Citizen Auto Yellow Dial $219, Fugu $349, Eco-Drives $169 Eco-Drive Chrono $229, Seiko King Turtle $499 Delivered @ Starbuy

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  Astronaut Joe on 14/03/2024 - 10:38

  Watch Direct has a very similar watch to the NJ0170-83Z for $224 (w/afterpay 10% code) in case you prefer its subtle differences.
  https://watchdirect.com.au/products/citizen-eco-drive-sport-…

  If I had to choose between the two I'd prefer the version at Starbuy, but what woud the world be if we all liked the same things.

  • 

    WatchNerd on 14/03/2024 - 10:40

    +3

    The only similarity is the colour. That one is eco-drive & the bezel is fixed.

    Anyway Starbuy have the aqua (teal) dial of that model for $175 delivered.

    • 

      Digiiz on 14/03/2024 - 10:50

      May i ask for a suggestion for a open heart silver watch for around $300 (but willing to spend abit more if its worth it).
      Looking to purchase my first dress watch and I'm tossing up between an Orient , Bulova and Seiko but any recommendations or advice would be appreciated.
      Something around the 40mm size would be the best as i don't have the biggest wrists. Thanks again :)

      • 

        WatchNerd on 14/03/2024 - 11:23

        +1

        Bulova do a few models which Starbuy put on sale sometimes.

        Otherwise look on Amazon at Orient models.

      • 

        Astronaut Joe on 14/03/2024 - 11:49

        +1

        Citizen has the NH9130-84A which is not only almost bang on your budget at $305 but gets sapphire for that price as well and even a mildly decorated movement in the display caseback. The blue NH9130-84L is nice too if you want the dial texture to be more prominent.

        • 

          Digiiz on 14/03/2024 - 13:18

          @Astronaut Joe: I've been tossing up between that one, the orient RA-AG0002S10B or a bulvoa 96A276. The SEIKO Presage Sharp Edged SPB309J1 or a similar model is my long term watch goal. I've heard bulvoa quality is slightly less than orient/citizen but that's from my minimal knowledge so have been thinking of avoiding that brand even though i do like their look. Thanks for the advice!

          • 

            Astronaut Joe on 14/03/2024 - 15:05

            @Digiiz: At the end of the day, buy what you like and not necessarily what some rando on the internet (ie, me!) likes. Nevertheless, points of view never hurt…

            There's not necessarily a quality difference regarding Bulova - and, in case you didn't know, Bulova is owned by Citizen (although they are distinct ranges). They have their cheapies which feel cheap and nasty, just as Citizen has some as well. And they have plenty that are absolutely top-notch quality-wise. I have a couple of Bulovas on my wish list and I have no qualms about their quality. What I personally don't like about the Bulova open hearts is that to me they look like someone has fired a bullet through the dial - the cutout is too stark and it makes my eyeballs twinge. Some of the Citizens do that too but not all of them, whereas Bulova seems to have a knack of doing it.

            If you start looking in that $3-500ish range then you get options like Seiko's Zen Garden series, such as the SSA379 and SSA413 which give you the open heart and in the case of the SSA379 (and it's non-silver/white siblings) a visually interesting dial too.

            • 

              Digiiz on 14/03/2024 - 18:09

              @Astronaut Joe: Thank you for taking the time to respond to my queries in such an informative manner! I never knew that Bulova was owned by Citizen so i'm glad i asked (as you can see i'm quite umm… new to the watch world haha). I also agree to some manner with the shape/position that the Bulova open hearts are. I like some of their more simply designed watches but for me it is abit tough on the eye.

              I haven't really looked too into the Zen Garden series before and have already fallen in love with the SSA379.

              Do you have any other specific open hearts from a different brand that you would suggest? Or are those the main hitters around such a price range?

              Also, while i have you :D what is your opinion on the sharped edge series by Seiko? Thanks again!

              • 

                WatchNerd on 15/03/2024 - 10:25

                @Digiiz: Today's DOTD is Bulova Auto Surveyor 96A275… $199 delivered.

                Unboxing The Bulova - 96A275

                • 

                  Digiiz on 15/03/2024 - 14:51

                  +1

                  @WatchNerd: Omg thank you so much for pointing out the DOTD, guess i might be getting my first open heart watch today haha :D

              • 

                Astronaut Joe on 15/03/2024 - 15:57

                @Digiiz: Those are probably the main hitters around that price, the biggest issue you will find is that an open heart is by necessity an automatic, and a nice automatic movement is inevitably going to bump the price. Once you start getting into the $1k range you unsurprisingly start getting more options, such as the Roamer Searock Master or Tissot Powermatic Open Heart both of which inplement the feature nicely.

                When it comes to the sharp edge series, if there's one thing you can say about Seiko is that they know how to do a dial, and some of the SE watches are really nice - the SPB217J is one I'd happily have in my collection and normally I don't care for GMTs. I'm not really into dress watches so much but that's just personal preference. If you like the SPB309J1 DJs have it on sale for just over $1k which beats out the other retailers at the moment.

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  stuffandthat on 14/03/2024 - 10:50

  +3

  Don't let the yellow in the pics put you off. It's much better in person. I wear this watch more than most of my collection.

  • 

    matey on 14/03/2024 - 13:49

    +1

    Thank you for the feedback & thanks to the OP. I have bought several autos from Starbuy & I love the yellow dial on this one (it will be my second Citizen, but I have heaps of Seiko's bought here and overseas & a Rolex I hardly wear). So, I just bought this one, noting also the prices on Ebay are around $450AUD. Looking forward to a yellow dial with lovely dimples all over it :)

    • 

      stuffandthat on 14/03/2024 - 14:39

      +1

      It's so good. I'm considering buying all the colours. I love the white and blue one, and I'm definitely buying the green one soon.

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  WatchNerd on 14/03/2024 - 11:00

  The Citizen BM8475-34E has a lot of history on here, it was 1st posted in 2013 by Deepak & is a Citizen classic.

  Who bought one back then?

  • 

    Speckled Jim on 14/03/2024 - 13:24

    And today's is an ATH — weird times.

    • 

      WatchNerd on 14/03/2024 - 13:34

      You should see the price rises of other brands & products over that period.

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  Chazzozz on 14/03/2024 - 20:50

  I’m liking the Bulova Jet Star 97B214. Having experienced the 262KHz quartz movement in a Lunar Pilot I’m keen to get a 3-hander with sweeping seconds. That retro design smacks of 70s fashion so much - it would look great with a pair of flares and platform shoes, and a wide-collar shirt unbuttoned to the navel with a gold Peace necklace.

  • 

    Digiiz on 15/03/2024 - 15:08

    i loved your description of the accompanying 70's disco clothes with the watch. Sounds like a perfect match! haha