Bit of context: I’m 27, always liked watches but never really had an actually interest until about 2 years ago when I really began learning through Reddit, YouTube yada yada yada… Although I’d consider myself an enthusiast I wanted to learn before I bought and when I did decide to buy I wanted to do it ‘right’, by right I mean that personally I feel like watches especially more expensive watches should mean something, almost even need to earn the right to own, through achievement or milestones etc. For example owning a Rolex but living month to month doesn’t sit right.
I started with your basic Casio stainless steal and more recently a G Shock as a beater and I can’t understate how much I love them but I think I’m ready to step up. Like most I have a wish list but I haven’t in my head reached the place in life to own them yet, for example a Cartier Santos will commemorate my 30th birthday and when my business hits a certain financial milestone l’Il buy a seamaster diver 300, so on and so forth.
So I’d like to ask for suggestions for a watch to scratch the itch I have for a mechanical watch to buy myself for my birthday. I think my max should be the twelve hundred mark and I’ve considered the Tudor 1926 but I’d say the front runner is a Tissot PRX but I’m still learning and id love to hear more experienced collectors.
Thanks in advance guys and girls 👍🏻
If your heart wants a PRX, grab yourself a PRX. But if you’ve got $1000-ish to spend, I would suggest you take a look at used/vintage watches. That’s where you can get some great deals and things start to get more exciting: Longines, Sinn, Doxa, Grand Seiko, vintage Omega. You’ll be able to get a watch that may be a “starter” but that you’ll still be excited to wear even after you’ve bought your Santos and Seamaster. Enjoy your search!
Your right mate, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there my heart isn’t set on a PRX, like it is with the Santos, seasmaster or even getting the Casio I wear daily over my Apple Watch.
I like them don’t get me wrong, style wise and the case back etc but after reading some negative takes about the plastics used within the movement I thought I’d open out to suggestions on watches that are more respected within the community under that budget, less because I care what people think and more because I value knowledge from those more knowledgeable than myself if you get me?
Thanks for commenting dude!
I could give you a million suggestions, but I’ll keep it to just a few.
If you’re open to a vintage piece and you like the PRX look, the obvious choice is an Omega Geneve. These pop up for sale under $1k all the time. Here’s one from r/Watchexchange this week: https://www.reddit.com/r/Watchexchange/comments/17bj853/wts_vintage_omega_geneve_automatic_recently/
If you want to buy something shiny and new, I think the Doxa Sub 200 is a phenomenal choice. A genuine dive watch with loads of heritage for $1k new and below $800 used.
Finally, since your two big future purchases are a Santos (traditionally a pilot’s watch) and a Seamaster (a dive watch), maybe start your collection with a field watch. A Seiko Alpinist or a Hamilton Khaki Field are both $700-ish new. Then you’ll eventually have a really nice land/sea/air collection.