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So my 16 year old lad has come to me and said he wants to buy a nice watch.
I'm tring to steer him towards something simple and stylish as this'll be his first decent watch.
I'm wondering about something 2nd hand, don't want him spending all his cash on something cheap and nasty, rather he bought second hand and something more quality.
He's saved £150 so far, I might add a few pound to that to get something nice.
Any recomendations of where to look for second hand?
May I recommend this thread...?
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/watches-n1/
...I know there are a couple of sites mentioned in the pages there. And a lot of potential eye-candy!
I'd pick a decent pilot or diver from Seiko. Decent money, universally liked and unlikely to ever go out of style. Then work out what you want next after that 🙂
I agree with our Editorial Overlord
**EDIT - and he'll get one new for the kind of money he's got (if you give him a bit more)
https://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-divers-60/index-1-3a.html
Good tips and info, thanks all.
I'd ask what he likes, numerals, simple dial, pilot, diver's etc. It would help narrow it down.
Seikos are overpriced and have misaligned bezels - Orients are where it's at now. 😉
I’d ask what he likes, numerals, simple dial, pilot, diver’s etc. It would help narrow it down.
This.
What my son chose for his 18th isn't what I would have.
Look at Heimdallr watches, they mostly use Seiko movements, I’ve got two, as well as a couple of Seiko watches, and the Heimdallr watches are excellent value, he could easily buy one with what he has saved. They specialise in ‘homage’ watches, including models based on modified Seiko watches like the SKX007, he might find something that appeals.
https://heimdallrwatch.com/
Seiko, Orient, Invicta etc etc . There are an awful lot of very good watches in that price range, most come from Japan.
Invicta are Swiss.
I'd buy an Orient before a Seiko 5. I also like higher end Citizens. He could also pick up a decent automatic Tiso for that dosh as well.
Seiko SKX is something of a right of passage in watch ownership. They’re tough, look good and easy to mod if you do desire. They don’t look like a “posh” watch though.
I’d also be looking at Orient, a Mako if he wants something sporty or a Bambino for a more dressy option.
All will be close to his budget and perhaps give him a bit spare to try different straps.
As mentioned already, you can get mint-condition automatic Tissots for that money or just slightly above. The range is wide enough that there'll be something that suits once he knows what he wants - chronograph, dress watch, whatever.
Classy, nice quality and no misaligned bezels!
Damn, just found myself browsing Seiko SKXs.
Stop it.
Do not need.
2nd hand one of the best places is the Timefactors forum (TZ) but they are closed to registrations & then you need to post for a while.
Other than that maybe Etsy or Ebay.
How much above £150 are you looking at? Watchgecko has some nice stuff but most you are really looking at £300+. There are some micro brands putting out stuff around under £300 that are nic although for some the import might sting for a bit more e.g.
- Spinnaker
- Undone
- Ventus
- Boldr
- Alkin (single model @ £250 which is lovely...)
- Marloe (only a couple)
- Nordgreen
- Mr Jones (cool designs but not really like the others)
https://www.creationwatches.com is a good place to look across more mainstream brands.
I've got a modified Seiko diver on the classifieds for less and other watches crop up from time to time.