What watch for £125...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] What watch for £125?

33 Posts
23 Users
0 Reactions
122 Views
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

As above, for a 60th birthday present (helping my mum choose for my dad). Any suggestions? She has been looking at the John Lewis website - Rotary look like the best option there for the budget, perhaps.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 9:30 am
Posts: 7169
Full Member
 Nico
Posts: 4
Free Member
 

Five Casios.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 9:42 am
Posts: 23277
Free Member
 

snda57p1


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 10:13 am
Posts: 11
Free Member
 

Can't beat Seiko at that price but budget for a possible 30% extra if it's coming through customs from abroad as you might get caught depending on the courier.

Orient watches (on Amazon) are a subsidiary of Seiko and do some nice automatic dress watches if he wants that kind of thing.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 10:29 am
Posts: 3327
Free Member
 

Can second Creation if you see something you like.

Excellent service and no customs duties.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 10:32 am
Posts: 7169
Full Member
 

Can't beat Seiko at that price but budget for a possible 30% extra if it's coming through customs from abroad as you might get caught depending on the courier.

Creation have been quite "creative" with their descriptions when I bought from them.

e.g. "timing device" value USD20.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 10:32 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the advice, will look at Creation. Didn't realise Orient were a subsidiary of Seiko - had dismissed them previously so will look again!
I guess we're looking for an automatic, analogue display, leather/fabric strap, casual-ish watch.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 10:36 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Probably a Seiko at that price point.

You shouldn't get stung for import tax from creation, as has been said, mine was delivered as a 'Measuring Device' value $20

Get an auto if you can, so much nicer than a quartz, a little bit of clever engineering on your wrist.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 10:39 am
Posts: 2763
Free Member
 

Orient watches aren't really a subsidiary of Seiko watches they're just both owned by the Seiko Group corporation.

Which in no way helps this thread but if you're looking for something slightly dressy you could do a lot worse than a Mk1 Orient Bambino at that price.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 10:50 am
Posts: 4331
Full Member
 

I've got my eye on a Skagen Melbye around that money. Although realistically a G-Shock would suit me better for everyday purposes.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 11:33 am
Posts: 2306
Free Member
 

^ Skagen look very sleek in a minimalist sort of a way. I love mine


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 11:39 am
Posts: 1
Free Member
 

Yobokies custom and a nice leather strap


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 2:15 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

you could do a lot worse than a Mk1 Orient Bambino at that price
+1

Very nice looking watch for not a lot, keep threatening to get one for myself.

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 6:19 pm
Posts: 2763
Free Member
 

That's the mk2 which I'm not overly keen on. The mk1 is [url= http://wornandwound.com/2012/08/29/review-orient-bambino-er24004b/ ]reviewed here.[/url]

And looks like this:[img] [/img]

I've got one, it's ace.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 6:30 pm
Posts: 5182
Free Member
 

Stainless steel Citizen Eco-Drive? Still enjoying mine 11 years on with no probs.

[img] [/img]

quite a few styles available at that price, including a black stainless steel.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 8:46 pm
Posts: 50252
Free Member
 

jam bo - Member
snda57p1

This is correct. You'll need a proper NATO strap, though. Timefactors are the best out there.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 8:49 pm
 hugo
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I'd also look at a Seiko/Orient auto at that price. The Bambino above is an excellent choice.

Have used Creation a couple of times and the service/speed is fantastic.

Or, maybe something like a Seiko solar if looking for a fancier design - this one's £131. Hard without a bit of style guidance...

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 8:53 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

So I've got a few more specifications...
- clear face
- simple (date is useful, any other dials will be surplus to requirements)
- slim/small-ish - his wrists aren't massive

The Bambino is nice but a bit too dressy.

Does anyone have experience of Hamilton or Mondaine? Liking the look of the following, and they're comparatively slim/small:

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/hamilton-watches-250/hamilton-khaki-h68411533-3605.html
and
http://www.johnlewis.com/mondaine-a6673034411sbb-unisex-evo-quartz-leather-strap-watch-black-white/p89217
or
http://www.johnlewis.com/mondaine-a6673030816sbb-unisex-sport-line-leather-strap-watch-black-white/p89213

Skagen Ancher is another option:
http://www.watchshop.com/mens-skagen-ancher-relaxed-watch-skw6082-p99966471.html


 
Posted : 10/11/2015 12:00 pm
 hugo
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I'm not a fan of the Mondaine's. They're just a bit Belgian Tax Accountant for my taste!

That Hamilton is a nice looking watch. It's quartz which is why it's not 3 times the price, but that's what happens when a brand name and budget clash.

If you're looking for a similar looking watch, but want an auto, and not quite so fussed with the brand (although I think Seikos are fantastic and personally rather have an auto), then maybe something like this:

[img] [/img]

[url= http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-automatic-sports-89/seiko-5-sports-automatic-snzg15k1-snzg15k-snzg15k-2736.html ]here[/url]

With the change spent on a nice strap from Hirsch?

[img] ?v=1429191932[/img]

[url= http://www.gasgasbones.com/ggb-goodies/leather-straps.html ]Or gasgasbones? British made an everything, one of these would look sharp and be very custom, so good for a pressie.[/url]

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 10/11/2015 5:10 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

There are some interesting watches [url= http://projectswatches.com/ ]here[/url]. The postage from the US might be a problem though. I just got this one:

[img] [/img]

http://projectswatches.com/shop/nadir/


 
Posted : 10/11/2015 5:23 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

I'm not a fan of the Mondaine's. They're just a bit Belgian Tax Accountant for my taste!

That Hamilton is a nice looking watch. It's quartz which is why it's not 3 times the price, but that's what happens when a brand name and budget clash.

If you're looking for a similar looking watch, but want an auto, and not quite so fussed with the brand (although I think Seikos are fantastic and personally rather have an auto), then maybe something like this:


Yeah, had been looking at that watch but hadn't thought about swapping the strap out in advance - might be a plan. My only concern is the size/thickness of the Seiko.

I like the Projects watches but they're a bit too funky - I'd have one for myself though!


 
Posted : 10/11/2015 5:37 pm
 hugo
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

My only concern is the size/thickness of the Seiko.

It's 40.5mm and 12mm thick compared to 38mm x 8mm for the Hamilton.

Good reason for it though, it's got a lot of fancy looking cogs in there:

[img] [/img]

Personally I prefer a bigger watch, and that is the prevailing fashion, but of course individual tastes (and wrist sizes) apply.

I know it's way out of budget, but it's a shame you couldn't stretch to something like this!

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 10/11/2015 5:50 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Skagen


 
Posted : 10/11/2015 8:13 pm
Posts: 71
Free Member
 

I'm not a fan of the Mondaine's. They're just a bit Belgian Tax Accountant for my taste

They're Swiss Railway watches. so more Swiss train driver, but yeah I can see why they'd not appeal.

What annoys me about them is that the SBB platform clocks have a sweep second hand which pauses for a second at the 12.00 point each minute. Mondaine watches/clocks don't.


 
Posted : 10/11/2015 8:18 pm
 hugo
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

You think they'd do that. Gimics, and clever in the know stories, sell and that's a nice one.


 
Posted : 10/11/2015 8:31 pm
Posts: 4078
Free Member
 

I only have small wrists, but I have had one of these for a while now.
https://www.firstclasswatches.co.uk/seiko-mens-titanium-sgg711p9-p-6541/?gclid=CJHox6fmhskCFQsTGwodt0oCgQ

Seiko Titanium, much nicer to wear than a steel watch.


 
Posted : 10/11/2015 9:30 pm
Posts: 71
Free Member
 

You think they'd do that. Gimics, and clever in the know stories, sell and that's a nice one

Agreed. I was really disappointed they don't. I like trains, and I like the SBB clocks, so they appealed (and we have a kitchen one I paid £3 for!). They go to the effort of licensing the logo and the exact appearance, but not the action.

Edit: I'm doing them a disservice - their "Stop2Go" range are close - a more jerky second hand still, but they do the 'pause' whilst the minute hand ticks, significantly more expensive than the basic ones though


 
Posted : 10/11/2015 9:35 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I like Daniel Wellington.


 
Posted : 10/11/2015 9:41 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

How about one of these from Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/48095367/astoncain-002-a-minimalist-chronograph-quartz-watc/description


 
Posted : 18/11/2015 1:36 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Hugo what is the 2nd watch in your post just up there^^ with the green face?


 
Posted : 18/11/2015 4:53 pm
Posts: 3327
Free Member
 

toppers - right click for the URL info:

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-japan-82/seiko-automatic-alpinist-watch-sarb017-1850.html


 
Posted : 18/11/2015 4:58 pm
Posts: 2314
Full Member
 

Swatch Irony Body & Soul?

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 18/11/2015 5:15 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Cheers. Liking that a lot.


 
Posted : 18/11/2015 5:52 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!