8 stylish watches that won’t break the bank

These timepieces will earn you a couple of compliments without making you burn a hole in your pocket

(Disclaimer: I own some of these watches but I’m willing to bet you’ll look past that bias when you see how good they are.)

I can personally attest to the fact that the horological world is a slightly dangerous one. Once you go down the rabbit hole of which watch to buy, you usually end up in a situation where there is considerably more than one timepiece in your shopping bag and your credit card is beginning to emit wisps of smoke. This is part of the pitfalls of the watch world–on the one hand, it has you covered no matter what your tastes may be but it’s precisely because of this that you can end up being confused (and out of pocket). Having said that, it’s a myth that you have to splurge to obtain a stylish watch. So do yourself a favour, ignore all the marketing-speak that luxe watch brands are so fond of, and have a look at this list instead.

Seiko 5

Since 1968, this cult model from Seiko has been at the very top of the list of stylish and pocket-friendly sports watches. It has been through numerous iterations but its standout features remain the same: automatic winding, a day and date display, water resistance, a sturdy case, a recessed crown at 4 o’clock and reliable movement. The cases have been made bigger since 2019 and options for straps now include NATO and Milanese ones. No matter which one you pick, it’ll look great and go with pretty much anything you wear.

Casio G-Shock GA-2100

This is one of the watches I own, but read about it anywhere else and you’ll understand that it’s a minor classic already. Popularly known as the ‘CasiOak’ because of its Audemars Piguet Royal Oak-style case, the GA-2100 is sporty, rugged, practical and very easy on the wallet. The octagonal bezel contains a cool digital-analogue display, and the wildly popular stealth black model looks like something Batman might wear. The resin strap is interchangeable, too.

Orient Bambino

This is another personal favourite. When it comes to old-school style at astonishing prices, not many brands can match Orient, and their Bambino line is especially eye-catching. This Japanese brand dates back to 1901, and has stuck to the basics with great effect since then–clean lines, great looks, top-drawer construction and delightful affordability. You simply can’t go wrong with one of these.

Swatch Clearly Gent

Not many watches are displayed in the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, but the Swatch Jellyfish is one of them. The transparent old-time classic was a monster hit back in the day, and Swatch has brought the iconic design back in the form of the Clearly Gent. The striking case is made of a plant-derived bioceramic material, so it’s got sustainability cred as well. Put one on your wrist and be prepared for plenty of envious glances.

Braun BN0265 Chronograph

The German brand is well-known for its beautifully designed home appliances, so it’s no surprise that its watches are absolutely lovely as well. All of them look great, but this one stands out because it won a prestigious design award. The 40mm case is made of steel and has a concave, grey dial with slender black hands, with the touches of colour in the form of the yellow chrono hands and red chevron. The leather strap looks smashing, too. All in all, this is a watch that will stand out without trying hard.

Timex Q

An affordable brand that’s been hitting it out of the park of late is Timex. They’ve done this in part by going down the reissue route, and also by collaborating with numerous fashion brands. The Q is one such reissue, and is an updated take on the Q Timex collection from the 1970s. It looks like a classic diving watch, but it isn’t. Instead, it’s a bright, cheerful and eminently wearable retro watch with a unidirectional bezel, an automatic movement, a day/date indicator, luminescent hands and a woven steel bracelet. Trust me when I say that it’s an A-grade attention-getter.

Bulova Chronograph A ‘Surfboard’

Not everyone knows about Bulova but the brand has a pretty illustrious history (its Accutron, for example, was the first electronic wristwatch in the world when it was launched in the 1960s). The Chronograph A was another iconic design from the 1970s, and it’s been refreshed and reissued. The oval motif on the colourful dial—which led to it being called the ‘Surfboard’ back in the day—still stands out. Since the watch is now quartz-powered, it’s a lot more affordable than the original.

Victorinox ‘My I.N.O.X’ Custom Watch

Victorinox's great ‘My I.N.O.X’ project allows buyers to thoroughly customise their I.N.O.X watches, to the extent that there are around 15,000 variations possible (did I mention that the watch world could be confusing?) There are 15 straps, three case materials, seven dial colours and another seven bumper colours on offer; you can further personalise your watch with engraved text. The watch itself is built like the proverbial tank and is designed primarily for outdoor use. Victorinox claims it can survive being run over by an eight-tonne lorry, as well as falls from over 30 feet. You’ll also get a Swiss Army Knife in one of seven colours with your watch, as an added bonus. A win-win all round, wouldn't you say?

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