wristwatch
Should the colour of the dial match that of his luxury yacht, for example, you can be fairly sure he’s a man with expensive taste. Just as you can tell that someone sporting a Snoopy emblem encased in a gnarled piece of plastic they once won from a video arcade is probably the sort of man who still lives in the basement of his mum’s house.
Still, watches are more than gaudy gauges of wealth - pick wisely and you don’t need to fork out gargantuan sums on a wristwatch to prove you’re a cultured and style savvy man-about-town.
There are some truly tremendous and smartly designed timepieces out there for much, much less than you’d think. So with gifting season almost upon us we thought it about time to select 15 of the best watches under £100.
Tayroc - TXM095 [£90]
Mesh straps are massively on trend in the watch world, which means some watchmakers could just hike up the price. Not Tayroc though, who has created this sublime and reasonably priced style with suave gold features.
Unknown – Dandy [£85]
Aptly if annoyingly, not much is known about the debut range of Unknown. Not even the release date or stockist (we believe Selfridge's at some point in November). All we really do know is that this elegant model will be priced at £85, which, as you'll agree, is well worth the wait.
Fossil - The Meter Three Hand [£85]
Like your watches to be based on something weird and wonderful? Well this design takes its unique look from a vintage parking meter, while its three-hand boasts an east/west rectangle case and roulette dial with a bar signifying the hour, minute and second.
Swatch - Poplooking [£54]
Get bored of your possesions rpetty easily? Then invest in a customisable Pop Swatch watch, where you can chagne the colour of the strap and force with ease through a vast number of different combinations.
Buy it here
French Connection – Croc Leather [£55]
How this crocodile strap French Connection watch is only priced at £55 is beyond us. Seriously, does it contain an eternal curse made by an elderly gypsy woman before she was killed by said reptile? We're not sure, but with such an immaculate, refined finish, not to mention that striking blue seconds hand, we'll take it.
Diesel - DZ1513 [£99]
Not the catchiest of names, but with its slick minimal branding, unusual face and use of neon yellow, who needs a pretentious name?
Rotary - Windsor Day Date [£92.65]
What time is it? Time for tea and biscuits on the lawn, that’s what. This crocodile textured leather watch looks so suave and sophisticated it’s really hard to fathom that it costs less than a £100
Buy it here
Nixon - Time Teller [£85]
Despite sounding like something uttered by Harry Potter on one of his boring adventures, a classic stainless steel strap and a wood effect face is as cool as the Time Teller gets. It’s sure cast its spell on us.
adidas - Stan Smith [£55]
From tracksuit tops worn by a pair of swaggering Gallaghers back in the late 'Nineties, to football kits of the same era, Mancunian style and terrace culture has enjoyed a rich modern history with adidas. Head back to a simpler time with this affordable Stan Smith model.
ASOS - Minimalist Watch With Gold Hands [£22]
You don’t need to look like you work in an architecture firm with Steve Jobs dress code as standard to wrap this minimalist and ultra-affordable watch across your wrist. Though it will probably help.
Pulsar – Chronograph Solar Powered [£83]
A solar powered chronograph watch? You’re practically saving the world mate, and looking good at the same time. High five yourself, you deserve it.
Sekonda - leather strap chronograph [£89.99]
With rose gold plated batons and neat silver touches on the chronograph sub-dials, you’d be hard pressed to find a more affordable future family heirloom. It’s the sort of watch that makes you want to have a kid just for the simple act of handing it down. But best avoiding that.
Buy it here
Casio - A163WA-1QES [£30]
Go full on Eighties with your look by heading back in time with this water resistant digital Casio watch with buckle fastening. It’s no DeLorean, but what do you expect for £30?
Buy it here
Timex - Indiglo Weekender
Give your outfit a workwear boost with this khaki fabric strap watch and look like you work outside chopping wood for a living. Shhh, no one needs to know you work in an office as a recruiter.
Buy it here
Ben Sherman - Tonneau Dial [£38.25]
Ben Sherman know a thing or two about vintage British style. For proof of that, look no further than this exemplary tonneau dial timepiece, which is just asking to be worn by a modern day Sherlock Holmes.
Buy it here
