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Need Inspiration/Ideas: Sporty under $500 USD

repoman
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This is for a friend, a gift for a male age 65ish, wears cheapest $17 watch from walmart. Daughter wants to get him something nicer; she suggests sporty over dressy, something that he can wear all day and to casual dinners. Sounds like he's used to inexpensive digital, very utilitarian, but I think a legible analog should be in the mix. Unfortunately, I don't have much else to go on, and I'm pretty sure we're dealing with someone who is naturally a frugal person and doesn't get the whole "expensive wristwatch thing".

I could use some suggestions, and doesn't have to be $500, if this gentleman is a $50 watch guy, then fine, lets do that. I want to suggest a couple different options. This is out of my normal element. help!
 
Henneth
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My suggestion would be a Seiko 5 Military. Well within the budget, can be dressed up or down, reliable, 100 m water resistance, can be had in different colors... 👍

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dscoogs
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Thinking about either one of these 2 as a DAGA watch myself ...

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03Hemi
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repoman repoman
This is for a friend, a gift for a male age 65ish, wears cheapest $17 watch from walmart. Daughter wants to get him something nicer; she suggests sporty over dressy, something that he can wear all day and to casual dinners. Sounds like he's used to inexpensive digital, very utilitarian, but I think a legible analog should be in the mix. Unfortunately, I don't have much else to go on, and I'm pretty sure we're dealing with someone who is naturally a frugal person and doesn't get the whole "expensive wristwatch thing".

I could use some suggestions, and doesn't have to be $500, if this gentleman is a $50 watch guy, then fine, lets do that. I want to suggest a couple different options. This is out of my normal element. help!
Seiko Sporturas are very nice.
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repoman
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abrod520 abrod520
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical and done
Definitely on my short list, and also in my box 👍
 
freakazoid
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The new Seiko 5 series is cool

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03Hemi
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Jonathan40 Jonathan40
Hamilton all day long, strong US origins and a lot of watch for not a lot of money.
https://www.jomashop.com/hamilton.html

Posted this hyperlink as I’m guessing you are US area.
As always do your research when buying from anyone.
At one time, long ago, Hamilton was considered the "Patek" of America and took 9mo to a year to make.
I don't know if they still have a Swiss mvt. or Jap?
My Hamilton 1928 World Series Piping Rock re-issue with Swiss quartz mvt.
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abrod520
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repoman repoman
Definitely on my short list, and also in my box 👍

In my box too, and coincidentally on my wrist today 😁

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gostang9
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freakazoid freakazoid
The new Seiko 5 series is cool

hero.jpg
Thinking of modern "sports" watches I'd want under $500 USD, it would be one of the new Seiko 5 collection, all day -- any day.

This bad-boy would look great with shorts, jeans or a suit...

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alam
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gostang9 gostang9
Thinking of modern "sports" watches I'd want under $500 USD, it would be one of the new Seiko 5 collection, all day -- any day.

This bad-boy would look great with shorts, jeans or a suit...

upload_2019-10-7_14-37-18.png

Nice bad-boy indeed 👍 but it would be much nicer w/o the day/date function 🙁
 
JwRosenthal
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I’m liking the Hamilton Khaki idea- but the 38mm automatic, not the hand winder (manual winding is a watch enthusiast thing nowadays- most “regular people” see it as a pain in the ass). If he’s fairly austere and of a more mature age, I think the simplicity and utility of the Hamilton will speak to him- and it’s a brand he will associate with quality.

https://www.jomashop.com/hamilton-watch-h70455533.html
 
Taddyangle
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@repoman

I have been really happy with the Nodus watch brand. https://www.noduswatches.com/retrospect

I have this Retrospect v1 on a bracelet. It is one of the nicer bracelets I have seen for these micro brands and it the watch wears really well on my wrist. They now only sell the Retrospect v2 and I think at $450 you can't go wrong. They also just released a new watch, it looks great, but a little more than the Retrospect.



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repoman
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Thanks everyone, all suggestions passed along
 
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