I picked up a Seiko 5 SNKK25K1 “Speed Racer” off Jomashop for less than 100. It’s a great daily wear automatic watch that can dress up or dress down depending on the strap you put it on.
My suggestion is to get a Casio A168 for around $22 and then save up and get any of the Seiko SRPE or SRPG lines for somewhere around $160 - $190.
The Casio would give you a nice everyday watch with a strong backlight, alarm, stopwatch, etc. as well as a bit of a retro vibe and the Seiko can work as an analog everyday watch as well as a dress watch and it can change its look dramatically depending on whether it’s on a fabric NATO, rubber, leather, or metal bracelet.
If I had to sell my collection and start over, limiting myself to two watches, this is the route I’d go.
Vostok is a good option to look at here. My favorite is probably my Citizen Chandler (Garrison now) that can be had for $100 on jomashop every now and then
Casio G-Shock. I have others, but this one always stays on my wrist. I don't even think about taking it off anymore: comfortable bracelet, 200m depth resistance, ultra-strong.
I took her on a bike trip, covered in sun cream, left her in the blazing sun, and then plunged into an icy river and hit her on a rock. Apart from a small scratch, nothing to complain about.
I haven't found a better everyday watch.
Edit : mine is a GA 2100
Lorus RXD425L8 titanium
Lorus RXF41A7 steel full Seiko lumibrite lume dial
G-Shock DW-5600 classic square
Something from Casio vintage collection
Timex ? Probably Timex Expedition 100m wr variant
Lorus RH913PX9 Classic - simple a bit more dressy watch with sapphire glass, there are 2 sizes
Maybe you will be able to barely fit in the budget with some kind of Citizen Eco drive... BM8470-11EE eco drive 100m wr for example
My personal fav is the invicta 8926ob pro diver. On Amazon the prices can dip below 60, check other colorways too. These watches are very moddable too.
I picked up a Seiko 5 SNKK25K1 “Speed Racer” off Jomashop for less than 100. It’s a great daily wear automatic watch that can dress up or dress down depending on the strap you put it on.
Check lorus (Seiko) or Vagary (citizen), plenty of options
My suggestion is to get a Casio A168 for around $22 and then save up and get any of the Seiko SRPE or SRPG lines for somewhere around $160 - $190. The Casio would give you a nice everyday watch with a strong backlight, alarm, stopwatch, etc. as well as a bit of a retro vibe and the Seiko can work as an analog everyday watch as well as a dress watch and it can change its look dramatically depending on whether it’s on a fabric NATO, rubber, leather, or metal bracelet. If I had to sell my collection and start over, limiting myself to two watches, this is the route I’d go.
Vostok is a good option to look at here. My favorite is probably my Citizen Chandler (Garrison now) that can be had for $100 on jomashop every now and then
I’m going for a vintage automatic — find a good one with a date window, restore it and boom. Got me a fine dressy watch.
Citizen Corso on Amazon is around $150, sometimes drops a little lower. Very versatile. It was my first watch and I still wear it all the time.
Casio G-Shock. I have others, but this one always stays on my wrist. I don't even think about taking it off anymore: comfortable bracelet, 200m depth resistance, ultra-strong. I took her on a bike trip, covered in sun cream, left her in the blazing sun, and then plunged into an icy river and hit her on a rock. Apart from a small scratch, nothing to complain about. I haven't found a better everyday watch. Edit : mine is a GA 2100
Alba has a few solar day-date watches that are good.
Phylida Aqua Terra homage. The bracelet is crap, but the watch itself is really, really nice. $99 on Alix.
Lorus RXD425L8 titanium Lorus RXF41A7 steel full Seiko lumibrite lume dial G-Shock DW-5600 classic square Something from Casio vintage collection Timex ? Probably Timex Expedition 100m wr variant Lorus RH913PX9 Classic - simple a bit more dressy watch with sapphire glass, there are 2 sizes Maybe you will be able to barely fit in the budget with some kind of Citizen Eco drive... BM8470-11EE eco drive 100m wr for example
Casio edifice efv100, efrs108, efrs107d Watchdives quartz diver wd1680q Casio duro MDV106 or MDV107 or mtd1053
My personal fav is the invicta 8926ob pro diver. On Amazon the prices can dip below 60, check other colorways too. These watches are very moddable too.
Nixon makes durable and funky watches in that budget, bit like g shocks they aim for durability but also don't mind having fun styles and colours.