WESTAR WATCHES: WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THEM?

Q. Dear Gonzo,

As whimsy as my preferences might sound, given that I’m a fan of digital and dress watches equally and. unless I’m at work (a regular 9 to 5 desk job), you’ll find me donning a digital/ana-digi watch. Usually, they are for weekends which, I mostly spend outdoors.

Over these years, I have accumulated them one by one; sometimes, more than one at a time. My digital collection includes G-Shocks (now, that’s obvious), Casio digital watches other than G-Shock, a couple of Citizen Promasters (one with Radio Control), a Seiko Prospex Solar Diver and a Casio Vintage Youth.

The reason I’m writing to you is simple. We are in a competition, aiming for the best wrist electronics at the least. Consider it as fun within the family. If it’s of a good build at the same time, it’s all the better. It should be really, really inexpensive and a brand not riding high on the so-called popularity factor.

Searching through the Internet, I landed across Westar. What would be your opinion about this particular brand? Is it a reliable one? I’ve found them making dress watches also. Are they good – in terms of make and materials – in this department too? What are your thoughts about their dress and digital models in general?

Whether I pull the trigger on this particular brand entirely depends upon you waving the green flag.

A. YOUNG MAN, I absolutely congratulate you on your honesty.

Unlike some of the queries showing up as subtle demonstrations of wealth; about what one could procure and he did not just to showcase an inherent humbleness, you’d been blatant and vocal about your choice. I like that. I guess everyone who reads this entry, does.

You must be aware of the fact that certain objects have always been held as symbols of class and character; of refinement and sophistication, (go on adding your own superlatives here, as many as you can) while some present memories of some of your most significant moments, memories or achievements. These boundaries often overlap; price playing a major role. Westar, IMHO, are a clever escape from this overlapping of boundaries, occupying a separate space that offers a three to five years (bit more if you are lucky) of timekeeping solution, on an average, taking bits and pieces of concepts from every major mid-tier brand and moulding them in their own ways. In short, you feel no remorse later on for wringing the life out of the watch. The price doesn’t hurt; emotional connections are something different. In that case, your watch will not meet a sudden demise and you’ll enjoy your piece for much, much longer. Don’t forget regular battery changes and if needed, a complete servicing at the same time.

Westar is brand with an international presence. It’s owned by the Al-Futtaim Group, the conglomerate based in Dubai, UAE, who conceptualized watches that can be used as interchangeable fashion accessories. They are into business since the 1980s. Westar watches are no doubt stylish and exhibit more quality than other watches at the price range. They put out a wide variety; are distinctive in their looks and suit many different walks of life. Over the past four decades, Westar watches captivated the aspirations of young to mature adults; their use of state of the art technology and superior designs helped them to get established globally; 30 countries in total. Their stronghold is obviously, the Middle East mid-priced watch market and is the largest selling watch brand all over UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.

Why I call yours a good choice is because I find the Westar are inexpensive watches; not cheap watches. You can throw away and buy the same or another model without blinking your eyelids.  They will fly under the radar, never taking your focus off the trails. You will know what you are wearing and there will be no damage- related anxiety involved to bar your outdoor enjoyments. They are built well enough to become a symbol of achievement of some hurdle that you overcame a day at the wild.

As far as the question about Westar dress watches, they are as good as any Japanese brand offering similarly priced watches; say a Seiko Classic Quartz or a Citizen Dress. Westar uses movements from Okite, Seiko, ETA, Ronda and ISA Swiss; even for its sub sports brand Activ, launched in late 2003 for attracting young consumers. As materials, you’ll find Westar using ABS, silicon, stainless steel, bronze and high-quality leather; they even mix pure gold mixes for 3-micron thick plating on the stainless steel.

Following are few Westar watches I recommend to help you win the family game.