A thread to our budget conscious collectors. To all aficionados who settle for less. Because sometimes you can't afford the real thing. But you need something, maaan. A substitute is better than nothing, right? I'll start. I could not afford an Omega Seamaster 600 with and Arabic dial... ...so instead, I bought a Leijona with an Arabic dial ($30) Post your Affordable Alternatives, vintage or modern!
If you don't want to spring for a 1977 Rolex Sub, how about a 1977 Challenge Diver that costs 20x less?
A few years back - in lieu of a Seamaster, a Bulova Precisionist Marine Star. I really enjoyed this watch, especially the smooth sweep of the seconds hand. Now relegated to third string over my ATs
A black dialed CK2852 Constellation (pic is unknowingly courtesy of @Shabbaz) …or a 1962 EternaMatic for CDN $350
Yeah, maybe you get pistol-whipped by a robber, but so what? Think about the satisfaction you're going to get after yelling "You idiot, it's a Citizen!"
A really lovely Longines 8035 (pic unknowingly courtesy of @seekingseaquest) Or a $25 chrome plated Relide with a 25j AS movement. My go-to weekend watch
Great examples of affordable alternatives @DaveK Especially that 1962 EternaMatic is an absolute banger of a watch!
The only difference between this and the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe of the same era is the name on the dial and the zeros on the price
I wanted to get one of the 750,000 usd Jacob and company watches but for a couple hundred got a KS with a funky crystal. I can hardly tell the difference
Great affordable choice for the upcoming non smart watch, solar and Bluetooth AP Royal Oak debuts at 35,000k
