As America hurtles towards default on its debt repayments, and Europe teeters on the brink of an all enveloping Euro crisis, where does a guy turn to for a smart, reliable and above all affordable watch?
Sure it’s great to lust after beautifully crafted and meticulously designed Swiss watches, but look at their price tags and then consider the current unmistakeable air of economic frailty and uncertainty.
It may make more sense to look at your own balance of payments, avoid a deficit and opt for a precautionary move. What this translates to is, save your money and buy a cheaper watch.
Now life in the cheap lane doesn’t have to be all that shabby. You can still choose from a huge variety of fashionable and well designed watches from well known fashion labels and world renowned designers.
The one thing you will have to forego in the $350 or under price bracket is a mechanical movement. At this price range quartz is king – but then seeing as quartz is actually more accurate than mechanical movements many times its price, to insist on a mechanical movement could pull you into bad debt.
Here are five affordable watches that look stylish which we selected, all available from time2.co.uk
New England Union Black Watch
New England produce a range of watches which draw their inspiration from the Carnaby Street/Mod era of 1960s Swinging London. This Old England Union Black unisex watch features a square dial with the Union Jack flag. It’s set within a gold plated steel case. The movement is quartz movement and mineral glass. $183
Guess Lights Out Black Carbon Watch
Guess remains one of the most fashionable and popular of the stylish retro brands. This watch has a black carbon coated dial with sub-dials at 12 and 6 o’clock and oversized orange numbers. This quartz watch comes on a black leather strap with orange stitch detailing. Water resistant to 100 metres. £183
ToyWatch Fluo Watch
ToyWatch is an Italian designer brand which creates fashionable quality watches at low prices. This bright, fun ToyWatch from the Fluo range is in a summery sunshine yellow. Perfect for a beach holiday. The date window is magnified at 3 o’clock . The watch comes on a plastic link bracelet and deployment clasp. Good for splashing about in the sea but not for scuba diving. $206
Armani Exchange Stainless Steel Chronograph
Giorgio Armani is an excellent fashion designer and all his clothes and accessories have flair and style. This Armani Exchange chronograph has a silver dial with sub-dials The date display is at 4:30. The case is stainless steel with a black anodized aluminium insert. Water resistant to 50 metres. $286
Nixon Square Black Dial Watch
Nixon is a California watch brand, aimed very much at the hip urban cool guy. This smart Nixon men’s watch has all black features a black coated stainless steel case with a black dial and a single diamond at 6 o’clock. The bracelet is black stainless steel and the watch is water resistant to 100 metres. $312
