I'm looking for a new watch but nothing has caught my eye in the shop windows I've passed by.
My criteria include:-
- budget (under £300)
- ...but not super budget (I already have a cheap digital so no I'm not buying a £10 Casio)
- 'casual' not a smart / dress watch..probably leather strap
- not overly large face (slim wrist)
- Prefer Analogue but would look at digital
- ideally I want to see and try it on in a shop in the North West
- perhaps a touch of colour (even if just on strap)
- Solar / Motion power even better but not essential
Any suggestions for something a little different ?
Seiko Kinetic of some sort?
My main watch is around £200 (much cheaper from abroad on ebay) is solar powered, nuclear bomb proof and looks fairly smart (fully analogue) - G Shock Giez.
[url= http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/casio_gs-1100-1aer/?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=directory&utm_content=GBR¤cy=GBP&country=GBR&SelectedBundle=153059 ]Giez
[/url]
They do a pretty natty all black version too for around your budget.
For <£300 I'd have a look [url= http://www.timefactors.com/precista.htm ]here[/url]
The PRS50B looks fabulous (a bit of a Fifty Fathoms homage) and the Speedbirds always seem to be well thought of...
That G Shock Giez looks a possibility (£175 on Amazon)
The problem I've found with the Seiko Kinetic is that the ones I've seen have all been a bit too 'smart' / metal strapped. I already have a Steel Citizen Eco Drive which I like but want something a bit more casual.
fubar - there's a few versions of the Giez available - that's only the one I have. I got mine much cheaper than £200 off a Teabay Powerseller.
This one is pretty cool:
[img]
[/img]
Mine goes surfing a lot and is totally accurate - nice to have atomic too. Takes a wee bit of setting up (the manual is cr4p) but once it's done, you just forget about it - no batteries, no time re-setting ever again!
Surf-Mat - have you got the model number for that last one...pictures on the G-Shock site re not so clear.
Any idea which ebay seller you used...presume the warranty is world-wide and it would go back to Casio direct if there was a problem ?
thanks
I like the Swiss Army ones. V subjective though.
fubar - it was a bit of a one off - an ebay seller had four available at around £110. I "sniped" all four just to make sure I got one!
If you search for Giez on ebay loads come up but some of the prices are utterly nuts!
Make sure it's solar atomic though - a few Giez models (like the 1001 and 1000) aren't - mine is a GS1100.
That one is a GS1300:
[url=
]GS1300[/url]
Warranty is Worldwide - I checked. Just return it to a G Shock dealer (like H Samuels) if you get issues.
ah - listed as "GS-1300B" for the black one...but £400.01 where I just looked
oddjob - Member
I have the cheapest Tag Heuer as an everyday watch that is holding up really well to general abuse and is somewhere around your budget.
Really? a tag for less than 300 quid? where did you get it from?
You can pick up 2nd hand Quartz Tags for <£300 occasionally... Chrono24 is a pretty good source or from the Classified at one of the watch fora..
Not sure I've ever seen them new for that price.
http://www.hanowa.ch/pages/Quartz/Conquest.html
Hava a look at these - I sold a very expensive (and far too flash) watch and got one. I looks classy, IMHO. Same movement as most Swiss quartz watches, incl. Omega.
fubar - just in budget:
Well under budget:
Good feedback and US:
Get it marked as a gift though or you'll get stung for import tax.
http://www.pmwf.com/Gallery/index.php?cat=3
Quite nice
http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/product.asp?cid=1&pid=4789
!Any suggestions for something a [b]little[/b] different
...Poor Mans Watch Forum...that's a good place to look (and that Tissot looks good if a little too conservative)http://www.pmwf.com/Gallery/index.php?cat=3
Liking the Hanowa stuff too (as well as G-Shock)...
bought a tissot last year for around £200, been great so far really like it...
meesterbond - are you on TZ by any chance?
I'd also recommend the PRS/Speedbird range if you want a 'classic' styled watch which won't look dated in 10 yesrs time. I've a PRS3 and it's a very well made watch and excellent value.
You could also have a look at the Zeno range (make sure it's a 'proper' one if looking on fleabay) and you can't go far wrong with anything by Seiko in your price range.
meesterbond - are you on TZ by any chance?
I do visit there from time to time, but don't post a lot...
I was going to recommend Seiko... I've got an Orange Monster as a beater and for the £100 or so I paid for it, the quality is outstanding...
Another alternative would be something from Archimede - the Pilots watches are pretty close to the budget (€325) and very nicely finished.
I like the look of that Mondaine - quick search suggests a cost of £345 so not too far over...







