Here is the reality. Most people are just recycling the same styles over and over again. Walk across any campus and you will either see people without any timepieces whatsoever or with pieces that look like chunky wall clocks.

Take the Casio F-91W, for example. It is a legendary watch, no doubt. It has stood strong for decades and earned its place in history. You should absolutely get that piece whenever you can afford to, if it was not already your first watch.

But if you are a student or a young professional, now is the time to start investing in watches that hold their value beyond hype cycles. Watches that look sharp today and will still command respect ten years from now.

We have carefully selected watches in the ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 range, keeping in mind the limited budget of students and young professionals. At this stage of life, it is better not to overspend on watches. What matters more is building your taste and sense of style. Also, avoid flashy, blingy fashion watches. They may catch attention for a moment, but they rarely hold long-term value or respect.

In this blog, we will focus on Casio & Timex with multiple alternatives.

Without any further ado, let's begin!

The Casio Day Date

Casio MTP-1302DD-5AV

There are a few variations of this model, a few even without the roman numerals. But we think the roman numerals are a cherry on top, both the displayed colours look divine on the hand.

You will get a lot of other colours on this one. The overall look with the fluted bezel is a whole Rolex Day Date vibe. Priced at around MRP ₹ 3,995, these can sometimes come to as low as ₹ 2700. Keep a watch for deals. This timepiece sits perfectly on an Indian wrist, unlike some Timex variations, which sit too large.

🛒 Buy from Amazon

Here's a full review of the Tiffany Blue Variant on Watchgyan's YouTube

Casio's Budget Beater

Casio MRW-200H-3BV

This watch gives off a "reckless" daily beater vibe, if you are more of the sporty guy- go for this. It has a sturdy and rugged body. It's big, but still won't make you feel bad about your wrist. You get both day and date functionality here alongside a contrasty, bold military-inspired dial. This comes with a 100M water resistance and a rotating bezel, though non-racheting.

This variant is priced at MRP 2,195 INR. Whereas the OG variants of the MRW series range from 800 INR to 2000+ INR.

Casio MRW-230H-1E1V

Go with this newly launched variation if you are more of a tasteful person. The aluminium bezel somewhat takes off the rugged form factor and sprinkles "sophistication". In addition to that, Casio got rid of the bold dial look and imitated a diver watch-like dial instead, with round, minimal hour markers. The bezel is unidirectional but non-ratcheting, so dont expect the ASMR "ticks".

It is priced at MRP 2,995 INR.

I know what you are thinking, yes looks identical to its big brother. The legendary Casio Duro.

Here's the full video comparing the MRW family with each other on YouTube

The Casio Vintage

Casio AQ-230A-9AMQYDF

Need a watch that screams old money without breaking the bank? Go for Casio Vintage's rectangular dial collection. Again, Casio never stops at one or two variations; you get multiple colour ways to pick your favourite.

This one has a digital and analogue dial twinning on top of a sunburst base. You can spot someone wearing this very watch due to its unique form factor. At MRP 3,495 INR, The size is perfect to complement any wrist size, whether average or small. You can rock these to your Garba nights or wear them to your chill morning drives. Your pics are bound to look straight out of a Pinterest feed.

Keep an eye on the prices, sometimes they come down to as low as INR 2600

🛒 Buy Casio Vintage on Amazon

Watch the full video on the white variant on YouTube

The Legendary Casio Duro

Casio MDV-106

I know, way above your budget, right? Because you need one. An expensive watch will have an entire story on your wrist, and you will have to save generously. If you want a watch that even makes world-class collectors turn their heads, it's the Casio Duro for you. The best value proposition for a diver's watch that's actually functional.

Protip: Search for the variant with the Marlin logo at the bottom of the dial. It's rare nowadays, replaced by the newer variant. This piece is priced at 5,097 INR.

The Casio Duro Marlin MDV106 with the iconic marlin logo is now discontinued, so it is not available in India. Its successor, the MDV107, carries the same specifications: 200M water resistance, screw down crown, and a 45mm case. The only difference is the absence of the marlin logo. It is available on Flipkart for around ₹6,000, making it a solid choice.

There is also the Mini Duro MDV10D, priced under ₹5,000, but it comes with lower specifications such as 50M water resistance, a smaller 38mm case, and no screw down crown. Due to these compromises, it may not be worth considering in comparison to the MDV106.

The Timex Weekender

Timex TW2Y08800

There's a reason why these are coming after the Casio Duro; these watches might not be an eye-candy to most people, but they are an absolute classic. There are many variations of the Timex Weekender, some being limited editions as well. These watches are known as field watches; they were built to survive through tough conditions. This comes with INDIGLO®- with a push of a button the entire dial gets illuminated, thus aiding visibility in the dark.

Priced at MRP 5,597 INR

The HMT Dilemma

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly mechanical watch, HMT mechanicals are the go-to choice. But since HMT stopped production, pre-owned pieces have shot up in price, often reaching ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 for a used one.

You may come across modded HMT mechanicals being sold for ₹1,000 to ₹2,000. Be cautious: these are usually built from 20 to 30 year old scrapped, refurbished movements with low-quality parts. Most sellers won’t provide a proper warranty or refund policy, which is exactly why they price them so low. If something goes wrong the next day, you’re left with no recourse.

My advice: always stay away from replicas and fakes, and stick to originals. However, if you can’t resist owning an HMT mechanical and your budget is under ₹4,000, there is one reliable option. On Instagram, Divine Watch House offers genuine pieces with original movements, 6 months warranty, return/refund policies, and solid after-sales service. I’ve personally received good quality watches from them that have lasted over 2 years.

Visit Divine Watches on Instagram 📷

Why Even Bother to Build a Collection?

You are not just a college student. You are on the path to becoming a professional. The habits you build today in how you dress and how you present yourself will set you apart when it actually counts.

Get used to dressing sharp now, and you will already be ahead of the crowd when you step into the corporate world.

One more thing. In India, 80 per cent of people still walk around bare wrists. That is an instant chance for you to separate yourself.

At Watchgyan, we believe in starting young. Because once you understand timeless style, you are not just wearing a watch. You are building an identity, step by step, every day.

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