What is a good watch with second hand, but it won’t set you back hundreds of dollars?
Jon - I have one of these and I really like it: http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=753048134830
It gives me all the great digital features plus the analog display all in one. It’s tough as nails and can be found on ebay or Target for around $60. My buddy works at a tri/running store so he hooked me up with one for cost. If you’re intersted let me know and I’ll see if I can snag another one.
Let us know some more about what you are looking for? Analog, digital, both? Water resistance rating? Case material? Look?
A few people know that I took up making handmade watches (a long time passion of mine), but what I do is more highend stuff… the cheapest watch I have ever made (ss case, mineral crystal, ETA quartz movement) was still nearly two bills, and my newest field watch (Model Four!) is more than that.
But, I do have many, many watches in my personal collection and have worn several different models in what most would agree is pretty harsh environment… give me an idea of what you are looking for and I am sure I can make a few suggestions.
ETA my sales mark: “Your watch tells you what time it is… it tells everyone else who you are”
I am leaning towards a G-shock type heavy duty work watch. Analog and digital both would be cool. I could live with one or the other though.
I am thinking of the “to $150” maximum range.
One real good watch is the Casio AW80, it offers analog and digital, chrono, date, world time, count down, phone/number memory and all of that. It comes is black, green and brown and costs about 20 bucks, decent water resistance and very durable.
The thing about it is that it is an analog that does NOT have a second hand, I recommend these actually to a lot of guys that I train, as analog second hands are the cause of “missing minute” mistakes – under stress, a person that is marking 01 minute, 30 second with an analog stop watch, can often execute at exactly 02 minute, 30 second… due to time compression and not watching the steady track of the second hand. Simply, you look away for what you think was 10 seconds, but it was 40 or 50, and you miss one full sweep of the second hand.
Search for AW80V on eBay, this watch is not really that popular in the US, but I have seen them at the local WalMart before. You can get one of each color for less than a 100 bucks (the green is very sharp looking), the band is big and will fit over a glove cuff or dry suit if needed, and if you break it… no big loss.
ETA: If you want the Mac Daddy of G-Shocks, google GIEZ GS-1000J-1AJF, my personal favorite “G” – Hard to get in the US and about 100 bucks more than your target, but maybe the best watch available, period.
I gotta go with the Luminox. I’ve had a couple and they all work great. No bells and whistles, it just tells time and holds up well. It’s a little cliche now among the shooting community, but it’s still a good product.
Please post some of the pics of your watches!
C4
A man should wear two forms of jewlry, a watch and a wedding rings. With that said, I have always liked the Omega brand so several years ago I bought a SeaMaster and absolutely love it!
C4
Interesting/informative horoology links:
My favorite watch right now is my Citizen 300 Meter Pro Diver. It’s a tad pricey for what you’re looking for but I love the second hand and it’s built like a tank. About as big as one too. http://www.citizenwatch.com/COC/English/detail.asp?Country=COC&Language=English&ModelNumber=BJ8050-08E
It’s eco-drive so you never need a battery. My slimmer watch is a TAG Heuer 1000 Pro (no longer made) but it’s been good to me for the past 16 years.
For less expensive watches (under $100), I’ve found the G-Shoks and the Arnettes to be the ticket. I also like but don’t own the Timex models.
I’ve been wearing one of those TAGs since my wife gave it to me 14+ years ago.
However, over the past couple of weeks, I’ve started wearing a couple of other watches sometimes. One is an Omega SeaMaster (from the 1960s) that I inherited from my dad. The other is an even older gold Omega automatic that I inherited from my dad and he had inherited from his dad.
Timex and Casio make great watches (especially for hard work and play) but these watches I typically wear have sentimental value.
I believe that the Omega brand would break the 150 dollar budget he has set. But yes they are nice watches and are the brand of 007.
Both of my Eco-Drives went back to the factory after they went TU. Diagnosis…Compressor failure…for both! Not a happy camper, am I.
I picked up an Omega knockoff that is so well done that I’m constantly getting compliments about it. I have to tell them it’s a fake but I like wearing it and not worrying about scratching it. Now the genuine Omega would be very nice. I love the “Seamaster” model. I had a Timex Ironman back in the '80s that I dragged through basic and it held up well but it was no longer aesthetically attractive – lots of scars:D .
Wow! Thanks for the heads up on the Eco-Drives. I’ll have to keep an eye on it. Did Citizen warranty them?
How about this one.
I know $1,200 is probably slightly above your listed price range…but WOW!! I think this thing is made from depleted uranium and some Abrahams M1 tank tread. 
I’ve been wearing one every day for over 2 years. When (if) it croaks, I’ll get another one.
Bomber
My Seiko has been ticking away for 5 years now. It’s seen two deployment cruises as an aircraft mechanic, poly and epoxy paint overspray, then thinner or citrus based solvents to clean it, the beach every summer, and the occasional lobster dive between 30-50 feet.
I’ve had to replace the band pins due to being bent while using my punching bag. One replacement battery, and I had to have the day hand re-mounted. I think that one was an act of God though. I was teasing my shopmates that I was flying off the boat in 10, 9, 8, days…every morning. So I woke up one morning and the day hand fell off! They never let me live that one down.
So in my opinion, Seiko is good to go.
Indeed. I have four Seiko Automatic Diver’s watches.
Yes, I forgot to mention Seiko. I had a Seiko that I purchased in 1982, the all titanium chronograph model, all black. I gave it to my father as a gift and he still wears it today. Seiko gets my nod.