[the wanderer]

I looked through the other (recent) watches thread, but didn't see much information useful to my current search. Given the wide range of experience in our little group, I thought I'd try this.

Criteria:

I have a hard limit of probably not more than $250

I _must_ have a durable watch (I'm very hard on stuff, and my current watch has taken some serious beatings)

I'm looking for some kind of non-battery-replacement watch (eco-drive, kinetic, etc)

Date is nice, but not mandatory

Stopwatch also nice, but not mandatory (an elapsed-time bevel would be good enough)

Given the above, for y'all with experience and/or watch collections, what would you recommend? Or am I asking the impossible?

I've looked at this on Amazon, and would be looking for something comparable, I just have no experience with watches other than the Timex Iron-man I have now and the same one I had previously.

Thanks all.

[jockeys]

Originally Posted by the wanderer

I have a hard limit of probably not more than $250

I _must_ have a durable watch (I'm very hard on stuff, and my current watch has taken some serious beatings)

I'm looking for some kind of non-battery-replacement watch (eco-drive, kinetic, etc)

Date is nice, but not mandatory

Stopwatch also nice, but not mandatory (an elapsed-time bevel would be good enough)

Given the above, for y'all with experience and/or watch collections, what would you recommend? Or am I asking the impossible?
Thanks all.

I can only speak for watches I've tried, and my experience with kinetically powered watches is that they are NOT very durable... plus, the capacitor wears out in 5-6 years, which is how long a good battery will last, so I'm not sold on the idea at all. The current lithium cell in my watch is rated for 20+ years, which is longer than the tritium will last, so I think it'll be fine.

Currently, I sport a Luminox3400 (with steel bracelet, date, and time elapsed) and it is the most durable watch I have ever used. during the time I have had it, it has:

been diving to 150 feet in saltwater, with no corrosion afterwards (plus, the wetsuit extender on the bracelet is awesome)
withstood a lot of shock from gunfire, I wear it on the hand I shoot with
had a cinderblock dropped on it
had a car door shut on it
etc.

apart from some minor fading of the finish on the bracelet, and a few scratches on the crown where the car door got it, it looks brand new. also, despite all the shock and abuse, it still keeps time well, it's good to about 3/4 second gained per week.

new, they are out of your price range, but you can find them in your price range if you shop for them used.

[Smurf87]

If you don't mind analog, Seiko diving watches are pretty sturdy. They have the bevel, date, and can be kinetic powered.
I believe you can get one for around $200, but don't quote me on that.
V/R,
Scott

[the wanderer]

Originally Posted by jockeys

Currently, I sport a Luminox3400

See, this is what I figured was likely to happen. Someone would bring up something good that I'd never heard of.

Keep 'em coming, I love to learn about new stuff.

[jockeys]

Originally Posted by Smurf87

If you don't mind analog, Seiko diving watches are pretty sturdy. They have the bevel, date, and can be kinetic powered.
I believe you can get one for around $200, but don't quote me on that.
V/R,
Scott

if you are reffering to the Monster, they are great watches and I highly recommend them. they have the kinetic drive, but be warned that the capacitor DOES burn out, it's unlikely you will be able to use it for more than 8-10 years without replacing it.

[FLYBYU44]

I have a Titanium Fossil Speedway that I got for $250. It's about 3 years old now and I still get compliments on it. It's also been through hell and back. I've hit it with a hammer (accidently of course) got it clamped in the jaws of an air clamp and dropped it on cement floors several times from various heights. Frankly I'm amazed it still keeps perfect time. I had to replace the lens on it after it got scratched so bad on the inside of a jockey box on my truck I couldn't read it anymore.

[holli4pirating]

I've got a Citizen EcoDrive, and it's great. The face is a solar panel, so no batteries. Mine is the version that has the calander features, so aside from daylight savings time, I don't have to reset it till 3000 (that's not a leap year, but my watch will think it is). It's also got an alarm and a second time zone feature.

Mine looks just like this one (CITIZENWATCH.com | Welcome to Citizen Watches Online), but IRRC, it was about $250.

[bpave777]

+1 on the Luminox.

I've got one I wear when I go surfing. I'm kinda a watch nut. Out of all my watches, it's is the only one I wear anymore for anything that might cause it to take a beating.

Only trouble for you is, their automatic Luminox's are out of your $200 price range, but many others they make are very affordable.

[the wanderer]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. My wife mentioned that our budget could subsidize part of my watch purchase and I ended up getting a Tissot diver. Now I just have to wait a couple of days for our anniversary celebration to actually "get" it...

[bpave777]

Originally Posted by the wanderer

I ended up getting a Tissot diver.

Great choice. You can't go wrong with a Tissot. Enjoy it.