I just joined Reddit to post this here, so please go easy on me!
I’ve happily had one watch for the last two decades, and while it’s still running, it’s corroding so it’s time to upgrade. I overthink every purchase, so naturally I fell down the watch enthusiast rabbit hole. After a steady diet of Ben’s Watch Club, Teddy Baldassarre and TGV YouTube videos while washing dishes, I’m not sure I can be happy with just one watch. However, even if I get a second, I don’t want to get two at once.
Criteria: quartz or solar, simple or vintage aesthetic, easily legible, sapphire crystal if possible, stainless steel, budget of $250 Canadian or so. My wrist is 6.75", so I can get away with a bigger watch, but I’d really like something that doesn’t feel too heavy or bulky as I have wrist/forearm issues. I can’t stand the bling the watch industry is convinced women require (rose gold, crystal/diamond, mother of pearl etc) but I love a great dial (eg Seiko Presage). I’d love something in the 32-34mm range but haven’t seen much. I’d prefer something I can try on in person.
Here’s my shortlist (yes all the Seikos were spotted at Costco, please don’t judge!):
Citizen FE7090-55L Love the dial but it’s a bit heavy, also a weird plastic-ish edge to the crystal; love Eco Drive but almost want to avoid Citizen on principle because they are the absolute worst for blingy women’s watches. This is the only larger one (36mm; the others are 28-30mm)
Seiko sur629p1 I love the guilloche dial, but only a hardlex Crystal
Seiko SWR069P1 Love this one slightly less but it does have a sapphire crystal
Seiko425p1 this one is a bit more modern with a navy guilloche dial, date, sapphire, 100m water, so the specs are awesome, but I’m a little bit worried about legibility
Dan Henry 1900 Fell hard for this one, but I’m not sure if it’s just the bund strap talking. Really don’t like the fixed lugs. Also can’t try on in person.
If you have any other suggestions I’ve overlooked let me know!
Looks like you are leaning towards dressy. I like either of the first two Seiko’s you posted.
The Dan Henry is interesting, but not sure if you would be stuck with the bund strap or if it would work well on other straps or bracelets. Would avoid if it is bund-only, that’s not a very versatile look.
With 6.75" wrist, I think you could easily go up to 38mm. That opens up a lot more options. You might like
Mondaine Swiss Railway
Vaer field watches
Seiko Tank, now that is a classic looking piece
take a look at junghans maxbill collection, you might like it. its on the dressy side plus is an absolute strap monster. My wife loves my junghans maxbill chronoscope.
Fun shopping trip where none of my money is on the line. :) Here are a couple to look at/think about. For me personally, I can’t buy a non-sapphire watch anymore… thrown out too many cheaper watches because of scratched up domes.
Certina is a good brand, quartz and sapphire. This is a square face but there are variants for round and silver faces, etc. 32mm.
https://www.jomashop.com/certina-watch-c001-310-11-117-00.html
https://www.jomashop.com/certina-watch-c025-210-16-118-01.html
Citizen eco drive that seems like it’s in your wheelhouse. 32mm, sapphire.
https://www.jomashop.com/citizen-arezzo-silver-dial-ladies-watch-em0870-58a.html
Plainer version
https://www.jomashop.com/citizen-eco-drive-arezzo-white-dial-ladies-watch-em0970-53a.html