Need suggestions for a tool watch. A cheap and useful one!

Another vote for the Hamilton khaki field. Several varieties in several colours - looks good, and tough. Can be found 'relatively' inexpensively. Otherwise go for a Seiko 5, as much cheaper option. Again some great looking models

Hey Faz, I for the life of me can't think of a mechanical chrono watch under $300 which is slim yet durable enough for some roughing around.

May I recommend a Solar powered watch? Both Citizen and Seiko make some decent watches in your budget. Dutyfreeisland.com has items which are nicely priced, but finding the one currently in stock proves disappointing 90% of the time.

Here is what they currently have In Stock between $200-$300, under 'Mens':
http://www.dutyfreeislandshop.com/w...atus=1&gender=10&price=200-300&stock_status=1

I've had one of these for a little over a year. Great looking tool watch that takes a beating and doesn't look out of place if you have have to dress up a bit. I have the 42mm version.

So as much as I love mechanicals, I don't have a lot of time to fuss with one on a daily basis. I stick on my Speedmaster if I'm leaving the house most of the time, but since I work from home it isn't that often. Around the house I wear an Oceanus (made by Casio) three hand solar/atomic radio sync watch with a titanium case/bracelet and sapphire crystal. It's basically indestructible. It took me a while to find it as it's been discontinued for years once Casio pulled their high end Oceanus line from the US market. With kids around it fits the bill of "set and forget" and always know that I have the right time, and an errant smack on a wall or door frame isn't going to destroy it. The model is OCW-110TDA and originally retailed for north of $500, but is around $200 on the secondary market if you can find one. There was another model produced at the same time called OCW-100TLA which doesn't have a bracelet and has a different look to the dial. I have both, but I find myself wearing the one on a bracelet most often.

I specifically wanted a three hander with no "world time" cities around the bezel, which is why I went with this model. If you want a chronograph I'd look no further than the Citizen AT line, where for less than $300 you can pick up a solar/atomic perpetual calendar one like this: https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-Eco-...qid=1515097443&sr=1-3&nodeID=5673903011&psd=1

The date window between 4 and 5.

I think quite a few folks that use quartz have the window there... stock Rhonda movement thing.

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