The Breitling Watch Source Forums

First off, I am new to watches so I come here to get awesome advice.

I have a close friend that has a birthday coming up and he has mentioned he would like a nice watch. So, I think I will buy him a watch for his birthday which is March 15th.

I am looking to spend about $350-$500 on him for a nice, accurate, unique watch. What suggestions do you guys have? I was looking at Vostok-Europe watches but have not heard much good about them on Watchuseek. Also was looking at Welder watches made by U-Boat and they look nice. Maybe a TAG, or Victorinox? So many options and since I know next to nothing I will need some help on this.

Anyways, what suggestions do you guys have on a nice watch in price up to about $500.00?

Thanks
Shawn

Ive always liked the Tissot T-Touch line.

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-RJ

Seiko monster or as mentioned Tissot T-Touch.

Christopher Ward of London is nice .
Has a 5 yr. warranty and are good people to deal with.

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"In the end there can be but one"

Two things stand out in your post - Accuracy and $500 as the price limit.

With those two criteria I'd suggest going for a quartz watch. Something by Seiko would be my first choice in that price bracelet.

Just as an aside to pick up on one of the brands you mentioned :- Vostok Europe aren't actually that bad if you don't mind the hybrid Soviet/Western styling. I used to own a few Russian watches a number of years ago, and I owned a couple of Vostok Europe peices and they're OK for what they are. Interestingly, the older ones all used in-house automatic movements, but some of the newer models use Japanese automatic movements and a few quartz examples as well. Personally I think that's a shame as Jap powered watches are a dime a dozen : the in-house Russian movements kind of made the watches IMO.

But back to my original recommendation - for the money, I'd go quartz for accuracy, and Seiko for quality/price.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Agree with the quartz recommendations. At a $500 budget there are plenty of automatic brands with offerings, but they are cheaply made. The are a BUNCH of designer-type quartz watches in dept. stores evrywhere that have nice looking offerings in that price range. Most of the guys I know who wear watches, picked one out of a Macy's display or something. They love them, I don't say anything other than "nice watch," and they don't know any better. The quality will be quite equal across the board.

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SHARKMAN

You said unique as well, which to me knocks out Seiko and Citizen, maybe Bulova as well, though their Precisionist line is a bit special in terms of accuracy. I don't remember the details of it though I believe Ablogtoread did a piece on it not too long ago. Swiss Army is a nice blend of known a bit and maybe slightly higher image than the standard Seikos and Citizens of the world. The Divemaster 500 is a nice piece, available in quartz or automatic, and they are discounted on various net sites and on the 'bay. They also make more formal lines. I don't know if you can get a new Tag at that range, but it would likely only be quartz. Otherwise, there's the whole realm of companies out there. Christopher Ward was mentioned above, some nice pieces there. I owned a D. Freemont for a while, nice, trouble-free and unique. Tissot might be a good choice closer to your $500 limit and a slightly upscale brand, with some sport and dress choices. Lots of others out there as well. Good luck.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

I appreciate everyones comments..it really helps. I found a used TAG quarts for $599...but would like to get a mechanical movement. I will look at the names mentioned and see what I think Mark will like.


I appreciate everyones input!
Shawn

I just looked at D Freemont and Christopher Ward watches... very nice selection at a good price I believe.

I say Hamilton. There are a few C. Ward's I really like but I don't know much about them. I do know you can get a nice Hamilton for your price.

Thanks JAH, I will look at them also!

While I have yet to see on in person I really like what I see on the Bernhardt site. Surely something you won't see many of around. Two that interest me are the Officers watch and Binnacle Anchor. Small numbers made, nice box for gift giving presentation. For less than $300 to $500 they seem to offer a lot.

https://www.bernhardtwatch.com/

Nice watches. I like the Binnacle and the Sea Shark. Thanks for that link rplace!!!!

Happy to help, I really dig the orange version of the B.Anchor. It reminds me a tad of an orange/white Rolex Milgauss but not so much that is looks like a homage/tribute. I think the anchor on the second hand is a nice touch. If you get one, let me know what you think. At $239 I don't know how you could go wrong...I don't think there is a Breitling strap out there for that price. I have read online that the bracelets are nice as are the clasps.

I may buy one for my dad, he is a watch nutt. If i do, I will wear it a few days to "break it in" and take some pics of it. I will definately let you know!