Top 10 Best Automatic Watches Under $500 For 2016 - Hamilton, Omega, Seiko, Tissot & More
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- In this video I follow up on a recent poll held in the UGWC Facebook group on what are the communities top 10 automatic wristwatches under $500. Today I share the results of what seems to be the most common price bracket people are willing to spend when it comes to buying a watch. This is the following top 10 according to the Urban Gentry poll as of October 2016:
10. Seiko SARB035
9. Hamilton Khaki Field
8: Seiko SARB065
7. Tissot Heritage Visodate
6. Seiko Turtle SRP775
5. Omega Geneve (used)
4. Seiko SKX009, SKX007 & SKX013
3. Hamilton Khaki King
2. Seiko Alpinist SARB017
1. Seiko SARB033
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Every time I watch these videos I have Amazon and Ebay pulled up in a separate tab lol
Adam Greene 😀😀😀
same.
lol
Me 2
LOL, I have the videos on my iPad and Amazon on my phone so as to go right to it while continuing to watch the video, LOL!
guilty.
could you do video like this again in 2019
This man made me order 3 different watches and sell my Apple Watch 😳
just love how passionate you are , keep it up.
Thank you so much :D
Very kind of you to say.
Best regards,
TGV
Based on this video, I bought SARB033, SARB017, Tissot Visodate and Hamilton Khaki Field King Auto back in 2020.
The Best buys I have ever made. Thank you!
"If I cared what people think, I wouldn't be on TH-cam"
Love it
lol 6 seikos. LOVE IT!!!
LOL Speaks volumes, the power of Seiko at this price range, unbeatable.
Thank you Brian,
Best regards,
TGV
Had my Alpinist two years now.. Love it for its versatility & style... Even with a business suit it becomes a feature rather than an accesssory.... It looks equally good outdoors in the Lakes, the Peak District & Snowdonia.. and with a good tan leather strap and wear ? .. it acquires a patina and provenence...A definite classic...
What a wonderful comment, thank you for sharing that.
Best regards,
TGV
I watched this video today. I'm simply amazed at how accurate your fans are at choosing 10 popular watches. There seems to be at least one of these watches in someone's collection. Well done, People!
Had to go put on my 013 to finish watching this one!
Ordered a Seiko SARB017 a week ago. This made me more excited about getting the watch!
Also great video.
Enjoy it my friend, let me know how it goes.
Thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
The Urban Gentry Thank you. I will let you know when i get it.
Sarb017
Sir may I ask where did you order it from? I would love to buy one but I don’t know anywhere else to look beside amazon
Long ISland Watch in New York has had some in since being discontinued. Price went from around $489 when I purchased mine to $549. Before the announcement of being discontine could be had for less than $400 back in January 2018.
All of the 10 are great but the Cocktail Time has been catching my eye for a while now. Definitely will be picking one up soon. The Alpinist seems like a great watch too. Love the green. Cheers:)
You should go for it. I have a feeling, based on what I have seen of your videos you might prefer the larger Cocktail over the Alpinist.
Anyways, great choices either way you cant loose.
Thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
The Alpinist fans are massive. I do like the green but if I'm mountaineering which I did plenty of, I wore a Tissot T-Touch. Sure it's a Quartz but having altitude and a thermometer were awesome attached to your gear. Especially for a Medic who actually served under Schwarzkopf.
I did buy a SARB065, but that band is junk. We will see if I fall in love, if not I'll revert to a Hami or a Tissot Visodate.
Thank you for the video (and your channel in general)! It is nice to see how Seiko dominates the sub 500$ category of mechanical watches, as they are really solid quality for the money you spent. Feels to me, like the Japanese take as much pride in buildig "cheaper" watches.
One Addition I would make to the list is the Junghans Max Bill Automatik, which can be picked up used (ebay?) for around 500$ and is a true classic.
Keep up the good work, Sir!
I have the SRP775J1 and an SKX009K2. Out of the two, the Turtle is most definitely my favorite and I'm blown away by the accuracy of mine. Over 11 days of constant wear it only lost ONE second total. When the light hits the dial, the gold hands and bubbly lume come to life and it's just awesome to look at. Definitely one of my better watch purchases!
To me that Hamilton khaki is just so clean. Style plus value plus heritage. 👏
Seiko 5. Better looks and and automatic movement. For around $70 bucks on amazon. Can’t beat it for the price.
Michael Reed hamilton has much more heritage. Ask any ww2 flyer which they prefer. The hamilton gct pocket watch was the go to watch in its own gimble case set into a box in virtually all b24 and b17s for thebombadear which says a lot when you are timing the release of a 2000lb bomb.
The hamilton was as ubiqutous as the bomber jacket back when we were bombing the shit out of the japanese companies.
They only got their heritage after the war.
Michael Reed for the price fk heritage. Orient for much less will self wind and hack which the seiko wont do. That being said seikos 5 sports are a helluva watch for choice of style and of course you can watch the movement.
The grand seiko on the other hand is a better watch for innovation and price than omega and rolex. Perhaps they may even be a bit underpriced.
Wow I bought an Apple Watch and just a week later I discover your channel. Talk about regret every breathing moment! Btw what's your thought on smart watches?
How have your thoughts changed in a year? Haha thought I'd ask
Apple Watch isn’t even a watch, that’s a gadget that couldnt reflect ur taste into watches even a bit
You do you. I have my Apple Watch for exercise. Name one automatic watch under 500 dollars that tracks exercise. 😳
Never lucky.
I hope you'll get to review the new Seiko Turtle. Keep up the great work!
Of course the SARB. We have to get your hands on a turtle. You should take a field trip out to the Seiko Boutique for a test run.
I will be doing that at some point, great idea, thank you Ricardo.
Best regards,
TGV
WoW Seiko really do have a lot of great offerings at this price point. I will keep my SKX171 for sure.
TGV do not be disheartened by the 44.3mm size of the Turtle! I got the very one you spoke about in this video about 3 weeks ago, and I am someone who, like you, considers anything about 38/40mm a bit much. But i can assure you it wears like a 40mm and is by far the most comfortable watch I have ever worn. A definite keeper in my collection. I would highly recommend getting one in for review, if i was in the US i would send you mine!! As always keep up the good work sir! Your content is impeccable.
Thank you for being so motivated to make these videos and educate young and old enthusiasts about affordable to mid level luxury time pieces. Keep up the precision work my friend!
I'm not a watch aficionado, yet I've watched your videos from time to time. I must say that your videos bring this art to life, and it's great to see that passion! This price point has always been my preference. I have another expensive Hobby, so I 've been searching for quality timepiece that is affordable, yet classic, elegant, attractive, reliable and from a respectable brand. I've always looked to Seiko to fit this criteria and price point. The #1 black Seiko is pretty close to what envisioned. It looks gorgeous! I agree that black face on this model is better than white. Thank for the recommendation! Keep up the great work with your videos.
I've always enjoyed watches but you made me really love them, thank you!
We need an update video, with an update list of this kind of watches. Please
This video couldn't come out in a better time as I'm condisering buying a watch for Christmas within this budget.
Great video Tristano!
So glad to hear, I hope it helps and check out the full poll for me suggestions,
Thank you Ricardo and happy hunting,
Best regards,
TGV
This is the first video I have ever seen from your channel while surfing TH-cam and I instantly took a liking! I love your videos because you are so passionate and humble. You've turned me on a lot of my choice of brands - especially Seiko. I'm hoping to get a domestic model when I go to Japan next year. Wishing you much luck and good fortune!
Bought the Seiko alpinist largely based on your review and am extremely pleased. Put it on a colareb also largely from your review. Love it. Keep up the great work, really enjoy your channel.
I own 5 of the 6 Seikos on the list. Seiko was my first watch buy in 1982 is still my favorite watchmakers. No accident that Seiko JDM’s dominate. Great heritage, design and manufacturing surviving the test of time and changing fashions.
Great Video! Looks like Seiko Rules this Price Point....lol. I just got into Horology and started my Collection about a month ago. Watching your Videos has been a great source of information and inspiration. I now have a SKX 009 on my Christmas List.
So glad to hear and welcome to this great hobby,
Your christmas is going to be a great one ;-)
Thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
I feel like we are missing Orient here
Jakenova I love Orient, but I get the impression that they compete better around the under $200-300 range.
Jakenova agreed
I can't believe they left orient out the ray and mako 2 hackable, self and hand winding, 200m water resistant and a beautiful blue sunburst for under $200 are you kidding me
I have a Ray 2 and in no way does it compare to these watches. Maybe it rivals the SKX but thats it, ive handled all of these watches and the finishing is miles ahead on these.
Craig Groves try the orient explorer
Just bought a tissot seastar 1000 powermatic 80! My first swiss watch and I'm so excited to get it.
lol just when i want to find an automatic watch, this video comes. Thanks man
Great video! You should do a review of the Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 38mm!
Thank you, sadly I sold mine before I reviewed it, I owned one many years ago.
I am considering getting one in to review again.
Best regards,
TGV
This is a great list... I like that he takes sizes into account too. I don't like the oversized watches.
I'm just myself starting to get into watches and my wow that Seiko SARB017 is beautiful. That green is awesome and pops out just enough. great review!
So glad I picked up an SKX009J1 while it was still available. It's my most often worn piece to date.
VERY glad to hear. Enjoy it my friend.
Thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
Just gotta love the simplicity and functionality of the SKX series, especially the J versions.
Fantastic and varied list. I am happy to own two of these (SKX007 and SARB033.) I completely agree that the SARB033 on a black croc strap really classes it up. It is a gorgeous, reliable watch with so many great features at such a reasonable price point. Great video, thanks for your insight!
A friend of mine has a cream dial Alpinist, he's not a collector (of watches at least), so it's his everyday beater. And the first time I saw it I was absolutely in awe of how absolutely gorgeous it is. I'm not a Seiko expert, so I didn't know much about that model. And when I saw it I estimated it to be a $2-3 grand at least based on the details and finishing on the dial. He did however have to pay close to $900 for it iirc. But it is a really nice piece. I might have to get one myself, I kinda like the green dial as well. Sad thing is that I now have acquired myself a chipped and infected tooth, which probably is gonna end up costing me close to Alpinist money to get fixed.
You're a life saver
I stupidly bought a fossil automatic because my brother liked it's design but now he has agreed to go with the Hamilton Khaki
That makes it all worth it.
Thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
And if could just tell me
Do you think a Movado watch is worth it? I saw one at a deep discount at my jewellery store and was between a Tissot Le lecole, Hamilton Khaki and the Movado
Cheers
I really appreciate your videos man. It's really gotten me to appreciate watches. I ended up picking up a Seiko SKX 007 from one of your videos a while back and have loved it.
Just picked up a sarb033 and love it. Put it on a jubilee bracelet. So glad I bought it when I did because it's very difficult to find now.
you’ve helped me so much with my watch knowledge and collection, thank u and keep it up!
Wow, what a list! And I own the SARB017 since almost a year. Saving for my 2nd watch, preferably an Explorer.
Impossible to beat the SARB line at this price range, great video TGV and thank you so much for showing me shuch great watches. Best regards.
bought a bulova accu-swiss black chronograph for $300, and i love it. incredible bang for your buck.
ordered a alpinist last night can't wait
With all these Seiko's featured, I'm surprised the Sumo didn't get at least an honorable mention. Fantastic list, by the way!
I just got in a Hamilton Khaki and a Seiko Alpinist. Both are amazing. I showed my friends the Alpinist, they loved it. Then showed them the back of the hamilton, they were blown away.
Damn the Turtle is gorgeous. Love the gold trim.
P.s. you forgot the card, around 12 minuteish.
Fantastic! That is what it is all about! So did you covert your friends to our church of horology? ;-)
Added the car now, thanks for looking out for me.
So many things to remember drives me nuts, LOL
Best regards,
TGV
Yeah one convert, He calls eco drive eco star and wants an AP. Not far from where I started lol.
Akuma's RSNL yep, for the Omega geneve
i'm so jealous. i can only afford one at a time right now and i'm trying to decide which one to get first. i'm leaning towards the alpinist. it looks so good but the hamilton would be more versitle......which one do you prefer?
David Koba Go for the Hamilton khaki
I didn‘t wach thist video right now.
But I‘m shure after i‘m gonna wish myself one of these 10 for my B-day.
Thank you TGV
My Sarb 017 was stolen and it makes me so sad. I miss it like crazy.
Hamilton khaki is my first swiss watch. I love it to death. Functional, beautiful, and hopefully it will last for years.
Great video! I've been drooling after a SARB017, especially since you can't find it everywhere. Love it!
Thank you Magnus, hang in there you will find one, happy hunting, worth the chase ;-)
Best regards,
TGV
What a great report. This will help many people make the right choice for their money.
Thank you Tim,
Best regards,
TGV
My favorite price range for watches. I missed it so much I just purchased my third SKX009, maybe I will keep it for good this time. Every watch on this list is either in my collection or will be in my collection. I'm trying to enjoy a watch before I buy another one, but as you know I love so many of them.
just got myself a Seiko skx 009 because I found out they aren't producing them anymore and I tell you what that bad boy is not coming off my wrist for a little while...
Funny enough, just before this video came yesterday, I wrote to you offering my SRP775, and Hamilton Khaki Mechanical for review.
this man is so polite
Cool ! that's my picture, the first one with the paper of the sarb033. Enjoying this watch very much.
Loving the channel watching it al the time. Keep up the good work.
Martijn Faber
Amsterdam the Netherlands
TGV wearing three timezones. He must be omnipresent. Thanks for the vid!
LOL thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
I fell in love with the alpinist ever since I first saw it, such a gorgeous watch.
Have had the Sarb033 for a couple months now - looks incredible with a black/grey Nato strap.
Awesome! Thanks so much for this one. I'm torn between the Aplinist and the SARB 033 and had no idea these two would be in this review. Always a hard decision but I love the research.
Ballin in a budget , right up my alley ! Great vid !
"I always wore two watches during the [Gulf] war. The one on my left arm was set on Saudi Arabian time and the Seiko on my right arm was set on Eastern Standard Time. That way I could quickly glance at my watches and instantly know the time in both Saudi Arabia and Washington, D.C. Sincerely, H. Norman Schwarzkopf General, U.S. Army, Retired." Words from departed General Norman Schwarzkopf in a letter to the Antiquorum auction house in the late 1990s when he donated one his watches for a charity auction. Even though many sources claim the watch was an SKX009, he wore it in the very early 90s, before that model came out. According to the auction records, it was actually a quartz, the 7548-700F. Oh, and BTW, it fetched a cool $11000 at auction, in Feb. 1999. Not bad for a little Seiko quartz beater.
Watching while wearing Sarb033 after your recommendation, I love it after 2 weeks of ownership.
So glad to hear Sherief, that makes it all worth it. Enjoy it my friend.
Best regards,
TGV
Excellent video, Tristano. It can't be done better.
Moreover, with that positive state of mind so contagious. Thanks.
Best wishes from Salamanca, SPAIN!!!. Till your next video, "ciao". (smile)
Thank you Carlos, always appreciated :D
Best regards,
TGV
Just time for the holidays. Thanks for making the video.
Thanks for the presentation of our poll, TGV! I think I would go with the Hamilton Khaki Field... 🤔
Best regards,
Claus
Always a pleasure Claus, go for the Hammy! Perfect for you.
Thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
Great video. It's a ready-made shopping list! Will definitely look to get an SRP777 and a SARB033/035 soon.
Great review thanks TGV. Love the Seiko Alpinist with the green and gold, that would be a must buy for me when I have enough to purchase one. Like previous comments on this review am quite surprised about no Orient watches in the top ten, I own three of them, one being an Orient 3 star which is very reliable as an everyday watch and quite accurate and I also own two Orient Neo 70's Panda solar powered watches which I really love and wear often. One of them has a green dial with gold indices like the Alpinist you reviewed and I have comments quite often on this watch so perhaps green is a winner with a lot of people, I have to admit I prefer my green Orient over the Cream and black dial of the other Orient. Keep up the good work.
I recently bought seiko turtle srp775. It really screams quality and personality. Please do try it on. It wears a little smaller than it sounds. And it also has hacking and handwinding. I think it's very accurate too.
Hi all. Just found this channel researching a possible buy. I will join the FB page and ask it there. Love this top 10. Thank you.
So glad to hear, welcome!
Happy hunting,
Best regards,
TGV
thanks for the list! you love watches as much as my dad. Gonna buy him something from this list for Christmas. Thanks man, subbed.
Thank you so much and welcome abroad :D
Best regards,
TGV
I had 3 out of ten, not bad (2 Seiko and 1 Omega). Poll results are good, all in all.
literally a few days ago I ordered Seiko "Coctail Time" and I can't wait when I can wear it :D so I'm pleased that it's on the list ;)
How is it? And how has it hold up over time?
excellent video TGV! thanks for all the good work, cheers!!!
Always a pleasure,
Thank you H,
Best regards,
TGV
Do the same poll but for 500-1000$ price range. It would be very nice.
Very good idea. Will add it to my "To do" list,
Thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
The Urban Gentry Then go work your way up to $1k-1.5k and so on and so forth 👍😀
The Alpinist is #1 for me....! Green & Gold, Gorgeous...WOW!
being a broke college student who loves watches, this video was perfect for me! ironically every watch on that list besides the Tissot and omega are on my want list
Thank you William, very glad to hear, your list sound like impeccable taste ;-)
Best regards,
TGV
Somebody has probably already filled in the blanks here, but I have the Seiko Turtle you mentioned, and at 5'3" with a 6 1/4" wrist it wears just fine. I find it odd that when I take a photo of it on my wrist it looks big and clunky. But in real life it looks really nice.
Love your videos and enthusiasm. Keep it up!
Love the $500/£400 watch videos as feel they are within reach to purchase. Great video TGV. My favourite two watches 1&2 get in 👍
Thank you Raymond ;-)
Best regards,
TGV
Once again, another incredible video with spot on content. Well done TGV. I would personally add the orient ray raven ii to that list, but all great watches nonetheless. Keep up the great work!
Thank you Chris, love the Ray II (as you know) very surprised it didn't make it too. Oh well, the secret is out about those bad boys regardless. Enjoy.
Best regards,
TGV
long Island watches just got some orient ray 2 back in stock .I just ordered the raven 2 am so happy thanks tgv
Niiiice! Great watches for the money, hope you enjoy them.
Thank you Lee,
Best regards,
TGV
Wenger. Absolutely amazing
You love dogs and seikos... can't go wrong!
I got the Tissot Heritage Visodate and i absolutely love it!
Hello Everyone here is another huge fan of the Seiko Turtle, its another one of those watches capable of wearing in such a surprising and unexpected way... much like the Monster only this watch somehow defies its size on the wrist. I guess it has a low centre of gravity it just hugs you and that cushion case with 4 o'clock crown there is nothing to dig into your wrist at all...There is a real good reason why its design didn't change much from the original 6309..cause it was just so bang on!!!
Awesome Video...Thanks T.G.V.
Best Regards..Joe C.
Thank you Misha,
I will certainly get one in for review in that case.
Best regards,
TGV
the hamilton khaki field auto(No Day) has an 80 hour power reserve, not a 40, as does the tissot visodate.
Wow, that's crazy. I wonder if that is a new version? Very cool. They must of modified that ETA or something special.
Thank you Isaace, enjoy.
Best regards,
TGV
Isaac Schiff-Lewin yes the new h-30 calibre has 80 hours .. amazing :)
Hi TGV,
Thank you for the video. Great list, I own the Tissot Visodate myself and love it, only criticism is the lack of lume but can't have everything. Plenty of other fantastic options available there!
Best regards,
Rob.
phew...23 min feels fast as i rarely watch a YT video with length more than 10 min till the end. Very well said in every aspect no bullshit and bitching about everything thank you and subscribed !
Guv'nor you have a very knowledgeable fanbase, I dare say. Couple of these watches could be on display in your video on "watches that will double in price", like the Tissot Viso or the Alpinist Seiko. Am always grumpy that Hamilton is totally underrepresented/underrated over here in Deutschland.
I know many people will disagree with me on this, but I like when the second hand 'ticks' rather than sweeps. And not just on a quarts. On an automatic like the Seiko 5 snk809, the hand looks like it ticks every 1/10th of a second. I think it looks more aesthetically pleasing than when the hand just sweeps like on a Rolex
This is my price point and that Seiko Alpinist is something else! I'm torn between that one and the Sarb 033! But that green dial is so strikingly different, off the beaten track, and looks Classy too, that it's hard to resist it! I wonder if I could wear this with my suits?
Love your videos butI need to stop watching them before I end up spending the little money I have lol. My $200 victorinox automatic infantry seems to be the only watch I'll have for a looong time:(
LOL, if it helps, it happens to me too! Great choice on the infantry btw.
Thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
Hi TGV, speaking of Victorinox Infantry reminds me of Victorinox Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chronograph... what do you say about that one? its almost a little over $500 though.. but id really like if you could review that one. i think the gray pvd, brown and white&black are three variants.
thanks.
Dont get me started on victorinox. I own about a dozen of their knives.
TGV, love your enthusiastic presentations.
You introduced me to SKX009, THANK YOU!
I got it 3 months ago. I set it to time.is and it is 43 seconds fast in 42 days!!! I keep marveling about it how is that possible!? -not complaining :)
In fact friend of mine that sparked my interest in watches with his 10 year old MontBlanc automatic when I showed him my SKX turned it in his hand for a minute exclaimed this is like a Rolex, so well made!
My Alpinist is next over 2 minutes fast over the same period and my SARX033 is over 3 minutes fast. The last 2 I let stop 4 days ago since SKX is not leaving my wrist on black NATO!
Thank you of much for educating us. (I loved your GENTLEMAN... video)
My version of SKX is almost giving me the goosebumps over how well it is keeping time.
My best wishes to you keep up your health, Peter
Great video as always
Thank you Constantine.
Best regards,
TGV
That was a great list you definitely inspired me to start my collection
I own a few expensive watches but I keep putting my seiko tuna on my wrist.
I've dropped it bashed it and it still keeps on going.
From new to now it as always lost 6seconds a day . I put it one minute fast and it's good for 10 days .
Love it and it only cost £289.
It puts my Swiss watches to shame.
Rocking in a free world So you wear a bashed up watch? You only wear because it still works? Uh
If any one can get away with doing the shwartzkopf it's you TGV !
Extra points if you possess a sliver gripper tweezer.
Excalibur shivers from the intro music ...nice.
Ygraine!