Owning a nice watch

[crublue1]

@Johnny Mars Bar

You'll have look to the Japanese to get a decent mechanical watch in that price range, that even most watch collectors would nod approvingly of.
Since you mention nato strap, I assume that you're looking for a diver or a field watch/sports watch.

I'd suggest you consider the Seiko 5 Sports series. Several dial colours and strap types available. Examples:
Seiko 5 Sports Blue Ref. SBSA001
Seiko 5 Sports - Field Collection Black Ref. SBSA111

A dressier alternative, a bit more pricey:
Citizen Automatic Blue Ref. NB1050-59L

Tons of reviews on YouTube etc.

(btw, I'm not affiliated with Gnomon watches in any way. The watches I suggested are available from lots of other vendors as well)

The seiko is a great shout. However, I'd be looking for an skx, now discontinued, for around £300, or mint used for £200 ish. Plenty still on ebay. Money well spent, these will only increase in value imo

 

[somapop]

The seiko is a great shout. However, I'd be looking for an skx, now discontinued, for around £300, or mint used for £200 ish. Plenty still on ebay. Money well spent, these will only increase in value imo

Looks great too.
I'll be honest, I would'n't know where to start buying a second hand watch.

 

[Kazzydeyna]

I love Omega watches. I’d love to own a Speedmaster moon watch, or a Seamaster Diver one day but it’s out of reach at the moment. The Aqua Terra is beautiful too.

I had a nice Steinhart dive watch that I sadly left at a girls house a few years back (before I met mrs marsbar!).

I want to buy another (budget, sadly) mechanical watch, been wearing an Apple Watch for a few years but I’ve had enough of it.

Something no more than a couple hundred quid that is tasteful and will go well on a nato strap. Suggestions welcome!

Orient make lovely dive watches for about £200. In house movements and really good value. Look for the “Kamasu”.
Or get another steinhart. Also great value if you don’t mind them being an homage to the crown. (I don’t, I think they’re brilliant)

 

[crublue1]

Looks great too.
I'll be honest, I would'n't know where to start buying a second hand watch.

Yeah I totally get that mate. Having owned a few seikos (I wear my skx daily) I know what I'm looking at.
You're probably best going new tbf.
I'd go to a dealer, get it in your hands, try it on, etc.
Be aware that seiko build quality can be sketchy, especially the low end pieces. Make sure the dial lines up with the bezel etc.
Good hunting bud

 

[somapop]

Yeah I totally get that mate. Having owned a few seikos (I wear my skx daily) I know what I'm looking at.
You're probably best going new tbf.
I'd go to a dealer, get it in your hands, try it on, etc.
Be aware that seiko build quality can be sketchy, especially the low end pieces. Make sure the dial lines up with the bezel etc.
Good hunting bud

Yeah, one to dig into next year.
Seiko Dealer right? Any other similar dive watches off good value?
I wear my apple most to the time tbf but I do love the look of those chunky dive watches.

Thanks mate.

 

[crublue1]

Orient make lovely dive watches for about £200. In house movements and really good value. Look for the “Kamasu”.
Or get another steinhart. Also great value if you don’t mind them being an homage to the crown. (I don’t, I think they’re brilliant)

The kamasu is brilliant vfm.
I've had a few steinharts, rock solid mate.
Some good advice there bud

 

[crublue1]

Yeah, one to dig into next year.
Seiko Dealer right? Any other similar dive watches off good value?
I wear my apple most to the time tbf but I do love the look of those chunky dive watches.

Thanks mate.

No worries bud.
Yeah, seiko dealer, they are normally very good.
Last one I bought new was from a dealer in Knutsford, but that was years ago.
Check out kazzys recommendation of the orient gear, he's spot on, although I'm not sure they have shops where you can try them on, etc

 

[Kazzydeyna]

No worries bud.
Yeah, seiko dealer, they are normally very good.
Last one I bought new was from a dealer in Knutsford, but that was years ago.
Check out kazzys recommendation of the orient gear, he's spot on, although I'm not sure they have shops where you can try them on, etc

They don’t have any uk based dealers sadly (Orient). I get mine from a company called “serious watches” based in Holland. Order Monday, arrives Wednesday. They do returns if needs be (but you won’t return them, they’re great).
They do a lovely little dress watch as well called the Bambino. Now available in a 38mm size. The straps are a bit ropey and cheap but you can get a nice Hirsch strap for about £20-30 and jobs a good’un

 

[crublue1]

They don’t have any uk based dealers sadly (Orient). I get mine from a company called “serious watches” based in Holland. Order Monday, arrives Wednesday. They do returns if needs be (but you won’t return them, they’re great).
They do a lovely little dress watch as well called the Bambino. Now available in a 38mm size. The straps are a bit ropey and cheap but you can get a nice Hirsch strap for about £20-30 and jobs a good’un

They also do this, (as you probably know) stunning chronograph.
How they make and sell this for the money I'll never know.

 

[Kazzydeyna]

That’s gorgeous. I honestly don’t know how they do it. They’re part of the Epson corp I believe (who own seiko) so they probably use their development budget etc but god knows how they do it.