Looking at either the Suunto Ambit 2 Sapphire:

http://www.suunto.com/en-US/Products/Sports-Watches/Suunto-Ambit2/Suunto-Ambit2-Sapphire/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=suunto%2Bambit%2B2%2Bsaphire&utm_campaign=Suunto%2BAmbit&CMPID=PSSUGGRFUS_suunto%2Bambit%2B2%2Bsaphire



Or the Garmin Fenix 2:

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/fenix-2/prod159116.html



The Garmin is a little more featured (bluetooth to phone, etc) but the Suunto comes in a Sapphire Crystal face in stainless steal...

4/23/2014 11:07:26 AM

Personally I think the Garmin looks better. What features are you looking for?

4/23/2014 11:31:23 AM

Agreed. It's cheaper and looks a little more techy. Although I'm really drawn towards the Sapphire Crystal on the Suunto. If It's going to be an outdoor watch it needs to be durable and my last few watches I've purchased are Sapphire.

From the reviews I've read the Suunto watches are a little easier to use and polished. There's some bugs in the Garmin Ambit 2 but they should be worked out soon. Although they aren't releasing the Android firmware until this summer. Not a huge deal as I don't know how much I'll actually be connecting it to my phone (although it might be useful as a smart watch).

Primarily I'd use it for everything it's good for. Mainly running, biking, hiking, backpacking, definitely skiing. Right now I use my phone for skiing for tracking and it's annoying. Both these watches seem to do all those pretty well. I think it just comes down to UI and design. The Suunto did come out more than a year ago so I may wait a little and see if they release an Ambit 3 over the next few months.

REI has both so I guess I could always try them out...

4/23/2014 11:47:05 AM

Didn't realize how active this thread was.

So yeah, the features on that Citizen are legit. FYI you can get 10% off just about any citizen on amazon right now and sign up for a stackable 20% off code too that's how it came out to be 312.

As far as the Invicta goes, I was under the assumption it was automatic therefore sweeping hand and had the submariner look with a "somewhat" legit reputation. AKA you can wear it without getting looks like you bought a folex for 5.00 off the street corner. That said, I'd probably be just as well off at that price point with the 88/66 dollar version that has japanese guts than the swiss.

I'll probably pull the trigger on the Citizen because yeah, that's an amazing price. UGH Titanium version $60 more and includes free overnight shipping, lol.

4/23/2014 5:37:55 PM

I was quite impressed with the titanium version. A buddy of mine had it. It almost felt too light though. It's nicer holding a watch that has some weight to it.

4/23/2014 6:11:53 PM

From one of posts a while ago in this thread, way cheaper than amazon:

Quote :

"cheap online retailers: http://www.creationwatches.com/ http://www.princetonwatches.com/ http://www.skywatches.com.sg/ amazing selection of japanese that are not found in US http://www.watches88.com/ also wow with regards to japanese selection http://www.newatch.com/ http://www.watchismo.com/ god damn! http://www.nywatchstore.com/ http://www.worldofwatches.com/ some of the lowest prices anywhere http://www.nywatchstore.com/ http://www.wristzonewatches.com/ http://www.thetimezone.us/ http://www.ashford.com/ http://www.jomashop.com/ http://www.uniquemechanics.com/ http://monterojoyeros.com/ http://www.azfinetime.com/ "

4/23/2014 6:23:11 PM

Yeah here's that Citizen for $299:

http://www.jomashop.com/citizen-watch-at4008-51e.html

4/23/2014 8:12:24 PM

^damn, I saw it for 399 on ebay. That's an even better deal considering sales tax now with amazon. If anything it buys me more time to make my decision rather than to think i have to jump on amazon's 30% off.

I want to spend more time on http://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/wiki/buyingguide

And sell an electronic cigarette mod first to cover the cost of the watch.

Leave one hobby for what may end up being another one......

This is the other one I was looking at on amazon for 277 with 2 day prime.
http://www.jomashop.com/citizen-watch-cb0020-50e.html

[Edited on April 23, 2014 at 9:30 PM. Reason : ]

4/23/2014 9:26:16 PM

That's very similar to the Citizen I got at Costco a while back for $199.

It's basically the same as the at4008 but without the Chronograph.

Still has radio, perpetual calendar, sapphire crystal, and has a better world clock:

4/24/2014 11:13:46 AM

I like that one.^

4/24/2014 2:39:51 PM

Yeah at $199 it was an amazing deal. You can rarely find watches with a Sapphire face for that much. Not to mention all the other features. I never have to set it, date is always right. Basically zero maintenance. It's awesome. The world feature is great as well as I travel a good bit and it's really easy to change time zones.

4/24/2014 2:41:57 PM

TBH, if pebble steel hadn't been on back order when i checked a couple weeks ago I would have impulse purchased.

4/25/2014 7:39:46 PM

so is it ok to give knock off watches as gifts if they're really good knock offs??? I have a friend who can get me a fake hublot and my ass can't afford a real one sooooooooooooo


yea? no?

I really like the bigger bang all black



the real thing is around $200k according to the internets

6/12/2014 10:34:41 PM

no

6/12/2014 11:58:43 PM

Womp womp ok

Could I get a decent watch in the 300-400 dollar range you think??

6/13/2014 7:55:29 AM

In that price range I'll suggest Citizen again. You can get a sapphire crystal, perpetual calendar, solar powered, atomic clock, chronograph watch for that.

http://www.jomashop.com/citizen-watch-at9010-52e.html

I really like this one as well as it's titanium but it's harder to find for cheaper:

http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-AT4010-50E-Titanium-Dress-Watch/dp/B005BS2ENC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402675117&sr=8-1&keywords=citizen+at

6/13/2014 12:01:22 PM

definitely.

http://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/wiki/buyingguide

6/13/2014 12:03:26 PM

^The top comment is the same watch I just mentioned (the non-titanium version so it's cheaper):

http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-AT4008-51E-Perpetual-Chrono-Watch/dp/B005BSEOXK

Exact same watch just stainless steel. I actually like a heavier watch. Titanium watches feel cheap.

-And it's also a great present for a guy. Especially if he's a gear head or like's gadgets. It's got everything:

1. Sapphire crystal
2. Perpetual calendar (never have to set the date)
3. Radio controller atomic clock (never have to set the time - always accurate)
4. Chronograph
5. Solar powered
6. WR to 200M
7. World timezone options

[Edited on June 13, 2014 at 12:09 PM. Reason : s]

6/13/2014 12:07:17 PM

I actually have that watch in stainless and in the back version with blue accents love them both no battery to worry about automatically updates for daylight savings and the date is always correct I have had one for over 2 years and still very happy with it.

6/13/2014 12:27:59 PM

dropdeadkate, you can get a ton of awesome watches in that range

citizen eco-drives
citizen automatics
seiko automatics
seiko kinetics
orient automatics

(those are all japanese, and for $400 you can get the higher end models)

plus, also basic models from swiss brands such as tissot, kobler, alfex, esq by movado, victorinox, wenger, and some more.

see this post of mine... you can thank me later:

message_topic.aspx?topic=604079&page=9#15548340

6/13/2014 2:12:50 PM

Anyone have any thoughts on this one?? I can only go by "oh it looks nice" but idk if it's missing important features or anything

http://aarkcollective.com/products/iconic/iconic-graphite

6/13/2014 2:41:29 PM

I have a Victorinox watch I like.

There's stuff like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-241436-Maverick-Stainless/dp/B0040FNR0G/ref=sr_1_1?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1402683848&sr=1-1&keywords=victorinox+swiss+army+241436

Good deal for $300. Sapphire crystal as well. Have to deal with a battery and resetting the calendar day every month but a decent watch.

^Not too familiar with the brand. I would usually stay away from designer watches and get something with a reputable movement.

Stick to stuff like this for the price range:

Quote :

"citizen eco-drives citizen automatics seiko automatics seiko kinetics orient automatics"

Plus that one is kind of ugly. I imagine it would be hard to see in various light conditions...

[Edited on June 13, 2014 at 3:58 PM. Reason : s]

6/13/2014 3:56:42 PM

While I understand that the style isnt for everyone, the watch isn't for you. I was more asking if it had necessary features to make it worth the money.

I read a review that was pretty positive about all three styles of their watches. I'll probably read a few more before actually purchasing it.

6/13/2014 4:18:34 PM

It really depends who you're buying the watch for. Designer watches (still not familiar with the brand) typically just use cheaper movements and aren't great watches (other than maybe looking cool).

They're going to be over priced as well. You're basically paying for the label. Most of those cool looking watches in the mall by all the clothing brands are usually just cheap Fossil watches re-branded.

I'm not saying that's the case with this particular watch but it's something to keep in mind.

As far as "features" go it does have a sapphire crystal which is a plus but it's still a generic Japanese movement with a battery (not solar or automatic).

If who you're buying it for doesn't really care about watches and is more concerned with looks then sure it might be a good accessory to buy for him but if you want to buy him a watch then I'd consider reputable watch brands with better movements. Brands like Victorinox, Seiko, Citizen, and Orient are well established brands with good movements that are actually worth the money and have very affordable watches in the $300-500 range.

IMO a guy who dresses nice and wears a designer watch shows that he really isn't a watch guy and it's just an accessory. If a guy dresses nice with a classic watch that's recognizable it means he put some time into deciding on a watch (or has someone who put time into picking out the watch for a gift) and actually cares that he's wearing a watch not just a fashion accessory. Just my opinion though. Everyone is different.

[Edited on June 13, 2014 at 4:50 PM. Reason : s]

6/13/2014 4:48:22 PM

that helps a lot more than telling me it is ugly. thanks

I do kinda like that all black citizen one posted earlier in the thread

edit: oh just saw that pebble steel. probably gonna get that he likes all that techy crap he'll like messing around with it

6/13/2014 4:51:36 PM

If you like dark watches Victorinox has been pretty cool ones too as does Seiko. This is the first watch I bought a while back:

6/13/2014 4:59:16 PM

Although dark watches have a PVD coating and they usually wear off over time. With a stainless steel watch it's not going to fade or anything.

6/13/2014 5:03:50 PM

oh i like that one

i'm glad i have months to figure this out. this is moderately overwhelming.

6/13/2014 5:15:57 PM

neodata, I wouldn't call that a "designer" brand. When I hear "designer" brand, I think D&G, Burberry, Armani, etc, i.e., fashion companies that make watches but use Swiss or Japanese movements.

That one that ddk posted, I would call it a specialty or niche brand. There are tons of brands like that, started by independent artists or design school grads.

ddk, I looked at it, they use Japanese movements, which most specialty brands use as they are reliable. Go for it if you like it.

Check out http://www.watchismo.com if you want to your face to look like for the next few days!

6/13/2014 5:45:33 PM

Yeah I got that impression after taking a second look.

6/13/2014 5:58:38 PM

i'm digging the simplicity of this lacoste watch that BobbyDigital posted a few pages back.

i'd really like to own a rolex and some point...not really because they are the cliche "expensive watch", but because i really do think they are the best looking watches out there. considering getting a bulova watch soon.

6/20/2014 7:18:38 PM

TIL that apparently most of my watches aren't actually watches because they're not from an established "watchmaker". Oh well.

(Amusing as the one that is a "real" watch, a Seiko Automatic, was all of $60. Unless it doesn't count as it's from their "5" line.)

I'd love an Omega or a TAG but can't bring myself to spend $1K+ on a watch. And the majority of the Citizens just don't do it for me.

[Edited on June 22, 2014 at 2:19 PM. Reason : d]

6/22/2014 2:18:44 PM

^ so what brands do you have aside from the Seiko?

6/23/2014 4:00:17 AM

Quote :

"And the majority of the Citizens just don't do it for me."

That sucks. Citizen has so many cool affordable watches.

6/23/2014 11:03:54 AM

^^ 3 Nixons, 1 Fossil, 1 Pulsar (which I almost never wear), an off-brand that was a gift, plus the aforementioned Seiko.

^I'll probably end up with an Eco-drive sooner or later, I know they're quality and budget-friendly, I just don't prefer the chronograph style that most of theirs seem to be.

6/23/2014 2:17:51 PM

I have a Hamilton automatic that is running a little slow. It used to be pretty good, around +3-4 seconds a day. Now it's gotten to the point where I have to reset it often. It's around 4 years old, so it probably wouldn't hurt to have it serviced anyways. Can anyone recommend someone local, or would it just be better for me to send it back to Swatch to have it checked out?

6/26/2014 11:57:02 PM

Since getting married and wearing a gold wedding ring I've been wanting an all gold watch and this was about the only thing that was relatively cheap that caught my attention.

6/27/2014 12:12:54 AM

I've had good luck with Nixon watches; I have three (District, Quattro, Rotolog). Quite like the style, and the Sentry SS is one I've contemplated also. The only issue I've had is with the finish on the bottom of the band starting to wear slightly over time (where my wrist rests against a desk or table presumably.) None of mine are goldtone so I don't know if you'd see it or not, but it's something to consider if it's an everyday-wear piece (more related to metal bands that have a finish other than plain stainless, rather than Nixon branded in particular).

6/27/2014 12:48:19 AM

Thanks for the heads up, I'm a bit of a watch whore so it might see action like 2-3 times a month haha

6/27/2014 1:05:40 AM

All gold lol, those are for 60 year olds!

6/28/2014 9:01:31 AM

Yeah I don't think I would ever wear an all gold colored watch.

6/28/2014 2:48:10 PM

http://www.swatch.com/zz_en/sistem51.html

WANT!!

7/2/2014 7:53:04 AM

Quote :

"^I'll probably end up with an Eco-drive sooner or later, I know they're quality and budget-friendly, I just don't prefer the chronograph style that most of theirs seem to be."

Actually, Eco-Drives come in a variety of styles, including the bulky chrono styles, but also dress watches, sporty ones, urban styles with fabric/rubber, etc. I have 2, one is a dress watch, and one is a contemporary/urban style with fabric strap.

See my post at near top of the current page... more than a dozen sites where you can find awesome watches for cheap, including lots of Seikos, Citizens, and Orients that are Asia-only models.

This is one of the ones I have, it comes in 5 different color/material combinations. If you like it, do a GIS for

BU0035
BU0030
BU0003
BU0011 (2 colors, one is mine)

7/3/2014 1:53:22 AM

I like their new AT series. It's great if you travel frequently because it has a second time zone in the smaller watch and lets you swap them by pressing both smaller buttons.

http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-AT9010-52E-Stainless-Perpetual-Calendar/dp/B00E0TPHDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404400838&sr=8-1&keywords=citizen+eco+drive+at+9010

7/3/2014 11:22:43 AM

titanium ecodrive chronograph

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/citizen-chronograph-50/citizen-eco-drive-chronograph-super-titanium-ca0021-53a-mens-watch-3523.html

435 199

7/7/2014 6:53:30 AM

Don't know why but I just don't like white faces. It just looks like something a really old person would wear.

7/7/2014 11:18:17 AM

depends on the rest of the watch. that one (^^) does look like a grandpa watch to me. However, the watch I'm wearing has a white face and doesn't look like an old person watch at all to me.

[Edited on July 7, 2014 at 11:42 AM. Reason : ]

7/7/2014 11:41:37 AM

oh believe me, i don't like it either, as it is too plain for me. i always want contrast in my watches, and all my watches do have contrast between the major components.

just posted it in case someone is interested.

7/7/2014 12:19:30 PM

50 watches on sale, including Tissots and automatic Seikos and Orients.

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/clearance-sale-297

7/28/2014 8:33:08 AM

Pretty informative article on the apple watch from a "watch guy". I haven't worn a watch since college, so it's kind of appealing to me. I think I can wait a generation or two for it to add more features, but its definitely in my wheelhouse:

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/hodinkee-apple-watch-review

9/11/2014 10:23:53 AM