$100 self-winder?

[Stormstaff]

Ok, I'm new here. I really like the idea of self-winders(or whatever they are called).

Something I can wear day after day and not really worry about. Not going diving, but maybe fishing/rainstorm/shower, etc.

Am I ask too much for what I'm willing to spend? If not, brands/models and best places to buy from please?

Thanks in advance for your time and help!!!!!! ;D

[SF1]

That would be an Automatic. They are kept wound by it simply being worn and your movement.

I love Automatics and have a collection of Rolex's.

Not sure what you can get for $100.00, however, if you can save up you can get a nice watch that will last you a while.
I always say that I feel a man should have at least one good Swiss Made watch. There are many very nice brands to choose from, and they will last you many, many years as they can be serviced.

Sorry that I can't give you a more direct answer to your question. I will tell you that a fine timepiece is is a pleasure to own, and worth the wait in order to get something nice.

Best of luck,

SF1

[Stormstaff]

Hmmm, ok thanks. Hopefully someone can hit me with some numbers as far as price and such so I know just how many pennies I need to save up, hehe :lolhammer:

I guess my problem is that I'd hate to spend too much on a watch that I plan on daily use and have something real bad happen to it since I work in a factory. :(

[Stormstaff]

Actually, looking at a few watches that people are posting that they are wearing, I kinda like the look of the Seiko Orange Monster.

[hatchetjack]

There is a seller on ebay named watches59 that has autos for under a hundred bucks.

[loveit]

Have you gone to Poor Man's Watch Forum? The moderator there, Reto, sells watches and sends them from Asia. I bought an automatic Citizen from him. He is a reputable guy with some good options. I had no troubles ordering and getting my watch. The $100 cap is very low, though, for what you want.

http://www.pmwf.com/Watches/Watch%20Sales%20Table.htm

[carrot]

There's also Seiko's Kinetic and Citizen's Eco-Drive series of watches, both which charge an internal capacitor by motion and light, respectively. I'm pretty sure both companies offer watches around your price range.

For about $150 or so you can pick up the highly regarded Seiko Orange Monster diving watch. It also comes in black, and maybe blue? Amazon.com's prices aren't too shabby either.

[shrap]

The Orange Monster (SKX781) and the Black Monster (SKX779) are the standard colors. I bought mine new from eBay for about $120 shipped. The blue and yellow variants are limited editions, and will cost significantly more (more than twice the price) and are harder to find.

You might also be interested in the traditional Seiko divers (SKX007, SKX009, etc.) which have a more traditional case shape and hands. Also the Citizen divers (NY0054) which are similar.

All of the above are diver watches, which means they are large (40mm+ dial), thick, and have large hands with great lume.

If you are looking for a smaller, dressier watch you can look at the Seiko 5s or the Citizen 7s. Seiko 5s can go for less than $50.

Swatch and Fossil also make some automatic watches at that price range.

[Stormstaff]

Wow!! You folks are great!!!!! :smitten:

[sak_collector]

Seiko and Citizen both have automatic models (not to be confused with kinetic and eco-drive models). If you could bump your limit to 200 then you have a pretty wide variety from either company with a few bucks left over.

[darklight943]

Stormstaff -

I personally have no experience with this brand of watches, but I hear it is just a slight step below Seiko and Citizen in quality - they even look like Seiko's SKX series. For a $75 auto, it may be worth the look, though! Invicta Automatic Pro Diver (http://www.amazon.com/Invicta-Automatic-Diver-Watch-8926/dp/B0006AAS4M/sr=8-1/qid=1164993479/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1137590-8099231?ie=UTF8&s=jewelry/)

(edit to shorten link)

[raptor]

just got a self winding Seiko brand new form Ebay for $64. just do a search in ebay and put ypur maximum money to spend amount and you should find some.

[lcranston]

Seiko has many different Seiko 5 autos under 100.00.* They are automatic, water resistant, and have the day/date.* Overstock has them.* They are not as big as the monsters though.* I have had a red dial one for several years without a problem.

Here is a link :

http://www.overstock.com/?page=endeca&keywords=seiko%205&Ntx=mode+matchboolean&N=302136&Ne=0

[Flying Turtle]

Russian Vostok automatics can be had for far less than $100. I picked one up at Restoration Hardware a couple years ago for $25, but most on-line are probably around $40-$50. The amphibian model I have is kind of funky, with a KGB logo and a silver dial, but it has 31 jewels, a screw down crown, and a 200 m water resist rating. I've been wearing it almost every day with no problems. It does gain about 20 sec/day. For a little more money there are some pretty good looking models.

Geoff

[dudegalea]

I have a few Vostoks kicking around at home. I went through a phase of using 24-hour dial watches a few years back. :D

Regarding accuracy, they're normally not that great when you get them, but I find that with a bit of tuning I can get them to within 2-3 secs/day; sometimes better than that.

Vostok Europe do some very funky designs. I have an automatic with a slide-rule bezel on a wide leather strap. I think it's the Lunokhod. Very nice.

[Buffalohump]

Don't waste your money on nonsense from ebay. Spend $20 more and get a Seiko Orange or Black Monster from chronograph.com. They are stainless steel, 200m waterproof and built like tanks. The auto movement used in these watches is considered to be one of the most bulletproof ever made. You can get one with a Seiko rubber strap for that price ($120). For $30 more you can get the stainless bracelet, which is also superb.

The black face is probably a good choice if you plan to wear the watch every day. These watches are the best bang for your buck in the automatics.

EDIT: OK, my prices are a little out of date. The BM with rubber is now $148. But that includes free shipping.

[cave dave]

Seiko has many different Seiko 5 autos under 100.00. They are automatic, water resistant, and have the day/date. Overstock has them. ...
http://www.overstock.com/?page=endeca&keywords=seiko%205&Ntx=mode+matchboolean&N=302136&Ne=0


Coupon codes for overstock. :tree:
http://www.edealinfo.com/portal/coupons/merchant.php?mrc=OverStock

[TKC]

Check out: http://www.steinhartwatches.com/content/view/318/238/
They have some nice watches, at reasonable prices too.

[bigfoot]

Here's a neat page I found while looking for info on the Seiko diving watches:

http://www.makedostudio.com/watches/seiko-divers/

I noticed that Amazon sells quite a few of the Seiko offerings at good prices. Around Christmas they were marked down quite a bit. :doh:

[cave dave]

Is it OK to pimp my own BST if it is on topic?

I have two new self winders for sale for well under $100 ea. Or both for $100!
http://edcforums.com/index.php?topic=6976.0

[outlaw918692000]

I have a Black Monster and I love it. If I were to recommend a tough auto then this is it and the lume is almost bright enough to read by in total darkness.

[spiritof76]

I'm surprised that Pulsar has really pulled back on their solar models. When I bought my solar-titanium back around mid-97 (for $110 shipped), they had several but they only have one diver model now. It's worked perfectly for me ever since, still on the original battery. It keeps such great time that I don't even bother adjusting it when DST rolls around. I just swing it forward 61 minutes or back 59 minutes as necessary, counting off the seconds against any available clock to make sure it's stopped for 60 seconds exactly. Never had to adjust it once and it still matches my computer's clock, which is synced to Internet time servers.