Help me find a bargain thread

[recapt]

Hey guys, it's been a while. I hopped on WUS this morning for a deals recap, got disappointed by the lack of movement, and then remembered the split! A move across country, a new kid, a furlough. I've not bought or sold a watch in nearly 2 years and am out of the loop!
So I recently started a great new job with a Euro-based company, and as their first US employee, all of my colleagues are 7hrs ahead.
In a normal world, with my 40th birthday coming up next week, I'd have viewed this as a perfect time to finally pick up that Polar Explorer II! Unfortunately the bank accounts are depleted from furloughs, moves, kids and whatnot, so this purchase will require restraint.
Requirements:
No more than 42mm, 48 l-2-l is nearing my max
No obvious homage/no Pepsi.
fixed outer bezel, or 24hr track on the inside.
While I'd love an Auto, I feel like quartz may be the prudent choice.
I'd obviously love a travelers GMT - but until we're traveling again, I'll actually be using it in the meantime for calling different timezones.
Budget - I need to play ball <$500.

I am not blown away by what I've found. I'd love giant wrists and more money to grab one of those Lacos, but that ain't happening!
Short list so far:

Traser Aurora - $342 on strap with coupon from GemDay


Steinhart OV GMT - $557 new from Steinhart, $500 used from some dude on forum


Rotary Henley - $194 shipped DHL from UK


Maratac GMT - $225


I know that the Traser and Steinhart will wear large. Rotary is a UK fashion brand. Maratac will frustrate me with 18mm lugs.

Help - what am I missing? Anything that's jumped out at you today during your BF perusing?

What a year. It sounds like you’ve earned this new watch...

If you are considering quartz watches from fashion brands, this one always catches my eye. I prefer the bracelet look but the brown strap version is only $120 right now. Only 46mm lug-to-lug and the raised numerals seem to give the dial some nice dimension.

https://www.linjer.co/products/the-gmt- ... 4123205692

[BostonCharlie]

Hey guys, it's been a while. I hopped on WUS this morning for a deals recap, got disappointed by the lack of movement, and then remembered the split! A move across country, a new kid, a furlough. I've not bought or sold a watch in nearly 2 years and am out of the loop!
So I recently started a great new job with a Euro-based company, and as their first US employee, all of my colleagues are 7hrs ahead.
In a normal world, with my 40th birthday coming up next week, I'd have viewed this as a perfect time to finally pick up that Polar Explorer II! Unfortunately the bank accounts are depleted from furloughs, moves, kids and whatnot, so this purchase will require restraint.
Requirements:
No more than 42mm, 48 l-2-l is nearing my max
No obvious homage/no Pepsi.
fixed outer bezel, or 24hr track on the inside.
While I'd love an Auto, I feel like quartz may be the prudent choice.
I'd obviously love a travelers GMT - but until we're traveling again, I'll actually be using it in the meantime for calling different timezones.
Budget - I need to play ball <$500.

I am not blown away by what I've found. I'd love giant wrists and more money to grab one of those Lacos, but that ain't happening!
Short list so far:

...

Help - what am I missing? Anything that's jumped out at you today during your BF perusing?

Not sure if this lands near the mark, but I thought it was cool. 38mm x 8.1mm, 18mm lug width, 259 EUR w/ VAT (214 EUR w/o VAT, or about 256 USD).

https://www.seriouswatches.com/products ... df-9006-0c

[BostonCharlie]

Well, maybe I'll finally break down and get my first Seiko. Preference is for a SBDY027 (SRPD11J1), though a non-MIJ SRPD11 isn't out of the question. Best I've found so far for the J1 is $438 plus schlepping & fondling from Japan; best for the non-J1 is $368. Anyone seen better?

I see the SBDY027 for $394.20 incl. free shipping from Japan on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SEIKO-SBDY ... 3715098941

UPDATE: I guess I wasn't paying attention -- RE currently shows OOS
River's Edge has it here for $575 before their 30% BF discount (or whatever special MoT promos might be going). Even if the MoT promo is expired, I'd reach out to them and see what they can do for you:
https://shop.riveredgejewelers.com/prod ... date-watch

I see that Rakuten has 10% cash back for Macy's atm, which would help w/ the sales tax on their non-J $368 listing:
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/seik ... ID=8301960


Adding some eye candy:

[beefyt]

I gave into the ticking clock over at TOM, and picked this guy up for under $300. Seems a bit thick, but only 40mm and an auto for cheaper than most quartz that I was eyeing.

[mplsabdullah]

Thanks to the post in the desls thread I've found myself interested in the Citizen Tsuno chronos again. Trying to find a deal on the white dial AV0080-88A. Best I can find so for is about $570 +$20 shipping. Not bad but considering how much the other colors can go for it's a little steep.

Thanks in advance guys

[MAAHHH THE FRENCH!]

Well, maybe I'll finally break down and get my first Seiko. Preference is for a SBDY027 (SRPD11J1), though a non-MIJ SRPD11 isn't out of the question. Best I've found so far for the J1 is $438 plus schlepping & fondling from Japan; best for the non-J1 is $368. Anyone seen better?

I see the SBDY027 for $394.20 incl. free shipping from Japan on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SEIKO-SBDY ... 3715098941

UPDATE: I guess I wasn't paying attention -- RE currently shows OOS
River's Edge has it here for $575 before their 30% BF discount (or whatever special MoT promos might be going). Even if the MoT promo is expired, I'd reach out to them and see what they can do for you:
https://shop.riveredgejewelers.com/prod ... date-watch

I see that Rakuten has 10% cash back for Macy's atm, which would help w/ the sales tax on their non-J $368 listing:
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/seik ... ID=8301960


Adding some eye candy:

Yeah, I don't know what's up with REJ and Seiko, I've checked back there off and on a few times. Last time I looked they had all of one model in stock. Now they're up to 18. I recall there being something of an embargo from Japan to US due to COVID wackiness, maybe that's the problem. At least they're no longer listed as GShocks.

I'd somehow completely forgotten about Ebay and had just been looking at retailers. Derp. Thanks for the reminder. That one seller's feedback makes me a bit wary but I see a lightly used one that's close. Good call on Rakuten too.

[PetWatch]

Thanks to the post in the desls thread I've found myself interested in the Citizen Tsuno chronos again. Trying to find a deal on the white dial AV0080-88A. Best I can find so for is about $570 +$20 shipping. Not bad but considering how much the other colors can go for it's a little steep.

Thanks in advance guys [emoji106]

That's actually a good price for that model right now. It's one of the new colorways in Ti not widely, or even available in the states. May get lucky and find a better deal before Christmas or it will likely take longer.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[mplsabdullah]

Thanks to the post in the desls thread I've found myself interested in the Citizen Tsuno chronos again. Trying to find a deal on the white dial AV0080-88A. Best I can find so for is about $570 +$20 shipping. Not bad but considering how much the other colors can go for it's a little steep.

Thanks in advance guys [emoji106]

That's actually a good price for that model right now. It's one of the new colorways in Ti not widely, or even available in the states. May get lucky and find a better deal before Christmas or it will likely take longer.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Thanks for the reply.These have been on my radar since they where announced. The other colorways always tempted however this panda pushed me over the edge.

[BostonCharlie]

Well, maybe I'll finally break down and get my first Seiko. Preference is for a SBDY027 (SRPD11J1), though a non-MIJ SRPD11 isn't out of the question. Best I've found so far for the J1 is $438 plus schlepping & fondling from Japan; best for the non-J1 is $368. Anyone seen better?

I see the SBDY027 for $394.20 incl. free shipping from Japan on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SEIKO-SBDY ... 3715098941

UPDATE: I guess I wasn't paying attention -- RE currently shows OOS
River's Edge has it here for $575 before their 30% BF discount (or whatever special MoT promos might be going). Even if the MoT promo is expired, I'd reach out to them and see what they can do for you:
https://shop.riveredgejewelers.com/prod ... date-watch

I see that Rakuten has 10% cash back for Macy's atm, which would help w/ the sales tax on their non-J $368 listing:
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/seik ... ID=8301960


Adding some eye candy:

Yeah, I don't know what's up with REJ and Seiko, I've checked back there off and on a few times. Last time I looked they had all of one model in stock. Now they're up to 18. I recall there being something of an embargo from Japan to US due to COVID wackiness, maybe that's the problem. At least they're no longer listed as GShocks.

I'd somehow completely forgotten about Ebay and had just been looking at retailers. Derp. Thanks for the reminder. That one seller's feedback makes me a bit wary but I see a lightly used one that's close. Good call on Rakuten too.

I know it's not the same, but if you apply enough codes (I started with WATCHES10 and YOUGET20 -- they stack; see link below for discussion of additional one-off codes) maybe the price will make up for it (SRPC91). The bezel and crown appear to be black, anyhow, lol:
https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-34408 ... srpc91.jsp

40% code discussion here (and thereabouts).

[peskydonut]

I'd like to try out the Timex MK1 Mechanical to see if I like it enough to replace one of my two Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanicals. Please tag me in if you see a particularly attractive deal on it. I'm not in a hurry. Thanks!

[Stretch44]

I'd like to try out the Timex MK1 Mechanical to see if I like it enough to replace one of my two Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanicals. Please tag me in if you see a particularly attractive deal on it. I'm not in a hurry. Thanks!

Me too, please! Really want to pick this up on the cheap.

[MAAHHH THE FRENCH!]

I know it's not the same, but if you apply enough codes (I started with WATCHES10 and YOUGET20 -- they stack; see link below for discussion of additional one-off codes) maybe the price will make up for it (SRPC91). The bezel and crown appear to be black, anyhow, lol:
https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-34408 ... srpc91.jsp

40% code discussion here (and thereabouts).

Hmm, yeeesss...a little Testor's black, nobody'd ever know the difference! But it could be the lower-hassle option to COVIDy international holiday-season adventures. Actually, in the process of mulling it over, YOUGET20 seems to have been replaced with FAMILYSAVE for 25% off. Jinkies!

EDIT: Poop, the 30% and 40% codes stopped working too.

[Rabirnie]

I know it's not the same, but if you apply enough codes (I started with WATCHES10 and YOUGET20 -- they stack; see link below for discussion of additional one-off codes) maybe the price will make up for it (SRPC91). The bezel and crown appear to be black, anyhow, lol:
https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-34408 ... srpc91.jsp

40% code discussion here (and thereabouts).

Hmm, yeeesss...a little Testor's black, nobody'd ever know the difference! But it could be the lower-hassle option to COVIDy international holiday-season adventures. Actually, in the process of mulling it over, YOUGET20 seems to have been replaced with FAMILYSAVE for 25% off. Jinkies!

EDIT: Poop, the 30% and 40% codes stopped working too.

I have a basically brand new one for sale in the bazaar if you are interested. If so, bet we could work out a deal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[beefyt]

kinda enamoured with these Safarnies. Anyone seen a great price recently, and/or have any experience with Greentoe? They're the only <$300 listing that I currently see.

[IKEEPGOODTIME]

kinda enamoured with these Safarnies. Anyone seen a great price recently, and/or have any experience with Greentoe? They're the only <$300 listing that I currently see.

yes bought a seiko from them last week. Good experience.