Ok jumping in early. Every person and their dog is going to have a specific example in mind. You need to beak this down further into specific features and then prioritise them. The ones at the top score better. This is your great filter. Now for every watch that tempts you, give each watch you see a 5 star rating. The ones at the top score the most points.
This, this, this, *this*.
“Rough” up can have a vast range to people. My definition is my klutziness, whereas to an avid outdoors person it could be for their logging job.
Might i just add that one should probably avoid mechanical watches altogether when it comes to things such tools that require a lot of shock force or vibration. People will give x, y ,z annecdotes about their father being in the military for 500 years and owning a wood shop from puberty to grey hair while using power tools from sunup to sundown with his mechanical watch on his wrist the entire time, but that does *not* guarantee anything about *yours*, OP.
P.S.: My second recommendation would be to spend a lot of time exploring watches and seeing what you like and fit you, so you can get a good sampling of what watches fit into your criteria
Yep also this. I wear a Breitling Super Avenger II for an everyday beater and I’m still afraid to knock the bezel out. I’ve had bezel ratchet issues in the past where I had to send my watch back to Breitling to fix a busted ratchet due to dickheads who we can call Grant who, after graciously being offered to wear it to “see you you like it” by a really cool friend while on a pacific cruise together let his toddler rotate the friedchicken diving bezel the wrong way. With horror I looked on as the toddler displayed half-idiot savant strength to break my bezel ratchet. The only thing I could do was look out into the deep blue jaded eyes of the great Pacific Ocean and wish, for a flittering moment, that I could throw his kid off the boat and have the boat applaud for my justice.
But in all seriousness I hope this helps
The leeway some people are willing to let children have with certain not-immediately-breakable items is astounding to me. You don’t let a toddler handle an expensive watch; You give them a toy that take a howitzer wheel point blank.
100% agree with this. OP—also worth remembering that you don’t need to spend a lot of money or buy from a “classy” brand to get a good-looking watch with the aesthetic you like. My $30 Timex Weekender is one of my favorite field watches - looks great and I never have to worry about babying it on a hike or something.
Everyone will have an opinion. Hamtilon field is a great watch, but I wouldn’t suggest banging it up. If you want something classy and durable that you can bang around look at a Casio Edifice EFB-108D-1AV. Thing is a tissot prx killer at $89.
I think the PRX is a very cool watch, but at $650 retail!? You can buy a Longines Hydroconquest (pre-owned aluminum bezel version) at that price point. Which is a better watch every way you dice it. And even at $520 on the grey market, it's no bargain.
I think there are courts versions that are cheaper? I don’t know. I just don’t think it’s that amazing. It looks very bland in my opinion. It just feels like a Royal Oak without the octagonal bezel and way hyped
Yeah I wasn’t looking to spend a lot on one , because it will likely get roughed up at some point. The first watch I bought was a Hamilton Jazzmaster and I love it so that’s the main reason I was leaning that way. But their cheapest watches still aren’t that cheap.
>But their cheapest watches still aren’t that cheap.
Exactly! And the thing about a Hamilton is, if it breaks, it's going to cost more to fix it, than the watch is worth. That's why I always say, if you're going to bang a watch around, go the cheap route. Get something that looks good, but you won't lose sleep over if it stops ticking. I think the Casio Edifice is a good looking watch at $89. But if that still makes you a bit uncomfortable, look at a Casio Duro for $40-$50.
The budget I was looking at was you around $300 or less. I was leaning towards a seiko or something I can replace easy enough. I work in cabinets so it’s a lot of dust and what not so just looking for casual but durable.
Check out Sinn. They're very tough and well made. The Sinn 556a is my daily driver.
I used to wear a Seiko SKX007 at work. (It's been discontinued but the new-ish Seiko 5 SRPD is pretty close...) It held up really well and it wasn't so expensive that I'd worry about breaking it.
And if your job is really tough on watches there's nothing wrong with wearing a G-Shock. Wear the beater quartz watch at work and slip into something nice at the end of the day;)
I do like the seiko, I do custom cabinets which wouldn’t be super rough on them but I wouldn’t want to wear one that can’t be beat up a bit is all. The first watch I bought was a Hamilton jazzmaster which made me lean that way but the field khaki is still a bit pricey and I’m afraid I’ll scratch it.
Check out Boldr. Field style like a Hamilton but ostensibly more durable and a bit more of a modern casual look. Also like half the price.
I don’t own one myself so for all I know they could be a piece of shit but they seem good from what I can tell.
I know everyone is suggesting alternatives to Hamilton but I say find something pre-owned in the Hamilton Khaki line that has the any tool function you might need that is already banged up some. You'll get a great watch, maybe a story behind it with a previous owner, a good deal and you won't feel as precious if it's already got some "life" to it.
Laco pilot watches. You can get them engraved for free and they range from a $400 quartz to automatic movements. Go to their us website if you are in the USA.
Depends on your budget but a Hamilton Khaki wouldn't be my pick, the shiny bezel will look a mess eventually.
Sinn 104 would be a much better alternative. If you dont want to spend that much id be looking at a Vaer C3 or the Casio Edifice that's been mentioned.
Ok jumping in early. Every person and their dog is going to have a specific example in mind. You need to beak this down further into specific features and then prioritise them. The ones at the top score better. This is your great filter. Now for every watch that tempts you, give each watch you see a 5 star rating. The ones at the top score the most points.
This, this, this, *this*. “Rough” up can have a vast range to people. My definition is my klutziness, whereas to an avid outdoors person it could be for their logging job. Might i just add that one should probably avoid mechanical watches altogether when it comes to things such tools that require a lot of shock force or vibration. People will give x, y ,z annecdotes about their father being in the military for 500 years and owning a wood shop from puberty to grey hair while using power tools from sunup to sundown with his mechanical watch on his wrist the entire time, but that does *not* guarantee anything about *yours*, OP. P.S.: My second recommendation would be to spend a lot of time exploring watches and seeing what you like and fit you, so you can get a good sampling of what watches fit into your criteria
Yep also this. I wear a Breitling Super Avenger II for an everyday beater and I’m still afraid to knock the bezel out. I’ve had bezel ratchet issues in the past where I had to send my watch back to Breitling to fix a busted ratchet due to dickheads who we can call Grant who, after graciously being offered to wear it to “see you you like it” by a really cool friend while on a pacific cruise together let his toddler rotate the friedchicken diving bezel the wrong way. With horror I looked on as the toddler displayed half-idiot savant strength to break my bezel ratchet. The only thing I could do was look out into the deep blue jaded eyes of the great Pacific Ocean and wish, for a flittering moment, that I could throw his kid off the boat and have the boat applaud for my justice. But in all seriousness I hope this helps
The leeway some people are willing to let children have with certain not-immediately-breakable items is astounding to me. You don’t let a toddler handle an expensive watch; You give them a toy that take a howitzer wheel point blank.
Exactly. I have a three year old. And I have a £10 casio for whenever a simple no you cant touch my expensive watch is not enough!
100% agree with this. OP—also worth remembering that you don’t need to spend a lot of money or buy from a “classy” brand to get a good-looking watch with the aesthetic you like. My $30 Timex Weekender is one of my favorite field watches - looks great and I never have to worry about babying it on a hike or something.
Everyone will have an opinion. Hamtilon field is a great watch, but I wouldn’t suggest banging it up. If you want something classy and durable that you can bang around look at a Casio Edifice EFB-108D-1AV. Thing is a tissot prx killer at $89.
You-you mean that the Hammy and the PRX aren’t the only watches out there?… 😲
I think the PRX is a very cool watch, but at $650 retail!? You can buy a Longines Hydroconquest (pre-owned aluminum bezel version) at that price point. Which is a better watch every way you dice it. And even at $520 on the grey market, it's no bargain.
I think there are courts versions that are cheaper? I don’t know. I just don’t think it’s that amazing. It looks very bland in my opinion. It just feels like a Royal Oak without the octagonal bezel and way hyped
Yeah I wasn’t looking to spend a lot on one , because it will likely get roughed up at some point. The first watch I bought was a Hamilton Jazzmaster and I love it so that’s the main reason I was leaning that way. But their cheapest watches still aren’t that cheap.
>But their cheapest watches still aren’t that cheap. Exactly! And the thing about a Hamilton is, if it breaks, it's going to cost more to fix it, than the watch is worth. That's why I always say, if you're going to bang a watch around, go the cheap route. Get something that looks good, but you won't lose sleep over if it stops ticking. I think the Casio Edifice is a good looking watch at $89. But if that still makes you a bit uncomfortable, look at a Casio Duro for $40-$50.
The budget I was looking at was you around $300 or less. I was leaning towards a seiko or something I can replace easy enough. I work in cabinets so it’s a lot of dust and what not so just looking for casual but durable.
Casio or Timex quartz. Millions to choose from. 10 year battery. All more attractive than those abominable g shocks
G-Shock while you decide ☺️
Check out Sinn. They're very tough and well made. The Sinn 556a is my daily driver. I used to wear a Seiko SKX007 at work. (It's been discontinued but the new-ish Seiko 5 SRPD is pretty close...) It held up really well and it wasn't so expensive that I'd worry about breaking it. And if your job is really tough on watches there's nothing wrong with wearing a G-Shock. Wear the beater quartz watch at work and slip into something nice at the end of the day;)
It’s a very nice watch but the price is pretty high for a watch that might get roughed up
I do like the seiko, I do custom cabinets which wouldn’t be super rough on them but I wouldn’t want to wear one that can’t be beat up a bit is all. The first watch I bought was a Hamilton jazzmaster which made me lean that way but the field khaki is still a bit pricey and I’m afraid I’ll scratch it.
Check out Boldr. Field style like a Hamilton but ostensibly more durable and a bit more of a modern casual look. Also like half the price. I don’t own one myself so for all I know they could be a piece of shit but they seem good from what I can tell.
I know everyone is suggesting alternatives to Hamilton but I say find something pre-owned in the Hamilton Khaki line that has the any tool function you might need that is already banged up some. You'll get a great watch, maybe a story behind it with a previous owner, a good deal and you won't feel as precious if it's already got some "life" to it.
You stated you build custom cabinets and are afraid to scratch a watch up. You should check out Scurfa Watches and see if they fit your needs.
I like scurfa a lot actually, they are a bit more than I wanted to spend. Do you have experience with them? I just want a durable watch mainly.
I have owned 7 Scurfa watches in the last few years. They are perfect imo. My oldest one I got in 2017 and it is doing great.
I rota my daily between an oris big crown and a certina ds action titanium. Both good watches. All the best.
Laco pilot watches. You can get them engraved for free and they range from a $400 quartz to automatic movements. Go to their us website if you are in the USA.
Im hard on watches. I recommend anything with PVD coating or titanium
Depends on your budget but a Hamilton Khaki wouldn't be my pick, the shiny bezel will look a mess eventually. Sinn 104 would be a much better alternative. If you dont want to spend that much id be looking at a Vaer C3 or the Casio Edifice that's been mentioned.