Reddit mentions of Orient Men's CEM65002D 'Blue Mako' Stainless Steel Dive Watch

Invicta 'resurrected' an old Swiss brand name(they have nothing to do with the original company), they tend to copy other companies designs or style cues, often using stock Japanese or Swiss movements with Chinese made cases & assembly, and the have insanely high MSRP but the watches are perpetually on sale for 70~80% off. If the Invicta MSRP is $315, but, the watch is always 'marked down' 73% to $85...then the watch is only worth about $85.

This lack of legitimate heritage, questionable marketing practices, along with quality issues and poor customer service have given the brand a bad reputation.

That said, I used to own the Invicta 8926. It was my daily/work watch for about a decade before I gave it to my brother. It got beat to hell and was worn nonstop for about 12 years, without any service, before it started keeping poor time. Not bad for $79.

As for the watch you linked to, it would probably be fine. On the plus side, it likely has a Citizen/Miyota quartz movement and may even be all stainless steel, so, it would be hard to beat for under $50.

That said, the watch snob in me finds the use of Roman numerals on a sports/dive watch off-putting. Roman numerals look best on classic dress watches like this. Rugged, over-sized sports/dive watches like the one you linked should use basic indices markers and/or Arabic numerals more like this Invicta diver.

Good, entry level brands to look at are Seiko, Citizen, & Orient. Seiko 5 are very affordable automatics, they even have a blue dial diver. The Seiko Monster is one of the best made watches out there under $200. Another possibility is this Orient Blue Mako.

This is a casual watch Link but very nice looking. /r/watches recommends it for the low end in terms of an automatic.

Well while I know you aren't using the word formal correctly but not many dress watches can really pass for a really casual watch and vice versa. I'm assuming you are talking about while wearing a suit. Unless you are james bond common practice is to not wear a bracelet watch while wearing a suit. If you were wearing a tux you shouldn't be wearing a watch at all.

Plenty of options for low-cost diver-style watches. The two most popular sub-$300 ones seem to be:

• Seiko Orange Monster (also comes in black)
  
• Orient Blue Mako (also comes in black)

Slim, classy, love this one


edit: damn it you got me sucked back into looking at watches, so then there is this, this but switch the band to something nicer, and this if you are willing to hold back your bar tab for another week

Orient Blue Mako

EDIT: I just realized that these are much more expensive than they were just a few months ago--not sure why that is. Maybe there's a new model coming out soon.

the orient mako is the watch you want. Looks stunning with nato straps as well.

Here are some good ones:

• Orient Mako
  
  
• Orient Ray
  
  
• Seiko SKX007
  
  
• Seiko SKX175
  
  
• Seiko Monster
  
  
• Seiko SKZ327

Mid Pilot Watch

Or the Orient Mako in Black or Blue. If you choose either of these, I think it would be worth buying a leather watch strap. Here's a decent option (its $40 once you sign in)

Also try asking /r/Watches

Edit: Here's a good thread on /r/watches about watches around your budget.

[Orient Mako!] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001EWEQ3K/ref=pd_aw_sim_watch_2?refRID=0RK428P29TNGRC6Q93EP) It will be my first diver.

I just got the Orient Mako two days ago as my first watch, and I love it!

Frugal alternative, but still a fantastic watch: Orient Mako Diver.

Same look, same wet ink blue. Buy a similar band and you're set.

http://www.amazon.com/Orient-Mens-CEM65002D-Automatic-Watch/dp/B001EWEQ3K

Non-mobile: Orient Mako!

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

My fraternity brother's girlfriend just bought him this Orient and it looks excellent. If I had some extra cash, I'd probably buy one of these too.

My first "real" watch was a Orient Union. I loved it, and now am looking for more! Here is an album of my Orient.
http://imgur.com/a/K1Ot6

I'm currently looking to pick up a Orient Blue Ray or Orient Blue Mako. I'm leaning more towards the Ray, but am still undecided.


Orient Ray

http://www.amazon.com/Orient-EM65009D-Automatic-Diver-Watch/dp/B00A6U2EYE/ref=sr_1_2?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1420139752&sr=1-2&keywords=orient+ray


Orient Mako

http://www.amazon.com/Orient-Mens-CEM65002D-Automatic-Watch/dp/B001EWEQ3K/ref=pd_sim_a_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0RGFH4ADXDWV90BM9GFP

Generally, you can swap metal chain for leather strap - if watch allows it, you can do it. For example, Orient Mako's metal chain can be replaced.

If you do not like black dial (I don't), you would maybe like these:
Orient Blue Mako

Orient's as well as Seiko's are great choice, however I think that watch should be the only piece of jewelery worn by man, and therefore I like them little bit more eye-catching. Blue dial on those Mako's is really nice (it isn't matte, it changes color with different angle of light) and is a sure compliment getter.

Black Mako's are dressier, little more versatile, but imho more dull.

Some more pictures and pictures

I think you could find good citizen Eco Drive that has similar function as PRC200 : http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-AT0200-05E-Eco-Drive-Chronograph-Canvas/dp/B000EQR6H0/ref=sr_1_6?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1335766853&sr=1-6

Or a Seiko Kinetic
http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SSB045-Special-Value-Kinetic/dp/B00756FJJ4/ref=sr_1_5?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1335767001&sr=1-5

Another option for quartz since you were looking at PRC200, is Orient TT0Z001B Limited Edition STI Ion Plated chronograph.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TeMpz-cxl8A

The Orient used to give out 50% off coupon but they don't do that anymore just 30%.. so $440 retail, 50% would have been $220.
http://orientwatchusa.com/tt0z001b

For what you get, I think it's good deal at $170. 5 left until sold out. 4 left.
http://www.discountwatchstore.com/Orient-TT0Z001B-Mens-Limited-Edition-STI-Black-Ion-Plated-Chronograph_p_27651.html
_____
If you want an automatic mechanical watch, I would suggest Orient Mako, Seiko 5 series, or Sea-Gull watch.

http://www.amazon.com/Orient-Mens-CEM65002D-Automatic-Watch/dp/B001EWEQ3K/ref=sr_1_1?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1335767894&sr=1-1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MENS-ORIENT-ORIGINAL-DIVER-AUTOMATIC-STANLEY-STEEL-WITH-BOX-GIFT-/350497575972?pt=Wristwatches&var=&hash=item519b489424#ht_1402wt_901

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350497575972?var=620037004130&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_1402wt_901

http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-Sports-Automatic-Watch-SNZG13/dp/B006BUE84M/ref=sr_1_31?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1335767513&sr=1-31

I have that Seiko SNZG13 and it's great on my wrist. I think for smaller wrist, you should look at 38mm~42mm. I have a 43mm watch and the lugs hover over my wrist. I have two 41mm watches that I wear most frequently and those are Orient and Seiko SNZG13.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Sea-Gull-M186S-automatic-designer-watch-multi-purpose-comfortable-to-wear-/280841797985?pt=Wristwatches&var=&hash=item416379c161#ht_642wt_1141

I'm getting this Sea-Gull next. For the price this is a beautiful piece with classic roman numeral dial with blue hands. I have a cheap Parnis with ST-25 but the movement is just dead accurate. More so accurate than my Orient and Seiko 7s26. I'd say accuracy is Sea-Gull>Orient>7s26 in this order with Seiko being most elusive sometimes. Plus with Sea-Gull automatic, you get the movement that you can hand wind as well as hack. So all in all the Sea-Gull may be your best bet at EXACTLY $120. You'll get a penny back.

Hope it helped.

I'd recommend the Orient Blue Mako.

http://www.amazon.com/Orient-Mens-CEM65002D-Automatic-Watch/dp/B001EWEQ3K

It's very nice and has a tremendous build quality. A lot of people mistake it for a Rolex at first glance.

You can get a very clean Christopher Ward watch with a Swiss movement for under $500. I just purchased this Christopher Ward "flieger" (German flight watch) style piece, and I love it.

I'm finding that at the $400-$500 range you have a huge variety of decent quality timepieces to choose from. I can afford more expensive watches, but I'm still uncomfortable with the idea of anything more than $1K on my wrist.

By the way, by no means do you even have to spend that much for a great watch. The Orient Blue Mako and the Seiko Monster are popular and well regarded, and they're both inexpensive.

Orient Blue Mako

Here's a better picture

I do find the dial interesting, but like other's said, it looks too big and loud on your wrist. How big is it?

I would change it for an Orient Mako

I thought Orient divers were pretty popular here?

My daily is an Orient Mako. I love it.

Blue Mako is easily my favourite orient that I just found. I'm considering it. I also love amazon. It makes looking at a huge variety of watches so easy.

I apologize, there have been a lot of "what watch should I get for $xxx?" threads lately and I seem to have gotten confused.

AsianEnigma has some good recommendations, but if you aren't dead-set on a chronograph, I suggest looking into some Orient's. The Mako is gorgeous and extremely good quality for the price.

I prefer the original Mako: http://www.amazon.com/Orient-Mens-CEM65002D-Automatic-Watch/dp/B001EWEQ3K/ref=pd_sbs_watch_6 (wearing one right now)

I would also suggest digging around on here:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/

People there are really helpful and really into watches.

Agreed!

Specifically, I'd suggest the seiko 5 diver, or the orient ray or mako. They are all very solid budget divers.

I have an orient mako and it's great. I think it also fits the kind of style you're looking for.

Why do you want a replica? For ~$100 you can get something like an orient mako
http://www.amazon.com/Orient-Mens-CEM65002D-Automatic-Watch/dp/B001EWEQ3K
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/submariner-seamaster-homage-actual-diving-599771.html#post4386645

Here is my watch. I love this for numerous reasons.

• First, it's my first automatic watch. I'm a fan of going old school and this is one part of that. A watch that doesn't have a battery but rather is charged my the motion of your wrist.
  
• Second is the price. It's an amazing watch and for less than $150, it's one hell of a deal.
  
• Third is that all of the components are made in-house. Unlike your major players (Omega, Rolex) Orient makes the casing and the "guts" if you will. The big players have the inner working made my 3^rd party sources.
  
• Fourth is that it's so versatile. It looks great with everyday wear or formal wear and it comes in numerous colors.

Maybe paintball is not ideal for it, but I think of my Orient Mako as a pretty all purpose watch, and I'd be surprised if stainless doesn't clean well after paintball. One of my favorites and $125 at amazon

Watch or jewelry shops in your area might have some. For budget-friendly options, try Hadley Roma on Amazon, usually $15-30. You just need a small screwdriver and a steady hand to push back the spring bar from the lug on the watch case. You'll typically need a width of 22mm, maybe 20 or 24; just measure the distance between the lugs or check the specs.

For a high quality watch for your dollar, especially your first (or first serious) watch, try a Citizen Eco-drive, Seiko, or Orient. Many of these don't require a battery change every couple years: the Eco-drives charge its battery from any light source, though this battery may have to be replaced after a decade. An Automatic winding watch, like the Seiko 5 line or the Orient Mako or Ray, use the movement of a counterweight (rotor) while you wear it to store energy in a spring. This energy will run out after about 1.5 days, so either wear it or shake it around every day.

A Timex Expedition served me well for a while, but I sure like my Citizens, Orient Ray, and Seiko 5 Military.

If you want a diver style watch, the Orient Mako has periodically gone on sale for $100-$105 on Amazon. It is currently $130, but the price seems to fluctuate quite a bit.

http://www.amazon.com/Orient-Mens-CEM65002D-Automatic-Watch/dp/B001EWEQ3K

Unfortunately, the bracelet is where a lot of the low end watches skimp at. There are some good options though.

If you want an automatic, I would go with an Orient Mako (although the endlinks and pins are a little cheap) or a Seiko Monster.

If you want quartz, I would look at the Casio Edifice line or maybe a Bulova Precisionist. Tissot Classic Dream if you want something a little fancier.

This is just a starting point, read the sidebar and search around until you find something that suits you. Also, if possible try on as many watches in person to really get a feel for what you like.

Orient watches are slightly above your price range, but for the price they really can't be beat. You get an automatic that you can swap the band on for a NATO band. Orient Mako

http://www.amazon.com/Orient-CEM65004B-Black-Automatic-Rubber/dp/B001EWEQ4E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1412008044&sr=8-3&keywords=orient+mako

http://www.amazon.com/Orient-CEM65005D-Automatic-Rubber-Strap/dp/B001EWEQ4Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1412008044&sr=8-4&keywords=orient+mako

http://www.amazon.com/Orient-CEM65003D-Bezel-Automatic-Rubber/dp/B001EWEQ4O/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1412008044&sr=8-8&keywords=orient+mako

Bracelet is $107 - close enough
http://www.amazon.com/Orient-Mens-CEM65002D-Automatic-Watch/dp/B001EWEQ3K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412008128&sr=8-1&keywords=orient+mako

The Orient Mako is currently at its lowest price EVER on amazon.com

Mine is on the way in the mail, but from the reviews I have read it is an EXCELLENT timepiece at an unbeatable price. It's classy, yet versatile. You could easily take this from the farm, to the beach, to 200m underwater, and right back up to the Met for an opera (Oprah?).

I get that you are looking for more of a street watch but you will regret the purchase of a g-shock as soon as you turn 15.

you didn't give many specifications but the Orient Mako is a solid watch

I'd check out Seiko, Orient and Citizen for good brands that make quality watches in the <$200 range.

My daily wear watch is an Orient Mako, which I scored for less than $100 on Amazon. It's solid, has a very reliable and accurate automatic movement (meaning it's a self-winding mechanical watch, rather than battery powered), and it looks amazing.

I would personally recommend that you look for a watch from a reputable manufacturer, rather than buying an overpriced fashion watch. Someone else already mentioned taking a look at /r/watches, which I heartily second.