🕒 The Budget New Quartz Chronograph Showdown: Lorus vs Sekonda vs Casio Edifice

Welcome to the ultimate watch-off: three scrappy contenders from the sub-£100 corner enter the ring, ticking furiously for your affection (and your modest budget). It's Lorus vs Sekonda vs Casio Edifice — and while none of these watches will win the Prix de Genève, they will tell the time reliably while looking like they’ve been punching above their price tag at the pub.

Let’s dive into what makes each of these brands tick — literally and figuratively — and see which one deserves that precious bit of wrist real estate.

🟦 Lorus: The Sensible Sibling of Seiko

Tagline: “I’m not fancy, but my big brother’s Seiko.”

Lorus is like that friend who always brings snacks on a road trip: dependable, modest, and often surprisingly stylish. Made by the Seiko Watch Corporation, Lorus offers Japanese quartz reliability in tidy, affordable packages. You get some of that Seiko DNA (but none of the awkward family dinners).

👍 Pros:

• Solid Japanese quartz movements

• Great lume on some models

• Simple, clean designs

• Excellent value for the money

👎 Cons:

• Doesn’t push the design envelope much

• Resin cases on cheaper models can feel plasticky

🧐 Who’s it for?

The budget-conscious realist who wants Seiko-ish quality without the price tag or Instagram flexing.

🔶 Sekonda: The British Budget Behemoth

Tagline: “It’s a watch. It works. Move on.”

Sekonda is the UK’s best-selling watch brand, and you’ve probably seen one on a relative’s wrist next to a Marks & Spencer cardigan. Originally a Soviet import brand (yes, really), Sekonda eventually went full British, shedding its USSR roots faster than a cold war spy with a fake passport.

These days, Sekonda offers fashion-forward designs made in Asia, often with quartz movements and more than a whiff of high-street charm.

👍 Pros:

• Extremely affordable — often under £30

• Massive variety of styles

• Ubiquitous and easy to find

• Occasionally decent chronographs

👎 Cons:

• Build quality varies wildly

• Mineral glass is often scratch-prone

• Some models feel more “gift set filler” than timepiece

🧐 Who’s it for?

Anyone who needs a decent-looking watch now and doesn’t want to read a 3,000-word WatchUSeek forum thread before buying.

🟥 Casio Edifice: Your Inner Racing Driver’s Daily Beater

Tagline: “I put the chrono in chronograph — and maybe Bluetooth, too.”

Casio Edifice is the slick, motorsport-tinged cousin in the Casio family tree. While not as iconic as the G-Shock or retro-cool like the F-91W, Edifice models often combine robust build quality with just enough tech to confuse your dad.

You’ll find features like 100m water resistance, world time, Bluetooth syncing, and stainless-steel cases with dramatic, sporty dials that scream speed even if you drive a 2008 Ford Focus.

👍 Pros:

• Great feature set for the price

• Solid stainless steel construction

• Looks much more expensive than it is

• Casio reliability

👎 Cons:

• Busy dials aren’t for everyone

• Slightly chunkier on the wrist

• Bluetooth features can be gimmicky

🧐 Who’s it for?

The guy who still remembers Schumacher’s glory days and wants a watch that looks like it belongs in the pit lane — but won’t pit your wallet.

🥇 Final Verdict: Who Wins?

Let’s award some totally made-up medals, shall we?

🔍 Collector’s Corner: Are Any of These Worth Collecting?

Not really — but hear me out.

A Lorus chronograph or early digital Casio Edifice might someday get a cult following, much like the quirky Casio Databanks and retro Seikos. Sekonda, with a few exceptions, leans more toward mass-market filler than future collectible. But if you find an old Soviet Sekonda from the '60s? Snap it up.

💡 Final Thoughts

If you’re after a solid budget watch, Lorus is the stealthy winner for quality. Casio Edifice takes the crown for those who like a bit of flash and tech. And Sekonda? It’s the high-street hero — just don't expect heirloom status.

Whichever you choose, you’re getting more than your money’s worth — and you’ll still have enough left over for chips on the way home.