The title says it all and we think these watches really do not break the bank or leverage you like an AI start-up. The modern market is teeming with what we call “guiltless pleasures” — timepieces that offer robust engineering, historical significance, or impressive complications without the extra zeroes. Whether it is the pragmatic durability of Super Titanium, the retro charm of a TV- shaped case, or the technical marvel of a perpetual calendar that will not put your BTO dreams on hold, value is the order of the day. Here, we curate six standout models that prove you can build a serious collection with a clear conscience.
CITIZEN ZENSHIN AUTOMATIC SMALL SECONDS
We begin with the first model for this article: the Citizen Zenshin Automatic Small Seconds. It is heartening to see Citizen giving this model a proper name, rather than just a string of letters and numbers, as it helps establish a distinct identity for the watch. This is seriously an issue with Japanese makers and we confess to being intimidated by the reference numbers. Rest assured, even the brand executives do not recall all the references nor what they might mean. Happily, we can tell you that, in Japanese, “Zenshin” means progress, a fitting reflection of Citizen’s forward-thinking vision. This brand was, after all, one of the first watchmakers to pioneer the use of titanium in timepieces, if not the first. That was way back in 1970.
The Citizen Zenshin features a 40.5mm case and an integrated-style bracelet, both crafted from what Citizen likes to call Super Titanium. A proprietary Duratect treatment is, of course, applied to enhance surface scratch resistance, which is what the “Super” refers to. While the overall design leans towards the sporty, the refined details ensure it can be worn suitably in a professional setting. That said, it is just as fitting for leisure activities, with a water-resistance rating of up to 100 metres. The watch is powered by a self-winding movement with a 42-hour power reserve.
With six dial colours of white, black, navy, blue, green, or, salmon, there is surely something to suit every style and occasion. Each version is priced equally at SGD 872 but deals abound so shop around.
BULOVA SUPER SEVILLE PRECISIONIST
Bulova has returned to the Thai market in earnest under the management of LDI Enterprise (Thailand), which also distributes Citizen watches. In Singapore, Bulova remains under the Citizen banner but availability in physical stores is suspect. The inclusion of this watch was inspired by LDI’s first campaign initiated to reintroduce Bulova in Thailand; it features the Super Seville Precisionist as its highlight model, but this model is criminally underappreciated in Singapore. With a distinctive TV-shaped case that exudes our favourite kind of 1970s vibe, this watch comes in three core versions: stainless steel with a green dial, stainless steel with a blue dial, and yellow gold PVD-coated stainless steel with a silver dial. The model is suitable for both men’s and women’s wrists with a median 38mm case size.
The Super Seville Precisionist features a sapphire crystal with a date magnifier, framed by a fluted bezel reminiscent of a coin edge that is designed to catch the light. A closer look at the dial reveals the “P” logo and the marking “262 kHz” above the 6 o’clock position, referencing the Precisionist quartz movement within. This high-frequency movement offers superior accuracy with an annual deviation of no more than 10 seconds. If you fancy owning a retro-styled timepiece from a historic American brand (turned Swiss Made and now Japanese owned) that is celebrating 150 years of history, do check out this Bulova watch model. Prices start at a very approachable SGD 859.
ORIENT STAR CONTEMPORARY DATE
Orient Star frequently catches our eye – true to their slogan, “Capture Your Gaze” – with the launch of multiple models in the first quarter of the year. Among them, the Contemporary Date collection stands out the most, featuring four earthy dial colours: leaf green, desert copper, clear water blue, and stone grey. These hues have been specially treated to soften their saturation, creating a unique and captivating visual appeal beneath the anti-reflective sapphire crystal. This makes the watch a versatile companion, suitable for any occasion, whether dressed formally or casually.
The Orient Star Contemporary Date is powered by the in-house self-winding Calibre F6N43, which boasts a 50-hour power reserve and a corresponding indicator at 12 o’clock. The case size is officially listed as 38.5mm, and on the wrist, it indeed feels true to size – perhaps even slightly larger. Unlike some watches that claim to be 38mm but wear closer to 36mm, this
one maintains its presence. If you need a refresher here, Orient Star is the premium line of Orient, a storied Japanese name that is often mentioned in the same breath as Seiko and, most notably, Grand Seiko. Confusingly, Orient and Orient Star are imprints owned by the Seiko Epson Corporation, which is not affiliated with Seiko.
For those seeking an effortlessly wearable daily timepiece, this model comes highly recommended, particularly given its attractive pricing of only SGD 966 for “Made in Japan” quality. Shopping around is recommended.
MIDO MULTIFORT SKELETON CHRONOGRAPH
No story about big-name affordable watches would be complete without something from Mido. The Swatch Group-owned brand seems to have a well-thought-out strategy for rolling out new releases each quarter, ensuring they remain consistently in the spotlight, or at least not far from it. Whether it was last year’s Ocean Star 39 or the more recent Multifort 8 Two Crowns, there is always something exciting to admire and talk about. And now, they have introduced the Multifort Skeleton Chronograph… This is a watch that proudly proclaims your passion for mechanical timepieces through its openworked dial and movement.
The Multifort Skeleton Chronograph boasts a 43mm case that is water-resistant up to 100 metres. It is a fully functional chronograph, as its name promises, with a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock, and a small second subdial at 9 o’clock. The self-winding movement inside is the Calibre 60, based on ETA A05.951. Its rotor, also skeletonised like the dial, winds the barrel to deliver a power reserve of 60 hours, which is very decent for this price segment (more on this shortly). The sapphire crystal is treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides to improve legibility, which is somewhat uncommon at this level. Currently, Mido offers the Multifort Skeleton Chronograph in two main variations: one with an anthracite dial on a bracelet (SGD 3,450), and another with a blue dial paired with a blue rubber strap (SGD 3,400).
LONGINES SPIRIT ZULU TIME
Spirit is the name of the sports watch collection that Longines introduced in 2020, and it has been the subject of our cover stories multiple times since then; most recently, the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 took centre stage in the Legacy issue. Unhappily, that prevented us from using this story in the Legacy issue because the collection (but not that watch) was selected for inclusion here. In the end, the story covered the entire Spirit collection. No matter because a good watch deserves more than a few good turns.
As a quick recap, the design of the Spirit collection is fundamentally inspired by pioneering aviators and global explorers – individuals who embodied a strong spirit of perseverance in overcoming the challenges before them. The collection did not exist in the pioneering era of aviation, but it represents continuity for Longines with iconic models such as the Weems, the Hour Angle and the original Zulu Time.
One of the highlights from this collection is, thus, the Spirit Zulu Time, a true GMT watch built for international travel. While many GMT watches on the market feature a 24-hour hand, they often lack the ability to independently quick-set the regular hour hand to local time. The Spirit Zulu Time, however, offers this convenient feature. It is powered by the self-winding Calibre L844.4, which delivers a power reserve of 72 hours.
Longines currently offers the Spirit Zulu Time in two case sizes of 42mm and 39mm to suit wrists of varying sizes. The ceramic bezel insert is highly resistant to scratches and is available in colours such as black, blue, and, green. Prices start from SGD 4,620 depending on case size and strap type (i.e. stainless steel bracelet, leather strap, or fabric strap). Titanium and bicolour models are priced higher at SGD 5,900 and SGD 6,000, respectively.
FREDERIQUE CONSTANT CLASSIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR MANUFACTURE
To close this article, let us turn to the most sophisticated type of calendar complication in watchmaking: the perpetual calendar. This mechanical invention is capable of automatically recognising whether a given month has 31 days or fewer, and even accounts for leap years. Traditionally, perpetual calendar watches have been reserved for the uppermost price tier, but a few watchmakers dared to buck that tendency. Frederique Constant was part of a new wave of brands that also disrupted this norm in 2016. It also managed this with rare class, developing and producing a perpetual calendar movement that was far more accessible to the broader public.
This year, Frederique Constant has updated its Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture with the new in-house Calibre FC-776, which now boasts a power reserve of three days. The case has also been reduced in size, from 42mm to a more refined 40mm. This appears to be the first time Frederique Constant has introduced a salmon dial to this model. The three subdials that make up the calendar display are slightly recessed into the sunray-brushed dial surface, which plays beautifully with the light. They are framed by applied hour markers that complement the elegant dauphine-style hands. Paired with a brown alligator leather strap, the watch commands an official RRP of USD 17,440. It is a compelling option within the world of high complications indeed but the unbeatable value proposition here is well known. This means this model is frequently sold out, so be aware of this.
This story was first seen as part of the WOW #82 Festive 2025 Issue
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