They specialise in very affordable quartz watches, with an emphasis on classic British styling. As a British watch fan, I’ve had a fair few Accurist models through my hands over the years. I’d like to take you through a little of the brand’s history and then present a list of what I believe are the seven best Accurist watches currently available.

From humble beginnings, as a small family ran firm in post-war Britain, Accurist grew to be the watch worn on the wrists of The Beatles. The husband and wife founders had a clear vision - to produce affordable British watches built from Swiss components. The thing we like about this is that the case has those rounded angles on its old fashioned TV dial look. Accurist has been making round case chronographs for ages, but since they dropped the Sekonda Monaco homage, they haven’t really produced anything a bit different from most of the budget fashion quartz watches out there. (Yes, Sekonda, Limit and Accurist are owned by the same company)Having launched the Old England line worldwide in 1967, the company created a US showroom and then a Swiss office a year later. Accurist was truly an international brand, with a foot in the United States and a base in La Chaux de Fonds - the heart of Swiss watchmaking. Having expanded the business to include the distribution of Versace watches, the three Loftus brothers ultimately sold Accurist to Time Products Ltd. This acquisition, in 2014, ended nearly 70 years of family ownership - although the business is still British owned, with headquarters in Leicestershire, England. Although now manufactured in Japan, the brand was still at the forefront of popular British culture.

The brand was initially created with the intention of producing distinctive and affordable watches made from Swiss components. The name Accurist suggests an accurate wristwatch while also being recognisably English. The couple launched this new brand from their shop in Clerkenwell, London. Although no longer family-owned, the brand is still in British hands - now held by Marcus Margulies, owner of Sekonda and Limit. Taking into consideration everything that I’ve discussed above. The British history, the brand’s involvement with the youth culture of the swinging sixties and the new ownership, these are my current favourite Accurist models.On first impressions the Retro Racer 7367 is both handsome and elegant, as well as eye-catching in it's retro departure from conventional round watch cases.

Delicate and innovative bracelets are encrusted with stones to catch the light and add timeless glamour to your outfit. More easily wearable and practical daily pieces are also available, made with the standard and quality you've come to expect from the brand. Men's watches are equally beautifully designed, with subtle masculine features creating a timeless look in silver and yellow gold. Being a fan of vintage watches (I own at least 3 pre-1980 Seikos), and motorsport, the 1960's square, Tag Heuer-esque auto racing vibe of the Accurist Retro Racer was appealing, and it is clearly done very well.By the 1960s the company’s sub-brand, Old England, was seen as a desirable addition to the wardrobes of the country’s fashionable youth. Accurist expanded internationally, opened a showroom on the US and offices in the heart of Switzerland’s watch industry. At a moderate 40mm I feel it wears large on my 7" inch (approx. 18cm) wrist, but I have a phobia of large watches, so I'm quite unforgiving of watches that wear bigger than perhaps they should.