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Affordable Watches With Class, Style & Quality
Welcome to our exploration of affordable watches that offer both style and quality. In this Advisory post, we will delve into the captivating world of highly affordable timepieces, highlighting Casio, Island Watch, and the renowned Japanese triad of Orient, Seiko, and Citizen. Prepare to be amazed by the unique features, exceptional craftsmanship, and affordable prices of these watches.
1. Casio ($20-$40) - Unleashing the Quartz Revolution:
At first glance, Casio watches may appear unassuming, but their impact on the watch industry is immeasurable. The introduction of quartz watches completely transformed the market, rendering accuracy no longer a matter of high price. Quartz movements offered better timekeeping at a fraction of the cost compared to mechanical watch movements, marking the dawn of "The Quartz Crisis." Casio, unbounded by limits, packed remarkable features into these small timepieces. From iconic calculator watches to versatile models with alarms, timers, and luminescence, Casio watches captured the hearts and wrists of many. They are even water resistant to 30ft. You won’t be able to swim or shower with them, but they will easily withstand everyday necessities like washing your hands or dishes. Choose a Casio model that speaks to you, this is the one I personally chose → Here, combining affordability and functionality in a single package. They come in an array of different colours and bracelet styles. A few notable ones are the gold Casio, to inject a whole lot of class to your outfit for a tiny price tag click → Here!
2. Island Watch ($200 - $500) - Affordable Luxury Inspired by Aerospace Engineering:
Founded by Mark, a former aerospace engineer, Island Watch is not your typical watch brand. As an authorized dealer for select brands and creator of their own line, Island Watch offers extremely affordable timepieces with unique characteristics. Mark started off modding Seiko watches to have features that the fans of their watches were yearning for. Seeing an opportunity to provide excellent watches at a great price, he started his own line of watches under the Long Island Watch brand. While inspired by popular styles, these watches are far from being direct ripoffs. They incorporate distinctive elements and boast exquisite dials, making Long Island Watch stand out. The watches feature screw-in links for easy adjustments and solid steel bracelets and end links (the portion of the bracelet that connects to the main watch body) for durability, eliminating the issues associated with folded steel links. Additionally, the sapphire crystal (crystal is also the term which refers to the clear portion that covers the watch face, it just happens that actual crystals are now used) provides unmatched scratch resistance. Explore Island Watch's collection [Affiliate Link] to find a lasting timepiece that suits your taste, like the elegant Manhasset dress watch ($285 - https://rb.gy/x84jp ), the green mother of pearl and sunburnt maroon are my favourites, or the unique Northport dive watch ( $429 - https://rb.gy/da5cm ) with its rippled dial inspired by the mesmerizing ocean.
3. The Triad (Orient, Seiko, Citizen) - Japanese Mastery:
Ah, the Japanese, akin to Germans in their engineering prowess but unlike the Krauts they offer unparalleled affordability and quality that far exceeds its price tag. Orient, Seiko, and Citizen are your go-to brands for style and functionality. While the differences among them may not be immediately discernible, each has its own loose specialty. Citizen stands out with its exceptional Eco-Drive solar-powered watches, prompting Seiko to explore other movements while still offering a wide array of automatic and solar options. Seiko's models are often inspired by famous designs, providing unique variations that distinguish them from direct clones, namely their Chronographs that mimic elements and colourways from Rolex’s Infamous Daytona chronograph. If you're seeking an affordable (well under $500) automatic timepiece, Orient is the brand to consider. They offer a range of complications (a complication is anything inside the watch that tells something other than time, for example a moonphase indicator, or timer in a chronograph are complications) and elegant dress watches with tasteful gold accents and leather bands. Seiko excels in sportier options like chronographs and rugged diving watches but their automatic options will start around $500. The beauty of these brands lies in their affordability and remarkable build quality, allowing you to explore slightly more lavish features, complications or materials. For instance, my personal choice for my first watch, a titanium Citizen watch, has withstood rough conditions while maintaining its solar-powered precision. The lightweight, sturdy full titanium construction and deep gray color make it a timeless favorite although not the same as mine, an exquisite dive watch variant one can be found Here. A seiko of note is the ever popular chronograph, the complication that was specifically made for people who spend time on the race track honing in their lap times, you can find the ever popular “Panda” variant → Here. Lastly the Orient, possibly the classiest look of the bunch, featuring a sun and moon complication, and a date-day complication. It is an extremely unique piece placing the apertures for the complications in locations not seen on most watches and it is all wrapped in a package that has tasteful elegance without being too flashy. It will also make you have a more personal connection with the watch as it is a manual movement, meaning you will have to wind it by hand in order to keep it running which creates a deeper bond it as it becomes part of your morning routine before putting it on. You can find the Orient Sun and Moon → Here
Affordable watches need not compromise on style or quality. Casio, Island Watch, and the Japanese triad offer a diverse range of timepieces that cater to different preferences and budgets. Take advantage of our affiliate links to explore these brands further and find the perfect watch for yourself. Stay tuned for our next Advisory post, where we will delve into micro-brands that combine unique designs with long-lasting Swiss or Japanese movements
We Love this Orient Sun and Moon Watch
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