This is going to be like the rifle, isn't it Bob?
I didn't think so. Actually I think I have it narrowed down to a few choices.
I can get a sub-$500 price on a $1200 Xemex that has a black face, easy to read white hands/markers, rubber strap, deployment clasp, waterproof, shockproof, automatic movement, real crystal. The case is thin, the headsize is under 40mm. Good watch, good price. But the hands are not luminous.
An Aristo Luminous Pilot. The whole face lights up. 2 different face styles are available, both are easy to read/high contrast white with black hands. Headsize is 40mm, come with crappy leather strap and traditional buckles, waterproof, shockproof, automatic movement, crystal. A bit bigger than I'd like, but titanium case makes it light. Not familiar with the brand but a good warranty. Well below my set price.
Ollech & Wajs has a black dial, white luminious hands simple mechanical wind watch. About as simple as you can get. Headsize is under 40mm, crappy leather strap with traditional buckle. Crappy warranty but a good brand that's been around a while. Tritium luminous hands and markers, water resistant, etc. Lowest price of the bunch.
Downside of the Xemex is the hands are not luminous. Best quality of the bunch, best band of the bunch.
Downside of the Aristo is the larger headsize and the band. A good deployment clasp can run $100 alone (a cheap one is $25), I have some that are well above that price. So the price is in budget but by the time I add a clasp and a real leather strap I'd be above the price of the deal I can get on the Xemex. Still it has the easiest to read dial.
Downside of the O&W is the warranty, and I'd run into replacing the strap and the buckle, just like the Aristo. I actually like the fact that it is a manual wind watch, hard to break and if it sits for days it only takes a few moments to put it into running condition.
Leaning toward the O&W, but find it hard to pass up the deal on the Xemex.
