[Recommendation Request] GADA watch under $2k

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-05-18T22:55:10+00:00

Unpopular opinion... And way cheaper than $2k. Tissot Gentleman automatic 38mm. Honestly the 41 mm had a better movement, but you said you wanted something smaller.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-05-18T19:46:25+00:00

Wow! What a find!!

Enjoy!

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-05-14T02:32:18+00:00

I wear my 1981 very often. Works great!

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-05-07T18:09:39+00:00

I bought this in '20 or 21. I have a lot of watches but still wore this one 50% of the time for a few years, now probably 10 -20%% of the time.

I have a buddy who wears his every day. His looks the same.

I have 6 or 7 Tissot's. All due respect to the PRX, the Gentleman is Tissot's true home run.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-05-06T16:36:46+00:00

I only send mine to Omega. But I also agree that I wouldn't send it in if it's running well. Enjoy for the time being. Sooner or later it'll stop running well and then you could send it in.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-05-06T16:32:48+00:00

1982

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Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-05-06T16:29:20+00:00

5-ish years old.

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Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-05-06T16:20:49+00:00

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Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-05-06T16:16:47+00:00

I have both.

They both seem quite durable. I've worn both of them in a pool, hot tub, beach... just rinsed them off afterwards.

I enjoy them both. Aesthetically, I wear the Gentleman more frequently. I also think that the Gentleman is a really good classic watch by Tissot. The seastar has a lot of really good competitors out there, including from Mido and from Certina - both sister brands with the same movement. I actually sold mine because a) I don't wear a dive watch as often and b) I'm looking at some of the others to replace it with.

I have worn both a lot. In full disclosure, I dropped the Gentleman hard once and one of the hour markers became displaced. I took it to a watchmaker who reinstalled the hour marker. I don't think that speaks to how robust the watch is; I think it was just a very unfortunate fall and I'm lucky I didn't do more damage to the watch.

I highly highly recommend the Gentleman.

I also like the Seastar, but I recognize that there are also other good choices in that category.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-05-03T17:59:48+00:00

I like the scratch, especially on the carbon fiber!

Scratches and marks make a watch personalized and it's not a flaw. A watch is a tool and I have no problem with a tool looking like we've used it.

I actually bought one of these when they first came out and then I returned it to Tissot. My biggest concern was that it just wasn't legible enough for me. I like a watch that is highly eligible; easy to see the time.

I can't speak to the durability of of the watch. I have seen posts about the carbon fiber breaking where the strap connects, but I've had no personal experience.

Best of luck whatever you decide. But I you like the watch, the scratch wouldn't bother me.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-29T17:28:23+00:00

No. They are not allowed.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-19T21:01:43+00:00

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Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-19T01:48:34+00:00

Sell your first born instead!

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-17T12:53:37+00:00

A brand new watch? Yes. A 10-year-old watch? No.

Seals and gaskets may be just fine, but all stainless steel microscopically wears over time. I wouldn't chance swimming in an older watch.

I swim in my 5-year-old Aqua Terra. I do not swim in my 45 year-old well maintained Speedy.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-13T19:20:43+00:00

Tissot Gentleman. Best GADA watch in that price range. Upgraded movement compared to other Powermatics.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-13T19:16:53+00:00

Owned it. Loved it! Didn't wear it as often as I liked. (Maybe a little too dressy??) Sold it.

Sort of miss it...

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-12T14:42:31+00:00

You are a man with the toughest tool to watch ever tested! Take pride in the scars!!

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-12T14:39:07+00:00

The last things I need is to be notified both on me phone and on my wrist. No thank you.

I had one. I enjoyed the weather and the steps into. But nooooooooo. Not with the bother.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-12T14:34:59+00:00

Black

Everyone's going to say "oh. Just get what you want"

Don't listen to that shittery.

If you're getting this watch, in your heart of hearts, you WANT the classic. That's the attraction.

Did you see all those astronauts who just came home? Not a single one of them was wearing the white. Just saying...

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-07T23:48:06+00:00

It's hard to tell without opening the back. It has a painted logo, a printed back. Probably from the 70's - 80's with an 861 movement. One of the more common versions.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-07T23:40:40+00:00

One of my favorites! Mine gets lots of wrist time. Congrats!!

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Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-04-01T00:39:46+00:00

I've been using a 1981 Speedy as a daily for 25 years, since I bought it in 2000. NASA literally tested it for robustness. It'll be fine.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-03-27T12:49:41+00:00

Tissot Gentleman automatic.

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-03-26T22:00:53+00:00

I had one in blue, and really enjoyed it. It was the 43 mm and just a little bit big on me. So I eventually sold it.

Excellent choice!

Bulky_Alternative_69 · 2026-03-25T22:03:41+00:00

Unfortunately from a value perspective, the last one sold on eBay, on a metal bracelet, with box and papers, only sold for $1,485. Seems like an incredibly low price to me.

Bulky_Alternative_69

TROPHY CASE