Reddit reviews Orient Men's ER27006B Classic Automatic Watch

Don't knock metal bands before you've tried them! Some are super comfortable, but there are some that should go to a scrap reclaimer immediately.

As JHG722 suggested, the SNK809 is a great watch at a great price right now ($40.99 on Amazon). Not sure how long it'll be that price before it jumps back up to ~$55. Unfortunately, only the black 809 seems to be on sale. The blue SNK807 and cream SNK803 are going for their regular price. These would be my go-to suggestion for an automatic within your price range.

Some of the other budget brands like Orient usually go for right above your upper limit at around $130+, except this black dial Orient Symphony at ~$92, for some reason. It is a bit more formal looking than the Seiko 5s, though that might fit your conservative style requirement.

You could pair the SNKs with a Hadley-Roma strap, also on Amazon, for an extra $15-25 or even splurge a bit for a Hirsch (again, can be found on Amazon), for around $40-50 and still hit your budget. I only mention Amazon so much because you should be able to get the free shipping, which can save you anywhere from $5-15 depending on where else you might buy from. Remember to get an 18mm strap if you go with the SNK.

Unfortunately, the lower end Seikos don't really have great nighttime visibility compared to their divers like the SKXs. Neither does the Symphony, which, on the dressier side, lacks a lume altogether. I'm not sure about the lume on the MDV106, but it should be alright, given it's a dive watch.

I would probably jump on that SNK809 if I were you, but my dial color preference goes from black to blue to white.

Edit: Must have skipped the mechanical requirement, so I removed the quartz suggestions.

I found this Citizen, but it is unfortunately out of your budget, although it has been had at $205.

Another option: Timex $66

Another: Seiko $119

Dressier options: Citizen $147

Another Citizen (This one can be had at $80, but is currently $130)

Orient $158


If your willing to go with a cleaner dial with no chronograph you can look at the Rodina lineup for $120. If you are willing to ditch the black dial you can look at Tisell, with the options of a polished stainless steel or PVD coated case and a higher quality movement over the Rodina at $170 or $180, respectively. Currently sold out, though.

Hope this helps!

(Edited in dressier options and forgot to mention that my suggested watches that come with a leather strap will probably need a better strap because the stock ones are of poor quality. You will need a tool to remove the stock straps. Tutorial)

Here are two Orient watches, the one with a leather band is more expensive. But these are super cheap and come in all different colors. Ok, that's more than two...

Orient Men's ER27006B Classic Automatic Watch - $71

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A6GFBW0

I bought a simple Orient watch, put a lizard strap on it and a butterfly buckle. total cost came in just under $150 and I have gotten many compliments on it. under $300 and quartz, I would go with a Tissot or Seiko. here are a couple links.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0086L9BN2/ref=s9_simh_gw_g241_i2_r?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0VWNBH7XPC74JADJY370&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

http://www.amazon.com/Tissot-T-Classic-Tradition-Silver-T063-610-16-037-00/dp/B005DL3R8S/ref=sr_1_4?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1452059813&sr=1-4&nodeID=6358540011&refinements=p_89%3ATissot

http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-Black-Leather-Watch-SGEG99/dp/B00I4DISQS/ref=sr_1_25?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1452059848&sr=1-25&nodeID=6358540011&keywords=sapphire&refinements=p_89%3ASeiko

http://www.amazon.com/Orient-ER27006B-Classic-Automatic-Watch/dp/B00A6GFBW0/ref=sr_1_8?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1452059991&sr=1-8&nodeID=6358540011&refinements=p_89%3AOrient

If you're not set on the brand, then a lot of dress watches have a similar dial. Here's an Orient I've been looking at that has a similar style.

It's beautiful. I will most definitely consider Orient. A quick Amazon search has brought this beauty to my attention. I must say, I am thoroughly impressed. Thank you, kind friend, for recommending Orient.

If I should decide on Orient, would you recommend I order directly from their site or would Amazon suffice? I'm weary of being scammed on Amazon, though I've never had an issue with that. In addition, the shipping time and handling of both vendors is something I would prefer to be of quality.

Thanks for any insight you may have.

https://www.amazon.com/Orient-ER27006B-Classic-Automatic-Watch/dp/B00A6GFBW0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469803508&sr=8-1&keywords=orient+symphony

the orient symphony is similiar to the one u posted. itss $30 more but a million times better, also automatic

I was just going to suggest Orient! In fact, I had a lengthy discussion with someone a while back who was looking to get their first watch, and they ended up getting a very similar model and loved it, although I think the one you found is slightly nicer, not to mention $36 cheaper.

Just a heads up, in case you're not aware: it's an automatic, so it's powered by movement and won't be as accurate as a quartz, but by no means should it be considered inaccurate, per se. You might lose a minute a week or so, but no biggee unless you're orchestrating an art heist that requires split second timing or something.

That Seiko is pretty nice, not bad for a confirmation gift. I think I just got cash for mine.

Orient

Seiko

Timex

To add to the recommendation of one of the Orient Bambino models, Orient also makes a ton of very classy and underrated dress automatic watches like the Producer, Millennium, Esteem, etc. Here's a Google Shopping Search. Personally, I love the Curator with a power reserve, the Symphony with a very simple dial design, this model from their Vintage Collection with a power reserve, and the EZ09004W model with a power reserve, small seconds hand, and a date hand instead of numeral indicator keeping it clean and classic. Keep in mind that most of these models come in different dial and metal colors too if you have a different preference.

Orient Symphony would be my choice. Looks a lot like the Sarb033 from Seiko for half the price. Change to a stainless steel bracelet for a more casual look if needed.

It's gonna be my Orient Symphony when it gets here in a couple of hours. Canada Post is showing "out for delivery" and they usually get to my building around 1:00, so it shouldn't be long now...

It'll be my first non-diver, so I figured I'd start out inexpensively to see how I like this type of watch.

Got me to look at the Bambinos. Here are two very similar ones on Amazon. What is the difference between them? I can't tell for the life of me: http://www.amazon.com/Orient-ER27006B-Classic-Automatic-Watch/dp/B00A6GFBW0 and http://www.amazon.com/Orient-FER24004B0-Bambino-Analog-Japanese-Automatic/dp/B00FS43D7A

Possibly the [Orient Symphony] (http://www.amazon.com/Orient-ER27006B-Classic-Automatic-Watch/dp/B00A6GFBW0)

1st one.

You may as well save some $$$ and get the Orient variant of that Citizen watch. It's also an automatic. Here's one with a stainless bezel, and the same one with a black bezel.