Looking for my first watch to go into business meetings and events that will go well with a suit or just dress shirts and jeans. Looking to spend $400 max, ideally less. Best bang for buck watch that still looks really good.
https://www.sakurawatches.com/search/?search=nb1050
Orient Bambino or Symphony
Sternglas Naos
Seiko Cocktail Time
One thing to consider is the thickness of the watch. Generally, if you want it to slip easily under a variety of long sleeve shirts, it should be as close to 10mm (or under) as you can find it.
“Smaller” and thinner cases will read more as a dress watch. Around 38 mm in my opinion is the best “dress” size case; I have ~7" wrist. Wrist size and case shape will matter though so let that be secondary. Dials can be colorful just not busy. If you stay with a neutral dial you’ll have more room to play with different strap colors.
In addition to other suggestions:
There is a lot of variety in the Seiko 5 SNK/SNX watches for not a lot of money. I have a SNXF05 on a black ostrich strap and it looks very nice for ~$200 watch + strap.
Ill second the Citizen Tsuyosa also. Its a nice looking watch.
Didn’t see automatic as a requirement so Quartz Tissot PRX is also a classic around the $300-400 range if you look around.
I think the best bets for what you describe are the orient bambino or seiko cocktail time.
I’m not a real stickler for what constitutes a dress watch it’s not traditional, but a Hamilton khaki or a diver with a black dial would be fine for whether you describe too
Seiko Cocktail Time (Presage). SRPB41.
Or pick a different color. $320-ish. Stunning dial.I have dozens of watches in all different prices, and that watch has more comments, compliments than all others combined.
Check out a YouTube video on that model. Web pics are awful.
Or one of the other colors in that dial pattern…. But I think the blue is the best.SRPJ13 is another pattern from 2022. It’s more subtle, but still stunning.
Found this beaut for $375. Shop the Japanese market and you’ll save some money! Granted, shipping tipped it to $415. This is my Citizen Attesa, model CA0836-68E.
Check out my thread about watches under $500 you might like it. Lots of pics and references
Casio Oceanus T200
It’s only sold retail in Japan, but you can find online sellers that will ship to US & Canada.
The finishing on the dial and case look as good as watches 5x the price. It’s thin, so will slip under shirt cuffs easily. It’s solar powered and syncs the time with a smartphone, so once you set it up, it takes care of itself.
Only buy rep watch or 2nd annd if you want brand new under $400
