http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/list.php?99Sat, 18 May 2013 19:40:06 -0400 Phorum 5.2.11 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,436039,436039#msg-436039 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,436039,436039#msg-436039
Movement: 24 Jewel Japanese Miyota 9015 automatic, winding, hacking, 40h reserve.
Case: Brushed and polished 316L surgical stainless steel
Size: 43 mm width -length 50.5 mm - 16 mm height - lug distance 22 mm.
Screwed crown 6.5mm 3 gaskets
Automatic helium escape valve
Sapphire crystal - 3 mm thick - inside AR coated.
Water resistance: 1000m/3.300 ft
Dial, hands and bezel coated with swiss SuperLuminova C3
Straps: 22 mm rubber Isofrane style strap, Vintage style brown leather with signed buckle and optional sharkmesh.
Bezel: bidirectional 120 clicks - 2 bezel designs plus bezel change tool, and springbar tool.

Chosen by: Brad Click

Why: For $600ish new from Helson, this watch sure delivers a LOT of bang for the buck. It has all the features of dive watches costing much much more with 1000m rating, HEV, fantastic lume, winding and hacking movement...but it also comes from Helson with 2 bezels and 3 strap options that can transform this piece into very different styles. The look is a huge nod to vintage pieces which I liked and the size really seems to be "just" right. It's a big watch, but with the case design and hooded lugs it's easily wearable on a 6.75 wrist. I notice swapping out just the bezel can completely transform the look and feel of the watch. All the little bits are there including signed crown and buckles on all three straps. The lume was surprisingly bright, and to my surprise the black bezel markings were fully lumed as well.





]]> jinxed TOP 10 Poor Man's Watches 2012Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:43:24 -0400 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,435793,435793#msg-435793 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,435793,435793#msg-435793
Polished chrome case with gold tone bezel, pushers and crown
Stainless steel back
Size 43mm diameter
10mm thick
22mm lug width
Water resistant.
Shock protection.
Signed leather strap and stainless buckle.

Movement: Poljot 3133 based on Valjoux 7734

Features
manual-wind chronograph, 60s, 30min, cam switched
sub second
date: set by changing 23-24h

Data
14''', Dm= 31.0mm
H= 7.35mm
23 jewels
f = 21600 A/h
power reserve 51h

(movement informatiion taken from Ranfft site.)

Chosen by Marcel

Why: The 3133 movement is a solid choronograph with great action on the pushers. Duration of watch barrel from full wind exceeds 48 hours, even when chrono is running. Sharp looks to this watch, with its gold coloured accents makes it a great dress watch, but with more function than one would expect. The 3133 bearing watches can still be had for $200 or thereabouts. Movement is going out of production, so prices are rising. There are still good deals to be had.]]> RR218 TOP 10 Poor Man's Watches 2012Sun, 08 Jul 2012 10:57:52 -0400 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,435732,435732#msg-435732 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,435732,435732#msg-435732
I will nominate the Vostok Komandirskie. Last year, the Vostok Amphibia made the Top 10, and rightfully so. This is the less glamorous older brother of the Amphibia.

Movement & Specs: Vostok 2414A, hand-wound, 17 jewels
Chosen by: Smaug (Jeremy)
Why: The watch is quite affordable, yet has an in-house movement that has a great reputation for being rugged and reliable. The case is chrome-plated brass, which is a turn-off to some, but it takes a lot to wear through the plating, and I would wager most WIS' would never do it. The crystal is domed acrylic, and is quite durable. The accuracy of the watch is also good. These routinely sell for $50 shipped, brand new, straight from the Ukraine or Russia. The crown screws down for water resistance, and it has a bit of wobble to it, which is disconcerting the first time it is experienced, although even this is quite durable. This watch is probably the least expensive way into a quality mechanical hand-wound watch, and there are dozens of dial designs from which to choose. They are typically supplied on a fair quality leather strap, finished on both sides. It works, but you will probably see your way clear to spend an extra $25 on a high quality one. The two-piece backs have intricate designs featuring Vostok branding, and the porous nature of them prevents them from sticking to the wrist. The case is well-rounded and fits much more readily under sleeves than it's younger brother, due to it's thinner profile, since there is no automatic winding train.





]]> Smaug TOP 10 Poor Man's Watches 2012Sat, 07 Jul 2012 20:56:04 -0400 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,433369,433369#msg-433369 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,433369,433369#msg-433369Movement and Specs: Bernhardt Binnacle Anchor. Miyota 8215 movement, 200M water resistance, sapphire crystal, on a world-class bracelet for only $239.

Chosen by: DJM





Why: Sure, it's not Swiss or even a high-end Japanese movement, but it's hard to find all the Binnacle has to offer for such a good price. The case is super solid, boasts 200M water resistance and sports a signed crown, sapphire crystal, and really cool anchor detail on the second hand. Plus, the signed bracelet with machined deployant is one of the best I own. Add the Explorer looks (without being another clone) and you have an awesome everyday watch that can be worn almost anywhere.]]> DJM TOP 10 Poor Man's Watches 2012Thu, 28 Jun 2012 01:14:47 -0400 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432879,432879#msg-432879 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432879,432879#msg-432879Movement and Specs:
Orient Automatic Calendar FEU07008DX
Stainless Steel Case
Stainless Steel Bracelet
Made In Japan
Automatic Movement Orient in house
Sapphire Crystal
Black Dial
can set inner bezel
Date & Day Display
20 year Calendar
Screw Case Back
Screw Crown
Luminous Hands And Indices
100 Meter Water Resistant

Case Diameter: 44mm
Case Thickness: 9mm

Why: Tried to find out more but I like this poor mans watch, under 150 with Sapphire Crystal

Chosen by: DRFP/Bill

Original
]]> DRFP TOP 10 Poor Man's Watches 2012Mon, 25 Jun 2012 15:33:40 -0400 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432776,432776#msg-432776 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432776,432776#msg-432776The seems to be pretty much a universal pick, but if my count is correct just as many of us here own 6T63 / VK63 powered watches as own Tuskegee Fliers. subjectsmiley84!







subjectsmiley15!

-Ricky]]> Anonymous User TOP 10 Poor Man's Watches 2012Mon, 25 Jun 2012 05:40:11 -0400 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432511,432511#msg-432511 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432511,432511#msg-432511Movement and Specs: Broad range of color schemes, popular here on the forum......good solid seagull movement, and great price range. Nuff Said, right? Can be had for anywere from $59-$140. Two different sizes available as well (43mm and a 50mm I believe).
Chosen by: dano0

]]> dano0 TOP 10 Poor Man's Watches 2012Sun, 24 Jun 2012 08:44:22 -0400 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432486,432486#msg-432486 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432486,432486#msg-432486Casio Marine Gear AMW 320:

Movement & Specs: from CASIO USA:
100M Water Resistant
Dual Time
Daily Alarm
1/100 second digital stopwatch
Measuring capacity: 23:59'59.99"
Measuring mode: Net time
12/24 Hour Formats
Accuracy: +/-30 seconds per month
Battery SR920W
Approx. battery life: 2 years
Module 2701/5153

Size of case / total weight
AMW320R 48.0 x 46.0 x 11.0mm / 100g
AMW320D 48.0 x 46.0 x 11.0mm / 100g
AMW320RD 48.0 x 46.0 x 11.0mm / 167g the 2 bracelet models

Chosen by: James T. Kirk© (alias Johan)

Why:
Reliable quartz analog/digital, offering a great lot for very little money (most of them way under $ 100), a wide choice of colors, from a dress watch with blue dial or black and gold dial and ss bracelet, to the well known "Arnie" with light gold tone dial and lately the "black ops" model in black PVD. All very good beaters for everyday, chunky enough to get noticed and pretty enough to find a nicer strap for...

Photo's by Calinexa-15, Rakuten, Watchuseek e.o.

benhemp suggested the solar variation of this watch: I'd like to add the Casio AMWS320 (solar) series as well. Watches look the same but with one more button. Still very reasonably priced, and solar to boot


Pictures below show the regular (non solar) models]]> James T. Kirk© TOP 10 Poor Man's Watches 2012Sun, 24 Jun 2012 06:10:55 -0400 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432463,432463#msg-432463 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432463,432463#msg-432463Movement and Specs: Orient 46N45 movement, made in Japan. 21J (I believe) 50m WR. Thickness, diameter, and lug width vary by model. The movement is bidirectional automatic winding only, and non-hacking. (although the "Seiko hacking trick" on a mostly depleted spring works on these) 40 hr. power reserve, stainless case with screw-down caseback. (skeleton on the latest models)

Chosen by: Smaug (Jeremy)

Why: This series of watches by Orient feature a high quality mechanical power reserve movement, and no one else offers this useful complication at this quality level for anywhere near this price. I paid $120 for mine a couple years ago. I've checked the specs just now, and the latest ones are 40mm diameter (mine's 38) and have a sapphire crystal (I believe mine's mineral; I don't know as I haven't scratched it yet) It should be noted that although these don't handwind, Orient has among the most efficient automatic winding mechanism in the industry. (along with Seiko's "Magic Lever" and Rolex's small diameter axle on the jeweled bushing) As if this weren't enough, the design pays homage to the classic dress watch designs of the 1950s and 60s by Omega, with its round dial, baton markers and sharp, dauphine hands. This design never goes out of style, in Jeremy's opinion.

Photos:

Mine:



One of the newer models, with sapphire crystal, 40mm case diameter, 22mm lugs, and skeleton caseback:
]]> Smaug TOP 10 Poor Man's Watches 2012Sun, 24 Jun 2012 01:08:19 -0400 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432434,432434#msg-432434 http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?99,432434,432434#msg-432434Movement and Specs: Module 5165 Stainless Steel (Cased in China), Price ca. USD 130. The model below is an alarm chronograph with specific race timing functions. Casio Edifice was/is the official Red Bull Formula 1 sponsor and their models are shown on the wrists of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.
Chosen by: Reto
Why: Casio offers many Edifice models with a lot of different functions. Compared to earlier models, the Casio designs have improved a lot in my opinion. When I got the Edifice below, I was surprised about the solid build of both watch head and bracelet.

]]> Reto TOP 10 Poor Man's Watches 2012Sat, 23 Jun 2012 23:18:50 -0400