affordable watches Archives

Background

Timex Indiglo – since it began in 1854, American watchmaker Timex has been producing high-quality timepieces at an affordable price.

Along with that, the company has outstanding customer service, helping to make it one of the most well-known and loved watchmakers on earth.

What does Indiglo mean?

Indiglo is a feature of some Timex watches. It’s an electro-luminous panel that sits behind the face of the watch and lights it up when a button is pressed.

Let’s take a look at the Timex watches that have this special feature…

Easy Reader 35mm

$29.95 / £24

For under thirty bucks you’re not going to find much to complain about with an Easy Reader. It performs just as well as some of its leading rivals and looks just as sleek as more expensive minimalist watches.

It has a dainty 25mm brass case that’s only 6mm thick. The face is covered with mineral glass crystal. It offers a black leather strap that will blend in with formal or relaxed attire.

The watch is powered by a quartz movement and has the Indiglo feature, which you activate by pushing a button.

If you want something that looks more expensive than what it is (ie, if you have Champagne taste and beer money), then this is a great watch that will give you faithful service. It has a simple and timeless style, so you’ll only ever want to change it because you have to.

Weekender 38mm

$55 / £45

Another traditional-looking watch for those on a tight budget.

The Weekender watch comes in a variety of styles, from stainless steel to more fun nylon options.

They all share a 38mm case which will go with any outfit. You can actually replace the stainless steel or nylon band for something waterproof, which you might want to as this watch offers you 30m water-resistance.

Again, inside is both a quartz movement and the Indiglo feature (which you’re now safe to assume all the watches on this list share).

Expedition

$39 / £30

The Expedition range comes in a few different sizes and styles of wristband. The most popular is the 40mm case that comes in a brushed brass material. You can opt for a leather or nylon strap.

On the face you’ll find a cover made of mineral crystal glass. It has a date window at the 3 position ( where you’ll also find the crown) and 24 hour markings. Inside, the Expedition is powered by analogue quartz movements. Interestingly, the real value for money comes from the fact that this watch has a 50m water-resistance, meaning you’ll be OK if you forget to take it off in the shower or if you go for a swim.

Waterbury Traditional Chronograph

$96 / £74

If you’re a chronograph fan and you like a large, sporty watch that can double up as a more formal timepiece when paired with a white shirt and blazer, this is a great option for the money.

The Waterbury range does that great thing of blending modern style with a retro twist. Some hail this as the best-looking of all the Timex watches (others say it’s the Weekender).

It has a 42mm case and 22mm thickness. It’s certainly chunky compared to others in the Timex collection, big by comparison, but in the grand scheme of things it’s still not too big. It looks just right on a larger wrist.

It has a greenish-yellow face and matching indices which, though they look it, aren’t luminous. But thanks to Indiglo, they don’t need to be.

Overall, it feels like you’re getting more than you pay for. It’s certainly more durable than some budget offerings thanks to a stainless steel case and mineral crystal glass.

With water-resistance of up to 50m and a supple leather wristband, it’s another timeless classic from Timex.

Fairfield

$39 / £27

The Fairfield is worth a mention. It’s another budget watch but looks really great, especially considering the sub-$40 price tag.

Timex put effort into making this watch look fun and stylish at the same time. It comes in versions for men and women, too. Either way, you get quartz movement on the inside, a 50m water-resistance rating and, you’ve guessed it, Indiglo.

What alternatives are there?

If you like the look of what Timex is producing, but have a little more in your pocket to spend, you should read our review of the beautiful Skagen Falster 3.

Maygen

Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

Introduction

Finding affordable watches that weigh in under $200 might seem like hard work. Swiss-made watches, proper watches, are very expensive. They’ve been painstakingly made with love and precision.

Swiss-made watches are the best you can get. But, you can get your hands on a decent watch that delivers bang for your buck.

Some watches won’t tick with platinum-plated movement. Not all are made from titanium or ceramic. Some won’t offer you a precise ECG reading of your heart. But you can get something that holds a timeless design where the simplicity of the build means it’ll be reliable for many years.

If you’re here for the kind of watches that stockbrokers and investors wear, you’re in the wrong place (but you can find that here).

Let’s take a look into some great men’s watches that look fantastic but fall under $200

G-Shock – GA-700SK-1AER

$159 / £129

Usually, with a budget watch, you get a simple, minimalistic and sleek design. Uncluttered faces and basic wristbands. Not here. Not with G-Shock. G-Shock has always been associated with chunky devices.

The GA-700SK-1AER is a skeleton watch, too, so you can see right inside.

It exudes the 80s. The case is a clear resin which is both water-resistant (to 200m) and scratch-proof thanks to the mineral crystal face. This in itself for the price, is sensational. It also has a funky LED backlight which makes the whole thing a bit of a showpiece.

Timex – T80

$99 / £55

Swiss watches are often understated and simple. Timex takes these characteristics and folds them into a sub $100 watch.

This stainless steel 34mm digital watch is instantly recognisable in either silver, gold, rose gold or black.

It has their trademark Indiglo backlight (and if you think that’s cool, you can read more about the Indiglo collection here).

Another throw-back, this watch takes us to the 80s. It’s a fun-looking device with some serious functions.

It has an expansion wristband that can be changed, a light-up face and can go to 30m under water.

Accurist – MB955B

$159.99 / £129.99

If you’re old enough, you’ll remember the talking clock that you could call on your landline by dialling 123. If not, there’s not enough time to go into what a landline is.

Accurist are timekeepers and they make some vintage offerings that are, unsurprisingly, incredibly accurate.

This men’s watch is a little Del Boy looking, and that is perfectly OK. It comes with quartz movement inside. It’s a 31mm golden stainless steel case and band with a square, black dal. The face itself offers you the time and the date, hour and minute markers but no numbers.

Rotary Canterbury Chrono

$179.99 / £159

An actual Swiss-made chronograph under $200.

This 40mm by 10mm stainless steel watch offers 50m water-resistance under a sapphire crystal dome. It has a genuine black leather strap which can be swapped for a metal bracelet. The face offers three sub-dials as well as the date and time. The numerals are Roman.

You really won’t find a better-priced genuine Swiss-made chronograph for this price.

Jean Paul Gaulthier Pilote

$189 / £159

You might be surprised that you can get a JPG watch for under $200, but the reality is that most of the range is in and around this price point.

Many years of aviation has inspired this watch in its design and technology. It gives you the date and time as well as showing off traditional time hands. There’s a real sense of flair, here.

It’s made of stainless steel in a whopping 45mm case. The dial is black with baton hour markers. The glass on top is mineral crystal. The strap is made of leather and the whole thing offers 100m of water-resistance.

MVMT Opar

$169 / £139

MVMT is a home-grown brand that has experienced a surge in popularity recently. Rightly so, too. The Opar showcases just how insanely-good-looking minimal can be.

Inspired by mid-century watches, the Opar is a stainless steel 41mm case with a matching stainless steel bracelet and a dome of a crystal lens on top. The dial has multiple functions and sings in a deep navy blue.

Inside it’s powered by quartz movement and will dive up to 50m with you (so, more likely in a shower or heavy drain; don’t go diving in it).

Daniel Wellington Warwick Watch

$179 / £139

Back in 2006 a Swedish businessman met a fellow from England as they backpacked across Australia. This Englishman wore a battered Rolex on a NATO strap that had seen better days. Only 3 years later, Daniel Wellington watches hit the market, named after that Englishman. The watch was a huge success.

It has a stainless steel case and white dial. It can withstand 30m of water-resistance (splashes, not dives).

The case is 40mm by 6mm and the nylon strap comes in a funky two-tone.

Summary

Some people wouldn’t bother to sniff at a watch under $1,000 for fear of plastic cases. The truth is, you can pick up a very good-looking, functional and reliable timepiece for a price that won’t make you cry if you do accidentally break it. All the while, it’ll blend in with any outfit, for any occasion.

If there’s a lady in your life who might like something new, but you’re on a budget. Check out our review of affordable watches for women.