Automatic Watch Recommendation <$1K

L

littlesnow

New Member
Apr 9, 2016
4
0
#1
Hello! I am a lurker and I have been doing some research. I love watches and always admire them in stores but so far I've only worn cheap $20 battery watches my whole life. I'd really like to get a long-term watch, automatic movement, high-quality, more of an "upscale" brand but not too ostentatious. Something understated, classy, can be worn in all occasions.

I am considering the Tissot Le Locle Automatic Lady with a black leather band. What do you guys think of this brand and watch style? (I dream of some of the luxury brands such as Cartier, but I simply can't afford it) However I don't want to look like a cheap wannabe by getting this brand. Do you think the Tissot name brand will have good staying power for many years and not get "dated"?

8dc35402-c8ba-4a70-a3d0-f237a8181d27.jpeg

Link to the same with stainless steel band:
https://us.tissotshop.com/tissot-ladies-le-locle-automatic-2.html

Another point, I have really, really, really tiny skinny wrists and fingers, so the watch has to be as small and thin as possible because a lot of stuff looks really clunky and massive on me. And I want to wear it every day, walking the dog etc. The Tissot watch is 8.4mm in width which is basically the skinniest I could find for an automatic.

If not this one what other brands can you recommend to me? Thanks!!
 
#3
Tissot is a wonderful brand! It's hard to gauge "staying power" sometimes, because so many people who gravitate towards luxury brands (understandably) lean towards Rolex, Omega, Cartier, etc -- and skip over the more mid-range options. But they've been around for at least a century and a half, are still Swiss made, and have gorgeous styles imo. Grace Kelly wore Tissot & Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window.

Other brands around the same price point to consider -- Hamilton, maybe? Longines?
 
  • Like
Reactions: littlesnow
#4
Tissot, has been around a long time and is now part of the swatch group which also includes Omega, Hamilton and Longines (amongst others). I think the watch you’re looking at is a classic shape, it’s not going to date, and it’ll be great for everyday. I also prefer a leather strap to a bracelet, it’s lighter and I find it much more comfortable, and when it starts to look tired it’s easy to replace and maybe have a change of colour :smile:

Another brand to consider is Oris. They make automatic watches at a good price point, they’re an independent Swiss brand. I have one and I’m very happy with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: littlesnow
#5
Probably not what you want but just fyi, I had a Citizen eco drive watch. Those are quartz powered by the sun. Here's an example of a simple one
I didn't have mine that long but I don't think with a watch like this you'd have the service costs of a true automatic. My Rolex costs over $500 to service. Tissot may be less expensive. Maybe like cars, the more expensive ones cost more for service.
Chandler.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: littlesnow
#7
sdkitty said:
Probably not what you want but just fyi, I had a Citizen eco drive watch. Those are quartz powered by the sun. Here's an example of a simple one
I didn't have mine that long but I don't think with a watch like this you'd have the service costs of a true automatic. My Rolex costs over $500 to service. Tissot may be less expensive. Maybe like cars, the more expensive ones cost more for service.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking of picking up a Captain Marvel Citizen watch for myself and a Spider-man one as a gift as the price of $350 to $400 seems beyond reasonable to me. We are not watch connoisseurs whatsoever, so we don't need or care about any of the bells and whistles, but were you happy with your eco drive watch?
 
#8
canto bight said:
I'm thinking of picking up a Captain Marvel Citizen watch for myself and a Spider-man one as a gift as the price of $350 to $400 seems beyond reasonable to me. We are not watch connoisseurs whatsoever, so we don't need or care about any of the bells and whistles, but were you happy with your eco drive watch?
Click to expand...
It wasn't my dream watch style-wise so I didn't keep it for very long but it performed just fine and looked fine
 
  • Like
Reactions: canto bight
#11
Going to revive this thread. @littlesnow Did you end up getting a watch? Curious what you decided on. I’m in the same boat, contemplating an automatic classic, sorta-sporty watch in the mid-range.

My ultimate HG would be an Omega but they are way out of my budget and I wouldn’t feel confident trying to find a vintage preowned one. I really like this Longines:

975E0D9C-EF85-41BF-9856-0EE7A6E02413.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cool Breeze
#13
foxgal said:
Going to revive this thread. @littlesnow Did you end up getting a watch? Curious what you decided on. I’m in the same boat, contemplating an automatic classic, sorta-sporty watch in the mid-range.

My ultimate HG would be an Omega but they are way out of my budget and I wouldn’t feel confident trying to find a vintage preowned one. I really like this Longines:

View attachment 4901486
Click to expand...
I probably mentioned this but Tissot makes some very affordable automatic watches.....I had a citizen watch years ago that was powered by light, not true automatic but not battery
 
Last edited:
#14
sdkitty said:
I probably mention this but Tissot makes some very affordable automatic watches.....I had a citizen watch years ago that was powered by light, not true automatic but not battery
Click to expand...

Yes, I’ve looked at many Tissot too! According to some aficionados, Tissot is a few notches down from Longines in the Swatch group “hierarchy” but I’ve never had a chance to play with both side-by-side in real life. The Tissots I’ve seen IRL have ranged from their cheaper quartz versions, which really felt plasticy, to better automatics. But none of them really grabbed me.

Currently have a Citizen eco-drive which is great but it’s a man’s big 42 mm version and now I’d like something smaller.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sdkitty
#15
foxgal said:
Yes, I’ve looked at many Tissot too! According to some aficionados, Tissot is a few notches down from Longines in the Swatch group “hierarchy” but I’ve never had a chance to play with both side-by-side in real life. The Tissots I’ve seen IRL have ranged from their cheaper quartz versions, which really felt plasticy, to better automatics.
Click to expand...
I'm familiar with the longines name but never looked at their automatic watches. Tissot seems to be limited availability at BNM stores.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top
Back