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Take a look at the new 39mm King Seikos. Nice finishing on them (not GS level, though) and quite a nice bracelet. They're not the slimmest watches ever but not overly thick. There's a blue dial option:
https://www.seikoboutique.co.uk/product/king-seiko-tamahagane-ksk-spb371j1/
I prefer the smaller 37mm version personally but I don't think there's a blue dial option for those, and they don't have a date.
Or the 40mm blue dial SBGP013 quartz Grand Seiko from a reputable retailer like Watches of Mayfair, which is a smidge over £2k new:
With a second hand Grand Seiko you have to look really carefully and make sure you're ok with the condition because the polishing on the case is so high, they really up show any scratches. One of the nice things with a lot of the quartz models is they're brushed on the bracelet and the top of the case so they're not quite so shiny as, say, a 44GS case is.
At the lower end of your budget there's a blue dial variant of the "Style 60s" Presage which is around 40mm: https://www.seikowatches.com/uk-en/products/presage/srpg05j1
Or, even cheaper, there's a blue dial version of the 40mm Seiko 5, SRPE53: https://www.firstclasswatches.co.uk/seiko-5-sport-automatic-watch-blue-dial-stainless-steel-bracelet-srpe53k1-p-59393/
I have kind of assumed that blue is part of the brief but there are other colour variants of all of these watches.
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I've got a GS quartz which i probably similar to the models you've been looking at. Its 40mm good on my skinny wrists and I would describe describe it as dress hybrid but not rugged. It's going to be more durable than a pure dress watch but the Zaratsu polished surfaces that contribute to the premium look and feel will show scratches. I've got a GS tough sports quartz as well but it is sporty looking. The Alpinist range are great watches for the money but not as nice as a GS costing 3x the price. My last GS came from ebay no problems and everything exactly as described and I'm a reluctant ebay buyer as well. You do get good or unsure feelings about listings on ebay but if the ad reads well with plenty of close up pictures and the seller is happy to answer any questions as long with good feedback it's probably a safer bet. There doesn't seem to be many UK GS on C24 recently. Unfortunately GS have had a price increase recently and mine has gone up a couple of hundred quid since last year. I do love mine though
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Not sure If it's of interest, but I'm likely to be selling a SPB149 soon.
https://wornandwound.com/review/review-seiko-spb149/ -
Another non-Seiko option which is in the Oyster Perpetual / Aqua Terra mould (dress/sports hybrid, on a bracelet) but under £2k is the Milus Snow Star:
https://milus.com/products/snow-star-supreme-904?variant=43970638250207
I’ve not seen the bracelet IRL but they are nice watches with good movements.
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Regal
Retro_Bastard
MattG87
@brandegg
In the late 1970s with my first holiday pay packet I bought a Seiko. It was 3 hand, auto, date, blue face. I was very pleased. I was thinking about getting something similar. It does not need any further complications, it maybe doesn't even need a date. It needs to be quite robust. It must not be bigger than 40mm, and be quite slim. Bracelet that works on slim wrists. A sort of hybrid dress but rugged.
I thought of a Grand Seiko Quartz and asking you people if it was a good idea to order a 2nd hand one from one of the ebay advertisers (but I am a reluctant ebay person). Or buy new for £2100. Then I looked at the Seiko website and found eg the Seiko Alpinist which is close to what I had in mind, is much cheaper, but is not a GS. I know comparing these two is apples and oranges.
Any thoughts on this, or other ideas? Can buy new or 2nd hand. I can pay £500-2,000 and happy to pay for good value.