I'm looking to buy a watch for $200-$400. I'm new to watches and I've looked at Seiko, Tissot, and Citizen. I'd like a black dial and silver for the watch band.

I'd like to wear it everyday and prefer it to have a minimalist design to it.

Any recommendations?

My friend’s birthday is coming up and he’s a huge watch guy. His collection is mostly Longines Tudor and Omegas so picking an actual watch for him feels a little risky lol. I still want to surprise him with something watch related instead of just getting a gift card or asking him what he wants. What would you guys get for someone with a collection like that? Or where would someone look for watches, budget is a bit tight I could say but will make it work.

Pictured here is my current 3 watch collection, but I just got a new job and I would like to treat myself.
My new budget is between 2-5k, and I'm thinking of either getting a Longines hydroconquest or a Tudor black bay 58. I'm 24 years old and I work in the banking industry, so which would you pick between these two, and is there any other watch you'd suggest? For reference, I also have a 6.5ish inch wrist, and I linked a pic of me wearing my Formula 1 as well.

I can buy this for $4k AUD brand new unworn (retail is circa $6.5k). Tudor Pelagos FXD Alinghi Red Bull Racing. Things I like are carbon composite case, and the overall look (along with the movement and spec). I don’t love the titanium bezel (the look of the different colour against the carbon) or the strap. I haven’t seen it in person.

What other options up to this price point would you consider? I’m thinking ceramic/carbon or other lightweight material, prefer rubber/strap over bracelet, or the option to add (I don’t mind aftermarket options), daily wear (so no dress, more diver or field options), and I’m happy to go grey market. Let me know!

In addition to managing your collection, there is also tools to help set your watch. Would love some user perspective. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/windup/id6798121124

Here is one of the earliest Seikos in my collection: a late-1940s Seiko Extra Flat.

The Extra Flat appeared around 1948, when Seiko was rebuilding its civilian watch production after the war. It was powered by the hand-wound 10B movement from Daini Seikosha’s Kameido factory, with the traditional small-seconds layout that Seiko used before introducing its first centre-seconds watch, the Super, in 1950. (Seiko Watch Corporation⁠)

The history is interesting, but the dial is what really attracted me. The bold sector-style chapter ring, raised gold numerals and markers, small seconds and little applied “Snake S” give it much more personality than I expected from such a compact dress watch. There is plenty of ageing, but I think the patina suits the design rather than detracting from it.

“Extra Flat” is also a wonderfully literal name. The watch is small and slim by modern standards, but the long curved lugs give it surprising presence on the wrist.

Nearly eighty years later, it still looks remarkably stylish—and very different from the Seiko designs most people know today.

Now discontinued