Best Basic Watch
Best Basic Watch
I have never been much of a watch wearer, but I am tired of having to check my phone for the time. I am looking for a good, sturdy, and "basic" watch for under $150. Any recommendations?
I prefer non digital, real watch hands.
I prefer non digital, real watch hands.
Last edited by BradJ on Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 5978
- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 3:22 pm
Re: Best Basic Watch
Timex Ironman, $40. Rock solid.
Re: Best Basic Watch
Im a huge fan of Original Grain. They usually run good sales throughout the year but they are a little bit more expensive that 150
https://www.originalgrain.com/
MVMT is also a pretty good brand of lower cost watches as well.
https://www.mvmt.com/home
https://www.originalgrain.com/
MVMT is also a pretty good brand of lower cost watches as well.
https://www.mvmt.com/home
Re: Best Basic Watch
I've always liked the Seiko 5.
PS wrong forum.
PS wrong forum.
Re: Best Basic Watch
+1bloom2708 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:07 am The Boglehead Casio:
https://www.amazon.com/CASIO-F91W-1-Cas ... 14&sr=8-35
I have a Rolex and an Omega that I never wear, but this Casio is perfect. I've worn them for over 30 years. When the battery goes, buy a new one. In the late 80's there was a picture of Roy Vagelos, CEO of Merck, in the Annual Report, and he was wearing one.
Plus it's waterproof for swimming.
Re: Best Basic Watch
Time to hit Amazon. Plenty of options, Timex and Seiko are good options. You might be able to find a Bulova or something similar for about $150.
JT
JT
Re: Best Basic Watch
Thank you for the replies, I should have put in the original post that I do not want digital.
Re: Best Basic Watch
I wear an Apple Watch now, but before that had Skagen watches. They have a nice, sleek (but analog) design, and most are well under $100.
Re: Best Basic Watch
But do you mean you want real watch hands that move with a gear mechanism or would you be OK with a watch that has a display of moving hands? Or multiple choices of displays of moving hands? In any case, it is probably best to edit the thread title AND the first post to state all this.
Re: Best Basic Watch
At your price range, you might take a look at the various models of Citizen eco drive watches. These recharge their battery in any light. Mine has lasted almost 20 years with no servicing.
Re: Best Basic Watch
That's even a more "millionaire next door" low key watch than the one I have. Nicebloom2708 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:07 am The Boglehead Casio:
https://www.amazon.com/CASIO-F91W-1-Cas ... 14&sr=8-35
https://www.amazon.com/Casio-G-shock-DW ... 593&sr=8-1
Re: Best Basic Watch
https://smile.amazon.com/Citizen-AW1490 ... 011&sr=8-2
Citizen Eco-drive (solar)
Titanium case & bracelet
Sapphire crystal
Water resistant
Citizen Eco-drive (solar)
Titanium case & bracelet
Sapphire crystal
Water resistant
Re: Best Basic Watch
At the $150 price point you can't do better than a Citizen Eco-Drive field watch. Quartz, so it keeps good time; solar powered, so you almost never have to service it; stainless steel and mineral crystal, so it will handle a few bumps and scratches; water resistant to 100m (deeper than you're ever likely to go); 5-year warranty; luminous hands, so you can read it at night; and you get day and date. On sale on Amazon right now for $130. Not gonna top that.
Re: Best Basic Watch
I used to be really into watches and have a dozen or more including Rolex. I now wear a Citizen Eco-Drive. Great low/no maintenance watch for the money.
The fool, with all his other faults, has this also - he is always getting ready to live. - Seneca Epistles < c. 65AD
Re: Best Basic Watch
Slightly above your price point but I like these watches and wear one. Nice, clean, classic look.
https://torgoen.com/collections/t9-collection
https://torgoen.com/collections/t9-collection
Re: Best Basic Watch
Nice watches. I haven't worn a watch in about a decade now, but my 8 year old son wants an analog watch so I've been thinking about one for myself too.VCJ wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:07 am Im a huge fan of Original Grain. They usually run good sales throughout the year but they are a little bit more expensive that 150
https://www.originalgrain.com/
- cartophile
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2015 10:52 pm
Re: Best Basic Watch
When I was looking for a simple, basic watch I settled on a $25 "Casio Classic Quartz" (https://amazon.com/gp/product/B07K8Q5W7D) and it has served me well. At this price point, sadly, it's best to treat the entire watch as disposable because changing the battery costs nearly as much as replacing the watch, and is much more of a hassle. Over several years I went through about four Coleman-branded watches that I really liked, but they are no longer available.
Re: Best Basic Watch
Citizen Eco-Drive is my recommendation, too. Lots of style choices with both leather and metal bands. Practically zero maintenance (I've had one for 6 years of daily wear, and all I've had to do is add or remove band links as my wrist changed size).cainxinth wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 10:04 am At the $150 price point you can't do better than a Citizen Eco-Drive field watch. Quartz, so it keeps good time; solar powered, so you almost never have to service it; stainless steel and mineral crystal, so it will handle a few bumps and scratches; water resistant to 100m (deeper than you're ever likely to go); 5-year warranty; luminous hands, so you can read it at night; and you get day and date. On sale on Amazon right now for $130. Not gonna top that.
-
- Posts: 1808
- Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2018 11:52 am
- Location: St. Louis
Re: Best Basic Watch
I still have a couple of them. The batteries last forever. I think one lasted 17 years I had. I have one from 1987 that stills keeps time.bloom2708 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:07 am The Boglehead Casio:
https://www.amazon.com/CASIO-F91W-1-Cas ... 14&sr=8-35
Re: Best Basic Watch
OP, from a functional point of view, there is no need to spend more than you proposed. In terms of physical quality, fit, and finish, I find most watches from reputable brands to be homogenous in the $100 to $200 range. Therefore, I would suggest maximizing content and ease of use, while adhering to your stylistic preferences.
For under $150, you can buy a watch like this Casio, which both runs on solar power and synchronizes with atomic clocks via satellite signals. I also trust the company that makes G-Shocks to produce a durable watch in this line.
Realistically, any quartz watch will run on the same battery for years, and will be accurate with a margin of a few seconds per year. However, why not get a watch that will never run out of batteries and will be accurate to the millisecond at all times?
https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... vxMI2QwoAA
For under $150, you can buy a watch like this Casio, which both runs on solar power and synchronizes with atomic clocks via satellite signals. I also trust the company that makes G-Shocks to produce a durable watch in this line.
Realistically, any quartz watch will run on the same battery for years, and will be accurate with a margin of a few seconds per year. However, why not get a watch that will never run out of batteries and will be accurate to the millisecond at all times?
https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... vxMI2QwoAA
Re: Best Basic Watch
Yes. I have 2 that are at least 15 years old, but the band broke. The watches keep working. My current one is from 2015. They say 10+ year batteries.iamblessed wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 11:19 amI still have a couple of them. The batteries last forever. I think one lasted 17 years I had. I have one from 1987 that stills keeps time.bloom2708 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:07 am The Boglehead Casio:
https://www.amazon.com/CASIO-F91W-1-Cas ... 14&sr=8-35
They are also very light and not bulky which I like. They keep making them and selling them for a reason I guess.
-
- Posts: 1568
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2020 8:27 am
Re: Best Basic Watch
I like the thin, minimalist designs. I don't like fat watches that catch on the sleeve opening and cuff when I'm trying to put on or take off a shirt, jacket etc. Some watch bands are really lousy, especially if you are a somewhat physically active person. Some pop open or slide open when you don't want them to. I like Skagen and Bering because they are wafer thin, but some models have these poorly designed bands.
-
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2020 12:37 pm
Re: Best Basic Watch
I, too, recommend Citizen Eco Drive. The field watch is great or this one for a simpler look:cainxinth wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 10:04 am At the $150 price point you can't do better than a Citizen Eco-Drive field watch. Quartz, so it keeps good time; solar powered, so you almost never have to service it; stainless steel and mineral crystal, so it will handle a few bumps and scratches; water resistant to 100m (deeper than you're ever likely to go); 5-year warranty; luminous hands, so you can read it at night; and you get day and date. On sale on Amazon right now for $130. Not gonna top that.
https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-Eco-Driv ... 27&sr=8-24
- JupiterJones
- Posts: 3620
- Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 3:25 pm
- Location: Nashville, TN
Re: Best Basic Watch
Yes on the Timex, but I'm more a fan of their "Easy Reader" models. Classic good looks. Works if you're dressed up or dressed down. Lasts forever.g2morrow wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:38 am https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L6VY4XK/?c ... _lig_dp_it
timex
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=timex+easy+reader
"Stay on target! Stay on target!"
Re: Best Basic Watch
I've had this Citizen watch for about 15 years, no battery replacement ("eco-drve"), I have replaced the strap a few times.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EQS1JW/re ... AR3RQ0SKX9
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EQS1JW/re ... AR3RQ0SKX9
Re: Best Basic Watch
I have a Citizen Eco-Drive watch.
Huge fan. Twelve years of ticking.
https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/coll ... rt=0&sz=48
Huge fan. Twelve years of ticking.
https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/coll ... rt=0&sz=48
Old fart who does three index stock funds, baby.
-
- Posts: 281
- Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:07 pm
Re: Best Basic Watch
Seiko 5 gets my vote as well.
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man." - J. Lebowski
Re: Best Basic Watch
IMO I think it is very hard to find an analog watch under $1,000 that does not look and feel cheap.
I wear a Timex Iron Man pretty much all the time, but I do have a couple Sinn analog watches. Here is one of Sinn's cheaper models: https://www.watchbuys.com/store/pc/Sinn ... 4p3550.htm
Very clean and classic.
I wear a Timex Iron Man pretty much all the time, but I do have a couple Sinn analog watches. Here is one of Sinn's cheaper models: https://www.watchbuys.com/store/pc/Sinn ... 4p3550.htm
Very clean and classic.
- jabberwockOG
- Posts: 3084
- Joined: Thu May 28, 2015 7:23 am
Re: Best Basic Watch
We have 3 highend watches in the safe that are never worn (two are family heirlooms). What I do wear daily for years is Timex Ironman apprx $40 - Super reliable. Batteries last a long time and are easy to change. Can't live without the Indiglo light function on the watch face that provides the perfect amount of dim light for finding my way to the bathroom at night. Lifesaver especially for travel.
-
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 10:40 pm
Re: Best Basic Watch
Check out Hamilton if you want a high-quality, analog watch at a reasonable price.
They have some really nice options in the $300 range.
I like the Hamilton Khaki line.
Watch snobs will even give you respect!
- ClevrChico
- Posts: 3246
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:24 pm
Re: Best Basic Watch
Casio W-800 has been my fave so far. Snooze alarm, 100M water resist, 10 year battery. It never leaves my wrist.
Re: Best Basic Watch
Amen.. this watch has been around forever. Bought one after my first divorce in 1979. Took it in the sauna with me, the pool, everywhere. Two batteries and a strap.. and nearly 35 years later it died in a drawer. I suspect battery corrosion finally got it. Replaced it with a plain black Casio as a watch I use on travel trips when ashore.bloom2708 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:07 am The Boglehead Casio:
https://www.amazon.com/CASIO-F91W-1-Cas ... 14&sr=8-35
Re: Best Basic Watch
What? Watch my pal Jody's videos and you will see some awesome watches at affordable price points -- https://www.youtube.com/c/JustOneMoreWatch/featuredcowdogman wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:10 pm IMO I think it is very hard to find an analog watch under $1,000 that does not look and feel cheap.
I wear a Timex Iron Man pretty much all the time, but I do have a couple Sinn analog watches. Here is one of Sinn's cheaper models: https://www.watchbuys.com/store/pc/Sinn ... 4p3550.htm
Very clean and classic.
Re: Best Basic Watch
G-Shock are great watches for casual and < 150, or Citizen eco drive, or Seiko for more dress watch.
Re: Best Basic Watch
Citizen makes a sapphire faced, atomic sync'd, titanium case, perpetual calendar, solar-driven watch. It's the last watch you'll ever need, but the price is substantially more than you budgeted for... however it's still well below "boutique" jewelry watches like Omega or Rolex. It is zero maintenance (no date adjustments, no battery changes) and it will last even under a life-time of abuse if that's what you're after
https://www.nywatchstore.com/at401050e.html
https://www.nywatchstore.com/at401050e.html
Re: Best Basic Watch
I bought this watch in an earlier version in early 2012 and it hasn’t missed a beat since then. Still accurate to the very second almost a decade later and powered only by light. I paid $257 then.kevinf wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 5:18 pm Citizen makes a sapphire faced, atomic sync'd, titanium case, perpetual calendar, solar-driven watch. It's the last watch you'll ever need, but the price is substantially more than you budgeted for... however it's still well below "boutique" jewelry watches like Omega or Rolex. It is zero maintenance (no date adjustments, no battery changes) and it will last even under a life-time of abuse if that's what you're after
https://www.nywatchstore.com/at401050e.html
Last edited by Nicolas on Sat Jul 31, 2021 9:35 pm, edited 2 times in total.
-
- Posts: 1808
- Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2018 11:52 am
- Location: St. Louis
Re: Best Basic Watch
As a Casio owner since the 80's your story made me laugh but I believe it. It is like the Toyota of watches.midareff wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 4:29 pmAmen.. this watch has been around forever. Bought one after my first divorce in 1979. Took it in the sauna with me, the pool, everywhere. Two batteries and a strap.. and nearly 35 years later it died in a drawer. I suspect battery corrosion finally got it. Replaced it with a plain black Casio as a watch I use on travel trips when ashore.bloom2708 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:07 am The Boglehead Casio:
https://www.amazon.com/CASIO-F91W-1-Cas ... 14&sr=8-35
- nisiprius
- Advisory Board
- Posts: 52105
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:33 am
- Location: The terrestrial, globular, planetary hunk of matter, flattened at the poles, is my abode.--O. Henry
Re: Best Basic Watch
I have a Timex with Indiglo backlight, analog dial, sweep-second hand, water resistant to thirty meters. Cost maybe $35, but I also bought a $20 expansion band for it because I really got tired of paying $15.95 over and over again for leather bands...
For about thirty-five years I had a Seiko that was a gift from my wife and kids, cost about $150, that I loved. After about twenty-five years it developed a habit of stopping that couldn't be cured with a battery change or a cleaning, and I paid another $150 to have a new movement put in, but this time it only lasted about ten years. The Timex is pretty thick and hefty--doubtless because it has a 2016 coin cell; five or six years old, haven't needed to replace it. (I only use the backlight sparingly).
There are probably a gazillion adequate choices. Timex has IMHO stayed true to its implied promise: durable, inexpensive, good timekeepers. And IMHO decent-looking, not elegant but not cheesy, some design sense. This isn't the exact model but it's the general style.
Of course I may be biased because I still love a commercial I saw live. Timex for years had a series of live commercials with John Cameron Swayzee (never mind who he is... OK, father of actor Patrick Swayzee or is even that too old...) that illustrated their slogan, "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking." For this one, they had a small outboard motor with the propeller in an decent-sized aquarium. Swazee straps the Timex onto a propeller blade, runs the motor for a few seconds churning up the water dramatically. Stops the motor. Looks at the propeller blade. Can find the Timex. No Timex on the blade. Gone. A little more searching reveals the Timex in a corner of the aquarium, visibly smashed and not running, which Swayzee acknowledged. I loved it!
For about thirty-five years I had a Seiko that was a gift from my wife and kids, cost about $150, that I loved. After about twenty-five years it developed a habit of stopping that couldn't be cured with a battery change or a cleaning, and I paid another $150 to have a new movement put in, but this time it only lasted about ten years. The Timex is pretty thick and hefty--doubtless because it has a 2016 coin cell; five or six years old, haven't needed to replace it. (I only use the backlight sparingly).
There are probably a gazillion adequate choices. Timex has IMHO stayed true to its implied promise: durable, inexpensive, good timekeepers. And IMHO decent-looking, not elegant but not cheesy, some design sense. This isn't the exact model but it's the general style.
Of course I may be biased because I still love a commercial I saw live. Timex for years had a series of live commercials with John Cameron Swayzee (never mind who he is... OK, father of actor Patrick Swayzee or is even that too old...) that illustrated their slogan, "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking." For this one, they had a small outboard motor with the propeller in an decent-sized aquarium. Swazee straps the Timex onto a propeller blade, runs the motor for a few seconds churning up the water dramatically. Stops the motor. Looks at the propeller blade. Can find the Timex. No Timex on the blade. Gone. A little more searching reveals the Timex in a corner of the aquarium, visibly smashed and not running, which Swayzee acknowledged. I loved it!
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness; Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.
Re: Best Basic Watch
A little less than basic as the health info is pretty valued but I like my Fitbit Charge 4, $99.
I own the next hot stock- VTSAX
-
- Posts: 1590
- Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2016 11:13 am
- Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Re: Best Basic Watch
For a really durable, go anywhere/do anything watch at that price, I'd go with a Bertucci A2T field watch. 200m water resistance, durable & corrosion-resistant titanium case, brilliant lume.
For something dressier, there is no shortage of great quartz watches from Citizen & Seiko. Some of my favorites would be the Citizen Stiletto, or this Seiko. If you like chronographs, there are multiple variations of the Seiko Spirit Chrono, such as this one or this one.
If I had to choose, my personal favorite of all of those is that last one, the Seiko SBTR027 chronograph. It's slightly above your price range ($180), but well worth it; it's the most versatile of all of them.
Re: Best Basic Watch
The Swiss Army Victorinox Men's 249087 Original XL Black Stainless Steel Watch is very handsome and runs $125 on Amazon.
Nobody knows nothing.
Re: Best Basic Watch
Another fan of the Timex Easy Reader.JupiterJones wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 11:44 am Yes on the Timex, but I'm more a fan of their "Easy Reader" models. Classic good looks. Works if you're dressed up or dressed down. Lasts forever.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=timex+easy+reader
You could buy four of them and stay below your $150 price point.
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
-
- Posts: 1568
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2020 8:27 am
Re: Best Basic Watch
Indiglo is a great feature.jabberwockOG wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 3:56 pm We have 3 highend watches in the safe that are never worn (two are family heirlooms). What I do wear daily for years is Timex Ironman apprx $40 - Super reliable. Batteries last a long time and are easy to change. Can't live without the Indiglo light function on the watch face that provides the perfect amount of dim light for finding my way to the bathroom at night. Lifesaver especially for travel.
Re: Best Basic Watch
If I was looking for a good value in a basic watch I would give consideration to the Casio MDV106. You will likely find it around $50.
Thread on watchuseek.com --- https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/casi ... w.4669241/
I would change to band to something more like - https://www.hnswatchstrap.com/index.php ... uct_id=685
Thread on watchuseek.com --- https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/casi ... w.4669241/
I would change to band to something more like - https://www.hnswatchstrap.com/index.php ... uct_id=685
I guess it all could be much worse. |
They could be warming up my hearse.
Re: Best Basic Watch
My goodness, you reminded me that I have one of these with a busted band in a drawer. It’s battery is still going despite being drawered for years. By contrast, my nicer running watches (not smart) seem to only last 2yrs or so on a battery.heartwood wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:14 am+1bloom2708 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:07 am The Boglehead Casio:
https://www.amazon.com/CASIO-F91W-1-Cas ... 14&sr=8-35
I have a Rolex and an Omega that I never wear, but this Casio is perfect. I've worn them for over 30 years. When the battery goes, buy a new one. In the late 80's there was a picture of Roy Vagelos, CEO of Merck, in the Annual Report, and he was wearing one.
Plus it's waterproof for swimming.