You can find great value Garmin watches second hand. I got a Forerunner 245 for next to nothing. As for your question about older models for the sake of aesthetics, I reckon you'd want something relatively recent so that you won't have issues syncing with your phone, headphones, HR strap and so on.
I was set on measuring gainzz and aimzz on the above coked up Coros but got a deep discount on da Garmin (which is usefully smaller). I actually ordered a Coros and returned it due to the shame of fat dad trackezz.. currently wearing a G shock on hols from all that striving..
You can find great value Garmin watches second hand. I got a Forerunner 245 for next to nothing. As for your question about older models for the sake of aesthetics, I reckon you'd want something relatively recent so that you won't have issues syncing with your phone, headphones, HR strap and so on.