Looking for a "B" watch.

[csaltphoto]

Yeah, I know these are tool watches. But there are times when I'm just not in the mood to risk it (Due to location or what I am doing). For those times... I would like a "Plan B" watch. I'm thinking first off, it should be quartz. Yeah, I know, the horror. I don't want to deal with a cheap auto movement and I want it be running and mostly on time when I grab it. Hopefully under $500 but that is negotiable. Definitely under $1000 though. Waterproof. Ideally it would have some second time zone/timing capability.

Not into the monster Gshocks. Want it kind of normal looking. Two contenders at the moment are the Hamilton field watch in quartz and those older Tag Links that show up used. Maybe an older Luminox. Not sure about the ruggedness and reliability of these. Open to thoughts and suggestions.

Oh, and not huge. 38/39/40mm. Don't like it getting snagged on stuff.

[SPMN]

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ci...ue-proposition

I would first suggest one of the many great seiko divers, but if you’re set on quartz, there you go.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by SPMN

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ci...ue-proposition

I would first suggest one of the many great seiko divers, but if you’re set on quartz, there you go.

That looks pretty good! And the eco-drives have a good reputation.

[francoamerican]

Sinn 556i or 556a on a strap?

[904VT]

I have a Seiko SKX007 for an absolute beater

The only thing i don't like about it is the pain to set by shaking and dealing with the day of the week as well. I'd prefer a time only. Why not grab a quartz Tag if you need something on that line?

[Brazicano]

https://www.cgawatches.com/products/...a11-wristwatch

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Brazicano

https://www.cgawatches.com/products/...a11-wristwatch

That looks decent too!

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by francoamerican

Sinn 556i or 556a on a strap?

I really like Sinn's. I hear they have some issues with reliability though. And prefer something that wasn't an auto so I didn't have to set it when I swapped it for my daily.

[janice&fred]

Originally Posted by 904VT

I have a Seiko SKX007 for an absolute beater

The only thing i don't like about it is the pain to set by shaking and dealing with the day of the week as well. I'd prefer a time only. Why not grab a quartz Tag if you need something on that line?

yep a quartz tag is the way to go. quality build and easy to find on the used market for under the OP's $500 budget. many quartz aquaracers and F1's around on the net under $500 and they are nice watches.

[mgsooner]

If you go pre owned you could probably score a Grand Seiko quartz for close to 1K or definitely under 1,500 if you shop around. That’s a whole another level from some of the stuff being discussed.

[janice&fred]

Originally Posted by mgsooner

If you go pre owned you could probably score a Grand Seiko quartz for close to 1K or definitely under 1,500 if you shop around. That’s a whole another level from some of the stuff being discussed.

true that. i see a lot of quartz GS models on ebay japan and some are less than $1000. one of those would definitely bring things up a few notches!

[Old Expat Beast]

Another vote for GS quartz. Wear mine all the time.

[AEC]

For a second timezone function, I would buy the Christopher Ward C65 Trident GMT (in a heartbeat).

For interesting watches with quartz movements at reasonable prices, I would browse offerings from Swatch and Shinola.

Also, take a look at the Smiths PRS29 on timefactors.com. It's powered by a hand-wound ETA 2801 (no-date), making it pretty close to the grab-and-go ease of quartz.

[1William]

I would look at the Seiko's in this price range and see how much value you can have for the money. I will post some picture of Seiko's that I am into for less than $500 each and would take care of your needs. The Seiko's are also very sturdy and can take a lot of wear.

[Wahlberg]

Seiko SKX007/009 x 1000000

Nothing comes close. Why does it even have to be a quartz.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Seiko SKX007/009 x 1000000

Nothing comes close. Why does it even have to be a quartz.

I want it to be quartz/battery so I don't have to set it when I swap it out for my daily wear Sub. Plus the accuracy with inexpensive autos leaves a lot to be desired.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Another vote for GS quartz. Wear mine all the time.

Those are nice! Are they waterproof?

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Brazicano

https://www.cgawatches.com/products/...a11-wristwatch

Interesting...
..A big write up on their site.
Any personal feedback on these..?

[Brazicano]

I do not own a minuteman but they’ve been around for about 5 years. $200 though? I don’t think it could go wrong at that price.


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[csaltphoto]

Also considering a longines Hydro conquest. Kind of fugly though but on sale a Joma for 685. Little more than I wanted to spend for a beater though.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

Those are nice! Are they waterproof?

Yes, 100m.

[DLRIDES]

Bulova Lunar Pilot

A beater with some historical significance, and it’s extremely accurate while economical.

[asiparks]

Check out the Seiko Prospex Solar quartz line.
I bought my brother in law this " black series" chrono for Xmas:



cost $379 at the time. About 3 hrs to fully charge and that'll last you 6 months to a year. Wishing I'd picked one up for myself at the time, comfy strap and solidly built.
Comes in a 3 hander too..



comes in other flavors too...

[Kloud]

Seiko SRP 777 is my go to B watch.

Stays on my wrist Friday through Sunday night - I love that I don't have to worry about it one bit.

[osamu]

For what you describe, I have a Seiko Astron. It's my go to travel watch. While "big" at 44mm, I think it fits decently on my 6.5" wrist. Solar, quartz, dual time, always exactly on time. While MSRP is inflated, I think you can find them within your budget.



If it weren't this, I also highly considered a Casio Oceanus S100.

[synequano]

Tag F1? I have an old ana-digi model from 2005ish and it’s one of the most nice but unobtrusive watch I have,I think back then it cost around $500-750,probably smaller than 40mm though...

[stockae92]

For under $1000 and quartz. Get a Seiko 300m Tuna and a pair of sunglasses. The lume is blinding at night :)

[Thomas Carey]

Originally Posted by Brazicano

I do not own a minuteman but they’ve been around for about 5 years. $200 though? I don’t think it could go wrong at that price.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Guessing your talking about one of these?

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Thomas Carey

Guessing your talking about one of these?

Looks like M+M's...

[R3viresco]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

Yeah, I know these are tool watches. But there are times when I'm just not in the mood to risk it (Due to location or what I am doing). For those times... I would like a "Plan B" watch. I'm thinking first off, it should be quartz. Yeah, I know, the horror. I don't want to deal with a cheap auto movement and I want it be running and mostly on time when I grab it. Hopefully under $500 but that is negotiable. Definitely under $1000 though. Waterproof. Ideally it would have some second time zone/timing capability.

Not into the monster Gshocks. Want it kind of normal looking. Two contenders at the moment are the Hamilton field watch in quartz and those older Tag Links that show up used. Maybe an older Luminox. Not sure about the ruggedness and reliability of these. Open to thoughts and suggestions.

Oh, and not huge. 38/39/40mm. Don't like it getting snagged on stuff.

I'm not going to lie, I like the look of those Hamilton field watches. Look like the old World War II watches.

And those Seiko Divers aren't bad either.