While our calendars have been empty for a few months now, Sunday, March 28 has been ringed red. It’s Daylight Savings Time, which means the clocks go forward giving us all another glorious hour of daylight to enjoy before nightfall. We’re sure you’ll agree, in lockdown, this is An Event.
An extra hour means sitting down to supper while it’s still light out, more time to meet pals (from March 29 when the Rule of Six comes back into play) and a feeling of relief across the nation.
Clock changes always carry with them a tinge of confusion, but the easiest way to remember which way to turn the dial is: spring forward, fall back. Much as we try to avoid Americanisms, in this instance, it’s pretty handy.
Another thing that’s pretty handy? A wristwatch. Yes we know, your phone displays the time, but before you’ve reached for your handset you could have tilted your wrist and seen the time in a flash. Plus, they’re far more than a functional tool. A fashion accessory in its own right, a nice watch can be an easy way to express your personality and add a streak of colour to your outfit. They make great gifts too, perfect if you’ve got a special celebration coming up.
While there are many investment timepieces to splash out on, for the thrifty or just as a nice treat, there are plenty of fashion-led styles under £200 on offer.
We’ve sorted through the vast choice to bring you the best options. These are the ones to watch over BST.
Casio Unisex Vintage Bracelet Strap Watch
Offering bucket loads of unisex appeal, the classic Casio shows not only the time but the date, a stopwatch and an alarm on its digital face. There’s also a backlight to illuminate when light is sparse.
Also available from Urban Outfitters, End Clothing and Casio
Olivia Burton Rainbow Mini rose gold-tone watch
With just the right mix of colour and classic shapes, this pretty watch from jewellery brand Oliva Burton is high on our wish list this season. The perfect addition to your wardrobe, wear it alone or with pastel accessories to play up the shades on the face.
Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Dive Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch
Like the oversized look? This Citizen timepiece may say it’s for men but trust us, your wrist won’t know the difference. Sporting a jewel green face, this watch operates through light - natural or artificial - so never needs a battery change. It also shows the date and is water resistant to 200m.
Olivia Burton Ice Queen silver-tone watch
We can’t travel right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use accessories to inspire our daily looks. With a patterned dial, this watch reminds us of Moorish tiles found in Lisbon, Istanbul and Marrakech. A great piece of jewellery to have on standby when the time comes to make grand overseas plans.
Larsson & Jennings Norse Milanese 34mm Gold Satin-White
Slim and elegant, this chic square-shaped watch is the perfect finishing touch to any outfit, whether you’re off for a walk or meeting friends for a picnic. Comes with a two-year warranty.
Tommy Hilfiger Luke leather strap watch 1791118
Get the clean-cut Tommy look in your watch. Featuring three hand movements, this chronograph watch has a classic buckle fastening on the leather strap, a date window on the face encased in stainless steel and is water resistant to 50m.
Vivienne Westwood Lexington watch
Guaranteed to make a statement, this design is for the fashion magpies hunting for a bargain. Featuring the brand’s distinctive orb in the centre plus three hands and a clean geometric dial, the watch sits on a gold coloured bracelet strap that fastens with a folding clasp. Gorgeous.
£180 | ASOS *On sale from £300
Aaren Kulor Green Silicone 41mm Watch
Simple watches with bold bursts of colour, Danish Skagen is clean, uncluttered and streamlined, championing a less is more approach. Fashion week catwalks were awash with juicy green hues earlier this year, which makes this bold beauty from the Aaren Kulor collab so ripe for picking. Show off the racing green hue all summer and find yourself bang on fashion come autumn.
Ted Baker Phylipa Serendipity Mesh Watch
Floral fantasy more your thing? Well, it’s spring, so why not? As well as office wear and formal frocks, Ted Baker has a lovely collection of wristwatches, perfect for the season ahead. In rose gold, this style is finished with a pretty blossom-inspired pattern on the dial and fastens with a clasp.
Abbott Lyon Gold Pearl Link Nueva 40
Catering for him and her, jewellery and accessories brand Abbott Lyon is all about tasteful designs that you’ll continue to wear for many years to come. With a faux mother of pearl face, you could easily dismiss this round watch as just a pretty face, but the chic multifunctional details means it’s so much more. Water resistant to three metres.
Daniel Wellington Classic Bristol
Available in 36mm and a large 40mm size, bookish types will like the simple, functional style of this watch. The leather strap, Japanese Quartz movement and fresh face make it one to reach for time and time again.
Casio G-Shock unisex digital watch in clear GM-6900SCM-1ER
The 90s called and said you left your watch behind. Readers of a certain age will recall the hysteria G-Shock watches from before the millennium, while young types will relish the retro stylings of this chunky wrist watch: think a transparent strap, silver-tone bezel and a digital display.
Armani Exchange Black Dial Gold Coloured Watch
Understated style found over at Argos, where you can get your hands on this timeless design from Armani Exchange. The black and gold look is water resistant to 50m.
Swatch LW167 Cerise Moi silicon-strap quartz watch
If you like matching your accessories to your outfit, look no further than Swatch’s collection, which offers styles in every colour and for every mood and occasion. This fresh cherry-patterned design is making us smile right now: the playful look is just the breath of fresh air we’ve been gasping for out of lockdown.
