Watch buying guide
Best first automatic watches: Seiko, Orient, Citizen, Tissot and Hamilton compared
A first automatic should be easy to wear, easy to price-check and not so expensive that every scratch hurts. These picks prioritize value, fit, reliability and resale clarity.
Buying rules
- Start with case size and bracelet comfort, not just the movement spec sheet.
- A good first automatic has plenty of live comparisons, so you can avoid overpaying.
- Do not buy used unless the saving beats the value of a new warranty.
Quick price table
| Watch | Fair used range | Good buy under | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orient Kamasu Red Dial | $150-250 | $180 | A fair used Kamasu diver sells for $150–$250. Buy at $180 or below; treat anything above $285 as overpaying. |
| Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55 | $130-230 | $170 | A fair used Seiko 5 Sports everyday watch sells for $130–$230. Buy at $170 or below; treat anything above $260 as overpaying. |
| Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Blue | $450-650 | $500 | Buy used in the $450–$650 range, aim for $500 or lower, and avoid paying beyond $700 unless condition and completeness are exceptional. |
| Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm | $300-450 | $350 | For a used Khaki Field field watch, $300–$450 is the fair band. Anything under $350 is a good buy; $500 is the ceiling before the maths stops working. |
| Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 38mm | $350-520 | $420 | Buy used in the $350–$520 range, aim for $420 or lower, and avoid paying beyond $600 unless condition and completeness are exceptional. |
| Citizen Tsuyosa Blue Dial | $190-310 | $235 | Worth buying used when the asking price is $235 or less, which is realistic for the $190–$310 band. Above $350 the deal stops making sense. |
Recommended watches
mid-range
Orient Kamasu Red Dial
Orient · RA-AA0003R19B · automatic dive watch
- New online
- $230-320
- Used fair
- $150-250
- Good buy
- $180
For the USA market, a fair used price for the Orient Kamasu Red Dial is usually $150-250. A good buy is normally under $180, while prices above $285 need unusually strong condition, full set, warranty, scarcity, or live market confirmation.
mid-range
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55
Seiko · SRPD55 · automatic sports watch
- New online
- $230-330
- Used fair
- $130-230
- Good buy
- $170
For the USA market, a fair used price for the Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55 is usually $130-230. A good buy is normally under $170, while prices above $260 need unusually strong condition, full set, warranty, scarcity, or live market confirmation.
mid-range
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Blue
Tissot · T137.407.11.041.00 · integrated-bracelet automatic watch
- New online
- $625-800
- Used fair
- $450-650
- Good buy
- $500
For the USA market, a fair used price for the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Blue is usually $450-650. A good buy is normally under $500, while prices above $700 need unusually strong condition, full set, warranty, scarcity, or live market confirmation.
mid-range
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm
Hamilton · H69439931 · field watch
- New online
- $430-610
- Used fair
- $300-450
- Good buy
- $350
For the USA market, a fair used price for the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm is usually $300-450. A good buy is normally under $350, while prices above $500 need unusually strong condition, full set, warranty, scarcity, or live market confirmation.
mid-range
Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 38mm
Hamilton · H70455133 · automatic field watch
- New online
- $520-700
- Used fair
- $350-520
- Good buy
- $420
For the USA market, a fair used price for the Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 38mm is usually $350-520. A good buy is normally under $420, while prices above $600 need unusually strong condition, full set, warranty, scarcity, or live market confirmation.
mid-range
Citizen Tsuyosa Blue Dial
Citizen · NJ0151-88L · integrated-bracelet automatic watch
- New online
- $290-380
- Used fair
- $190-310
- Good buy
- $235
For the USA market, a fair used price for the Citizen Tsuyosa Blue Dial is usually $190-310. A good buy is normally under $235, while prices above $350 need unusually strong condition, full set, warranty, scarcity, or live market confirmation.
FAQ
Should I buy these watches new or used?
Compare current new discounts first. Buy used only when the saving is meaningful after condition, warranty and seller risk.
What makes a watch a good value?
A good-value watch has clear pricing, reliable specs for the money, enough demand for resale, and no obvious better alternative at the same price.
Are these exact prices guaranteed?
No. The prices are editorial USD bands for research. Verify live US listings before acting.