Help needed - watch enthusiast version

Couldn't bring myself to put "learn me" in the title.

DD#2 has asked for a watch for a Christmas/birthday present. I haven't worn a watch in several years and know nothing about them. She would like:

• Smallish mens wristwatch, or possibly largish womens

• At least partial skeleton style - definitely wants to see exposed works in the face

• Metal band

I'd like to spend under $200 and preferably under $150. I can use any and all pointers on brands, styles, and places to buy. Thanks!

http://precisiontimeco.com/watches/hurlingham/h-80001-a

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rotary-Automatic-Analogue-GS02518-06/dp/B001EIY5X0

Those are both mens, so I apologize.

Akribos, Stuhrling, Bulova, Android, Orient make women's skeletons.

Well, she actually wants a mens watch, so please don't apologize! I just dont want it to be one of those 5-pound monsters that are the typical "MAN'S WATCH". Thanks!

Avoid Kenneth Cole automatics... They look cool with a lot of exposed gears and whatnot, but Ive had 2 where the internals get overwound, and then something flexes in the mechanism, something in there gets bound up on itself, and eventually something breaks.

Seiko Presage is a partial skele.

Orient, Seiko, Citizen and Bulova all have pretty good reputations in that price range.

Stuhrling, Akribos, Invicta, Rotary don't have the best rep.

I would be tempted to find a Sea Gull skeleton for that price.

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/

This forum has a lot of good info on affordable watches. I have been spending way to much time on there lately...

Edit. http://www.good-stuffs.com/Sea-Gull-M182SK-skeleton-watch-automatic_p_46.html The Sea Gull I was talking about.

Thanks!

I would stick with a Seiko or Citizen Eco-Drive. I have had both and they are very reliable.

Well, she likes the Sea-gull, and a number of both Stuhrling and Akribos watches, all of which are under $150. I'm having trouble finding Seiko or Bulova in that price range.

Swatch? I see a lot of women wearing them.

I love my citizen eco-drive. Funny enough, I prefer a man's watch as well, so mine is a men's, but not huge. Hard to beat a solar powered watch!

my wife and I exchanged eco drive Citizens for our wedding. i absolutely LOVE the damn things...

i DO kinda wish they had the "take out of drawer after three months and shake it and it takes off and finds the right time and date automatically" feature. i dont remember where i saw that, but i saw it once and thought it was friggin cool.

-J0N

Duke wrote: Well, she likes the Sea-gull, and a number of both Stuhrling and Akribos watches, all of which are under $150. I'm having trouble finding Seiko or Bulova in that price range.

I would definitely vote the Sea Gull then. They have a better reputation then the Stuhrling or Akribos watches. Only downside is you will have to have it shipped from China though.

Check out the affordables section in the watchuseek.com forums

Beware, the watch rabbit hole is deep..........

I've been wearing a cheap S&W watch lately on a 22mm NATO strap, I like the way it looks and it has a Miyota movement so its very accurate.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UCOT8E/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=63FA0T2L0BIV&coliid=I196AP3HX9CTTD

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QP1CZS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=63FA0T2L0BIV&coliid=I1ZM2LZU7NU5A7

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MK76PK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=63FA0T2L0BIV&coliid=I2EUMC8A580SPU

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006TZWGWU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=63FA0T2L0BIV&coliid=I1DSS50EG9HYL2

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ERITCK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=63FA0T2L0BIV&coliid=I2CD77BBZYTTT1

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KJIYMM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=63FA0T2L0BIV&coliid=I39VIYMHLMRRIG

I have Stuhrling skeleton. I ended up paying $60 for it (on sale more then usual). I wouldn't pay more then $100 for one. I doubt I would pay more then $80 for it. They look cool but the strap is crap (easy to fix) and just don't give the impression of quality.

My 26 year old TAG died today (never leave the screw open when you shower). It's in a bag of rice right now but I fear I'm going to have to read this thread at some point.

Hard to get a quality watch for those prices.

You can do quite well in vintage, get it overhauled and it will last many years. One example of a quality skeleton watch was the series produced by the Swiss manufacturer Vulcain. They come in different sizes and pop up on Ebay quite often, so you get a range from mechanical movement to self winding, and some even with a clear back as well. Take a look on the bay and you'll see several.

Here is one:

Another fun one the ladies enjoy is the Borel Cocktail watch. It has a wheel under the crystal that turns as the watch operates, creating a mesmerizing pattern - you really have to see it to appreciate it- a kaleidoscope effect.

93EXCivic wrote: Orient, Seiko, Citizen and Bulova all have pretty good reputations in that price range. Stuhrling, Akribos, Invicta, Rotary don't have the best rep. I would be tempted to find a Sea Gull skeleton for that price. http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/ This forum has a lot of good info on affordable watches. I have been spending way to much time on there lately... Edit. http://www.good-stuffs.com/Sea-Gull-M182SK-skeleton-watch-automatic_p_46.html The Sea Gull I was talking about.

Orient, Seiko and Citizen-Bulova also make their own watches and movements. Stuhrling and the rest are just brand names stuck on watches contracted for production or assembly by factories in China.

Sea-Gull is Chinese, but it is also the largest manufacturer of mechanical watch movements in the world. On the other hand, Sea-Gull doesn't make that many complete watches, and most of what they do make is sold on the domestic (Chinese) market. I have several of their watches, including the Skeleton linked to above, and like them all.

How about a Seiko 5? That gets you an automatic movement for a fair price. Technically I don't think many styles are imported to the U.S., but there's lots available online.

Storz wrote: Check out the affordables section in the watchuseek.com forums Beware, the watch rabbit hole is deep.......... I've been wearing a cheap S&W watch lately on a 22mm NATO strap, I like the way it looks and it has a Miyota movement so its very accurate.

I REALLY like that. Where'd you buy it?