I need watch help, please

[Rhea]

DH loves watches and I mostly don't understand them beyond "ohh, pretty!" He has 3 watches which I understand are all dress watches, they are a 1960's Zenith Respirator, a Zenith Port Royal something that is really geeky cool, and a Kemmner watch. He wants a non-dress watch and mentioned a particular line of Seiko as being good but inexpensive. I tried to dig, but ended just got an odd look from him so didn't push it.

I know exactly 2 things about watches. Zenith is the best, and quartz movements have no place in our house or in any watch beside one you wear to run. I'd like to buy him this Seiko thing for Christmas but am running out of time. I've poked around on the watch forum but don't feel comfortable posting there. I know that we have some watch collectors here. I'm hoping someone can help me with a an automatic, non-quartz, watch to wear to work that isn't too expensive.

 

[Rosebloom]

My hubby will probably know. I'll ask him tonight.

 

[Rhea]

Thank you, Rosebloom! I'm feeling quite lost.

 

[ksinger]

Rhea - Several years ago I got this Seiko (or rather, an extremely similar one - model numbers change a bit) for my husband for Christmas. He really likes it - it is his goes-with-anything (except dressy) watch, and it's held up well so far. And it IS a mechanical. And it truly won't break the bank.

Just an idea...

http://www.princetonwatches.com/shop/SKX175.asp

 

[ksinger]

And since the 2 that your husband likes are square I see, here is a classic Hamilton Jazzmaster Tonneau, which is different but closer to square. Comes in black face also. Hamilton is another watch line that is well known and respected as solid, and won't break the bank. I got my husband one of their mechanical field watches, and he loves that one too...got it for about $400, as I recall.

http://www.ashford.com/watches/hamilton/jazzmaster/chrono-quartz/H36415555.pid?nid=cpg_cat20425&so=36

http://www.ashford.com/watches/hamilton/jazzmaster/chrono-quartz/H36415735.pid?nid=cpg_cat20425&so=40

 

[Rhea]

Ksinger, thank you! I'm checking those out. The prices are very reasonable! I probably like the 1st one the best, it seems more like a work watch where the other looks like a bit dressier.

 

[Rosebloom]

From Mr. Rosebloom-

There are a series of very good quality Seikos In the $400-500 range, referred to as Seiko SARBs. Particularly popular models are the SARB33/35 (classic dressy watch on bracelet with white or black faces); the SARB17 Alpinist (slightly more rugged looking); and the SARB65 cocktail time (sunburst face on leather). These are Japanese domestic models not sold by US/non-Japanese retailers. One of the best importer/resellers is seiyajapan.com (where I bought mine;flawless transaction with 3 days shipping from Toyko to Chicago).
http://www.seiyajapan.com/category/3_seiko_mechanical

 

[Rhea]

Thank you, RoseBloom! I'm actually in England, but my best friend's partner is Japanese and regularly has her family send items for us if we can't get them. It's a small world!

I'm trying secretly check out all these without leaving them up on the computer, it's much harder than it sounds!

 

[ksinger]

From Mr. Rosebloom-

There are a series of very good quality Seikos In the $400-500 range, referred to as Seiko SARBs. Particularly popular models are the SARB33/35 (classic dressy watch on bracelet with white or black faces); the SARB17 Alpinist (slightly more rugged looking); and the SARB65 cocktail time (sunburst face on leather). These are Japanese domestic models not sold by US/non-Japanese retailers. One of the best importer/resellers is seiyajapan.com (where I bought mine;flawless transaction with 3 days shipping from Toyko to Chicago).
http://www.seiyajapan.com/category/3_seiko_mechanical

Tell Mr. Rosebloom, "Oh just GREAT." from ksinger. I went out to look and I was all oooo! ahhh! And now I'M thinking of getting one for my guy for Christmas.

Seriously, those are some nice models. While I admit I'm no expert on Seikos, I haven't seen any quite like those. Many of them remind me of Hamiltons, style-wise, with the sword-shaped hands and indexes rather than numbers. The are reminiscent of some of the Jazzmaster models.

I've said it before, the boys get the lion's share of the neat-o watches, us girls, not so much.