Hi, I'm a bit of a watch noob and need some advice on what's good and what's bad.
I've been looking for an automatic watch for under £500 for a while now, and I'm just not that sure what to get. I know that I don't want a quartz as I have had bad experiences with them in the past and am looking for something with a bit more quality this time. Are any watch brands good for this price range? I'd love to hear everybody's opinion on this.

Thanks very much

 

If you want Swiss, then Tissot is your best bet. They've got a very strong range of automatics starting from about £300, and the fit and finish is impressive. Otherwise, Seiko is your friend - don't bother with UK Seiko agents as the British range is almost exclusively quartz. Check out the Seiko 5 range, and if you can find a Monster, then snap one up - they really are superb

Chris

 

Are Oris any good? I've seen a few of them which peek under the 500 mark.

 

I can't say I've handled any myself, but the general consensus is that they make a decent watch

 

Oris makes a decent watch.

 

Hamilton have some nice watches. I have one of their Seaview and really like it. I have plenty of Seiko's too, many of the dive watches have a cult following

 

Is there any specific watches anyone would recommend?

 

Yeah, we could recommend hundreds, but what style do you like? Chronograph, 2 hand, date, no date......

 

Not a huge fan of chronograph, and I like to be able to see the date on my watch.

 

Also, my favorite metal for a watch is Steel if this helps.

 

There are several out there. Most will be an ETA movement if Swiss. Seiko uses an in house movement for the 5 series. An other brand that is often overlooked is Orient, a very decent watch well within your price range. They also use an in house movement.

 

Found this watch which seems to suit what I'm after:

At £365 I like this one, unless somebody else has further ideas?
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/8360537/hamilton+men's+brown+strap+watch/

 

Yes, like this:

 

The Visodate is one of my favourites in the Tissot line - it's a name that has a bit of heritage, it looks great, has both the day and date, comes on a nice deployant clasp, and it has a display case back. Great value watch for the money:

If you want something a little less formal on a bracelet, then I heartily recommend this PRC 200. Decent bracelet, 200m water resistance, and a really rather nice dial on it.

If you want something much sportier, then check out the new SeaStar - a very well spec'd dive watch for the money. Again, automatic, comes on a choice of bracelet or rubber, 300m water resistant, Helium Escape Valve, and uses the workhorse ETA 2824-2. Well worth a look

Chris

 

Some nice choices in watches there. The display back is a really nice feature!

 

It certainly is - it's definitely worth trying a few of them on, they really punch above their weight

 

Being a Brit, you may want to check out Christopher Ward. They really do have some lovely, relatively inexpensive watches. I have my eye on one of their divers right now.

All ETA movements, nothing in-house or particularly revolutionary, but their designs are clean and elegant.

www.christopherward.co.uk


...and I have that exact same Hamilton Khaki on a bracelet as my daily beater