Hi everyone my nephew has come to me and asked me for a mechanical watch for his birthday. He will be turning 9. He told me he wants something that looks like a Rolex.... so if anyone has something that looks good, polished( I hate that word but he wants something to look new), 30-36mm and running let me know. Not looking to spend big $$$ looking for cheap. Ebay links would be great as well. Thanks!!

Cheers
Chad

 

Timex has a new mechanical tribute to the original Marlin, available. It has been a topic on the MB recently. If you use the archive feature, you should be able to locate the thread. It does not look like a Rolex! Or you can go here:

https://www.timex.com/browse/collections/marlin/

Reports are that the high demand for this watch has meant that supply can be spotty. Let us know what you settle on.

 

@chadpowe11 - What's "cheap" actually mean in currency?

You can often find Bulova Super Sevilles on eBay for under $200, sometimes much less, if you don't mind a few imperfections. They're clones of the Rolex Day / Date on the President bracelet and are really nice in stainless steel.

 

@chadpowe11 - as well as the Bulova Super Sevilles, you can try the Titoni Cosmo Kings and Technos Star Chiefs. Similar to the Presidential as well.

I have a Star Chief on it's original bracelet however it's missing a stem and crown and needs some work :x

 

What do you consider cheap?

 

Thanks for the comments guys like to keep it around 100-200 usd. I’m not sure how he’s going to look after it. Already explained to him he can’t get it wet and he has to look after it but he will only be 9 when he gets it.

That Bulova is great!

Cheers
Chad

 

If it's to be a new watch I'd recommend a seiko 5, if second hand is ok then a trip to any local auction house and you can pick up any number of things pretty cheaply, though a service will need to be payed for after purchase. Good luck and let us know what you go for.

 

For 200$ you should also find a nice waterproof brand new Seiko or Orient mechanical wristwatch, with black or Pepsi bezel (Rolex style).

 

Could also get an Alpha chronograph with Daytona styling - mechanical, jubilee bracelet and all for less than $200US.

 

Seiko 5 series . Tons of choices right in your budget .

https://www.jomashop.com/seiko-5-watches.html for example .

 

Thanks everyone for all the help and input. Greatly appreciated. Will have a look at all those that are recommended and will let you all know the choice when I pick one up.

Cheers
Chad

 

It’s very had to get , I finally managed to snag one after months of misses and it’s small (old school dress watch) ... Seiko 5.

 

It also seems ludicrously overpriced to me for what it is - but I guess with the fact that they can't keep it in stock it isn't... Without researching it I assume it is likely a Sea-Gull movement.

 

Its actually quite well finished. The strap is a POS so I need to fix that. For $200 it doesn't feel over priced.

 

Back when I started in on watches I pretty much only bought affordables, and still have several that I don't wear any longer. Considering that the movement is a Sea-Gull ST-6 that might have cost Timex $10-15 in bulk, I'm going to guess that the rest of the watch is probably produced in China as well. Note - I don't mean that this is a bad thing at all. Several of the affordable watches that I own have very good fit and finish, especially when you factor in that they cost $60-$120 dollars. Heck one of them was custom built exactly as I requested, and even came with an amazingly good handmade/hand-stitched real oiled leather strap for that price. Coming from that background, $200 for this watch when you can get a Seiko Recraft for $120, or any other number of reasonably well made Chinese watches for less than $100 seems overpriced, at least to me.

https://www.jomashop.com/seiko-watch-snkn69.html

 

Timex has a plant in Phillipines. I think that’s the assy point. Why important? It’s a nice watch. It’s a Timex and it’s a return to mechanical from an iconic brand. It’s selling faster than they can make them. It’s good for the industry. It’s cool and fashionable. It’s 34mm. Millennials are snapping them up. More to come?

 

What about one of those marathon field mechanical watches?

 

Little update. I just received a Seiko 5 and damn must say it is nice. Thanks everyone for all your help and suggestions! Much appreciated.

Here’s a photo



Cheers
Chad

 

Can't beat one of those for the price.