(Note the first model revised 25th April)
Just had a look around at the cheap & cheerful daily beaters. Models that cost virtual peanuts but manage do the job – to a lesser or greater degree. There are an amazing number of these around with some exceptional bargains to be had.
In no particular order here are four models that I particularly like.
Timex – well known reliable brand has this good looking model – the Timex Expedition T42571 – seen priced at around £35 – £45 today.
Powered with a Timex Quartz movement within a neat and quite small 38mm diameter x 10mm case of very light weight dark resin. The dial has a matte background, printed numerals with according to Timex, luminous hands. However in practice this is VERY poor.
Fortunately this model also has all dial *Indiglo (press the crown) which does allow night vision (although not my preferred choice). The glass is of acrylic and has 12/24 index marked on the dial. The crown is well protected by case shrouds.
There is also a good size contrasting highlighted date window @3 which is very readable. Water Resistance is 5bar (50m), so fine for daily use.
It also has a 20mm nylon textured buckle strap (feels a bit plasticky for me) which is fine, though I’ve swapped it for one of the wrap straps I’m favouring at the moment just to see how it looks (shown in image 2).
And finally, a 12 month Warranty.
My verdict? (after wearing for a week)
It has a pleasing well balanced look and I like this particular case which is remarkably light. The dial is clear and easy to read. It also has a nice sized and clear Date. Clear outer perimeter minute chapter ring and overall, a good colour combination. However, I’d prefer much better luminosity, so would consider it as a cheap, neat watch – it is what it is.
And with the amazing low price – a good little travel watch.
This multi-function Casio AE1299WH-1A has been virtually the same for many years (since maybe 2012). Japanese Quartz powered (10 years battery life) with both digital and virtual analogue display. Black resin squared case just 39.5mm across and around 12mm depth, with 4 pushers. An Acrylic/mineral crystal protects the dial and the watch is multi-functional.
Time, including DST, Stopwatch, Countdown Timer, 48 city/31 time zone World Timer, 5 x Alarms with an integral LED “illuminator” dial light and with 100m (330ft) Water Resistance (so, swimming/snorkelling OK).
This is an amazingly well featured watch at any price, let alone the asking price of around £30 here in the UK. And with such a long production run history as a testament, this is difficult to beat as a Daily Beater.
What do I like about this one?
Great “at a glance” dial – shows the hour, minute, second, day, month and day. And – a sub analogue virtual dial with hour/minute & running seconds too. All functions are simple to set with the push buttons which are easily accessible (but not accidentally). The LED dial light is simple and effective.
I’ve had one since 2014 and it’s proved a winner. Cost me £17.00, so it’s gone up a bit since then, but still great value – (and I only changed the battery last month!).
It’s also unusual – a Digital display with virtual analogue (as opposed to an analogue dial + digital window). An obvious success for Casio, as it’s also been available for around 14 years – can’t say fairer than that.
So, if semi-digital is your thing – I can absolutely recommend it. And at this low price is a steal!
This is another Quartz but with a slight difference, as it’s powered by a Meca Quartz VH31 Automatic Seiko movement. This features a sweep seconds hand (similar look to a true mechanical automatic) which runs or sweeps at 4 “ticks” per second.
It is also very accurate at around +/- 15 seconds a month. The movement incorporates a number of plastic parts which reduces wear and gives added temperature resistance and has proved very reliable.
This is the Daily Beater Field Watch – from notostrapstore.com –
It features a 38mm diameter steel sandblasted case with a higher 100m Water Resistance v the Timex.
A large well knurled screw down crown, and a domed Sapphire non-scratch crystal with anti-reflection coating.
The dial has printed indices and numerals numerals on a dark background like the Timex above, though it does not have a Date display.
However, the broad analogue hands including the sweep second hand have C3 Super-LumiNova luminous coating, which is as good as it gets.
In looks, this model has a nice clear and simple Diver style and looks good.
What do I like about this one?
I like this solid basic “Beater” approach, with no frills or unwanted extras. It has good Water Resistance, a tough well finished case and an easy to read dial. AR Sapphire crystal is a bonus and I particularly like the large well knurled crown and matching NATO strap. The price is pretty good at around £75. Personally I would like a Date – useful at my age! But it is what it is.
This next model is from UK Chester based Cestrian Watches (launch partner & Authorised Dealer is WatchNation). The Cestrian Field series Automatic which is another good looking, well balanced model. This is also the first mechanical Automatic featured in this Post.
Powered by the Japanese Seiko NH35 Automatic movement, this is a really decent movement, 41hrs reserve, bi-directional rotor with manual wind if required and hacking allows precise time adjustment. Accuracy is solid at +/- 20-40 secs a day. A very reliable movement used worldwide.
At 40mm diameter, it wears small on the wrist though it is quite thick at a measured 12.8mm depth, it is also relatively heavy. This is a very solid matte finish sandblasted 316L stainless steel case is PVD coated Black.
This model comes with a green NATO ‘style’ strap. I say ‘style as this appears to have leather? keepers, whereas NATO spec’ straps are metal.
The dial is a matte dark khaki/green” with the excellent C3 Super-LumiNova coated nickel hour & minute hands. The centre seconds arrow hand has an orange tip and dot and the dial features a full 60 second track perimeter.
The inclusion of a scratch resistant Sapphire crystal with Anti-reflect coating, is a bonus, though oddly it sits slightly proud of the case.
The dial and case in this series comes with alternative finishes to suit your preferences.
Water Resistance is a very decent 200m coupled with a well knurled Screw Down crown. I note the screw down ‘screw’ is considerable and stiff which although unusual, works well.
What do I like about this one?
This is a well specified model, without frills and is solidly practical. I like the dark khaki/green colour, which suits the black PVD coated case. The Screw Down crown and 200m WR, the Scratch resistant Sapphire crystal, C3 luminous properties and the low price, make for compelling affordability.
Personally I changed the strap for a “wrap” strap which does not go under the thick case – much better. Note – all images show with wrap strap.
Overall, an excellent watch with real quality features and at £120 – this is a very affordable alternative to mainstream Brands.
I was quite surprised to still see the Casio model, as I’ve had the same model for many years, so to include it here was a no brainer! The Cestrian Field model co-incidentally is a recent buy for me- and I am very pleased with it. However, I’d be equally pleased with either of the other two – as they are surprisingly good value in these trying times and nice to see.
Just a note on my strap change –
NATO style straps are fine if the watchcase is not too thick, as the strap is fed under the case twice, which in turn makes the watch overly thick on the wrist.
Most NATO spec’ straps are thin for that reason. They also use strong metal keepers. I changed to a velcro* wrap-strap, a personal preference.
Watch space 