Hello everyone, and welcome to another Singaporean listicle! On this shiok Sunday, I’m rounding up 10 affordable watches – all under $1000, from 10 different brands – that I personally would get from local watch retailer, H2 Hub.
For quite some time now, I’ve had the idea to work with a local watch AD (Authorised Dealer), whereby readers can head down to a physical store to view watches in the metal before making a purchase. I’m pleased to hereby announce that H2 Hub is now an official partner of Wah so Shiok – readers will get an exclusive discount off their web-store! To me, H2 Hub makes for a great AD partner as they are an established homegrown brand with multiple locations in heartland malls, with a focus on affordable watches. Granted, H2 Hub does sell multiple fashion watch brands, but they also offer watches for the serious watch collector, thus catering to both segments of the watch market.
Without further ado, here’s my list of 10 watches for the watch enthusiast, arranged in order of affordability!
1) Timex Weekender
The most affordable option on this list, the Timex Weekender makes for a great no-frills everyday watch.
The Timex Weekender was one of my first watches, and I wore it almost everyday whilst in NS – I’ve fond memories of the watch. It’s rugged, features Timex’s proprietary Indiglo lume, and possesses a minimalist style that never goes out of trend. Most importantly, it’s also incredibly affordable, and can be had for a fraction of the price of a Daniel Wellington. This particular variant comes with an interesting plaid patterned strap, which gives an added pizzazz to the watch and is much more visually intriguing than the usual bi- or tri-coloured striped NATO straps on the Daniel Wellington watches. When you consider that Timex has been making watches since 1854, the Weekender comes across as amazing value. After the discount below, the Timex Weekender can be had for just $63.50 here.
2) Casio G-Shock DW-5600HR
Whilst the latest GA-2100 might be dominating watch headlines currently, if I could only have one G-Shock it would still have to be the DW-5600.
Recently, G-Shock founder Mr. Kikuo Ibe came to Singapore for the “Game Changers” event. Whilst in town, he gave an interview to CNA, whereby he revealed that he only wears three watches – black, white and red variants of the DW-5600 models, modern iterations of the original DW-5600 he designed over three decades ago. I think that speaks volumes about how iconic the DW-5600 is, to the extent that the founder exclusively wears that design! Given that the DW-5600 is one of the most affordable G-shock model currently, I find the watch to be a great value proposition. I really like the stealthy black and red colourway of the DW-5600HR pictured above as well! After the discount below, the G-Shock DW-5600HR can be had for just $125.20 here.
3) Aries Gold Jolter
One of the most affordable mecha-quartz chronographs on the market, the Aries Gold Jolter packs style along with substance with its skeletonised dial. For my detailed thoughts on the Aries Gold Jolter, do read my review of it here.
Aries Gold is a brand that is often scoffed upon by watch enthusiasts, and I think that’s a shame. Personally, I sincerely believe that Aries Gold offers some of the best value propositions that you can get for ~$300. Take the Jolter for example – you get a mecha-quartz chronograph with a skeletonised dial, a big date aperture, stainless steel bracelet, sapphire crystal and even lume for just $318 (after promo code below)! That’s significantly cheaper than most other mecha-quartz chronographs on the market, and Aries Gold has a leg up on most of them due to its wonderfully designed skeletonised dial. If you like chronographs or skeletonised dials, the Aries Gold Jolter is a great option that won’t break the bank! After the discount below, the Aries Gold Jolter can be had for just $318 here.
4) Luminox Sea Turtle Giant
If you are searching for a rugged, bulletproof watch, but dislike the digital displays most G-shock watches feature, the Luminox Sea Turtle Giant is a great alternative.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the brand, Luminox is an American watch brand offering rugged Swiss-made timepieces. Currently, their watches are used in armed forces around the globe, such as the US Navy SEALS, Nighthawk stealth jet pilots, and divers! They are also renowned for their proprietary lume, which glows bright for up to 25 years, even without exposure to a light source. Out of Luminox’s current lineup, my pick has to be the Sea Turtle Giant. It’s stylish, durable, and immensely legible – not bad, given that it’s Luminox’s most affordable model! If it’s good enough for a Navy SEAL, it’s good enough for me. After the discount below, the Luminox Sea Turtle Giant can be had for just $328.12 here.
5) Citizen Automatic Titanium
An often underrated watch brand, Citizen makes some great watches that deserves more attention.
Citizen is a watch brand that has largely flown under the radar – you don’t see the brand covered in watch websites, magazines, or on the wrist of Instagram influencers. The Japanese brand often languishes in the shadow of its domestic counterpart Seiko, and have failed to develop the same cult following Seiko possesses. That’s a shame, as Citizen actually makes some fantastic watches at very affordable prices. If you don’t mind a ticking second hand, check out some of Citizen’s Eco-Drive models – the quartz movements are powered by light, instead of batteries! However, my pick has to be the Citizen Automatic Titanium NJ0090-21L, with its striking blue sunburst dial, off-center sub-seconds dial, and uniquely shaped hands. It’s cased in titanium as well, and should feel like a feather on the wrist. Priced under $400, it is definitely one of the cheapest automatic titanium watches on the market. After the discount code, the Citizen Automatic Titanium watch can be had for just $394.46 here.
6) Seiko Presage Cocktail Time
A watch enthusiast favourite, Seiko has developed a loyal following over the years, with fans loving the brand for their affordability and reliability. Whilst the Seiko dive watches – Samurai, Turtle, SKX, etc – often gets the most attention, my favourite affordable watch from Seiko’s current lineup is actually the Cocktail Time.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Cocktail Time series from Seiko has been one of its most popular line launches in recent memory. Named as such because the watches are meant to invoke a particular cocktail, the Cocktail Time watches are widely regarded as some of the best value dress watches in the market currently. Out of the current lineup, my pick goes to the SRPB41J1, also nicknamed the “Blue Moon”. It has a lovely blue graduation dial, as well as that sunburst texture that is characteristic of the Cocktail Time line of watches. The indices are striking and well-finished as well, and I love that Seiko made the date wheel black to match the dial. Paired on a jubilee style bracelet and powered by the reliable Seiko 4R35 movement – which is visible through an exhibition caseback – the “Blue Moon” is a great dress watch that won’t break the bank. After the discount code, the Seiko Cocktail Time “Blue Moon” can be had for just $438.65 here.
7) WULF Exo
WULF is a local brand that offers Swiss-made skeletonised watches, as well as multi-complications watches, at very affordable prices. For my detailed thoughts on the WULF Exo, do read my review of it here.
If I can sum WULF as a brand up in one word, it would probably be value. Take the WULF Exo for example – it’s a Swiss-made, skeletonised dress watch for less than $700! In comparison, a skeletonised dress watch from one of Swatch Group’s entry level brands such as Tissot or Hamilton would set you back at least twice as much. As the icing on the cake, there’s even a 10 years warranty on all WULF watches – Tissot and Hamilton only offer a 2 year warranty on their watches in contrast. If you want “Swiss-made” on a budget, a WULF watch won’t let you down. After the discount code, the WULF Exo can be had for just $688.60 here.
8) Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80
Perhaps the one brand that you truly can’t go wrong with, Tissot is a great gateway to the world of Swiss horology – it has over 165 years of watchmaking history afterall!
If you’re not into the skeletonised look of the above WULF Exo, and value “brand name”, the Tissot Le Locle makes is a stunning dress watch from an established watch maison. Not only does it feature some beautiful guilloche work, it also possesses applied roman numerals and slender leaf hands for added elegance. It backs its style with substance too, with its Powermatic 80 movement providing an astounding 80 hours of power reserve. That means you can leave the watch in the watch box on Friday, and still find it running on Monday next week! Overall, the Le Locle is definitely my favourite model out of Tissot’s current lineup, and represents great value in a quintessential dress watch form. After the discount, the Tissot Le Locle can be had for just $780 here.
9) Lytt Labs Inception
If you prefer more unconventional timepieces, the Lytt Labs Inception is a piece that is sure to be a conversation starter!
By far the most unique looking watch on this list, the Lytt Labs Inception is for those who want something different. Every aspect of the watch stand out, from its bold square case, to its unconventional way of telling time. This is no usual two or three hander – the Lytt Labs Inception makes use of 3 rotational discs to show the time. There are similar concepts out on the market, most notably SevenFriday, but the Lytt Labs Inception is undoubtely better value at half the price of a SevenFriday P series. It’s much better built too, utilising sapphire crystal (with quadruple layers of AR coating) and powered by the workhorse Seiko NH35 movement. Out of the multiple colourways available, I best like the Code Red, which is visually reminiscent of a roulette wheel. After the discount, the Lytt Labs Inception can be had for just $782 here.
10) Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X Mechanical
Last but not least, the final pick on this list is the Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X Mechanical.
While Victorinox is perhaps best known for making Swiss Army Knifes, they do make timepieces, out of which the I.N.O.X is probably the most popular. When Victorinox updated its I.N.O.X line with mechanical variants last year, it garnered tons of attention from the watch community – Revolution covered it here, and Worn & Wound wrote about it here. Personally, the trait I love about the I.N.O.X is its versatility. It’s a watch that can easily function as an everyday watch or even a dress watch, but it’s also engineered to survive the most extreme of conditions. It’s supposedly so tough, that Victorinox even released a video on the watch surviving a bunch of torture tests. If you’re looking for a tough as nails watch that still oozes elegance and refinement, the Victorinox I.N.O.X is a fantastic choice – I would argue the only choice – under $1000. After the discount, the Victorinox I.N.O.X can be had for just $990 here.
Conclusion:
That wraps up my listicle on the watches I – as a watch enthusiast – would personally get from H2 Hub! I hope you enjoyed the round-up – I tried to include watches across a variety of price points, in various different styles.
For those of you who are keen on any of the watches above, or other watches that H2 Hub offers, there’s a discount! As mentioned earlier, H2 Hub has kindly offered my readers a 5% off all products online – simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy the discount! In addition, H2 Hub also provides engraving services (on the caseback) for just $10. If you’re looking to get a watch for a loved one as a gift, or to commemorate a special occasion, that’s a great option to consider. With over 10 stores island-wide, it is easy to bring the watch to any outlet for repairs/battery change/strap change/wararnty claims as well!
View the full range of watches H2 Hub has to offer here.
P.S Do check out the new “Discounts!” page for exclusive discounts for Wahsoshiok readers! More brands will be added very soon – stay tuned!
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