Linjer (and Similar) Watches - Anyone with Watch Knowledge Please Help

Hi all,

I’ve decided that I want a watch again after about ten years of thinking I don’t need one, but I don’t want to be spending thousands on a good one. I’ve noticed all these fashion watches are around now (Daniel Wellington etc) and have read that they’re junk and buyers are better off getting a watch from a traditional maker like Seiko at the same price.

More recently however, brands like Linjer and Universal Wares have appeared. These are around the $400 mark (some UW up to 1k which I wouldn’t touch) and advertise their quality and design as an advantage. I think watches from both these brands look good and suit my style. My question is, are these just more expensive fashion watches and being quartz at the 4-500 mark, am I better off sticking with Seiko etc if I want it to last?

Thanks very much for any advice on universal wares and linjer, recommendations elsewhere etc.

Poll Options expired

  • 0
    Buy a Linjer
  • 0
    Buy a Universal Wares
  • 11
    Buy a Seiko
  • 0
    I’ve let you know another brand

Comments

  • +1

    It's all marketing trash. For around $400 I'd get a Seiko Presage, best value. Quartz can reach thousands of dollars and for good reason. Like the FP Journe Elegante, that goes for around $15k and it is worth it in my opinion. Stick with brands that actually invest in watchmaking and not chucking chinese movements or low-end movements with high prices.

    • Thank you, much appreciated. I thought with the Universal Wares, as the watches are completely Swiss made, they may be of decent quality. If you get a moment, would you or someone possibly mind to have a quick look into this brand and let me know what you think?

      • +1

        Swiss made isn't as exclusive as it once was. The movement they use is swiss made (they bought the movement from someone else, that being ETA aka Swatch) for the most part and costs under $100, probably $50. The case and everything else is chinese. Their business model is removing the middlemen so we can get more money essentially.

  • +1

    I think most of the “start-up” brands advertised on Facebook are probably the same stuff with different names and case designs, ie fashion brands.
    Personally I stick with (and recommend) Seiko, Citizen and Hamilton.

    • Hamilton I hadn’t heard of. Thank you.

      • +1

        Definitely look into the Hamilton Khaki range, my personal favourite is H60419533, then again that’s just my taste.
        Work out the style you want (divers, classic auto, open heart, skeleton, chronograph etc.) and I’m sure you’ll find something in the Seiko and Citizen range, with reliability and value for money to boot.

  • +1

    https://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/heads-up-i-saw-bargain-her…

    Try to catch something decent from this thread. Never heard of Linjer.

    Easy way out, choose something from https://www.ozbargain.com.au/deals/starbuy.com.au.

  • Have a look at the BIJOUONE brand. I believe they are the same maker and have some of the same designs as linjer and uniform wares. Same movement and quality, etc. They are mostly around $75-$105 on amazon au.

  • +1

    I bought a Linjer watch for my hubby when they first started, cost around $300. Still working well and hes a pretty rough person. I wouldn't mind getting another one of those :)

  • Thank you all for your input.

    I’ve decided to go with the Junghans Form C. Some extra saving required but if I’m only going to have one watch, I think it’s worth it.

    I was very tempted by this Seiko, and being only $170 - I was nearly put off by it being that cheap, but other sites seem to have it close to 300
    https://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-quartz-262/se…

    The Form C I’m looking at 550

    https://au.firstclasswatches.com/junghans-form-c-chronoscope…

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