I also grew up before cell phones and usually wore watches, but the band on my last $20 Casio broke three or four years ago and I’ve yet to replace it. Probably won’t. Was never into expensive watches.
I wear an off-brand watch that I bought about fifteen years ago for less than fifty dollars when it was on sale. With a steel band, it never needs anything other than a battery about every five years. It is just attractive enough to get occasional compliments from women acquaintances, so I am inclined to keep wearing it.