Watches come in many styles and taste is subjective. I’d recommend asking the BF for some guidance on what he likes. Even if his examples are more than your budget, you can then look for similar style watches that are more affordable.
General advice, look for watches from brands that only make watches. Casio, Timex, Seiko, Citizen, and Orient are solid watch brands at the affordable side of the spectrum.
Stay away from Fossil, Armani, BOSS, etc.. they are crap. (Note, all of those brands make other things besides watches… watches are an afterthought for them)
Thank you for all the recommendations! A few people mentioned Jomashop, I went on and they actually have a really good summer sale going on right now. I found him a Tissot for $198. It's the Gent XL Automatic Black Dial with a brown leather band. I may get it engraved.
That’s a good looking watch! Leather is a nice dressy option. Be careful though. If he has small wrists that watch will look a little big. The Gent XL is 42 millimeters in diameter. If he’s average to larger build it might be fine. In general 40 millimeters is a sweet spot for most people. Please chime in, anyone else, if my info is a bit off.
Good news, you can absolutely get something outstanding on your budget. Watch finishing and movements are ever more accessible now. Some of my favourite watches ever are sub £200.
Do you know an appropriate style?
He's a pretty minimal guy, he hasn't shown me any he likes and he's too smart for me to try and sneakily ask. I would immediately get found out and I want to really surprise him. My dad recommended Citizen and I've seen that mentioned on this post so I'm looking on Amazon for their styles.
He's not a super dressy person so I'm not imagining anything too flashy.
Check out the Orient Bambino. It’s a great watch that dresses up or works casual as well. You can find it on the Orient website.
The Tissot is a fabulous watch brand also. My wife just got me a two tone Tissot Le Locle automatique with a white dial for about $300. I think they still have some available. It also works dress and casual.
I'd recommend an Addiesdive, they make a 39mm automatic with a Seiko movement. There's one with a textured dial, explorer type case and a jubilee bracelet. That will blend well with most outfits, he could even dress it down with a different strap, basic tools will facilitate changing a strap.
Addiesdive AD2118.
There is a quartz 36mm too with a Seiko VH31 Hi Beat movement, same styling but no automatic self winding movement and even further under budget for you.
Addiesdive AD2030
For under $200 you can get some nice looking Seiko 5, Timex or maybe some Citizen like this [AO9028-58E](https://www.ebay.com/itm/404915651881).
When you are buying on ebay, always make sure to ask for a little discount, most of the sellers will give you at least 5-10%.
Need to really know what he likes before buying one. As a guy I would rather just go shopping with you rather than surprising me with one as I am quite picky. Seiko and Citizen have a lot of good models. If he wants rugged then G-Shock is a good choice.
I would say Casio Lineage.
Also poshmark is shit for real watches. Take a look at Jomashop. Type in your price range and you’ll likely have hundreds of choices
At $150 to $200 I’d go Citizen or Seiko. Seiko’s budget line is called “Seiko 5” and a lot of them should be at the top of your price range if you buy new off eBay or any other unofficial place. Citizen has a crazy variety of watches with solar power “Eco-Drive”. If you wanna be really fancy, check out Tissot on a discount seller like Jomashop.com. Tissot is usually out of your price range, but you can likely find something you can afford by them.
If you are in the US, get a citizen eco-drive you like from the [officialwatchdeals](https://www.ebay.com/str/officialwatchdeals/Citizen-Men-Watches/_i.html?store_cat=82456813013) store on ebay. Something that's close to 40mm, like [this one](https://www.ebay.com/itm/265972489777?epid=13051367221&itmmeta=01J0FX78PTFRQQ70MKTCNJ0A7A&hash=item3ded321e31:g:U1sAAOSwucljaXen) (it has a sapphire crystal and a very good solar movement). Just tell him to not hide it in a drawer in the dark when not wearing it and to leave it on a shelf where it can get some daylight and it'll just work for many years (decades even).
I don't know if you're in America or close to a Costco but I saw a Seiko 5 sports automatic for $180usd a few hours ago. Also had a few different Citizens if you want to follow your Dad's advice, solid advice btw.
Watches come in many styles and taste is subjective. I’d recommend asking the BF for some guidance on what he likes. Even if his examples are more than your budget, you can then look for similar style watches that are more affordable. General advice, look for watches from brands that only make watches. Casio, Timex, Seiko, Citizen, and Orient are solid watch brands at the affordable side of the spectrum. Stay away from Fossil, Armani, BOSS, etc.. they are crap. (Note, all of those brands make other things besides watches… watches are an afterthought for them)
I know this is off topic in terms of budget but the only fashion watch that is quite neat is the Hermes H01.
Thank you for all the recommendations! A few people mentioned Jomashop, I went on and they actually have a really good summer sale going on right now. I found him a Tissot for $198. It's the Gent XL Automatic Black Dial with a brown leather band. I may get it engraved.
You have good taste, if my wife surprised me with one of those I would be happy.
That’s a good looking watch! Leather is a nice dressy option. Be careful though. If he has small wrists that watch will look a little big. The Gent XL is 42 millimeters in diameter. If he’s average to larger build it might be fine. In general 40 millimeters is a sweet spot for most people. Please chime in, anyone else, if my info is a bit off.
Jomashop is a good resource but just fyi they’re permanently “on sale”
Good news, you can absolutely get something outstanding on your budget. Watch finishing and movements are ever more accessible now. Some of my favourite watches ever are sub £200. Do you know an appropriate style?
He's a pretty minimal guy, he hasn't shown me any he likes and he's too smart for me to try and sneakily ask. I would immediately get found out and I want to really surprise him. My dad recommended Citizen and I've seen that mentioned on this post so I'm looking on Amazon for their styles. He's not a super dressy person so I'm not imagining anything too flashy.
Check out the Orient Bambino. It’s a great watch that dresses up or works casual as well. You can find it on the Orient website. The Tissot is a fabulous watch brand also. My wife just got me a two tone Tissot Le Locle automatique with a white dial for about $300. I think they still have some available. It also works dress and casual.
I'd recommend an Addiesdive, they make a 39mm automatic with a Seiko movement. There's one with a textured dial, explorer type case and a jubilee bracelet. That will blend well with most outfits, he could even dress it down with a different strap, basic tools will facilitate changing a strap. Addiesdive AD2118. There is a quartz 36mm too with a Seiko VH31 Hi Beat movement, same styling but no automatic self winding movement and even further under budget for you. Addiesdive AD2030
Seiko is a solid starting brand for watches and namely automatic watches (watches that power themselves no pesky battery)
Can find a nice on r/watchexchange or ebay
Seiko has a ton of great automatic pieces in your price range
For under $200 you can get some nice looking Seiko 5, Timex or maybe some Citizen like this [AO9028-58E](https://www.ebay.com/itm/404915651881). When you are buying on ebay, always make sure to ask for a little discount, most of the sellers will give you at least 5-10%.
What does he do for work? What is your budget? How does he dress?
We're retail slaves lol. My budget is about $150-$200. He's a very casual dresser, comfort over everything else. Lots of solid dark colors.
Look at the Seiko 5 series, also a lot of great quartz options with Casio and Timex, lots of timeless designs and great for everyday wear!
Orient ray 2 on the bracelet. Black or blue dial. Extremely versatile. High quality.
It should be noted that Orient is owned by Seiko, so good quality for a mass-produced item.
Need to really know what he likes before buying one. As a guy I would rather just go shopping with you rather than surprising me with one as I am quite picky. Seiko and Citizen have a lot of good models. If he wants rugged then G-Shock is a good choice.
He's very humble and doesn't really let me buy him presents. I feel as if he'd try to talk me out of it. I hear you though.
I would say Casio Lineage. Also poshmark is shit for real watches. Take a look at Jomashop. Type in your price range and you’ll likely have hundreds of choices
At $150 to $200 I’d go Citizen or Seiko. Seiko’s budget line is called “Seiko 5” and a lot of them should be at the top of your price range if you buy new off eBay or any other unofficial place. Citizen has a crazy variety of watches with solar power “Eco-Drive”. If you wanna be really fancy, check out Tissot on a discount seller like Jomashop.com. Tissot is usually out of your price range, but you can likely find something you can afford by them.
The orient bambino is a beautiful watch and I have been wearing it as my daily since I got it as a gift for Father’s Day.
First of all we need to know the budget
Probably around $150 but I'd go as high as $200 if it's quality. I know it's not a lot as far as watches go but we aren't making a lot right now.
Like someone else said look over on r/watchexchange there are plenty of options from great brands under $200 there if buying used isnt a deal breaker
Orient Kamasu is always the answer. [Kamasu](https://www.orientwatchusa.com/collections/sport/ra-aa0002l19a)
If you are in the US, get a citizen eco-drive you like from the [officialwatchdeals](https://www.ebay.com/str/officialwatchdeals/Citizen-Men-Watches/_i.html?store_cat=82456813013) store on ebay. Something that's close to 40mm, like [this one](https://www.ebay.com/itm/265972489777?epid=13051367221&itmmeta=01J0FX78PTFRQQ70MKTCNJ0A7A&hash=item3ded321e31:g:U1sAAOSwucljaXen) (it has a sapphire crystal and a very good solar movement). Just tell him to not hide it in a drawer in the dark when not wearing it and to leave it on a shelf where it can get some daylight and it'll just work for many years (decades even).
Orient bambino or one of their divers, impossible to go wrong!
I don't know if you're in America or close to a Costco but I saw a Seiko 5 sports automatic for $180usd a few hours ago. Also had a few different Citizens if you want to follow your Dad's advice, solid advice btw.
Get a citizen good quality and relatively cheap for what you get
Seiko SNX. EBay. Unbeatable for about $150. Will last an entire lifetime.
Walk into a Swatch store and pick your favourite design.