Excellanc blue women's watch expanding bracelet

The first thing to know about this Excellanc watch is how the bracelet is made: it is stainless steel in a blue finish, and it expands, so there is no clasp to fiddle with. You simply slide it over your hand and it sits comfortably on the wrist. It is the sort of detail you appreciate more each day you wear it.

The blue carries through to the dial, which is bright and easy to read. Arabic numerals alternate with baton indexes, so you can tell the time at a glance, whether you are running for a train or sitting through a long meeting. Around it, the round silver-tone metal case measures 36 mm across and 8 mm thick, with enough presence to be noticed without ever feeling oversized.

That cool blue and silver-tone pairing is easy to dress. It goes with denim at the weekend, with a crisp shirt in the office, and with a simple black dress in the evening. If you like the silvery look, you can see more options in our collection of silver-tone women's watches, and compare at your leisure.

Inside is a quartz movement with an analogue display, which is accurate and straightforward. When the battery eventually runs out, a watchmaker can replace it in a few minutes. The mineral glass is more resistant to scratches than plastic, which helps the dial stay clear over time.

On the practical side, the bracelet is 18 mm wide and the total length is 18.5 cm. This model is called Selin, and it makes a thoughtful gift for someone who likes a touch of colour on her wrist, or a lovely treat for yourself.