automatic watch under $150?

[billgr]

are there any accurate autos under $150?

thanks.........Bill

 

[Minjin]

How accurate do you need?

Mark

 

[Flying Turtle]

I've had good luck with a Russian Vostok. This one cost me just $20 over a year ago when Restoration Hardware was clearing them out. If you've checked them out on the Web you know they're kinda funky looking, but with 31 jewels, 200 meter water resist, screw down crown, and automatic movement it ain't bad. In normal use it runs a few ticks fast. It's been a great beater with no problems except the lumenous dot for 12. Once while setting, the second hand jumped and knocked the dot down to the 17 min. mark where it seems to have lodged. I think these are available at numerous sites for $40-$60.

If I hadn't found this watch to satisfy my want of an automatic, I probably would have gotten a Seiko 5. Its supposed to be a fine piece for under $100.

Geoff

 

[madecov]

Paid under $100.00 for an Invicta with Myota movement. It is super accurate for such a cheap movement. YMMV as I have seen Invicta's that are absolutely terrible at time keeping.

 

[iddibhai]

swatch irony diaphane autos, three current models @ US$110 each; three or so models made each year, and you can buy the older ones too, new-old-stock. runs a few seconds fast per day on my wrist, but stored 12-low, overnight it will be very accurate. www.swatch.com click shop US.

 

[Steve Andrews]

Seiko Military Automatic. $95 for bracelet model.

 

[dg]

Are there any accurate autos over $150?

(not many)

 

[BF Hammer]

I have no idea what definition of "accurate" is for this thread. The under $150 category of auto watches will have a wider quality of regulation. You can get lucky and have one that will only deviate about 5 seconds per day, or you might get one that deviates 40 seconds per day and still be well within the manufacturer's specifications. I have examples of both.

Vostok automatics have a -20 to +40 seconds/day rating (2416b movement) on their lowest end, under $60. The more expensive (closer to $100) watches still have a 2416b but will be cherry-picked movements that are rated to deviate no more than -20 to +20 seconds per day.

Seiko 5's are a good bet typically for this price range, I bought a new one for under $70 off ebay (foreign seller) this last year. This one has been gaining around 13 seconds/day for me, not bad by cheap watch standards.

If you consider accurate to be under 5 seconds per day deviation, It would just be luck of the draw to get a watch that good. Also, most movements have a break-in period and will typically slow after a few weeks of regular use.

 

[gregw45]

[ QUOTE ]
madecov said:
Paid under $100.00 for an Invicta with Myota movement. It is super accurate for such a cheap movement. YMMV as I have seen Invicta's that are absolutely terrible at time keeping.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine's been accurate right out of the box. It's about 5 or 6 years old now.

 

[madecov]

Like I said, SOME Invicta Myota movements are bad.
I work a side job in a jewlery store and sometimes "play" with the watches.

I would up 2 models of invicta's and one gained almost 10 minutes in one day. Another just stopped working. The third (mine) kept time to within about 5-7 seconds over 10 hour period so I purchased that one.

 

[DimBeam]

A 3 dollar watch at Walmart is more accurate than the best and most expensive auto watch you can buy. Quartz is inherently more accurate.

 

[bigcozy]

Invicta uses three primary auto movements: Miyota/Citizen 21J, ETA 2824, Unitas 6497. Invicta does not make an in house movement. I have had several Miyota Invictas, all so close to any ETA movments accuracy I could not tell the difference. Get a $50 off coupon for shopnbc and if you are patient, you can pick up a Invicta Miyota for around $55 shipped, hard to beat that. Next up would be the Citizen and Seikos. Keep an eye for Danny's (revolvergeeks) posts, he sells a lot of Seikos here at CPF and you can pick them up very reasonable. The Zeno Explorer with the Miyota 21j, Orient with the Miyota is also a good buy. A lot of "German" watches actually have Chinese movements in them and even some "Russian" watches have cheapo Chinese movements in them, not worth what they ask for them generally. To move up to a Swiss ETA movement generally will put you in $250 territory for even used watches. If you keep and eye out you can find some of the left over limited run Uhr Kraft divers like I sold on CPF a few months ago, ETA 2836 for around $125-175, but they are drying up fast. Also keep an eye on the for sale forum at these spots:

pmwf.com
watchuseek.com
timezone.com
broadarrow.net

 

[bjn70]

Sorry if this is a bit off topic but what would be the advantage of a low-priced automatic vs. a quartz? One reason I ask is because I've noted that Seiko sells diver watches that are quartz and also some that are automatic, for similar prices. Occasionally I will have my automatic watch off for long enough that it runs down so I am personally more interested in quartz.

 

[iddibhai]

its not about practicality, not in the real world anyway. it's all about soul, to me at least. i use, on a daily basis, and enjoy, a fine fountain pen, a mechanical wristwatch, it's about the marvel of a micoengineered machine on your wrist. basically, it's all fluff, nothing at all to do w/ practicality. no one needs it, we just want it on an emotional level. all the luxury goods you see, few of them are truly practical, but they make you *feel* good, and that is what they sell. one might argue the same point about a SF using propietary (to the general public) Li batts vs the dollar store special that runs on AA.

 

[bjn70]

I understand your explanation and this was all that I could come up with ahead of time as an explanation. I've seen some new Seiko automatic dive watches for a little over $200 so maybe you should adjust your $150 up a little bit. But then maybe a used Seiko or similar can be had for under $150.

 

[JohnJ80]

A quartz watch will eventually die (also inherent in the technology). An automatic from a reputable brand can be fixed forever. So, it you want a nicer watch, something that you will hand down to your son for example, then automatic is the ticket.

J

 

[shrap]

Bit late getting into this thread, but just wanted to add...

Automatics also require service, and it's going to cost a lot more than a battery change. Probably cheaper to buy another watch than pay good money to have a $30 movement repaired.

 

[dg]

Most people will probably be bored with the [cheaper] watch after a few years, so lifespan is a bit irrelevent.

To many, a 'proper' watch is a mechanical. Also, a 'proper' mechanical movement is a Swiss one. A Miyota will not impress as much as an ETA 2824

I you want accuracy, then why not a Casio Solar Atomic? It's most likely to be just as impressive [to others] as any other watch in this price range - and far more accurate

 

[GarageBoy]

Hmm..nonone mentioned the Seiko number 5. $50 on ebay. Nice, simple, elegant. www.chronograph.com They also have the infamous 007 Seiko Divers

 

[vcal]

[ QUOTE ]
GarageBoy said:
Hmm..nonone mentioned the Seiko number 5. $50 on ebay. Nice, simple, elegant. www.chronograph.com They also have the infamous 007 Seiko Divers

[/ QUOTE ]
Excellent point... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
-I just took delivery of a 21 jewel Auto Seiko 5 "glassback" (SNX809K) for $37. and think that it's a great value. It gains about 5 seconds a day, and the workmanship is impressive-for this price range. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif