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I’ve been dipping my toe in the world of value divers recently and have been impressed in the main by the quality at the price point.
It has set me thinking about what is the best at this price point? For example an established brand and a quality/serious specification.
So far I’ve tried Precista & Smiths, Seiko Turtle, Citizen Promaster and Bulova Devil Diver.
What others are out there.
If you're happy with used the Seiko SPB079 (rubber) and SPB077 (braclet) are unbeatable for quality.
I've had Turtles, Sumos and Marine Masters but the SPBs (077/079) are the best quality and value I've found.
The Zelos on sales would be great.
Squale (especially second hand) would be my suggestion.
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For that money you could get a GSHOCK Frogman. All the Diver you'll ever need in real terms.
Good callQuote:
Originally Posted by manganr
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Good callQuote:
Originally Posted by manganr
Orient Star make some excellent dive watches which can often be found discounted to under £500. Don't confuse these with the standard Orients - they really are a major step up in quality.
Second hand: +1 for Squale.
For a diver 200m or 500m beater watch please check>
https://www.jfdecommerce.com/
Scurfa.
Under half the budget, and very well made.
Personally, I prefer the non-date version in Ti, but they are not necessarily available all the time.
Invicta
Yes seriously, one of those pro diver watches cost about £60 Seiko movement and probably the same case etc as similar "Homage" watches selling for a few hundred quid.
Steinhart too.
Oh, and Hamilton has a nice diver out now, I don't know how much but I can't see it costing over £500 woth a decent spot of negotiation. Tissot Seastar.
This Squale is slightly over your budget but is a good spec for the price:
https://www.watchgecko.com/squale-di...-y1545silve-ac
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https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/d...itary-new.html
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I have gone through quite a few cheap divers over the years but this is the best so far by a large margin.
https://i.postimg.cc/d1Xh5BYF/1766-F...98-B522-A4.jpg
Helm have to be on the list
M
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I’ve had this Vostok Amphibian SE from Meranom for five years. It may not be the best quality or most reputable brand, but it is built like a tank, has a lot of character, is a joy to wear, and of course was very affordable.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6092dd655d.jpg
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Bought a Christopher Ward C60 Trident Pro 600 in the recent sale for £507.
Swiss movement
Sapphire
600m depth rating
Lumed ceramic bezel
Light catcher case.
On the go adjustable bracelet
Everything else at £500 is second.
I've just bought a ND, Ti, 500m Scurfa and it's ridiculously good value.
https://i.postimg.cc/zvkSmFK0/CB2-C7...0-FB2295-B.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/mZnx7BKX/fullsizeoutput-f0f.jpg
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweets
Secondhand - Squale, Certina PH200, CWC Quartz....... new Lorier Neptune, Helson Skindiver, Baltic (slightly above).....lots of really good options in this price range, here are a few examples.
https://i.imgur.com/bmZtghf.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/3vtgAPP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lYjjs7r.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/AUlvYQm.jpg
In that case maybe you've seen it but there's the Sewills PRS-44 in black or blue dials at £525: https://www.timefactors.com/collecti...l-diver-prs-44Quote:
Originally Posted by ODP
NTH as well, solid build quality and nuclear lume.
....and you'd be only the second person to own one, keeping good company with Ralphy!
Quote:
Originally Posted by markrlondon
Modified SKX for me:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a83f804705.jpg
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True dat!
Quote:
Originally Posted by noTAGlove
I would scan Timefactors for options, and maybe put a WTB up.
I think a full size or baby Dreadnought would be a good, usable diver on a budget that I would actually feel comfortable putting underwater.
I really fancy a baby D myself but reallly have enough watches at the moment :)
Good idea. It looks like a lovely watch.Quote:
Originally Posted by pete-r
Choice, with plenty of solid options, is the problem, as this thread has shown. I'll throw in another vote for Squale. Diving heritage, with some real pedigree, and a range of watches offering "vintage" as well as current.
This thread has really made me want to try a Squale, Steinhart and Christopher Ward.
That looks great, what reference is it please?Quote:
Originally Posted by boring_sandwich
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sish101
Another for the Squale , great watches and great value for what you pay .
For a cheap no nonsense diver I'd be looking to Seiko, Citizen and Orient.
Can't go wrong with a Seiko, Steinhart, Christopher Ward or a GShock
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SNE569P1 but there are four different colour options.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Man
https://www.seikoboutique.co.uk/prod...egory/prospex/
Thanks :thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by boring_sandwich
I'm interested to know why you rate it so highly?
ThisQuote:
Originally Posted by Neil.C
I would take these over any microbrand.
Dave
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It’s extremely comfortable being a slim 10.6mm thick and with a L2L length of 46.6mm and although 38.5mm wide feels more 39-40mm. It wears like a 5 digit Submariner ND in terms of size to give you an example.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Man
It has very good lume which lasts all night plus once fully charged has a stated 10 months before requiring more light to power it. Mine has also been extremely accurate having not lost or gained a second in over 6 weeks.
I think at it’s price point with a discount it’s a great grab & go watch that can be worn anywhere without any concern. The only negative I would have is the 'bracelet' which is typical Seiko but on a rubber or nato its great.
This was my immediate thought as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by snowman
Maybe a second hand CWC rn diver or a prs3/4
Other than that got to be an skxQuote:
Originally Posted by bond
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Wouldn't buy an SKX when the MM200 and Turtles exist.Quote:
Originally Posted by bond
Great size and very very comfortable.Quote:
Originally Posted by boring_sandwich
But the bezel insert is another negative - very strange little grooves all the way around, not really evident in photos.
As many have said already, may I also suggest, Vostoks for the fun factor at frivolous prices, Seikos possibly a Turtle or Arnie if you like the ana-digi Tuna look and finally an OVM from Steinhart. I had mine regulated by Duncan Potter and it's now more accurate than some of the quartz watches I own.
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Depends if you want to forgo movement and finishing for case design or aesthetic or sizing reasons. But yes they too have great qualitiesQuote:
Originally Posted by wileeeeeey
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There is no better value than a Seiko turtle,they come with many colour options.
Not only value but a good looking watch that can be used for its purpose.
Yeah, what's the deal with these. I sometimes pop in to look at them but haven't (yet) pulled the trigger. I like them. Why the lack of love?Quote:
Originally Posted by TaketheCannoli
This one? I’m very happy with mine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Papa Hotel
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I think it's because of several factors: Because Sub-alikes are a very crowded market, because these ones are rather hidden away on Eddie's site (all the attention is on Smiths at the moment), and because buying them is something of a challenge especially when you might want other higher-demand watches that Eddie has for sale and where taking the time to add a PRS-44 to your basket might actually result in you losing out on the other, higher-demand, watch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rev-O
I work in the marine technology sector and among the real hard-hat divers, you’ll often see them wearing Scurfa.
Solid, tough as nails, and the guy that gets them made, Paul Scurfield is himself a professional North Sea diver and uses them in saturation. I’ve owned most of the usual dive watch brands but I’m really impressed with the quality of construction of the Scurfa Diver One, especially at the sub-£300 price point - in terms of bezel alignment it’s better than some £2000+ watches I’ve owned.
Photo is of my titanium version.
Cheers
Steve
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My money would either go to Seiko or Zelos.
Seiko you know you're paying a bit of a premium for the name, but they've got some excellent options.
Zelos are remarkable value on release sales and offer some interesting materials, dials etc.
OP I know you have tried Smiths but the new Smiths Caribbean takes some beating for a sub £500 diver.
I bought mine wanting to try it but expecting not to like it and the opposite is true. I am very impressed for the money.
It’s only been a week but I don’t plan on shifting it on any time soon.
They quality is up there with similar prices Seikos.
Otherwise the default answer is 2nd hand CWC diver.