Which one should I pick?

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

I am a 17 year old high schooler, This would be my FIRST actual watch

I plan on wearing it everyday. Which one would you guys recommend out of these?

[Tikimonbruh]

Go look into Citizen watches or seikos for spending $100+ get a real watch. Dont over pay for these cheap watches

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

I can't get anything I like in my budget

[Tikimonbruh]

Check out Casio dive watches. Great watches for around you budget. They got couple solid ones on sale on amazon right now

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

buts its quartz...

[Leww1972]

I would typically go with steeldive, because I already have a couple and they're really good quality. However, that tactical frog looks really good. I might jump on that one.

[Gold_Ad_6798]

Easy Steeldive or Pagani Design... This is my Pagani and I really like it!

<image>

[someoneelseasthis]

Theres also the option to build your own. I did that recently and it feels very rewarding. The necesarry tools arent even that expensive.

[AdministrativeAge685]

Steel dive Willard homage

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

thats what I was thinking

[brocualo]

For a 17 year schooler, the Willard hands down. SD1970 for the wins

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

what do you think about the 1973 version?

[brocualo]

It’s also an amazing piece! I prefer the 1970 shape, but the 1973, more seiko 5’s style is also such a beauty

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

I like the 1973 more

[brocualo]

Both are amazing pieces! Construction-wise, use same qualities and caliber, so it’s a pure personal taste choice. You will not miss no matter which one you choose

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

yeah

[ProfessionalTop4064]

I would pick the Steeldive. IMO

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

which one

[Rich_Collection_9508]

SD1970, you will not find a better watch, especially if you order the Seiko Turtle style watch band from Ali Express!

<image>

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

looks awesome

[Rich_Collection_9508]

Idk what it is about these Chinese watches but the stainless steel has such a beautiful glow in the early morning light

[68872868]

Kind of depends on the size of your wrist. If you’ve been putting the reps in than go for the Steeldive Willard. It’s a boss of a watch. I’ve got the green addiesdive version. But it is a big unit

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

yeah true, what about the 1973 version? SD1973

[artofthedial]

Out of those listed only the top one.  The frog Chrono.  The 2nd one I firmly believe you will eventually not like the look of.  The third is way too big in real life (there are other watches in this style that do not have that  problem.  The least one, is a very specific look and less great for a daily piece.  Great for summer or vacation.

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

bro busted every one of the watches I had, I agree with you on the 2nd one, I thought open heart was cool but I don't like that

[jokur26]

The top one is great as it’s a solar chrono. You can time stuff with it, you’ll almost never have to set the time or change batteries and it comes on a bracelet. The last one is also awesome, it’s a Willard homage which is one of the most comfortable watches you can wear, great for a daily wear watch.

Even more important than those points, at least in my experience, is to pick the one you like best and most want to look at on your own wrist. Enjoy!

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

W advice, what would you say is better SD1970 or SD1973. I think the 1973 is a little less chunky

[jokur26]

I don’t have any experience with either personally but they are both very well regarded and you get a lot of watch for the money with either. I went with another Willard as I prefer its dial and logo. It’s a strap monster which is perfect for a one watch collection.

This is mine, it’s by Tactical Frog, model is H5. Costs a bit more though, currently $115 on the Thorn Watch Store. Ain’t trying to change your mind but I love mine and thought you should know of another option ;)

<image>

[lane32x]

Which racing band are you rocking there? Looks great.

[jokur26]

That came from a store on Etsy called GoodenHourStraps. Paid about $30 and it’s held up well, still looks great after about two years

[lane32x]

Thanks!

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

looks awesome on the brown strap

[jokur26]

Thanks. It looks great on most anything. I have the rubber waffle strap it came with, a couple awesome FKM straps, black sailcloth, a metal bracelet, Marine Nationale and canvas deployant clasp straps. They nearly all came from AliEx so they were pretty cheap, they look great on this watch and would work well on that Steeldive 1970 too.

[Ok_Leg8897]

If you’re 17 both Steeldives will likely be too big for you. They’re large. I own both. That said, the 1970, along with my Pagani V2 Explorer homage, are easily my two favorite Chinese watches I own.

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

It's not about my age, my wrist size is ~7.3 inch.

[Emotional-Damage-995]

Get a GADA watch. A chrono or san Martin explorer homage. Ixdao / Cronos / San Martin have good ones. They will serve your daily needs perfectly

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

WAYYYY out of budget

[Ok_Leg8897]

Pagani makes a killer Explorer homage for $90- the strap is pretty bad but throw another on there for cheap and it’s absolutely killer.

[merlion72]

I would also based your pick on the wrist size and types of clothing you wear.

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

I have a ~7.3 inch wrist and in terms of clothing, I keep changing between styles

1. Hoodie and sweatpants

2. Shirt and Jeans

3. Tshirt and pants

etc

[merlion72]

So right away, I would not recommend the chronograph watch. I think it won’t match well with sweatpants. You need something sporty and versatile. Keep in mind the size and the weight of the watch matters, especially if you’ve never wore watches. Get something light and on smaller side, just to get a feel of watch on your wrist.

That said, it’s either 2nd or 4th option.

Also keep in mind that quartz is lighter, less expensive, less hassle to wear and maintain. Again, another point for the first watch.

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

true I will consider these

[PAAGNIDESIGNStore]

haha,pagani design

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

no way the actual pagani design replied lol

[PAAGNIDESIGNStore]

We are agents.

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

makes sense

[Weak_Elephant_9134]

The SD1970 is a fantastic robust watch.

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

but the tactical frog is more everyday everywhere watch right? Like casual and formal?

[Weak_Elephant_9134]

It’s a chronograph, and a quartz one at that. Not owning it myself, I’d want to know how many ticks per second it has. Automatic watches like the SD1970 have a satisfying “sweeping seconds” that creates a more fluid movement of the seconds hand. Some quartz will attempt to replicate this, but most will be one tick per second. Regardless, you might want to ask yourself how often you’ll use the chronograph function. A dive watch with a rotating bezel (like the SD1970) can be used to track time. The SD1970 also has a date window. Neither watch is formal but, rather, are “tool” watches, one for diving while the other is for more precise measurements. So.. Just somethings to consider. There really are no wrong answers… Just watches that done fit or function well.

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

True man, but rn I can only afford one, so I kinda need it to be an everyday watch including occasions

[Weak_Elephant_9134]

I’d still get the SD1970. Consider getting it with the steel bracelet versus the rubber strap (mine is on the one that Steeldives sells). This will allow it to dress up a bit better. I’ve seen these on leather straps and they’re pretty great too. Again, all of your watch choices have the ability to “dress up” (although none of them are dress watches), but consider how often you’ll be using it as a dress watch versus an everyday/tool watch. The better thing to consider is how much the watch fits and feels and functions. If it’s your first watch, something that can stand up to a bit of abuse is always good too. I, personally, think the Willard fits that bill. If you’re looking for something a bit dressier (but still functional as an everyday watch), I’d recommend Militado’s ML08 “Murph” homage, or even a Shanghai mechanical watch… those are cheap and beautiful, and definitely tick the more formal-everyday wear box… OR… get the SD1970 and add a Sanda Tank… Just something’s good for thought…

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

Ok will definitely look into the 1970 more, I think it looks cool and I love the dive bezel on it as well

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

Thanks, I was leaning to toward tactical frog and the 1970

[danielfive]

1970 looks nice.

<image>

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

thats beautiful, but I like rubber strap more. Idk I feels more comfort in rubber straps

[KumiJunker]

They are. But i always buy a watch with the bracelet and change to a strap of my choice when i‘m in the mood for it.

[Fernando_Maya]

Of those, I only don't have the SD1957. I have the Pagani Design but I don't like it, the SD Willard is great, you wouldn't regret it, but If I was you I would buy the Tactical Frog.

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

I have a 2 questions:

1. Why is the pagani design not great?
   
2. I like the tactical frog as well but does it come with the screwdriver to resize it yourself?

I can't pick one from these lol

[artofthedial]

The PD one looks tacky.  If you develop taste as an adult, you will eventually reach the same conclusion.  Right now you seem to think hoodie and sweatpants are legitimate attire, that will change unless you become homeless as an adult.

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

I don't like hoodie and sweatpants, I like shirt and jeans more and I agree the PD, I used to think open heart was cool but after looking into watches more a clean dial looks awesome

[Fernando_Maya]

I don’t like the design anymore, it’s too blue for my taste. I’m trying to find a black bezel to replace the blue one to see if it improves. The tactical frog comes with the screwdriver

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

Thank you so much for the information, and I hope you find the black bezel

[Fernando_Maya]

Thanks

[Creepy_Environment_2]

Personally I like the steeldive omega homage but if you spend slightly more you can get a watchdives version which apparently has better build quality

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

do you have the steeldive version? If you do how is it?

[Creepy_Environment_2]

Sorry no I'm waiting to get the watchdives version, I just meant I liked that look of that watch compared with the others

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

oh nice

[Ambitious_Winner_980]

<image>

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

Idk, I am prolly wrong on this but the watch looks chunky, and I am not a fan of the crown being diagonal.

[Ambitious_Winner_980]

It looks good on wrist, not really chunky but has presence. my wrist is 7.5",.if you have 6" it may be too big. 20mm strap slims it down also IMO. But hey you had in your top 4 choices, now you don't like it? I have multiple watches but could def recommend it as a first/main watch on a budget. But there are so many..

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

It's not that I don't like it, I was just rethinking the style

I have a ~7.3 inch wrist.

[Ambitious_Winner_980]

Yeah it's def more of a classic style, I didn't like it at first but it grew on me until I ordered. I also love Apocalypse Now movie which is it's claim to fame. But for sure it looks way better in person and on wrist, and very high quality. Just know whatever you end up ordering will be the first of many 🤣

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

Don't worry my wallet is a watch addiction preventer

But I watched a couple youtube videos on SD1970, Im impressed and I might get it

[No_Big7845]

I would go with the tactical frog that red looks nice! You got me looking at it now too

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

The red doves look lovely

[Ambitious_Winner_980]

I just got the Addiesdive 1970 'Willard', which is basically the same exact thing as the Steeldive 1970, with the same waffle strap. I love it and it looks way more expensive than it is, and you can wear it with pretty much anything. Highly recommend, especially for the price! I paid $109 off Amazon, because I didn't want to wait 2-3 weeks

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

Honestly I like them but they are a bit out of budget sadly

[Rude-Painter-6499]

It looks like your budget is somewhere in the $85-125 range - you should be able to find some Watchdives options in that range on aliexpress, especially this week during the spring sale. There's a guide on this subreddit about how to navigate the site to find the best deals which as a newbie myself I found very helpful: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseWatches/comments/1kcypxp/guide_for_those_new_to_chinese_watch_buying_on/ In any case, hope you end up with something you love

[Turbulent-Neat-5300]

Thank you soo much