The Citizen Eco-Drive of your choice (Promaster, etc.)--most are available on excellent steel bracelets, most with Sapphire crystals, most very robust, most below your price point. Check the various "GADA" threads for hundreds of alternatives.

 

I thought about just getting another Eco Drive, but I read on another thread that the Eco Drive modules dont really hold up well to shocks.

 

In my experience they hold up fine. You might also want to have a look at the Promaster Tough line.

 

I have seen the tough line, and they look pretty slick. What's the difference that makes them more "tough" than any other Citizen?

 

Probably the Least expensive Seiko sapphire automatics are these Presage SRPB65 & SRPB63. There is also a black dial version. Aftermarket steel bracelets can be found on eBay under $40 with glidelock adjustable clasps.

 

Citizen "Ray Mears" or Casio Oceanus. Here is my BN0118-55E:

 

Solar and sapphire SBPX069 on bracelet:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SEIKO-SPIR...roof-10-atm/223072624031?epid=2255941251&hash=item33f02a1d9f:g:od8AAOSwrVRbVeP~

 

Titanium, solar and sapphire on bracelet SBPX103

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Seiko-Sele...ENUINE-JAPAN/292619506921?epid=534335355&hash=item44217b54e9:g:uPwAAOSwhtlbMvti

 

Get an Orient Mako.. Awesome watch under 200

 

Smiths Everest perhaps?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Smiths Everest perhaps?

Available from Timefactors dot com in the UK, the Everest PRS-25, is available in two sizes, 40mm & 36mm with a smooth 9015 movement, sapphire AR crystal and ratcheting clasp bracelet under $500USD.

 

A Sumo maybe? It doesn't come with sapphire, but the Hardlex is tough enough and you can change the crystal at any point.

 

I was all prepared to come in and immediately recommend the Sinn 856...then I saw your budget requirements. Fortunately, there is also a perfect watch for what you are asking for in your price range, and I believe that watch to be the Hamilton Khaki Field. There are a lot of variants to choose from. I think you can easily find one that fits your needs.

 

https://www.timefactors.com/precistaprs10s.htm
Check out Time Factors PRS-10, I think it will meet all your requirements nicely. They just got them back in stock.

 

My vote would go to Citizen Promaster. Another consideration would be an Alpina Startimer quartz. Alpina is known for rugged watches with decent WR. You might be pushing your $450 limit, but a Casio Oceanus has a G-Shock's tough movement and is very classy on the wrist, with sapphire crystal, 100M WR, and a titanium case and band. Very comfortable. My Oceanus OCW-S100-1AJF was only $470.

 

Seiko Alpinist...

 

Eco-Drives are tougher than people give them credit for.

I have worn mine with using a air hammer, impact wrench, etc, and it never had any issues with shock or vibrations.

Casio Tough Solar are great watches too.

Victorinox Inox might be another consideration for you as well.

 

...
My requirements are:
-Analog movement
-Metal case and band
-Solar powered, automatic, or at least a very long lasting battery (I don't trust local shops to properly water seal after a battery change, and I do not want to have to send my watch in every year or two)
-Sapphire crystal, or at least something durable and scratch resistant
-Durable and shock resistant
-Water resistant for swimming and water training
-Decent warranty
-Absolute top budget is 450

OP, I think what will meet almost all your requirements is the Citizen Promaster Tough collection.

Especially with its two-piece monocoque construction, you should not have to worry about water intrusion.

See below WatchTime's article on the Citizen Promaster Tough collection

https://www.watchtime.com/featured/citizen-promaster-tough-review-green/

 

Victorinox Inox

 

I did look at them, but all the models I found within my budget were battery powered that would need a change every 1-3 years 😕

 

See if there’s a G Steel that takes your fancy.

 

See if there's a G Steel that takes your fancy.

I did look at the g steel line, but didn't really like anything I found.

 

...
My requirements are:
-Analog movement
-Metal case and band
-Solar powered, automatic, or at least a very long lasting battery (I don't trust local shops to properly water seal after a battery change, and I do not want to have to send my watch in every year or two)
-Sapphire crystal, or at least something durable and scratch resistant
-Durable and shock resistant
-Water resistant for swimming and water training
-Decent warranty
-Absolute top budget is 450

OP, I think what will meet almost all your requirements is the Citizen Promaster Tough collection.

Especially with its two-piece monocoque construction, you should not have to worry about water intrusion.

See below WatchTime's article on the Citizen Promaster Tough collection

https://www.watchtime.com/featured/citizen-promaster-tough-review-green/

The article was a great read, and I like the watch, but what makes it so much tougher than any other eco drive? Apart from the two piece case design and the coating...what is protecting the movement that other eco drives do not have?

 

The article was a great read, and I like the watch, but what makes it so much tougher than any other eco drive? Apart from the two piece case design and the coating...what is protecting the movement that other eco drives do not have?

On Citizen's website about the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Tough, it states that" Living up to its name, this timepiece features a monocoque case (2 piece construction, resulting in no caseback) resulting in extreme rigidity, shock resistance and anti-magnetism."
https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/product/BN0211-09X.html

The stainless steel case and its bracelet are coated with "CITIZEN®'s Proprietary Surface Hardening Technology (Duratect), making it harder and more scratch resistant than stainless steel."

You may also want to read Hodinkee's article where they compare the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Tough's shock resistance to G-Shock's shock resistance as well:
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/citizen-eco-drive-promaster-tough-value-proposition

Finally, below is a WUS thread on this watch:
https://www.watchuseek.com/f905/citizen-promaster-tough-2018-titanium-4670717.html

 

This

or this

 

A lot of fantastic options available: seiko 5 field watch, seiko skx, hamilton khaki, g-shock.

 

i have this

 

Take a look at the Casio AMW-720. This is a beautiful watch and appears to satisfy your requirements. Good luck!

 

Whoops, forgot to attach Casio AMW-720 photos:

 

You can't go wrong with a Marathon GSAR. The quartz model is within your budget. With a flat crystal, it is less likely to get scratched, and the tritium lume can't be beat.