Timex

Citizen

Orient

One of the biggest misconceptions about buying a watch is that it needs to be

expensive to be nice, when, in fact, many watches under a grand prove just how
wrong that notion is. Admittedly, finding them amongst the many other budget
timepieces that are cheaply made or chintzy can be difficult, which is why we went
through the trouble to round up the best examples at three different price points:
$150, $500, and $1,000.

Table of Contents
Under $150

 Casio World Time

 Orient 3 Star
 Nokia Steel
 Braun BN0021
 Timex MK1 Aluminum
 Casio G-Shock GWM5610
 Bertucci A-2T Titanium
 Citizen NH8350-83L
 Swatch Sistem51 Irony
 Seiko 5 Sports SNZF17

Under $500

 Orient Bambino V4
 Braun BN0211
 Timex Marlin
 Seagull 1963
 Seiko Prospex SRP777
 Citizen Stilleto
 Laco Augsburg
 Merci LMM-01
 Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical
 Seiko Alpinist SARB017

Under $1,000

 Bulova Moonwatch
 Seiko Prospex SPB051J1
 Hamilton Intra-Matic
 Archimede Pilot 42H Bronze
 Stowa Antea ‘Back to Bauhaus’
 Tissot Ballade Powermatic 80
 Autodromo Group B Series 2
  Christopher Ward Trident C60 Titanium Pro
 Junghans Max Bill

Under $150
There’s just something to be said about a cheap watch with a solid build and some
character. Admittedly, purchasing a timepiece in this price range can be tricky —
it’s littered with junk. On the flip side, plenty of examples out there have garnered
cult followings, made up of everymen and horology nerds alike. Some are from
respected Japanese brands — Citizen, Seiko — others young innovators. But they
all go to show that the affordable watch need not be marked by a shoddy materials
or hands that fall off after a month’s use.

Casio World Time

While the circa $10 Casio F91W-1 probably also deserves a place on a list like
this, we’ll begin with the awesome World Time just to avoid Casio-overload. But
the Japanese brand is undeniably strong in this price point with tough, reliable,
dirt-cheap watches. Oh, and some people find them to be quite stylish as well. This
Casio World Time offers all these attributes and more (including world time,
calendar, and alarms) with a dash of retro-futuristic nostalgia, and it’s surprisingly
robust for such a great price.

Movement: Japanese quartz

Case diameter: 39.5mm
Water resistance: 100m

BUY NOW: $26

Orient Tristar
Using an automatic movement based on an old caliber originally from Seiko, the
Orient 3 Star is a simple, utilitarian automatic akin to the Seiko 5. While there’s
not much in the way of fit and finish, it does have a well-proportioned 37.5mm
case, a stainless steel bracelet and a colorful dial. Its as simple of an automatic
watch that you can get, but therein lies its charm.

Movement: Orient 469 automatic

Case diameter: 37.5mm
Water resistance: 30m

BUY NOW: $70

Nokia Steel

If you just wanted to spend $70 or so on a good-looking quartz watch, you could
do a lot worse than the Nokia Steel (formerly the Withings Activité). But this being
a “hybrid” smartwatch, you get more than just the time of day. The watch connects
to your phone via Bluetooth to give you simple sleep and fitness tracking info that,
while not super-comprehensive, is helpful in tracking and motivating healthy
behavior.

Movement: Connected quartz

Size: 36mm
Water Resistance: 50m

BUY NOW: $72

Braun BN0021

Braun’s minimalist aesthetic is perfect for someone looking for a wardrobe

accoutrement rather than a showpiece. What’s more, graphic elements like the
yellow seconds hand and austere font are sure to call to mind the brand’s legacy of
Bauhaus-inspired product design.

Movement: Quartz
Size: 38mm
Water Resistance: 50m

BUY NOW: $80

Timex MK1 Aluminum

Though any number of great Timexes could’ve made this list, we’re particualrly
enamored with the newly reissued MK1 — a recreation (of sorts) of a short-lived
1980s military-issue watch. While the original was meant to be disposable and had
a mechanical movement inside and a plastic case protecting it, this version swaps
both with a more reliable quartz engine and a higher-quality case made
from anodized aluminum.

Movement: Quartz
Case diameter: 40mm
Water resistance: 30m

BUY NOW: $89

Casio G-Shock GWM5610

A direct descendant of the original G-Shock from 1983, the modern G5600 version
and similar watches are as tough as ever. For under $100 you get some nearly
indestructible wrist gear that is more accurate than any luxury mechanical watch,
and no need for battery changes with solar power. Just make sure you get one that
says “Tough Solar” on it, and has a positive display for the best legibility. Further,
G-Shocks are just fun, unpretentious, hassle-free, and extremely comfortable to
wear.

Movement: Solar-powered Japanese quartz

Case diameter: 39.5mm
Water resistance: 200m

BUY NOW: $93

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Bertucci A-2T Titanium

Cases made from solid titanium — loved for its lightweight, durable and
hypoallergenic properties — are not such a common site on sub-$150 watches,
which is what makes the young U.S. watch brand Bertucci an enticing option.
Similarly enticing is the classic field watch dial design, the Japanese quartz
movement inside, and a 100-meter depth rating.

Movement: Quartz
Size: 40mm
Water Resistance: 100m

BUY NOW: $110+

Citizen NH8350-83L

You’d be forgiven for thinking Citizen’s entire lineup is made up of its quartz Eco-
Drive watches, but the brand does, in fact, make some mechanicals. The NH8350,
for instance, packs a Miyota 8200 automatic movement into a clean-cut stainless
steel case and comes adorned with a shimmering, sunray blue dial. You’d be hard-
pressed to find a better mechanical dress watch for less.
Movement: Miyota 8200 automatic
Size: 40mm
Water Resistance: 50m

BUY NOW: $139

Swatch Sistem51 Irony

When Swatch launched the Sistem51 — an autonomously assembled automatic

movement boasting a 90-hour power reserve — it was a revelation, but its plastic
case limited its appeal. Now you can get the same movement cased up in stainless
steel, making it a more versatile option for everyday wear.
Movement: Swatch Sistem51 automatic
Size: 42mm
Water Resistance: 30m

BUY NOW: $140

Seiko 5 Sports SNZF17

No list of dirt-cheap watches is complete without the Seiko 5. Originally launched

in 1963, the 5 has cultivated a feverish following amongst watch fans for its
utilitarian mechanical movement and the value it provides. The Seiko 5 comes in
many iterations, and the “Sea Urchin” dive watch is one of our favorites. In
addition to using Seiko’s workhorse 7S36 automatic movement, it comes adorned
with a unidirectional countdown bezel and steel bracelet.
Movement: Seiko 7S36 Automatic
Size: 42mm
Water Resistance: 100m

BUY NOW: $144+

Under $500
You can get a pretty damn good watch for less than the cost of a big night out,
that’s for sure. But while there are plenty of great dirt-cheap timepieces under
$150, if you’re looking for more features, more capability and more impressive
designs, you need to bump up the ceiling of your budget. But only a little. For a
mere $500 you can enter the world of geeky timepieces, where complications,
mechanical movements and daring design elements are plentiful.

Orient Bambino V4
The latest iteration of Orient’s beloved, mid-century-style dress watch. The domed
dial now comes in an excellent slate-gray colorway and features rose gold accents.
The watch also gets an updated suede strap. Ticking underneath is an automatic
movement from Orient featuring hand-winding and hacking seconds.

Movement: Orient F6724 Automatic

Size: 42mm
Water Resistance: 30m

BUY NOW: $150

Braun BN0211
If you want excellent modern design in a watch, you don’t need to pay much,
fortunately. Braun’s BN0211 has won both an iF and a Red Dot award for its
minimal, stealthy aesthetic. A yellow seconds hand pops against a stealthy black
dial and sleek black case, and the watch comes mounted on a comfortable stainless
steel mesh bracelet.

Movement: quartz
Size: 38mm
Water Resistance: 30m

BUY NOW: $159

Timex Marlin
With few exceptions, Timex abandoned mechanical movements in favor of digital
and quartz movements years ago. That’s exactly why Timex’s reissue of the famed
Marlin is so exciting. It’s now available with an automatic movement underneath,
and if that weren’t enough, it comes with a sleek case, dial, and strap design that
truly look like they were plucked from the 1960s.

Movement: hand-wound
Size: 34mm
Water Resistance: 30m

BUY NOW: $249

Seiko Prospex SRP777

With its big cushion case, knobby bezel and simple dial, the SRP777 is a faithful
homage to the original Seiko 6309 “Turtle” from the 1970s and ’80s. But unlike
the Turtle, the new watch is water resistant up to 200 meters (the old one was only
rated for 150) and has an automatic movement with hand-winding capabilities. It’s
a fantastic option for those who want the look of a vintage diver, but the
capabilities and reliability of a modern watch.

Movement: Seiko 4R36 automatic

Size: 45mm
Water Resistance: 200m

BUY NOW: $270

Seagull 1963
Want a new mechanical chronograph under $500? The Seagull 1963 is pretty much
your only option. That’s no concession, though. It uses a hand-wound mechanical
movement made by Tianjin Seagull Watch Co. (one of China’s best movement
manufacturers), housed in a compact and authentically sized 38mm stainless steel
case.

Movement: Seagull ST21 hand-winding chronograph

Size: 38mm
Water Resistance: 30m

BUY NOW: $299

Citizen Stiletto
When Citizen launched its mind-blowingly thin (less than 3mm) Eco-Drive One in
2016, it captivated watch enthusiasts, but with a price tag over $2,000, it was
steeply priced. At under $500, and with a still crazy-thin case thickness of 4.7mm,
the Stiletto is a fantastic compromise, given its sleek proportions and classy
guilloche dial. Of course, that solar-powered quartz movement is also a gem,
making battery changes a thing of the past.

Movement: Eco-Drive solar quartz

Size: 38mm
Water Resistance: splash-resistant only

BUY NOW: $380

Laco Augsburg
German watch brand Laco is perhaps best known for its super simple, super legible
Flieger pilot watches. This Augsburg doesn’t stray far from that formula: it comes
with a stark black dial adorned with numerals given a healthy dose of lume, plus a
big 42mm case (a smaller 36mm variant is also available for fans of small
watches). Inside ticks an automatic movement from Miyota, and the whole thing
comes affixed to a thick brown leather strap.

Movement: Miyota 821A automatic

Size: 42mm
Water Resistance: 50m

BUY NOW: $410

Merci LMM-01
Parisian “concept store” Merci recently launched its first timepiece, and it’s one
hell of a looker, like a crossover between a modern Mondaine watch and a vintage
field watch. The dial is adorned with Helvetica numerals and red accents, and for
under $500, you can even get it equipped with a Swiss-made, hand-winding
mechanical movement from ETA (a quartz version is also available for less).

Movement: ETA 2801-2 hand-winding

Size: 37.5mm
Water Resistance: 50m

BUY NOW: $464

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical

Hamilton’s popular Khaki Field watch needs no introduction to those who have
ever explored the world of affordable mechanical watches. It has a cult following
for a reason – or more like reasons (plural). Not only is it one of the most
inexpensive Swiss mechanical watches you can buy, but it’s solid with scratch-
resistant sapphire crystal, and it perfectly recalls the brand’s history making
watches for actual military use.

Movement: Hand-wound Swiss ETA 2804-2

Size: 38mm
Water Resistance: 50m

BUY NOW: $475

Seiko Alpinist SARB017

Yes, another Seiko. Seiko’s JDM favorite Alpinist is one classy field watch. Aside
from the deep forest green dial, the watch comes packing an automatic movement
and an inner rotating bezel that can be used as a compass when synched with the
position of the sun. And with a case diameter of 38mm, it’s a great mid-size watch
that should work for just about anyone.

Movement: Seiko 6R15 automatic

Size: 38mm
Water Resistance: 200m

BUY NOW: $479

Under $1,000
Yes, you can get some truly special timepieces from luxury brands if you decide to
spend a couple grand — don’t let us deter you from pulling the trigger on your
dream watch. But you can get a surprising amount of watch for less than a single
grand, too. Want a monstrous titanium dive watch? You can get that for under
$1,000. Or a super-thin, mechanical dress watch? We found two. Want a bronze
case or an enamel dial? They’re all here, as well, along with a handful of other
great-looking, reliable timepieces from watchmakers big and small.

Bulova Moonwatch

When people think “moon watch,” Buzz Aldrin’s Omega Speedmaster

Professionalcomes to mind. It was the first watch worn on the moon, after all, but
there are actually quite a few timepieces that have ventured off this rock. When
Mission Commander David Scott and his Apollo 15 crew touched down in the
Hadley-Appennius, Scott checked his Bulova and logged the landing at 06:16:29
p.m. This Bulova 956B251 is a high-beat quartz-powered homage to that very
watch.

Movement: Bulova 262kHz quartz chronograph

Size: 45mm
Water Resistance: 50m

BUY NOW: $520

MkII Cruxible Type A-11

MkII is an independent brand that specializes in producing modern homages to

historic military watches, and the Cruxible recreates the World War II-era A-11
watch. It’s available in a wearable 39mm size with an automatic Seiko movement
in either a date or no-date variant. Military watches have a utilitarian charm that’s
hard to beat, and MkII is appreciated by enthusiasts for offering solid value.

Movement: Seiko NE15 automatic

Size: 39mm
Water Resistance: 100m

BUY NOW: $649

Seiko Prospex SPB051J1

The SPB051J1 is a reissue of Seiko’s first dive watch, the 6217, which originally
debuted in 1965. The new iteration is certainly bigger than the original at 42.6mm
in diameter (versus 38mm of the 6217), but it packs Seiko’s in-house R615
automatic movement and is water-resistant to 200 meters.

Movement: Seiko 6R15 automatic

Size: 42.6mm
Water Resistance: 200m

BUY NOW: $770

Hamilton Intra-Matic
The Hamilton Intra-Matic remains one of our favorite affordable timepieces. Its
simple mix of elegance and style harkens back to an era when understated
designruled drawing boards. Featuring a large sunburst dial, decorated minimally
with Hamilton’s vintage “H” logo, faceted lugs and a thin leather band, the Intra-
Matic could easily pass as an heirloom timepiece, without the fuss of vintage
upkeep.

Movement: ETA 2892-2 automatic

Size: 38mm
Water Resistance: 50m

BUY NOW: $845

Archimede Pilot 42H Bronze

Bronze has become an exceedingly popular choice of material for watch cases in
recent years, championed by big names like Tudor, Zenith and Panerai (to name a
few) for its rich, eye-catching hue and its propensity to patina with age. While the
material is most utilized by high-end brands, German microbrand Archimede
makes a bronze version of its Flieger-style pilot’s watch that slots in well under
$1,000 and even features an ETA 2824-2 automatic movement inside.

Movement: ETA 2824-2 automatic

Size: 42mm
Water Resistance: 50m

BUY NOW: ~$890+

Stowa Antea ‘Back to Bauhaus’

To the uninitiated, the Stowa Antena looks like a replicant of the Nomos Tangente,
but its roots actually go all the way back to the 1930s, when both Stowa and A.
Lange were creating very similar minimalist timepieces. While the basic shape and
dial layout remain the same as that early watch, its most prominent update is its
choice of font, Bauhaus STD, an evolution of a typeface created by Bauhaus
designer Herbert Bayer in 1927. Customers also get to choose between three
different configurations: a 35.5mm watch with a hand-winding Peseux 7001
movement or 36.5mm or 39mm versions with automatic ETA 2824-2 movements.

Movement: Peseux 7001 hand-winding; ETA 2824-2 automatic

Size: 35.5mm; 36.5mm; 39mm
Water Resistance: 30m; 50mm

BUY NOW: ~$928

Tissot Ballade Powermatic 80

Though the progress of innovation in mechanical watchmaking is slow, in the last
decade or so, silicon balance springs have become one of the industry’s greatest
innovations, albeit one primarily used in higher-end watches from brands like
Omega, Tudor and even Patek Philippe; silicon provides resistance to magnetism
and allows for more accurate timekeeping. It’s remarkable, then, that Tissot’s sub-
$1,000 Ballade uses one as well; further, it’s a fully certified COSC chronometer,
accurate to within -2/+4 seconds per day. It’s like a budget version of the Omega
Globemaster.

Movement: Tissot Powermatic 80 automatic

Size: 41mm
Water Resistance: 50m

BUY NOW: $925

Autodromo Group B Series 2

Autodromo has consistently reached for new design heights as a maker of auto-
inspired watches since its first model was introduced in 2011. One of its most
recent releases, the Group B Series 2, has a 39mm case comprised of a uniquely
designed titanium capsule mated to a stainless steel bracelet.

Movement: Miyota 9015 automatic

Size: 39mm
Water Resistance: 50m

BUY NOW: $975

Christopher Ward Trident C60 Titanium

Pro
Christopher Ward has always offered a lot for the price, and that’s absolutely true
even on the higher end of the brand’s wares. This iteration of the stalwart Trident
dive watch, for example, is made out of lightweight titanium, packs an ETA 2824-
2 automatic movement and is submersible to an incredible 600 meters. The
stealthy-looking black and gray color scheme is also a huge plus.

Movement: ETA 2824-2 automatic

Size: 43mm
Water Resistance: 600m

BUY NOW: $945

Junghans Max Bill

Understated, slim and impeccably clean, this Bauhaus-inspired Junghans is
perfectly sized to peek out from under a French cuff. Its case measures 38mm and
houses a self-winding movement between 10mm of polished stainless steel and
Sicralan-coated plexiglass. Super Luminova has been applied to the hour and
minute hands as well as markers at both 6 and 12 to help it shine through the night.

Movement: ETA 2824-2 automatic (base)

Size: 38mm
Water Resistance: N/A

BUY NOW: $995

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