give you a million suggestions, but I’ll keep it to just a few.
If you’re open to a vintage piece and you like the PRX look, the obvious choice is an Omega Geneve. These pop up for sale under $1k all the time. Here’s one from r/Watchexchange this week: https://www.reddit.com/r/Watchexchange/comments/17bj853/wts_vintage_omega_geneve_automatic_recently/
If you want to buy something shiny and new, I think the Doxa Sub 200 is a phenomenal choice. A genuine dive watch with loads of heritage for $1k new and below $800 used.
Finally, since your two big future purchases are a Santos (traditionally a pilot’s watch) and a Seamaster (a dive watch), maybe start your collection with a field watch. A Seiko Alpinist or a Hamilton Khaki Field are both $700-ish new. Then you’ll eventually have a really nice land/sea/air collection.
My past hairstyles would certainly suggest I’m a sucker for what is ‘now’ for sure 😂 defiantly one of the reasons I wanted to post here for second opinions is I understand that popular does not always equate to the best.
Appreciate the suggestions mate, I’ve not seen Alpina before so I’ll have to check them out for sure. And congrats on the Jazzmaster too!
Not in my opinion. It’s a great watch for casuals not for real watch enthusiasts.
Seiko 5, Seiko SKX, Orient Bambino, are better value for its price and have real mecanism.
I don’t think an integrated bracelet watch is a good starter watch, regardless of the brand. A starter watch should be versatile, and a watch where you can’t change the strap is not versatile.
That’s good point in fairness
I’d get the Lorier Neptune IV for $500 and bank the rest for a future purchase. (I own it, love it, and it has sufficiently quenched my desire for the BB58, which is saying something).
Orient Kamasu. $275-ish.
Good looking dial.
The right upgrades in the right places.
It can take some abuse.I wouldn’t wear it with a suit, I’d go get a Seiko Cocktail Time for a true dress watch. Or your Tissot PRX.
YouTube has better imagery than web pics.
There’s no such thing as a “starter watch.” Wearing a watch does not require skill or experience. Buy whatever you’d like to wear.
Your right of course, there’s no such thing. I think if I’m honest here I was kinda looking for validation of the choice from those in the community who know more than myself 😂 you only get to choose your first watch once, maybe I’m completely overthinking it and need to take your advice and just pick a watch I like and buy it
Your right of course, there’s no such thing. I think if I’m honest here I was kinda looking for validation of the choice from those in the community who know more than myself 😂 you only get to choose your first mechanical watch once, maybe I’m completely overthinking it and need to take your advice and just pick a watch I like and buy it
I’ll say I like your approach, you seem like you’ve done your research. I’ll just speak for myself, the first mechanical watch I bought was basically a waste of money - a Bulova from Amazon. It’s a fine watch, just it very clearly attempted to look like a watch that cost thousands when it only cost a few hundred.
If you want to be robbed of the newbie watch journey for your price range I’d recommend Christopher Ward. For me it’s the C60 #Tide but at that point it’s down to styling. What I’d rather do is see you splurge for the grail, life is short, who knows if you’re even gonna see 30 for that Cartier? (Sorry to be morbid).
Watches were meant to be enjoyed, why wait years to get that joy? Why wear something that just makes you feel “decent” instead of floored?Thanks mate, appreciate that. I see your points and they a super valid too.
I probably am robbing myself of the experience of each tier of collecting and enjoying a watch for what it is instead of the name it’s marked with. I love what your getting at life is short enjoy what you like and if that watches go for it but there’s just something installed in me to earn things that are luxury, I’ve got no real interest in luxury cars and I dress pretty simply so watches are my materialistic crutch.
CW is also a great shout and being a Brit probably should have one on my wish list 👊🏻
Farer is another thoroughly British brand making excellent watches in the $900-$2000 range. I’d put them right alongside CW.
Just seen, they’ve got some stunners! Thanks mate