WatchGyan

Don’t Buy These Popular Watches, Choose These Instead.

From Personal Experience

Let’s be honest, I’ve bought my fair share of watches. Some I’d buy again in a heartbeat. Others? Straight-up regrets. So if you're thinking of spending your hard-earned money on a wristwatch, take a minute to learn from my hits and misses.

Because here’s the thing:
Watches aren’t smartphones. You can’t just compare specs and go for the one with “better features.” Doesn’t work like that.

A ₹500 Casio might tell time more accurately than a ₹20,000 automatic, and yet I’d still choose the automatic. Why?

Because watches are about feel. About craft. About you.

Let’s break down what you should actually be looking at.

Quartz vs Automatic: Know What You’re Getting Into.

Quartz or Mechanical? My Take on the Age Old Argument – affordsometime

Automatic watches like the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80, Seiko 5, and Vostok Amphibia look great on paper, and they are great. But they also come with maintenance costs. Servicing alone could set you back ₹5K–₹10K every few years.

Just starting? Go quartz.

Quartz watches that deliver:

Timex Weekender - Simple. Clean. Works with everything.
Casio Duro MDV106 - Affordable diver. Legit looks.
Casio Edifice EFRS108D - Daily driver with good presence.
Timex Marlin Mecaquartz - Vintage looks with hybrid tech.

Sure, automatics are cool. But if you’re not ready for the upkeep, quartz is your friend.

Don’t Fall for Pretty Pictures on Ecom Sites

Search “best watches under ₹2000” and you’ll see names like Timewear, Louis Devin, Matrix, Skmei, all showing off flashy dials and fake luxury vibes.

Here’s what they don’t tell you:

That ₹895 Fastrack watch with a 57mm case? That’s not a watch, it’s a dinner plate for your wrist.
That ₹3200 “luxury” Carlton London watch? You can find the same thing on Alibaba for ₹380.

Photos can lie. Specs can be vague. Materials can be garbage. Want real value?

Buy watches that may not scream luxury but are built to last:

Casio MRW200H - Classic field watch. Light, tough, reliable.
Timex Expedition MF13 - Rugged and ready.
G-Shock DW5600 - The OG.

You’re not just buying time, you’re buying trust.

Microbrands Are Great, But Don’t Go All In

Discover the collection of premium mechanical watches by Argos.

Indian microbrands are finally making noise. Brands like Triple Crown, Echostar, Devnagari, Argos, and Boderry are offering designs we never got from big names, and at insane prices.

Worth checking out:

Triple Crown - Mecaquartz chronos under ₹5K
Echostar GMT - Automatic GMT under ₹11K

But here’s the catch: resale value is weak. Trends change. And new drops come every other month. These are passion purchases, not investments. So if you like the look, go for it. But don’t build your entire collection on them.

Support Indian brands, but do it smartly.

Don’t Copy, Buy What You Love.

You’ll see me wearing:

Seiko SNXS79K
HMT Janata
G-Shock DW5600
Casio ‘Oak’

But I also love weird picks: the Addiesdive sand dial, a ladies’ Casio tank, or a vintage Swatch I paid double retail for.

Here’s the truth:
Watches are personal. It’s not about what I like or what’s trending, it’s about what makes you check your wrist twice.

Final Words

You don’t date every person you find attractive. So don’t buy every watch that looks good in a photo.

Be intentional. Trust your instinct. Look beyond the hype and let your watch say something real about you.

Smart picks, zero fluff. Now you know.

Got ₹10K to spend? Want a reliable beater? Or ready for your first mechanical? Whatever your lane, go in informed. That’s the only flex that really matters.

Watch the full discussion on this topic on YouTube