On Click Tempus we show a lot of watches that are way beyond the reach of the average income earner. They are undoubtedly fascinating to marvel at, but the reality is, Britain remains in the grip of a severe financial squeeze. The latest survey of spending by the Office for National Statistics shows that the biggest category of expenditure, at £65.70 a week, is transport – personal transport, the unavoidable act of endlessly pumping premium priced petrol into the car. Then there’s gas, electricity, both of which have increased, supermarket shopping, TV licence, broadband, mobile – and that doesn’t include the big ticket items like the mortgage and the council tax. And why is it that pot holes around town increase in direct relation to council tax price hikes?
And yet for all that, it still remains vitally important to keep listening to that inner voice that whispers to every horological hobbyist– it’s time for a new watch.
You don’t need one, your partner definitely doesn’t want you to have one, and you haven’t got the money to afford a high-end one, but has that ever stopped you? Of course not. Here then are 5 economic squeeze considerations that you can sneak onto a credit card and slip quietly into the watch collection with the minimum of fuss. She’ll never know.
SEIKO Sportura Chronograph SNAE91P1
Sportura is SEIKO’s leading sports watch collection. Inspired by high-performance motor sport, each Sportura watch is presented in a high-grade stainless steel case, with 10 bar water resistance and a non-reflective sapphire crystal. this watch comes with multiple chronographs, alarm and water resistance for up to 100 metres. Other functions include a date display and glowing hands & markers. Being a SEIKO, you know it will last till long after the thrill of it is dead and gone. £315.00
Gucci G-Timeless
Of the many fashion brands that churn out designer watches, and let’s face it, they’re all at it these days, Gucci still seems to produce some of the most stylish. I don’t know if Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini had a hand in the design of this elegant dress watch, but she has a lot of style. This watch comes in stainless steel casing with a chocolate brown dial, there’s even a matching ladies version if you want peace to break out at home. £495.00
Swiss Military Hanowa Ranger
Swiss Military Hanowa really do supply watches to the Swiss military. Like all their quartz models, this crisp clean three hander runs on a Swiss quartz movement, which usually lasts for between 5 to 7 years. Other quality hallmarks include a super light and resilient black fibreglass case and Superluminova hands. This watch is available online for as little as £85.00.
Lotus Multifunctional Watch
Lotus is part of the Festina Group whom we featured recently in our Closer Look At series. Founded by Spanish businessman Miguel Rodriguez, this is Spain’s number one selling watch brand by some way, and they are now starting to make in-roads into Germany and France. This model is an angled stainless steel watch, again with a quartz movement with date at three o’clock. Priced at around £100, possibly less if you surf around for it.
Casio EQW-M600C-1AER Edifice Radio Solar Chronograph
These incredibly reliable Casio watches run on a remote controlled solar powered quartz battery. The watch is kept right on time by regular time signals from anywhere across Europe. Being solar powered it takes its power from just about any light source. The world timer displays time in up to 29 different time zones. £220 and it’s yours.
Swatch SURB 105 Touch Camouflage
Time to head back to Switzerland, and it’s comforting to note that the fortunes of the world’s biggest watch group Swatch, are not built on their high-end portfolio such as Breguet, Omega, Blancpain or even Tissot, but on the simple Swatch Watch. They haven’t allowed the Swatch to fall behind the times. As can be seen by the Swatch Touch. This model comes in several colours including this grey-green camouflage pattern. Running on a Swiss quartz movement, this watch has an LCD touch display with time and date and two time zones. Around £95.00
