If you are looking for an automatic > $150 then I suggest an Orient, Citizen or Seiko. Japanese watches in this price range will have better movements.

 

Neither Stuhrling nor Swiss Legend are particularly good brands, at least relative to their inflated suggested retail prices. If you paid $80 for the watch in the recent Black Friday sale, then it's an okay but not great deal, but if you paid anything close to the MSRP of $600 then you should certainly return it. Stuhrling, Swiss Legend, and Invicta have mostly Chinese made cases, and either Chinese or Japanese made mechanical movements. Even the so called Swiss movements (CL-888) is essentially a lightly modified Chinese Seagull ST16 movement.

If you're interested in mechanical watches, then Orient offers a good product for the price. Be sure to check for coupons if you're purchasing from Orient USA, since you can easily get at least 30% off.

If you let us know your price range, and the specific style of watch you're interested it, we can make more specific suggestions.

 

Hi.
I've been looking for a gift for my boyfriend. He only has one watch that I've ever seen and I'd like to start buying some for him. I made an impulse purchase of a Stuhrling Original Symphony Aristocrat Automatic Skeleton watch for him and then I started reading and saw a lot of mixed reviews. I love the look of skeleton watches but now I'm worried that I made a bad purchase. If I keep it, I should probably buy a winding box...but the reviews have really scared me.

We are both finishing up grad school so funds are limited. I also saw a Swiss Legend that I liked, but I am a complete newcomer to the watch world and know nothing. Would you please give me advice about whether to return the one I bought and suggest a good starter watch brand?

Thank you!

Yes, bad choice. Those watches, while mechanical, are all about the cosmetics.

If you can afford a Seiko 5 (around $100) or any Orient, those would be better choices, at least in terms of movement quality, and fit & finish.

Don't worry about the winder. If he wears it even every other day, it will stay wound.

Swiss Legend only makes quartz watches, which can be exciting to look at, but very plain inside.

If you want a skeleton watch of good quality, find a Swatch Body & Soul. They go for less than $200 all the time on ebay. Here's mine:

Best of luck, in grad school and in your relationship, and may your boyfriend be happily surprised!

(by the way, what does he wear now?)

 

If you want a skeleton watch of good quality, find a Swatch Body & Soul. They go for less than $200 all the time on ebay. Here's mine:

I love the Swatch Body and Soul, it's the Swatch with the most character, and it's such a fun watch. It's of course not a watch to wear if you need to be on time with to the minute accuracy, since it has no minute or 5 minute markers. It can be had on Amazon for less than $140. It does have an acrylic crystal, which will scratch, but can be easily refinished using toothpaste or polywatch.

If you don't mind a mechanical watch that is proudly made in China, then there are some nice Seagull, Shaghai, and Beijing Watch Factory watches available here:

Welcome to [Times International] - [good deals on watches, toys, gifts, healthcare, household items...]

 

I would say it's not a good choice, but if you paid less than $100 then it really doesn't matter. Being new there is few things you could look for. First, try to find a watch with a mechanical ETA movement. They are respectable, built well, and can be found in watches ranging from $200 to $100,000+. It's also good to find a sapphire crystal, they are the most scratch resistant. I saw some sapphire crystal ETA movement watches for ~$300 online this weekend, those were even new in the box.

 

Yeah those wouldn't be my first choices, I agree take it back and look for a Sieko, Orient, or Citizen. Lots of choices for a reasonable price and all extremely well thought of and outstanding quality. Tell us what style your looking for and you will get lots of good suggestions here. I personally don't think a winder is needed. Good luck.

 

Bad choice. Skip Shop NBC brands. In that same price range you can get a great watch from Seiko or Orient. Regardless of what you paid, if I were you and making a return was an option I'd do it in a flash and go for an Orient or Seiko.

Good Luck! Let us know how it pans out!

 

Do you think he will like the style? If so then go for it because they are decent watches for the money if you get one well below msrp. However, if there is some question about him liking the in-your-face style then you might want to look at the watches on the Orient Watch USA website. Those will be a little more conservative, very good looking and could be worn in a lot of situations. Let us know your budget and we can do some looking. Welcome to WUS!

 

Thank you so much for these replies! I am getting a crash course in watches 101. Im reading as many threads and reviews as I can. I like the idea of a mechanical watch myself, but it might be better to wait until I can afford a better quality one. I'm not sure, but I think he wears a Skaden now. I hope to be able to afford much nicer watches in the future (keeping my fingers crossed that I have a job when I pass the bar exam), so I'm looking for something ~$150.
Something not too sporty, but "upscale casual," if that makes any sense. I can't see him really needing anything like GMT or Chronograph features. I'm just looking for a quality watch that won't be an embarrassment to our collection in the future.

I am looking into your suggestions (Citizen, Seiko, Orient, etc.) I really appreciate everyone's tips. What about Bulova?

 

I'll take a Seiko or Citizen over a Bulova any day of the week.

Simply put, you don't have enough budget for a quality Swiss watch. The next best thing is a quality Japanese one.

"Splurge" for a Black Monster and call it a day.

 

If your beau is not used to wearing a watch every day, (PERISH THE THOUGHT), an automatic might be too labor intensive. Citizen Eco Drives, Seiko Kinetics in your price range are great choices. The Bulova Accutron's, (owned by Citizen), can also be found in this range even with an automatic/ mechanical movement if you search hard. Ebay is a great place to look, just to see many styles on a single site. The skeleton dials can be tricky to view, so be sure he likes them and that the dial can be easily read to see the time. I know for me that it is annoying to have to hold the watch at "just the right angle" to tell the time. The other brand(s) you mention are direct marketers, with OK - decent quality, but not on par with the many choices mentioned above. Good luck.

 

Seiko, Seagull, or Orient would be my choices.

 

Okay... how about this one...Citizen Eco Drive Black Chronograph AT0810-12E

verdict?

 

Okay... how about this one...Citizen Eco Drive Black Chronograph AT0810-12E View attachment 886310

verdict?

Good looking watch. A lot of Citizens are really overdone in my opinion, but that one is pretty tame relatively speaking.

It will be very accurate and last forever. Nice choice. We're all envious at the thoughtfulness you are putting into his watch.

The only issue with that watch is the mineral crystal. One good hit on something and it can get scratched pretty badly. Someone else on here may have experience with Citizens that says you should be OK. Let's see. For the money, if you like it and you feel pretty sure he will, I'd say go for it if you can get one around $150.

Have a merry Christmas.

 

I just got into watches about a year or so ago. I started out with some chinese based watches like the Stuhrling. I moved on rather quickly to Seiko, a few russian watches, and some very nice swiss watches. I still have several watches with chinese movements, and they work quite well. I will say, in most (but not all) instances, the quality is noticeably different. You can not go wrong with Seiko...I love the four that I have. Citizen is very nice as well. The one you posted is a nice looking watch. I prefer the Citizen Nighthawk, but don't currently own any Citizens. I personally have not found an Orient that I like (style-wise). If you do want to get him a dressy-ish watch with an automatic movement, and don't want to break the bank, there is one chinese brand that I have several of, and would recommend. Very decent quality, and even has sapphire crystal. It is a small company of about 7 people, called Perpetual Watches. Alex, the guy who runs it, seems to be a passionate guy about his watches. You can get a very nice regulator for around $140 if I remember correctly.
Good luck with your decisions, and I'm sure he will appreciate and enjoy whatever you choose.

 

By the way, the watch that got me into collecting happened to be a skeleton as well. It was a Kenneth Cole skeleton watch with a tank style case. Great looking watch around the same price as you are looking. It does have a chinese (seagull I believe) movement, works well, and I still enjoy wearing it. Skeleton watches really get you into understanding how a watch works...which, if you are slightly OCD like me.....causes you to really delve into the watch world and the mechanics behind all of it. Fascinating stuff!

 

Some good suggestions here. If you want a mechanical (which I think is a great call) then I would do 1 of 3 things, in this order:

1. If you can stretch your budget to 200-250, go on google, type in Seiko SKX007 and click the cheapest price. Rubber strap will be the cheapest followed by a braceleted version. If your boyfriend would like it, you could buy a nylon "nato" strap for it, which many many people like to wear with this watch. Lots of members here will agree that if you can stretch your budget to this price range, the skx007 is just about the best thing you can get.

2. If you don't like the diver style, but you can stretch the budget, check out the bernhardt binnacle anchor (https://www.bernhardtwatch.com/index.php?id=34). Awesome features for a 239 dollar watch such as a sapphire crystal and awesome solid link, machined clasp bracelet. Great value.

3. If you can't stretch the budget, go to amazon and type in Seiko 5. Pick the one you like. Most people would say that these are the absolute best value in <150 dollar mechanicals in the world. Period.

If you don't want to go mechanical, go to Citizen Watch | Citizen Watch and choose one you like. You can't do better for a quartz (battery) watch. Citizen is great becasue they are solar powered and never need to have a battery replaced. Most members here will say that Citizen has perfected the solar powered watch market and no one does it better.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

 

Just saw this on the sales forum: https://www.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-seiko-snzh57-made-japan-fff-dial-780385.html.

Good deal.

 

OP, I have three Stuhrlings with the exact same movement as the watch you posted. I have another auto Stuhrling, but it's a weird bridge auto that doesn't wind with the crown. All four work perfectly and keep perfectly acceptable time for ~$100 Chinese watches. If I saw another I liked I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.

Swiss Legends are Chinese and not really much to write home about. That said, I have a SL Abyssos with a Swiss ETA mechanical movement that keeps better time than all of my $1K+ watches. However, you really have to know what you're doing to find that watch, and it's at least $300. They are actually all built really well and have great warranties, but they're pretty much hated on this forum because of their fake name that implies they're Swiss and legendary. They're neither.

Bulova makes a perfectly good watch, but you should know that Bulova is made in Japan and Bulova Accutron is made in Switzerland. I have Bulovas that I love and Accutrons that I really love. Make sure if you buy either that they are at least 50% off MSRP and you really can't go wrong. Ashford.com has crazy good prices on Accutrons. They have some very nice Swiss mechanicals around $300, but that's a little out of your range. For example, here is an Accutron that was $159 during Black Friday:

http://www.ashford.com/watches/bulova-accutron/masella/65B142.pid?nid=cpg_cat470112&so=50

As far as Seiko and Citizen go, they're very reliable and very boring in my opinion. There's a Seiko/Citizen/Orient brigade on this forum, as I'm sure you've noticed. You have to know what you're doing to buy a Seiko that isn't another generic mall watch.

As mentioned previously, a sapphire crystal should be something you're looking for. You don't really have time to become a watch freak and really know what's going down. With that in mind, almost all watches that are in your range with sapphire crystals will be in the best bunch that you will find. I would look hard at Victorinox, Accutron, and you may even find some quartz Hamiltons around $200. All three of those brands are Swiss.

I'd shoot for Swiss with sapphire crystals and call it a day. You really can't go wrong.

 

Glad you have found the responses helpful! Grad school is tricky place to find the right watch. You don't want to be too pretentious and yet you want something that exudes confidence. For ~$150 I think you should be able to find a very nice watch that will offer many years of reliable service and not be shunned by tenured faculty. Unfortunately, Stuhrling is probably not the right watch for what you are wanting in my opinion.

There's a Seiko/Citizen/Orient brigade on this forum, as I'm sure you've noticed.

Robotaz is correct. There is a bit of a cult on this forum that will recommend the above brands but there is a reason for this and, as a fellow Lexintonian, I hope he will recognize that a grad student wearing a Seiko, Citizen, or Orient would be viewed as thrifty, practical, and stylish at the University of Kentucky.

Another strong philosophy on this forum is "Wear what you like". If the Stuhrling looks nice to you and it is the quality you are looking for, then go with it. My guess is that, since you posted on this forum questioning it, you already have your doubts. For your price range, any of the suggestions already offered would be perfect for academia. Keep in mind that inexpensive does not equal 'cheap' and choosing a well respected brand is usually a safe bet. No matter what you pick, I'm sure it will be a cherished watch due to the thought you have put into it. Best of luck with your search and I hope he enjoys his new watch, whatever brand you choose.

 

Alright, after much debate I think I have decided. I found a Victorinox in my budget, but I really like the look of the Seiko Kinetic SKA547. I read about the drawbacks of the Kinetic and of Hardlex vs. Sapphire, but I think it will be an okay place to start. I couldn't get myself to order the Victorinox even though it is Swiss and has a Sapphire crystal because it just doesn't catch my eye the same way. (I'm still kind of torn.) I'm really thankful for all of the help and, overall, I feel much better informed.

At least I think I've decided...

 

Ok, to tell you the truth, beginner or not, if you perceive watches more than a time showing utility tool, never get a quartz unless you will be be using on utilitarian base, such as my quartz work out watch. There are great mechanical timepieces within your budget,

I'd say, go Orient, their in-house movements quality are no less than traditional 28xx movements and they come with very affordable quality cases. Don't worry about the Orient underestimating around you, IMO it's caused by 1-Orient just entered the US market lately, 2-Their entry level automatic movements doesn't allow hand winding.

 

I disagree with this. There is nothing wrong with quartz; I've owned many Rolex, Breitling, Omega, etc, watches but I am currently wearing a Marathon TSAR. I have spent a couple thousand on a Grand Seiko Quartz, but also owned many seiko/citizen quartz watches.

What I'm getting at is this: Don't try to make the OP feel like she isn't getting something that is good quality and enjoyable unless she jumps on the mechanical bandwagon; it's clear that she's on a budget, and likely looks at a watch the way 99% of the population does: as a tool.

Ok, to tell you the truth, beginner or not, if you perceive watches more than a time showing utility tool, never get a quartz unless you will be be using on utilitarian base, such as my quartz work out watch. There are great mechanical timepieces within your budget,

I'd say, go Orient, their in-house movements quality are no less than traditional 28xx movements and they come with very affordable quality cases. Don't worry about the Orient underestimating around you, IMO it's caused by 1-Orient just entered the US market lately, 2-Their entry level automatic movements doesn't allow hand winding.

 

I am also a newbie and I have always had a fondness for pocket watches but never owned a good one. I recently bought a Stuhrling Original Pocket Watch 6053.33113 Special Reserve Montres de Poche Vintage Mechanical Skeleton Stainless Steel Watch. I didn't want anything too flashy but I also like to see the mechanical insides of a watch. I paid 74 dollars is this a good watch, a good deal, and what can I expect from maintenance and upkeep of a mechanical pocket watch? I'm going to post some pictures of the watch here, I hope this isn't violating any rules of the site. Also how do I start a post on here in the future? Nice site I'm glad I found it.

 

Stührling is not considered to be a quality brand. If you got the time flick through all Stührling threads here on WUS and you are in the know.

Also how do I start a post on here in the future?

Just hit the button "Post new thread" on any of our fora.