dear all,

I have a nice collection of Omega watches- two 30t2s and a Speedy Alaska. Until recently I also had a kickstarter diver watch which I liked, but looked a bit too casual and quite unwearable in business environments.

I travel alot for work, mostly to Latin America- and sometimes to slightly dicey places (Ciudad del Este, Paso Canoas etc...). I've been looking for a sub $1k mechanical watch I could wear without attracting too much attention, and that also has decent water resistance. As such, I was thinking about a diver.

I had my eye on a Helson Skindiver, and a Halios.

At this point I haven't pulled the trigger yet, but the criteria would be: discrete, business ok, waterproof, mechanical movement (no quartz or mechaquartz) and sub $1,000.

Any ideas?

Thanks alot

 

Seiko?

 

+1 for Seiko - I just bought a SARB017 and its WR is 200m. Maybe also consider Hamilton and Orient. If you fancy going a bit less common, the Magrette Dual Time is a nice piece of kit (and pretty practical). Then there's always a 24 hour purist Glycine.......choices, choices

 

Sinn?

 

+1. Specifically the Sinn 556 (two variants 556i with no numerals and glossy dial, 556A 12,3,6,9 and matte dial). 38.5mm case with a screw down crown. Basically a “poor man’s explorer” in my eyes. Here are pics of my (now sold) 556i


There are hundreds of Seikos to pick from too, one of the new turtles or Samurais could fit the bill even though on the sportier side(I have the PADI Turtle SRPA21)

Another micro brand to consider is Raven. They just released their new watch the Venture (42mm dive watch)
I have their previous release the trekker and am blown away at the quality. If the venture were a bit smaller I would be getting one

http://www.ravenwatches.com/venture/

Squale has a great selection under 1000 as well (GMT also!). I know @Jking has a BLNR style one and loves it!

If you want more options I can keep brain storming! I’m hoping to get a Halios Seaforth too btw!

 

Can firmly recommend Halios, although mine might be a little casual for some to wear with a suit...

 

I know it's not in your budget but an Omega 2234.50 is a fantastic travel watch. The quick set hour hand allows you to adjust the time, when changing timezones, without hacking the movement. Photo taken from this forum.

 

A vintage Seiko ticked the box for me, for the reasons you mention above.
Granted I haven't chanced it with diving. But wouldn't hesitate with a newer model.
Have bonded very well with mine.

 

I got a Stienhart two years ago and caned in sun sea sand and more. Couldn't hurt it and gave it to my Nephew who lost it on a train poor guy but no real harm done.

So I vote this

https://omegaforums.net/threads/for-sale-steinhart-ocean-gmt-pepsi-without-the-cyclops.66882/

 

Never owned one, but a lot of people like Steinharts.

 

Sinn or Seiko, for sure.

How do you feel about vintage divers (super compressors - either 36mm or 42mm) ??

Most are bulletproof

 

I bought this Mido w/ an Aquadura Case for 600 bucks and I love it. Box, papers and a full service (from Mido!)

Easily fits under the tightest and be-spoked dress shirt cuffs and it looks great (she's only like 10.5mm)

The Valjoux 7750 is a workhorse.

Get one of these, you won't regret.

 

Dan Henry 1963 (Breitling Co-Pilot wannabe )
Love it to bits / which is why I'd suggest their new 40mm supercompressor.
You'll still have enough to get another nice vintage Omega / a nice holiday

 

One of my favorite 'travel' watches. It doesnt match your criteria but for me this offers just what I need for travel, its always super accurate as its not mechanical, just grab and go, you can adjust just the hour hand, isnt too expensive and best of all looks absolutely great

 

I do not own one (yet), but the Seiko SBDC051 fits all your criteria nicely - photo below from: http://www.gnomonwatches.com/prospex-200m-automatic-black-ref-sbdc051

I am close to getting one myself (although I prefer a GMT when I travel).

 

I like the design of vintage divers, but for some reason find the SEIKO a bit too bulky.
I liked Squale for that, their cases are bit more discrete. Sinn I like the asthetics of the chronographs, but haven't been thrilled by the design of the divers (EZM1 etc..).

Maybe Im missing something.

 

Tjis on e I quite like actually, will take a closer look thanks.

 

This one is great. Price is good too. Thanks

 

Its nice, what's the price point? I agree on accuracy, but 50% of the attractivity of a watch for me is the mechanical sophistication - the fact that its mechanical.

 

They have great hommage watchces, but all quartza/mechaquartz, right?