Looking for a new watch

[Namsob77]

Ok, I never thought I'd be into wearing watches again. It seemed all I needed anymore was my phone to check the time. But this summer I got an exceptional deal on a Casio Pathfinder PAG-240 and always having loved the look of the G's and PF series, it's on my wrist all the time.

Except for.....and here is the need for another watch, this place is addictive from knives to multitools now watches!! lol

So had a wedding last Saturday and was no way wearing a plastic sport watch with a suit or blazer, not here to debate that.

So now I've been looking at the following thus far, Invicta 8926 OB, Invicta 8932, Seiko SKx007, and the www .amazon. com/Casio-Edifice-Chronograph-World-EQS500DB-1A1/dp/B003URWNQE I posted a link to that cause it's probably the least familiar here.

I definitely want to go for Stainless Steel bracelet. I love having a solar or "non battery" changing watch. So I have read many reviews and thus far still undecided, it seems as far as the Invictas go I am concerned about quality. This watch is mainly for dress up, which isn't that often, unless I end up really liking with casual wear, then it could get as much use as the Pathfinder. I have read people say the Seiko is ten times the watch of the Invictas at just a little over double the cost. Don't know much about the Casio Edifice EQS500DB-1A1, except is is solar and looks to be dressy and sporty.....

So my dilemma is do I just spend $50 get the Invicta 8932 have the look I want for dress and just deal with the battery change every so many years. Get the 8962OB pay a few dollars more I think it is $75 on Amazon and have the cool sweeping hand and just not worry if I don't find myself wearing it often and reset the watch when I occasionally wear it. Or to I go for the Seiko cause it's so much better and I just start wearing it often. The other thing is do automatics really require "maintenance" every so many years? If so and at way more than the cost of a battery, do I just get the 8932 or once again go for with the Casio?

Hope this all makes sense, all opinions and even other suggestions are welcome!

Thanks,

Joe

[bmot]

For a dress watch, I really like this one:


http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SNK809-Automatic-Watch-Canvas/dp/B002SSUQFG/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1407873204&sr=1-1&keywords=seiko+5

Seiko, but at 60 dollars not a bad price, it's automatic, and nice, light and slim. Only thing I find slightly annoying is, being automatic, if you don't wear it for a day or two, you'll have to re-set it.

[jerseydevil]

I got that exact same watch as a Christmas present (from me  ), and I love it.   

[Namsob77]

For a dress watch, I really like this one:


http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SNK809-Automatic-Watch-Canvas/dp/B002SSUQFG/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1407873204&sr=1-1&keywords=seiko+5

Seiko, but at 60 dollars not a bad price, it's automatic, and nice, light and slim. Only thing I find slightly annoying is, being automatic, if you don't wear it for a day or two, you'll have to re-set it.

Thanks for post, for dress I really don't want a canvas strap.  But I have checked out the Seiko 5's before, really nice watches!

[Namsob77]

I got that exact same watch as a Christmas present (from me  ), and I love it. 

The PAG 240?

[jerseydevil]

I got that exact same watch as a Christmas present (from me  ), and I love it. 

The PAG 240?

No sorry, the Seiko bmot posted.  I forgot to out a few ^^ in there......

[enki_ck]

I have that Seiko too.

I originally got it with a metal strap



and switched it to nylon nato the same day. Never tried the metal strap actually.



Currently it's on a leather nato strap.



It ran fine for a few months, then started speeding about a minute a day, probably due to a fall or bump. I read on wus that hanging it crown down will correct this and after a few tries it did.

[Namsob77]

I do like the Seiko 5 and actually considered it with a canvas strap for casual wear, but I'm going to just use the Pathfinder for that right now.  As a "dress" watch I guess I want something with a "bit more" to the watch, not blingy in any way, but I do like the "dive watch" and "aviation type" with a metal bracelet for me says dressy but still kinda sporty and cool.  Hope that make sense.

[mr626]

The Seiko SKx007 is the best choice of the ones you originally mentioned, if you do decide to get another watch. The Invictas are meant to be okay too, as long as you know what you are buying (basically a cheap Rolex Sub homage).

I'd also consider the Orient Mako- in the same price range as the 007 and a very nice auto dive watch.

[PTRSAK]

My 5 is Blue...   great watch for the price.

[Namsob77]

The more I read.......ughhh

So it seems the Invicta 8926ob uses the Seiko NH35A movement?  Now this is all new stuff to me but, it's seems that the Invicta really "rivals" the Seiko SKX007 at less than half the price!!  Before I read that, I was under the impression that the Seiko was clearly superior by a large margin?  Am I missing something???

[RamoN]

Invictas are a hit or miss regarding quality as far as ive heard, seiko will deliver most of the time and quality on a seiko will always be better. That said invicta has some homages to much more expensive models like the rolex daytona or submariner that may appeal to you although the quality wont be nowhere near.


Automatics if they are good dont really need more maintenance than a revision every few years, they do need it but on a watch that price you might as well use it forever and it may work properly forever or if it ever something happens to it you will do cheaper changing the movement.

Consider orient too, lots of models to choose from, very good prices and they are all built in house like seiko, that means the same company makes everything and they are very good quality, you should check the mako, ray diver line, they are elegant and i can tell from experience they can take a beating.

[MadPlumbarian]

Invicta makes self winding ones, just what are you after? JR

[Aloha]

I'd also echo Ramon choice of Orients, while I don't own one I've heard nothing but great things. 
I have an Invicta auto but I forget the movement off hand.

To answer the "maintenance" question of autos the simple answer is YES they need to be serviced IMO but how often is the bigger question.  Some will say every 3-5 years others will say they have never opened their case backs and their watch is 30 years old and runs great.  Cost is a hard one as some watches will run over a $100 and others even more to lube pressure test etc.

I bought a Nixon and they charge $20 or so to put fresh batteries in and run some pressure testing and lube the gasket along with other things.

Ok back to watches,  I have always found a simple leather strap to be very attractive and tasteful.   Get a watch then get brown, black, and a metal band and end up with 3 watches.

I know these are higher than you requested.

Orient Bambino,Classic auto, symphony.

Parnis brand, there was some discussion of where to buy this particular brand so do some homework.

Timex SL series

There are lots of great affordable watches out there so have fun and dont worry about quartz movements.  The batteries last longer than you need to worry about. 
 

[Namsob77]

WOW!!  Thanks for all the input.  Now I am consumed looking at Orient brand!!  ughhhhhh lol

[jekostas]

The more I read.......ughhh

So it seems the Invicta 8926ob uses the Seiko NH35A movement?  Now this is all new stuff to me but, it's seems that the Invicta really "rivals" the Seiko SKX007 at less than half the price!!  Before I read that, I was under the impression that the Seiko was clearly superior by a large margin?  Am I missing something???

Seiko will have better build quality and better lume.  But you're right, the Invictas do use an absolutely excellent movement.  Before the the NH35A they used the also well-proven Miyota 8215 for the Japanese autos.

[Cupboard]

I have a Seiko SNE095P1.
My dad got it for me for Christmas and I think it's fantastic. I use it every day at work, I'm a clumsy fool and I do a fair bit of work outside looking after things that aren't friendly to watches. Compared to the Swatch I had before, the Seiko is better built, tougher, the glass hasn't scratched, nothing's fallen off and it's easier to clean. Accuracy is bang on, it's solar powered too which is nice and I think it looks good. Smart but functional, not too flashy or blingy.

[Namsob77]

Thanks!  I really like solar, anything that doesn't need a battery change!

Now I'm kinda in between the Seiko SKX007 and Orient Black Mako!

[zoidberg]

Thanks!  I really like solar, anything that doesn't need a battery change!

Now I'm kinda in between the Seiko SKX007 and Orient Black Mako!

I'm not a watch guy. So going on looks, I'ld go with the SKX007. 

[RamoN]

Thanks!  I really like solar, anything that doesn't need a battery change!

Now I'm kinda in between the Seiko SKX007 and Orient Black Mako!

Remember that solar have batteries too, there is no guarantee that a solar will outlast a quartz by a lot on a battery change. All watches will need some sort of maintenance sooner or later. Just saying that base your choice on what you like and any good quality watch will give you years of happy service before any maintenance is needed.

[Aloha]

Thanks!  I really like solar, anything that doesn't need a battery change!

Now I'm kinda in between the Seiko SKX007 and Orient Black Mako!

Remember that solar have batteries too, there is no guarantee that a solar will outlast a quartz by a lot on a battery change. All watches will need some sort of maintenance sooner or later. Just saying that base your choice on what you like and any good quality watch will give you years of happy service before any maintenance is needed.

Also solar watch batteries will cost more as well.  I have a few solar watches and have enjoyed many years without battery changes.

[nate j]

The Seiko SKx007 is the best choice of the ones you originally mentioned

+1

[Namsob77]

I guess another question is the crystal in the Seiko or the Orient or even the Invicta recessed below the bezel, or is the crystal the higher than the bezel, thus bing the first thing the top of the watch contact point?  Hope I'm asking that correctly.

[ToolJoe]

  Since you have good luck with Casio and need a bracelet, how about one of these?:
  http://www.amazon.com/Casio-A158W-1-Classic-Stainless-Bracelet/dp/B000GAYQJ0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1408030341&sr=8-7&keywords=casio+f-91w

[Grathr]

  Since you have good luck with Casio and need a bracelet, how about one of these?:
  http://www.amazon.com/Casio-A158W-1-Classic-Stainless-Bracelet/dp/B000GAYQJ0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1408030341&sr=8-7&keywords=casio+f-91w

The watch case on those is made from cromed plastic, and does not age well.

[Namsob77]

  Since you have good luck with Casio and need a bracelet, how about one of these?:
  http://www.amazon.com/Casio-A158W-1-Classic-Stainless-Bracelet/dp/B000GAYQJ0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1408030341&sr=8-7&keywords=casio+f-91w

Thanks for the reply but looking for analog

[RamoN]

The crystal on the orients is a bit above the bezel but i havent had any kind of problems with it yet and i ride a motorcycle and put my hands everywhere, even used is to surf and was tossed everywhere on the water and sand and still looks new. So unless you plan to do some heavy outdoor or manual activities you will be fine, most crystals can take bangs and light scraping nowadays.

[ToolJoe]

  I'm surprised the Citizen Eco-Drive BM81-80 hasn't been mentioned yet:

  http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-BM8180-03E-Eco-Drive-Canvas-Strap/dp/B000EQS1JW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1409155864&sr=8-4&keywords=citizen

  I have had one of these and also a Seiko 5 and vastly preferred this. Better lume, kept time better and you could swap a metal band on it no problem.