Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
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- Senior Forumgod
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Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
I'm looking for a beater for work which means miles of offroad cycling to get there followed by high risk of damage and inevitable contact with oil as well as plenty of water. One day I drove in and forgot to take off my C65 and it now has a dent in the bezel and a scratch on a lug so wont be doing that again
I'm assuming (because searching for 'cycling' and 'watch' only suggests fitness/GPS watches) that an auto is a bad idea for the cycling part and I would prefer a proper face to digital as it's easier to read bouncing along in bright sun. The obvious choice would be a g-shock but they're all so tall they surely invite damage and they're big too (at 43mm the C65 is about as big as my wrist can handle) Maybe they wear smaller than they measure? I would go and try one on but that cant be for a couple of weeks thanks to covid restrictions then working hours.
Also considering just picking up a well used, metal cased 'dress' watch, though they tend to come on leather and that's not going to like getting messy...
Any thoughts would be appreciated
Edit: Having reviewed lots of suggestions and given it more thought I've come up with this list of requirements:
£500 budget, significantly less is good
Used is good so I don't have to feel bad adding the first ding/scratch
Not automatic (unless special anti-vibration tech is involved, which will probably blow the budget)
Crown protection
Recessed crystal, more likely to be scratched than smashed so sapphire is best?
Strap can't be fabric or leather due to getting wet/oily hourly - it will stink! Rubber is easier to clean and harder to damage, I usually prefer bracelet
I'm not a fan of the dual 12/24 hour dials popular on field watches
Second hand and date are not required
I'm assuming (because searching for 'cycling' and 'watch' only suggests fitness/GPS watches) that an auto is a bad idea for the cycling part and I would prefer a proper face to digital as it's easier to read bouncing along in bright sun. The obvious choice would be a g-shock but they're all so tall they surely invite damage and they're big too (at 43mm the C65 is about as big as my wrist can handle) Maybe they wear smaller than they measure? I would go and try one on but that cant be for a couple of weeks thanks to covid restrictions then working hours.
Also considering just picking up a well used, metal cased 'dress' watch, though they tend to come on leather and that's not going to like getting messy...
Any thoughts would be appreciated
Edit: Having reviewed lots of suggestions and given it more thought I've come up with this list of requirements:
£500 budget, significantly less is good
Used is good so I don't have to feel bad adding the first ding/scratch
Not automatic (unless special anti-vibration tech is involved, which will probably blow the budget)
Crown protection
Recessed crystal, more likely to be scratched than smashed so sapphire is best?
Strap can't be fabric or leather due to getting wet/oily hourly - it will stink! Rubber is easier to clean and harder to damage, I usually prefer bracelet
I'm not a fan of the dual 12/24 hour dials popular on field watches
Second hand and date are not required
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
Something like an Orient Mako? About 40-41mm, not too tall. Pretty bombproof. On bracelet or, like mine, some kind of performance strap (Hirsch Tiger on this one, though a CW hybrid would do the job).
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
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- Senior Forumgod
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
Victorinox inox?
Pretty tough, tested by running over with a tank!
Pretty tough, tested by running over with a tank!
Time keeps on slipping into the future
- Bahnstormer_vRS
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
Do you have any constraints on budget or preference on new vs pre-owned?
My immediate thought is an Elliot Brown; any of Canford, Bloxworth or Holton.
Off-road cycling? Not an issue due to being quartz but more importantly having a steel and elastomer shock protection system.
Bloxworth
Guy
Sent from my Xperia 5 using Tapatalk
My immediate thought is an Elliot Brown; any of Canford, Bloxworth or Holton.
Off-road cycling? Not an issue due to being quartz but more importantly having a steel and elastomer shock protection system.
Bloxworth
Guy
Sent from my Xperia 5 using Tapatalk
In small proportions, we just beautie see:
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And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)
Inscription on the Longitude Dial
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NB, England
- StrapMeister
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
^^^good choice from Guy on the Elliot Browns
Sounds to me that like you need a field watch.
How about a Newmark 52 https://newmarkwatchcompany.com/newmark52field/
...and if you enter the code 15APRIL you'll get an extra 15% off
Due to the case design it wears bigger than the 38mm diameter suggests - I'd say nearer 41mm.
It a quartz, has crown protection, the lume is excellent and is very legible.
I've just bought this one (albeit 2nd hand) and am very happy with it (much to my surprise as I generally find anything under 40mm too small)
Sounds to me that like you need a field watch.
How about a Newmark 52 https://newmarkwatchcompany.com/newmark52field/
...and if you enter the code 15APRIL you'll get an extra 15% off
Due to the case design it wears bigger than the 38mm diameter suggests - I'd say nearer 41mm.
It a quartz, has crown protection, the lume is excellent and is very legible.
I've just bought this one (albeit 2nd hand) and am very happy with it (much to my surprise as I generally find anything under 40mm too small)
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- Senior Forumgod
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to work now so will look properly later.
On one hand this will be my most worn watch, on the other it's going to get damaged so the justifiable budget varies wildly depending how I look at it. I'd say £500 max but much less would be good. Used would probably be better so someone has done the initial damage and I don't have to feel so bad about it!Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 12:02 pm Do you have any constraints on budget or preference on new vs pre-owned?
- H0rati0
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
Take a look at the Seiko 5 - plenty to choose from and extreme VFM. If you prefer quartz then Seiko Kinetic or Citizen Ecodrive means no messing with batteries, again plenty to choose from, tough and reliable.
"There is no beginning to enlightenment and no end to training" - Dogen Zenji (1200-1253)
- ajax87
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
I’d think maybe something titanium? Lightweight for all the activity.
2 options sprang to mind for me:
Rze Resolute. 40.5mm, hardened titanium (harder than SS to resist some scratches and dings?) Reliable seiko movement. Can come with the hardened titanium bracelet too. For less than $500 USD.
Citizen eco drive titanium if you didn’t want automatic:
2 options sprang to mind for me:
Rze Resolute. 40.5mm, hardened titanium (harder than SS to resist some scratches and dings?) Reliable seiko movement. Can come with the hardened titanium bracelet too. For less than $500 USD.
Citizen eco drive titanium if you didn’t want automatic:
Alex
C5A Mk1|C65 316L LE|C63 36mm, GMT, Elite, 2023ish FLE|C1 Moonglow|Omega Seamaster DeVille|Speedmaster Racing|MoonSwatch Mercury|RZE Endeavor|Tudor BB58 925
C5A Mk1|C65 316L LE|C63 36mm, GMT, Elite, 2023ish FLE|C1 Moonglow|Omega Seamaster DeVille|Speedmaster Racing|MoonSwatch Mercury|RZE Endeavor|Tudor BB58 925
- Noush
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic although they also do a manual, strangely for more money.
This one has done long term work duty in a splashes, bumps, bruises, scratches environment (salami factory) and has an 80 hour movement with barely a mark on it. 100m WR. <USD400 at Jomashop.
This one has done long term work duty in a splashes, bumps, bruises, scratches environment (salami factory) and has an 80 hour movement with barely a mark on it. 100m WR. <USD400 at Jomashop.
Chris
"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans" : John Lennon.
"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans" : John Lennon.
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
Seiko 5 sports would be a good choice. If it doesn't come on a suitable strap, Barton are a good budget choice - the silicone take contact with fluids well for not much money.
If you want a "field watch" why not go for the real deal? I wear a CWC quartz while out gardening, though the face can scratch easily. Or, for an automatic watch that can probably take any abuse you subject it to, is water resistant, and not much money - buy a Vostok, a tube of polywatch and put the £430 you save (!) towards something nice for after work.
If you want a "field watch" why not go for the real deal? I wear a CWC quartz while out gardening, though the face can scratch easily. Or, for an automatic watch that can probably take any abuse you subject it to, is water resistant, and not much money - buy a Vostok, a tube of polywatch and put the £430 you save (!) towards something nice for after work.
I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
Just a thought...if quartz is not an issue, how about a CWC G10? Tough and simple.
https://www.cwcwatch.com/collections/ge ... tery-hatch
https://www.cwcwatch.com/collections/ge ... tery-hatch
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
- rkovars
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
Not sure if you are keen on importing from the US but Vaer Watches has some great choices for tough watches. Both mechanical and quartz. Lots of different styles to choose from.
Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.
Jack London
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
Timex Expedition perhaps, around £50
Regards Steve
Regards Steve
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- Robotaz
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Re: Looking for a small(ish) beater, preferably analog
Pulsar (made by Seiko) has some very good values.
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