Quartz watches aren't necessarily sexy but keep the best time. I have a Citizen solar powered quartz watch I like that has a titanium band. Probably cost $150 15 years ago and still works.

Automatic watches are or at least can be prestige pieces but don't keep the best time (anymore; they did in the 60s)

Today and most days I'm wearing an apple watch (a fitbit that was in the rotation just died). I have a Hamilton automatic (Field Khaki) I like. I also have an automatic Seiko diver. I'll rotate those through the cycle every once in a while. These are in the few hundred dollar range.

I inherited a wind-up Rolex. It's from before they became prestige pieces (when they got perpetual motion / self-winding). I'll wear that if I'm feeling really fancy, but despite its name, due to its age it's not really worth much.

If I were buying for the prestige I'd buy a new Rolex Explorer I. Fits my simple fashion sense. Or a Tudor Pelagos Diver. But as I said, I'm wearing an Apple watch so you see where my priorities are for now.