Personally for me, it was a '96 Zenith El Primero in a gold case and enamel dial I got for about $1800 in 2011 ...

Also a pre-owned blue dial Omega Aqua Terra (cal. 2500B) I got in 2010 for about $2k both of which I no longer have ...

 

I would be look at:
1. Tudor Pelagos 2-liner ETA. Might be at the top end of your budget, but I think I've seen some in this range.
2. Tudor Black Bay. Might have to be the 36 or Red/Blue with the ETA. The black seems to be more expensive
3. Omega 2254.50. My favorite Seamaster, and one of the thinner divers available.
4. IWC Aquatimer. Love the compressor style, might be slightly over your price range.

 

I would be look at:
1. Tudor Pelagos 2-liner ETA. Might be at the top end of your budget, but I think I've seen some in this range.

Good call on the Pelagos but I don't think I've even seen a 2 liner QUITE that cheap. Perusing watchrecon they're $2500-$2900

 

I think there are lots of contenders, but my picks would be (in no particular order)

1. Seiko Seiko Seiko. You could get a good quality 6139, 6138, 7016, King Seiko/Grand Seiko/ Lord Marvel Hi Beat... The list is endless, and you could get a couple of really good, recently serviced, early to mid 70s gems for 2k.

2. IWC cal. 89 gold case

3. Pretty much any 60s or 50s Omega

4. Mid century JLC. Maybe a good Memovox...

5. Any number of mid century gold case chronographs, like maybe a Universal Geneve.

6. Breitling Top Time

7. A nice old Cartier Tank

8. 40s or 50s Longines manual would dress watch.

There really are lots of very good options for that money. I’ve assumed you mean older watches rather than lightly used. If lightly used I think this price segment holds less interest... In fact all of the good lightly used options I can think of in this range are also available brand new and still in this range.


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I think there are lots of contenders, but my picks would be (in no particular order)

2. IWC cal. 89 gold case

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Always wanted one of these. Solid choice.

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Just to clarify, and this is my fault; I’m looking for used, but not vintage. My bad. Also, mechanical only.

Currently leaning towards a breitling superocean 2, 42mm. A17365

However, I’m already googling some of the suggestions.


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Just to clarify, and this is my fault; I'm looking for used, but not vintage. My bad. Also, mechanical only.

Currently leaning towards a breitling superocean 2, 42mm. A17365

However, I'm already googling some of the suggestions.

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You can get a superocean 2 for $2000?

For me I would buy a brand new sbdx017 for under 2k

 

For me it was a used Sinn T2B.

 

SINN 903ST ... frequently comes up around 2K. Great Navitimer look, without negative stigma of copying (legally licensed)

Credor Phoenix Chronograph - ridiculously under-rated, beautiful chronograph, 6S78 column-wheel movement... crazy steal of Credor and for tech specs.

Omega Dynamic chronograph - great looking little chrono, versatile, Omega, what's not to like.

Of course, these are all to my taste and YMMV. I'm just big on quirky designs, cool looks and chronographs....

 

I'd also add a pre-owned JeanRichard (JR1000-1060 mvmt.), pre-owned Eterna (Spherodrive mvmt.), pre-owned Zenith Elite (6xx mvmt.), pre-owned Ebel (with a GP movement) and a pre-owned GS, if we're considering strictly modern watches ...

 

This is a very good list. I would add to it Eterna Vaughan and the non-Spherodrive Eterna Madison (you can get these brand new in your budget) which has an equally beautiful movement and a better looking dial in my opinion. Lemania 5100 chronographs can be had in your budget from various manufacturers like Tutima, Sinn, Porsche Design, Hamilton, Paul Picot, Revue Thommen etc.

 

Lots of Tudors suggested already, I'd add the Ranger.

Or an Oak & Oscar Sandford if you're into micros at all.

You could find an older 2500 Aqua Terra for that price too.

 

- Breitling Superocean Heritage 42/46

- Breitling Colt 44

- Omega SMPc

- Tudor Black Bay ETA




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Tudor or Omega for value and you really can't go wrong

 

A preowned modern Tudor.

 

Well believe it or not I paid $1,500 for this Rolex 6694 less than two years ago in a local sale. Serviced it for another $400 at the RSC and now it's been running at less than +3 seconds a day consistently.

Call it vintage/used or whatever you like I think it's a pretty good deal if you don't mind the hunting around for it.

Otherwise I'd probably go for a used Black Bay or Heritage Ranger, a lot of watch for silly little money.

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I had a 6694 with rivet bracelet many moons ago. It was my favorite Rolex of the few I've owned. Including the Sub I currently have. I can't explain it, I just liked it.

As for the OP? A used SMP or Mark XVIII as possibilities.

 

Tudor Heritage Black Bay or Tudor Heritage Ranger.

 

Nomos Ahoi or Club Datum Dunkel might be nice. Honestly, though, if you can find an SOH 2 for $2200 or so, get it.

 

I got my SMPc (box and papers) for $1,800 in 2016 and my Black Bay Blue (box and papers) for $2,100 in 2017. Love both of them.

 

Any modern Tudor with the MT56, any Grand Seiko 9S, or any Omega coaxial

 

How often can these be found for ~$2k? From my limited searches this is fairly rare unless I'm missing something big in terms of where the great deals are.

I did see a North Flag for $2250 or so but maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places.

 

Couldn't agree more about the Tudor ranger

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I love that watch! It's likely the only one that could pull me from my superocean 2

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Yup, superocean 2’s are common in the 2k range. Not the heritage line though.

I LOVE the Tudor heritage ranger, and I planned on that being my next watch, after this purchase.


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Hard to beat the Aqua Terra

 

Please, Tudor, release a Tudor Heritage Ranger in 36mm size this year, and I will be a very happy person!

 

yes you'll be happy Dan... question is, for how long?[emoji848]

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In the $1.5-2K range I'm in the Tudor camp

 

Anything with a Lemania 5100

 

Agree with modern Tudors like the BB and certain Zenith Elite models.

Within the last 6 months I have seen 2 Chopard LUC Sport 2000s go for $1,700-1,800. I was just too late on both, but that's about unbeatable.

At half your budget, modern Eternas and Concords in new/NOS condition provide exceptional value.

 

Wow, that's insane ... never seen those LUC Sport 2000s go for under $3.5k in the past. Must keep my eye out on the 'bay and elsewhere ...

 

Both were on Touch of Modern. I emailed them after the first asking if they anticipated more becoming available through their network. They told me no. 3 days later another one popped up and I saw it too late. Jerks.

 

That's a great deal. I have been contemplating the handful of brand new Pro Ones that are still floating around. $4k BNIB for one on rubber. I don't think I like how convex the bezel is and I don't like how busy the sapphire GMT bezels are but they are really cool underappreciated watches.