The best big boys watch under $200

 

Compared to other watch dealers, we run a rather small operation. Both in dollar value and in number of units sold. Yet here is a crazy piece of statistics: assuming that I've physically touched just 10 watches per day, I've handled at least 125,000 watches in my lifetime. That includes watches I've considered buying, customer's watches, repairs and watches sold.  Actually that is probably a very conservative estimate: on a busy day there could be 50 watches going through my hands, and a visit to an overseas dealer means looking at and examining 500 or more watches per day! In other words, I've seen lots of watches - from piles of worthless junk to some really expensive and valuable horological masterpieces. Being in this unique position has helped me develop two quite peculiar skills: an ability to instantly recognize the quality of a watch as well as it's value. The kind of stuff that is a hallmark of every other specialist: from a car dealer to antique book dealer, numismatics expert to art auctioneer. And this is how you should benefit from that insiders knowledge.  Yesterday, I discovered a watch which could be only described as the best watch under $200 I've ever seen. A watch so cool, you absolutely must add to your collection. But before we get there: a quick intro. In 1972, Hamilton and Electro/Data, two American companies, released the first battery operated watch with a digital display. It was called Pulsar. It looked like no other watch: futuristic, full of optimism. A miracle of electronic engineering. Solid 18K gold. And above all: it was a sexy looking watch. So sexy that it was featured in 1972 Playboy magazine. The first Pulsar came with price tag of $2100 USD which is more than the price of not one, but four Rolex Submariners.

In 1978, Seiko made the move to acquire Pulsar. The idea was simple: thanks to Seiko’s manufacturing power, Pulsar watches would be made in the millions and offered at an unbelievably low price. In 1982 Seiko started marketing affordable digital watches under the brand, Lorus. Lorus was first launched in Europe to complement the already popular Pulsar and Seiko brands. It was an instant success, offering not only affordable products, but products with high design and technology qualities. Yesterday, when I got my hands onto the latest 46mm Lorus in stainless steel, I was completely blown away.

Without any doubt, this is the best watch under $200 I’ve ever seen. As you would expect, it is loaded with all the bells and whistles an owner of a Swiss mechanical chronograph could only dream about, but that is not the point. The point is that Lorus feels like a proper ‘quality’ watch, a watch which could – and should – be worn by even a most serious watch enthusiast. I am not talking ‘no, you won’t be disappointed’. I am talking ‘yes, you will be blow away’. I called Aaron immediately. “Aaron, I feel an obligation to introduce this amazing watch to our fellow watch enthusiasts. I want the entire stock you have on hand. I want them all because they will sell like crazy”. As always, you have my personal guarantee that you will be completely satisfied with your watch. Meaning: when you open the box, if the watch is not as per your expectation, I’ll take it back for a 100% refund. No ifs or buts: 100% money back guarantee on a single watch or on entire batch. I’ll also keep the shipping cost locked at $9. Case size: 46mm. Quartz movement. Digital/analogue. Chronograph with alarm and perpetual calendar. Lumibrite backlight. Here is another "insiders only" delight - this Lorus contains two batteries. One lithium, and the other is silver oxide. The lithium battery powers up the digital side of the watch, while silver oxide runs the analogue movement. Two batteries with completely different characteristics and life cycles, so the chances of both dying at the same time are practically zero. Super cool.