"Alpina" is a way under rated brand with rich heritage -especially OG "sports" watches (plus sister company "Frederique Constant" -but both owned by Citizen group)
Dont know about swiss watches. But my 70 japanese watches collection tells me that Casio, Citizen, Orient and Seiko are the best affodable watches ever made. IMHO
Love the collection you selected; especially the Glycine GL0077 you chose for the Diver. I had one for a few years and sold it to free up $$ for another ⌚. I missed the Glycine and a little over a year later I bought another new GL0077 🤔
Just be aware everyone the power matic 80 has plastic parts and can only be regulated and serviced by Tissot. It's really not that far off the system 51, I'd say a good Swiss Quartz is way better.
No one buys the PRX for the move,ent, I boughtone because it was the prettiest IBSSSW I could afford, proper brand and the tapisserie dial. Also you can buy the parts (albeit modular replace,ents) if you are an independant watchmaker, so my watchmaker told me before I bought it, he also said that the "unservicibility" was a bit of a myth, regulation is limited but dissasembly and lubrication was easy enough, also its a variation of the 28/24 not an obscure bit of unknown horology so I get a bit impatient with this sorta snobby and ill informed hot takes.
@@jamesblonde2271 You can't regulate it tho without a specific bit of kit. An independent watch maker will not work on the movement. Don't take my word on it Google will say the same. I brought the quartz blue dial version and I honestly love it. Buy and wear what you love just be fully aware is all I'm saying friend 😁
I have several Swiss watches from Breitling to Tissot to Hamilton but lemme tell you my Alpina Seastrong is one of my absolute favorites. I rock it on a grey sail cloth and it looks great and keeps time like a chronograph. Much better than my oceanmaster. But I think citizen is probably my all time favorite brand
You know I often disagree with your take on a number of topics as I often tell you but likewise if I think you're right I will also tell you and I think you are almost 100% right with this. Seiko are living off of their historical renown for quality and value for money which sadly passed away many years ago. My only issue with your selection is with the Mondaine; I really loved the look and the history of Mondaine so went to purchase one at a local jewellers here in the UK but when I actually had their pieces in hand I thought they felt incredibly cheap and definitely nothing like I was expecting. That's just my personal subjective opinion. Overall a great on point video, bud👏🏻👨🏻🦲
Love the Inox. Any thoughts on the automatic Roamers? I have the Searock classic, really decent Swiss made dress/sports watch. Chrono also do private labelling eta/selita stuff for Swiss Military/RUF.
dude, where are you getting that glycine watch for that price? same with the alpina, how are they that cheap? So much more expensive on their websites and other sites in the EU
Glycine Air Pilot. Comes in three different varieties. A Chronograph, a Dual Time and a GMT. Ronda quartz inside. At Ashford $230,- each. Incredible watches for the price.
Avoid the Tissot. The pallet fork is plastic (among other parts) and the exact same part as Swatch uses in the System 51 throwaway garbage movement. Ridiculous for a part that sees so much action. There's a reason why "Tissot" backwards spells "toss it".
@@SB-Kiwi Would you trust a car with a plastic transmission? It might work for a while. Then you can toss it. I got rid of my Le Locle months ago and will never look back.
@@veganbutcherhackepeter it's a watch, not a car. The forces between a car transmission and a watch are hardly comparable. Ten years of ownership and no dramas with mine at all. Just sayin..
@@SB-Kiwi You do know what a pallet fork and its purpose in a mechanical watch is, though, right? In any case, using cheap plastic for the parts that see the most strain in a mechanical watch is just unexcusable. But if you enjoy the watch, good for you.
@@veganbutcherhackepeter yep I do know what the function of the pallet fork is. I just don't hear of a lot of failures. Do you? No I don't think so because there aren't a lot. I will. Thanks.
Love Glycine and Alpina which are both totally underrated so great to see them included here. Don't like the Powermatic in the Tissot. A power reserve of 80h is nice but they reduced the frequency from 4hz to 3hz to achieve this. Much prefer a higher beat! They also made it much harder to regulate the watch and replace individual parts making it nearly impossible to take it to your local watchmaker. Not a fan!
Hi T3, i just purchased the Seiko Prospex SRPH17K1 for 420 euro brand new. What do you think about it? I really think it's a "spec monster"...would be great if you can review it
I have the Glycine Combat Sub and it destroys almost 100% of Seiko's lineup in QC, movements, and fit and finish (not GS of course). I also owned the Tissot PRX Powermatic and it was hot garbage. Movement took a dump after 6 months. Never again.
To me, after 6 years in the watch hobby I've got san martin, watchdives, cronos and seestern watches.. I believe they're the best buck for buck best.. sold all my seikos, citizen, orient, tissot, victorinox, tag heuer, and many others... I was blinded by many youtubers about originality, provenance, history and all of that none sense psychological trickery.. I'm happier now than ever..
None of them is my cup of tea, but it shows that you don't have to consult with your banker every time you buy a damn wristwatch with a Swiss movement.
I would go 🇯🇵 if I was to spend ~$500! SEIKO ASTRON SBXY013 Titanium Sapphire Crystal Radio Solar Watch! 😅 As it is a - GADA watch - looks like a sporty chronograph - BUT is a GMT😂
Under $500 I would go with HGP that are working with the Legendary G Monnin and have Brevet signed case backs. Not a look alike like CWC. It's available with a Seiko meca quartz for under $300 or a automatic for under $500 both bracelet and strap options. Reviews on them have been positive but I think the meca quartz is the way to go with that awesome sweep seconds hand
Not bad collection, But The Tissot powermatic is not a good choice at all for anyone . Because the pallet fork & wheel are plastic. Witch in my opinion is sacrilegious to put in a watch & call it A Quality moment .
Seiko must have really pissed you off lol dude used to be a Seiko Fan Boy and now all you do is bash Seiko. What really happened? Did they not want to give you special deal or sponsorship?
@@SB-Kiwi Islander Mitchel day-t. DLC. Seiko movement. Sapphire glass on front and the see thru caseback. Great lume. Gorgeous. Great value. Worn daily as my work watch. maybe you didnt really like the model that you purchased?
@@stevec5465 nice. Sounds like a great watch. No I wouldn't say that I don't like it, but neither would I consider it a seiko killer. Don't know the name of the model. The turquoise sandy beach looking dial one. What I will say is it does at least lines up. 😂
"Alpina" is a way under rated brand with rich heritage -especially OG "sports" watches (plus sister company "Frederique Constant" -but both owned by Citizen group)
Dont know about swiss watches. But my 70 japanese watches collection tells me that Casio, Citizen, Orient and Seiko are the best affodable watches ever made. IMHO
You DON’T know about swiss watches, but know the japanese ones are the best. It makes sense…
This video made me want Japanese watches even more lol
You can find a Hamilton Khaki King auto for under $500 and I think the khaki mechanical as well
This video gave me so many ideas of what I can add to my collection.
Love the collection you selected; especially the Glycine GL0077 you chose for the Diver.
I had one for a few years and sold it to free up $$ for another ⌚. I missed the Glycine and a little over a year later I bought another new GL0077 🤔
Just be aware everyone the power matic 80 has plastic parts and can only be regulated and serviced by Tissot. It's really not that far off the system 51, I'd say a good Swiss Quartz is way better.
No one buys the PRX for the move,ent, I boughtone because it was the prettiest IBSSSW I could afford, proper brand and the tapisserie dial. Also you can buy the parts (albeit modular replace,ents) if you are an independant watchmaker, so my watchmaker told me before I bought it, he also said that the "unservicibility" was a bit of a myth, regulation is limited but dissasembly and lubrication was easy enough, also its a variation of the 28/24 not an obscure bit of unknown horology so I get a bit impatient with this sorta snobby and ill informed hot takes.
@@jamesblonde2271 You can't regulate it tho without a specific bit of kit. An independent watch maker will not work on the movement. Don't take my word on it Google will say the same. I brought the quartz blue dial version and I honestly love it. Buy and wear what you love just be fully aware is all I'm saying friend 😁
Not all the powematics have the plastic part, in the prx and le locle they used that movement, only time will tell how good it'll do
@@micknick74 True enough, I might add the 51 is assembled with rivets not screws, really making it unservicable......
Have you personally experienced a failure with a Powermatic 80?
Outstanding video.I have to go with the AMZWATCH, especially with that green dial as my favorite
Oh man I wish Tissot would release that dress watch in 36 -38 mm. I think it's 40 mm and with all that dial I don't like it on my slim wrist.
I have several Swiss watches from Breitling to Tissot to Hamilton but lemme tell you my Alpina Seastrong is one of my absolute favorites. I rock it on a grey sail cloth and it looks great and keeps time like a chronograph. Much better than my oceanmaster. But I think citizen is probably my all time favorite brand
yeah , Alpina is way under rated. I have 3 and the only watches i ever regret selling was my alpinas.
You know I often disagree with your take on a number of topics as I often tell you but likewise if I think you're right I will also tell you and I think you are almost 100% right with this. Seiko are living off of their historical renown for quality and value for money which sadly passed away many years ago.
My only issue with your selection is with the Mondaine; I really loved the look and the history of Mondaine so went to purchase one at a local jewellers here in the UK but when I actually had their pieces in hand I thought they felt incredibly cheap and definitely nothing like I was expecting. That's just my personal subjective opinion.
Overall a great on point video, bud👏🏻👨🏻🦲
Love the Inox. Any thoughts on the automatic Roamers? I have the Searock classic, really decent Swiss made dress/sports watch. Chrono also do private labelling eta/selita stuff for Swiss Military/RUF.
Here we go again! Seiko killers that don't actually kill Seiko.
dude, where are you getting that glycine watch for that price? same with the alpina, how are they that cheap? So much more expensive on their websites and other sites in the EU
Got a couple of Tissots and love them. My Seiko is also very solid.....but my favorite watch at the moment is my Movado Museum 😂
Glycine Air Pilot. Comes in three different varieties. A Chronograph, a Dual Time and a GMT. Ronda quartz inside. At Ashford $230,- each. Incredible watches for the price.
Great choices, specially the Alpina.
The Victorinox Inox is a Swiss G Shock, and weighs a tonne. Love it.
Arguably I'd love a GL0079 but they seem to be sold out online (and not coming back to the likes of Joma or Ashford)
Alpina, hummm. Thx! I never would have considered them for a sub $500 watch in any style.
Does the Rhonda powered Mondaine have the stop n go 58 second hand?
Those versions are close to $1000 on eBay
I would recommend Roamer as a brand that's incredibly great and has a good reputation and history
When I saw some watch repair dude open up a Tissot and pull out a plastic pallet fork, I pretty much wrote off that movement
Avoid the Tissot. The pallet fork is plastic (among other parts) and the exact same part as Swatch uses in the System 51 throwaway garbage movement. Ridiculous for a part that sees so much action. There's a reason why "Tissot" backwards spells "toss it".
I don't have a problem with it particularly myself. Never had an issue with mine.
@@SB-Kiwi Would you trust a car with a plastic transmission? It might work for a while. Then you can toss it.
I got rid of my Le Locle months ago and will never look back.
@@veganbutcherhackepeter it's a watch, not a car. The forces between a car transmission and a watch are hardly comparable. Ten years of ownership and no dramas with mine at all. Just sayin..
@@SB-Kiwi You do know what a pallet fork and its purpose in a mechanical watch is, though, right? In any case, using cheap plastic for the parts that see the most strain in a mechanical watch is just unexcusable. But if you enjoy the watch, good for you.
@@veganbutcherhackepeter yep I do know what the function of the pallet fork is. I just don't hear of a lot of failures. Do you? No I don't think so because there aren't a lot. I will. Thanks.
Love Glycine and Alpina which are both totally underrated so great to see them included here. Don't like the Powermatic in the Tissot. A power reserve of 80h is nice but they reduced the frequency from 4hz to 3hz to achieve this. Much prefer a higher beat! They also made it much harder to regulate the watch and replace individual parts making it nearly impossible to take it to your local watchmaker. Not a fan!
I would've switched the Victorinox Field for the Hamilton Khaki field mechanical wind up. About 400 on Jomashop.
Good job! Five nice pieces!
Awesome choices 👌
I love this "eff Seiko" energy.
Yup…have those Swiss made affordable gems….Alpina, Mondaine, Victorinox, Tissot, Glycine.
Thank you for this video!
Really nice list of choices.
Digging the big bad Victorinox
The older Divemaster 500 from Victorinox was nicer.
Hi T3, i just purchased the Seiko Prospex SRPH17K1 for 420 euro brand new. What do you think about it? I really think it's a "spec monster"...would be great if you can review it
I have the Glycine Combat Sub and it destroys almost 100% of Seiko's lineup in QC, movements, and fit and finish (not GS of course). I also owned the Tissot PRX Powermatic and it was hot garbage. Movement took a dump after 6 months. Never again.
Damn, sucks to hear about your PRX. I’ve had mine six months now and it’s been running great, so hopefully I don’t see the same dump being taken.
Pumping out videoes like a champ. *steroids*
Nice collection there.
To me, after 6 years in the watch hobby I've got san martin, watchdives, cronos and seestern watches.. I believe they're the best buck for buck best.. sold all my seikos, citizen, orient, tissot, victorinox, tag heuer, and many others... I was blinded by many youtubers about originality, provenance, history and all of that none sense psychological trickery.. I'm happier now than ever..
The best Swiss budget diver watch is the Vostok Amphibia!
Isnt vostok Russian
None of them is my cup of tea, but it shows that you don't have to consult with your banker every time you buy a damn wristwatch with a Swiss movement.
good video 😊.
Well done sir
You should add an islander! What mechanical chronograph for under $400? Need to look into that alpina
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical
Tissot PRX
Certina Diver
Victorinox Inox
And a Swatch for a bit of no worries fun
Well done
Get an Inox chronograph takes care of diver, tool and chronograph for £550.
Just checked it out and yeah that takes care of about it all, really cool looking. Also liked the Journey line.
I love my Le Locle
I’m still bias to my Seiko collection
Goes without saying that you are better of buying a good expensive Swiss watch than 5 cheap watches.
I seriously doubt the Tissot has a guilloche dial for less than $500. It’s got to be stamped.
There are many ...but most importantly... one must consider your Expertise
I would go 🇯🇵 if I was to spend ~$500!
SEIKO ASTRON SBXY013 Titanium Sapphire Crystal Radio Solar Watch! 😅
As it is a
- GADA watch
- looks like a sporty chronograph
- BUT is a GMT😂
But a Seiko is not Swiss made.
I’ll take my $400 Jomashop Hamilton Field Khaki mechanical all day.
Just to keep the theme. Putin wears a sub $500 Swiss watch….Sorry Jory…😂😂😂
I bought a mondaine, the alarm version. Can't remember the model, but the movement was complete trash....
Sounds like they should name it the mundane 😂
Seiko Killers? Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Is that your head talking?
I thought any watch with a function besides telling time was considered a tool watch, no?
Under $500 I would go with HGP that are working with the Legendary G Monnin and have Brevet signed case backs. Not a look alike like CWC. It's available with a Seiko meca quartz for under $300 or a automatic for under $500 both bracelet and strap options. Reviews on them have been positive but I think the meca quartz is the way to go with that awesome sweep seconds hand
Steinhart is a better option than lots of Tissot for under 500€...
I would add the Rolex Daytona.
Hamilton Jazzmaster quartz
Not bad collection, But The Tissot powermatic is not a good choice at all for anyone . Because the pallet fork & wheel are plastic. Witch in my opinion is sacrilegious to put in a watch & call it A Quality moment .
The 46 mm Combat sub is much better than the 42 and still under $500. It has a much better bezel action and 120 click vs 60. Also the lume is better.
Seiko must have really pissed you off lol dude used to be a Seiko Fan Boy and now all you do is bash Seiko. What really happened? Did they not want to give you special deal or sponsorship?
Seiko killer, qu'est-ce que c'est...
Ba Ba Bah Ba, Ba Ba Bah Ba
I'm a teacher, so however cool, it is sad to say, out of my budget.
Islander watches.
Are a bit meh. Yes I own one.
@@SB-Kiwi Islander Mitchel day-t. DLC. Seiko movement. Sapphire glass on front and the see thru caseback. Great lume. Gorgeous. Great value. Worn daily as my work watch. maybe you didnt really like the model that you purchased?
@@stevec5465 nice. Sounds like a great watch. No I wouldn't say that I don't like it, but neither would I consider it a seiko killer. Don't know the name of the model. The turquoise sandy beach looking dial one. What I will say is it does at least lines up. 😂
👍
A very nice try and very nearly/almost, but that Alipna is just hideous with that toad(turd)stool crown, sorry, but a HUGE no thank you on that one!
Ahhh. But Glycine was bought out by Invicta.
These are all junk
Bit boring TBH. Let's see some not Swiss watches instead! In fact let's see some not European and not Japanese cool and quality watches.