Citizen

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Citizen

73 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 31, 2025

  Watch recommendations for class and comfort

  Those are solid budget picks but honestly if OP wants something that can go from casual to more upscale environments, might want to look at something like a Citizen Eco-Drive or Seiko 5 - they've got that cleaner look that works better in professional settings than the typical field watch aesthetic

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• #2Dec 31, 2025

  Watch recommendations for class and comfort

  Another vote for citizen eco-drive but I'll also throw the casio oceanus line in the hat as well. Both have options very much fitting your criteria, don't necessarily break the bank and can absolutely be bifl

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• #3Dec 31, 2025

  Watch recommendations for class and comfort

  Citizen makes outstanding watches. My first one was a Promaster Nighthawk Ecodrive, still running great after 14 years. Next was a Promaster Dive Ecodrive stainless steel; use that for travel and activities where it'll get beat up... currently at 10 years. My daily is now a Super Titanium Promaster automatic... still loving it 4 years later.

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• #4Dec 30, 2025

  Watch recommendations for class and comfort

  $1k is entry level for most mechanical watches. Around $2k is I think the max value range and the low end luxury. Above that is into the luxury bracket and prices go sky high in that category. If you like utility watches, Hamilton is a decent brand. Their have a lot of field watches that are nice. The "Murph" is very popular with Redditors and dresses up well. They have a lot of watches in your range. The metal bands are okay. The Khaki King was the first watch I bought and I still wear it daily. Seiko has a lot of good value watches. They have interesting dials. They have dive watches and dress watches. The dive watches probably won't work with a suite. You can get away with a dive watch and suit with higher end watches. Seiko also has a lot of watches in your range and is also very popular on Reddit. Longines are really nice, but are out of your price range. They have a lot of features you typically only see in higher end luxury watches, like micro-adjustments on the watch band. They are in the 2k range. Oris is also nice, but out of your price range. The pointer date watches are popular. I really like Nomos Glashutte. They are a German brand and have a very simple, elegant look to them. They are also a bit outside your range. I have one of their Orion watches. Citizen is on the cheaper side. I have one of their solar watches. Simple look and good value, but not as distinctive as other brands. All of these are cheaper on the grey market. Make sure you try on a bunch and see them in person. It can be hard to get a sense of the size and fit online. You can also sometimes get good deals on chrono24, but there is some risk with that site.

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• #5Dec 30, 2025

  Watch recommendations for class and comfort

  Definitely check out the Seiko 5 or Citizen Eco-Drive. Both have that hybrid look, are durable, and low-maintenance (solar-powered for the Citizen!). The Hamilton Khaki Field is a great step up if you want something a bit more refined but still affordable. All are comfortable, water-resistant, and fit well on smaller wrists!

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• #6Dec 30, 2025

  What BIFL mistakes have you made?

  Controversial opinion - Mechanical watches They are fragile, I've broken 2 of them, the repair costs are much more than quartz/electronic watches and they require expensive servicing at intervals to keep them working properly. If you want one for the cultural value, novelty or just curiosity go right ahead. I have owned multiple from automatics to a manual chronograph but when when priority shifted towards longevity and thus simplicity I had to go quartz. If you want a watch that will be ticking long after you leave this earth get a citizen eco-drive or something like that. I personally switched to a quartz tissot dive watch and never looked back. 

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• #7Dec 30, 2025

  Watch recommendations for class and comfort

  Check out the Seiko Presage, Citizen Eco-Drive, or Tissot PRX, all stylish, durable, and suit both casual and formal wear with minimal upkeep.

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• #8Dec 30, 2025

  Where do guys buy quality men’s jewelry online?

  just get a decently priced nice watch. citizen tsuyosa or something.

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• #9Dec 30, 2025

  Watch recommendations for class and comfort

  Completely fair, there's a lot to love about quartz watches. Seiko and orient have solar watches, but the king of solar quartz really is Citizen, can't beat it.

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• #10Dec 30, 2025

  Watch recommendations for class and comfort

  Also Orient, Seiko, Citizen are all "adult" watches. They're extremely well made and are respected by most people that know anything.

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• #11Dec 30, 2025

  My bifl calendar watch with moon phase

  Let me put it in terms you'll understand. Your watch is a Ford Escort. It's solid, dependable, and given enough maintenance will last more or less forever. But it's also really really basic; it's plastic everywhere, it's not really comfortable nor stylish, but it's dependable A to B transportation that won't let you down. A Citizen watch is like a first generation LS400. It's *comfy*, it's reasonably stylish without being ostentatious, but it also has Toyota dna throughout so it'll also run just about forever with maintenance. Doesn't have too many bells and whistles to muck up the works, but has more than the nothing you'd get on an escort. Both are dependable and will run roughly forever, but they're intended for different things and different consumers. There anything wrong with the Timex? Nah, but there's certain folks that just want more than basic transportation, too. (I also own a Citizen, but not this one.)

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• #12Dec 30, 2025

  Watch recommendations for class and comfort

  My recommendation is the citizen pro master diver with an echo drive. Functional and classy for any outfit up to but not including a suit. Eco drive is solar powered so no replacing batteries, and it's accuracy is only +-15 seconds a month. If you really want a set it and forget it BIGL watch and you've got a nice bit of coin laying around, check out THE CITIZEN or The Grand Seiko 9f quartz. Both are accurate up to second on the year and use quartz movements so there's minimum maintenance. Added plus, I would wear the Grand Seiko with any outfit from sweats to a suit

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• #13Dec 29, 2025

  Watch recommendations for class and comfort

  I have a gun metal grey Citizen E650 eco-drive solar, radio controlled watch. It's casual enough as a day to day and smart and stylish enough for special occasions. When I bought it, the jeweller described it as a lazy-man's watch. Never have to change the battery or adjust the time, everything is automatic. It's beautiful.

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• #14Dec 29, 2025

  My bifl calendar watch with moon phase

  Love the Citizen Eco Drives, especially the Complication line.

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• #15Dec 29, 2025

  My bifl calendar watch with moon phase

  Citizen makes solid watches; I've got the ["Ray Mears"](https://www.ablogtowatch.com/hands-on-citizen-promaster-tough-super-titanium-watch/) on my wrist right now, as it happens. That said, almost any quartz watch will be BIFL—apart from the battery, of course—with normal usage.

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• #16Dec 29, 2025

  My bifl calendar watch with moon phase

  not OP, but: https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/product/FD0000-52N.html?cgid=eco-drive

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• #17Dec 29, 2025

  One of the most bombproof, apocalypse ready watches you can buy.

  Wish it was solar so the battery lasts longer. My solar Citizen EcoDrive lasted 18 years before I had to change the capacitor (rechargeable battery).

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• #18Dec 29, 2025

  One of the most bombproof, apocalypse ready watches you can buy.

  My Citizen eco drive (light powered) went exactly 20 years without any attention, and never lost it's waterproof-ness. Hopefully it can be repaired now...

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• #19Dec 27, 2025

  Looking for a good quality wrist watch

  The watch subs, the main one and the brand related ones can be super helpful. Quartz, analog with a battery, are very accurate for the price. Digital are obviously battery. Mechanical have to be wound, usually every day or two. Automatic are self winding mechanical watches that wind while walking/moving. Mechanical and automatic aren’t as accurate as quartz, unless you pay for a high end one. There’s also solar and other funky battery options. Quartz have the classic ticking sound while mechanical are quiet. Quartz are also more robust, but they require batteries. In theory a mechanical watch can run indefinitely if it’s always wound/worn. If you want digital and cheap, then Gshock Decent quality and price, then seiko, citizen for both mechanical and quartz. There’s also all different tiers of luxury brands. From a few $100 to $100k. There’s also styles, I prefer divers as they’re more water resistant than most other styles. Personally I wear an Omega Seamaster Pro, and I have a Gshock for work as I am a mechanic, but I may change that to a mechanical diver soon.

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• #20Dec 27, 2025

  Looking for a good quality wrist watch

  Without a budget nobody can help you. I recently went watch shopping for the first time ever and it was interesting. Timex and citizen stood out as “lower cost” watches that actually look really really good. I use quotation marks as they are cheap in the watch world, but being 5x’s more expensive than a basic Casio is crazy money. Depends what angle you are coming from. Check out swatch if you like crazy colours, maybe grabs a couple depending on your budget. Seiko is king though, the internals are used in a large amount of other brands too, can’t go wrong with quartz in terms of BIFL. Quartz watches are generally

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• #21Dec 1, 2025

  A less plasticy wall clock

  Look at the Japanese brands. Citizen, Seiko etc

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• #22Dec 1, 2025

  Gift Ideas for My Boyfriend Who Has Everything?

  https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/product/BY1010-81Z.html?cgid=mens-atomic-timekeeping If he likes watches this one is one of my favs and not pricy. Its got fancy features if you read into it.

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• #23Nov 8, 2025

  Most Durable Everyday Watch in 2025?

  Birth year Seiko tuna is awesome. I wish I had the money to own every single one. Someday! I currently have the Casio, Citizen Eco, Orient Bambino, and BB58. Consider the Oris or Longines next. Or another Tudor if I’m feeling frisky.

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• #24Nov 8, 2025

  Most Durable Everyday Watch in 2025?

  My shocks last a few years and are ~$30 I have some citizens that are over 10 years old and they are tanks, none have broken, though they were more in the $125-$300 category On a cost per year basis, a cheap citizen is probably about in line with gshock

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• #25Nov 8, 2025

  Most Durable Everyday Watch in 2025?

  +1 for citizen. Everyone knows g-shock last forever but I also have a citizen ecodrive titanium that's 26 years old.

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• #26Nov 8, 2025

  Most Durable Everyday Watch in 2025?

  Seconded on the Citizen quartz solar. I had twenty years without a hitch. I'm in the process of getting a new battery/ accumulator (or whatever it's called.) Wish me luck. The... horologist... said it was quite an old model and parts might be unavailable...

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• #27Nov 8, 2025

  Most Durable Everyday Watch in 2025?

  Casio G-Shock or Citizen Eco-Drive, both nearly indestructible, water-resistant, and built to last for decades.

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• #28Oct 7, 2025

  Whats some item you bought online that earned BIFL status?

  I got a Citizen Promaster Dive watch on sale (the 36.5mm one), and it's amazing quality. I got it for around $200. Waterproof, great lume (see in the dark), and ecodrive (never needs a battery, just make sure it gets some light ever now and again). I was convinced that it was great when I saw a guy on the watch forum post that he's had his for 10 years and it's never missed a beat. I hope to have mine for the rest of my life.

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• #29Sep 4, 2025

  Buy one vintage watch, whatever brand - keep it for life!

  Yes a Rolex can last a lifetime, or beyond. I inherited my grandfather’s that he bought in 1960 and wear it everyday. It is a special watch for me, but I wouldn’t advocate for a Rolex simply because it can last that many years. They are so very expensive, and the purchase price is only the start. They recommend servicing every 5 years, and the last service I had was about $1000. You can buy a whole new luxury watch for $1000 that will look good and run just as well, if not better. My Rolex drifts even after servicing and sending it back for re-servicing. My citizen watch I got 20 years ago for a couple hundred dollars doesn’t noticeably drift and has never been serviced. I think of this sub as focusing on products that will last a lifetime and be a better value and performer than repeatedly buying cheaper disposable competitors. By that definition, I cannot advocate for a Rolex. It does not perform better (an Apple Watch will synchronize with an atomic clock), and it has higher purchase and maintenance costs. It really is just a show piece or way to show off, or in my case it has sentimental value.

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• #30Aug 11, 2025

  Looking for best budget analog watch $100 or under

  For a specific watch I would say Timex Weekender for $20-40 on sale. Has a lightly audible tick noise that drives some people crazy, but I think it might soften over time (I never notice mine). Buy it with the brown leather passthrough strap and get a black leather quick attachment strap and you have a versatile watch for less than $60 that'll last indefinitely if you treat it gently. I've had one for ten years as a daily beater and it still has no noticable scratches and looks brand new besides the original strap needing to be replaced finally.    Timex, Citizen, and Seiko are gonna be your go-to's, or an Orient Bambino if you can increase your budget a little. Used is also an option... I gambled on a stainless steel gold colored Nixon Sentry in great condition for $35 at the Rose Bowl flea market. Popped a new battery in and to my surprise it actually worked. Still one of my best thrift scores ever. 

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• #31Aug 11, 2025

  Looking for best budget analog watch $100 or under

  This, was going to say Timex, but Casio, Citizen and Seika also make high quality inexpensive watches.

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• #32Aug 5, 2025

  Looking for extremely durable watch, preferably wind up/self winding

  Best ones are self energizing. Power cell lasts at least 20 years, I have several with that track record now. Ion plate, day, date, 24 hour, nite lume, and on a US issue strap or NATO it's comfortable year round. [https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/product/BU2055-16E.html](https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/product/BU2055-16E.html)

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• #33Aug 4, 2025

  Looking for extremely durable watch, preferably wind up/self winding

  I have 2 Citizen Eco Drive watches that I have worn daily for the last 4 years. I have never wound or re-set the time on either one. They are amazing watches.

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• #34Aug 4, 2025

  Looking for extremely durable watch, preferably wind up/self winding

  Eco what most others say here. I would add that the jump in quality from $300 to $1,000 is quite substantial. Above $5,000 there isn’t much of a jump in build quality (more finishing, complications, branding, etc). But at the bottom end of mechanical watches you can definitely find the quality disparity. Also you can find many watches in your price range from gray dealers or reputable eBay sellers where you can find deals. $995 Hamilton Khaki Murph 38 H70405130 $725 Seiko Alpinist SPB243 $625 Citizen Tsuyosa Small Seconds NK5010-51L

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• #35Aug 4, 2025

  Looking for extremely durable watch, preferably wind up/self winding

  Citizen eco-drive. It has become my GADA (go anywhere, do anything) watch. Barely leaves my wrist.

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• #36Aug 4, 2025

  Looking for extremely durable watch, preferably wind up/self winding

  Citizen EcoDrive

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• #37Aug 4, 2025

  Looking for extremely durable watch, preferably wind up/self winding

  The usual suspects: Seiko, Citizen, Hamilton, maybe Marathon if you like the military look. You can also get into Christopher Ward at that price.

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• #38Aug 4, 2025

  Looking for extremely durable watch, preferably wind up/self winding

  For the money, it's hard to beat a eco drive citizen dive watch.

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• #39Aug 3, 2025

  Looking for extremely durable watch, preferably wind up/self winding

  Citizen / Seiko / Casio solar quartz. Pick your face and hands.

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• #40Jul 5, 2025

  Stuff you will continue buying for life

  A good watch. Not a fashion brand one but one from a known watch brand like a topshelf timex or casio, Seiko, Citizen. It does not need to be a luxury watch. All of them will probably outlive you. Just change the battery every few years or let them be serviced if they are an automatic. Recently changed back from my Apple Watch and its amazing to not have to charge my watch and look for a new one cause the battery and software gets old.

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• #41Jul 3, 2025

  Ever Bought Something That Quietly Changed You?

  my citizen L ambiluna. I'm not a jewelry person but this watch completes my look, no matter what I wear. solar watch means I never have to adjust the time or wind/charge it. it charges fine with ambient artificial light, even under the sleeves of a shirt. I love it.

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• #42Jul 1, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  My nalgene water bottle Citizen ecodrive watch Correll dishes 47 brand ball cap And my avocado green lady Kenmore dryer!!! Bonus: my little 52 cape cod!!!

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• #43Jun 7, 2025

  What's a high quality BIFL that you carry with you every day and can't leave home without it.

  My Citizen watch, it’s powered by light.

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• #44Jun 6, 2025

  What's a high quality BIFL that you carry with you every day and can't leave home without it.

  Citizen eco-drive watch. Been wearing it every day for 20 years, haven't even changed the battery. Probably needs a new watchglass but otherwise still looks great.

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• #45May 11, 2025

  Looking for a durable analog watch that isn't masculine?

  Q&Q (Citizen) Mini Smile Solar. They're 10 bar watches so good for water sports; so annoying how women's watches generally are only 3 bar (looking at you Timex). Due to tariff's they are going to be on the higher end of your budget now, unless you know someone traveling to Japan. I also like the Timex Weekender 31mm (only 3 bar sadly); picked up a pack of NATO nylon straps as well as leather ones (partial to single pass myself which made this tricky) so it can dress up or down/coordinate with various outfits.

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• #46May 11, 2025

  What are some items under $500 you’ve made so far that changed your life?

  I have a couple citizens (and a Bulova, owned by Citizen). They make solid reliable watches. The ones I have are mechanical, but I have a good assortment of watches. Some are on elastic NATOs (one piece nylon bracelet), others are on leather (not my favorite), others are on rubber (high quality rubber is worthwhile), and some on a steel bracelet. My favorite is on the elastic NATO but it gets dirty. The nice rubber ones just stay clean and work year round. You can get some fun automatic Citizens with glow in the dark dials for like 200-300 or the used Bulova Oceanographer GMT for like 300 which is an amazing watch (the lume dial variant). Enjoy the watch, I shifted from a smart watch because I don't want to be connected that often.

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• #47May 10, 2025

  What are some items under $500 you’ve made so far that changed your life?

  I bought a semi nice watch. A Citizen watch. Leather band with blue face. It feels nice and my confidence while wearing it is through the roof! All for $300. I know it's not a Rolex, but having something like this should last for many years to come.

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• #48Apr 8, 2025

  BIFL Automatic women’s watch?

  Automatics aren’t low-maintenance, if you want accuracy. 2-5 year service interval is typical. Some brands do 10 year now. Less complications means cheaper services too (time and day only verus chronograph with day and date, for example). But good automatic watches can be inter-generational pieces, if cared for. BIFL’ish get waterproof 3 atmospheres at least, sapphire, and quality quartz movements… if you want cheaper, but 30+ year lifespan. Eco-Drive aren’t bad, you likely have to replace the cell in them after about 10-20 years. True BIFL quartz watches like Grand Seiko are low-service, high accuracy. Citizen makes some competitive ones too with their luxury brands (Attesa, Exceed). There’s European quartz options to like Frederique Constant, they all use ETA movements, 98% of the time.

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• #49Apr 6, 2025

  BIFL Automatic women’s watch?

  I have a citizen eco drive that is has been running for 20 years nonstop, zero service.  I also have a 3 year old omega seamaster automatic watch that has been keeping time at +1.5SPD and isn't expected to need a service for like 10 years. 

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• #50Apr 6, 2025

  BIFL Automatic women’s watch?

  I’ve had a Citizen eco-drive for 15 years and no issues. Just needs some sunlight and it’s been good to go all this time.

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• #51Apr 6, 2025

  BIFL Automatic women’s watch?

  In that price range, check out whether you like a Seiko! (Orient, Citizen too.) Automatic is nice though... Yeah, you may have to vring it to service in a few years and they are not as exact, but it just feels good to have something that doesn't need electicity. 

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• #52Apr 6, 2025

  BIFL Automatic women’s watch?

  Check these out https://citizenwatch.eu/en/automatic-watches-nj0150-serie/

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• #53Apr 6, 2025

  BIFL Automatic women’s watch?

  Certainly depends on your price range, but you'll never go wrong with a Citizen or Seiko! I'd definitely stay away from "fashion" brands (Fossil, Michael Kors, Movado etc.) but for the most part, anything Swiss made or Japanese will serve you well.

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• #54Apr 6, 2025

  BIFL Automatic women’s watch?

  You may need to narrow down a price range. A Rolex Datejust is definitely BIFL (they become heirlooms for a reason), but I suspect you aren't looking to spend that kind of money. Seiko, Orient, and Citizen all make respectable automatic watches well below $1000. The issue with mechanical/automatic watches is that they need to be serviced eventually, even if it is 5-10 years down the road, and cheaper automatic watches like this aren't really worth servicing, as the service costs more than the watch. A Citizen Eco-drive is also a nice alternative.

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• #55Apr 6, 2025

  BIFL Automatic women’s watch?

  I have a citizen eco drive. Case is titanium, glass is sapphire and it's solar. One of the best watches I've owned. I put it through hell and back in the yard - still looks brand new.

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• #56Apr 6, 2025

  BIFL Automatic women’s watch?

  In addition to the more expensive brands (Seiko, Rolex, Tag, etc.), almost any reputable watch company’s products should be BIFL. Timex is dirt cheap and they last forever. Citizen makes incredible automatic watches. I have a few of their eco drives and they’re great. Nixon gets a lot of hate but I have several of their watches and they’ve all lasted 10+ years and still going strong, even after years of abuse at beaches and in salt water. I even own a few quality knockoffs (shoutout /r/reptime) that have performed flawlessly for 8+ years.

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• #57Apr 5, 2025

  What is a BIFL item/product you recommend?

  A citizen eco-drive watch is BIFL.

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• #58Apr 4, 2025

  I propose that Citizen Eco-Drive Watches are BIFL

  Cool, they say that's even more precise than Grand Seiko's Spring Drive technology, using electricity via it's battery (light charging it), though Eco-Drive's not a mechanical watch because of the battery that powers it but it's still very cool.

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• #59Apr 1, 2025

  I propose that Citizen Eco-Drive Watches are BIFL

  17 year and 12 year eco drive here. Neither have been serviced. Both work great still.

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• #60Apr 1, 2025

  I propose that Citizen Eco-Drive Watches are BIFL

  Yeah, I’ve broken a few, but it’s usually 1. the plastic strap crumbled, material just fatigued over five-ten years. Metal avoids that, but is a bit less comfortable, or 2. I messed up the waterproofing changing the battery and then submerged it. I’m brutal on watches though, I just never take them off and smash my wrist a lot.

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• #61Apr 1, 2025

  I propose that Citizen Eco-Drive Watches are BIFL

  I've had my Citizen Eco-Drive watch a little over 14 years. Never had a problem, and it's a beautiful timepiece. I love it.

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• #62Apr 1, 2025

  I propose that Citizen Eco-Drive Watches are BIFL

  Totally agree. My daily is a Citizen that I picked up in 2000, and it finally needed a capacitor replacement in 2024. People just have to understand that “BIFL” doesn’t mean “and I never have to maintain it.”

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• #63Mar 11, 2025

  What is the longest lasting item you've bought?

  My Citizen Eco drive watch bought in April 2005, another Titan watch bought in August 2005. Both are still going strong.

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• #64Mar 8, 2025

  Durable Watch for hands on work

  A couple other things to consider based on your post and comments: Safety: If you're doing electrical work always remove any jewelry. It's a potential grounding source for electricity. If you're working around DC current it gets even more dangerous as you may end up stuck to whatever you touched. If you frequently do electric work you'll end up having to take it off more than you have it on so at that point I would just avoid wearing one. Crystal: Acrylic scratches very easily, mineral scratches lightly less, sapphire is considered the highest quality and is the most scratch resistant. It's what your Rolex most likely has. The shape can also be important. Flat is less likely to catch on anything but domed is stronger. Coatings: PVD coating, no matter how durable, will eventually scratch. You cannot buff it out as it's a coating. Finish: If you're going for something like stainless or metal, try to avoid polished finishes. Scratches will show up more on them. Material: Stainless steel and Titanium are extremely durable. Bronze, if you like it, ages beautifully based on environmental factors. Any dings or scratches add to that charm I've found from personal experience. Note that sometimes if bronze is in direct contact with the skin it can possibly leave a slight green tinge on your skin. Straps: Get a NATO strap or something similar that is a single piece of fabric. If one of the lugs on your watch fails the other will hold the watch in place, that way the watch won't fall off your wrist. As an added bonus a bronze watch won't lay in constant contact with your skin so any oxidation won't rub off on your skin. Water resistance: The water resistance ratings are a bit of a misnomer. Really water resistance is the measure of pressure that can be exerted on a watch before something fails. Even though most people don't swim to a depth of 5 meters, a watch with a 5 meter water resistance rating will likely fail if you jump into a pool due to a sudden increase in pressure. 50 meters of resistance is what's generally required for light swimming (residential pools, not diving) and even showering. Movement: As a watch guy I love mechanical watches but you mentioned that there's a lot of vibrations in your line of work. I'd suggest getting something quartz or digital. Constant vibrations will absolutely cause the watch to lose or gain time faster than it should. Quartz will keep better time than even the most accurate of mechanical watches. Style: If you're looking for something with no frills, odds are you'll be looking into field watches. Pilot's watches can be a nice alternative as well since they're often highly legible. Dive watches are often bigger but if you can find one in a smaller size it'll prove to be highly durable with the added benefit of a rotating bezel if you ever need to keep track of time. Dial Color: At a glance, a black dial with white numerals is going to be the most legible, more so than a white dial with black numerals. In World War 2 it became the standard for A-11 field watches. I've personally found white watches to be harder to read if there's sun glare but that's just me. Brands: I'd check into Hamilton, Bertucci, Timex, Citizen, Seiko and Marathon. If you've got any questions feel free to shoot me a message!

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• #65Mar 6, 2025

  Durable Watch for hands on work

  Citizen promaster eco drive with a tempered glass screen protector works well for me in heavy industrial environments.

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• #66Feb 3, 2025

  A list of BIFL not made in the USA

  Hand tools and metrology tools: Knipex Wera Wiha Mitutoyo Brown & Sharpe Interapid I know there's a bunch of brands I'm missing, but these are what I use daily. Knipex pliers wrench, Wera Tool-Check Plus and torque driver, Wiha wing handle torx, Brown & Sharpe tenths indicator with half divisions, Interapid .0005" indicator. The Wera ball detent hex wrenches are fantastic and definitely help avoid dropping fasteners. The downside is that the plastic sleeves will come off eventually. My set lasted about a year with constant contact with cutting oil. The Wiha wing handle torx are honestly consumables with the amount of use they get. Wiha will replace individual drivers for a year if you buy through an authorized distributor like Amazon. The replacement rate for me was about 1 T8 every 4-6 months across 3 sets. That has since been reduced by using a Wera torque driver to tighten the screws. I highly recommend Mitutoyo digital calipers with a round depth rod and the Quantumike is game changing coming from their standard digital micrometer. I'll add Citizen sliding headstock lathes as a for fun bonus item. The L20 and C16 models I've run and seen are fairly bulletproof and I'm working on reviving a 1991 L16 that came out of a company's r&d shop in 2020 and sat for a few years.

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• #67Jan 10, 2025

  Any great made in Japan items?

  Casio, Seiko, Grand Seiko, and Citizen watches.

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• #68Jan 7, 2025

  Any recommendations for wind up or self winding wrist watches?

  I have absolutely loved the two citizen eco drive watches i have had. Beat the ever loving shit out of the first one at work and it never missed a beat. Would still be wearing it if i hadnt forgotten to screw the crown back in after changing the date and taking a shower. I plan to send it to citizen to get it fixed, but in the mean time ordered a new promaster and love it just as much.

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• #69Jan 7, 2025

  Any recommendations for wind up or self winding wrist watches?

  My favorite mechanical is my Nomos Club 703. But the sky is the limit with watches. Check out citizen eco drive. Solar powered and you will never change the battery

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• #70Jan 7, 2025

  Any recommendations for wind up or self winding wrist watches?

  You can find decent manual or automatic watches anywhere from $100 to over $100,000. You want something as cheap as possible but still meets your prompt? Citizen, Seiko, or Orient are your options. You want the high end stuff? Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, FP Journe, A Lange, etc. and there are hundreds/thousands of options in between. Specify the look you want and the budget and we can narrow it down significantly

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• #71Jan 6, 2025

  What is your favorite category of BIFL products?

  Going to be highly subjective as everyone has their own preferences in what they want out of a watch, so do your own research, but out of my collection Under $100 - BIFL choices would be Casio, G-Shock, Timex. You aren't going to find a good repairable automatic movement for this price new, maybe used. I love my swatches, really cute designs, but not built to be repairable. Under $1k - Pretty wide price range, at the low end you can get a good g-shock, citizen eco-drive, for automatics look at hamilton, tissot, seiko. A seiko 5 is the gold standard for inexpensive, durable, entry level, automatic watch. if you had to buy one watch today to start your watch journey, that and a 20$ casio would be my recommendation. Under $10k its almost entirely preference. You can get a good Rolex Submariner or Datejust for around that price, I'm personally partial to grand seiko, you can find a SBGW231 for 3-4k. Lots of options from pretty much everyone there, omega has the 57 chromosomes, brietling/iwc both make great stuff, cartier santos, glashütte but if you're looking for a one-and-done purchase as a somewhat non-enthusiast, just find a rolex you really like, make sure the movement is in good maintenance, and enjoy. There is a reason they are as esteemed as they are.

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• #72Jan 6, 2025

  What is your favorite category of BIFL products?

  low are going to be something like timex or casio. Weekender or g-shock models in particular. Mid is going to be something like seiko, citizen, bulova. High is watches like Rolex, Tag Heuer, Cartier, etc. Prices can be anywhere from $40 to $40k or more.

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• #73Jan 6, 2025

  A new or lesser known brand you're trying, hoping it becomes BIFL-ish

  Norwool for wool sweaters Hanwag for Hiking Boots Citizen Eco Drive watches - especially anything marked tough Stance Socks

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