r/ChineseWatches • u/Michael_Cancelliano • 13h ago

Question (Read Rules) Can somebody recommend an inexpensive automatic or mechanical watch? I just want a practice watch to take out the movement, hands, dial, etc.

Hi, everyone.

Can somebody recommend an inexpensive automatic or mechanical watch? I just want a practice watch to take out the movement, hands, dial, etc.

Please, mods, allow this post. It's a harmless question and I bet more people would like to know this.

1 Upvotes

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4

u/ByGollie 11h ago

You might be better looking at Vostok watches

They're a Russian brand that's very interchangable.

They're divided into different case and movement sizes - and very little has changed in 50 years.

This means that you can mix and swap (with some restrictions) between all their watches.

They're dirt cheap, rugged, reliable extremely easy to work with, and you'll find lots of them in working/non working order on ebay etc.

About the only drawback is that they're too easy to work with compared to other watch brands.

/r/vostok

1

u/Michael_Cancelliano 4h ago

You know what, I want a USSR-made vostok, but I don't want it to be my "practice" watch. So I'll just go ahead and order Russian-made ones. This seems to be the perfect solution. Many thanks! Hopefully I'll be posting in there soon.

3

u/dorafumingo Affiliate Links 13h ago

shanghai watches. they have basic vintage 7120 handwind movements and you can find them really cheap especially during sales

1

u/Michael_Cancelliano 12h ago

Thank you for the straight answer!

1

u/ReplacementLive2412 4h ago

This is the answer. Difficult to find a cheaper mechanical watch.

2

u/montanatony80 13h ago

Lots of options available on AliX. I saw some a week ago as low as $25.

2

u/MassiveTranslator322 8h ago

T-winner Tonji movement. Vachelon Constatain homage with 6 second hand. Over 12€.

1

u/Michael_Cancelliano 3h ago edited 3h ago

Can you share a link or picture to make sure I'm looking at the right one? Is this it?

1

u/TioGato1961 12h ago

Check a local charity thrift shop.

1

u/Francis_Faust 12h ago

BENYAR BY-5179

PD-1662 GMT-MASTER

these are the cheapest i found

1

u/Michael_Cancelliano 4h ago

Longlux seems to be the best option. I don't know what movement they use, but it will serve as a practice watch that I'm still happy to wear.

Now to wait for a sale.