Contemplating a first watch

[justin.dowdy]

I am admittedly uneducated on this watch business. I never looked at a watch as anything more than a tool to tell me what time it was. I currently wear a Garmin tactix delta because it tells time, carries all of my necessary ballistic data and also lets me know how much of a shitbag I am every morning with my ridiculously low sleep score because I chose to get fucked up instead of going to bed like a normal human.
That being said, I am mildly interested in getting a decent watch. I am in the middle of saving up for a safari next year so I don't have a ton of extra spending money but I may be able to buy a decent middle of the road watch. I saw an advertisement for a Tudor the other day that I thought was a nice looking watch but I honestly have no idea what makes a watch desirable or not so I am open to suggestions, and also any explanations on what makes one watch desirable and another not.

 

[Steven Donovan]

I think this is covered well in a few existing threads... a lot of information in those already.

Also... my 2 cents... I would save up for the Safari and maximize that instead of getting a watch - especially if you already have a tactix.

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

Beauty is in the beholder's daily duties, really, kinda like pistols/rifles/shotguns; you don't know exactly what THAT it is for you until it's in hand. Budget; automatic or quartz, autos are usually +$+, so ..." middle of the road" budget wise is up to you. Check out the links some guys provided in the (2) Sangin threads. Which Tudor?

 

[justin.dowdy]

I thought the Balck Bay 58 was interesting but the Ranger was also good looking.

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

I thought the Balck Bay 58 was interesting but the Ranger was also good looking.

There's a Ranger here in the Classifieds right now....

 

[gibsonknives]

Seiko automatic; you can’t go wrong. Very nicely done and they don’t break the bank. Excellent gateway drug into the watch world and one I will guarantee you still throw on the wrist even if you buy something higher end down the road

 

[YETI]

There's a Ranger here in the Classifieds right now....

We have a classifieds section?? I did NOT need to know that

 

[YETI]

Seiko automatic; you can’t go wrong. Very nicely done and they don’t break the bank. Excellent gateway drug into the watch world and one I will guarantee you still throw on the wrist even if you buy something higher end down the road

This. Decent prices for great watches

 

[smujd]

Another vote for Seiko. Excellent value.

Watches are an expensive rabbit hole. You buy a Seiko, than a CWC, then an Omega, and then your wife wants to know where that white gold Daytona came from…

 

[bpaich1225]

I am admittedly uneducated on this watch business. I never looked at a watch as anything more than a tool to tell me what time it was. I currently wear a Garmin tactix delta because it tells time, carries all of my necessary ballistic data and also lets me know how much of a shitbag I am every morning with my ridiculously low sleep score because I chose to get fucked up instead of going to bed like a normal human.
That being said, I am mildly interested in getting a decent watch. I am in the middle of saving up for a safari next year so I don't have a ton of extra spending money but I may be able to buy a decent middle of the road watch. I saw an advertisement for a Tudor the other day that I thought was a nice looking watch but I honestly have no idea what makes a watch desirable or not so I am open to suggestions, and also any explanations on what makes one watch desirable and another not.

What drives one person to a particular brand over another largely has to do with personal life experiences and their individual preferences. Could be everything from the brand that their dad or granddad wore and passed down, to the shows they watched on TV. If you are considering purchasing a mechanical watch and want a authentic tool watch. I recommend looking for a watch that has drilled lugs or fixed lugs and a aluminum bezel or stainless bezel.
Ceramic looks great but cracks easy a d is prone to breaking under rough use or impacts

Brands to consider
Marathon they still supply issued watches to our military

Cwc supplies watches to the mod for royal navy divers and sbs operators

Brigade largely usa made tool watches, every part of the watch is made in the usa except for the Swiss movement and the screws and clasp for the bracelet. If you like old school milsubs and want to support a home grown buisness give these guys a shot.

If you decide to step up to about 3k you can find some very nice tudors and omegas second hand

 

[Bakes]

If you dive in do it for the right reason. Watches, like rifles, are a deep deep pool and you can get sucked in. If watches aren’t a thing for you yet that’s great, put it off, your bank account will thank you.

Under $1K look at Hamilton, Doxa, Seiko, Marathon. Don’t discount the used market. Just like cars, most lose value the second you walk out of the store.

 

[gcompany1969]

I am admittedly uneducated on this watch business. I never looked at a watch as anything more than a tool to tell me what time it was. I currently wear a Garmin tactix delta because it tells time, carries all of my necessary ballistic data and also lets me know how much of a shitbag I am every morning with my ridiculously low sleep score because I chose to get fucked up instead of going to bed like a normal human.
That being said, I am mildly interested in getting a decent watch. I am in the middle of saving up for a safari next year so I don't have a ton of extra spending money but I may be able to buy a decent middle of the road watch. I saw an advertisement for a Tudor the other day that I thought was a nice looking watch but I honestly have no idea what makes a watch desirable or not so I am open to suggestions, and also any explanations on what makes one watch desirable and another not.

I chose the Tudor Ranger for several reasons. It's a tough, legible, GADA field watch that is water resistant to 100 meters. It flies under the radar (a plus when traveling), has a silicon hairspring which resists magnetization and comes in two sizes, 36mm and 39mm.
I live an active, sometimes rough lifestyle, and this watch remains an accurate and reliable tool.
If you are more budget oriented then I would suggest the Scurfa Diver One. It is an incredibly tough quartz watch, water resistance rated to 500 meters and won't let you down in a pinch.
Hope this helps.