Watch does not just display the time—it is something that speaks to your style, status, and attention to detail. Whether a college student of limited means or a working individual who wants to spend money on a good quality watch, you will find something in this full guide to address the usually mind-boggling world of watches at all costs.
Budget-Friendly Gems: Under ₹1,000
Not all fashionable watches have to be expensive. For beginners building up their collection or those on a tight budget, there are quite decent alternatives.
Our Top Pick: Casio MRW200H
This watch delivers more than a punch above its price class with amenities you’d find in significantly more expensive ones:
- 100m water resistance
- Functional rotating bezel
- Strong, tough build
- Spacious 44mm case size
- Tough look great for everyday wear
Style Tip: Combine this with weekend casual wear or outdoor-inspired fashion for a cool, effortless look.
The Student’s Choice: ₹1,000-1,600
University life requires a watch that is practical, tough, and doesn’t need babysitting.
Best Value: Timex Expedition MF13 (₹1,600)
This field watch provides great value with:
- Versatile analog-digital display
- Signature Indiglo backlight for night legibility
- Practical rotating bezel
- Tough design that can take campus life
Fashion Tips: Don’t forget, you’re a student now—there’ll be plenty of time to indulge in luxury when your career is going places!
Daily Must-Haves: ₹2,000-4,000
This budget category has a myriad of choices, which we have separated into digital and analog segments.
Digital Standouts:
- Casio AE1200 (₹2,200) – The “World Time” feature makes this ideal for travelers
- Casio A158 or A168 – Retro steel band designs that are now fashion icons
- Casio W-216 or F-91W (₹3,200) – Chic classics that go with anything
A Word of Caution: This bracket is filled to the brim with dodgy “mechanical” watches from untrusted brands. They tend to use cheap movements which fail soon after and cannot be repaired. Where mechanical watches are concerned, worth waiting for good ones.
Stepping Up: ₹4,000-6,000
At this budget, you can start checking out using higher-quality material and construction.
Our Picks:
- CASIO TIFFANY ANALOG MTP1302D 2A2V – The Casio Tiffany Analog MTP1302D 2A2V is a refined and sophisticated timepiece, featuring a sleek silver dial with minimalistic design elements. Paired with a stainless steel band, this watch exudes eleganc
- Casio Edifice Analog Black Dial Men EFV-100L-1AVUDF (₹4,900) – From Casio’s high-end line, featuring authentic stainless steel build and 100m water resistance with finer finishing
Style Tip: These watches walk the fine line between formal and casual, thus making great additions to universal wardrobes.
The Icon: ₹6,000-7,000
G-Shock DW5600-E
This iconic watch provides:
- Nearly indestructible build
- Industry-standard shock resistance
- Stunning 200m water resistance
- Solar power that means no battery replacements
- A design sported by celebrities and fashion icons globally
Fashion Forward: Though it started life as a utilitarian watch, the G-Shock has now become a true fashion statement.
The Sweet Spot: ₹8,000-10,000
This is the sweet spot where mechanical and automatic watches become a real possibility.
Quartz Exceptions Worth Considering:
- Casio MDV106 – Often called the “Duro,” this dive watch offers incredible value
- Casio Edifice EFR series – Premium finishing with sapphire crystal on select models like the EF-1
Why Consider Mechanical Now: At this price point, quartz watches (battery-powered) begin to offer diminishing returns, while the world of mechanical watches starts to open up with proper craftsmanship and heritage movements.
Investment Pieces: ₹10,000-15,000
The Fashion Watch Trap
Some popular fashion influencers suggest Guess, Armani, Michael Kors, Daniel Wellington, and MVMT within this budget. These “fashion watches” generally:
- Are designed by apparel or accessory firms with minimal experience
- Have generic movements produced in China or Hong Kong
- Charge high prices for the brand alone
- Tend to develop signs of wear (such as plating issues) within 1-2 years
Improved Options: Look at imported automatic watches from reputable watchmaking companies. Although they may take a little effort to procure, the level of quality is significantly higher.
Insider Tip: Seiko 5 automatic watches provide fantastic value at this level, bringing together Japanese technology and classic design.
Foray into Luxury Segment: ₹20,000-30,000
Here, well-established global watchmaking companies become affordable.
Suggested Brands:
- Citizen (Citizen Automatic Gents Watch Blue Dial – NJ0150-81L)
- Seiko (especially the SRBT series)
Market Reality: India charges very high import duties on watches, which price many international models much higher than their international price. Keep this in mind when comparing these over the internet.
Serious Collectors: ₹40,000-50,000
The range opens one to well-established mechanical watches of heritage and quality.
Standout Choices:
- Seiko SARB mechanical watches
- Some Swiss-made entry-level luxury watches
Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice
When selecting a watch, remember these key principles:
- Prioritize Quality Over Brand Names: Especially in the mid-range, where fashion brands charge premiums for basic components.
- Consider Longevity: A well-chosen watch can last decades or even become an heirloom.
- Fit to Your Lifestyle: Water resistance, ruggedness, and good looks must fit into your way of life.
- Shop to Understand: Know what you’re getting, especially with mechanical watches.
- Love What You Buy: In the end, the watch you’ll wear the most is the one that reflects your own style.
