SeanP,
I bought a Seiko Kinetic Perpetual several years ago that I like.  I think I paid under $500 for it.  It winds itself when you move your hand around. 

I tend to prefer analog watches so I haven't had a digital watch with lots of other functions in a long time. 

Jim

As an aviator, I just use a Timex digital. I'd cringe if I put a multi hundred $ watch through what I put my watch through everyday...banging around stuff, grease, oil, etc...


I can tell you that I've pretty much learned NOT to waste your $$$ on Rolex. Sieko makes nice stuff. The watches sold at CountyComm are pretty nice too, I understand.

I'm usually not a fan of extravagant things with little real utility.  I consider jewelry pointless at best and a nuisance at worst and have nothing but yawns when it comes to designer clothing and such. 

I do however have a thing for the Rolex Daytona.  I seen a Rolex Daytona in black chrome with a black dial and fell in love with it.  I was actually entertaining the thought of buying it.  I just couldn't see myself walking around with a 5 thousand dollar watch on my wrist.  Heck I paid half of that for the car I was driving at the time.

My last watch was a simple timex.  When it quit working I never bought another.  My cellphone has a clock and it's always with me so a watch doesn't have the utility to me it once did.

Still would like a daytona though.  If I ever win the lottery it will be one of my first purchases.  I've kicked around the idea of buying a replica a time or two but never followed through.

Hmm.  Bud and Jim both recommending Seiko...  could a trend be developing?  The Seiko Kinetics are definitely in my price range and have the features I am looking for.

My last watch was a simple timex.  When it quit working I never bought another.  My cellphone has a clock and it's always with me so a watch doesn't have the utility to me it once did.

 Yep I quit wearing a watch for years after I got a cell phone.  To tell you the truth, I was of the mind that they were an archaic form of male jewelry at the time.  In my current occupation though, I need to know and record the time every few minutes and cannot have an unregistered communications device - such as a cell phone - on the site.  So a wrist watch is the best option.

Still would like a daytona though.  If I ever win the lottery it will be one of my first purchases.  I've kicked around the idea of buying a replica a time or two but never followed through.

Yeah, I love the Daytona.  Especially the screw down crowns for the chronograph functions.  It just screams "indestructible".

For aviating purposes, a <$30 Timex or cheaper equivalent has never done me wrong. I like having a stopwatch on my wrist so I don't have to dig through my bag to pull out my one. Yes, I do frequently use a stopwatch on the plane.

I like Timex.  I think that they are highly underrated as a watch brand among enthusiasts, and I especially like that their new models will go TEN YEARS on one battery.  They have one model at around $50 that is really sweet looking.  *BUT* Their inexpensive watches have plated base metal cases and for some reason, my sweat is highly corrosive.  The stainless steel cased Timex are quite a bit more expensive.

Oh.  I won't wear a plastic watch, BTW.  I don't know why, but I have a savage hatred of plastic, digital watches.

Of course, if I won the lottery, it's Breitling, no question. Because "One doesn't simply become an aviation supplier by chance."

The Navitimer.  That's one sweet watch.  Too bad it costs as much as a used car.

This is what I wear.  It tells me what time it is when I look at my wrist for a lot less money than those $500 + watches.  

Oh one other thing I like is it has both a stop watch and a count down timer.  Plus it's tough but not as bulky as the new style G-Shock watches.

When they make one that can account for relativity I might start wearing one again.

Ben

I also didn't know that you needed special watches to fly.

You don't. But Breitlings are made for flying. The Bezel has a freakin whiz wheel on it, and their Emergency model has an ELT beacon in it.

I have a simple Timex that I purchased on my very first trip to the PX during Boot Camp.  I've replaced the band no less than a dozen times.  But the watch still runs.  It's been a tank.  I retired it from Active Duty and have replaced it with a Swiss Army for when I want to dress up, but normal Day to Day has been a Timex Expedition.  Nothing fancy.  Nothing outwardly special... but these Timex watches are solid little machines.
You could spend new gun money on a fancy shiny bracelet if you want Man Bling.  Or you can keep it real, get a Timex and buy a new gun to go with it.

I also didn't know that you needed special watches to fly.

You don't. The E6B bezels are gimmickry. Best thing for flying is a watch that keeps good time and has a large and easy to read dial or display.

But for some reason pilots are known for having big watches and aviator sunglasses...

Well, the big watch, as you mentioned, is good just to be able to see it. And most pilots I know have a pair of aviators just to reinforce the stereotype, but wear Oakley's or Wiley X's. I wear the Wileys, but the chromed aviators are always in my bag.

When I say "big watch", I mean the kind of watch with an E6B on the bezel and three chronometer dials on the main face. Basically, it's way too much going on the face to be of much use. A simple big dial/display? Good. Ultra complex with tiny numbers? Not so much.

Like this: . Or this:

I mean, when I was like 15 I thought these were ultra cool. Now, I realize they are bordering on ridiculous.

For me, more practical is the line of watches available at CountyComm. Check these out: http://www.countycomm.com/Watches.htm Large display, simpler, good quality, still decently affordable.

 

Avenger, there is too much crap on the dials of those watches.

That being said, here is my watch:




Not too much going on, and I like the outline of the three little circles.  It also has good contrast.


As for dressy, that's where the Rolex Daytona (or Submariner) OR the Panerai come in.

When I say "big watch", I mean the kind of watch with an E6B on the bezel and three chronometer dials on the main face. Basically, it's way too much going on the face to be of much use. A simple big dial/display? Good. Ultra complex with tiny numbers? Not so much.

Like this: . Or this:

I mean, when I was like 15 I thought these were ultra cool. Now, I realize they are bordering on ridiculous.

For me, more practical is the line of watches available at CountyComm. Check these out: http://www.countycomm.com/Watches.htm Large display, simpler, good quality, still decently affordable.

Hmm...I like both of those. I also like the ones in the link. It's funny how they have the "Navigator's" watch labeled like it's government issued (WATCH, WRIST, NAVIGATOR'S) but I'm a navigator and they issued me a s___ty stopwatch like a cheap gym teacher wears next to his whistle.

and in the shower, you can tell the AF pilots by their small..........................

What are you doing looking at AF pilots in the showers, Bud?