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Thread: £200-300 what watch would you buy?

  1. #1
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    £200-300 what watch would you buy?

    So it’s my 40th this year and my mother is keen to gift me something to keep. The obvious choice would be a watch.

    I have 6 omegas in my collection, but adding another for £200-300 would be tricky.

    So what else could I consider ?

    I had thought of the Bulova Luna pilot , but fear will be too big (will try)

    But yes … any recommendations used or new for around £200-300 would be welcomed.

  2. #2
    Master
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    A Smith's from Time Factors would be my choice.

  3. #3
    Master
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    How about one of these? £249

    https://www.matterhornwatchco.com/

  4. #4

    £200-300 what watch would you buy?

    Quote Originally Posted by pete-r View Post
    A Smith's from Time Factors would be my choice.
    +1 simply unbeatable quality for the price



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    Last edited by adg31; 2nd July 2022 at 10:18.

  5. #5

  6. #6
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    There's plenty of vintage Omega from their Golden Age for around that price.

  7. #7
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    Tissot PRX would be my choice.

  8. #8
    Master
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    CWC for £299. Definitely needs to be no-date option.

    https://www.cwcwatch.com/products/cw...-desert-silver

  9. #9
    Cant beat Scurfa for value, i just find them a tad thick

  10. #10
    Master earlofsodbury's Avatar
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    Take a look at the Rotary Super 7 or Henley ranges - automatic movements, sapphire crystal, ceramic bezels (usually only the black bezels), and some compelling colour options - really well spec'd watches well within budget.


  11. #11
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    Had one of these. Great for price. Although I’ve seen the odd king turtle for not that much more.

    https://www.hsamuel.co.uk/webstore/d/5252849/seiko+special+edition+prospex+men's+stainless+stee l+watch/?cm_mmc=SEM_Google:HS%7C%7CTop%20Products%7C%7CSma rt%20Shopping%7C%7CWatches%7C%7CHigh:HS%7C%7CTop%2 0Products%7C%7CSmart%20Shopping%7C%7CWatches:52528 49&_$ja=acid:628-777-7884%7Ccid:15627455926%7Cagid:130949884723%7Ctid:p la-1678290177748%7Ccrid:570595959589%7Cnw:u%7Crnd:181 98030435311227732%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:10070 80&gclid=CjwKCAjw2f-VBhAsEiwAO4lNeE913kh5ATGH83k0EGKzic8W3hmwg1lJL3PG8 Srn04AS5LB495rLehoCkh0QAvD_BwE


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  12. #12
    Journeyman dannyblack's Avatar
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    Probably a second hand seiko prospex, just over 300 if you look around

    Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

  13. #13
    https://www.hsamuel.co.uk/webstore/d/5252849/seiko+special+edition+prospex+men%27s+stainless+st eel+watch/?cm_mmc=SEM_Google:HS%7C%7CTop%20Products%7C%7CSma rt%20Shopping%7C%7CWatches%7C%7CHigh:HS%7C%7CTop%2 0Products%7C%7CSmart%20Shopping%7C%7CWatches:52528 49&_$ja=acid:628-777-7884%7Ccid:15627455926%7Cagid:130949884723%7Ctid:p la-1678290177748%7Ccrid:570595959589%7Cnw:u%7Crnd:102 93575647753875267%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:90455 97&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Ibs0rba-AIVkN_tCh2BuAJ-EAQYFSABEgLHQ_D_BwE


    On offer 300

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  14. #14
    Master Sharky's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by M4tt View Post
    There's plenty of vintage Omega from their Golden Age for around that price.
    Not really. The price of vintage Omega has rocketed over the last few years.

    Everything under £400 looked pretty rough when I did a search an hour ago

    Mark

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sharky View Post
    Not really. The price of vintage Omega has rocketed over the last few years.

    Everything under £400 looked pretty rough when I did a search an hour ago

    Mark
    Yeah me too, the days of picking up a nice little omega for £300 i think are gone.

    Happy to be proven wrong,

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by bwin89 View Post
    https://www.hsamuel.co.uk/webstore/d/5252849/seiko+special+edition+prospex+men%27s+stainless+st eel+watch/?cm_mmc=SEM_Google:HS%7C%7CTop%20Products%7C%7CSma rt%20Shopping%7C%7CWatches%7C%7CHigh:HS%7C%7CTop%2 0Products%7C%7CSmart%20Shopping%7C%7CWatches:52528 49&_$ja=acid:628-777-7884%7Ccid:15627455926%7Cagid:130949884723%7Ctid:p la-1678290177748%7Ccrid:570595959589%7Cnw:u%7Crnd:102 93575647753875267%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:90455 97&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Ibs0rba-AIVkN_tCh2BuAJ-EAQYFSABEgLHQ_D_BwE


    On offer 300

    Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

    Unquestionable good value at that price, but not my "style"

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Linc View Post
    Had one of these. Great for price. Although I’ve seen the odd king turtle for not that much more.

    https://www.hsamuel.co.uk/webstore/d/5252849/seiko+special+edition+prospex+men's+stainless+stee l+watch/?cm_mmc=SEM_Google:HS%7C%7CTop%20Products%7C%7CSma rt%20Shopping%7C%7CWatches%7C%7CHigh:HS%7C%7CTop%2 0Products%7C%7CSmart%20Shopping%7C%7CWatches:52528 49&_$ja=acid:628-777-7884%7Ccid:15627455926%7Cagid:130949884723%7Ctid:p la-1678290177748%7Ccrid:570595959589%7Cnw:u%7Crnd:181 98030435311227732%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:10070 80&gclid=CjwKCAjw2f-VBhAsEiwAO4lNeE913kh5ATGH83k0EGKzic8W3hmwg1lJL3PG8 Srn04AS5LB495rLehoCkh0QAvD_BwE


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    Unquestionable good value at that price, but not my "style"

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by seabiscuit View Post
    CWC for £299. Definitely needs to be no-date option.

    https://www.cwcwatch.com/products/cw...-desert-silver
    I'd totally forgotten about CWC. The G10 is a classic, and right on the money. I might even try and track down a "birth year". Great suggestion, and something I could see myself wearing.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by pete-r View Post
    A Smith's from Time Factors would be my choice.
    Seemingly nothing / little in stock

  17. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by seabiscuit View Post
    CWC for £299. Definitely needs to be no-date option.

    https://www.cwcwatch.com/products/cw...-desert-silver
    Agreed on this. I have one on my wrist right now

    Edit just spotted your reply above!

    I went down the birth year route also, and realised that although I enjoy wearing it, it's pretty old now and the movements are no longer available, so I was being a bit paranoid about getting it wet. I got the sapphire version as it has a 10yr battery and 200m water resistance so no worries at all getting it wet or bashing it about
    Last edited by twhp101; 2nd July 2022 at 18:34.

  18. #18
    Dan Henry, interesting watches with a story that seem highly reviewed and should sit in your price bracket?

    Backplates are fun too


  19. #19
    Grand Master MartynJC (UK)'s Avatar
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  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by knw101 View Post
    So it’s my 40th this year and my mother is keen to gift me something to keep. The obvious choice would be a watch.
    Might I disagree with your premises here?

    If you’re used to Omega etc, spending £300 on a watch may not yield the level of quality that you would be after in a treasured keepsake.

    Why not think more widely - there’s a tremendous breadth of accoutrements where that budget really would get you something quite lovely; something that might last a lifetime and bring you fond thoughts when donned, doffed or otherwise used.

    Crocketts can be had new for this price (I believe their sale is on currently). A nice pen from MB, Dunhill et al? Cufflinks? A fine clock? Moorcroft for your desk? A piece of memorabilia?

    I’ll not go on - I know I’m skating on the thin ground of WT here, but I just think £300 still goes so very far into the territory of beautiful and lasting gifts in so many areas, but watches prolly ain’t one of them anymore, more’s the pity.

  21. #21
    Master unclealec's Avatar
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    I would suggest revisiting your first post and considering a Lunar Pilot. I don't find the size off-putting on my 7" wrist, and mine is phenomenally accurate.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sharky View Post
    Not really. The price of vintage Omega has rocketed over the last few years.

    Everything under £400 looked pretty rough when I did a search an hour ago

    Mark
    You are right, plenty is a bit strong. However, I still think that, with a bit of an effort, they are still out there. I really should sell some of mine!

  23. #23
    Craftsman theancientmariner's Avatar
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    Thinking outside of the box so to speak, why not get a watch roll rather than a watch? At £200-£300 you can get a nice leather watch roll and most likely have it embossed with either a name or phrase. Something like that for a 40th will have far more meaning than a low value watch with little to no significance, especially as you already own a collection of Omegas. It would be different if the watch was a rarity or had some special meaning but so far the options seem little more than an impulse purchase from a trip to a local jeweller.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by M4tt View Post
    You are right, plenty is a bit strong. However, I still think that, with a bit of an effort, they are still out there. I really should sell some of mine!
    Please do show me anything you might sell in that budget :)

  25. #25
    I would be buying this. Use code SAVE100 to bring the price down to £300.

    https://www.thewatchhut.co.uk/seiko/...ntent=textlink

  26. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by knw101 View Post
    Please do show me anything you might sell in that budget :)
    Unfortunately, I meant that I really should make the effort to sell off some of the Omega I bought back in the day at the current, slightly daft, prices.

  27. #27
    Grand Master Rod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pete-r View Post
    A Smith's from Time Factors would be my choice.
    He might be 45 before he snags one😁

  28. #28
    Master
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    How about a Bambino? Plenty of styles to choose from at around £120


  29. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by M4tt View Post
    There's plenty of vintage Omega from their Golden Age for around that price.
    Agreed Matt, but there's a likelihood many will need a similar amount spending to get them properly sorted.

    There are exceptions, but a lot of the cal 550/560 stuff need a few expensive parts replacing, the rotor bush, reverser (1464) and mainspring barrel are often in poor condition. I still have a reasonable stock of the key parts but I`m not replacing them because it's getting too expensive, once they're gone they're gone. A hand-wound cal 601/613 will be a cheaper proposition, there's no rotor bush or reverser to worry about and spring barrels very rarely need swapping.

    Genuine Omega replacement crystals and crowns are now v. difficult to source at sensible prices too, which is a shame.

  30. #30
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rod View Post
    He might be 45 before he snags one😁
    There's a reason why they sell out so fast though...

  31. #31
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dapper View Post
    How about a Bambino? Plenty of styles to choose from at around £120

    got one :)

  32. #32
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    Agreed Matt, but there's a likelihood many will need a similar amount spending to get them properly sorted.

    There are exceptions, but a lot of the cal 550/560 stuff need a few expensive parts replacing, the rotor bush, reverser (1464) and mainspring barrel are often in poor condition. I still have a reasonable stock of the key parts but I`m not replacing them because it's getting too expensive, once they're gone they're gone. A hand-wound cal 601/613 will be a cheaper proposition, there's no rotor bush or reverser to worry about and spring barrels very rarely need swapping.

    Genuine Omega replacement crystals and crowns are now v. difficult to source at sensible prices too, which is a shame.
    You know my love for omegas - but not much around in good condition for sub £500 these days. PS - the prebond I bought is Lovely! thanks for the advice on that.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by unclealec View Post
    I would suggest revisiting your first post and considering a Lunar Pilot. I don't find the size off-putting on my 7" wrist, and mine is phenomenally accurate.
    yes - must go try one on. I like the idea of it being a watch with a degree of kudos for affordable money.

  33. #33
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    Quote Originally Posted by JGJG View Post
    Might I disagree with your premises here?

    If you’re used to Omega etc, spending £300 on a watch may not yield the level of quality that you would be after in a treasured keepsake.

    Why not think more widely - there’s a tremendous breadth of accoutrements where that budget really would get you something quite lovely; something that might last a lifetime and bring you fond thoughts when donned, doffed or otherwise used.

    Crocketts can be had new for this price (I believe their sale is on currently). A nice pen from MB, Dunhill et al? Cufflinks? A fine clock? Moorcroft for your desk? A piece of memorabilia?

    I’ll not go on - I know I’m skating on the thin ground of WT here, but I just think £300 still goes so very far into the territory of beautiful and lasting gifts in so many areas, but watches prolly ain’t one of them anymore, more’s the pity.
    I had thought pen actually so this is a good idea too.

  34. #34
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kitsan View Post
    Dan Henry, interesting watches with a story that seem highly reviewed and should sit in your price bracket?

    Backplates are fun too

    Do like a Dan Henry...

    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  35. #35
    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    Do like a Dan Henry...
    I'm itching to pull the trigger on a silver 1972, just waiting to make sure it's not an impulse!

  36. #36
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kitsan View Post
    I'm itching to pull the trigger on a silver 1972, just waiting to make sure it's not an impulse!
    i like the pvd - but i love the actual PD watch soooooooo much

  37. #37
    There's an ebay seller in Europe knocking out Spaceview conversions for about that money.

  38. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by knw101 View Post
    I'd totally forgotten about CWC. The G10 is a classic, and right on the money. I might even try and track down a "birth year". Great suggestion, and something I could see myself wearing.
    Another vote for the CWC G10 had mine over 20 years and she's still a beauty =)



    If I could only have one watch for the rest of my life...

    ...It might just be this one =)

  39. #39
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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  40. #40
    I say go for a watch accessory. Plenty of good watches at £200-£300 but presumably if it’s a 40th birthday present from your wife, you’ll be looking to make it a keeper and get some use out of it so it doesn’t sit in the watch box neglected. I can’t think of many watches at that price which would stick around faced with competition from a few omegas.

    Best to avoid that all together and get something else: roll, box, or an alternative like a pen, as suggested.

    If it has to be a watch, get something for rough and tough activities that you wouldn’t dream of taking a nicer watch to.

  41. #41
    Master
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    Geckota do some interesting watches in your price range.

    https://www.geckota.com/collections/watches

    I like the Sea Hunter.


  42. #42
    Has the Citizen pro master not been mentioned? Probably of similar iconic status as the Seiko SKX and for well under budget.

  43. #43
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    Seiko SKX007 or 009,
    Iconic and bomb proof imo, or if your wrist is small, maybe one of their 38mm models?

    I think PERSONALLY if I was being gifted a watch that was going to take sentimental place in collection, I would avoid the likes of dan henry and go for a brand that has been around longer.

  44. #44
    Master davidj54's Avatar
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    Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical £316 in the sale? Hard to beat that in my opinion.

    https://www.cwsellors.co.uk/products...iABEgJ85PD_BwE

  45. #45
    Grand Master wileeeeeey's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by davidj54 View Post
    Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical £316 in the sale? Hard to beat that in my opinion.

    https://www.cwsellors.co.uk/products...iABEgJ85PD_BwE
    Great suggestion.

    Also at Watch Nation for £300.60 with code BONUS10

  46. #46
    Master davidj54's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wileeeeeey View Post
    Great suggestion.

    Also at Watch Nation for £300.60 with code BONUS10
    Even better - just 60p over budget! Tempted to get one myself!

  47. #47
    Craftsman lacroix4's Avatar
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    Phoibos ?

  48. #48
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    Quote Originally Posted by Idontgram View Post
    I say go for a watch accessory. Plenty of good watches at £200-£300 but presumably if it’s a 40th birthday present from your wife, you’ll be looking to make it a keeper and get some use out of it so it doesn’t sit in the watch box neglected. I can’t think of many watches at that price which would stick around faced with competition from a few omegas.

    Best to avoid that all together and get something else: roll, box, or an alternative like a pen, as suggested.

    If it has to be a watch, get something for rough and tough activities that you wouldn’t dream of taking a nicer watch to.
    I agree RE the type of watch - hence why I like the CWC as an option atm

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by verv View Post
    Seiko SKX007 or 009,
    Iconic and bomb proof imo, or if your wrist is small, maybe one of their 38mm models?

    I think PERSONALLY if I was being gifted a watch that was going to take sentimental place in collection, I would avoid the likes of dan henry and go for a brand that has been around longer.
    Had one, sold it... before they were crazy money

  49. #49
    Master
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    Nezumi have a range of watches in your budget-
    https://www.nezumistudios.com/product-category/watches/

  50. #50
    Quote Originally Posted by knw101 View Post
    I'd totally forgotten about CWC. The G10 is a classic, and right on the money. I might even try and track down a "birth year". Great suggestion, and something I could see myself wearing.
    Contact CWC who can advise of the current available serial numbers and you might be able to find a perfect serial number. Additionally, you can request a date to be engraved on the caseback.

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