Which Would Be Your first Watch in 2021?

The last time I’ve made a purchased a watch was well over two years ago. It was the Seiko SBDX013 marine master professional 1000 meter Emperor Tuna, which I wear on a daily basis and still love every bit of it to this day. As I suddenly have the urge into looking for a new watch to purchase first thing in the year 2021. I was considering other than Seiko, another watch as an alternative to my Tuna since I am looking for something different and of course a budget of 500.00USD due to the pandemic COVID-19 crisis.

Rubber Black : FKM Rubber Quick Release Watch Band on Rose Citizen Gold NY0083-14X-RG, Navy Blue on Citizen Blue NY0081-10L

CITIZEN PROMASTER Fugu Limited Edition 999pcs

Citizen NY0083-14X & NY0081-10L, these watches are often described as Citizen’s version of the Seiko SKX007, where they are not only affordable, but also reliable, and an overall versatile watch.

Specifications:

• Citizen movement caliber 8203 automatic, made in Japan
• Date at the 3 o’clock hour reveals the automatic day calendar
• Stainless steel Case
• Screw-down locking Crown
• Rotating Bezel
• Case size 42mm
• Thickness : 12.6mm
• 20 bar Water resistance
• Crystal Glass
• Polyurethane Watch Band
• Dials : Brown (NY0083-14X) Blue (NY0081-10L)

2 Tone Angus Louis on Citizen Promaster BN0197-17E

Citizen ECO-DRIVE Promaster 200m #BN0197-17E

This Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster dive watch is powered by light (or solar power). The watches accuracy is powered by quartz without the hassle to replace a battery (important for a dive watch). The Power reserve is stored up to six months when fully charged. It features a 44 mm diameter rose gold tone case, a silicone-rubber dive strap, luminous hands and hour markers, 60-minute marked black uni-directional bezel (with luminous PIP), and a date window at the 3:00 position on the dial.

• PROMASTER Diver collection
• Powered by light, never needs batteries
• Black dial with silver – luminous hands and luminous markers
• Rose Gold tone Case, Bezel
• Unidirectional rotating bezel
• Date window at 4:00
• Scratch resistant crystal
• Silicone-Rubber Dive Strap, 22 mm lug
• Case diameter 44 mm without crown
• Screw down crown
• Water resistant 200 mt (660 ft or 20 bar)

Left: Horween Blackish Green leather watch strap on Citizen Green Kuroshio 64 ; Middle: Green Rally watch band watch band on Citizen K0002-14W ; Right: Burgundy Brown Horween Chromexcel watch band on White Kuroshio 64

Citizen NK0002-14W Classical Line Mechanical Watch

Simple and yet elegant is best used to describe this beautiful timepiece. The emerald green used on this dial has caught every bit of my attention. To be able to get a 60 hour power reserve at a price range under 500.00 US, it doesn’t really get any better than that.

Specifications

• Release Date : 5 September 2019
• Movement : Mechanical 8310
• Driving time: 60 hours (at maximum winding)
• Automatic winding + manual winding
• Frequency: 21,600 times / hour
• Number of stones: 21
• Second hand stop function
• Early date correction function
• Accuracy : -20~+40 seconds per day
• Waterproof : Water for life performance (5 ATM water resistant performance)
• See-through back
• Case Material : Stainless steel
• Band Material : Calf
• Glass Material : Box type crystal glass.
• Size : H49mm x W40mm x D8mm.
• Weight : 72g
• Made in Japan

Citizen Kuroshio 64

The Kuroshio 64 is a reissued watch model which was inspired from one of Citizen’s finest production, the Parawater back in 1959. This reissued collection is available in five different models with distinctive dial colors, on bracelet and leather straps. The one I set my eye on is of course the dark forest green dial with silver markers all around.

Specifications

• Caliber No. : 8310
• Movement : Automatic
• Signal Reception : Without Radio Reception Function
• Strap : Brown Leather Strap
• Water Resistant : WR 50m
• Case Size : 41mm
• Case : Stainless Steel
• Glass : Dual Spherical Mineral Crystal
• Warranty : 3 years
• Specification
• 60hr Power Reserve
• Date Display
• Luminous (hands + hour marker dots)

20mm Black Rivet Pilot Watch Band on Hamilton Khaki Field Watch H70455733

Hamilton Khaki Field H70455733 Automatic 38mm

The Hamilton Khaki H70455733 watch is yet another appealing time piece that is being considered to be added into my personal collection. First off, to be able to pick up a Swiss made automatic watch for less 500.00 is already attractive as it is. Another tempting factor about the Hamilton Khaki H70455733 are also able to fit on our curved end bracelets for the Seiko SARB017 watch collections.

Specifications:

• Stainless steel case with a black leather strap
• Black dial with silver-tone hands and Arabic numeral hour markers.
• Minute markers around the outer rim.
• 24 hour (GMT) markers. Dial Type: Analog.
• Luminescent hands and dial markers.
• Date display at the 3 o’clock position.
• Hamilton calibre H-10 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve.
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal.
• Pull / push crown
• Case size: 38 mm.
• Case thickness: 11 mm.
• Band width: 20 mm.
• Water resistant at 100 meters / 330 feet.
• Functions: date, hour, minute, second
• Item Variations: H70455733.
• Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic Mens Watch H70455733.

With the number of options of watch that I have filtered through, its down to the two green models, NK0002-14W and the Kuroshio 64 (Green Dial).

Left :  Super-J Louis Stainless Steel Watch Band on Steinhart Sub. Black;  Right : 22mm Grey Quick Release Italian Suede Leather Watch Strap on Steinhart Ocean Vintage Military 39

Steinhart Ocean One Vintage Red

An affordable Swiss brand who produces watches that greatly resembles from the RX brand. Many are surprised that this brand give you this level of finishing and attention to detail at the very affordable price.

Specifications

• Stainless 316 L steel satined and polished
• Diameter 42 mm
• Height 13 mm
• Weight 212g
• Lug width 22 mm screwed
• Sapphire glass medium domed, with double anti-reflecting coatings on the interior side
• Bezel Stainless Steel, Inlay black aluminum
• Back Stainless steel 316 L screwed
• Waterproof to 30 ATM

Steinhart Ocean Vintage Military 39

A perfect replacement for the Ocean One Vintage Red if you find 42 mm a little too big. A professional grade of 300 m water resistance at an affordable price.

Specifications

• Movement. Swiss ETA2824-2/SW200 Automatic Movement, (elabore, top e COSC)
• Deep Matte Black with hour markers.
• Markers, hour, minute, second hands.
• Case. Satin brushed top and polished sides. Stainless steel.
• Bezel. 120 clicks. Polished. Stainless steel.
• Crown type. Screwdown Steinhart signed crown.
• Lug width. 20mm.

With a budget of 500.00USD to shop for a watch, there’s a ton of options out there in the market.  To help narrow down your options, write down or take note of what you are looking for with your next watch.  Whether it is down to the color of the dial, the size of the watch case, a dress watch, a diver, with an automatic or mechanical movement, or perhaps the depth of water resistance the watch can withstand, you’ll find that it’s a lot easier to help choose your next purchase if you go through the process of knowing what you want with your next watch.

Written by Sam, Photo by Toni