Excellanc blue ladies' watch baton markers 36 mm

Most everyday quartz watches settle for a plain dial and a standard clasp. This Excellanc model asks a little more of itself. The dial is a clear blue with fine baton markers, and the whole watch is designed to slip on and off without any fuss, which is not something you can say of every bracelet watch.

The blue dial is the first thing you notice. It is clean and easy to read, with slender silver-tone markers that stand out neatly against the colour. Nothing crowds the face, so the effect is calm rather than showy. The case is round, in silver-tone metal, and the blue bracelet picks up the shade of the dial for a look that feels considered from edge to edge.

At 36 mm across and 8 mm thick, the case has a pleasant presence on the wrist without feeling heavy. It sits comfortably under a shirt cuff and holds its own with short sleeves too.

The bracelet is stainless steel and stretches, so there is no clasp to fasten. You simply slide it over the hand and it settles in place. It measures 18 mm wide, and the watch is 19 cm from end to end, which is worth keeping in mind when you think about fit.

Inside is a quartz PC21 movement with analogue display, a simple and dependable choice. When the battery eventually runs down, a watchmaker can replace it in a few minutes. The mineral glass protects the dial from the small knocks of daily life. The watch is splash resistant, so a shower of rain or washing your hands is fine, but take it off before showering or swimming.

The blue and silver-tone pairing goes easily from the office to an evening out, and it makes a thoughtful gift as well as a treat for yourself. If you like the metal finish, you can see more in our collection of women's silver-tone watches.