Simple, durable, rugged, light and not too expensive - can it be done - recommend please

6660 Views 14 Replies 10 Participants Last post by PH68, Aug 17, 2012

drewb

Discussion Starter · Aug 15, 2012

Hi All,

I have had a good search through past topics so have some ideas, but really need pointing in the right direction.

I need a watch that has the following attributes - with a "want score" next to each one.

1. Light weight 8 Points - I don't really want to know I am wearing it.
2. Durable 9 Points - I will use it every day including surfing and travelling. Water resistant with rubber or material strap.
3. Simple - 9 Points - If possible I guess it would be in the field watch style with date - no multi-dial, and "military look".
4. Reasonable cost - 6 points - I will pay up to $500 if I have to, but much less if I can.
5. Easy enough to read - 5 points - I guess if the above all work then this will fit in.

I am coming off a Tag Heur Aquaracer 500M WAJ1113.FT6015 that I liked, but it was too heavy. I also dropped it, dented the sharp edge and broke the pins. Tag is quoting a $950 repair. (I can buy a new one for $1500.)

Through your forum I have found the Momentum Atlas that I like but worry that it is too cheap and not durable enough (especially the glass) Atlas Collection| Momentum® | St. Moritz Watch Corporation

and also some from Christopher Ward (but worry that it is too expensive for my needs and not durable enough.) View All Aviation Men

Many thanks for your considered replies.

Drew

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

Citizen V

· #2 · Aug 15, 2012 (Edited)

2

I think a Citizen with Duratect titanium would be fit those requirements well. Lightweight because it's titanium, and durable because of the duratect treatment (more scratch resistant than stainless steel) and quartz movement. Two examples are:

Air diver line (PMX56-2811 pictured):

Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery

Promaster Land (PMD56-2952 pictured, but more than $500):

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exiLe

· #3 · Aug 15, 2012

Citizen BM6400. Quartz, light weight, Eco drive, great lume, and at $120 new it's a great value.

mike120

· #4 · Aug 15, 2012

exiLe said:
Citizen BM6400. Quartz, light weight, Eco drive, great lume, and at $120 new it's a great value.

Totally agreed. I would suggest ditching the OEM strap and putting it on something from Bonetto Cintuarini but other than that its perfect.

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drewb

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 15, 2012

exiLe said:
Citizen BM6400. Quartz, light weight, Eco drive, great lume, and at $120 new it's a great value.

I really appreciate the above recommendations - a quick read of reviews of this watch says that it has mineral chrystal, and that it scratches easily and it could do with Sapphire Chrystal.

Is that a valid complaint? If so, I guess I would be after watches with Sapphire.

Thanks again.

Drew

Citizen V

· #6 · Aug 15, 2012

Depends how careful you are with your watches. I've seen mineral ones scratched up like hell, but I haven't scratched any of mine so far (but I may baby my watches). You could swap it out for a sapphire once it gets scratched. A local watchmaker could probably source one that fits. An alternative, if you are up for some searching, is to find the Promaster version (BM6407) that has a sapphire. It will probably cost more than just having the crystal swapped on a BM6400 though.

GoodEyeSniper

· #7 · Aug 15, 2012

Depends, It's not a big deal for most people, but for others it's a huge deal... If you are going to obsess about any imperfection in the crystal, possibly. My work watch is a Vostok Amphibia, and the crystal theoretically scratches easier than most. And that thing gets roughed up on a daily basis. If I sit there and admire the watch, then yeah I can see the scratches, but it affects nothing, and I don't mind at all.

Personally, I'd say don't worry about that part, as that Citizen sounds otherwise perfect for you.

zippofan

· #8 · Aug 15, 2012

While the Atlas may be inexpensive, it's definitely not a cheap watch. St. Moritz/Momentum used to offer select models with sapphire glass, though I'm not sure they still do that. Any watchmaker can replace a crystal for fairly reasonable prices.
Plus the Atlas is titanium, light and strong. While it doesn't have a proprietary coating, I haven't scratched mine up and it's been to a number of outdoor activities without incident.

drewb

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 15, 2012

Many thanks for the advice. I have purchased a Citizen BM6400 and it should arrive in a couple of days I guess. I have also purchased two Bonetto Cintuarini straps (orange and black.) So that should by my shopping done for a while now.

Many thanks for your kind and courteous replies and welcoming me into the world of watches!

Until next time, thanks,.

Drew

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Skippy4000

· #10 · Aug 15, 2012

My first thought was Skagen, but then I thought it might not be THAT easy to read, but easy enough.

$brandon\$

brandon\

· #11 · Aug 16, 2012

Here's a consideration if you get bitten by "the bug" (a.k.a. buying multiple watches)...

Bertucci Performance Field Watches - A-3T Vintage 42
Bertucci Performance Field Watches - A-4T Vintage 44 Aero
Bertucci Performance Field Watches - A-4T Vintage 44 Yankee

They are titanium-cased with quartz movements, so will not notice it on your wrist. The WR is 100M and the crowns are screw-down. The crystals are mineral, but deeply recessed below the bezel.

I really like mine and thought they would be right up your alley.

drewb

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 16, 2012

brandon\ said:
Here's a consideration if you get bitten by "the bug" (a.k.a. buying multiple watches)...

Bertucci Performance Field Watches - A-3T Vintage 42
Bertucci Performance Field Watches - A-4T Vintage 44 Aero
Bertucci Performance Field Watches - A-4T Vintage 44 Yankee

They are titanium-cased with quartz movements, so will not notice it on your wrist. The WR is 100M and the crowns are screw-down. The crystals are mineral, but deeply recessed below the bezel.

I really like mine and thought they would be right up your alley.

Many thanks for that. Do you have an idea of the weight of the above - either with or without strap? I have searched everywhere and can't find anything and would be interested to find out / buy another.

Thanks

Drew

Bustov

· #13 · Aug 16, 2012

I'm really liking the look of the Momentum Cobalt lite, its titanium with full dial lume, WR to 100 m, Japanese quartz, and most places have it under $200.

Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Strap Product

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$brandon\$

brandon\

· #14 · Aug 17, 2012

drewb said:
Many thanks for that. Do you have an idea of the weight of the above - either with or without strap? I have searched everywhere and can't find anything and would be interested to find out / buy another.

Thanks

Drew

I just weighed mine and it is 56 grams with the nylon/canvas strap and 36 grams without, just the watch head. But mine is the 42 mm A2-T and I recommended the 43 mm A3-T and 44 mm A4-T since you initially mentioned that your budget was about $500 and I think the A3 and A4 look nicer. But if you want to keep it to a minimum, I see A2s on the sales forum for under $100 once in a while. If I recall correctly, I scored mine on the sales forum for about $75.

Another thing I should mention is that the lume stinks. It is almost non-existent. It doesn't bother me at all and I knew that going into the purchase. But they make some EL (electro-luminescent Indiglo style) and tritium models.

Hope this helps.

PH68

· #15 · Aug 17, 2012

Citizen BM6400.
Classic watch, here it is a few winters ago on a Nato...

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