Five Watches On The Budget For Christmas
Christmas is at the door and as usual, at this time, families gather around the table in a pleasant atmosphere and exchange gifts, the hustle of last-minute shopping in search of the perfect gift has been a reality for some years now and we understand why, people have a very intense active life and what is not important ends up being left behind, and this year there is an extraordinary factor that helps to complicate this task even more, which is the economic crisis that we are experiencing translated into high inflation that reduces the family budget.
For this reason and contrary to what happened last year, this year we decided not to present gift suggestions for different budget levels, but rather to give five watches (…and a few more alternatives) launched during 2022 on-budget (from € 35 to € 999) that gathered the consensus of our editors. Our small contribution to this challenging task.
Casio G-Shock GA-B2100
Our first suggestion goes to a G-Shock in addition to being a perfect beater watch, it’s fun, comfortable to wear and brings many useful functions, so our suggestion falls on the GA-2100 better known in slang as CasiOak.
This year we saw the arrival of the GA-B2100, a second generation, that maintains exactly the same shape aesthetics on the outside and also the layout on the display. As a novelty, the introduction of Bluetooth connectivity will allow connection to the Smartphone through a set of functionalities, and second, the introduction of Tough Solar charging technology no longer depends on the conventional battery.
This release brought five new variants in different colours to which the brand has occasionally added others, so there are many options for all tastes, to choose from, with prices starting at €149.
But we have another suggestion that is more into account if € 149 is a little above your budget, which is the Casio WS1400H, it is not a Casio G-Shock but no one will be disappointed, as it has the same robustness and design as the first G-Shock from 1983 the DW-5000C, also available in different colours, that comes with multiple functions including a 60-lap memory, all this for an incredible price of €35.
Q Timex Chronograph
Our second suggestion is for a chronograph, as a self-respecting collector should always have at least one watch in his collection with this complication, and in that sense, we think that the recent launch of the new Q Timex Chronograph fits perfectly.
The new Q Timex Chronograph, inspired by the retro design and presented two variants, one with a panda dial and the other with an inverted panda dial, which soon reminded one of the old Rolex Daytona.
Housed in a well-balanced 40mm steel case with hiding lugs, featuring three registers on the dial, quartz movement and offered on a leather strap or steel bracelet, for a competitive price of €199 and €219, promises to be one of the most sought after watches in that category.
Another alternative to the Q Timex Chronograph is another of this year’s hot launches, the ceramic-plastic Moonswatch, which has “shaken” the entire watchmaking community all over the world and driven thousands almost crazy in the search for one of these watches, there are many variants available with prices starting at €260. The challenge is really to find one, taking into account the scarce availability in many countries despite the fact that many months have passed since its launch.
Tissot PRX 35mm
For a sports watch, our choice is the new Tissot PRX 35mm, whose versatility allows it to also be used as a dress watch.
After last year we saw the exciting Tissot PRX in 40mm hit the market in the “Gerald Genta” style of the 70s, this year the brand decided to offer the many fans a new size of 35mm, the new size arrives now and only with quartz movement and sunburst dial, with the golden version reminiscent of another of the hot launches of the year, the Vacheron Constantin 222, and proving to be an excellent affordable alternative to this one.
It should also be said that the more purist community is still waiting for the release of the automatic version (Powermatic 80) with a waffle dial and by the way with a fluted bezel in 35mm, just like the 40mm version, and in that sense we believe that should take place in 2023, as the launch of the PRX 35mm Powermatic 80 steel & 18K gold bezel proved that the reliable automatic movement fits perfectly in the 35mm diameter case. As far as pricing is concerned, the new PRX 35mm starts at €375.
But this year’s novelties within the PRX universe were not limited to the new size, there were also interesting launches in the wider versions, of which we highlight the T137.410.11.091.01 which comes with a beautiful aqua green dial with a textured vertical pattern that many already call the Tissot PRX Tiffany, colour that we would also like to see extended to the 35mm size.
We also have cheaper alternatives for this category, such as the Citizen NJ0150, which comes in the same style, with a 40mm steel case and integrated bracelet, several colour alternatives on the dial and also adds an automatic movement, all for a price of €280. However, we warn that it is still difficult to find retailers within Europe that sell them.
Seiko 5 Sports GMT
Another of the complications that could not be missing from our list is the dual time zone watch and here our choice was easy since in terms of design, quality and price the new Seiko 5 Sports GMT is almost unbeatable.
Like the other diverse models in the 5 Sports line, the new 5 Sports GMT features an exterior design and dial layout based on the legendary SKX model. The new watches now add a dual timer function supported by an extra central hand and a 24-hour rotating bezel plus a date window with Cyclops.
There are three variants, in black, blue or orange and with a bi-colour bezel, equipped inside with an automatic movement and completed outside with the traditional steel Jubilee bracelet.
With prices starting at €470, a bargain when compared to the price of the discontinued SKX, when today it is difficult to find a new or in perfect condition for less than €1,000.
Hamilton Murph 38mm
The last of our suggestions is a fairly recent and almost unexpected release, as the brand seems to have heard many fans who have been asking for the Murph in a more moderate size for some time now.
The new Murph in 38mm which is a field watch can also be worn as a dress watch just like the Tissot PRX we talked about above, it comes with the same classic look as its bigger brother, characterized by a classic black dial with Arabic hour numerals and cathedral hands in beige tones.
But the great novelty of this watch is in fact its size, whose stainless-steel case, in addition to being reduced by 4mm in diameter, also sees the lug-to-lug distance reduced by more than 7mm, allowing the new 38mm Murph to fit most wrists, even the most modest ones. Everything else remains, namely the internal automatic movement and the same type of black leather strap on the outside.
It should also be noted that the watch comes with a price of €945 slightly cheaper than the base 42mm version.
Citizen Promaster Mechanical Diver 200M (Bonus)
And as everyone must have noticed that our list lacks a diving watch, we decided at the last minute to introduce a bonus watch in this category, it is the Citizen NB6021-17E.
The new Citizen has a classic design inspired by old diving watches, whose price of around € 649 is a real bargain compared to the value that the watch adds, namely a super titanium case, sapphire glass, 200m of water resistance and automatic movement with an average accuracy of +/- 10 to 20 seconds per day. If we consider that the Seiko SPB143 with a very similar design and characteristics that comes with a steel case costs more than twice the price of the Citizen, everything is said.
These are our choices, with certainty that there will be many others as much or more interesting than these and so we leave here the challenge of leaving your alternative choices or suggestions below in the comments.
Most of the watches presented have already been reviewed by us in other articles and that is why we also leave the link in case you want to know more about each one of them.
