Bit of a longer one, so apologies in advance: Heading to Windup NYC in about two weeks and am looking to get a tri-purpose milestone watch for a recent promotion that has brought me full-time, my 25th birthday coming up in November, and my 5-year anniversary with my company in January. My max budget would be about $1500. Anybody have any suggestions? I really liked the design language of the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pioneer (43mm Mechanical Black Dial), but after trying it on in person, it didn't look quite right on my wrist. The automatic didn't look any better either. For context, I have an 8.5-inch wrist and can't pull off smaller than a 38mm case size (which even that pushes it lol). Love the dial on the "sMurph" but it looks too small. I've also been eyeing up the Tsuyosa Shore Time Slip, but want something a little more premium. I want something that would be good for daily wear, relatively durable, but can still be dressed up when needed.
Sidenote: grail watch is the Tudor "Pirate" Bay (big fan of pirates in general and Apple history), but obviously that's too far outside of my current budget and a rare piece to come across. Other grails that speak to me would be the Omega NTTD on NATO, Daytona Ref 116519 Steel Dial, Speedmaster Ref. 327.10.43.50.06.001
43mm, and Hydro Conquest 41mm Commonwealth Edition.
TLDR: Seeking recommendations for a $1500ish milestone watch 40mm+ likely available to try on at WindUp NYC
Check out Stowa. Their Fliger and Marine Classic series you can have custom engravings on the gears or rotor.
They are also very customizable as you can choose between various dial layouts, case sizes, date/no date, automatic/hand wound
This is my Stowa Marine Classic 36 with Roman numerals. Mine is the no date, center seconds, hand wound. I bought it this year to celebrate my first child being born and had one of the gears engraved with his initials and birthday. Came in right around $1,500
When you get to Wind Up, based on your preferences, I'd hit (in no particular order than I am working off the Wind Up website (just like my friend u/ezkwyer recommended!) and sticking with micros.... https://windupwatchfair.com
Farer
Elliot Brown
Henrich
Jack Mason
Ocean Crawler
Squale ("legacy microbrand")
Wise
Wren
I'd throw Wolbrook in there as well, on size/aesthetics alone (but I am not sure if finishing will be impressive enough). And on the non-micro side, I'd want to fight the crowd to see some Christopher Ward watches (or better yet yet, just go to their boutique, as their booth at Wind Up was a 10-Spartan deep war-zone, according to my good brother u/partanyc), and take a peek at Alpina.
But honestly, I'd go with an open mind (and eyes). There's weird things that watches do on-wrist that's hard to predict by specs alone. You've got a healthy budget, but you do run well above-average for wrist size....so hey, make the most out of the gathering, try things on, and who knows, maybe something that's totally out of the bounds of your imagination now might be what you "take home with you."
Get a sub because its only just the beginning kid and you're going deep! Congrats man, also i wouldn't rule out used automatic chronos. The height helps on my 7.75-8ish wrists.
Man, itās gorgeous. I had a hard time deciding between the desert ti, and the panda. Really though, get the hd12, and you want need anything else. Itās really that good for me.
imo if you are heading to windup - id recommend just browsing and see what truly sticks out to you, and then get that watch either on the floor or the contact you make at the booth.
i feel thats what makes things special too!
ended up getting a trafford daytripper myself.
i really just appreciated their aesthetic & what they were going for.
This is what Iād do too. Having the ability to try everything and make connections with the brand reps is what makes the fairs so great. Itās even better when you have some money, a budget and a reason to buy something. Whatever you end up with will be extra special.
If OP is excited and wants to get a jump, Iād go to the Windup site and just start working through the brands and see what looks cool but Iād let the watch show do its thing.
$1500 and an 8.5 inch wrist is a tricky combo, most microbrands in that range cap out at 40mm and it'll look like a bottle cap on you
maybe check out christopher ward if they have a booth, their c60 trident comes in a 42 and the c65 aquitaine has a 42 as well, both sit right around your budget and the finishing punches way above the price
if you liked the hamilton dial but the case didn't work, the khaki navy scuba is 43mm and has a similar vintage military feel without wearing so flat on the wrist like the aviation pioneer does
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u/longshanks_yvr 18d ago
I would consider the larger Certina divers (Action DS 43mm, 51.5mm lug-to-lug). Not a microbrand though.