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Comment by KronisLV | Hacker News Reader

I wonder what an affordable modern wristwatch would be.

I looked at the stores in my country and it was all either smart watches/wristbands, or ones that look like they scream "sports". Nothing wrong with that aesthetic per se, but I'd very much like something neutral looking.

A quick search even on AliExpress turns up something like what I'm looking for https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005201883255.html (might have actually gotten one, but at the same time I have exactly 0 expectations for the quality, more like an odd curiosity), yet there's nothing with similar designs sold in the popular marketplaces in my country.

Where's the simple, reasonably reliable and affordable watches for the modern day working person, not someone who wants to pay bank to make a fashion statement?

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As the other person mentioned, Casio is solid (especially the digital stuff like the F91W), but if you're in the US/Western market Timex/Citizen/Seiko are also good. If you want a mechanical watch the Seiko 5 is a classic, and Ali has a lot of really good value for money "homages" by folks like Pagani Design for around $100-200. I think there's a subreddit for chinese (mech) watches if you're curious.

The generally accepted principle is that watch brands' watches are of a far higher quality than that of fashion brands (eg Diesel/Nike etc). Modern quartz movements are damn good, but cheap ones aren't easily repairable or generally even worth repairing if you get it from one of these fashion brands.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write that out, this is useful to know!

Be careful with venturing into the world of Chinese watches, it's addictive. They're like between $50 and $200, depending on the brand (they have more and less expensive brands now, they've been at it for years and years), with very reasonable quality, often using Japanese movements (eg Seiko), and resembling famous designs ("homages"). To the point that it's almost impossible to tell if you're wearing $25,000 Rolex or $40 "Olevs", unless you look at it from arm's length. I have like 8 now, all looking and working great, and keep checking AE sales for new ones. Someone please stop me...

Orient is also worth a mention as their value and quality are similar to Seiko and Citizen; Orient Bambino and Mako are popular alternative models to Seiko's line of divers and dress watches.

Just an FYI this type of watch design is usually referred to as "field watch". It originated in watches that were designed and made specifically for soldiers during WW2 in UK and US. Hamilton is known for making modern versions of these, with the appropriate price tag (slightly under $1,000). Many other companies have these, Timex being the most budget-friendly, but any self-respecting brand has field watch designs (Seiko, Citizen, Casio, Rolex, Orient, etc etc). You can go quartz or mechanical, your pick.

As for everyday watch, nothing really beats budget digital watch, like the cheap ones Casio has been making for generations. F91W is literally (not figuratively) 5 to 6 cups of coffee, and it will outlive you. Not to mention that you can pick up a clone on AliExpress under a dollar and it will work just as well.

Edit: spelling

Look up JDM Seikos on Sakurawatches. You can find some that are radio controlled (so time is always pinpoint accurate), solar powered (no battery needed), have sapphire glass (the hardest to scratch), and look nice. Some even have "super clear coating" which looks cool.

I have one myself, it cost $250 new. Probably could have got it for much less, but it's the only watch I've ever needed all these years later. Never have to worry about whether the time is right. Never have to worry if it matches my outfit. Never have to worry about it period. I'm sure a digital watch would be cheaper, but I like the analog look too.

I got a cheap quartz Armitron watch after I suffered for long enough with various smart watches. Two benefits stand out:

1) You can tell what time it is in broad daylight

2) The time display is available about 1ns after you turn the wrist, instead of several seconds the smart watch takes to wake up, if it does at all.

That linked watch is basically (visually) a timex, which are reasonable quality and sold just about everywhere and for relatively low prices.

Some kind of Casio watch?

Hamilton Khaki or Tissot Gentleman are great all-around watches.

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