Watch experts – can I get a second hand automatic for £100

Bit like the what pen thread, but my MIL wants to my son a watch for his 16th. I thought rather than a new overpriced bit of crap, we could look at nice-ish second hand ones. Then I started thinking automatic….I don’t want to turn this into one of those things where I end spending a grand on something he doesn’t need!!

I don’t know anything about watches.

Would he actually want an automatic watch at 16? Trends/fashion/peer stuff changes fast at that age… A nice secondhand automatic watch seems outwith all that.

Or just get a new Seiko 5 from creation. Lots of options. He might be able to find something acceptable.

+1 on the automatic is hassle.

For £100 you can get some nice quartz watches. Two of our lads asked for them for 21st’s and they do wear them on ‘posh’ days. One is a Timex one a Fossil. Thier choice, they like them.

He just wants a nice watch. I just thought automatic would be cool. Why are they a hassle? I’ve never had one.

Seiko 5’s look nice.

to answer the question, yes £100 should get an automatic used, it might even get one new depending on what he wants. Have you had any indication of what style or type of watch appeals to the recipient?

Seiko as a brand aren’t a bad shout, their products are decent but prices are all over the place so do shop about.

Might I also suggest solar powered as an alternative to automatic, if you can find a Citizen eco-drive he likes in budget, the appeal of being ‘passively powered’ for a couple of trouble free decades means it really is a gift that can last a while.

Ooh that’s a shout @cookeaa, just had a check and there’s a few around the right price. I don’t mind adding a bit for something a bit more special.

He likes the style of a Nixon one I have, which is a steel band one similar style to the Seiko 5’s actually. I don’t think he’s too fussed really and just wants a watch to put on for fancy!!

My 13 year old and 18 on Tuesday year old both wear automatics.

But then they’ve both demanded to see the Foo Fighters and AC/DC.

Ha, ha. We’re taking ours to Foo Fighters as well.

His birthday pressie from us is going to the Belgian Grand Prix.

Theres some great stuff on creation watches. I’m trying to resist a new one for myself as well!!…..

Watches are such personal taste that I’d give him a fixed budget and let him choose his own. Automatics are actually pretty good as a fancy watch as there’s no battery to go flat in between infrequent wears. Quick wind and they’re ready to go for the night. These days any watch is about fashion, just don’t judge if his tastes don’t match yours.

if you can find a Citizen eco-drive he likes in budget

Hashtag Recommend What You Have.

I have an Eco-Drive, it’s great.  Though in the era of smart watches it’s been relegated to “dress watch” status these days.  The glass is robust but will scratch if you drag it down a wall like I did.  The leather watch straps are made of cheese and bastard expensive, I went third-party when I needed a third replacement.  Citizen’s customer service is (or at least was?) excellent.  If it died tomorrow I’d have another.

Mine came from, of all places, Center Parcs gift shop.  It was way less than half price, I was stunned when I got home and realised the RRP was pushing £300.

Look at Heimdallr watches, they use Seiko movements, their dive watches are very well made, I’ve got two which I’ve worn for years, and if a movement breaks a replacement can be had for a reasonable amount of money.

https://www.heimdallrwatch.com

Only hassle with an auto and a 16 year old* is that if an auto isn’t worn and left to wind down in a drawer, setting the time and date can be a faff and can damage the movement due to needing to set the correct ‘midnight’ for when the date changes.

Only mentioned as I wear a Seiko 5 and know they can be damaged from the above.

*we don’t have children so don’t know how careful/competent a 16 year old can be. Apologies if I underestimated.

Otherwise Seiko is a good shout – I remember my dad giving me a used one of his when I was young and it having enough kudos. £100 would buy a limited choice 5 from Creation as mentioned above, or double the budget and have more choice buying from the UK. Seiko have expanded their range to include collaborations / street style / murdered out (black colored for older generations) to appeal to a younger demographic. It doesn’t have to be a boring ‘all silver coloured’ old mans watch.

First class watches have a Seiko 5 sale on, and also have Paid For returns under £500 if Jnr doesn’t like / wants to swap it.