I've acquired a taste for the Japanese Domestic Model Seikos. Most of them run in the $300-$500 range, but I only have two at the moment.
The SARG015 (blue) and the SARB033 (black). My next purchase will be the "Cocktail time" watch which is basically silver.
For a "beater" watch I'll probably end up with a Seiko SKX007 diver. Alot of the military types I work with wear G Shocks, and I thought about getting one, but I've never been a huge fan of the digital readout and I really don't need anything to handle extreme situations. Just mucking about the yard, working on the car, around town.
Personally I think Seiko automatics are way better bang for the buck than the Swiss models. I'm a fan of the Hamilton field style watches though.