zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Hey there,

I'm at the moment trying to decide how to make the transition to a better watch (I'm used to G-Shock and Timex). I was hoping for something in the less-than-US$500 range (maybe a TAG), but even the lowest priced decent TAG (2000/aqua) is >US$800 grey-market. The Seamaster I thought about is >US$1000 grey.

I've read the majority of the Chronocentric articles and the luxury tiers mention that (current-model) TAG is a 'pseudo-luxury' brand with off-the-shelf movements and has generally worse resale values and potentially shorter lifespans. The same charts mention that the basic luxury watches are likely better values because they're not 'trying to be more than they are'.

As such, it looks like my choice is either a <$500 MSRP Citizen/Seiko(/potentially Movado) or a $1500+ Omega (and I must I cannot justify right now getting the Omega).

So here are a few questions (and I realize this is the Omega forum, but I'm not sure where else to post):

What are your thoughts about TAG in comparison to Omega?

Grey-market online dealers offer 40-50% discounts, how much can I expect to negotiate at a retail dealer off of a $1500 MSRP Omega?

What are your impressions of Citizen Eco-drive/Seiko Kinetic (and those brands generally)?

And finally, what would you recommend to me, a college student with maybe $500-750 at the most to spend to begin appreciating finer timepieces (A more recognized brand would be of course preferred and grey-market becomes less desirable as the price rises)? I guess what I'm really looking for is something of middle ground between ground between Citizen and Omega (I suppose Movado is a good example, but in a large chrono look/auto mechanical movement).

Here is by the way the Citizen Eco-Drive Calibre 2100 I'm thinking about, I hope it's not too silly to post this thing on this forum :/ ($500 MSRP, $300 realistically) (Quartz with solar charging).

Thanks a lot!
-Andy