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!

 

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...

 

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical and done

 

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

 

Seiko Sporturas are very nice.

 

Definitely on my short list, and also in my box

 

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.

 

The new Seiko 5 series is cool

 

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.

 

In my box too, and coincidentally on my wrist today

 

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...

 

.

 

Nice bad-boy indeed but it would be much nicer w/o the day/date function

 

I'll be getting one of these when they become available. See:

https://www.maenwatches.com/pages/hudson-automatic-collection

and

https://omegaforums.net/threads/anyone-else-considering-a-maen-hudson.76703/

 

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

 

@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.

 

Get the best of both worlds. Casio Lineage

 

Thanks everyone, all suggestions passed along