Pretty much what the title says…I’ve been researching dozens of watches in the sub $1k budget and have found many “popular” watches that have super positive reviews, but when I go to a store to handle and experience the watch, it’s very underwhelming. It’s gotten to the point now that I’m questioning anyone’s advice on watches in this budget.
For example, many reviewers and people love the Tissot PRX line, but after seeing those in person and holding those pieces, I think they feel cheap and overpriced for what you’re getting. FYI - I’m only interested in automatic watches, so I’m not considering quartz for this discussion.
I’m mainly here to chat about whether others have or are currently experiencing this too or I’m alone in feeling this way? Also, does it get significantly better at $2k, $3k, etc.?
Watches sub $1k that I didn’t like…
- Tissot PRXs
- Seiko SSKs
- Seiko SRPFs
- Orient Kamasu and Mako
- Nezumi Aviera
- Swatches
- Citizen
- Victorinox
Note: I own a couple other watches in this price range, but they are at the tippy top of $1k budget and I wouldn’t say they’re the go-to popular brands, i.e., Mido, Doxa, Hamilton, Jack Mason GMT.
What are you viewing things as? What matters to you?
Is it the design? The strap/bracelet? The weight? The movement? The specs? The history behind the brand?
I’ve got quite a few watches at the Sub-$1K price point and there’s different things i like about each one, for example, this is what I like about 3 of mine:
1 - Vostok Amphibia. I love the engineering of it. I love the Soviet/Russian approach to problem solving, while the Swiss divers of the time were putting chunky crown-guards on their dive watches to make sure that the crown and stem wouldn’t be damaged, they instead changed the crown so it had to be pulled to engage to do the same job with less material needed. I love the acrylic crystal specially designed to become more waterproof as the watch goes deeper. I love the history behind it, that it was a legit “space watch” (worn into space in Soyuz-17 for example).
2 - Swatch. I love the /fun/ behind Swatches. I love the retro charm of the 80s styled ones. No, they’re not going to win any awards for the best specs or best value of the money, but they’re fun to wear every now and then.
3 - Vintage Smiths. I love the history behind the brand and them beating Rolex to the top of Everest. Its fun to wear a watch made in England, once one of the horological capitals of the world and contributing some of the key enhancements of watches.
Price. Unless you’re referring to, or plotting on X/Y axes, spare the point. Do your part to stop the spread of this vocabular virus. Thank you, CVC. As you were…
Mostly quality-related aspects, such as bracelet quality, and movement type and accuracy. The few watches I do have are at the upper range $850+ and I do love them, but below that and for any of the main watch brands it’s just terrible and feels like you’re getting screwed.
Edit: I don’t hate Swatches, but I’ve had two die on me already and feel that even for their low cost, that shouldn’t happen within a short ownership timeframe