You can always get a different strap if it is still too loose and you like the watch – leather, NATO, etc… . I think that watch would look great on a NATO

You can find Marathon for around your budget.

minimalist to a fault

That’s the appeal. They are made for functionality, legibility, and reliability…all things that I usually prioritize in my watches. I totally get they are not for everyone. But for me, I absolutely love my 556a RS and I’m looking forward to getting a U50 at some point. I don’t feel like I’m overpaying with a Sinn – unlike many other brands.

At one point I got my kids these from the Swatch store.

However, my all time favorite analog is the Casio MRW-200H. My kids wear it as do it. Gets beat up a TON and still working perfectly.