The Watchlist: up to £500

Solar-powered, with 1/20th-of-a-second stopwatch with 10 memories. This is a cutting-edge wrist computer, as worn by Vettel and Webber.

£500; www.casio.co.uk

An oversized mechanical with 21-jewel automatic movement visible through the dial, in a chunky 44mm black case.

£175; kennethcole.com

From the makers of the clocks found in Switzerland's railway stations. Sane price, and looks to impress the stuffiest of architects. What's not to like?

£325; thewatchhut.co.uk

Eddie Jordan wears a TW Steel, presumably to ensure he can see the time, thanks to a case the size of a beer mat.

£325; twsteeluk.com

The brand that made affordable watches cool offers mechanical models for quartz money. This one has a choice of full or cutaway dials.

£111; swatch.com

A genuine diving watch secure to 200m. Solar-powered, with chrono, date and rotating bezel.

£275; seiko.co.uk

A utilitarian gem from the makers of Swiss Army knives. Houses a quartz movement in a steel case. It's a steal.

£335; victorinox.com

A chronograph on a bracelet with contrasting inserts. The 24-hour read-out can be used as a second time zone. Redefines ‘bargain'.

£80; sekonda.co.uk