The Inexpensive Watch Guide

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Watches are a great way to complete an outfit, but the truth is not everyone can afford a $1,000 watch (or even a $200 watch, for that matter). Great style doesn’t have to depend on how much money you have in the bank, so today we will look at some of the best affordable watches for under $100.

Save Time With Our Video

If you’re pressed for time, then Raphael will help you navigate the world of affordable watches. Whether it’s another addition to your collection, or perhaps even your first watch purchase, our video guide will help you find the best watches at the most affordable price.

How to Buy an Inexpensive Watch Under $100

These days, you no longer need a watch to tell time. Dress watches no longer serve a true purpose, other than to communicate your style and your means. Inexpensive watches won’t make you look like an investment banker, but they certainly have a role to play in every stylish man’s wardrobe. You’re going to get what you pay for, but there’s no reason it can’t still be a nice watch.

Nathan sports the Timex Waterbury GMT watch as an alternative to the Rolex GMT-Master II watch

In the following, we will highlight a variety of wristwatches that are intended to support your style rather than your technical needs. That means you won’t find smartwatches, a GPS watch, or fitness trackers such as an Apple watch, a Fitbit Surge, or an Asus Zenwatch. These watches will complement your outfit but won’t be a triathlon watch that can measure your heart rate.

Affordable Alternatives to Luxury Watches

At some point, you may be in a position to shell out a little more money and upgrade a watch you found on this list, but you still don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a timepiece. That’s exactly why we created this video for you.

The difference here is the focus on finding luxury styling for less. If you like the aesthetic of a heritage piece such as a Rolex Submariner, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, or perhaps a Patek Philippe Calatrava but want to save on some serious capital, then we’ve got you covered with a plethora of choices

Movement Matters

If you’re looking for a timepiece that has a movement other than one powered by quartz batteries, you may have to spend a little more than $100, but it shouldn’t be that much more expensive either. Many dive watches, dress watches, and chronograph complications can also be found with an automatic movement for a surprisingly affordable price.

Where to Buy an Inexpensive Watch?

Online

While this may be a dangerous marketplace for fine timepieces, there’s no risk when you’re only looking for a basic wristwatch. By searching eBay, Craigslist, Amazon, and various discount sites, you’ll probably be able to find the watch you’d buy in the store, but at a fraction of the price. This is an excellent source for low-budget watches, and you might even look for pocket watches for less than $100 if you are so inclined.

Thrift, Goodwill & Pawn Shops

Often, these are some of the best places to look for a great deal. You can generally find vintage watches at these places for a small fraction of what they’d sell for brand new in the store, and in the majority of cases, the staff doesn’t know much about horology, so you can actually find some pretty amazing deals. These opportunities may be hard to find, but they do occur frequently.

Thrift Store Miracles

In 2015, Zach Norris found a 1959 LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm at a Goodwill store in Phoenix. He bought it for $5.99 and turned around and sold it for $35,000 to a collector who also threw in an Omega. This same buyer who frequents Goodwill stores has also seen a variety of other luxury watches in the past at stores like these.  You can read the story here.

Department Stores

If you don’t have much time to spend and are just desperate to get a watch on your wrist, the final recommendation is to buy at a local department store. Typically, department stores sell higher quality watches than the bargain bin stores like Walmart and Target but offer competitive pricing.

This is the place to locate both fashion watches and other watches that are of better quality. Of course, that’s not to say that Walmart and Target can’t be viable sources as they also carry brands like Casio and Timex, which can be very good watches for the money. Just keep in mind that lower end stores won’t likely feature many watches with a great deal of style.

Beware of Buying Watches From Kickstarter

Kickstarter, along with fellow crowdfunding Indiegogo, has become the new frontier for men’s inexpensive watchmakers. Brands like MVMT (which was bought by Movado in 2018) and Vincero watches have aggressively moved into the low-cost watch market with sophisticated influencer and social media campaigns. These brands are due credit for reinvigorating the watch as an accessory for every man, but there’s a catch: very few of them offer watches under $100.

If you’re looking for a great inexpensive watch, we would recommend staying away from crowdfunding, or even brands that have evolved away from Kickstarter. To begin with, they tend to be oversized and minimalist to a fault, and they aren’t really adding much to what more established watchmakers aren’t already doing. Furthermore, they mislead customers into thinking their “direct to consumer” model benefits them; in fact, the quality isn’t better than other watches at the same price point. It’s simply a new way to market watches.

Recommended Watch Brands

When it comes to watches that cost less than $100, the only thing that really matters is whether you like how it looks. The movement is not going to be anything fantastic so focus on its appearance – you just want it to look good on your arm.

Timex

You may remember Timex being mentioned in our Low-Budget Watch Guide. Their Weekender line is a GG favorite watch for daily wear. It’s easy to wear, relaxed, and not so precious that it can’t get dirty or wet. If it breaks, oh well, it’s replaceable. It’s a nice-looking, classic timepiece that is great dressed down but also with a suit.

The Timex Weekender is an especially iconic watch when worn with a classic Nato strap. Image credit: AmazonWearing a Timex Weekender with a leather strap elevates the look. Image credit: eBayA navy Nato strap can transform the look of a Timex Weekender watch. Image credit: Amazon

You can make it preppy for the beach with a NATO strap or dress it up with leather. All-in-all, it’s a great watch and when it comes to Timex, you really can’t go wrong. As far as classic watches go in this price range, Timex is a top pick.

Casio

Casio is a very safe brand when it comes to sports watches. They don’t try to make their watches look better than they are by adding imitation stones or the like. Most of their products are sturdy workhorses that add the necessary features, like water resistance for a day at the beach. If you’re looking for a decent sports watch for casual wear, any Casio in this price range is a solid investment. Check out this Casio G-Shock on Amazon.

Can Digital Watches be Stylish?

There’s no denying that digital watches have a set of unique benefits over a traditional analog watch: a greater degree of accuracy, reliability, and a typically impressive bang for your buck. But whether they’re timeless or trending is another matter!

Seiko

Seiko watches are about as good as they get in this price range as well as at many higher price points. They make some exceptional watches and a quick search on Amazon netted two pages of choices for between $50 and $100.

The Seiko SUP880 watch. Image Credit: Seiko

This well-known Japanese brand has a range of styles at the lower end of things. Whether you prefer something a little unique with gold accents on the bezel, a classic sports watch with a blue dial, or maybe something like a traditional dress watch, Seiko will have you covered.

Stührling

A lot of people don’t realize that Max Stührling was actually a master watchmaker who studied under Louis Audemars of Audemars Piguet — one of the world’s most renowned luxury watchmakers.

Some watches from Stuhrling have quite a creative flair to them. Image credit: StuhrlingStuhrling Watches can also be wonderfully classic in their design. Image credit: Stuhrling

However, Stührling wanted to make well-built timepieces that every man could afford. He left the luxury industry, in which he could have easily made a name for himself, and developed a line of watches that retails for no more than a few hundred dollars. Many of the watches feature automatic or mechanical movements and you can easily find some of their watches for under $100.

Akribos

Akribos is one of those brands like Invicta, Fossil, and Nixon that caters to a younger crowd. They do attempt to imitate the appearance of some famous luxury watches, but they don’t put imitation stones or metals on their timepieces or make watches with an overly large case size. This makes for a much better experience for you as a classic style enthusiast and the wearer of the timepiece.

Chic Styles

Granted, some of their more fashion-forward watches should be avoided, but they also make some pretty interesting timepieces that are great if you’re going for a fresh look. For example, Check out this interesting Arkribos watch for a great price.

Granted, some of their more fashion-forward watches should be avoided, but they also make some pretty interesting timepieces that are great if you’re going for a fresh look. For example, Check out this interesting Arkribos watch for a great price.

Bulova

Many falsely assume that Bulova is a luxury brand. In effect, they’ve done a fantastic job of making a lot of people think that they are. Bulova, despite these questionable marketing practices, actually realize what (some) of their timepieces are really worth.

This Bulova Stainless Steel watch has many hallmarks of a classic dress watch. Image credit: Catawiki

They do offer some crystal-encrusted and over-the-top chronographs, but if you look through their collection there are a few classy pieces. This simple Bulova stainless steel one is one worthy of your attention as it’s a perfect dress watch for a low price.

Citizen

Citizen watches are really quite good for the price. Granted, their $500 timepieces are terribly overpriced, but any of the watches priced under $100 are well worth it.

Stylish Citizen

They are a very respectable watchmaker and one that is globally popular across almost all demographics. Here’s a handsome Citizen quartz dress watch. The case diameter is 39 mm, which is an ideal case size for most men.

In 1979, the brand created Citizen Eco-Drive, the first analog watch with a quartz movement to be powered by light. Many of their watches with this feature are priced under $100.

Inexpensive Watches FAQs

Which men’s watch brand is good and affordable?

There are a few watch brands that are reputable with affordable styles. Casio, Timex, and Seiko are all great brands to look at here, as they have a watchmaking heritage but cater to smaller wallets too.

How do I get a good watch for less?

There are several factors to look for when purchasing a watch, but when you’re on a budget you want to focus on a quartz movement above everything else. After all, the watch is there to tell the time! Once you’ve found a watch with a good quartz movement, you can then figure out whether you like the style.

Is it possible for a watch to be of good quality for under $100?

Surprisingly, good quality watches can be found for under $100, you just have to put in a little research. If you look at the movement in the watch, you can get some pretty decent quartz movements at a much better price ratio than you might with a mechanical movement.

Are vintage watches good inexpensive watches?

Vintage watches can be a fantastic way to purchase an inexpensive but stylish timepiece. However, not all vintage watches are made alike, and some may require more than the cost of the watch in maintenance and/or repairs. Therefore, it’s always good to know what you’re looking at when it comes to purchasing a vintage timepiece.

Why do cheap watches look bad?

Due to the number of low-cost watches on the market, there are bound to be a few that are mass manufactured without any thought toward how good they look or how well they’re made. But this isn’t always the case, as there are also many inexpensive watches that are of solid quality and style for the price.

Tips for Buying Inexpensive Watches

The first step when buying a watch in this price range is to understand that it’s perfectly acceptable to play it safe and stick with the basics. Focus on watches with fabric straps or metal bracelets and go in expecting to buy a quartz movement. Anything with a mechanical movement will be inferior at this price point, although occasionally you can luck out.

DON’T buy a faux gold or plated gold watch

There are a few things you want to look for when buying a watch in this price range. The first thing is making sure it doesn’t contain any fake or plated precious metals like gold. If you plan on keeping the watch for any considerable amount of time, both plated and fake gold (often called ‘gold-colored’) have the tendency to strip off or change color.

Wearing a watch with a lot of bling stuck on looks tacky regardless of the price. Image credit: eBay

A perfect example of this is with plated gold, as after some use you’ll notice that it turns a greenish color, usually starting at the lugs. Furthermore, fake plated gold will always look cheap compared to the real thing, so why bother? We recommend skipping it entirely.

DON’T buy a knockoff or a fake

The first rule to remember is that if you can’t afford the $10,000 Rolex, don’t try and imitate it (better to buy it used from a specialty retailer like Bob’s Watches). One of the biggest mistakes men make is buying a watch that just makes them look cheap. I’m talking about the oversized, fake gold, plastic stone-encrusted watches. There is no humanly possible way to look good wearing these.

The differences between a real and fake Rolex are becoming harder to tell. Image Credit: Watchfinder & Co

Buying a fake or imitation of an elegant watch poses the same risk. While you may be able to trick the average Joe into believing you’ve got a real Rolex on your wrist, anyone who knows a thing or two is never going to take you seriously. Wearing a knockoff is like trying to pay your check with Monopoly money. The second someone notices it, you’ve lost all credibility. If you want to be taken seriously, avoid fraudulent watches because, in the end, you’re going to look like a joke.

DO focus on an “authentic” watch

The Timex Waterbury GMT watch retails under $200

As in, look for a watch that is not desperately trying to be something it’s not. For example, this Timex watch is classy and has a few interesting details, but it’s not trying to be something other than a Timex. Try looking for watches that are made of a standard metal, plastic, or composite, and you’ll end up getting the best bang for your buck.

DO lower your expectations for a leather strap watch under $100

Avoiding leather is usually a good idea since inexpensive watches tend to have cheap leather or imitation leather straps which will show wear very quickly. Unless you plan to use an after-market strap (which is a good idea), focus on finding watches that have fabric straps, metal bracelets or silicone rubber straps. They’ll last longer and maintain their appearance, provided of course the metal isn’t plated or poorly made.

Strap Solutions

Often, an inexpensive watch can be elevated with the addition of a fine leather strap. As a general rule, pick something well made and in a complimentary tone to the other leather elements in your outfit. Typically, a black or brown leather strap will be the safest option, but you can really transform your watch with colors like navy or green.

DO buy a quartz movement

Even under $100, your watch should work well. This isn’t such a big deal when buying new, but it’s still a good idea to make sure it keeps accurate time. Quartz watches are going to be your best bet. They may not have the appeal of mechanical or automatic, but they do keep better time and are usually what you’ll find in this price range.

A quartz movement from ETA

Ideally, you want to find a watch that has Japanese movement. You can often determine this by looking at the back of the watch or the six o’clock position on the dial. Finding something that’s Swiss Made is almost out of the question, although you may find ones labeled Swiss Movement or Swiss Quartz —they are not the same.

While some watches with Chinese movements aren’t bad, for the most part, they tend to be the least reliable when it comes to wristwatch production. It’s not the end of the world if you find a watch you like with it, but it shouldn’t be your first pick.

DO look for watch styles as if you had an unlimited budget

Individuals today want a variety of watches

By keeping this in mind, you’ll only buy one you really like and one that suits your lifestyle. If you’re going to wear it with a business suit, avoid sports watches; and if you’re going to wear it to the beach, make sure it’s water resistant.

DO save for the watch of your dreams

With a little patience, you can be on the way to saving for your dream watch

Furthermore, we always recommend saving more or paying less. The majority of watches between the $500 and $1500 mark aren’t worth the markup, because they aren’t adding quality above the $500 price point aside from better branding. In almost all cases, they’re overpriced. Stick with either a cheap daily-wear watch or save up until you can afford your dream timepiece.

Are there other great inexpensive watches or brands that we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments!