It appears that I have lived for the past 8 or 9 years without a watch. In fact, the last time I remember strapping one on, it was to time myself when I went jogging a few years ago. So that doesn’t really count. If anything, my peasant status is affirmed by the lack of any wrist adornments.

Still, one can dream. In my fairytale land, there is a watch, with a weather beaten brown leather strap fixed onto a flattish round stainless steel case with not too much on the black face and super thin contrast dials. Classic and clean but not excessively modern. Geez, I must be getting old.

That or the IWC Portuguese Regulateur below.

Even if its not that costly relatively speaking, I’d still have to sell a kidney. (Saw it online for maybe 12k USD…) Short of doing so, one must search for plausible alternatives or even companion pieces.

Like these rather accessible pair of Archimedes. Available direct from Archimede. The Pilot Chrono is on the left with more details and functionality. The very minimal Pilot H comes with a blue tinged dial and zero branding. From 245 Euro.

The one above with the Garamond numerals is designed by Riki Watanabe for Alba and belies its frugality. Watanabe, of course, is noted for being one of the most important designers in Japanese history. via GMT+9. Also check out the other Watanabe watch for Alba with a fatass case. 5250 Yen.

Obviously, something by Arne Jacobsen would work just fine too. This is his City Hall watch. 630 USD. via Lumens.com.

This Max Chrono would defo fit the Bill too, from Junghans. 1100 UK Pounds.

Or perhaps a Nomos Tangomat. From 1680 Euro.

Also, Nuts from Japan and the MoMA store have got great offerings if you’re more inclined to go for quirky and interesting yet inexpensive timepieces.

Some watch forums. Watchuseek.com Poor Man’s Watch Forum