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Pro
Rather than suggesting pieces outside your budget I’ll suggest several Seikos which span different categories at or under the price point you mentioned.
Best mechanical dress watch under $1500: Seiko Presage SARX055. The dial is amazing, the AR on the crystal is breathtaking, and the level of finishing on the case for the price is superb.
Best all-around classic diver’s watch for under $1500: Seiko Prospex SPB143. Styled after the classic 62MAS, this one is right at 40mm with a conventionally placed 3 o’clock crown.
Best Seiko-styled diver’s watch for under $1500: Seiko Prospex SPB187. It’s slightly bigger than the 143 at 42mm and it’s got the iconic Seiko 4 o’clock crown + styling, but if you’re into that it’s a great watch.
Best high tech quartz watch under $1500: Seiko Astron SSH047. Not my thing, but if you are into watches that sync with atomic clock radio signals and reset themselves when you fly to a new time zone this is the one you want.
Pro
SSH047
Visual Storyteller
Lots of good options above. Here’s one more I like:
https://doxawatches.com/collections/sub-200
My first real watch was a Sinn 556i. 38mm auto made in Germany. Very versatile.
Enthusiast
It is a very tough choice... I was initially drawn to the 556i. Came across the 104 and it made the 556 look too plain in comparison for my taste. I went with the simple black dial but I’m sure it would look stunning with the shiny anthracite...
Rising Star
Look at pinned post from our fearless leader
Seiko SARB 033 or 035
Pro
If they did the names would probably all be in Japanese, how would that be easier?
Bowl Leader
The best $1,500 watch...is half of a BB58. I recommend saving up and getting into the game with a watch that you’ll likely want to keep forever.
If that doesn’t sound appealing, I’d then recommend the new Monta Noble. It’s $260 over budget, but you won’t find more watch for your money. It’ll look good in any situation, perfect size at 38.5mm, it has a date, quick adjust bracelet, <10mm case height, 150m water resistance, and a really nice blue or white dial.
If you like the diver idea but don’t want to save, I also recommend the Oris Divers 65. A diver makes a great first watch because it’s versatile, robust, and it still looks good after years of abuse. As your collection grows the Diver then becomes your “beater” and you don’t have to worry about selling/trading it for peanuts (if that’s what you choose to do).
The Divers 65 is such a great choice specifically because it’s offered in three sizes (choose appropriate for your wrist; 36, 40, 42mm), it’s automatic, from an independent brand, it has a sapphire crystal, and they offer tons of strap and dial combos.
My absolute favorite is actually the Timeless edition (and not just because I worked there). It’s not the most versatile, with its seaweed green dial, and it’s 25% over budget, but it’s cool as hell. The Movember edition is also nice and a little more subdued, but also a little over budget. I like both of these options specifically, because they eschew the fauxtina.
It’s also 1/3 of a Seamaster and 1/6 of a Sub...
Visual Storyteller
Longines hydroconquest automatic
Zodiac watches and Christopher ward
Rising Star
What do you wear currently? Do you have any watches with a mechanical movement (non battery/quartz)? If not, I think Seiko is the perfect first mechanical watch - and there's so many models to choose from. I'd check out some of the Pressage Cocktail models, the Seiko 5 Sports SRPDs, or the Samurai to start!
Omega Speedmaster Reduced
TAG F1
No
Omega seamaster used on chrono24
For <$1500? Unless you're talking vintage (which a newbie shouldn't buy to begin with) not sure what you're referring to
I would check out the Nomos Club Campus. It’s a 38mm manual wind watch (in house movement). It can be worn daily, dressed up, or worn casually.
Save your money and get something in the $3-5k range.
Chief
🙄
NOMOS