This is the first of a couple of Accurist divers that caught my attention. Often dive watches are at the core of a brands range, but Accurist made their name with classic British watches - a marketing tool that they still use - so dive models aren’t over-represented in their line. Although Chinese made, you can see from my list below that the watches are powered by Japanese movements. They have the workmanship and build quality that you’d expect at this inexpensive price-point and the reliability and accuracy that the Japanese movements are famed for.

Accurist is a British watch brand owned by Time Products Ltd - the company that also owns Sekonda and Limit watches. Until 2014, Accurist was a family-run business, having been founded in the 1940s by a husband and wife team.

Accurist 7366 Mens Blue Retro Racer Chronograph Watch - Specification

They don’t represent the extreme value for money of a Russian brand like Vostok, or a Chinese homage brand such as Corgeut. But when compared with other brands on the high-street, particularly the fashion brands, they stand up well against the competition. By the 1960s, Asher’s two brothers were also involved in the family business. Richard, a recent University graduate, created a new sub-brand - Old England. This collection was marketed to fashion-conscious youth. The designs were bold, colourful and ultimately as much a part of the swinging sixties as the mini-skirt. Indeed, Twiggy was one of those who wore the watch, along with The Beatles and Princess Anne. The Signature chronograph is the more conventional of the two and has an angular 40mm case that is my perfect size. The dial, with its three sub-dials, is busier than the Retro Racer but manages to look less flamboyant. Despite the bold retro-styling of this watch, it retains an air of functionality. Less sporty and more of a watch as a tool.

They specialise in very affordable quartz watches, with an emphasis on classic British styling. As a British watch fan, I’ve had a fair few Accurist models through my hands over the years. I’d like to take you through a little of the brand’s history and then present a list of what I believe are the seven best Accurist watches currently available. Where it differs is in the design. Everything is just a little larger and bolder. The text on the bezel and its knurled edges, the hands and the over-sized markers. There are crown guards on this model and the crown is just a little larger and has a touch of colour. Indeed, it’s all more colourful and sporty. I like it. The thing we like about this is that the case has those rounded angles on its old fashioned TV dial look. Accurist has been making round case chronographs for ages, but since they dropped the Sekonda Monaco homage, they haven’t really produced anything a bit different from most of the budget fashion quartz watches out there. (Yes, Sekonda, Limit and Accurist are owned by the same company) Delicate and innovative bracelets are encrusted with stones to catch the light and add timeless glamour to your outfit. More easily wearable and practical daily pieces are also available, made with the standard and quality you've come to expect from the brand. Men's watches are equally beautifully designed, with subtle masculine features creating a timeless look in silver and yellow gold. The brand was initially created with the intention of producing distinctive and affordable watches made from Swiss components. The name Accurist suggests an accurate wristwatch while also being recognisably English. The couple launched this new brand from their shop in Clerkenwell, London.The watches are of course, made in the far-east, but there's an elevated sense of trust that the watch will be above par when the company behind it has heritage. There are versions of the Retro Racer with stainless steel Milanese bracelets, but I prefer this variation with the leather racing strap. It feels a little more authentic. It’s a great place to start if you’re new to Accurist. So I had been pondering a Pagani design or other similar watches. But when I had the money in my hand my heart took me down a different route. They were then able to avoid the worst of the competition from quartz watches by embracing the technology, switching production to Japan and subsequently to China. Although no longer family-owned, the brand is still in British hands - now held by Marcus Margulies, owner of Sekonda and Limit.

This watch feature a stainless steel case enclosing a dark grey sunray dial with rose coloured batons and a day/date display. Adrian & Co Jewellers Registered office Adrian & Co Jewellers, 21 Williamstreet, Cookstown, BT80 8AX, N.Ireland, Registered in GB The design is recognisable as the type of watch that my dad really did wear then and that certainly explains part of the appeal. There are a couple of nice touches on the piece, including a signed crown. The result is a very affordable retro watch that would, at a glance, pass for a vintage model. Accurist made their name as a British watch company that manufactured mechanical watches using Swiss components. They even opened an office in Switzerland to help with their sourcing of Swiss watch parts. From humble beginnings, as a small family ran firm in post-war Britain, Accurist grew to be the watch worn on the wrists of The Beatles. The husband and wife founders had a clear vision - to produce affordable British watches built from Swiss components.Hi, I just wondered if you know anything about womans accurist watches. I have inherited a womans bracelet watch labelled as GD1820 but can’t find anything about it. Although now manufactured in Japan, the brand was still at the forefront of popular British culture.

A week later the watch arrived and didn't disappoint. The box is small, in a matte-shine dark purple, with flip-top and viewing window, and presents very well. Worth keeping. Having launched the Old England line worldwide in 1967, the company created a US showroom and then a Swiss office a year later. Accurist was truly an international brand, with a foot in the United States and a base in La Chaux de Fonds - the heart of Swiss watchmaking.Up for grabs is this Accurist 7365, a charming little retro quartz chronograph which I bought this week, but it's not my cup of tea. What I like is that it takes that straightforward slim case - without crown guards - and adds a textured and colourful dial. The hands and indices are plain and the text on the dial is kept to a minimum.