inexpensive rugged watch?
- Thread starter phaserrifle
- Start date
I was thinking about any old watch being kept in a pocket or a pouch rather than on the wrist, not specifically a watch designed to be carried in a pocket.
Google 'AVIA Polar star 100' great watches, I've had one about 4 years now (keeps good time (about 1.5 seconds loss per month, more so as the baterry fades, but I'm on the first battery so no so much of a handycap)) ebay for a decent one is about £20.
found a rotary on ebay that looks perfect for about £30 total.
just missing a bit of GITD on the bezel.
I'm very tempted.
the vostock amphibias seem to be a little more expensive than £40, but some of thier other models are in the right sort of region. and for a few quid more (about £44 ish) I can get an automatic.
Given that the Citizen Eco-drive is only a little more than your budget, why not use the one you have as your edc until you break or lose it, then replace it with another, by which time they may be even cheaper than they are now.
Having been a watch fetishist for over 20 years, and having owned submariners, oysters, seamasters, constellations, as well as rotaries, I keep on recommending GShock (tough solar, multiband atomic, analogue models) and Vostoks to people who want a solid, quality timepiece at a good price.
If you want robust, bulletproof accuracy and self-powering, go for the GShocks(the avaitor ones) - but you're in the £100-£300 territory. I'm wearing one now, and I have to say that it's a lot smarter than any Breitling. The Tough Movement tech that the analogue GShocks have is jaw-droppingly good, and it syncs automatically with atomic-clock signals. No more forgetting GMT/BST, or setting dates. You get a lot of tough tech for your coin. Go to heinnie.com: they've a load of models at a good price.
If you want classic, tough and self-powered, go Vostok. It's as accurate as any Rolex or Omega in real life, and just as tough. Probably more distinctive. And the movement is pretty damn good. I suspect that the Russians took a few Rolex movements apart to understand how to build their automatic movement. I prefer it to my Omega Seamaster automatic which cost an awful lot more.
I've heard that the second-hands come off the Timexes, and I wouldn't trust a watch that needs batteries - it's sod's law that you need a replacement when you're miles away from a shop. And I've a couple of Rotaries. they're crap, too. Bad alignments.
If you want robust, bulletproof accuracy and self-powering, go for the GShocks(the avaitor ones) - but you're in the £100-£300 territory. I'm wearing one now, and I have to say that it's a lot smarter than any Breitling. The Tough Movement tech that the analogue GShocks have is jaw-droppingly good, and it syncs automatically with atomic-clock signals. No more forgetting GMT/BST, or setting dates. You get a lot of tough tech for your coin. Go to heinnie.com: they've a load of models at a good price.
If you want classic, tough and self-powered, go Vostok. It's as accurate as any Rolex or Omega in real life, and just as tough. Probably more distinctive. And the movement is pretty damn good. I suspect that the Russians took a few Rolex movements apart to understand how to build their automatic movement. I prefer it to my Omega Seamaster automatic which cost an awful lot more.
I've heard that the second-hands come off the Timexes, and I wouldn't trust a watch that needs batteries - it's sod's law that you need a replacement when you're miles away from a shop. And I've a couple of Rotaries. they're crap, too. Bad alignments.
I love those Russian Vostok watches. Just bought my son the Amphibia diver with rubber strap for Christmas!
Just been looking at some of those Vostock watches- very impressed for the price... Very nice indeed
Last Eco-drive and Kinetic I looked at were noisy, and you could feel the pendulum moving. My reference-point for a good kinetic-movement is Omega's Omegamatic. Very quiet, and moves like a quality automatic.
decatholon. about 6 quid for a black rubber digital watch. waterproof and tells the time. had mine about 3 years.
A Timex Expedition or Pulsar PXH035 can be easily bought for under £40 on Amazon. Also have a look at the Argos clearance outlet on Ebay as there can be bargains within your budget eg Casio Chronograph watch at £39.99 (200m wr, date, rotating bezel, backlight, chrono). I can't imagine you could find a more functional watch for the money.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CASIO-MEN...es_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item519b237906
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CASIO-MEN...es_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item519b237906
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They are pretty good. I have an Amphibia "Radio Room" which is for some reason in demand by collectors. I've also got a ex-Red Army Komandirskie. They both developed a winding fault and I couldn't find a repairer in the UK. However, there is a Ukrainian chap offering a repair service on ebay for about £7 plus postage. So they are also cheap to get fixed - worth bearing in mind as a battery replacement and pressure test on a Tag Heuer is about £60, and Rolex servicing - although very good - is pushing £400.
I'm seriously liking the vostock models. have you ordered from the site you linked too? are they any good?
I've also found a sekonda watch which seems to fit the bill (well under budget too) are they any good?
all the one's I've seen so far are either manual wind-up, or automatics (wound by the motion of your wrist). haven't seen any mention of batteries.
all the one's I've seen so far are either manual wind-up, or automatics (wound by the motion of your wrist). haven't seen any mention of batteries.
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