I am interested in obtaining a sub 40 mm chronograph, I wonder if anyone can recommend a manufacturer/model that falls into this category. (new or vintage)
I know it's a very broad remit, just would like to ask more knowledgeable people than myself.
Thanks.
What sort of price range? that'll help narrow things down.
Sorry price would help! quite a small budget, between £400-£800.Originally Posted by dachi
A well under budget option, 38mm Seagull 1963.
You can go on chrono24 and filter on case diameter, case material, etc. There are actually lots in this category. As the previous poster suggests, knowing your budget will help. Prices range from Tissot - > Breitling Trans Ocean -> Blancpain Leman -> Breguet XX to name a few. Cheers.
Many thanks for the info. I've made a note of the unfamiliar ones in the list, and will have a look.
regards.
Tissot, yes for the budget, the rest? Forget about it
Longines Master Collection range worth looking at if you want more of a dress style watch. List prices for the chronographs start around £1,500 but I got an ex-display for £400 a couple of years ago.
Thanks will check it out.
I think in that price range, I'd have a long look at vintage Seiko models. Lots of info out there and some of them are rising in price.
I quite like Seiko as a brand, the case size is very important to me. A large 40mm plus case would be out of place on my wrist!
thank you.
The trouble with a mechanical chronograph in that price range is that if there are any subsequent problems, or when a service is due, the cost may be similar to or may exceed the current value of the watch. Safer to look for a quartz model.
Mitch
I appreciate you advice. Any particular make?
Good call - there are loads of Poljot 3133 based manual chronographs to choose from. Take a look at this site: http://polmax3133.com/
If you're feeling brave and fancy something with some real provenance, a decent vintage original Strela (as worn by Alexei Leonov on his historic space walk) will set you back around £500.
You may get lucky and find an Omega Speedmaster reduced within your budget. They were around £700 a couple of years ago. No idea what they are now!
Thanks for the website info.Plenty on there!
A second hand Sinn 356. Job done.
If you can find an older 38mm Oris that would be comfortably in budget. Here's mine (6.75" wrist for reference):
Well, it would be. If you could buy a used Sinn 356 for under £800.A second hand Sinn 356. Job done.
If you are going quartz and that would be my advice at this price point, there are plenty out there.
I like the Oceanus range, they are very well made and are plenty tough enough to withstand day to day wear.
Here is the Oceanus OCW-M700, slim and light being IP plated Titanium.
I also like the Citizen AS-4035 which is again titanium but DLC coated this time.
Mitch
If you are going quartz and that would be my advice at this price point, there are plenty out there.
I like the Oceanus range, they are very well made and are plenty tough enough to withstand day to day wear.
Here is the Oceanus OCW-M700, slim and light being IP plated Titanium.
Thanks, I've put it in my notebook!
I also like the Citizen AS-4035 which is again titanium but DLC coated this time.
Mitch
Not to everyone's taste but my Kirium is only about 38mm.
Also available with a black dial or in titanium with a carbon dial.
Really unusual, very nice.Not to everyone's taste but my Kirium is only about 38mm.
Also available with a black dial or in titanium with a carbon dial.
How vintage do you want it to be? I've bought a lovely Seiko Pogue of a gentleman from this site. Even allowing for TZ sales corner pricing you could easily obtain a lovely Pepsi Bezel Pogue for that money the Crowns are also hidden so it's substantial without being bulky. I love it. It's got lovely wrist presence and has more positive comments than any other watch I own.
Alternatively the more military look Oris shown on this thread looks a goodun and will be more robust I'd guess. Don't think you need to keep to quartz on your budget unless the thought of servicing stresses you. I (naively?!?) don't worry about it so love buying vintage
I have a couple of Seiko SND309 Quartz chronographs. A nice size, a very sensible price (under £100), and quite a smart looking watch.
Will check the model out. I think you need to factor in servicing, if you go vintage.
many thanks.
To be fair any automatic of any age needs servicing factoring in. On Service price a knocked around Seiko is going to be cheaper than a Zenith. However a good local repairer may well not charge any differential at all between the pair.
I think where it gets trickier is if you buy a dead brand (Marvin, UG, Excelsior, Angelus etc. ) as then you are naturally ending up on restricted parts unless they slung in a standard valjoux or a Lemania movement in there.
Omega Dynamic Chronograph! you might do a deal for £800 on the button. A poor seller in its day as they tried the military vintage look perhaps a tad too early. Now of course people love em. Pricing all over the place as some try and sell them at £1500. Worth a look as they are becoming a bit of a classic. If the module movement goes Omega will just switch it out. So no issue with serving apart from cost of course.
Many thanks to everyone for your suggestions, I've filled a page in my notebook with them all.
Should keep me busy for a while!
Ebel 1911. List is well over £3k but you can usually find a good second hand one for the top end of your budget.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The list is growing!
many thanks.
Ollech and Wajs Mirage 3.
Or if possible a used vintage Sinn 103 (hand wind most likely)
Omega Dynamic?
If you are patient you can very occasionally find an omega triple date at that price point
That's the baby there one on Chrono 24 all the way from Italy around £850 and we know our Italian friends can be very open to a haggle. Reckon he could pick one up for £800 and not regret it for a moment.Omega Dynamic?
Very nice.Omega Dynamic?
such a lovely watch destroyed by that stupid number font (cant remeber name of it), which also chops through those lovely sized sub dials.Omega Dynamic?
I would buy this watch in a heartbeat if it just had markers.
Favorite sub 40mm, Seiko 7a28 or 7a38. You should be able to pick up a solid example for approx £175 if you have a little patience.
Will check it out. Many thanks.
The new Bulova Moonwatch is quite nice and in budget.
But well over 40mm.
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