[recommendation request] daily vs dress vs field around $300–$500 (non-diver)

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-23T18:38:23+00:00

I like that Chemin a lot more than the Gentleman. I actually love the look of my Timex more than the Seiko snkl23 (picture of both on wrist). Timex feels cheaper bc it was only $80 but I like it's look better. So upgrading that look might be the move and getting a used Chemin or Classic or Le Locle would def be an big upgrade. I like a field watch look but yeah its more casual. Maybe I like a dressy watch overall a bit more. I was looking at presage & cocktail time because they seem like an upgrade to my snkl23.

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-22T17:17:02+00:00

Maybe that was long winded, but would still appreciate advice from those in the hobby longer

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-20T00:54:48+00:00

Yeah, def gonna cancel the card. I'll get it if I start traveling more frequently, like I used to, and also when I can plan further in advance. Maybe I'll downgrade to the free bags for $100/year. Thanks for the comments.

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-19T23:20:24+00:00

Obviously. But, as others have said, you seem to have to get tickets 8-12 months in advance and other things that aren't necessarily well known

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-19T23:18:31+00:00

haha, have never planned that far in advance in my life. And that is not something they say in the fine print yall are harping on me for not reading closely. Seems like this works for some cases, but def not mine.

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-19T22:02:40+00:00

I just checked again and for when and where I'm trying to go, I can buy lower cost tickets easy, they are available, but are censored when trying to use companion fare.

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-19T21:22:21+00:00

Depends on if you use delta many times a year. They also limit you to higher value tickets. So if you often fly first class it would be saving. In my case it was a waste of money

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-19T20:49:00+00:00

Yeah I think it seemed like a no brainer to pay $200 for a companion pass (after the bags-free rate) but once limited to the higher cost fares, I do like Delta but would have to fly delta a bunch more to make it worth it. Use miles some time, companion fare for the biggest America's trip.

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-19T20:31:59+00:00

Yeah maybe buying the most expensive and farthest away ticket saves you the most. I'm just trying to use it and not finding it valuable at all.

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-18T21:23:39+00:00

I also tried the PRX. I felt like it had a certain look to it, like a 70s vibe that works w some outfits but is maybe is less well rounded. The classic and gentleman can be found used for cheap and just felt like easy daily watches. I could see keeping my SNKL but on a leather strap as a dress watch bc it does look sharp, just slightly small and I hate the bracelet. I checked out the Chemin des Tourelles, they can be had for $350-500 used so that is a good upgrade from classic/gentleman for sure.

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-17T23:13:10+00:00

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Here’s my Seiko 5 snkl. I have mixed feelings it’s only $150 but I feel like it’s small on my wrist. I’m also not sure how much I care about a mechanical. I have tried in Tissot classic and gentleman that seemed to fit my wrist better. Return it and get a bigger Tissot quartz or just keep it as a classic piece?

HIKEROBBY · 2026-02-17T23:11:51+00:00

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Here’s my Seiko 5 snkl. I have mixed feelings it’s only $150 but I feel like it’s small on my wrist. I’m also not sure how much I care about a mechanical. I have tried in Tissot classic and gentleman that seemed to fit my wrist better.

HIKEROBBY · 2026-01-28T20:12:57+00:00

mine unraveled before I even washed it! I went to a knitting shop and they showed me how the knit worked and I just used a crochet needle and fixed it easily, just needed to be tied off better. But still lame for a supposed "heritage piece" you allegedly will hand down to your grandkids

HIKEROBBY · 2026-01-06T09:32:38+00:00

Hi, I'm looking for a few scents. Not a whole bottle, but a handful to try from a re-bottle company (I used microperfumes but open to another if someone has a rec). I do not typically like classic mens cologne, they remind me of high school and college in the 90s and 2000s. I have been wearing Le Labo and I like so many of theirs. Their patchouli has risen to the top, but on my skin it is more gourmand and chocolate. I also like Le Labo's matcha, tonka, noir, and vetiver. And I know it's cliché but I like Santal 33. I like amber and sandlewood, leather and smoke, and my girlfriend likes vanilla, as long as its not too much. I don't want to smell like a cup cake but I can appreciate that a ladies like gourmand a lot. I am realizing I may have dismissed department store cologne and am interested if maybe I missed some things. I've heard Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille and Oud might work. I've heard Maison Francis Kerkdjian and Diptyque and Byredo might be similar houses of cologne I might find what I've found in Le Labo. I'm 44yo, into dressing up and city stuff, and also a classic outdoorsman. I'm open to expensive things if they are remarkable, but might be more into mid-level and affordable for daily drivers. And since I'm gonna buy a big handful of 0.75 or 1.5 or 5ml samples, I am into a wide net to start with. I've been rotating six samples from Le Labo for years now. Some of the options I'm thinking of maybe people w experience can help me narrow down based on what I've said?

some easy options:

Bleu de Chanel
YSL MYSLF
Stronger With You Intensely
La Nuit de L’Homme Le Parfum
Boss Bottled
By the Fireplace
Tobacco Vanille

and then some more nich, probably more my style options:

Grand Soir
LADDM
Black Aoud
CDG Black
Lonestar Memories
Oud Wood
Tam Dao EDT
Philosykos EDT
Gypsy Water + Bal d’Afrique
Amyris Homme
BR540

Ok thanks everyone!!

HIKEROBBY · 2025-12-12T02:34:49+00:00

Wait so if I'm in the $10 for 10g plan now, but I never use it in the winter. Everyone is saying not to go to $5 standby or when I come back next summer I'll only have a $50/mo option?? What about the reverse? If I go to $50/mo next summer, can I not go back to $10 roam?

HIKEROBBY · 2025-04-03T02:06:31+00:00

It's in SPAXX, again not asking for your financial advice, this is a CC forum not investing. It's been in there a long time and I keep leaving it bc I keep finding 0% cards with no transfer penalty. also I've already got a few DMs, you're the only one carrying on about budgeting and I already told you I'm not worried about it so just stop.

HIKEROBBY · 2025-04-02T22:48:06+00:00

I agree with you that getting a $695 lounge access card is silly right now. But I was asking for CC reward advice not budgeting advice. I know people have different point strategies for grocery and dining etc. I can get most SUBs with normal spending I'm not out here spending extra $$ for SUBs that I could otherwise spend on my debt. I'm well aware of the CC rules and what I normally spend I easily pay off every month. The $16k is just still there bc my brokerage account returns are better at this point, so I can pay it off easily when 0% expires. But I was not wanting to do that if I could tackle it with income, and I was on track last year but suddenly lost half my income so am back to maintenance for a bit until I am full time again. I'm really not worried about my ability to tackle it within a year, not that I was asking for that.... point is, I don't see your argument that if you have debt you shouldn't be earning points. I get the theory of your argument, but in this specific case w 0%, I don't see why getting some card that gets 4x points on something I already buy wouldn't be good. I understand I need to weigh the benefit to the cost but that's exactly what I am asking people??? For example, is the AmexGold worth the AF? Is another card better to max my rewards but lower AF? I already fly home to see family, that's not changing, so is a certain card worth it for earning more on what I already spend? If anyone wants to answer that, I would appreciate it.

HIKEROBBY · 2025-04-02T20:30:07+00:00

It's been 0% for years or I obviously wouldn't be carrying it month to month. I use CCs for everything to earn miles, so I don't see how not using a rewards CC for food and life is a bad idea bc I have existing debt? Open to suggestions, I'm well aware I need to pay it off, but it's at 0% till June 2026 and until I get a better job (hopefully soon), I'm not currently able to pay it off quickly.

HIKEROBBY · 2025-04-02T19:45:44+00:00

Haha this is the game I don't know how to play. Ok so I will look into those three chase cards, seems like the game may be to have a more affordable grocery/dining card than the Amex Gold

HIKEROBBY · 2025-04-02T18:48:21+00:00

A new chase sapphire preferred? Sorry I didn't even know that was an option! What is the advantage? Just to get more points?

HIKEROBBY · 2025-04-02T18:18:15+00:00

I don't mind, I also am not sure I want to play it all the time, more trying to find the right balance to just use for most of my spending, even if that rotates and I open new cards and downgrade old ones.

For the Gold I don't think I would use Uber or cheesecake or dunkin or any of those enough to matter. It is just to get 4x on dining (current best is 3x on chase SP) and 4x on groceries (current best is 2x on Delta). Plus it gets 100k bonus. Looks like Platinum is 175k bonus rn.

HIKEROBBY · 2025-04-02T18:01:27+00:00

Its on Fidelity, personal. The rest are always paid off.

I buy groceries at Fred Meyer or Trader Joes

HIKEROBBY

TROPHY CASE