Look for modded Seiko that you can switch between bracelet and will look good with a strap.
These are all modded Seikos I had built for between $200-$250 roughly. I actually just ordered a red goat leather strap for the white dial one. Now the strap was $130 but they have much cheaper straps that would work. Just trying to show you what you can get $300 and under. Way better than off the shelf stuff.
1972 King Seiko
Do you leave the original bracelets on it?
I have 2 ball watches and both I switch to high quality mesh bracelets. Love Ball watch dials and lume but their bracelets are just too heavy. My marvelite 40mm wasn’t as bad but high quality mesh feels and looks so much better.
I honestly think if they made the watches slightly thinner and gave better bracelet options their sales would immediately move up. Watches under 12mm thickness and no watches weighing over 135g with bracelet would be a huge hit.
Kind of like the Grand Seiko issue where bracelets hold them back. All my Grand Seikos are on straps because bracelets suck. No micro adjustments which is horrible in summer going from ac to to 90 degrees. They are worthless
Way better option for her to get for him. Plus she can completely customize the watch. So it will have more meaning than a store bought watch.