The first watch I remember having was a pink Baby-G that my mom gave me when I was 7 yo but lost in a typhoon. And, I guess that when I started liking wearing one. It took me some years before I finally had money from my own pocket to buy a decent one. Can you guess which one?

Above is the image with all my watches. I do not have a high-end watch yet because I cannot afford one. LOL. They are all below $200, and the most expensive and treasured one in this collection is the big automatic SEIKO. Let me list from the one closest to my hand down my arm:

1. Citizen Women’s Watch

I could not find the model number. LOL. But this is originally my mom’s. She bought one for me and one for her. Mine had already broken, and then she gave me hers. To date this has been with us since 2008.

Years with me: 16

Size: 20 mm

Pros: Durability. Versatility. No battery needed.

Cons: Not waterproof. You have to wear it often so you keep it running well.

Price (in Ebay): $100-200

2. Timex Indiglo

The second-hand second mid-brand watch I bought with my own money. I love the leather wristband that makes it versatile in a formal or casual outfit. Bought this a year after I graduated from my undergrad online for $35.

Years with me: 10

Size: 21 mm

Pros: Versatility. Light feature of Indiglo when you are in a very dark place.

Cons: Not easy to find leather band. Not waterproof. Needs battery every 3-5 yrs.

Price (in Ebay): $22-50

3. Seiko Women (SWR053)

My recent buy. Got this one month ago because of the Cartier Tank that slapped me in the face that I cannot afford it. HAHA. This is the perfect alternative, and it costs only a fraction of the Cartier. So elegant and classy. You can wear it in a dress or even in jeans.

Month/s with me: 1

Size: 18 mm

Pros: Versatility. Very light weight. Dupe of Cartier Tank without breaking the bank.

Cons: Needs break-in for the leather part. Requires battery.

Price (in Jomashop): $109

4. Fossil (f2)

My most used and had the highest ROI. My first watch to buy with my own money before graduating from my undergrad. I used this everyday. Got this wet while washing the dishes and I even accidentally wet this in the shower and in the beach but still working perfectly fine!

Years with me: 12

Size: 19 mm

Pros: Versatility. Duarability.

Cons: Needs battery. The gold tone will fade if it always gets wet.

Price (in Ebay): $35-50

5. Seiko Automatic Silver Dial Men’s Watch (SNKL57)

This is my favorite and treasured watch in my budget-friendly collection, you are right! It is given to me by my late father. Very versatile boyfriend watch from casual to dressing up!

Years with me: 7

Size: 38 mm

Pros: Does not need a battery. Versatile. Water resistant.

Cons: If you are not using it for some time, you have to wind it a bit again to make it work again.

Price (in Jomashop): $129

6. Casio BGD140-1A Women’s Baby-G Black

Because I miss my Baby G watch I had when I was a kid and I lost my Timex IRONMAN (which I highly recommend because it is very durable and not very big for the wrist compared to this Baby-G), I had an excuse tp buy this one. Used it in all the harsh weather locations.

Year/s with me: 1

Size: 42 mm

Pros: Very durable in the snowy, hot, and rainy conditions. Has light for dark settings.

Cons: Very dark dial so it is difficult to see the time. Difficult to clean. Needs battery.

Price: $70-100

7. Daniel Wellington Classic Sheffield

There was a year that this watch was very popular and as a bandwagoner, I had to get one. LOL. It was a good buy. Brought this in my very first trip abroad in 2018 and it served me well in all my outfits.

Years with me: 6

Size: 36 mm

Pros: Durable. Versatile with different outfits despite the size.

Cons: Leather band needs breaking in. Needs battery every 3-4 yrs.

Price (on the site): $199

8. (Not in the photo) Apple Watch Series 3 38 mm

I am not a big fan of digital watch and was not planning to get one til I found this one with the perfect size and did not break my bank (bought this second hand for $87). It helped me get back to my exercise habit but still I will not buy this brand new unless gifted to me. LOL.

Years with me: 2.5

Size:38 mm

Pros: Water resistant. Easy to charge. Reduces time to use phone.

Cons: Needs charging everyday.

That’s it! Over the years, I had several other watches, midbrands, unbranded ones, and a Swatch that was gifted to me and lasted for 3 years. I learned that investing in a quality watch pays in the long run, especially if you wear a watch everyday. A quality watch does not always equate to breaking the bank. Yes, I cannot afford a ten grand watch but each mid-brand watch I have had served me well for years, and most of them are still serving me during formal or casual days.