What's your definition of affordable (because Ric already asked "what's high end?"

[docvail]

Someone had to do it. Might as well be me.

I say under $600 is enough to buy 90% of the watches with all my "minimum specs" and not be weighed down by "We're Swiss/We're 100 years old" pricing. There are a handful of really tempting pieces up to about $700-$800, but the Quaker mindset starts to kick in and I get all shaky when I think of spending that much, so I tend to stay under $600 in my mind.

The two pieces I have stuck in my head above $600 are the Certina DS-First (about $660) and the Halios Delfin, for $720...




(I gotta make a "Basic Black" watch soon.)

What say you?

[Chronopolitano]

Someone had to do it. Might as well be me.

I say under $600 is enough to buy 90% of the watches with all my "minimum specs" and not be weighed down by "We're Swiss/We're 100 years old" pricing. There are a handful of really tempting pieces up to about $700-$800, but the Quaker mindset starts to kick in and I get all shaky when I think of spending that much, so I tend to stay under $600 in my mind.

What say you?

Well, make up yer mind: Quaker or Shaker?

I agree that 90% of watches that can deliver huge satisfaction can be found under $600.
So, I kinda draw the line there for "affordable."
Maybe the more accurate word would be "reasonable"; I can barely "afford" to buy shoes now.

And as a matter of principle, I cap it at $1K. Crikey, it's just watches.

EDIT:
Yeah, so up to 1K is technically "afffordable" for me, BUT, after they cross that $600 barrier, they better have something dang special - for a 3-hander.
Otherwise, I get cranky with em for being dbags.
Frankly, I am most comfortable with most 3-handers under $400.

[whatmeworry]

I'd go with "enough to be a Seiko SARB". That to me is the top end of affordable.

[chirs1211]

Affordable to me means around the $300-350 mark, some decent pieces at that price point but some scrap too, so need to shop wisely.
The $200 Kommadirskie K-34 GMT i've just had is a great example to VFM.
Though i do agree closer to the $500-600 mark does get a fair hike in quality, and there are some $700-800 i'm lusting after, but that needs more discipline and saving/planning lol

Chris

[Brad]

£400

Though in reality 'affordable' seems directly related to post count.

[shemp]

I'll pick up to $400. In my own head, I don't have to justify spending up to that amount. Beyond that, it's "How much do I really need/want this?" "There are plenty of good options in the $300-$400 range."

[SIDE NOTE] I *hate* it every time Doc posts that DS First, because then I end up doing an image search because I like looking at it, then to horademoda to see what the price is, then to WR to see if anyone's unloading one for cheap, and generally spend a day or two thinking about it before almost but not quite buying it, yet again.

[Der Amf]

My Nivrel was closer to $800 and I've never felt it to be out of place under the Affordable umbrella. Certainly I thought twice about spending that sum, but I would be doing that at $300, too.

[TokyoLunch]

I go up to 1000$.... USD. Just an easier number to work with.

But then there are vintage ones or 'steals' which may have cost me < 1000, but generally would be north of that. Bit tougher there, for me, anyway, in terms of what I would call it.

[whatmeworry]

My Nivrel was closer to $800 and I've never felt it to be out of place under the Affordable umbrella. Certainly I thought twice about spending that sum, but I would be doing that at $300, too.

Yes, every purchase should be weighed up against the alternatives

[Der Amf]

Yes, every purchase should be weighed up against the alternatives

Except manual Seikos going for £25 on ebay. Then you just pile in.

And then spend £100 sorting them ou.... Ah. Hmm.

Yes, good point.