As I have already noticed a lot of users of the forum have a refined taste and deep knowledge in watches. So would like to get your recommendations for a genuine Swiss made chrono watch with automatic/mechanic movement, costing under 800$ (no Invictas, Swatches and etc ). So far I have found only several affordable and attractive watches but suspect that there may be some more satisfying the named price range particularly now, during the Xmas sale period. Watches that I liked: Victorinox Alpanch Tissot T-Navigator Tissot Velco-T If you don't have any info about other watches I will also listen with a great interest to your opinion of the attached ones. Thanks.
Lum-Tec, Benarus, Steinhart, Debaufre, Hamilton, Laco, Archimedes, Stowa. The list goes on and on....
The Hamilton Flight Timer has a quartz movement, but is another chrono at the upper end of that price range that looks rather sharp
I think they have some great Pilot watches. Also, Magrette and Prometheus make some nice looking watches.
Thanks for your suggestions. Unfortunately none of the named manufacturers meets all criteria. Some of them have higher prices, some of the rest doesn't have automatic/mechanical watches and the others doesn't have chronos. Hope to find one until the Xmas sale period expires
Pretty good watches. Even some of them with ETA 7750 movt. But I prefer fully Swiss made watches cause it is much easier to get them serviced in local representations.
I don't know why you have an aversion to Invicta watches and Swatch owns ETA, the maker of many of the workhorse Swiss movements including the Valjeaux 7750/7751. If these movements were good enough for Rolex, Breitling and several other high-end manufacturers, I don't see why they would not suit your needs, but possibly that goes more to preference than function. Seiko makes automatic chronographs (I think) and they would probably have a Citizen/Mioyta movement. Orient has automatic chronographs as well and they have a Seagull movement made in China, some of these are rated very highly. Android has automatic chronos too. They use ETA movements as well as Seagulls. I really don't know WHO does Tissot & Victorinox movements. I have a limited edition Invicta chronograph with a Valjeaux 7750 and it does everything I want as well as any $100,000.00 dollar watch in the world (IMO anyway). I currently wear an Invicta Grand Diver limited edition automatic with a Sellita SW200 movement (clone of an ETA 2824) it has a black MOP dial and T-25 tritium hands & markers. It is accurate to within 1-2 min./week and is water resistant to 500m/1650ft. It does all I ask of a watch of this type and I only paid $354.00 for it. It also has a 5 year warranty (looks great too). If you don't like Invicta, that's your choice...I think they make a good product at an affordable price. As with ANYTHING else, you can get a lemon...price doesn't assure quality, it matters that when/if there is a problem that the manufacturer handles it.
I don't like Swatch mainly because of their plastic watch-cases (even some parts of mechanism as well), and a general design also doesn't amaze me much. The same could tell regarding Invicta in terms of design. Invicta has a very attractive, shiny and provocative design that is not in my taste at all. Moreover the fact that Invicta is not cased in Switzerland makes me doubtful, cause I have heard a lot of complaints regarding reliability in terms of water resistance and time keeping. Seiko has number of beautiful automatic chronos but unfortunately all of them are within 1500-2000$ price range. About Orient automatic chronos have not heard anything. Would be very grateful if you give any link. Generally I am a Swiss watch addict. There are two Swiss watches in my collections (in addition to one Seiko and one Bulova) and can tell that I have never had any problems with their mechanisms. One of them is Victorinox Maverick Chrono and the other one is Tissot Balade III. Regarding Tissot I can agree that their chronos of under 1000$ price range contain less classy automatic movement such as c01.211. But Victorinox chronos of the same price range have 7750. As I already told I have a Victorinox and know that their watches are extremely reliable. Moreover I have experienced their brilliant customer service. Last year I accidentally lost one of the bracelet end pieces which hides watch-band pin and makes connection of a watch-case with a bracelet more beautiful. I sent email directly to Victorinox Swiss office and only asked them to help in getting the piece. Couple of days later I received their answer saying that they had sent a full set of two pieces and two pins to my address. It was really a great surprise for me. That is why I tend toward genuine Swiss made watches.
OK, I understand the dislike of the Swatch plastic cases, but Swatch Group OWNS ETA (the maker of Valjeaux movements) and these movements are getting harder and harder to find since Swatch has SAID that it is only going to sell these Swiss movements to companies WITHIN the Swatch owned group of companies. This is why Sellita is now making clones of the most popular ETA movements (SW200= ETA 2824, SW300=ETA 2892, SW500= ETA/Valjeaux 7750). As to Invicta, yes, I've heard that there are some problems with customer service, I personally haven't had any problems with my Invictas, so I can't speak from 1st hand experience. Again, I like Invicta, they make some "blingy" watches that are more flash than substance, but the "Pro Diver" and "Grand Diver" lines are very classy/dressy yet utilitarian. They get the job done and don't break the bank. The "Subaqua" 3 & 4 is very sporty/dressy and has all the "bling" you need if that's your thing. To each his own, that's why my Mom says they make chocolate, strawberry & vanilla ice cream...choices, it's nice to have them.
Hamilton has a couple of models right at your price point http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-H714...=8-16&keywords=hamilton chronograph automatic http://www.itmustbetime.com/hamilton-h71556537-chrono-auto-mens-swiss-watch.html Personally, I'd also be happy with a few watches like the Aristo's (cased in Germany with Swiss Movements) http://www.longislandwatch.com/Aristo_4H123L_Watch_p/4h123l.htm
I am a huge fan of Tissot!!! I have the 2012 T-race Moto GP. It keeps perfect time and has held up great. I normaly destroy a watch in 6 months and so far no damage
Really? Very interesting, never heard. This information is forcing me to hurry up in buying any Swiss made watch with a genuine SWATCH ETA movement until they are left on the market. Not bad! First one is very small for my wrist, the second one may be counted as a variant. Thanks. What do you use them for? I found Bulova Accutron Gemini with ETA Valjoux 7750 for 570$. Is Accutron line counted as a reliable one? And where are they cased? Also found another Accutron with ETA Valjoux 7750 as well.