Good question! I might be satisfied with an Edo-drive but know I have been very happy with my Hamilton Khaki mechanical. Indeed, I am wearing it now even tho I own Omegas and other pricier watches.

 

 

I can’t play this game as it seems opposite of creating personal success.

 

Huh?

 

Probably something like my G-Shock GW5610 would suffice. Under $100 (at least when I got it), Tough Solar, and Multiband 6 would mean accuracy and no battery changes. Plus, it's still got a little cred with watch folks and it's something I enjoy wearing.

 

^^^ Yes, this

 

$89, and I am happy with it. 😎

 

DW5600 all day long. If I could only have one watch, this would be it.

 

Casio MDV107…I love it….

£58..

 

I could prob do with either of these, but that would kinda suck.

 

I could probably tide myself over alright with my HMT Janata at $15, but I trust it to have ANY water resistance about as much as I trust my toddler not to try to stick a Tide Pod in his mouth when I'm not looking. For even the bare minimum of some water resistance, I'd probably say from my collection if I was left with only my Hamilton Khaki Field Auto or my Nth Scorpene as my cheapest watch, and only watch left, I'd still be alright.

 

My Seiko SKX007, Casio DW5600 and Casio GW5000 are my cheapest and among my favorite and most worn watches. They are my anti-grails that have defeated all grails.

 

I'd be perfectly happy with an older Seiko 5 7s on a US bracelet for less than $200, or a basic AliX watch under $100. Or a <$30 Casio, for that matter.

 

OP, I could be haPpy with any number of watches under $50 bucks. I even had the exact Seiko 5 in green that you pictured. The only reason I sold it is I felt it was too small for my wrist.

One of my favorite watches is my Timex Ironman. Probably bought it 15-20 years ago for under $20 dollars. I think in all that time I've changed the battery maybe two or three times.

 

I have a Timex Expedition quartz three hander that does exactly what it’s supposed to do, and looks pretty good doing it.

 

Most affordable at msrp I use the most is my Orient star seeker gmt power reserve. It's just good.. does everything I need it to and looks the part. A lot of watch for the money. Fact that it's my pick up and go is testament to me of that.

Edit. NB... wrt to power reserve in an auto... since I do wear different watches for different things during the course of my day.. its handy to have to have a visual to give it a bit of a wind up to top it off.. easy to do without a screw down crown. Given it's age.. I wouldn't trust it's 100m wr anyway consciously least since it still keeps great time and has never been serviced. (Yet).

 

For myself, I actually pulled one of my Casio Marlins - black dial with green bezel - out of the box last night to see if I thought I could wear it exclusively for a while. Unfortunately with my 6" wrists, it is just too big to truly be a one-and-done. It's fun to wear for a bit but too overpowering for everyday use. I think this would be my answer if it were 38, 40, even 42mm instead of 44mm. (I'm aware there is a new "38mm" version but apparently it is actually 35-36mm with 16mm lugs, plus loses some of the features of the full-sized Marlin that make it so good like the screw-down crown, screw-down caseback, and good WR.)

 

The least expensive watch I own is this Casio Duro and it's one of my favorites. 200m WR, extremely accurate, everything lines up and I actually wore it on my last dive trip down to about 110 feet. All for $50.

 

I've managed with a Lorus ($70) but am much Much happier with my Hamilton Khaki Field Watch ($440).

 

I did a "one month one watch" challenge a few years back and the Hamilton Khaki Field was my pick, it truly is a great GADA watch

 

This is a fun thread, I like to think about stuff like this. I wish I could wear the Duro and then that would be it. It’s too big for my 6.25” wrist though

So I would go with an older 5. I am wearin this one right now, and it would do pretty well for me. The finish on it is awesome. I even like the bracelet (though most do not seem to like the bracelets in these inexpensive Seikos ).

 

Automatic: a Seiko Turtle
Quartz: Citzen "Ray Mears" Promaster

 

This Casio model W-219H-8B cost me $22 new. It has all the basic functions you need: time, stopwatch, alarm, backlight, 5 bar, recessed glass, 7 year battery and G-Shock style.

 

I think this as simple as I could need. Just time and date, no fancy complications. Stainless steel, no need for precious metals. Integrated bracelet, so don't even have to worry about choosing a different strap or anything.

 

I know the Patek Nautilus Tiffany dial is the hype watch of all hype watches, but still, I can't help but think it's awesome.

 

If I were to be able to have just one watch, it would be the old Tissot PRS200 that I have had for over 20 years. I would keep it for sentimental reasons, even though it is not fully-functional anymore (the chronograph hands no longer work properly).

 

All of my watches serve a simple function - they are right there on my wrist to tell time when I need it. With that in mind I'm happy with every watch I own.

But if I'm being totally honest, this is the watch that I wear the most so I guess that means something.

 

 

This watch exists because Rolex is just a fashion brand. They’re not a serious watchmaking company.

Commence with the hate now.

 

When I visited Switzerland last summer I got myself a Tissot PRX and a MoonSwatch.

Both have been seeing way more wrist time than they should have. I suppose I’m pretty happy with them.