Black ladies' watch with baton markers 38 mm faux leather

Faux leather has a knack for feeling softer than you expect, and this Excellanc strap is a good example. It is black, light and supple, so it settles around the wrist without any of the stiffness a new strap can have. A classic pin buckle closes it, the kind you can fasten in one go without looking.

Above it sits a round dial in solid black, covered by a mineral glass. There are no numerals, only slim baton markers, which keeps the face calm and easy to read. Black goes with almost everything, so the watch moves from a shirt at the office to a chunky jumper at the weekend without any fuss.

The silver-tone metal case measures 38 mm across and 8 mm thick. It has enough presence to be noticed without taking over a small wrist, and the pale finish gives the black dial a crisp outline. If you like that cool metallic look, you can browse more silver-tone watches for women in the same spirit.

The strap is 18 mm wide and the watch measures 23.5 cm in total length. It weighs just 29 g, so you will hardly register it during the day. Inside is a quartz movement with an analogue display, reliable and undemanding. When the battery eventually runs out, a watchmaker can swap it in a few minutes.

It is a women's watch with a neat, understated look, and at this price it is inexpensive enough to keep a spare for evenings out or to give as a present. Treat the strap gently and it will stay looking good for a long time.