Round-UpBang For The Buck: 11 Outstanding Watches Under INR 2 Lakh

The biggest misconception about buying a fine timepiece is that one needs to shell out an obscene amount of money for it to be nice and alluring. However, this is far from the truth as there are plenty of high-end and premium watchmakers in the market who craft some terrific timekeeping devices at very accessible price points. In fact, with the number of options out there, it should be more of a task to zero down on a particular watch. With watch brands launching so many new timepieces every year with the latest technology, innovative materials, and cutting-edge design, one can be spoilt for choice. To help you out a bit, we at The Watch Guide have done some homework, and picked out 11 brilliant everyday watches that are quite perfect, without costing a fortune.

Doxa Sub 600T

Released in 2021 to commemorate a dive watch from the 1980s, the Doxa Sub 600T features a steel case that’s distinctly different from the brand’s other dive watches. The 40mm angular tonneau-shape of the case offers a sizeable presence on the wrist, and a 600m water resistance. Unidirectional bezels in sandblasted steel or a black ceramic insert are marked with both dive time and depth. Doxa are known for their bright pops of colour on their dive watches, and the Sub 600T is no exception. Dial options include Professional (orange), Searambler (silver), Divingstar (yellow), Sharkhunter (black), Caribbean (navy) and Aquamarine (turquoise). Shark-tooth indexes mark six, nine, and 12 o’clock, and a date window rests at three, with eight lume-filled dot markers for the rest. These affordable everyday watches are powered by the automatic Sellita SW200-1 calibre, and paired with either a steel bracelet or a cool rubber strap that matches the hue of the dial.

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Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic COSC 

If you are searching for a timepiece with an integrated bracelet, without burning a hole in your pocket, then look no further. The Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic COSC is an exquisite timekeeper with a luxurious appeal and high durability. Yet, it’s far more reasonable than a whole lot of other archetypal steel sport watches with integrated bracelets. Apart from its carefully and flawlessly polished integrated stainless steel bracelet, the timepiece features an almost hexagonal 41mm case with dedicated contouring on its sides that allows it to sit quite comfortably on any wrist. The dial of the watch comes with an engraved grid-like pattern, resembling the imaginary longitude and latitude lines that divide the globe. In addition to the date indicator at three, the dial also features elongated hour markers and baton-style hands, coated with a generous amount of luminous material. The Highlife Automatic COSC is powered by the FC-303 chronometer calibre and has a power reserve of 38 hours. A chronometer watch at this price is not something you’d come across every day!  

The Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic COSC is an exquisite timekeeper with luxurious appeal and high durability

₹1,89,500

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The dial of the watch comes with an engraved grid-like pattern, resembling the imaginary longitude and latitude lines that divide the globe

₹2,27,500

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Apart from its carefully and flawlessly polished integrated stainless steel bracelet, the timepiece features an almost hexagonal 41mm case with dedicated contouring on its sides

₹1,80,000

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The Highlife Automatic COSC is powered by the FC-303 chronometer calibre and has a power reserve of 38 hours

₹2,27,500

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01

Longines HydroConquest

Longines’ collection of dive watches was re-released in 2018, and updated in 2021 to include a dual toned case and bracelet. Today, the HydroConquest collection offers great value, with its functional dive watch characteristics and a finishing that belies its price point. The latest 41mm cases feature a dual-toned bezel, crown and bracelet, with matching highlights on the dial, and a water resistance of 300m. A ceramic insert on the unidirectional bezel that matches the colour of the dial is marked in intervals of 10. Dial colours on these everyday watches include a sunray-brushed black or blue, or a matt-finished green or grey. Arabic numerals and markers, and timekeeping hands match the PVD finished rose or yellow tones of the case, and are filled with Super-LumiNova. The watches are paired with three-link steel straps in a two-tone finish, or rubber straps to match the dial. Powered by the L888.5 automatic calibre, these everyday watches feature a more-than-decent power reserve of 72 hours.

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Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde

Known for their value proposition, Louis Erard timepieces display traditional watchmaking crafts in contemporary forms. The brand’s Excellence Petite Seconde features a round 42mm steel case, with a distinctive fir-shaped crown. Domed sapphire crystal glass protects the dial and the window on the caseback that allows for a view of the Sellita SW261-1 automatic calibre. The matt silver dial features a circular ring in a brushed finish on which glossy silver numerals and indexes stand out. Around the periphery of the dial is a minimal minute track with numerals that complement the hour markers. Blue fir-shaped timekeeping hands are a nod to pine trees found in the Swiss Jura mountains, where the Louis Erard manufacture are based. At six o’clock is the small seconds sub-dial with a circular graining and contrasting blue hand. Mounted on a nubuck calf-leather strap, the elegance of the timepiece lies in its simplicity.

Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic 

Inspired by Maurice Lacroix’s 90s cult favourite—the Calypso—the Aikon collection was first introduced in 2016 and offers timepieces with muscular design and sporty looks. Part of the range is the Aikon Automatic, which has a strong presence on the wrist and is a high-quality luxury watch at a fairly reasonable price point. One of the reasons for this is that Maurice Lacroix manufacture cases and bracelets in their own factory, giving them an upper hand on the quality control of their products, significantly cutting costs. However, the most distinctive feature of these 42mm everyday watches is the bezel that comes with the six double ‘claws’ that make them instantly identifiable as an Aikon. These wearable, everyday watches sport an uncluttered and no-fuss dial—in blue or black—with a clous de Paris pattern, featuring a central timekeeping system. The timepiece utilises an automatic movement, the ML 115, which offers a minimum power reserve of 38 hours. Fashioned with a stainless steel integrated bracelet, these everyday watches come with a choice of a brown leather strap. In addition to the regular steel editions, there’s an all-black, PVD-coated version, which boasts stealthy and sleek looks.

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MeisterSinger Neo

Called the ‘Neo’ to indicate renewal, the MeisterSinger Neo line offers a simple, uncluttered aesthetic that harks back to an age before the introduction of minutes and seconds hands on a clock made time, somehow, tick faster. The single-handed timekeeping brand offers a more relaxed time telling style. The collection is offered on a 36mm case for the Neo and a 40mm case for the Neo plus, both of which are crafted in steel. The glass over the dial is hardened acrylic crystal—another throwback to an era before sapphire crystal glass became the preferred choice. Double digit hour markers offer a sense of symmetry on the dial, and a round opening displays the date at six o’clock, balancing the brand’s name and fermata logo at 12. Smaller markers along the minute track are spaced out at five-minute intervals, while the elongated markers show intervals of 15 minutes. Inside the timepiece is the Sellita SW200 automatic movement.

The MeisterSinger Neo collection is offered on a 36mm case for the Neo and a 40mm case for the Neo plus, both of which are crafted in steel

Double digit hour markers offer a sense of symmetry on the dial, and a round opening displays the date at six o’clock, balancing the brand’s name and fermata logo at 12

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Nomos Club Campus 38

Released in 2007, the Nomos Club Campus is the more youthful avatar of the brand’s Club collection. Nomos positioned the watch as one’s first ‘serious’ timepiece, not so much because of its obviously fun appearance but more for the manually-wound Alpha calibre housed inside the 38.5mm steel case. Its 100m water resistance makes the Club Campus 38 a wearable everyday watch. Its California dial (one with a mix of Roman and Arabic numerals) comes in a variety of colours—deep pink, electric green, cream coral, absolute grey, and blue-purple, among others. A small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock has a funky orange hand that complements even the brighter hues of the dial. Arabic and Roman numerals and baton indexes are filled with Super-LumiNova, as are the timekeeping hands. These everyday watches are paired with velour leather straps that give them an overall playful yet serious vibe that makes a statement about the wearer.

Nomos positioned the Club Campus as one’s first ‘serious’ timepiece, not for its obviously fun appearance but for the manually-wound Alpha calibre housed in the 38.5mm steel case

₹1,53,000

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The Club Campus 38 features a California dial (one with a mix of Roman and Arabic numerals) in a variety of colours

₹1,53,000

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A small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock has a funky orange hand that complements even the brighter hues of the dial

₹1,53,000

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Arabic and Roman numerals and baton indexes are filled with Super-LumiNova, as are the timekeeping hands

₹1,53,000

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01

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date

A defining series in Oris’ history, the Big Crown ProPilot was modelled on a successful pilot’s watch collection from the 1930s and 40s. Its 41mm case features a larger-than-usual crown, a function characteristic to pilot’s watches that aids handling through gloved hands, and a fluted bezel inspired by jet engine turbines. An exhibition caseback offers a view of the Oris 751 calibre housed within. On the sunray-finished blue dial are large Arabic numerals, a clean minute track around the periphery, and a large date window at three o’clock. Numerals and timekeeping hands are filled with Super-LumiNova, aiding legibility in dimly-lit conditions. Mounted on a brown leather strap that beautifully complements the blue of the dial, the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date is a practical accessory—and not necessarily one for pilots only.

Rado True Square Automatic

Having created the first square-shaped ceramic watch in 1990, Rado have only improved their craft and technology with the material since then. The True Square Automatic features a 38mm plasma high-tech ceramic case and bracelet with a hypoallergenic titanium caseback and clasp. Powered by the Rado R763 automatic movement, the watch offers a really good power reserve of 80 hours. A stamped grey dial, superimposed with a sunray brushed square, give the watch depth and dimension. Rose gold coloured indexes and hands, and a matching anchor logo enhance the dressiness of the timepiece. Hands and indexes are filled with Super-LumiNova, enhancing readability in the dark. At six o’clock is a date window with black numerals against a white background, offering easy legibility. With a water resistance of 50 metres, the watch offers good value for money.

A stamped grey dial, superimposed with a sunray brushed square, give the Rado True Square Automatic timepiece depth and dimension. Rose gold coloured indexes and hands, and a matching anchor logo enhance the dressiness of the watch

Raymond Weil Maestro Automatic Visible Balance Wheel

Offering quality Swiss watches within an affordable price range is what put watchmaking brand Raymond Weil on the map of luxury Swiss watches. Their Maestro line with classic design codes was introduced in 2010. The Maestro Automatic Visible Balance Wheel timepiece features a 40mm case made from steel and treated with rose gold PVD. Matching indexes and hands on the matt black dial are stunning enough, but there’s more. At 12 o’clock, a rose-gold framed circular window offers a view of the open balance wheel through the sapphire crystal glass that protects the dial. On turning the watch over, an exhibition window on the caseback displays the automatic calibre RW4200. Overall, the finishing on the case, dial and caseback belie the watch’s pricing.

The Raymond Weil Maestro Automatic Visible Balance Wheel timepiece features a 40mm case made from steel and treated with rose gold PVD. Matching indexes and hands on the matt black dial are stunning enough, but there’s more—at 12 o’clock, a circular window offers a view of the open balance wheel

Seiko Prospex Glacier ‘Save The Ocean’ 1965 Re-Interpretation

Modelled after Japanese watchmaker Seiko’s first foray into mechanical dive watch territory, the 2022 Prospex Glacier ‘Save The Ocean’ 1965 Re-Interpretation features a 40.5mm steel case and unidirectional dive bezel. The closed caseback and screw down crown make the watch water resistant to 200m, an upgrade from the original’s 150m. The original 1965 models were worn by Japanese explorers who were part of the Antarctic expedition from 1966 to 1969. Textures on the dial mimic naturally formed glacial grooves in a beautiful icy-blue hue. Facetted hands and indexes are another nod to the original. This faithful reinterpretation of a classic dive watch is powered by Seiko’s 6R35 calibre, with a power reserve of 70 hours. This is a watch that was designed to be practical, functional, sturdy, and fit for everyday wear-and-tear.

The Seiko Prospex Glacier ‘Save The Ocean’ 1965 Re-Interpretation features a 40.5mm steel case and unidirectional dive bezel

Textures on the dial mimic naturally formed glacial grooves in a beautiful icy-blue hue