Watches have a lot going for them compared to, say, a coat or pair of trainers. They’re trendproof for the most part, easy to wear (once you heed the golden rule of matching the size of your watchface to your wrist) and they’re available at price points that run the gamut, too – from a Casio at a cost equivalent to a few coffees to A. Lange & Söhne’s potentially bankrupting models priced north of a million quid.

But with great choice, comes great indecision. Obviously you’ll have a good idea of how much you’ve got to play with when it comes to buying a timepiece, but how can you make sure you’re getting value for money? Which brands are worth shelling out for and which are best given the cold shoulder?

“It all depends on three things: longevity, usage and occasion,” says Muhaddisa Fazal, Fine Watch Buyer at The Watch Gallery. “If you can see yourself wearing a watch every single day, invest a few more quid as you’ll get more wear to justify the cost – plus, better quality usually means better durability.”

(Related: The watches you can pass down to your kids) With that in mind, here’s our tiered guide to timepieces:

£100-£500

The baseline. While most watch enthusiasts would balk at the idea of spending such a ‘small’ amount on something so apparently significant, some of us are fine (thanks) with a watch that tells the time and looks decent while doing it. (Even if it wasn’t painstakingly hand-assembled in Biel.) (Related: The Best Watches Under £100)

Timex

With a strapline like ‘Wear it well’, Timex makes no attempt to conceal the fact that its watches are more style, less feats of craftsmanship; more intended as an accessory, less a showpiece housed in a padlocked display case you stroke lovingly daily.

Try the Waterbury or Weekender collections for wristwear that’ll team nicely with looks from smart to casual.