4 banging weekend watches for under $500
James RobinsonIt’s all very well and good having a mainstay, go-to timepiece that you can rely on for daily duties Monday to Friday, but what happens if you want to change it up for the weekend?
For most enthusiasts, the criteria for watches worn on Saturday and Sunday are very different to that of a weekday-warrior: they need to be casual, potentially novel and, if possible, relatively inexpensive.
With all these conditions in mind, here are four weekend watches that are chock-full of character and won’t break the bank:
Q Timex Reissue
Becoming an instant cult classic when it was released earlier this year, the Q Timex Reissue is an excellent example of a deeply characterful yet economical weekend watch. Replete with its ’70s charm, 38mm stainless steel case and conforming woven mesh bracelet and iconic bezel colour scheme, this watch screams to be paired with a white T-shirt and some blue jeans. Though currently sold out, it is expected that the Q Timex Reissue will be available again soon on the Timex website. $179 USD
Undone Classic Original
Presenting an aesthetic that is perhaps the most archetypal of a great weekender, the Undone Classic Original offers all of the tropes of a vintage military-style watch, without any of the headaches associated with wearing a vintage timepiece. For a start, the 40mm case is made from hardy 316L steel, it’s water-resistant to 100 metres and it scores a modern, Seiko-derived automatic movement. Paired on a military green NATO strap, this watch is a compelling proposition to accompany you on your weekend adventures. $315 USD
Casio G-Shock GA2100-1A1
If you’re planning on leading a particularly active lifestyle on the weekend and need a timepiece that is virtually bombproof while still maintaining a decidedly casual look, then the new G-Shock GA2100-1A1 is the watch for you. Built with typical sturdiness associated with G-Shock, the “Octo”, as it’s known colloquially, offers a host of features such as 200 metres of water-resistance, a world time function with 31 different time zones, and a 1/100-second stopwatch. $249 AUD
Citizen NJ0100-20L
One of the latest offerings from Japanese watchmaker Citizen, the NJ0100-20L portrays an acute sense of weekend flair, thanks mostly to its distinctly ’70s tonneau-shaped case, sunburst blue dial and conforming blue leather band with contrasting white stitching. What’s more, housed inside the 42mm steel case is Citizen’s tried-and-true Caliber 8210 self-winding movement. The NJ0100-20L really does offer a hell of a lot of watch for very little cost. $399 AUD