Better Overall Value: 2 "mid" watches + accessory OR 1 "high" watch? Help needed.

[Heafcliffe]

Brethren,

Good day to all. Question for you. Have a gift card ($150) for some time now. Bday was the 11th and was thinking about adding to my timepiece collection.

Which is the better purchase? A or B.

A:
Jaragar Monaco 24 homage
http://www.amazon.com/AMPM24-Outdoor...ds=jaragar+m24

22mm Black Reversible MODENA Italian Rubber Watch Band
http://www.amazon.com/Reversible-MOD...ber+Watch+Band

Invicta Men's 9094 Pro Diver Collection Automatic Watch
http://www.amazon.com/Invicta-Diver-...utomatic+watch


B:
Orient Blue Mako XL
http://www.amazon.com/Orient-Blue-Au...s=blue+mako+xl

Thanks in advance

[MikeAD91]

I'd rather have one nice watch...

[bremersm]

Brethren,

Good day to all. Question for you. Have a gift card ($150) for some time now. Bday was the 11th and was thinking about adding to my timepiece collection.

Which is the better purchase? A or B.

A:
Jaragar Monaco 24 homage
http://www.amazon.com/AMPM24-Outdoor...ds=jaragar+m24

22mm Black Reversible MODENA Italian Rubber Watch Band
http://www.amazon.com/Reversible-MOD...ber+Watch+Band

Invicta Men's 9094 Pro Diver Collection Automatic Watch
http://www.amazon.com/Invicta-Diver-...utomatic+watch


B:
Orient Blue Mako XL
http://www.amazon.com/Orient-Blue-Au...s=blue+mako+xl

Thanks in advance

None of those options are really high end. When I think high end I think: Tag Heuer, Omega, Rolex, and many more.

This is just my opinion. Watches are rarely an investment, but I think of watches like I think of all jewelry. Ask yourself; would you want your wife wearing a $150 "diamond" wedding set. Treat yourself the same way. Unless you are rich this means you will have fewer watches, but they will be nicer then owning a bunch of cheap watches.

When it comes to watches this is my breakdown.
Low end: sub $500
Mid: $500 - $2500
High End: $2500+

Back on topic: Out of those options I think the Orient is the best one if you are set on only spending the gift card and nothing more.

Just say NO to homages; which is just a PC way of saying fake.

/watch snob.

[JoshuaNY]

I would get the blue mako. It is pretty much as innexpensive as you will get for a good automatic. It is build well and looks great.

[blaise]

Mako XL or Ray.

As far deciding what is low/mid/high, context
is everything.

Cheers,
Blaise

[mdwsta4]

I echo the comments about 1 nice watch vs multiple 'cheap' watches. I've worked my way up to a Rolex and Omega among others and not only do I prefer wearing a nicer watch, it's also a great conversation starter (depending on your business) which has helped me build relationships at my work.

Another suggestion is to buy used. Check forums like watch u seek, time zone, watch talk, etc. You can find some great deals on there and save quite a bit of money vs buying new.

[Vicious49]

Whatever you do, stay away from Invicta! Horrible watches, horrible design, I hate their marketing strategy, just everything about them is UGH!

[bruschetta]

Vicious49, Tell us what you think about Invicta. Do you recommend them? (Joking.)

Heafcliffe, my favorite watch in terms of appearance is one of the automatics Orients that I own. It keeps time reasonably well, has held up, and looks fantastic. On the downside, the power reserve indicator flat out doesn't work. I would not consider it a high end watch.

[frost]

Personally, I would stay away from all of category A. I'm still in the process of upgrading my watch game which currently involves a lot of buying and selling as I learn more about what I want. If I had to do it all again, I'd pick up a Timex Weekender with a cool strap and save for a nice watch. I think Hamilton makes excellent mid-range watches. Like anything in life, you get what you pay for (usually). Good luck to you..

[LosRockets]

Yep, I've heard bad things about Invicta. If I was going to spend $150-200 on a watch (which I've never done before), it would likely be an Orient or a Seiko. Actually you could escalate through to the 500s and find some great Seiko SARB watches, and then in the couple-thousand dollar range, I think the Grand Seiko watches look awesome (very understated, but refined). But I don't know much about watches.

[bremersm]

Personally, I would stay away from all of category A. I'm still in the process of upgrading my watch game which currently involves a lot of buying and selling as I learn more about what I want. If I had to do it all again, I'd pick up a Timex Weekender with a cool strap and save for a nice watch. I think Hamilton makes excellent mid-range watches. Like anything in life, you get what you pay for (usually). Good luck to you..

I can't say enough about Hamilton watches. I love mine. I got it for a steal on Amazon a few years ago. I am thinking of picking up a Maestro when my promotion goes through.

[LesserBlackDog]

Of the options you've given, I would go with the Orient by far. There is a point in watches when the law of diminishing returns comes into play and I would rather have a few "mid-grade" watches for the price of a single "luxury" watch, but at the ~$150 range, you aren't there yet.

[Teej]

I don't pretend to be a watch snob or really know much at all about watches. However, I'd say it's like dress shoes. Would you rather have a bunch of crappy quality pairs that look "eh" or one really nice pair that looks amazing and lasts a really long time?

[frost]

@bremersm - agreed. I have another Hamilton on my radar. Working in Chicago this week, so I don't have access to my bookmarks..

@ben - same here. I'd love to own an Omega or Tag, but I'd only be able to afford one. As of right now, I'd like to add and subtract a few items to the collection I've posted up before. It's nice having the ability to choose a watch to match the occasion.

[Heafcliffe]

Brethren, I definitely appreciate all of your opinions. When I spoke of "mid" vs. "high,' yes, Orient is not high-end in any capacity but, relatively speaking, it is the nicer of the choices. Been wanting one for the longest.

FYI: I went ahead and purchased the Orient today along with multiple straps (a Blue Nato and a Panatime leather) to diversify it's look.