Author: Marcus Henry

It’s no secret that the spectacular quality of a luxury watch almost never comes for cheap. But what about those watch fans who admire the refinement of watchmaking yet are unable to afford higher-end pieces? Never fear: microbrands provide the solution.

These small, generally affordable brands offer unique designs at accessible prices. Thanks to the many microbrands on the market, any watch enthusiast can easily find any style of watch. But amidst such a dizzying sea of offerings from all sorts of small brands, it can be challenging to find exceptional-quality offerings. 

Thankfully, when you do, they astonish and amaze time and time again. There’s something for everyone, and all it takes is to find that special piece that would be a special addition to your collection or a faithful companion day in and day out.

History of Microbrand Watches

Small brands working steadily away at producing their own designs and quality pieces are as old as watchmaking itself. Often, these were individual watchmakers, producing pieces one by one.

Thanks to recent advancements in technology and global connectedness, watch designers are now able to get their parts produced by private-label companies, allowing individuals to realize complex case patterns and exquisite dial layouts.

The best microbrands are often the passion projects of watch aficionados, who are able to bring their expert collecting eye to bear on creating their own watches.

When you buy a quality microbrand watch, you’re tapping into a tremendous amount of attention, design, and energy, backed by the experience of people who have been immersed in the horological world for years.

Top 20 Best Microbrand Watches

There are a dizzying number of microbrand watches on the market right now, and it can be hard to pan through all these options to find the nuggets of gold. Look no further than this list, where I dive deep into 20 of the best watches out there on the market. I personally guarantee you’ll find at least one that speaks to you. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Christopher Ward The Twelve (Ti) Astral Blue

Since the 1970s, there have been very few new steel sports watch designs, while the originals—the Royal Oak, Nautilus, Ingénieur, and 222—continue to enjoy tremendous popularity. They’re iconic designs and were truly game-changing when they first came out. The Twelve is, without a doubt, a worthy successor to these spectacular watches, and it manages to reference the originals in a way that is both unique and refreshing.

The Twelve features a characteristic dodecahedronal bezel (try saying that ten times fast!). This bezel is absolutely stunning, with many facets and three different finishes to boot. These textures and angles pair perfectly with the sharp and elegant case. 

The dial is absolutely fantastic and shows just as much attention to detail as the case, with a rich fumé (smoky) icy blue color over pyramidal engraved patterning. Toss in those sleek, modern hands, and you have a cutting-edge modern design.

At a clean, wearable 40mm in diameter, with a grade 2 titanium case and a slick tapered bracelet, and priced at just $1,895, this watch could easily be the Astral Blue star of any collection.

Monta Atlas GMT Opalin Silver Dial

GMT watches have the unique opportunity of coupling an extremely useful complication (the ability to track another timezone!) with a clean and elegant design, and the Monta Atlas is one of the very best in these regards. 

With its refined silver dial touched with pops of light blue from the GMT hand and text, it transitions from the board room to a refined soirée with ease. Through the exhibition caseback, you can see the MONTA Caliber M-23 with a customized rotor.

At just $2,150, the Monta Atlas GMT Opalin Silver Dial easily meets all the criteria for a worthwhile pick and a beautiful everyday companion.

Lorier Neptune

Almost everyone knows the Rolex Submariner and the Omega Seamaster. They’re some of the most iconic watch designs ever created, full stop. So it took a particular amount of pluck for microbrand Lorier to step up and design the Neptune just as if it had been created in 1957, right alongside these greats. Thankfully, their bravado paid off.

The Neptune has a stunning gilt dial, with gold printing on black and lume that’s 3D printed on to make it extra thick and extra bright. The case is brushed and simple, flowing well into the bracelet. My favorite touch is the bezel, with its oh-so-simple vintage font that, in my eyes, is just right for a vintage-inspired watch like this one.

At 39mm, it’s a wearable companion that can follow you from scuba diving (with 200m of water resistance!) to the office. And at $499, it’s a very palatable choice for your wallet.

Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange

Baltic is a new French brand that has been making headlines lately—and with good reason. Their Aquascaphe GMT Orange works with colors in a way that’s incredibly eye-catching and harmonious.

The blue/orange bezel is bidirectional, allowing you to track not just two but three total time zones when you set it. The case has razor-sharp angles and a simplistic brushed surface, emphasizing its tool watch nature.

The dial, for its part, is a readable matte black touched by pops of orange from the GMT hand and dial text. The hands are faceted and polished, powered by the SOPROD C125 GMT, a Swiss automatic movement.

For $938.40, it’s even less expensive than many of its microbrand competitors, let alone some of the larger-brand GMTs. Personally, I recommend tacking on a beads-of-rice bracelet for an additional $97.58, which adds a chef’s kiss of vintage flair.

Formex Essence Leggera Forty One Arctic White

There are sports watches, and then there are sports watches. The Essence Leggera is firmly in the latter category. The case, for one, is made of carbon fiber composite, which makes it durable, gives it a silky feel, and provides a stealthy appearance. Contrast this with the polar white dial, which has engraved horizontal ribbing and bright blue lume on its mirror-polished hands and indices. 

Beating at the heart of this wearable monster is the chronometer-grade Sellita SW-200-1, which has 41 hours of power reserve and is supported by the proprietary Formex case suspension system. This invention acts just like the suspension on a bike to protect the movement from hard knocks and quick motions.

All this extreme functionality and slick design come for just $1,640, including taxes and shipping.

Traska Commuter 38 Adriatic Blue

To pull off a simplistic watch design like this, you really have to nail every single detail. Astonishingly, that’s exactly what Traska has done here with their Commuter 38. It’s an understated everyday watch that can follow you anywhere faithfully. Its case finishing is elegant: brushed lugs and polished bevels emphasize the fluidity of its design and give it a lovely shine.

The bezel and the dial pair splendidly, as each is finished in a sunray pattern. The dial, of course, is rendered in the absolutely stunning blue-green shade that evokes the Adriatic Sea. Both the hands and the indices appear simple but, in reality, have a fascinating triple-faceted structure.

At an impeccable 38mm diameter and a price of just $650, allow me to finish with a brief warning: watch out so you don’t get just as lost in the rich blue-green of that dial as you would in the real Adriatic Sea.

Atelier Wen Millésime 2024 Mù Purple Dial

Full disclosure: this watch is one of my favorites. At once classical and modern, it builds on the integrated sports watches of the past in a stunning new way. Its case structure is stunning and fluid, creating a design that moves your eye around the watch thanks to its compounded curves.

The dial is a work of art. To describe that rich purple guilloché as simply “eye-catching” would be an injustice, but it really does seize your attention and draw your eye in. 

Each dial is hand-crafted by China’s first and only master guillocheur, Cheng Yucai. Another elegant touch is the traditional Chinese pattern known as huí wén on the chapter ring, which is filled with Super-LumiNova.

This $3,588 beauty runs on a special ultra-thin movement made in China, the SL1588A, which was heavily customized for Atelier Wen to feature a strong 41-hour power reserve and some beautiful finishing. 

Its custom purple rotor is visible in part through the caseback, which is engraved with the face of a stone lion whose mouth is transparent sapphire. It’s a watch that punches well above its price point and could easily compete with icons like the Royal Oak at over ten times its retail.

Zelos Aurora Field 38mm Bronze Hammered Blue

Many people are fascinated by the idea of a watch that ages with them, slowly accumulating scratches and scuffs from life’s great journey. A bronze watch can take this idea to the extreme. Over time, bronze slowly acquires a spectacular green patina—think of the Statue of Liberty in a unique and gradually changing pattern. If any of this sounds appealing to you, the Zelos Aurora Field is the perfect pick.

Even beyond its elegant brushed bronze case, the Aurora Field features a stunning hammered dial with a fumé blue gradient. Copious amounts of lume fill the sporty indices and hands, as well as the rehaut minutes scale. With its hammered texture and polished indices, it’s easy to imagine the Aurora Field as the product of a master metalworker’s workshop.

For just $399, this utterly unique everyday wear with 200m of water resistance could, and certainly should, be yours.

HALIOS Seaforth IV Pastel Blue

Looking for something playful and simple but a sturdy companion for wherever life takes you? Canada-based microbrand HALIOS’ Seaforth collection is the perfect answer. Available with or without a clean and nondescript dive bezel, this is a watch that can follow you from sea to land to sky with ease. 

Its rich blue dial has an extremely creamy and smooth texture, and its prominent crown guards establish it as a durable tool watch. The extreme legibility of such a simple but refined dial set it firmly as one of the very best in this category. Frankly, it’s very difficult to find any fault with this watch—and the movement beating inside, a Sellita SW-200-1 is just as solid as the rest of it.

At $775 with the rotating bezel or $735 with a fixed one instead, the Seaforth IV Pastel Blue is a great value option for almost any budget.

Farer Markham II World Timer

We’ve already featured several GMTs on this list, and while they’re exceptional watches, the Farer Markham II World Timer takes the level of travel functionality a whole step further by tracking not just one or two extra timezones but all of them simultaneously. 

This is a complex design that’s hard to pull off simply or elegantly, but the incredibly cohesive design of the Markham II manages just that. The extra crown at 10:00 allows you to set the 24-hour rotating time zones bezel, aligning them each with the proper hour. The dial is, in my opinion, faultless, from the depth of the white guilloché base to the red and blue accent colors in various shades to the numerals and text shaped in a clean, modern font.

For $1,695, this quality, functionality, and attention to detail do come at a slightly elevated price, but it’s an investment that won’t stop paying dividends.

Nodus Contrail GMT Laguna

The Contrail GMT Laguna captures all of the Hollywood movie-star charm you would hope for from a Los Angeles-based brand like Nodus. I absolutely love the profile of this case and the way it lays on the wrist. I’m a sucker for twisted lugs, and the way Nodus has opted to mirror polish the outside of these lugs and brush the inside just provides some spectacular contrast, especially when seen in the context of that glossy sapphire GMT bezel. 

The dial serves as the epicenter for all that charm, with its clean matte sandy finish that recalls hot California beaches in the summer, and the addition of a color-matched date window is a great touch.

For $825, it’s a solidly priced watch for a product that has clearly seen a significant amount of attention to detail in its design and development. It’s an elegant tool watch that doesn’t just do its job—it does it well.

Studio Underd0g Watermel0n

This mouthwatering chronograph is, first and foremost, fun, to the point where I’m almost tempted to forget that it has some serious watchmaking chops behind it.

That spectacular dial has clearly seen a lot of development, from the carefully balanced layout of the text and the subdials to the fascinating matte finish of the center red section. Just looking at it brings back fond memories of summer picnics! 

A small detail I’d like to mention here as representative of just how much attention has gone into this design: the 3:00 chronograph subdial is actually not just flat green but three separate shades, all faintly distinct, for each 10 minutes of the 30-minute counter. In this way, it ties together all of the separate shades of green used in the watch in an extremely cohesive manner.

For $675, you can get your hands on a serious piece of horological fun. Just don’t take a bite out of it…

 Vaer C5 Dirty Dozen – 40mm Ameriquartz

The Dirty Dozen were some of the most iconic watches ever made: a series of British field watches produced during WWII by 12 different Swiss manufacturers. They exude confidence and military charm—but purchasing one of these original antiques is both expensive and, for the most part, impractical. Enter Vaer, an American brand that has replicated this timeless design with a focus on USA craftsmanship.

Vaer’s design is motivated by practicality above all else, as evidenced by their “Ameriquartz” movement with 40 months of battery life. It’s a watch you can slip on and pair with any outfit, confident that it can easily resist the elements thanks to its 100m depth rating. The marriage of vintage design with modern practicality is nothing if not compelling.

For just $299, you get a watch that is at once infinitely cooler than the ubiquitous Apple Watch and much cheaper. Sounds to me like it has its competition beat!

 Maen Manhattan 39 Ultra-Thin

At first glance, the Manhattan 39 instantly calls to mind horological masterpieces like the Royal Oak and the Gerald Charles Maestro. Yet upon closer examination, it proves itself completely distinct, a refreshingly new design that stands on the shoulders of giants but exudes a charm all its own.

The case flows organically, using contrasting polishing in several different areas to move the eye around the piece and provide incredible depth. The bracelet drops seamlessly from the lugs, with no juncture visible between the two. As for the dial, the traditional Côtes de Genève finish adds a healthy dose of classic style, which makes the avant-garde design of the case much more easily wearable.

For just $1,070, this ultra-thin watch is a worthy competitor of the icons it references, full of simplistic and elegant charm.

 AnOrdain Model 1 Japanese Oxblood

AnOrdain is a brand that I’ve been checking out quite a bit lately, thanks to their gorgeous enamel dials and Scottish roots. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a color quite like this Japanese Oxblood dial, and for me, it inspires a nearly visceral reaction whenever I let my eyes linger on it.

Everything else on the dial is designed to complement that amazing enamel, and it does it perfectly, with thin markers and refined numerals inspired by Scottish cartography.

The case is a bit of a departure from what we’ve been seeing on the rest of this list since it’s mostly mirrored instead of brushed. The hands are a lovely heat-tempered straw color, which complements the dial splendidly as a bit of an accent color.

The opportunity to get your hands on a real in-house enamel dial for just $2,679 if you opt for a La Joux-Perret G101 or $2,284 for a Sellita SW210 is an option that really can’t be passed up. Pair that with the spectacular strap options that AnOrdain offers, with some seriously high-quality leather, and you have yourself a home run.

 Brew Metric Retro Dial

What do coffee and incredible vintage watch design have in common? Go on, I’ll wait.  Here’s the answer: the spectacular Brew Metric Retro Dial.

It’s an incredible vintage-inspired chronograph that uses bright vintage colors to stunning effect, with an overall color palette that pops strongly against its muted steel case and black dial. Plus, the chronograph function turns it into a perfect everyday wearer that can accompany you on any journey.

Where does the coffee come in I hear our dear caffeine-starved readers demanding. Never fear—the brand isn’t called Brew for nothing.

On this watch, the minutes track between 25-35 seconds is highlighted in yellow-green to signify the perfect time of extraction for an espresso shot. You could use your smartphone for this task… or time your fancy homemade espresso with an equally chic watch.

Its retail of $450 is an extremely reasonable price for a watch of this level of elegance and fun, whether you end up making espressos with it or not. Coffeemaker not included.

 Astor + Banks Fortitude Pro Mint Green

I love mint—I always have and always will. So when I researched for this article and found out Astor + Banks had an edition of their Fortitude Pro with a rich mint green dial, it was immediately on my radar. I think it’s a truly fantastic watch. 

That dial is refreshing just to look at, and its structure is so simple and clean that it would be challenging to find fault with it. The rest of the watch is exactly what a tool watch should be: drilled lugs for easy strap changes, a contrasting brushed and polished case, and a lovely brushed bracelet. The dial may be the star of the show, but the rest of it doesn’t disappoint.

At $675, you get a slick tool watch with a powerful automatic Miyota 9015 movement. Frankly, I’d buy it just for that mint dial—but the rest of it just so happens to be spectacular as well.

 Dan Henry 1964 Gran Turismo Chronograph

The 1964 Gran Turismo is simple, elegant, vintage-inspired, and customizable. All four of these highly desirable characteristics together create something truly magical. 

One of the biggest standout attractions of this watch is the wide variety of options you have in customizing your watch. Models are available in either 36mm or 38mm and in a wide variety of colorways. Plus, the 38mm includes a tachymeter, further building on the watch’s racing heritage evoked in the Gran Turismo name.

As a final touch, no matter which of the many sleek dial options you go with, consider adding a beads of rice bracelet for a boost of class and vintage flair. At $250 for the 36mm and $300 for the 38mm, you really can’t go wrong.

 Reservoir Supercharged Classic

The luxury worlds of watches and automobiles often overlap, but rarely do they combine to form such a unique and fascinating product as the Reservoir Supercharged Classic. This watch is deeply inspired by vintage speedometers, and it accomplishes this look with a totally unique dial. 

The minutes hand acts like the speedometer hand, gradually accelerating throughout your day before, at the top of the hour, it snaps back to 0 and begins again. The hour is unobtrusively present in a “digital” display and even the power reserve is presented just like a fuel tank, a useful and charming touch.

In case you’re wondering, all of this vintage driving charm is powered by a custom in-house module. For $4,400, it’s a little more expensive than the others on this list, but for that price you’re getting a specially developed module and a spectacular design. If you’re a car fan, don’t let this one pass you by.

Unimatic U1 Classic

Unimatic is an Italian-based brand that is known first and foremost for their hardcore, tool-built designs. The U1 Classic continues that trend but with a healthy touch of refinement and class. It’s simple, minimalistic, and elegant, following timeless design codes with its matte black bezel and dial and pale green luminous markers.

 A brushed case and crown guards cement this watch as a tool watch beauty whose 300m of water resistance means it would be only too happy to follow you on your latest diving expedition. Do note, however, that the single dot on the dive bezel does sacrifice practicality for design, as timing events will now be more difficult.

For $550, you’ll have a deep-diving watch that can follow you from the ocean to anywhere as soon as the water’s done streaming off of it. Or just take it for a few laps in the pool. Whatever floats your boat.

Conclusion

Microbrands are some of the brightest stars of the watchmaking community, producing watches that push the boundaries of both affordability and design. It can be hard to sift through the thousands of options out there, but this list is a fantastic starting point. 

Whether you found a specific piece on here that called to you or simply a new brand to explore, I have no doubts that there is something for everyone who appreciates quality watchmaking and elegant design.

The Apple Watch is, without a doubt, the single most popular and recognizable watch in the world today. Its many models are present on wrists all around the world. As a category, they’re one of the best-selling products ever created. Their iconic rectangular shape can be spotted a mile away, adding style to powerful functionality. 

Its near-ubiquity, however, does not detract from its simple attractiveness. For iPhone owners and even those without Apple products, the Apple Watch is a fantastic daily companion that can aid you with daily tasks, making life more streamlined and fun, just as the very best technology should.

Whether you’re a hardcore watch nerd wondering about the mysterious world of smartwatches, an Apple fanatic looking to upgrade to the latest watch model, or just a beginner looking for a good entry point into the confusing array of Apple Watch models, look no further than this guide. I guarantee you’ll find just the right watch for your style, interests, and budget here.

Iconic Development: The History of Apple Watches

Before we dive into the specific breakdown of the watches you might be interested in, let’s examine how this line has evolved and become the icon that it is today. Learning about where these watches have been and what they’re becoming helps any informed buyer determine what the best choice is for their budget and for the market as it currently stands, and even just a brief overview can make a big difference in helping you to make the right decision.

The more than 100 million Apple Watches sold to date span 15 generations since their introduction in April 2015. (I did the math—that’s over 11 million watches sold per year on average and close to 7 million per generation!) These dizzying numbers are a clear testament to the quality and appeal of the world’s most iconic watch. 

The first Apple Watch may have been a little slow in processing speed, but it utterly redefined what a smartwatch could be. Step tracking, heart rate sensors, even Apple Pay—not even 10 years ago, many of the functions that we now take for granted in a smartwatch were absolutely groundbreaking, all thanks to the Apple Watch.

With later editions, the processing speed was greatly increased (almost doubled from the Series 0 to the Series 1!), and a bevy of new functions were introduced. GPS, waterproofing, mindfulness, independent cellular connection, Fall Detection, emergency sirens, and so much more all found their way into later editions of this smartwatch which is always at the very cutting edge of technology.

Throughout their history, Apple Watches have been pushing limits and driving the entire smartwatch market forward through their new advancements and technological features. The latest editions are a strong continuation of this trend, especially considering the powerful tech in the Ultra 2. 

When considering purchasing a new Apple Watch, look for the technology it features and how it’s pushed the market forward, as well as for its price, which usually is remarkably low for the advancements the watch holds.

Top 5 Best Apple Watches

Without further ado, let’s get right into the breakdowns! Each watch fills its own particular niche in Apple’s portfolio of offerings, and there’s something for everyone, from avant-garde technological beasts to subdued affordable options. I guarantee you’ll easily find the right watch for your budget and interests on this list!

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Honestly, where else could we start except with this ultra-advanced stunner? (I make no apologies for my puns—watch out since there may be a few more ahead!) For $799, it won’t come cheap, but you’ll get every dollar of your money back in the form of a titanium-enshrouded, 49mm hulk. 

The blazing fast S9 chip powers a dizzying array of functions: dual-band GPS, dual integrated speakers, emergency siren (audible up to 600 feet, two football fields away!), LTE cellular capability without even being connected to your phone, and a battery life that blows its competitors out of the water at up to 72 hours straight in Low Power Mode.

Sure, the price isn’t easy to swallow for most people looking to get into the market. While I can’t guarantee that your wallet will be happy with you, I can assure you that you’ll find many everyday moments becoming smoother. 

You can quickly dash off text messages from your watch, your phone left behind; you can fire up that dual-band GPS and go for a run anywhere from the mountains to the streets of Barcelona; you can even pick out a particularly chic watch face from the store and stride calmly into a board room meeting or an important conference with your Swiss army knife of tech at your side. You couldn’t ask for anything more from a tool that’s not merely a watch—it’s a daily companion.

Apple Watch Series 10

At $399, the Series 10 is a much more palatable offering from Apple than the Ultra 2 which still manages to offer a wide variety of technological advancements. At either 42mm or 46mm, you can pick the size that best suits your wrist, knowing that regardless of which option you settle for, you’ll have a bright wide-angle OLED display to proudly show each of your Series 10’s functions.

It surpasses its predecessors in a few key notable ways, although, for the most part, it’s a very similar watch. It’s thinner, 10% lighter than the Series 9, and has fast charging—which usually takes just 20-30 minutes to get your watch charged the majority of the way. 

For most, that means simply popping the watch onto the charger while you shower and slipping it on for the rest of the day! I find that these are things that seem like little details on paper (or on ETP’s exquisite blog, I suppose) but really improve the watch’s performance every single day throughout every function that you use. 

Finally, the Series 10 offers the Breathing Disturbances function, which can detect sleep apnea. This is honestly a huge advancement in diagnosing and preventing this condition and is definitely worth checking out if you’re worried you may suffer from it.

One drawback to note, however, is the absence of any sort of blood oxygen sensing feature which could be used to measure your respiratory system and fitness performance. Previous Apple Watches have featured this powerful tool, but it unfortunately had to be removed due to a lawsuit filed against Apple over the blood oxygen function. 

As such, this advancement has been removed in most new Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2 watches, leaving them at a slight disadvantage compared to other smartwatches on the market that still offer blood oxygen measurement. If you’re looking for any sort of respiratory system analysis, you can opt for an older Apple Watch made before the lawsuit. 

An easy way to identify a watch that still has this function active is if it does not have the letters LW/A at the end of its part number. It’s an unfortunate loss but one that can be circumvented if the need arises.

Apple Watch SE 2nd Generation

The original Apple Watch SE was, from the start, an exceptional budget-friendly option, and the 2nd Generation has only improved on the original while keeping a strong entry-level price. At $250, it’s much more affordable than even the Series 10, and still has quite the heavyweight lineup of features.

With an S8 chip, it’s not exactly as cutting-edge as the Ultra 2, but it sure does pack a punch (especially compared to some of those predecessors we were talking about in the History section!). The Vitals app is probably the biggest headline feature: at a quick glance, it shows heart rate, respiration, and other health-related features. Whether you’re working out or just going about your daily life, the Vitals app helps you stay on top of your well-being.

Another sweet budget-friendly option (which really just feels like dessert at this point—it’s almost impossible to resist!) is that independent cellular connectivity, which is a separate fee for each watch, is cheaper for the SE 2 than any other Apple Watch. 

This makes the SE 2nd Generation a great pick for people who don’t actually have an Apple iPhone or who don’t want to be reliant on their phones. With cellular connectivity, the Apple Watch SE can do most of what an iPhone could, with a smaller, more unassuming presence on your wrist as opposed to the weight in your pocket.

Apple Watch Series 9

The Series 9 isn’t currently offered by Apple for retail sale, but it is still a strong option for anyone looking to get into the market of Apple Watches. With an S9 chip and Breathing Disturbances, it edges out the SE 2nd Gen in functionality while still remaining at a relatively affordable price of around $300. Thanks to the fast new S9 chip, it has quicker processing for intensive functions like Siri as well as better battery life.

What’s more, many Series 9 models still have a fantastic array of sensors: ECG, skin temperature (which can help you see if you could be getting sick), and some even feature that rare blood oxygen sensor (again, look for a part number without LW/A).

With 41mm and 45mm case options, you can get a size that fits perfectly with your wrist and lifestyle. Speaking of lifestyle, as if the Apple Watch couldn’t get any easier or more convenient, the Series 9 uses a newer function called Double Tap, which activates the primary button on your home screen (which can be whatever you map it to) by just tapping your index finger and thumb on your watch hand. As in, no need to even touch the screen. 

The Series 9 is all about functionality, ease of access, and making your lifestyle easier, and it hits a home run in every possible way.

Apple Watch Series 7

The Series 7 may be an older model, but it sure has some kick left in it. You can find them for as low as $150 refurbished, which even surpasses the SE 2. Best of all, they still have that oh-so-precious blood oxygen sensor. No need to check part numbers in this case—every single Series 7 you can get your hands on will have it. For those who are in need of a good analysis of their respiratory activity, the Series 7 is a strongly compelling choice.

That said, one drawback of the Series 7 is that it usually goes for around the same price as a Series 8, both models being discontinued. For the most part, the Series 7 has one advantage beyond all others: its colors.

It comes in bright blue and green, colors that aren’t offered for any of the other models. If you’re looking for something a little more fun or fashionable than the austere titanium of an Ultra 2, the Series 7 might be exactly the watch you need.

Conclusion

Hundreds of millions of Apple Watches certainly haven’t been sold for nothing! As a collection, they span 15 generations of advancements that push the boundaries of what’s possible in smartwatches and wearable technology. They’re a true cultural icon in a way that few watches ever have been before, even surpassing the famous Swatches of the ’90s. 

From the ultra-rugged Ultra 2 to the powerful but entry-level SE, there’s an option for everyone in Apple’s catalog. Whether you’re a hard-bitten mechanical watch collector or just someone looking to buy an everyday wrist companion, Apple has just the right watch for you.