Recommend a cheap dress watch?

[Bob]

It's just for looks.  I'm on the fence a bit about it actually working.  The one I had doesn't work and the band (faux leather I'm sure) cracked.

I'm looking for a black men's dress watch.  Plain face.  Just lines or inconspicuous Roman numerals.

Inexpensive.  The one I have now I wear maybe once or twice per year.  So for sure less than $100.  More like $50 on the high side, I think.   (And yes, thanks for the $500 watch recommendation you wrote anyway.  I'm not buying that.    )

I got a big confused on the size of the watch face when I was looking online.  I don't want something that's a giant circle on my wrist.  I think one was 44mm.  Then I saw a pic and the watch face looked huge.

[visitor]

Im a big watch geek.
Dress watches are smaller in general, 36mm is classic, some classic dress watches were a little smaller, but most guys will shy away from anything under 38. I would not go bigger than 40 but  honestlu for a true dess watch, >39 feel like its too big.

Quartz will save you over manual or automatic. Give you more options for designs.

Honestly i am a vintage watch lover so i really think you wlll find quality and value with used  and there are good little servicable [read not throw away] finds for about 100

Highest quality and good price will be something like Seiko, Orient, Citizen, maybe pulsar...read  japanese,
Stay away from fashion house watches, let.them make jeans, buy a watch from a watch company

Orient, you can find a nice automatic like a Orient Bambino a clean used one since new long island watch had them about 149, will probably be biggest value in dress auto space, looks more expensive than it is. U can get lucky and find someone unloading a used bambino under 100 sometimes

But good reliable solid quartz, Orient Capital'
99 bucks, attractive classic design
https://www.longislandwatch.com/Orient_UG1R009W_Dress_Watch_p/ug1r009w.htm?gclid=CJDEsN6GhdUCFZiEswodSg0F6g
Btw seiko owns orient so quality is there but the allow them to be a distinct watch house

40.5mm so its sy limit if what i would do dress wise but for a modern watch it works, most guys will want 40 to 42 so its in the sweet spot

[visitor]

Pulsar, another established brand, managed by seiko for a while, may still be, this is less classically dress but still simple enough lines and not chunky so its dressy, but not a dress watch per say, sale 48 buck
https://www.longislandwatch.com/Pulsar_Quartz_Watch_p/pta499x.htm


Good value, but spening a little more gets you more timeless design and quality, bit dang new, this is a good buy.

[visitor]

Middle ground, true dress watch, the flashes of two tone make it versatile, attractive nod to tank, its not a cartier hommage but definitely inspired by them
https://www.longislandwatch.com/Pulsar_Quartz_Watch_p/ph9049.htm

[visitor]

Citizen also japanese and well respected, ie myota automatic movements
This is a pretty little quartz, really thin, about 79 bucks
https://www.longislandwatch.com/Citizen_BD0041_03E_Watch_p/bd0041-03e.htm

[visitor]

Best new automatic value probably seiko 5, u kniw ut is not black, but its inexpensive and automatic, worth mentioning
This is an auto and less than 100, gold tone works as dress for a lot of people
https://www.longislandwatch.com/Seiko_SNXL72_Watch_p/snxl72.htm
More dress casual but nice, will work w a suit, not a tux, but business church nice dinner etc  works, ano no batteries to ever change

[visitor]

I said Bambino earlier, if you can stretch to 149, it is a really good "real"watch, a good number of people that collect more expensive and even  swiss  ones ,myself included, respect this little watch
Several styles , this one is slick
149
https://www.longislandwatch.com/Orient_AC0000AB_Dress_Watch_p/ac0000ab.htm

[visitor]

Again i love vintage watches and especially lately vintage dress watches, patina, and light scratches and all, makes me wonder what the watch saw in its previous life w first of previous owner(s)
This a cool little Benrus, you might be able to offer 95 and thats reasonable, they might take it

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Benrus-Antique-Manual-Wind-Leather-Band-Mens-Dress-Watch-/121662575347?hash=item1c53a792f3%3Ag%3Ac1MAAOSw3xJVZdyf&_trkparms=pageci%253Ad96f7051-676b-11e7-9fa8-74dbd180b0d8%257Cparentrq%253A39981ce315d0aa42e03f778bffeae2a3%257Ciid%253A11

[Bob]

Interesting.  I dug out the old watch.  It's not quite what I pictured.  I would swear it was a wind up watch too, and that's definitely not working.  The fake leather band just cracked apart again.  I looked up the brand and found nothing.  I think I just bought a cheap $5 watch a long time ago just for the look.

It's on the smaller side on my wrist which I liked, but it that's also making it look boarder line "jewelry" or a women's watch.  Not quite the ideal look I'd want. 

It's a black face.  No numerals or even lines at all.  I think I'd prefer lines, not 'nothing' and not Roman numerals.  Black face so it's less conspicuous.  Black band.  This one has a gold and steel case. 

I'm curious about taking the back off this old watch, but... I'm pretty sure it was wind up.  And if it's not quite the look -- it could look a bit like a women's watch -- then a new one sounds ok.  Even if this thing started working, it definitely needs a new band.  The band is stiff and brittle now. 

I do have the watch in hand though.  This looks like the minimum for smallness for sure.  A little bigger would be fine.  I could measure this and figure out what size it is and what would look right.

This Citizen watch might be along the lines of what I'm looking for.
https://www.longislandwatch.com/Citizen_BD0041_03E_Watch_p/bd0041-03e.htm


Thanks.  I didn't expect this many replies and all pretty much on target.  I just need to narrow in on what I'm thinking of and find that....

[Bob]

I've got a pair of calipers I could measure this old watch with. 

https://www.oldschoolleather.com/WatchBandSize.htm
Looks like it's measuring top to bottom from the parts that hold the band and also from left to right.

[Bob]

Hm.  This is what the cheapy old one I've got now looks like.
https://www.longislandwatch.com/Seiko_SUP875_Solar_Watch_p/sup875.htm
But it's $200...

Hm....

[visitor]

Bulova is good old american brand, they have a swiss and japanese line, citizen owns them now but they operate out of new york.
This quartz dress is less than 75, free ship, no tax, good quality and warranty and has the simplicity you asked about


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002IDTUHG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_Ad3zzb0VTEH76

[Bob]

It's getting there.  Except a black face looks nice, and it looks like I've got a ton of choices online.

I suppose silent would be another "must."  I hadn't thought of that before.  Although a watch ticking probably isn't that loud.

I did see some Seiko ones cheaper than the Long Island site that looked very similar.  If they're less than half the price though I wonder.  And one was at Walmart.

That Bulova one looks interesting though, except now I'm leaning toward a black face.  It's a nice, simple looking watch.

[Bob]

Hm. 

Black face.
https://www.amazon.com/Bulova-Quartz-Stainless-Leather-Casual/dp/B01I83FBEU/ref=pd_sim_241_3/135-8647277-3148532?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FH2HHDG966BE6414GXH3



Seiko on Amazon too, but the hour marks are kind of big.
https://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SNE050-Solar-Strap-Charcoal/dp/B0043ZXIY8/ref=pd_sim_241_22?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FH2HHDG966BE6414GXH3

Citizens.  A little different.  Still prominent hour marks and then number.  The numbers are interesting, but I want it simpler.
https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-BM8240-03E-Eco-Drive-Stainless-Leather/dp/B000EQS1D8/ref=pd_sim_241_40?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FH2HHDG966BE6414GXH3


This is getting too plain though.  I still want those hours marks, but just a little.  With this one my brain is spending energy double checking the time.
https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-AU1065-07E-Eco-Drive-Axiom-Leather/dp/B00CB9A3UK/ref=pd_sim_241_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2XHR0X1WNG6ZMVGRFNC7

[Bob]

This one looks interesting, but I don't know about the brand.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZH7DH9/ref=pd_luc_rh_spmrai?psc=1

And it looks a bit large on everyone's wrists in the video.

[visitor]

This watch is a stewl at 29.99 prime ships free wittnaur is a good old established swiss brand. Markes down, gold nit black but its classic/timeless
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OQJ5YF2/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_241_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P4W8808TJA23VEX411YV&dpPl=1&dpID=51JDzIQ-JZL




Note as a classic dress watch it is smaller in size tha n usual moder , but thats what makes it attractive.

[visitor]

spam

[visitor]

Skagen Denmark is well known for good inexpensive but well designed pieces, minimalist allroach throughout the line
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01BCEP0GQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1500146744&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=skagen+black&dpPl=1&dpID=41bDg3n3xqL&ref=plSrch#immersive-view_1500146782291


90 bucks

[Bob]

I thought I was getting close.  They look interesting.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EHC6HDK/ref=ox_sc_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

But then they look huge on the wrist.

[visitor]

I thought I was getting close.  They look interesting.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EHC6HDK/ref=ox_sc_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

But then they look huge on the wrist.

skagen = modern so will be big ie 40mm hence why I suggest classic dress watches in 36 to 38mm range for most part
Ingersoll is a cool old brand now owned by a different co so they are marketed as affordable typically Asian manufacturing but cool retro designs in their midline
I like the fun pop mickey gives this one ,  40mm though again modern trend is towards bigger watches, a lot of men won't wear less than 40 mm or so, hence tough to find classic sizes in that 34 to 39 sweets pot
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00YBB0QHQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1500159534&sr=8-24&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=ingersoll+quartz#

[visitor]

Slightly over 100 but not much since if you bought at 100 and paid tax , just a few bucks more gets you a pretty good swiss mov watch that is under the higher end movado company
Esq , black dress, simple, small and black metal band make for a cool spin on the concept
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008JWMKCC/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1500160291&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=esq+black+quartz&dpPl=1&dpID=41QjPmiuA%2BL&ref=plSrch&dpPl=1&dpID=41QjPmiuA%2BL&ref=plSrch

[Bob]

That would be amusing to have a little emblem on the watch, but not "The Mouse."



https://www.amazon.com/Frederique-Constant-Manufacture-Tourbillon-Silicium/dp/B01LRBOQUU/ref=sr_1_40?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1500161007&sr=1-40&nodeID=6358540011&psd=1&refinements=p_n_size_four_browse-vebin%3A6896040011%2Cp_n_feature_five_browse-bin%3A8755753011%2Cp_n_feature_nine_browse-bin%3A5021360011%2Cp_n_size_two_browse-vebin%3A2205718011
This one's a little more than I was thinking.  Too bad you still have to pay $5 shipping at that price.

[Bob]

Got out my caliper.  Measuring my digital, everyday watch

up/down, post-to-post is 48mm
up/down, case is 40mm
left/right, case is 38mm (measuring case, not buttons sticking out)


Previous dress watch...
up/down, post to post  41mm
up/down, case 34mm
left/right case 34mm (actually, diagonal since the case widens for the button)

34mm does look a bit small/half girlish on my wrist.

38mm for the digital watch looks ok.  Although it's just an extra 2mm to 40mm.  That can't make that big of a deal.

[Bob]

This one's looking more interesting.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BCEP0GQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
40mm


Although I keep noticing this one for looks.  Reviews are that good.  Not sure about the brand.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZH7DH9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=A3LY82VSIBHIWS&psc=1

[visitor]

Timex Fairfield is nice, 41mm so tad on large side but wears small due to proportions, nice watch 79 bucks, but again i prefer 38 and under for a dress, but those are rare, everyone wants 40 to 42mm lately...

https://www.timex.com/the-fairfield/TW2R26000ZA.html?redirect=false&gclid=CPOakpSLjtUCFdxMDQoddlkIq

[Bob]

Yep, that would higher on the list.


Found this other one.  Not quite it yet.
https://www.seikowatches.com/collections/premier/men_V157.html


This one doesn't look so bad.
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/tudor-style-watch-review/
   Ooops....  The starting price is a little high.


This one doesn't look too bad.
https://www.amazon.com/Bulova-Quartz-Stainless-Leather-Casual/dp/B01I83FBEU/ref=cts_wa_1_vtp?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2897711222&pf_rd_r=32G7XB5YX8A1C8J84N52&pd_rd_wg=uIInW&pf_rd_s=desktop-detail-softlines&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B01I83FBEU&pd_rd_w=QsdLz&pf_rd_i=desktop-detail-softlines&pd_rd_r=32G7XB5YX8A1C8J84N52&_encoding=UTF8

[visitor]

Yep, that would higher on the list.


Found this other one.  Not quite it yet.
https://www.seikowatches.com/collections/premier/men_V157.html


This one doesn't look so bad.
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/tudor-style-watch-review/
   Ooops....  The starting price is a little high.


This one doesn't look too bad.
https://www.amazon.com/Bulova-Quartz-Stainless-Leather-Casual/dp/B01I83FBEU/ref=cts_wa_1_vtp?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2897711222&pf_rd_r=32G7XB5YX8A1C8J84N52&pd_rd_wg=uIInW&pf_rd_s=desktop-detail-softlines&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B01I83FBEU&pd_rd_w=QsdLz&pf_rd_i=desktop-detail-softlines&pd_rd_r=32G7XB5YX8A1C8J84N52&_encoding=UTF8

i think i suggested that bulova before,
Tudor is one of my fav brands, they are part of rolex, the quality and finishing is superb, but less expensive movements, and not as much of a premium on brand, but no lezs wonderful, you can buy a used tudor, wear a couple yeara amd sell it for about what you paid, some people actually flip them and makr a bit on money ie sell for more than purchased, similar to rolex in that regard, robust used and resale market

Good choice and the 38mm super practical

[Bob]

Yeah, this might be it.  I've found it twice.  Brand is ok'd by visitor.

https://www.amazon.com/Bulova-Quartz-Stainless-Leather-Casual/dp/B01I83FBEU/ref=pd_sim_241_3/135-8647277-3148532?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FH2HHDG966BE6414GXH3
Bulova Men's Classic Collection Black Leather Strap Watch
$112

It's 40mm but 38mm doesn't seem too easy to find.


Only 40mm I guess.
https://www.bulova.com/collections/mens-classic-watches/products/98a167

[Bob]

How is it powered?  A battery?

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1050/8996/files/950-manual.pdf?15529454339569155663

I see "power cell...."  Is this a replaceable battery?

It must...
https://www.energizer.com/specialty-battery-finder/bulova-watch-battery-replacement

[visitor]

How is it powered?  A battery?

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1050/8996/files/950-manual.pdf?15529454339569155663

I see "power cell...."  Is this a replaceable battery?

It must...
https://www.energizer.com/specialty-battery-finder/bulova-watch-battery-replacement

Its not a bad watch at all, most important w a watch,  do YOU like it? That is  all that realy matters once you sort the turds (garbage and low end.brands out).
Powercell almost certainly means battery, citizen does have solar powercells, and citizen owns buly, but honestly do not think applies here.

At 112 though you are in very close orient automatic territory, ie a used bambino ii...those do not ever need batteties....
But again the look, lines, thiness of the watch,new watch warranty by reputable brand that will not be going out of business anytime soon...lot of boxed checked on that piece.

Sweet little watch. And you might look for anauthoirzed bulova dealer and see if you can go out and see it, try it on , etc, see how that case looks on you, then buy online and save $$

[Bob]

Done.  Ordered it.  Good enough.

Project is wrapped up.  

Thanks for the advice visitor.  I probably would have bought a crappy watch otherwise.

[visitor]

[Bob]

Thanks again.  The watch arrived today. 40mm looks just right.  Not too big, not too small. 

It doesn't have a second hand, but thinking about it more, I don't think I'd want one.  More distraction if it ever was noticed during a performance.  I was wondering if the watch would make a ticking sound.  It doesn't.


It's still surprising how difficult it is to find clothing or something that's just plain and simple.

[visitor]

How's the watch Bob?
I sold a few of mine and consolidated the funds Into a few pieces of I had been wanting for a while along with some watch tools for basic stuff like chaning out bands removing links  and case backs etc

[Bob]

Used once which was the plan for now.  Back on the shelf indefinitely again.

I was debating on whether I should take the battery out if it might be a year before I use it again.  But that could scratch the back up.

[visitor]

Used once which was the plan for now.  Back on the shelf indefinitely again.

I was debating on whether I should take the battery out if it might be a year before I use it again.  But that could scratch the back up.

usually pulling the crown out like you are setting the time stops the battery on most quartz but be careful to store it properly and not drop since the crown stem is vulnerable to damage when pulled

[Bob]

https://i.imgur.com/xpnJBEq.gifv