# Mechanical wristwatches, not very cheap or expensive: What brands/models should I be looking at? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 14, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947 "2018-10-14T19:57:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/21 "2018-10-15T14:10:01Z")
I like my GMT Master II and my non-date Sub, but I wear a [c. 1974 blue-dial Seiko 4006-6040 Bell-Matic](http://i.imgur.com/4Ifi3.jpg) just as often. I never have occasion to use the alarm, but it’s there if I want it. There are several on eBay right now, though a few sellers are asking way too much. I did see a nice-looking one for $245. OK, it’s not a watch from ‘these days’ as the OP says; but vintage watches are cool. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/22 "2018-10-15T14:16:20Z")
My buddy, The Bitter Poet Madman, has a [YouTube channel dedicated to watches](https://www.youtube.com/user/BitterPoetMadman). Watches are his life. Consider sending him a message; I’m pretty sure he’d devote an episode to your question. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/23 "2018-10-15T14:27:12Z")
I bought a Stuhrling self-winding mechanical skeleton watch on [Overstock.com](http://Overstock.com). They are still available. It’s well made. The MSRP seems way too much but current pricing is reasonable. I got a killer deal when I bought mine, I think because of an error on the web site–they had the same watch advertised at a price similar to today’s, and on another page for about $100. [https://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Stuhrling-Original-Mens-371-Series-Skeleton-Dial-Dual-Time-AM-PM-Sun-Moon-Stainless-Steel-Automatic-Watch-with-Leather-Band/10399811/product.html?recset=738b199e-ae7d-47eb-ad37-492f4db5e362&refccid=XTFT45JOU4DLYICIYQRHTBXABI&searchidx=0&recalg=63&recidx=0](https://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Stuhrling-Original-Mens-371-Series-Skeleton-Dial-Dual-Time-AM-PM-Sun-Moon-Stainless-Steel-Automatic-Watch-with-Leather-Band/10399811/product.html?recset=738b199e-ae7d-47eb-ad37-492f4db5e362&refccid=XTFT45JOU4DLYICIYQRHTBXABI&searchidx=0&recalg=63&recidx=0) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/24 "2018-10-15T14:58:39Z")
I also have a solar powered watch, a Citizen Eco Drive. Mine was about $100. A friend of mine has a Casio solar powered watch. Mine has been very accurate. I’ve had it about 4 months. I love never needing to buy a new battery. Highly recommended. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/25 "2018-10-15T15:57:27Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Have you considered a pocket watch? When I was visiting London, I bought a beautiful skeleton pocket watch at the Greenwich Observatory. Where would be a better place to buy a time piece? He’s already got a pocket watch - his cell phone. As per post #7, the OP is looking for a watch that will allow him to see the time while driving and presumably at other times when he’s not wanting to dig into his pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/26 "2018-10-15T16:29:12Z")
I can’t add any _expert_ opinion to what these fine folks have said, but as a novice consumer: I hate having to take my watches to get the battery replaced (I don’t mind the $10, but just the inconvenience, and I usually forget), so I do have both Seiko and Citizen light-charged watches, as well as a 20-year-old Rolex that I only take out for formal events. But I love Skagen watches - they are so light and thin, and I like the styling. The two I have use pop-off backs, so I learned to replace the batteries myself. The batteries are about $2 each on Amazon (in 5 packs), and I’m an old klutz but was able to change the batteries easily. I’m embarrassed I never tried it before. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/27 "2018-10-15T18:02:16Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > That would drive me nuts. I have a Sinn 756 Diapal, and it is so accurate I can go for months without resetting it except for adjusting for months with less than 31 days. I’m amazed a purely mechanical self-winding watch can be that accurate. > > Stranger Wow, me, too. I only reset my citizens watch when the time changes or I fly to another time zone. It’s always accurate to within a couple seconds. I’ve had seikos in the past which were quite reasonably accurate, though. That one should probably have been returned under warranty. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/28 "2018-10-15T18:50:29Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I have an analog Timex watch that seems to keep time for a good long time and is reasonably reliable. And it cost about $25. But it’s not self-winding, which is another one of my must haves. It looks like I’ll probably end up with a smartwatch, after all. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/29 "2018-10-15T18:54:36Z")
That’s fine. I find that watch batteries have to be replaced so infrequently that I’m willing not to have to deal with a self-winding watch. Plus really the only two times I wear a watch are in movie theaters and on airplanes. In the movie theaters, I’ve found that smartwatches light up the environment almost as much as a regular smartphone and on airplanes, you’re not supposed to have electronics on during take offs and and landings. So for me a dumb watch, even one with a battery, is sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/30 "2018-10-15T18:59:11Z")
Go to Gearbest. I have a mechanical self-winding watch for 17 USD from them, and, despite owning some pieces over 10,000 USD, I enjoy the heck out of some Chinese watches. If you have 50 bucks, you are a king, and some of these watches are very, very good. You can start to enjoy the size and feel (self winding watches are usually more stout) for almost nothing. Have fun with something to warm you up first. [https://www.gearbest.com/mechanical-watches-c\_11313/](https://www.gearbest.com/mechanical-watches-c_11313/) . ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/31 "2018-10-15T19:43:19Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > I have a Sinn 756 Diapal, and it is so accurate I can go for months without resetting it except for adjusting for months with less than 31 days. For that price I’d expect it to do all that and wash the dishes. > [@Philster](#): > > […]despite owning some pieces over 10,000 USD :eek: For that price I’d expect blow jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/32 "2018-10-15T19:47:18Z")
I wear a Seiko quartz that my wife got me as a wedding present 33 yrs ago. No idea how much she spent, but seeing as we were in school at the time, I imagine it wasn’t much. After all these years still looks great and keeps great time. I’ve been giving my kids my old Elgins/Omegas, as my wife likes to see me wear the watch she gave me. Never noticed it losing/gaining any, and only reset it when changing clocks or traveling across time zones. For beating around, I buy a Timex Ironman every few years when they die. Nice to be able to time things occasionally. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/33 "2018-10-16T01:03:45Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > For that price I’d expect it to do all that and wash the dishes. > :eek: For that price I’d expect blow jobs. It delivers a lot more than that. (Edit: Exotic cars and watches will exceed your expectations). Anyway… OP wants a mechanical self winding watch. 25-50 bucks all day and night can get you one. Adding Orient watches as good options (Seiko owns Orient) and will last forever. Some below 150 USD. People chiming in with quartz suggestions are maybe not aware that a mechanical watch is wound, self-wound (or both) and runs sans batteries. . ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/34 "2018-10-16T01:21:27Z")
I’m happy with my [Skagen](https://www.skagen.com/). ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/35 "2018-10-16T03:15:58Z")
Grand Seiko make an incredible movement > [@](#): > > Spring Drive is a unique watch technology. It generates energy like every other luxury mechanical watch but combines this with an electronic regulator to deliver a level of precision that no mechanical watch can match. > The development of Spring Drive was possible because Grand Seiko is one of the very few manufacturers with mastery of both electronic and mechanical watchmaking. > **[Grand Seiko](https://www.grand-seiko.com/us-en/)** > > OgpDescription: Swatch actually developed an automatic movement it calls SISTEM that’s entirely assembled by machines which is a unique accomplishment. Because of this though the watch is not serviceable and will eventually break though Swatch estimates 50 years. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/36 "2018-10-16T04:21:47Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > It delivers a lot more than that. > > (Edit: Exotic cars and watches will exceed your expectations). > > Anyway… > > OP wants a mechanical self winding watch. 25-50 bucks all day and night can get you one. Adding Orient watches as good options (Seiko owns Orient) and will last forever. Some below 150 USD. > > People chiming in with quartz suggestions are maybe not aware that a mechanical watch is wound, self-wound (or both) and runs sans batteries. > > . OP says he wants to have the time on his wrist, and wants something that works. Then he says that ideally it would be mechanical and self-winding. Depending on WHY he wants that, solar-powered quartz might fit the bill. In particular, it never needs a new battery. Cool that you can get a decent mechanical self-winding watch in the same price range, though. I would have expected that to cost a lot more, at least for one that keeps good time. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/37 "2018-10-16T05:17:43Z")
> [@susan](#): > > I’m happy with my [Skagen](https://www.skagen.com/). My, what big watch you have. 🙂 Seriously, Skagen makes fine watches. I never liked the big, heavy, messy-faced chronographs so popular with a lot of men. Give me a clean and clear design every time. Riding my motorcycle, I want to tell the time at a quick glance. > [@Raza](#): > > I can’t add any _expert_ opinion to what these fine folks have said, but as a novice consumer: I hate having to take my watches to get the battery replaced (I don’t mind the $10, but just the inconvenience, and I usually forget), so I do have both Seiko and Citizen light-charged watches, as well as a 20-year-old Rolex that I only take out for formal events. This is why I got a relatively inexpensive light-charged watch as my backup, 2nd watch. I wear it when doing rough manual labor where the watch can get damaged, and when my daily wear watch needs batteries — every 3-4 years. My daily wear watch is a wedding gift from my watch. I’ve been wearing it daily for the 16 years we’ve been married. It is light and thin, but not as much as Skagens are. And it has a clear analog display, too. Easy to read. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/38 "2018-10-16T05:23:21Z")
There are different reasons why you’d want a mechanical wristwatch. That’s partly why the responses have been so varied. If “because I want to know what time is, conveniently and quickly, and that’s it”, then a traditional mechanical watch is no longer the best answer. Newer technology keeps better time and has less (not more) to go wrong with it. (New tech much harder to repair, but it won’t need it anyway.) If “because I want to know the time AND I enjoy and appreciate the mechanical device itself, and/or the kind of work that goes into making it”, or in short “it feels good to me”, then… well, **what** feels good to you can include so many factors that it gets very difficult to judge or explain. I have a Seiko 5. I have it because I enjoy this kind of device, because it was easily available at the time, and because the relatively low price fit my budget. The modest price also means I’m not constantly worried about avoiding damage or loss. You can say to me “A good watch doesn’t have to be fragile, it will be fine” - and you may be right - but my stupid feelings are my stupid feelings, and they don’t seem to change on this topic. Plus if I wore a considerably more expensive watch, I’d wish I had used that money on something that means more to me. See why a lot of different watches all sell well? See why “the best” is not always the best? ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/39 "2018-10-16T08:58:25Z")
As I mentioned [elsethread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=861350), I recently bought a vintage automatic watch off eBay. It’s an East German watch manufactured some time between 1964 and 1979. I bought it solely because I liked how it looked. I figured that old watches that are sold regularly on eBay (that is, there are lots of past sales of the same model) are probably reliable because hey, they’re still running after all these decades, and there’s clearly a demand for them. I’m happy with my watch, so I’d advise you to browse used ones yourself to find one that you like. You’re not going to find a huge variety in features so your decision is going to be based largely on the style. Look for sellers who are in the business of cleaning/repairing/refurbishing the watches themselves, and who offer a guarantee that they are in working order. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947/41 "2018-10-16T11:05:57Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > OP says he wants to have the time on his wrist, and wants something that works. Then he says that ideally it would be mechanical and self-winding. Depending on WHY he wants that, solar-powered quartz might fit the bill. In particular, it never needs a new battery. > > Cool that you can get a decent mechanical self-winding watch in the same price range, though. I would have expected that to cost a lot more, at least for one that keeps good time. Solar powered watches store energy in batteries, and they fail. They are not ‘mechanical watches’ and the line in the sand between quartz, solar and mechanical has significant meaning to people who are seeking one over the other. There are also mecha-quartz and no-battery spring drive Grand Seiko which has no batteries but generates electricity mechanically and then uses that to let a quartz crystal manage the time regulation and we can be here forever, blah blah blah. Peace . [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947.md?page=3)