My absolute favorite among inexpensive watches are the different versions of Seiko 7548. Vintage quartz, very well built and a lot of history. I have had several during the years and still have a few i line waiting to be repaired/refurbished
These are my 2 favorite but inexpensive watches that I happily show off to friends every time I wear them.
On the left is a Timex Ironman that my son gave me as a gift many years ago when he was 10 years old. He purchased it with money he saved from his allowance. On the right is an 1980's Seiko quartz that I gave my father as a gift many years ago. He wore it every day to work, and when he retired he took it off and put it in a glass jar. I recently found it in his house. It was in pretty bad shape. I gave it some TLC and was I able to restore it myself. I may have other much more expensive watches, but these two inexpensive pieces fall under the priceless category to me.
Both these watches are dirt cheap and have a special place in my heart:
- Vokstok Amphibian "scuba dude": these are actually becoming increasingly hard to find. The movement is really simple (and inaccurate), but the timeless Soviet design is just awesome. Elegant case shape, sturdy bakelite bezel, cool domed plexi, cool applied markers on a beautiful deep blue dial.
- Casio G-shock GBA800: I bought it as gym timer, but it’s quietly taken on a central role in anything active I do. What a wonderful piece of equipment, every bit the toolwatch it was meant to be.
Vokstok Amphibian "scuba dude": these are actually becoming increasingly hard to find. The movement is really simple (and inaccurate),
More likely it just needs adjusting.
My Soviet era Pobeda ,which I got in NOS condition, is accurate to withing two seconds per week after I spent a bit of time and effort adjusting it.
I doubt most mid to low price watch factories these days do much at all about adjusting the timing with any precision, and after being bounced around in mailing and customs they may be knocked off kilter even more.
An older Favre Leuba from late 80s. A full calendar with an automatic ETA movement.
I am not particularly keen on their recent watch design. There seems to be a change of the brand ownership since then.
My two cheapest, and two that get some of the most wrist time! First up is my Seiko Rally Diver, followed by a generic Skin Diver (Kingston branded and marked Made in Germany inside)
Funnily enough, they're just about the biggest and smallest I currently have too 😁