Best of the Best
Sleek yet affordable men's watches to consider this Father's Day
June 19 is not only the 161st birthday of national hero Jose Rizal, but it's also Father's Day, the time to celebrate the efforts of father figures in one's life.
Speaking of time, maybe it's time to give your old man some lovin' by buying him a much-needed watch.
For some, the watch game can be quite daunting due to the multiple brand choices and watch types—not to mention their varying prices. But one doesn't need to be a horologist; PhilSTAR L!fe and Facebook group Best of the Best Manila got you covered.
With suggestions from members of BOTB, we curated a list of brands offering men's watches that are relatively affordable yet still sleek enough for one's beloved papa, daddy, tatay, or what have you.
Swatch
Swatch is the way to go when it comes to budget-friendly watches that have quality specifications, be it casual, formal, or sports.
Its Irony Big Xlite Red Wheel YYS4004 (P8,000), for instance, has: quartz movement, 30m water resistance, silicone strap and aluminum case, and half-buckle strap.
Swatch has physical stores at Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 5, SM Megamall, Shangri-La Plaza, TriNoma, SM City North EDSA, Robinson's Ermita, SM Mall of Asia, Alabang Town Center, SM Southmall, and SM City Cebu.
Online purchases are also possible via the e-commerce platform Lazada, which has also detailed the full specs and prices of its offerings across different categories. Casual watches' prices range from P3,000 to P11,250, while formal watches cost P5,500 to P15,500.
Timex
Depending on what suits your father's personality, Timex has three considerable options.
For the classy vibes, the AB Series 3-Hand 33mm Leather Band (P2,195, from P4,390) may just be the perfect watch, which has a goldtone case, genuine leather strap, gold dial, and quartz movement.
The no-frills look of the Q Timex Reissue Day-Date 38mm Stainless Steel Band (P9,990) may also tickle his fancy. It still carries the iconic '70s model's specs (quartz movement, 50m water resistance, rotating bezel, woven stainless-steel bracelet, functional battery hatch, domed acrylic crystal), but with a colorway update.
Timex, through its Marlin collection, also has a collaboration with the classic comic strip Peanuts. The Snoopy Flying Ace Automatic 40mm Leather Band (P13,990) gives the '60s monochromatic unit a playful yet aesthetic update through the beloved character.
The rest of Timex's catalog can be accessed on its website, which accepts major credit and debit cards and payment channels.
Seiko
Seiko Philippines has choices below P10,000, like Seiko 5 Sports SNK809K1 (P5,900), which is made of stainless steel case and bracelet, black dial, and mineral crystal.
It has respectable specs for its price, including: automatic movement; luminous hands; analog display; day and date display; see-through case back; buckle clasp; and 30-meter water resistance.
On top of that, Seiko is also offering installment payments with no interest rates. Check the rest of the catalog here.
Tissot
If you ought to buy the gold-standard Swiss watch but is still looking forward to not breaking the bank, Tissot can be your best bet.
Its Seastar 1000 Chronograph series (P32,200) has scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with double-sided antireflective coating, as well as a stainless steel case and strap. The buckle type is a folding clasp with a safety and diver extension.
It utilizes quartz movement powered by a battery and has a water resistance of up to 300 meters. The strap and dial have several colors to choose from, including grey, black, blue, and orange. Check the rest of the series' specs here, while other Tissot units can be found here.
A number of physical stores in malls are offering Tissot watches. Those who want to shop at the comfort of their own homes may also do so via www.thewatchstore.ph, which accepts major credit and debit cards, as well as GCash, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
Apple Watch
For the techy dad, Apple Watch should do the trick.
Not only it tells the time but it also serves as a fitness tracker, a music player, a map, and an extension of Apple devices like iPhone and Macbook.
Apple Watch comes in three models: Series 3 (from P12,490), SE (from P16,990), and Series 7 (from P23,990). Check what each model offers here.
The bands carrying the watches are also customizable to one's liking. Designs include solo loop, braided solo loop, sport loop, sport band, leather, and stainless steel.
More details about the watches be found in the website of Power Mac Center, Apple's Philippine partner. Orders may be done online via the website itself, as well as on Power Mac Center branches nationwide.
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