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It’s the one accessory that can instantly add a little luxury to your ensemble, no matter how casual – yet most of us don’t want to splurge tens of thousands of pounds on a watch.
Thankfully, there are cheaper, mid-range timepieces out there that are almost indistinguishable from their more expensive counterparts.
For instance, a £55 camo Casio design appears to draw inspiration from Swiss luxury brand Hublot’s £16,000 version.
Elsewhere, British watchmaker Sekonda has seemingly paid tribute to £12,500 Cartier’s Tank Louis with a much more affordable £40 lookalike.
So, if you want to look the part but don’t want to shell out for a Rolex or a Cartier, read on to discover the more affordable watches that offer that luxurious feel…
Longines for Panerai
The Luminor is one of Panerai’s most famous designs, and the luxury Italian watch brand has rolled out different iterations of the timepiece including the Marina, Quaranta, and Due.
The 38mm version is described as a ‘slimmer, lighter, and sleeker’ take on its hero model that was created in the 1950s.
Connoisseurs know the worth of a Panerai – but if the £6,300 price tag feels inaccessible, Longines has a similar-looking navy blue style that costs less than £1,000.
If you want all the glamour of the Panerai Luminor Due for less, Longines’s £850 Conquest Quartz 41mm would be a worthy addition to your collection.
Sekonda for Raymond Weil
Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil’s golden square-faced timepiece is part of the ladies’ toccata collection and features Roman numeral dates on the white dial.
The elegant women’s watch retails for over £1,100, but British brand Sekonda’s nearly-identical Monica version costs less than 10 per cent at £59.99.
Sekonda for Cartier
Sekonda has also recreated Cartier’s Ballon Blue de Cartier named after its balloon-shaped case.
While the 33mm stainless steel watch from one of the world’s most famous brands will set you back by nearly £10,000, enthusiasts on a tighter budget might like the Beaumont Steel Watch from Sekonda, which is a steal at £55.
Cartier’s Tank Louis Cartier was part of Princess Diana’s collection after she received a black strap version from her father, the 8th Earl of Spencer.
And with an eyewatering £12,500 price tag, the watch is certainly fit for royalty. While Cartier’s version is something of a horological landmark, Sekonda has created a £39.99 analogue display design that pays tribute to it.
Sekonda for Frederique Constant
The purveyors of Swiss timekeeping elegance, Frederique Constant are known for making watches of exceptional quality.
And this men’s watch that is part of the Classics collection certainly fits the brief, complete with a textured dial, automatic movement, and brown leather strap.
At £1,195, the piece is a worthy investment if you’re looking for an everyday piece that never goes out of style.
And Sekonda’s £50 version is simply a great deal.
Casio for Hublot
Casio’s digital steel watches have become something of a fashion statement, but one of its lesser-known designs can help you save thousands of pounds if you’re in the market for a Hublot.
A limited-edition army green watch, with a sophisticated skeleton dial, from the Swiss watchmaker will set you back by £16,000.
Casio’s chronograph replica – which combines a standard display with a stopwatch like Hublot’s Big Bang Unico – costs £55.
Sekonda for Omega
By now, you know that Sekonda’s collections are ones to watch because there’s likely a luxury lookalike hiding in plain sight.
Take, for instance, the two-tone men’s quartz watch that appears to be a nod to Omega’s £13,200 Aqua Terra piece. The biggest difference is about £13,100.
Casio for Rolex
Any round-up of watches would be incomplete without mentioning Rolex. One of the Swiss firm’s recognisable designs is the Submariner Date, with a ceramic green and black dial, and a rotatable bezel.
Casio’s version of a deep-sea diving watch has a very similar face – but a dramatically different price.
While the Rolex costs around £10,000, Casio’s interpretation comes in at just under £90.
