Inexpensive Automatic Chronograph Watch?

By automatic do you mean a self winding watch?

 

Dom,I may be proved wrong but IMHO there is no way you can a "Decent "chronometer for this price,the reasoning is that to get the Chronometer certification the watch must be able to meet some pretty stringent criteria and for a mechanical movement to achieve this then they are relatively complicated and are therefore more expensive.Good luck and hope you can do it.
Dave Mc

 

You missed this one.....

but there will be others.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31387&item=4919033392&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

www.zeitner.com

 

I've got two Bucherers that are both officially certified chronometers. They were $80 a piece. Of course they're both from the 70s and I bought them three years ago.

So no, you don't have to spend anywhere near $1000 to get a very good automatic watch with a great movement, but you will generally need to spend more than $1000 to get a new quality automatic watch.

 

Hamilton Khaki Auto's come in chrono's for around 425 I think. They are very nice.

 

I just saw an auto watch that came with a winder for <$400 at my local Sam's club this weekend. Unfortunately, I don't remember the brand. It wasn't a familiar one to me at the time.

Dave

 

Matkat, I think he wants a chronoGRAPH, not a chronoMETER. Big difference. A Chronograph is simply a multi-dialed watch that has stop watch functions.

Peter, check out www.timezone.com, www.equationoftime.com, or www.pmwf.com and ask your question in one of the general forums. You'll be amazed at the response.

 

Jim, all watches are chronometers since chronometer simply means it measures times. Officaly certified chronometers means it tells time well. He wanted a good quality automatic chronograph... typically those will also be certified chronometers.

Also, we were mianly responding to the last question "Do you really have to spend over $1000 to get a decent automatic watch?" Which didn't include the chronograph feature. Though it was probably assumed.

 

You're correct, I just assumed by the use of 'chronometer' that he was referring to the certified versions, since I don't hear the term used unless it IS certified. I did not get the impression that Peter was looking for something of that caliber.

Peter, look at the Invictas. They have some automatic chrongraphs for under $200. They're not Vacheron Constantin's, but they'll tell time for the price you want.

 

You can get nice Seiko chronograph's for less than $500.

 

Check out this site: http://www.rockxwatch.com/curverd2/FORMULA/index.html. I just saw their Scuderia advertisement in Sept issue of ROSSO. (japanese exotic car magazine)

Formula series now has Scuderia model, which is only advertised on some car magazines (not on the site yet) Priced around $350 to 400. It is digital watch, but uses Conolly leather for a strap, and comes w/ red (black stitch) belt w/ red dial, black (w/ yellow stitch) w/ Yellow dial, and black (red stictch) w/ black dial. Between the center & "12", there's a silver Prancing horse embossed.

I haven't bought anything from them before. It's just FYI. In the magazine, they have advertisement of Rolex, P Phillip, F Mueller, etc, and I thought it was odd to see this low priced (almost fake) watch advertisement.

 

The site is in Japanese

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31387&item=4924341990&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Here you go...... the one you wanted, new. If you wait, you will find used ones cheaper. The seller has good feedbacks also. You could sell yours if you wanted and the difference could be in the range you were looking for.

Good luck

 

"Can you get a decent automatic watch, for say, less than $500?"

Yes, purchase this one (ebay) and sell yours.

Do you really have to spend over $1000 to get a decent automatic watch?"

No
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Don't stress over it..........if your not ready, another one will come along. I hope I helped answer your questions

 

http://ufanta.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=25_29

 

Seiko and Citizen are the first two that come to mind in that price range. There are many manufacturers that produce automatic chronographs. Just do some research on watch forums (www.timezone.com is the best IMO) and browse jewellery stores, asking the people there alot of questions. There's an old saying that goes "Buy the seller, not the watch!"

 

I just got my Seiko Arctura Kinetic Chronograph 2 weeks back and absolutely love it.. Even though my Tag cost more, I dont even look at my Tag anymore or my Rado. Seiko will soon start advertising this watch this fall. I believe this is the worlds first kinetic chronograph thats Quartz.Here's a pic.. MSRP is 675 but u should be able to get it under 500..model SNL001
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I bought one of these watches because it looks like the GP Ferrari watch. I’ll certify that it gains about 6 to 10 minutes a day but it looks sharp.

 

I'm confused, how can it be kinetic AND quartz?

 

look at an automatic locman!
Erik