Community Stories

Scratching the Itch aka Affordable Alternatives

Nupero
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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...

item_2419171_48795035a3.jpg

...so instead, I bought a Leijona with an Arabic dial ($30)

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Post your Affordable Alternatives, vintage or modern!
 
leijonanew.jpg
Duracuir1
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Mil Ships instead of Fifty Fathoms.

237DC63E-8BB3-4D19-B581-F3D48EEC6A99.jpeg
And I really like it!
 
Nupero
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C-cased Constellation is an expensive watch...
...but C-cased Roamer is not!

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Spruce
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Is this, at £260, okay for inclusion in the thread.
(That included the bracelet) 🥰

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STANDY
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Longines 8888
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Alpina Standard
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One was half the price of the other 😉
 
Dan S
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If you don't want to spring for a 1977 Rolex Sub, how about a 1977 Challenge Diver that costs 20x less?

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Edited:
 
EuroDriver
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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
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Edited:
 
DaveK
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A black dialed CK2852 Constellation (pic is unknowingly courtesy of @Shabbaz)

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…or a 1962 EternaMatic for CDN $350

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Nupero
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Dan S Dan S
If you don't want to spring for a 1977 Rolex Sub, how about a 1977 Challenge Diver that costs 20x less?

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!"
 
DaveK
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A really lovely Longines 8035 (pic unknowingly courtesy of @seekingseaquest)

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Or a $25 chrome plated Relide with a 25j AS movement. My go-to weekend watch

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Nupero
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Great examples of affordable alternatives @DaveK 👍 Especially that 1962 EternaMatic is an absolute banger of a watch!
 
DaveK
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Nupero Nupero
Great examples of affordable alternatives @DaveK 👍 Especially that 1962 EternaMatic is an absolute banger of a watch!

Many thanks, and great idea for a thread 👍
 
Larry S
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53,607
Scratches the SM 300/Bathyscaphe itch….
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Edited:
 
TexOmega
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61,059
Heuer Carrera 2447NST with Val72 vs Heuer for Zodiac/Clebar with Val72 for just a bit less $$$
 
_DSC9575.jpg HeuerCarrera2447NST_155_1 circa 1968.jpg Clebar:Zodiac Val72.jpg
connieseamaster
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2,000
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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 😁
 
Walrus
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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
4DAF8F80-57D9-429A-8AC1-9E2728F4E5F0.jpeg image.jpg
 
Foo2rama
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image.jpg


Great affordable choice for the upcoming non smart watch, solar and Bluetooth AP Royal Oak debuts at 35,000k
 
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