Russell Sheldrake
Buying a watch on a budget can be difficult, but finding one of today’s most sought-after styles, a sports watch with an integrated bracelet, makes it even more difficult. This trend started when the great Gerald Genta used his Royal Oak Ref. 101 to demonstrate how steel was more expensive than gold. The 5402 was the inevitable iteration and permutation of Genta’s original design as it hit the market, and the industry hardly strayed from its path. But here at Time+Tide, we believe that watchmaking should be accessible and open to everyone. So I’ve been searching the market for what I think is the most affordable and most cost-effective option I can buy, an integrated bracelet, or a sports watch. Right now.
Of course, affordability is subjective, and what a young student fresh out of college considers affordable is quite different from what an executive with multiple homes considers affordable. Therefore, please allow some flexibility as we aim to meet your expectations and understanding. But if you want to see an absolute list of the best all-in-one bracelet watches, we recommend checking out Zach’s buying guide. A little cannibalism here.
Timex Q Timex reissue
If you’re looking for a true entry-level watch in this category, you can’t go wrong with the Q Timex Reissue. I’m a big fan of this watch. They’re fun, harmless, and affordable, so you can have them as your gateway to watches, or go crazy and collect all your favorite colors. I do think it’s a bit silly to offer a version with a GMT split color bezel without GMT functionality, but if this is the first watch you’re buying for yourself, it’s probably not something to worry about. And while I’ve heard from friends with hairier wrists than mine that the bracelet may pinch hair a little, the overall design is great and you get a super slim day-date watch on your wrist for less than $200. It’s hard to beat. Price: $189.
citizen strength
Below are the brands that many seasoned watch collectors suggest when asked where to start their collecting journey. The Citizen Tsuyosa’s wide range of colors helped it draw instant comparisons to the Rolex Oyster, which obviously exists in a completely different price range. What’s impressive about this model is that you can get a completely in-house self-winding watch for less than $500. Caliber 8210 has a brave 42-hour reserve and is slim enough to keep the watch’s total thickness to just 11.7 mm. This watch tends to be the kind of watch that you end up buying in every color to match any outfit, and your collection quickly becomes unmanageable. Price: $450.
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
This is probably the definitive watch on this list. The Tissot Powermatic 80 shined a light on this affordable one-piece bracelet category and helped truly define it. There are now so many iterations of PRX that it can be difficult to keep up. Chronographs, quartz, automatic, 40mm, 35mm, all types of metals and dial colors, the array is dizzying. But I want to keep things simple for this list, so I chose the Powermatic 80 40mm, which is considered the most universal of this series. Very approachable and available in all shades including PVD gold, forged carbon, and limited edition. If you’re feeling really retro, you can also get a digital version. However, if you want to keep things simple, you can do that too. Price: From USD 725 (available at Time+Tide Discovery studios and online store)
Christopher Ward The Twelve
As a team icon, I was very happy to see Christopher Ward release The Twelve when he first released it. A British brand with no standing in this field has shown real courage by producing a new all-in-one bracelet sports watch. Of course, the obvious comparisons were made with the first release, but judged on its own merits it proves to be a watch worth your time. I really like the texture of the dial. It represents the Christopher Ward logo without looking cheap or overly branded. And the way this line has developed since its launch in 2023 shows a commitment to making this a core part of the company. I’m personally a big fan of the titanium version, but you can’t beat the 36mm with a reliable Sellita movement for under $1,000. Price: USD 995 (for 36mm version).
Nivada Grenchen F77 Titanium Meteorite
One of the few brands on this list with true heritage in its category, the Nivada Grenchen F77 stays true to the brand’s recent and faithful relaunch. The F77 Titanium Meteorite is probably the most luxurious watch on this list, with a lightweight case and bracelet paired with an out-of-this-world dial, making it a pretty comfortable and luxurious watch. It will attract admiring glances from many people. Next watch competition. The Soprod movement keeps it moving, while the 100 meter water resistance means you can wear it almost anywhere without worry. What’s even better is that it’s available now from Time+Tide Discovery Studio and our online store. Price: $2,047
