Help Selecting a Watch

RTAdams89 · **on:** March 21, 2011, 08:39:20 AM

I'm looking for a new watch that is durable (so I can wear it when working on my car, fixing a computer, chopping wood, etc.) but also classy enough to fit in with a "business casual" outfit. Think a scaled back James Bond watch (since I don't have the James Bond wallet). For that reason, I'm thinking a black, metal/leather band, analog watch. I would also like it to have a date display, some way to time events to at least the minute, and be visible at night (so either back lit or Triton hands). Final requirement: a face diameter of less than 40mm.

That last requirement is the one that keeps tripping me up. Every time I find a watch that is supposed to be strong and classy, it turns out to be a monster.

So far I have found a few from the Invicta Signature II series as well as one Citizen watch, but that's about it, and I'm not in love with any of those.

Any ideas of other watches to look at?

ari6126 · **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2011, 01:47:33 PM

Check out the Casio Edifice line. While not as tough as the G-Shocks, they are smaller and more likely to have an analog dial.

gustophersmob · **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2011, 03:08:58 PM

Not sure if it will meet the classy requirement, but I highly recommend the Citizen eco-drive diver BN0000-04H. I think it will definitely meet the rugged and size requirements.

I have worn mine every day for almost 4 years now, and it has been a great, trouble free watch. There are some light scratches on the crystal now, but I think it is reasonable for a sub $200 watch.

When I got it I immediately put mine on a Hirsch Carbon strap.

This post shows the watch on a carbon strap like mine:
http://www.larrybiggs.net/scwf/index.php?mod=103&action=0&id=1137355664

These posts have some good pictures of it:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f21/citizen-bn0000-04h-photos-first-impressions-516615.html
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f305/citizen-bn0000-04h-300m-diver-review-250092.html

And I think these are the best prices (at least that I can find) for the stuff:
http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-BN0000-04H-Eco-Drive-Professional-Rubber/dp/B000EQS1RO
http://www.globalwatchband.com/group/48/#0259 20

Hope this helps. Good luck with your search!

Cyclone82 · **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2011, 03:27:59 PM

I love the G-shocks. They are bullet proof. I had one since 2003 and had been worn every single day since then till a few weeks ago. Im a mechanic so the watch got really abused and could handle it. Chemicals, paint, oil, knocks and dings, you name it. I Did one battery change on it a few years ago and it was ok, but when i wnet to do a battery change on it a few weeks back i could get it to work again. I have no idea what happened. i bought a used on for the internals, fitted them with new battery but same thing. It was dead. i dont know what happened but i think somehow static electricity in my fingers could have damaged the sensitive electronics? I was so disapointed as i had just refurbished it with a new bezel and band. I bought 2 more of the same model. One to wear at work and one to keep clean for going out. The good thing is you can get spare bands and bezels for them. I never had any problems with the resin band at all apart from a small crack that showed up this year. Every watch i had before the g-shock would alsways break a band or tear off the watch during sport of what ever, they just didn't last. The G-shocks are just bullet proof, but be careful when changing batteries i guess

gustophersmob · **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2011, 03:56:17 PM

Quote from: Cyclone82 on March 21, 2011, 03:27:59 PM

I love the G-shocks. They are bullet proof. I had one since 2003 and had been worn every single day since then till a few weeks ago. Im a mechanic so the watch got really abused and could handle it. Chemicals, paint, oil, knocks and dings, you name it. I Did one battery change on it a few years ago and it was ok, but when i wnet to do a battery change on it a few weeks back i could get it to work again. I have no idea what happened. i bought a used on for the internals, fitted them with new battery but same thing. It was dead. i dont know what happened but i think somehow static electricity in my fingers could have damaged the sensitive electronics? I was so disapointed as i had just refurbished it with a new bezel and band. I bought 2 more of the same model. One to wear at work and one to keep clean for going out. The good thing is you can get spare bands and bezels for them. I never had any problems with the resin band at all apart from a small crack that showed up this year. Every watch i had before the g-shock would alsways break a band or tear off the watch during sport of what ever, they just didn't last. The G-shocks are just bullet proof, but be careful when changing batteries i guess

They have quite a few solar powered models these days. That may be the way to go next time you need a new one.

Threeme2189 · **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2011, 06:37:33 PM

Quote from: gustophersmob on March 21, 2011, 03:56:17 PM

Quote from: Cyclone82 on March 21, 2011, 03:27:59 PM
I love the G-shocks. They are bullet proof. I had one since 2003 and had been worn every single day since then till a few weeks ago. Im a mechanic so the watch got really abused and could handle it. Chemicals, paint, oil, knocks and dings, you name it. I Did one battery change on it a few years ago and it was ok, but when i wnet to do a battery change on it a few weeks back i could get it to work again. I have no idea what happened. i bought a used on for the internals, fitted them with new battery but same thing. It was dead. i dont know what happened but i think somehow static electricity in my fingers could have damaged the sensitive electronics? I was so disapointed as i had just refurbished it with a new bezel and band. I bought 2 more of the same model. One to wear at work and one to keep clean for going out. The good thing is you can get spare bands and bezels for them. I never had any problems with the resin band at all apart from a small crack that showed up this year. Every watch i had before the g-shock would alsways break a band or tear off the watch during sport of what ever, they just didn't last. The G-shocks are just bullet proof, but be careful when changing batteries i guess

They have quite a few solar powered models these days. That may be the way to go next time you need a new one.

I have a solar powered G-Shock.
While it's true that the battery can be charged with sunlight or even ordinary florescent light, it will eventually not be able to hold a charge and need to be replaced.
Mine is over 2 years old and still going strong

AHB · **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:03:45 PM

You can't go wrong with a Casio 5600E..

All the cool kids got one..

Zed · **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:07:59 PM

Quote from: AHB on March 21, 2011, 07:03:45 PM

You can't go wrong with a Casio 5600E..
All the cool kids got one..

i favour these days for bashing and cycling casio's protrek prg-40 as like all the functions as has barrometer/altimeter/compass etc etc, big watch as well, very tough, although i would go with one of the newer solar ones if i had the money,

gustophersmob · **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:44:28 PM

Quote from: threeme2189 on March 21, 2011, 06:37:33 PM

I have a solar powered G-Shock.
While it's true that the battery can be charged with sunlight or even ordinary florescent light, it will eventually not be able to hold a charge and need to be replaced.
Mine is over 2 years old and still going strong

I would really like to get into g-shocks, but I have heard stories of the solar storage cell (battery/capacitor?) needing replaced after only a few years. That plus their monstrous size on my tiny wrists is a deal-breaker for me. They do look nice, though.

Top-Gear-24 · **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2011, 08:38:54 PM

I own a couple of Casio watches, I've got an old G-Shock DW-6900 (bought this one in '97, seen a lot of action but still works great), and I also have a Casio Protrek PRW-1300Y and a Casio Riseman (both of them are Solar Powered), and last but not least a Casio Sea-Pathfinder Titanium. Both the PRW-1300Y and the Casio Riseman look pretty small (compared to other G-Shocks off course

). The PRW-1300Y is also pretty thin for such a tough watch. The Sea-Pathfinder on the other hand is a pretty big watch ...

Don't know (yet) how long the batteries will last, I've read the should last about 10 years, only time will tell (I've owned the PRW-1300Y for almost 3 years and untill now the battery is still working fine).

Here you see the Sea-Pathfinder and the Protrek PRW-1300Y:

And here a pic of the Casio Riseman (with a small Silva Compass on the wristband):

Medic82 · **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2011, 09:08:04 PM

Countycomm have some nice analoge watches
http://countycomm.com/Watches.htm

I myself am waiting for a Luminox 3051 Blackout

jzmtl · **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2011, 09:51:33 PM

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think anything with digital display or too much black really fits the "business casual" environment.

I have a Momentum atlas, Ti casing and sapphire window, pretty tough, comes in tons of color/band combinations. The one I have is white dial/blue nylon band.

Top-Gear-24 · **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2011, 10:03:53 PM

Quote from: Medic82 on March 21, 2011, 09:08:04 PM

Countycomm have some nice analoge watches
http://countycomm.com/Watches.htm

I myself am waiting for a Luminox 3051 Blackout
(Image removed from quote.)

Wow ... That's one cool looking watch ...

Medic82 · **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2011, 10:21:49 PM

Quote from: Top-Gear-24 on March 21, 2011, 10:03:53 PM

Wow ... That's one cool looking watch ...

There is a reason why I bought it

Quote from: jzmtl on March 21, 2011, 09:51:33 PM

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think anything with digital display or too much black really fits the "business casual" environment.

+1

ryan1835 · **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2011, 11:30:32 PM

Quote from: Medic82 on March 21, 2011, 09:08:04 PM

Countycomm have some nice analoge watches
http://countycomm.com/Watches.htm

I myself am waiting for a Luminox 3051 Blackout
(Image removed from quote.)

can we have some pics of that when you receive it? just want to see what it looks like on the wrist - all the watches you seem to get i like lol

now i need to find one i like!

Cyclone82 · **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2011, 02:47:48 PM

I got the DW-6600. I want to get a Mudman though.

Looked into the solar ones but from what i read the battery life is less than the non solor. I got well over 3 years out of a battery in the DW-6600 so i wasnt too keen on that.

if you dotn like the 'sporty' type G-shocks you can get more 'dressy' looking ones with metal bits

Vladimir · **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2011, 04:42:25 PM

I have Casio G-Shock MTG 910 MI:3 and it's a beautiful watch-atomic timekeeping, solar powered.
But I saw this one today and I just had to buy it:

Seiko Orange Monster

Threeme2189 · **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2011, 06:14:11 PM

Quote from: gustophersmob on March 21, 2011, 07:44:28 PM

Quote from: threeme2189 on March 21, 2011, 06:37:33 PM
I have a solar powered G-Shock.
While it's true that the battery can be charged with sunlight or even ordinary florescent light, it will eventually not be able to hold a charge and need to be replaced.
Mine is over 2 years old and still going strong

I would really like to get into g-shocks, but I have heard stories of the solar storage cell (battery/capacitor?) needing replaced after only a few years. That plus their monstrous size on my tiny wrists is a deal-breaker for me. They do look nice, though.

I have pretty thin wrists too, and my GW-500a fits me just fine.
It doesn't have all of the fancy bar/temp gauges, but it's solar powered and atomic time keeping.
It's one of the smaller and simpler G-Shocks, but it's tough as nails and in my opinion good looking.

jekostas · **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2011, 08:55:39 PM

Do you have any issues with buying used? Why not get a Swiss Army watch?
Tough, reliable, there are many designs available and there are TONS available used and dirt cheap.

You could also look at some of the lesser-known Swiss brands like Invicta, Rotary, Sector, Helix, Jacques Lemans, Ellesse, Zodiac or even a Swatch Irony or Skin watch. Given your proclivities, one of the new Zodiac designs might be right up your alley, such as the Sea Wolf or Sea Dragon.

Yes, I prefer Swiss made watches and I'm not ashamed of it. Like you, I've got a very small wrist and I find that while the Japanese can make a heckuva nice watch, they tend to be much larger than the Swiss stuff. I also wouldn't go digital if you expect to be wearing a watch for business casual.

RTAdams89 · **Reply #19 on:** March 23, 2011, 01:59:10 AM

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm narrowing down my list (after greatly expanding it thanks to all the suggestions given). I've finding conflicting size information on several of the watches I'm looking at. Does anyone have the Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout or the Invicta Signature II Mens Watch 7288 that they could measure?

Depending on the size of those two watches, I think I'll go with one of these:

Invicta Signature II Mens Watch 7288
Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout
Casio Edifice EF-521BK-1AVDF

fly104857 · **Reply #20 on:** March 23, 2011, 02:02:24 AM

I say go with either a Luminox (tritium), Seiko or Citizen as they both have very good lume paint on them that glows all night after just a minute under a light. I have Luminox EVO and the Seiko "Black Monster" I wear them all and and have no complaints. The Seiko "monsters" are BIG but they do look nice and cool at the same time even on my smaller wrist.

fly104857 · **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2011, 02:09:31 AM

RT, looking at your choices IF I was considering those 3- I'd have to go with the Luminox. Great night time reading. Coolness factor and I get compliments/inquiries on my EVO alot of the times I have it on. I have the "blue" version. Its got Orange tritium for the hanes and Blue tritium for the hour indicators.

Medic82 · **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2011, 02:27:45 AM

Quote from: RTAdams89 on March 23, 2011, 01:59:10 AM

Does anyone have the Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout or the Invicta Signature II Mens Watch 7288 that they could measure?

Give me about 2 weeks and I will give you HD pics and all the measurements you want

ari6126 · **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2011, 02:28:55 AM

Quote from: Medic82 on March 23, 2011, 02:27:45 AM

Quote from: RTAdams89 on March 23, 2011, 01:59:10 AM
Does anyone have the Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout or the Invicta Signature II Mens Watch 7288 that they could measure?

Give me about 2 weeks and I will give you HD pics and all the measurements you want

So you finally got one?

Medic82 · **Reply #24 on:** March 23, 2011, 02:41:02 AM

Quote from: ari6126 on March 23, 2011, 02:28:55 AM

Quote from: Medic82 on March 23, 2011, 02:27:45 AM
Quote from: RTAdams89 on March 23, 2011, 01:59:10 AM
Does anyone have the Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout or the Invicta Signature II Mens Watch 7288 that they could measure?

Give me about 2 weeks and I will give you HD pics and all the measurements you want

So you finally got one?

Jupp!

ryan1835 · **Reply #25 on:** March 23, 2011, 07:24:22 PM

Quote from: Medic82 on March 23, 2011, 02:41:02 AM

Quote from: ari6126 on March 23, 2011, 02:28:55 AM
Quote from: Medic82 on March 23, 2011, 02:27:45 AM
Quote from: RTAdams89 on March 23, 2011, 01:59:10 AM
Does anyone have the Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout or the Invicta Signature II Mens Watch 7288 that they could measure?

Give me about 2 weeks and I will give you HD pics and all the measurements you want

So you finally got one?

Jupp!

can you tell me what you think of it please, after seeing pics im tempted by one

Medic82 · **Reply #26 on:** March 23, 2011, 08:33:11 PM

Quote from: ryan1835 on March 23, 2011, 07:24:22 PM

Quote from: Medic82 on March 23, 2011, 02:41:02 AM
Quote from: ari6126 on March 23, 2011, 02:28:55 AM
Quote from: Medic82 on March 23, 2011, 02:27:45 AM
Quote from: RTAdams89 on March 23, 2011, 01:59:10 AM
Does anyone have the Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout or the Invicta Signature II Mens Watch 7288 that they could measure?

Give me about 2 weeks and I will give you HD pics and all the measurements you want

So you finally got one?

Jupp!

can you tell me what you think of it please, after seeing pics im tempted by one

Sure! No problem

Send from my HTC Desire Z using Tapatalk

Sazabi · **Reply #27 on:** March 28, 2011, 08:31:36 PM

Quote from: ryan1835 on March 23, 2011, 07:24:22 PM

Quote from: Medic82 on March 23, 2011, 02:41:02 AM
Quote from: ari6126 on March 23, 2011, 02:28:55 AM
Quote from: Medic82 on March 23, 2011, 02:27:45 AM
Quote from: RTAdams89 on March 23, 2011, 01:59:10 AM
Does anyone have the Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout or the Invicta Signature II Mens Watch 7288 that they could measure?

Give me about 2 weeks and I will give you HD pics and all the measurements you want

So you finally got one?

Jupp!

can you tell me what you think of it please, after seeing pics im tempted by one

I just sent it off to Kenneth; aside from the smell of the material which should go away after it's exposed to air, it's a very nice watch.

CV1073 · **Reply #28 on:** April 12, 2011, 03:03:47 PM

yesterday while looking at some old everyday-carry posts I saw an amazing watch.. did some research and found it is a modded seiko.
Stilish, cheap and well.. minimalist looking: exactelly what I am looking for.

if I am allowed I would like to post here the link to the modder, if not, well as soon as mine is here I will post a pics or two :-)

Zed · **Reply #29 on:** April 12, 2011, 03:12:00 PM

Quote from: CV1073 on April 12, 2011, 03:03:47 PM

yesterday while looking at some old everyday-carry posts I saw an amazing watch.. did some research and found it is a modded seiko.
Stilish, cheap and well.. minimalist looking: exactelly what I am looking for.

if I am allowed I would like to post here the link to the modder, if not, well as soon as mine is here I will post a pics or two :-)

post it up but if its a 6309 there not so cheap these days $:-\$

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