Show your 2 Favorite Inexpensive Watches

The Timex Marlin is a very classy looking watch for what amounts to an every man's watch. The reissues seem to have gone over well.
My Midland has a dial and markers that resemble those of the Marlin, though otherwise a very different watch in every way. Classy yet utilitarian at the same time.

Of course $12.95 was a fair piece of change back then.

Thanks for the kind words, I really like their warm vibes.

While the Benrus and the Midland are my favorite inexpensive vintage watches as far as everyday wear goes there are two not quite vintage contenders that deserve honorable mention.
The first is my 80's Bulova athletic association presentation watch.
A fine watch in its own right with a very nice faceted case design, keeps good time as well.

The case cleaned up fine but the bracelet was losing its plating fast so I found a cheap Chinese copy of a J B Champion design expansion band for it. very comfortable on the wrist. less than $20 USD.

next up is a very recent acquisition. Made one bid of just under $5 USD and no one less bid on it.
It had what looked like a crack in the crystal but that turned out to be merely a light shallow scrape that polished out in less than a minute.
I later found a nice Timex branded Fast Fit band that perfectly blends with the semi horned lugs.

Very interesting movement a 19 jewels ZSH SS7. The watch is a 1990's reissue of one of the first classy watches made in China in 1958.
A respectable BPH of 21,600 (six beats per second).

These originally cost the equivalent of three months salary for a Chinese factory worker and one's boss had to approve the purchase and obtain a permit to order one. probably most movements were reserved for military issue watches at that time.

Main reason I'll be wearing it a lot is because at less than $5 it won't break my heart if it gets busted. Also the dial is very easy to read and diameter more in keeping with modern styles.
Very comfortable and stable on the wrist.

I only have one "inexpensive" watch to contribute -- a Seiko SQ Sports 100. Apparently the only place you can buy this strap is in person at a workshop & retail store in Kyoto and I don't know what they sell for. It may be worth as much as the watch.

First is my Sekonda from 1966, bought when nobody cares about these 3017 Strelas. Great value for (a small amount of) money if you would trust me.



Second entry, I bought it a week ago, Caravelle Sea Hunter from 1967, which I used to enjoy a lot ... until my wife took it for her own no later than yesterday !

£100 find

1990 DJ I've had the dial changed to the more modern one and serviced

What's classed as cheap - less than £35 each for these, delivered to my door from China.

both seem to be superb timekeepers, but obviously their longevity is an unknown factor, though the first one has a Seiko (NH36A) movement, so that should be OK.

Paul

I'm becoming more interested in Chinese watches since reading up on the history of watch manufacturing in China. Also after learning that Seiko movements were often made in Shanghai China.
My Paul Peugeot has a licensed Seiko 66A movement and a Hong Kong made case. Not sure if it was assembled in China or not but I'm pretty sure it was, no country of origin marking on the dial. Back then (early to mid 60's) Hong Kong was still a Crown Colony so not exactly Red China at the time. Another low cost acquisition at less than 14 USD shipped. Runs good keeps excellent time after adjustments.

As you maybe know, my old Constellation was a gift in bad condition. Even with some care done it was inexpensive:



My second favorite inexpensive watch is the invicta diver. It works reliably in every way:

I just recently ordered a Crocodile grained leather band with the same kind of clasp as that on your constellation. Yours looks well worn in and comfortable. What do you think of this sort of band?

Very hard for me point to just two as my collection isn't very expensive. Most of my watches are good conversation starters and have some background story to tell.

I have had great experience with Russian watches when it comes to inexpensive watches. They have been extremely reliable and robust. I have owned Vostok, Slava, Poljot and Pobeda. All keeping good time. Here are two of my favorite Russians.

First one is 80s era Slava automatic. Second is a manual wind Pobeda from 1st quarter of 1949. I also love my Vostok diver (not pictured but will take a picture when I wear next and post).

I also like my Russian Slava, Zym and Pobeda watches though I don't wear them often these days. my Slava is a bit on the gaudy side and the Pobeda has a beautiful but for me impractical dial. Both have Roman numeral markers which I find hard to use as the tip of the hands get lost in them. The Zym is an old workhorse of a watch, mechanically good but the case and dial are pretty weathered and not so pretty. It keeps excellent time though. All have very interesting features and unusual movements. The Slava with its dual mainsprings is especially neat.

cheapo divers!!!

Thanks for sharing. The guarantee paper is in outstanding condition for its age and the wording is refreshing to read compared to today's warranties which have legal department fingerprints all over them. On the other hand, if Ingersoll stills exists they might be obliged to repair it for 25c based on that wording.