I don’t wear a lot of jewelry. I hate rings. I’m not a fan of necklaces. Aside from my messenger bag, the only other accessory I have on me is a watch.
To me, a perfect watch is one of those accessories that can elevate your style from good to great. It can be casual, classy, or formal, and really adds that finishing touch to any outfit.
For Stylish Carry fans, here are some great watch selections for guys that fit with different budget levels and styles.
Casual style on a budget – the Timex Weekender
This is my go-to casual watch. It’s got everything that you need to go with your casual outfits, as far as I’m concerned.
The Weekender has a nice canvas band in military green (that goes with pretty much everything), as well as a clean watch face that’s not too big, but not too small. It’s also got the perfect amount of decorative “stuff” to make it stand out on your wrist but not look too bulky.
Features
- That famous Timex “Indiglo” light up face so you can see the time in the dark
- It tells time in both 12-hour and military time
- Water resistant up to 30M or 100ft
Pros
- The canvas band makes this a perfect casual weekend watch
- The neutral color works with all kinds of neutral-based outfits (and messenger bags)
- Comes in two other colors, which I don’t like as much, but they will match different types of outfits
Cons
It ticks a bit loud, which is an issue with all Timex watches, from what I’ve seen. Not a problem during the day, but when I’m sleeping at night, I can hear it. So I keep all my Timex watches in a closet – problem solved.
Summary
You can’t go wrong with Timex as a brand, and the Weekender is their top casual offering, in my opinion. Plus, it’s about $40, which is just an amazing value for the money.
Step your game up a bit with the Timex Waterbury
Need something a little classier? Spend a bit more for the classic Timex Waterbury with a blue leather strap.
Not quite as casual as the Weekender, but it still isn’t a “formal” piece. It’s the kind of thing you can wear to work or on a casual coffee date. The blue strap is beautiful, but the Waterbury comes in many styles (I’ll post some more options below).
Features
- Stainless steel case with mineral window
- Quartz movement keeps great time
- Blue genuine leather band
- Water resistant to 50 m or 165 ft
Pros
- Great looking watch that comes in a ton of color and face varieties
- Classic design never goes out of style, unlike a lot of the new “fashion” or trendy watch types
- Solid steel construction means a quality build that doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap, even for the price
Cons
Same issue as the Weekender – ticking is loud
Summary
I wear a Waterbury on a daily basis. It’s just a great all-around watch for everyday use. Here are some other great style options for you:
A bit pricier – the Shinola Runwell Blue Dial
For something a little fancier, but still with a casual cool look, you may want to go with the Shinola Runwell. It’s a great looking watch that will complement any outfit, but still at an affordable price (given that this is a piece of jewelry you’ll keep for a long time)!
Features
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Quartz movement
- 38 mm size
- Water resistant to 5ATM
- Has an easy-to-use tang clasp
Pros
- High quality watch that’s made in the USA
- Sexy gold rim around the watch face looks great with your neutral colored bag and outfit
- Beautiful leather strap
Cons
None that I can think of!
Summary
Looking for a great watch that’s under $300? You can’t go wrong with the Shinola. The blue face contrasts with the gold ring around the face, and the styling on the numerals and text on the face just looks so cool to me.
Conclusion
There’s a ton of great watches out there for any style and any budget. These are just my picks, but they’re ones that I think look great and won’t break the bank.
Personally, I alternate between the Waterbury and the Weekender, depending on how casual I want to go. I don’t have a need for much formal wear, so those suit me just fine.
Have a better watch recommendation? Post it in the comments.
And check out this YouTube video on watch style from AlphaM!
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