A watch that won't leak...ever.

[manonfire1007]

Ok, those that know watches better than I. Most watches struggle to handle rapid temp variation (swimming pool to hot tub and back) for obvious reasons. I grew up with the basic times ironman watches that served me well, but the new variety leak badly. It is time to upgrade.
I need a watch that :
1. Looks like it belongs on the wrist of someone with a few letters after their name.
2. Can take daily abuse and a lot of water temp variation without blinking.
3. Isn't overly large for my girly wrists (I often go with the mid size version).
4. Sub 500$.

Suggestions?

[Vigilant]

At the sub $500 level I would look at Citizen, maybe Victorinox. If you want digital, Suunto.

[AlwaysVigilant]

This can be had for close to that, and its different.

[AlwaysVigilant]

Boschett make good stuff too. They use the same movements as the Seikos but you don't see the, everyday. Here is their Cave Dweller....it's a little bigger at 44 mm but nice.

[Dr_Dave]

Look at seiko solar dive. I almost never take mine off. Has samestem as on my Rolex. Never have to replace battery or change time (dst excluded).

[Vigilant]

You can also find a used TAG Formula somewhere near that price range.

[JPourciau]

Check out Momentum M1 by St. Moritz. I was able to find mine for under $100 on sale. They also have other similar models that cost a bit more...

[Steve Paulson]

30003

The original waterproof watch. :tongue:

[MRick]

You cant go wrong with a Citizen or Seiko Dive Watch. Choose a quality eco drive or Automatic between $150-$500. I personally prefer the Citizen Professional Diver for its utility and looks. Also check out the Marathon GSAR and similar divers as they are Canadian made and use ETA swiss Movements.

[manonfire1007]

Excellent. I am asking the right people. Thank you.

[Saladin]

+ 2 on the Marathons, either C-SAR or J-SARs are available used in the upper end of that range.
I was surprisingly "gifted" one by a group of "aircrew" I trained with a couple of years ago.

It has replaced my TAG Aviator for "everyday" use and performs flawlessly.

[MRick]

Here's a Top 20 list of affordable dive watches. Notice how many Seikos are on there :cool:

http://www.pmwf.com/Watches/T20PMW%20List%20Table.htm

[Goodspeed(TPF)]

I never had an issue with any of the Rolex watches that I ever owned as far as survivability of the elements goes, weather I was at high altitude/flying, or under the Sea. I did however, have an issue with every single one of them running fast. I had a lot of headaches with customer service due to the fact that they could not provide me with one that simply kept accurate time. I will not own another. I have found exactly what I was looking for in my Stainless Heuer PVD Automatic Chronograph Lemania 5100 watch, though. So give them a look see. ETA: Found the model. 510.503 Pewter (Silver) Dial / Pewter PVD Finished Stainless Steel Case/Bracelet http://chronomaddox.com/heuer5100s.html

[PRDubi]

Marathon tsar owner..love mines to,death..Great forever watch.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[Dr. Keith Seto]

Seiko makes a nice watch.

The Marathons are also nice.

The ETA 2824 automatic movement is often used by both companies and is pretty reliable.

[Dr_Dave]

I never had an issue with any of the Rolex watches that I ever owned as far as survivability of the elements goes, weather I was at high altitude/flying, or under the Sea. I did however, have an issue with every single one of them running fast. I had a lot of headaches with customer service due to the fact that they could not provide me with one that simply kept accurate time. I will not own another. I have found exactly what I was looking for in my Stainless Heuer PVD Automatic Chronograph Lemania 5100 watch, though. So give them a look see. ETA: Found the model. 510.503 Pewter (Silver) Dial / Pewter PVD Finished Stainless Steel Case/Bracelet http://chronomaddox.com/heuer5100s.html
Lol I have the same issue with my Rolex but they addressed it for me. Not sure if it was Rolex or my local watch maker who is Rolex factory cert.

[MRick]

Lol I have the same issue with my Rolex but they addressed it for me. Not sure if it was Rolex or my local watch maker who is Rolex factory cert.

Rolex along with many other Automatic movements are considered in time if they are about +- 15 seconds a day. There is a mainspring adjustment that can be fiddled with to speed up or slow down the movment if its in excess of this. Most watchmakers will purposely set the watch a little fast as the watches slow down a bit as they wear in. Most will be in the +3-5 seconds a day range which is considered pretty darn good for an Automatic. Having a slow watch can get annoying as over the course of a month if you don't periodically adjust it you'll be late ;-)

[Tank50]

My Seiko Automatic Diver runs a little fast. Doesn't really bother me as no one gets too upset if you're early to a meeting.

[ZMB HNTR]

You cant go wrong with a Citizen or Seiko Dive Watch. Choose a quality eco drive or Automatic between $150-$500. I personally prefer the Citizen Professional Diver for its utility and looks. Also check out the Marathon GSAR and similar divers as they are Canadian made and use ETA swiss Movements.

+1 to Citizen, mine has been a tank and is just stylish enough as an everyday choice.

[NateR]

I like my Citizen, but perhaps it is not rugged enough for everyday wear (either that, or I am unusually hard on gear). Mine has a sapphire crystal face, but the lack of a raised bezel on this model may have been its Achilles heel:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/02/e9e8usuv.jpg

So, I'm back to wearing an old G-Shock until I get the Citizen repaired.

My next watch will be a Marathon TSAR.

N

[DaveJames]

I like the Deep Blue , that was given to me , it is the Military T-100 model and they use the Citizen 8215 works. Running well so far

[EDELWEISS]

Im a huge Rolex fan; but theres no question anything quartz will keep better time and that last I checked they were in the 10K range... They are definitely an investment and will be a family heirloom. The same can be said for Omegas; but they also offer quartz models, unfortunately they arent in your price range. I know its a bitter thing; but like buying a top tier rifle, a top tier watch is ultimately worth the cost.

In your price range I cant speak highly enough for the Marathons. In the sub Rolex range the Marathons are as close as Ive found to top tier. Im not bad mouthing Seiko, Ive had some good experiences with Seiko automatics.

Im gonna guess you have a dozen things with you daily that tell time, cell phone, computer, etc. So time telling is only one reason to wear a watch. Sure part of it is convenience; but a good watch also says a lot about the person wearing it.

You might consider buying used... My Omega Speedmaster was bought used for pennies of the new cost because it was one of the ones before they put the "First Watch on the Moon" logo on the back.