Watch mechanism- I am tired of batteries

[rfuerst911sc]

I know we have had discussions on watch prices but what about mechanisms ? I am tired of replacing batteries ! So if buying a watch that doesn't need a battery I think there are three choices .

1.Citizen Eco drive yes it has a battery but it is charged by any light source.

2.Any brand of self winding

3.Any brand of mechanical wind up

Did I miss anything ? I miss my old wind up watches but the Eco drive sounds like a winner .

[sc_rufctr]

Seiko Spring drive. Mechanical "autocharge" watch that is regulated by a crystal.

Search "Grand Seiko". (They're expensive)

[porsche4life]

I have a few invicta watches. One automatic and one manual winder. Sure they aren’t rolexes, but they are nice looking watches that never need batteries, and I don’t care if I damage or someone tried to mug me for them. Check those out.

[sc_rufctr]

Also look at Russian mechanical watches. Very underacted.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Also look at Russian mechanical watches. Very underacted.

Not many Russian goods for sale in the US. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Eric Hahl]

Just purchased an AVI-8 P51 Mustang edition. Uses a Japanese automatic movement. Really like it as its easy to read, not too busy.

https://avi-8.co.uk/pages/avi-8-p51-mustang-av-4069-shop-now

[steve185]

Seiko 5

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Not many Russian goods for sale in the US. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Fleabay?

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

1.Citizen Eco drive yes it has a battery but it is charged by any light source.

I have this Eco Drive as one of my 'everyday' watches. Looks pretty good and is easy to read. After being fully charged, they claim that it'll run for 6 months without a re-charge.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by rcooled

I have this Eco Drive as one of my 'everyday' watches. Looks pretty good and is easy to read. After being fully charged, they claim that it'll run for 6 months without a re-charge.

I like the simple design like this watch . I don't need 3 spinning dials or for it to tell me my health statistics !!! Just the time and date . Thanks for posting

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I have a few invicta watches. One automatic and one manual winder. Sure they aren’t rolexes, but they are nice looking watches that never need batteries, and I don’t care if I damage or someone tried to mug me for them. Check those out.

I will look into these , yes just looking for reliable and decent prices daily watch . Thanks

[aschen]

Seiko 5 or better. Really any mech seiko is a great value Seiko sary or sarb lines are very good values in the 300-400ish range. Basic Hamilton is great as well for a bit more $$.

[RANDY P]

If you go days without wearing a watch+ want a basic daily- I say EcoDrive. Otherwise, get an automatic.

[HardDrive]

Lots of great mechanical watches available for not much $. People like them for the same reason they like air cooled cars.

Nice list of affordable mechanicals here: https://gearpatrol.com/2018/12/13/affordable-mechanical-watches/

It all comes down to the movement. A lot of entry level watches use the same movements. The Miyota 8215 movement is an example. A Timex Marlin and and Invicta 8926 are really the same watch inside.

Figure out a price point, then start looking at the movements that are available at that price point.

[LWJ]

I have a g-shock with solar. I can read it. No battery.

Pretty damn large, which may put you off.

[fanaudical]

I have an old Eco-Drive. They do need a new battery about once every 15 years...

[petrolhead611]

I bought a Seiko solar watch formy wife.150 dollars ex Songapore

[javadog]

I should probably point out that if you buy a mechanical, self winding watch that you will need to periodically get it serviced. That will cost more than replacing a battery.

[sc_rufctr]

^^^ This... 8 to 10 years???

[klaus]

I will give another vote for Seiko, and given that this sounds like a new endeavor I would suggest starting with something with a 4r35 (day) or 4r36 (day & date) movement (available in non Seiko watches as the NH35 / NH36).

Reasons to suggest a watch with this movement:
- Robust
- If it needs a service it isn't too expensive
- Accurate
- Available in a ton of different styles of watch (Price range $200ish to $1000+)
- Hand winding (not all automatics can be hand wound)