Hey everyone, the unthinkable has happened: my wife thinks she may want a watch. I have some ideas, but am curious if any of you have suggestions. Here are the requested specs:

1. A timing bezel.
2. Small. (6" wrist)
3. But still legible.
4. She would like something funky - conversation piece. She works in art and design.
5. Any type of movement would be fine, but I bet she'd get annoyed with a manual winder.
6. Budget: <$500 USD. So, no Bulgari Serpenti 's, I suppose.

My first thought was a women's Accutron dive watch. What else comes to mind for you all?

 

Buy her what she chooses....only way!

Married 30 plus years and still learning.

 

I agree 100%. I am going to bring any suggestions to her for formal review.

 

No bezel but my wife has one and they are well made and look a quality watch. That is if you are looking new...

https://www.elliotbrownwatches.com/kimmeridge/405-004-r26

 

There are a lot of funky vintage pieces from the late 1960s and 1970s that would fit your budget and, in today's world, be interesting and unique. But most of them would have a mechanical movement.

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/233360940318

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/293283602976

Buy one of these so I won't.

 

My wife likes funky and color. See doesn't give a fig about the movement. I buy her vintage (can I use that term here?) Swatch pieces that I think would appeal. They are CHEAP. You can buy a LOT.

Here's an idea that ticks all your boxes (may be big) and budgetwise means you can buy about 8 similar to cover the spread:



SWATCH IRONY”Unisex”Chronograph Quartz Watch-Aluminum/Rubber Strap/ Guaranteed!Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

These are closer to $1000. I bought one for my daughter who loves it. It's funky, tough and waterproof:

 

Yep, this is heading in the right direction. Only problem with some of these vintage pieces is that they aren't made for legibility. Need something that strikes balance between being eccentric but also practical as a watch.

 

@connieseamaster reminded me of this:

WOMENS 1971 RARE BULOVA AUTOMATIC 666 FEET DIVING WRISTWATCH NOS - SERVICEDPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

That vintage devil diver's exactly the sort of thing I was thinking.

 

I have one (paid $125 for similar condition). It's a great little watch.

 

Good call on Swatch. Definitely funky. Now just gotta sift through 10,000 limited editions to find one that's also highly legible.

 

Find a real man!

Ok, now I'll read the body of your initial post.

 

And it’s a LE


https://mondaine.com.au/collections/women/products/sbb-classic-75-years-anniversary-special


Mrs STANDY has one and she even bought the mesh bracelet herself

 

Haha. Yeah, I got real lucky.

 

Oooo! I forgot about Mondaine. Thanks for the suggestion. No timing bezel, but that does check all the other boxes.

 

Lol,

Alternative
hey, fetch me a beer!

thanks be mine does not read this forum!

 

My wife and daughter have matching set. Always get compliments.

 

Since you are looking at vintage watches, maybe you could be specific about the size watch you are looking for. If she is ok with 36mm, that would open your search to men's divers from the 1960s. Most of the ladies divers are significantly smaller, but the larger ones are more visible.