Affordable, yet presentable, watches

[Tappet]

As there is already the 'Presentable Watches' thread, I thought I would start a splinter group for those who like watches, but don't want / feel the need to spend huge sums of money on the watch. This is (in my mind) different to the beater watches - which are (I believe) the type you don't mind scratching / breaking and may be more bulkjy / utilitarian-looking.

The only real rule that I would like to have is that the watch must cost less than £200 (new, or second-hand).

I would like to start off with a timepiece that some think of as disposable; others ghastly; others a key component of their IED.

The F-91W (and variants). It's cheap (<£10), lightweight and can be picked up in any bazaar, market or car boot sale across the world. It is not the most robust of things (as my second one demonstrated when I forgot I was wearing it (a testament to it's comfort) and it gave up at 20meters deep in the ocean around Fiji), not is it particularly pretty, but it does have a retro charm to it.

I would suggest that every serious (affordable) watch owner should have one in their collection.

Next, I like the Timex Weekender. A simple, day-to-day watch that costs circa £50. Alaviable with Chronograph functions and a bewildering array of straps, you' can't go wrong with this one.

So come on; what are your go-to affordable watches?

 

[Steamboat]

Cost me nothing!

 

[Tappet]

View attachment 520968

Cost me nothing!

What is this 'sun' of which you speak?

Try using that in the UK and you'll be late for everything, except on one day in late May.

 

[W21A]

These were pretty good four years ago at a tenner from ebay. The original watch from the 'cheap beater thread. It is the most asked about watch of the small collection I have. Now with a blue leather strap strap as the bracelet went ping.

 

[Tappet]

These were pretty good four years ago at a tenner from ebay. The original watch from the 'cheap beater thread. It is the most asked about watch of the small collection I have. Now with a blue leather strap strap as the bracelet went ping.

View attachment 520967

Worryingly, I also bought one of those after seeing it on the beater thread.

And fitted it with a blue strap.

 

[Steamboat]

What is this 'sun' of which you speak?

Try using that in the UK and you'll be late for everything, except on one day in late May.

I don't honestly wear a watch anymore. Used to have a Citizen watch back in the day. Ended up breaking the shit out of it, like all the other electronic goodies I used to buy all the time. I got tired of spending small fortunes on things that wouldn't last but two years at the most. I just use my overly priced I phone as the go to time keeper.

 

[RCT(V)]

Undoubtedly, my favourite watch, at the moment . . . for £20-00

Casio Men's Black Resin Strap Watch902/5873​

Available for my "family jewellers" . . .

Buy Casio Men's Black Resin Strap Watch | Men's watches | Argos

Buy Casio Men's Black Resin Strap Watch at Argos. Thousands of products for same day delivery £3.95, or fast store collection.

www.argos.co.uk

 

[Dan Gleebles]

Why is a thread about cheap council watches in the Officer forum?

 

[RCT(V)]

I was so attracted by the image/photo, I HAD to buy one . . . for only £15 . . . .

Limit Men's Tan Faux Leather Strap Watch 316/5674​

Note: It is so light, you could forget you are wearing it! When I took it to Timpsons for a new battery, I was surprised/disappointed, to see the "mechanism" is clearly that intended for a (smaller) ladies watch and is quite lost within the bigger (blokes') sized case. Still it makes a nice change .

Again, available for my "family jewellers" . . .

Buy Limit Men's Tan Faux Leather Strap Watch | Men's watches | Argos

Buy Limit Men's Tan Faux Leather Strap Watch at Argos. Thousands of products for same day delivery £3.95, or fast store collection.

www.argos.co.uk

 

[Tappet]

Why is a thread about cheap council watches in the Officer forum?

The REME have Officers too. They also let Northerners (or half-Northerners, like myself) Commission.

It's called 'Diversity and Inclusion'.

 

[RCT(V)]

Why is a thread about cheap council watches in the Officer forum?

Because some of us Officers . . . have a wife . . . a car . . . and (did . . . . . . past tense), own a horse . . . and, consequently, we therefore have NO MONEY left to indulge on expensive watches.

And, as I have oft mentioned on automobile threads/sites . . . money does NOT equate to "good taste" .

 

[jmb3296]

These were pretty good four years ago at a tenner from ebay. The original watch from the 'cheap beater thread. It is the most asked about watch of the small collection I have. Now with a blue leather strap strap as the bracelet went ping.

View attachment 520967

No. 2 son still has and uses his occasionally

But it is a true beater and rapidly looks like one

 

[RCT(V)]

My absolute most favourite watch over the last twenty plus years . . . now £58-49 (See link below)

Discontinued at my "Family jewellers" some time ago, and deleted from the Timex site .

I have had two, and in total must have purchased another three, which were used as presents for appreciative family members .

Mens' Timex Expedition Alarm Chronograph Watch T45181​

Mens Timex Indiglo Expedition Alarm Chronograph Watch T45181

Practical mens Timex Expedition watch in plastic/resin and fabric. Features include numeral hour markers, chronograph, date function, alarm and backlight.

www.watchshop.com

Timex T45181 Expedition Watch | Watches2U

Buy your Timex T45181 Watch from official stockist Watches2U. Free delivery. 60 days returns. Buy now!

www.watches2u.com

 

[jmb3296]

I went through a phase of vintage automatic watches at no money on eBay. Particularly if they were not a “brand” This one is a 1960s automatic that keeps good time for a mere £15. I think it is presentable if a little small for my wrist so it doesn’t get out as much as it should

 

[Just_plain_you]

£200 on the nose: Seiko SKX009 SKX009K1 SKX009K Automatic Diver's Men's Watch

 

[Sapper D.]

Had this since 2013. € 150,= (-ish) and no problems. A strong watch which lives up to to my expections.

 

[Themanwho]

As always:

 

[Tappet]

As always:

View attachment 520977

Free from the man at Q&M?

 

[endure]

Seiko SNZH53. Can be had for less than £200 if you look around. Entirely coincidentally it bears a striking resemblance to one of the first ever diving watches, the Blancpain 50 fathom which is about 25 times costlier

 

[Evdhimong]

Seiko SNZH53. Can be had for less than £200 if you look around. Entirely coincidentally it bears a striking resemblance to one of the first ever diving watches, the Blancpain 50 fathom which is about 25 times costlier

On a similar(ish) note...

Recently auctioned for £165,000 (and good for 200m)

Mine for 95 quid (and good for 500m)