| Last additions - TOP 20 "Poor Man's" Watches |
03 Precista 89 / PRS-17A422 viewsChosen by: paulc
Why:
I'd like to suggest one of Eddie Platt's Timefactors watches, such as the Precista 89 / PRS-17A that I own. With the current exchange rate, the 17A and 18A are great watches for their price (£180/$300 for the 17A). Closely following known military issue designs, these are made by Fricker in Germany and have the ETA 2824 inside. The size of the PRS-17A is comfortable, (43mm w/crown, 39mm across case; 11mm thick). It exudes mil-watch functionality and good looks without appearing like it borrows anything from the ubiquitous Sub design. Build quality is solid, with no plastic spacers and a double o-ring caseback seal. And although this will vary from example to example, it's by far the most accurate mechanical watch I've ever owned. I wore this most of the spring and summer this year, and timed it over a month, during which it gained 12 sec, with no more than 1.5 sec. variation over any 24 hr. period. That's an average of 0.4 sec/day, or better than most $5K+ COSC certified watches will run (I know it's an aberration: my next best 2824 watch runs at +2/day :) ). Accuracy aside, Timefactors watches are great looking, great wearing, and an incredible value for the money, and the customer service from Platts is unbeatable, in my experience.Oct 25, 2009
|
|
14 -Seiko (Prospex) SBCB009 (nominated by thebarak) 1404 viewsIt always shows the correct time to within a second or two, never needs a battery change, dives deeper than you'll ever need, weighs under 3 ounces including the bracelet, has the same legendary lume as the Monster, Never needs winding, you can always see the time, even if you have very bad eyesight and it's dark, it's not crazy big, but can be read easier than many 52mm wrist clocks, it has a Prospex level fit and finish, The bezel turns so beautifully....Aug 23, 2009
|
|
10 -Casio G-Shock Mud Man (Nominated by PaulGeo)826 viewsTough as can be, many colors to chose from, RC! option if you want it, all under the very poor man limit. It's really the epitome of what a tool watch is all about.Aug 23, 2009
|
|
18 -Debaufre Triton (Also nominated by PaulGeo) 1296 viewsIn the world of big, chunky, beefy divers, this watch stands out on it's own. Nothing else looks like it, which is not necessarily good, but this one definitely pulls it off. Distinctive case design, dial, hands, movement, water resistance... it's all there at half the poor man limit. It's just a unique piece that deserves a spot on the current Top20.Aug 23, 2009
|
|
09 -Tissot PRS-516 (Nominated by Les) 1811 viewsThis model comes in several variants, including ETA 2824, Valjoux 7750 and quartz chrono versions. It also comes in several different face colors, on stainless or leather.Aug 23, 2009
|
|
19 - Vintage or OOP: Citizen Exceed Quartz Perpetual Calendar2489 views*Movement & Specs: Caliber E510
*Chosen by: Catalin
*Why: it is a truly historic watch since it still holds the record for the MOST ACCURATE solar perpetual calendar EVER (at +/- 10s/year). It was the FIRST solar to achieve that (and today Citizen has another caliber still in production - E780 - at that level, but that is not perpetual calendar). The precision is only surpassed 'out of the factory' by 'The Citizen / Chronomaster' (A660, still in production, +/- 5s/year but not solar) and certain limited-editions Grand Seiko (also 5s, but not in normal production and individually VFA, just like some other older very limited editions from the 80s including the +/- 3s/y Cryston 4 Mega and good ETA TC calibers - that apparently ETA does not really care too much to adjust in the factory or generally guarantee after that).
The Exceed is quite amazing with duratect Ti and coated sapphire crystal, but was a little-known very-hard-to-find Japan-only model which could be bought (well into PMWF territory) around 400 US$ - but with the US$ weakness and the model getting out of production the price for the very few NOS models are now over 500$ (and increasing) - still an amazing price.Jan 21, 2009
|
|
Old Top Dog: Omega Seamaster (Vintage or OOP)1827 views*Movement & Specs: Omega Cal. 420
*Chosen by: TakesALickin' (Jeff)
* Why?: Omega Seamaster are some of the most readily available vintage watches to be found today (both to buy, and to find parts for), and are great bargains to boot. Solid movements, great cases and designs, great dials - almost anyone with a vintage collection has one. It's a classic! It's the '57 T-Bird of the watch world! How can you not have this on the list?!Jan 21, 2009
|
|
05 - Seiko Spirit5451 views*Movement & Specs: 6R15, the long awaited SEIKO automatic movement with handwinding and hacking feature
*Chosen by: Paperboy Part Deux
* Why?: For less than $300, you get a Seiko with: impeccable fit and finish with a very, VERY distinct Grand Seiko look, the hacking and hand winding 6R15 movement which runs (in most cases, if you believe what you read on watch forums) within (+) or (-) 5 seconds per day out of the box, sapphire crystal, a nice, big signed crown for easy winding and setting, mineral crystal display caseback, solid stainless steel bracelet which is actually the watch's only real weak point because (a) it's too short even with all the links in it and (b) it's difficult to get the sizing just right due to the clasp having only two fine adjustment settings. But, this gives the wearer a great excuse to try a leather strap, a change that really brings out the beauty of this watch, in my very humble opinion.
We need a new photo of this watch! Have one? Email dude.with.watches@gmail.com.Jan 09, 2009
|
|
Old Top Dog: Moscow Classic Amphibia3727 views*Movement & Specs: Molnija
*Chosen by: jaym
*Why?: this is a cool watch, and it's a lot of bang for the buck, that's why. has a lot of the appeal of the Panerai, but it's an original, not a copy or homage. it's quite big, but due to the short lugs it's comfortable to wear. the Molnija pocket watch handwind movement is a joy to wind by it's big knurled crown. a real head turner but not "blingy".
readily available for under $220, less if you shop victoriously Apr 30, 2008
|
|
Old Top Dog: Alpha Grenade3498 views*Movement & Specs: 21J Japanese Miyota automatic movement
*Chosen by: bjohnson
*Why?: Big stainless steel case. Stainless steel bracelet with solid links. 21J Japanese Miyota automatic movement. Lots of wrist "presence" for well under $100.
What pmwf is all about. Apr 30, 2008
|
|
| Random files - TOP 20 "Poor Man's" Watches |
Old Top Dog: Sandoz Explorer2456 views*Movement & Specs: ETA 2836-2 with unused Day and Date mechanism
*Chosen by: Evan & Rafel
*Why?: Sandoz Explorer-like....allows us to enjoy classic design at a more than modest price!
Solid link bracelet, Sapphire Front and Display Back, "Explorer" looks.
|
|
Old Top Dog: Alba Diver1835 views*Movement & Specs: 7S26, Automatic, non winding, non- hacking
*Chosen by: jeffc, AdamInNYC
*Why?:
|
|
03 - Yao-ized Seiko SKX007K11820 views*Movement & Specs: 7S26, Automatic, non winding, non hacking
*Chosen by: Cafe (Evan)
*Why?: A $205 customized watch that gives the rugged Seiko Diver a British MoD dive watch look.
We need a new photo of this watch! Have one? Email dude.with.watches@gmail.com.
|
|
06 - Citizen Diver NY0040 (Black, Blue, Yellow, Lume)7459 views*Movement & Specs: Miyota Caliber 8203, handwinding but not hacking
*Chosen by: Paulc, supported by Chris L
*Why?: The Citizen NY0040 series (in black, blue, the rare yellow, and black dial with two-tone case) comes with the robust and hand-windable 8203 auto movement (mine runs less than a minute fast per week). A true 200m diver's watch, it wears a little lighter than other popular 200m divers due to its slightly smaller, rounder case. Visually, however, it wears about the same as a Seiko SKX (ie, 007/009/A35) due to its dial size. Other nice features include the screw-in crown at 8 o'clock (great for those of us with wrists that get dug by traditional 3 o'clock crowns), inky black dial (on the watch pictured) and applied indices. The lume on this one is also very good. Dimensions are: about 41mm across the bezel, 44mm incl. crown, 47mm lug to lug, 12mm thick and 20mm lug width. At just around the $100 mark on the internet, the NY0040 series offers a great deal for your money.
|
|
Old Top Dog: Erken "Mechanik" Panerai homage2737 views(Out Jan. 2004)
*Movement & Specs: ETA 2824-2
*Chosen by: Geoff aka slicefixer
*Why?: Best value in a watch I've ever owned.....IF you like the Panerai "look".
|
|
|
