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Movement and Specs

Quartz: 7N36

It's a high-quality watch in all respects. Superb fit & finish allround, outstanding bracelet, nice weight, excellent movement - everything we love in the Monster in a dressier, friendlier package. Available in white, black & orange dials and with both the 7s26 movement as well as the quartz 7N36 movement.

Additional comment by paulc

This is one of several Seiko 7S26/36/35 divers and it represents them all in terms of a best buy. This might help people new to watches who look at the Top 20 as a place to pick one out.

Everyone needs a beater they can truly rely on, and the G-Shock series of watches provides just that. Beyond the durability, this series adds the extra perks of atomic synchronization and solar power, meaning no pesky batteries to change and it's always on atomic time. It's big and it's thick (everything popular in watches today ) and it is just FUN TO WEAR! Thanks to G-Moy for turning me (and half the PMWF gang) onto these great watches!
 

A $205 customized watch that gives the rugged Seiko Diver a British MoD dive watch look

I'd like to nominate the Vostok Amphibia. This is a real VPMW! Can be had for as little as $25 to $40 and comes in a wide range of varieties! It's rated 200m and comes with an automatic movement (vintage ones can be hand wound). The case is stainless steel.
The only real disadvantage? The standard strap is crap - you're gonna need a new one
I included a picture of the only recent model I own, but remember - there is a wide range available

Jeff aka TakesALickin'

It's just a heckuva good watch and a great deal at under $300 w/bracelet!

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.

Hamilton Khaki Hand Wind or

Automatic

WR 5 atm

Automatic: ETA 2824-2

Reason: One of the most legible combinations of dial and hands I have seen; the sapphire crystal and matte finish of the stainless steel is very resistant to scratches; it also looks good with many different types and colors of straps; the oversized crown makes winding easy and a joy; the diameter is a very comfortable 38 mm while the 11 mm height of the watch allows it to fit under one's long sleeves with ease; it beats at 28,800 bph, which provides a silky sweep of the second hand; and finally at under $250 it is a definite bargain!

 Automatic: Andrew F

Poljot Okeah Chronograph

I'd like to suggest the Poljot Okeah, because it offers an unique looking watch for under $200. The Poljot 3133 movement is among Poljot's best.
(Picture borrowed from UVox - don't have any of my own yet)

Paulo

On April 12th 1961 Yuri Gagarin became the first man performing a space flight. While in space, the cosmonaut was wearing a "Shturmanskie" (Navigator) watch, manufactured at the First Moscow Watch Factory (1-MChZ). From 1964 the watches of the First Moscow Factory have been marked by a trademark "ПОЛЕТ" and "POLJOT", which means "flight" in Russian and is a tribute to the number of space trips their watches have accomplished.

Since the late 70’s, Poljot launched a new chrono movement: the 3133. It was a 23 jewels, manual winding (43 hours), a modified Russian version of the Swiss Valjoux 7734 of the early 70’s. Poljot 3133 were taken into space by cosmonauts from Russia, France, Germany, Ukraine. On the hand of V.V. Polyakov Poljot 3133 chronograph movement-based watch set a space record for the longest space flight in history.

Poljot chronographs with the 3133 movement are available starting bellow $200, making them one of the most interesting proposals for poor men chronographs presently. This Shturmanskie is an elegant timepiece that won a "beauty contest" in PMWF (a poll I made with 4 Poljot chronographs) and can be had for little more than $200.
Besides the great looks, this watch has an inner turning bezel with hoursthat can be used while traveling as a rudimentary GMT indication.

In the "My diver can beat up your diver" category has to be the Ecozilla. It's big, it's bad and it's very cool. While the all stainless versions can be very fun to wear they are also very heavy, which to my eyes makes the titanium and rubber version preferable. Nice blue lume, HUGE legible hands, great bezel, and a nicely designed, well guarded crown at 9 instead of 3 to improve wearability. Ecodrive means no batteries, quartz means few accuracy worries. Practical and fun, but you have to like them big at 48mm diameter.

A great quality watch with Flieger aesthetics for 245 euros plus shipping (Jan 2007) from a company created by Ickler (a well known quality German case supplier for various companies and also owner of Limes)

Seiko SKX779K "Black Monster"

because you can rarely find a better case and bracelet with even a hidden diver's extension on a watch in this price class

"Power reserve complication, decorated manufacture movement, classic style, solid link bracelet with deployant clasp.  Where else can you find a
Japanese (or Swiss) watch with all that for less than $300.00 US?"

Nine hands, awesome lume and all this with a little searching for under $300! Need I say more?

For 590€ you'll get a 300m Diver with a design of it's own. The finish of the case is just perfect. Despite it's size, it's very comfortable to wear - even on a small wrist

Comments please? Well, I did not get any comments, so let the picture speak for itself ;-)

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?!

The 6138 is the first integrated chronograph movement complete with column wheel, vertical clutch and balance bridge. The only other watch with this combination is the current Rolex Daytona.

THE CANDIDATES
20 watches waiting to be promoted to the TOP 20 LIST

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Movement and Specs

Where do you get such much watch for USD 95?

I think Martin Berg's SEA ANGLER should be considered. Now that it's made in Switzerland, and still available for under $500, it is one of the best quality watches I've handled in under that price range. With a 2824-2 movement and several dial colors, as well as a limited production run, these 44mm watches can not be mistaken for any other watch out there!

The reason I like this watch is the massive size of it. I don't think I have ever seen a watch this size and weight. It's a real PMW with a RMW appearance (less than $100).

mike03

I nominated the Kienzle (having received one for xmas) for its very high quality, striking design and clear lines which will also lead to great legibility. Also, the Unitas movement is extremely accurate and I think for around $300 its an excellent value.

Poljot Shturmanskie

Paulo

On April 12th 1961 Yuri Gagarin became the first man performing a space flight. While in space, the cosmonaut was wearing a "Shturmanskie" (Navigator) watch, manufactured at the First Moscow Watch Factory (1-MChZ). From 1964 the watches of the First Moscow Factory have been marked by a trademark "ПОЛЕТ" and "POLJOT", which means "flight" in Russian and is a tribute to the number of space trips their watches have accomplished.

Since the late 70’s, Poljot launched a new chrono movement: the 3133. It was a 23 jewels, manual winding (43 hours), a modified Russian version of the Swiss Valjoux 7734 of the early 70’s. Poljot 3133 were taken into space by cosmonauts from Russia, France, Germany, Ukraine. On the hand of V.V. Polyakov Poljot 3133 chronograph movement-based watch set a space record for the longest space flight in history.

Poljot chronographs with the 3133 movement are available starting bellow $200, making them one of the most interesting proposals for poor men chronographs presently. This Shturmanskie is an elegant timepiece that won a "beauty contest" in PMWF (a poll I made with 4 Poljot chronographs) and can be had for little more than $200.
Besides the great looks, this watch has an inner turning bezel with hoursthat can be used while traveling as a rudimentary GMT indication.

For way under $500, the Sector 600 ana-digi offers a large, solid stainless steel case, solid bracelet, sapphire crystal and one of the best implementations of an analog-digital quartz movement in this price class. Lots of functions on the movement, this watch is fun to wear and fun to experiment with (new straps).

Seiko SNX123K with the proven 7S26 movement. This poor man's GS can be had for under $60! With a truly striking dial, perhaps the best way to describe it is to quote Ed Brandwein: "Looks like a watch that could costs 10 times its price".

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.

There are other styles in the Seiko Spirit line (as well as the Alpinists) that carry this same movement so if this model isn't your "cuppa tea", there almost certainly is another that would suit you better.

The new crop of are extremely well made watches, the fact that they can be had for $50.00 with incredible packaging is a WIS dream come true. If I had to pick one I would pick the AM/PM As someone else said its big and kitchy without being The bracelet is as good as any watch costing 10, 20 or 30 times the asking price. Screw down crown, independent GMT hand, rotating bezel, BIG.... I can't think of anything they left out on this one!

This is an elegant (inner bezel rotates, acting as the 24h hand) that can be had for less than $400.
A superbly finished timepiece on a 3mm thick bracelet with double button clasp.

This is a great looking watch and a great value. It is more expensive than many of the Zodiacs PMWFers are frequently posting kudos about, but this model seems to be a cut above.

A great watch at just under $100 delivered on a thick stainless bracelet. Has day date complication and is quite accurate from my experience. Wet ink blue dial, good lume, red-tipped sweep, screw down crown and pusher, 200M.

Just an excellent value in a solar-powered quartz diving watch. Weighs as much, perhaps even more than the chunky Seiko Monster, yet wears very comfortably on the wrist. Very accurate quartz movement...just +5 seconds in just over three weeks of use...with a tight seconds hand that hits the chapter ring marks dead on. The crown may seem a little odd at first, but one quickly gets used to it, and it screws down to boot. The dial is simple in shimmering blue, with just a date complication and excellent lume on the markers and hands. This watch can normally be found for around $100 on the 'net, which in and of itself is a great price for what you get, but sometimes can be found for around $60 to $70 when blowout sales are taking place. If you have to have one quartz diver, this might be it.

The "Singapore" Sandoz Explorer is a great value for under $250 with classic style, excellent materials, proven workhorse movement, and a well executed fit/finish that creates a good looking, reliable, and quite durable watch.
Dial and hand style are that of a Rolex Air King, but in slightly larger 36mm traditional Explorer size with date (the Air King is 34mm without date). The example depicted in the photo has the centers of the band and end links polished which dresses it up a little. Stock, the centers are brush finished. Note the shape of the case between the lugs, and the end links. If you want to dress it up more, and make it wear heavier, there are aftermarket, very heavy solid link "President" bands with the same radius on the ends that will fit this case (found only on the Singapore version of the Sandoz Explorer).

I believe the Skyhawk is the one of the most versatile & useful watches around, especially if you travel or need to know times in various countries like I do. The preset and quick change of time zones is a wonderful feature.

It can be had even from ADs for about $200 and for $150 or less used. Since it's it's virtually maintenance free!

The Astrographic 2000 is a collectible commemorative of Zodiac's unique and distinctive mystery dial Astrographics that were introduced in 1971. Their hallmark is an orbiting red dot seconds marker and floating hour/minute hands that have no (easily) visible means of attachement. In 2000, while Zodiac was struggling financially and ownership rapidly changed hands a couple times, a limited production of no more than 500 each were made with black, blue and silver dials in square and round cases. The photo is of the round, blue dial version.

The Astrographic 2000 is an update of the original concept using modern materials, design and construction, with solid stainless cases, heavy solid link bracelets, sapphire crystals, and high grade 25j 28.8k bph ETA 2824-2 movements. With a MSRP of $1295, it broke the $1000 PMW limit, but street prices when first released were under that. They can be bought now (in 2006) for under $500, if one can be found, and there are still a small handful of NOS to be had. "In the flesh," they are a beauty to behold. With Fossil's ownership of Zodiac since 2002, and the nearly complete elimination of mechanicals from Zodiac's collections, it's unlikely we'll see another mechanical Astrographic in the foreseeable future.

A great vintage Seiko diver and gaining in popularity lately!