While the latest smartwatches bring cutting-edge technology and advanced features to your wrist, they will never entirely replace the classic dress watch. The best men’s watch is still and will always be an elegant analogue timepiece.
That sophisticated men’s watch can be a priceless diamond-encrusted wonder but it doesn’t have to be. You can elevate your personal style even with an investment in a relatively affordable men’s watch for under S$1,000.
Choosing the best men’s watch
When looking for the best men’s watch, here are the 10 key factors to consider.
- Design: Dress watches should be simple and understated. Go for a clean, uncluttered dial with easy-to-read markers and hands above excessive complications and busy designs common to sports watches and casual watches.
- Profile: A dress watch should be slim enough to fit under the cuff of a dress shirt or suit. Thick, bulky watches look out of place in formal settings.
- Case material: Stainless steel and precious metals like gold or rose gold are the best choices for a dress watch.
- Strap material: Leather straps and metal bracelets are the most common for dress watches. Colours such as black, brown or tan are popular but unique colours such as emerald green may complement some outfits.
- Movement type: The traditional craftsmanship of mechanical movements, especially automatic movements, is highly desirable in a dress watch. However, quartz movements can be more accurate and require less maintenance.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal gives superior scratch resistance and offers the best clarity. Mineral crystals and acrylic are not as durable.
- Water Resistance: While dress watches are obviously not designed for water-related activities, they should offer at least some water resistance to protect against accidental splashes or light rain.
- Clean look: Embrace subtlety. A dress watch should be discreet and free of large logos and branding, as well as ostentatious colours and designs.
- Versatility: A good dress watch should transition effortlessly from formal events to everyday wear. Remember, a versatile design allows you to get the most out of your investment.
Price: While price always plays a part in a purchase decision, it isn’t as strong a factor here as we have already narrowed these watches down to the sub-S$1,000 range. It’s much more important that you choose a model that fits your sense of style and fashion in terms of colour, design and material.
Best men’s watch in Singapore
Here are some of the best examples of horological craftsmanship priced under S$1,000. Some are from renowned Japanese manufacturers with decades of watchmaking heritage as well as specimens of Swiss precision engineering.
1. Bulova Classic 98B297
- Case diameter: 45 mm
- Case height: 10.8 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Mineral
- Water Resistance: 100 m
Buy now from S$410 on Lazada
2. Timex Marlin Automatic TW2V44500
- Case diameter: 40 mm
- Case height: 13 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel Leather
- Movement type: Automatic
- Crystal: Acrylic
- Water Resistance: 50 m
Buy now from S$498 on Lazada Shopee
3. Orient Bambino 38mm Automatic RA-AC0M04Y
- Case diameter: 38 mm
- Case height: 13 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Leather
- Movement type: Automatic
- Crystal: Mineral
- Water Resistance: 30 m
Buy now from S$283 on Lazada Shopee
4. Daniel Wellington Iconic Chronograph GM
- Case diameter: 42 mm
- Case height: 9.65 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Mineral
- Water Resistance: 100 m
Buy now from S$429 on Lazada Shopee
5. Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPB41J1
- Case diameter: 40.5 mm
- Case height: 11.8 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Automatic
- Crystal: Hardlex glass
- Water Resistance: 50 m
Buy now from S$425 on Lazada Shopee
6. Orient Sun & Moon Automatic RA-AK0008S
- Case diameter: 42.5 mm
- Case height: 14 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Leather
- Movement type: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 50 m
Buy now from S$465 on Lazada Shopee
7. Longines Conquest L37294566
- Case diameter: 43 mm
- Case height: mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 50 m
Buy now from S$939 on Lazada Shopee
8. Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 T1374071104100
- Dial diameter: 40 mm
- Case height: 10.9 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 100 m
Buy now from S$990 on Lazada Shopee
9. HAMILTON Jazzmaster H32451181
- Case diameter: 40 mm
- Case height: 10.2 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 50 m
Buy now from S$549 on Lazada Shopee
10. Tissot T-Classic Tradition Perpetual Calendar T063.637.16.057.00
- Case diameter: 42 mm
- Case height: 11 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Leather
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 100 m
Buy now from S$465 on Lazada
11. Citizen Eco-Drive Stiletto AR3071-87E
- Case diameter: 38.4 mm
- Case height: 10 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Solar
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 30 m
Buy now from S$329 on Lazada
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