Yes, we all love the appeal of a sophisticated watch with an integrated bracelet. Unfortunately, classics like the Royal Oak or Nautilus are a pipe dream for most people, including me. Even if you don’t have a big budget, you might still want to see what all the hype is about. But is it possible to find a chic one with an integrated bracelet for under 500 euros?
Of course, there are affordable options in this genre, but many cost over 1,000 euros, so what options really fit your budget? Here are some that you can find for under 500 euros. Yes, aside from the lovely and ubiquitous Tissot PRX, it has plenty of presence on the wrist. And who said all these options have to be analog?
Brewmetric
In this context, it’s hard to ignore the small-case goodness of the US-based coffee-inspired brand Brew. Mecha-quartz reliability comes with a great price point and the benefit of Brew’s creativity. In this case, the Brew Metric is a bargain. It’s the brand’s best-selling watch, available in everything from cool monochrome to gold PVD versions, all in a slim 36mm case. My favorite at $450 is the asymmetrical multicolor Retro Dial. It’s very short at 41.5mm lug-to-lug and just 10.75mm thick with sapphire crystal. Sure, the Seiko VK68 mecha-quartz movement is no longer exotic or exciting, but I’ve grown to love this watch, and it’s super reliable. All in all, it’s a great-styled, comfortable everyday watch that’s much more than the sum of its affordable parts. You can buy it directly from Brew.
Citizen NJ0150
Featuring a cool tonneau-shaped case and flush-fit crown, the Citizen NJ0150 is one of the biggest surprises released in Japan in 2022. I love the pop green and yellow version, as well as the NJ0151 with its textured blue dial, but I’ll hold off this time. At 11.7mm thick and 49mm lug-to-lug, this 40mm Citizen is similar to the 40mm Tissot PRX, but with differences. I had the 40mm PRX, so I can attest that the bracelet is pretty stiff. It looks great, but the NJ0150 is arguably more comfortable with its unapologetic center links like the Rolex President. The Rolex signature carries over with the Cyclops and OP-inspired dial, but the NJ0150 still feels like its own thing, especially considering its ridiculously cheap 299 euro price. With an in-house movement and some pretty sharp details, this is a big achievement.
Tissot PRX Digital 35mm
Sorry. Did I promise to leave out the PRX? No, I mean the OG quartz and Powermatic 80 versions. The now rather large integrated bracelet Tissots family has been featured in far too many best of articles, but I feel sorry for the digital version. I don’t think it has received the warm welcome it deserves. To be honest, I wasn’t too enamoured with the steel and black version when I first saw it, but the 35mm gold PVD is perfect for celebrating the excess of the early 80s rather than the 70s. There’s no denying that the slim beveled edge case and brushed bracelet are worth the price. And this is a true integrated design. If you choose the gold, you’ll get a great everyday watch for 475 euros. Still, it’s a bargain.
Citizen Endeavor
I didn’t intend to feature two Citizen watches in this story, but the big Endeavor has crept up on me. This is not a slim 1970s-style dress watch. It’s big, 45mm in diameter, to be exact. The Endeavor was quietly released as a real diver/sports watch, water resistant to 200m with an integrated bracelet. It’s not particularly sleek, but that’s not wrong. There are still plenty of people who want a muscular, big-shouldered tool watch, and this is one of them, with a fresh, green apple dial to boot. Given the 395 euro price tag, I was pleasantly surprised by this behemoth from Citizen. I couldn’t wear the 45mm watch, but I’m sure there are plenty of people who would love one. Think of this as the budget Royal Oak Offshore of this story. As with all Citizens, Eco-Drive is a robust and sustainable movement choice (and made in-house).
Casio A700WE-1AEF
Yes, this is a very affordable offering from Casio. You may question its inclusion, but it doesn’t change the coolness of digital. It’s super slim at 37.4mm long and 35.5mm wide, similar to the Cartier, but only 6mm thick. Don’t laugh. I’m not saying this is a replacement for the €44.90 Tank, but think about that price. The case may be chrome resin, but the bracelet is all-steel with a perfectly integrated look. Sure, there’s a slight gap where it meets the edge of the case, and because of the chrome finish, it doesn’t perfectly match the shade of the metal, but oh well. For less than the price of a meal out for one, you get the crispest digital display, multiple functions you may never use, and timeless style. Who could argue with that for under €50?
Are you still craving the classy wrist feel of an integrated bracelet? Some of you may be offended by my boldness in including a non-analog watch here, but it’s all about the vibe. And if you have any other watch suggestions, let me know in the comments.
