Best Budget Mechanical Watch

One thing cellphones can never replace is the beauty and majesty of a great mechanical watch. While quartz watches may be easier to maintain and more accurate when it comes to timekeeping, there’s no beating an automatic watch when it comes to the sheer artfulness that they possess. One automatic watch has significantly more wonders in its intricacies and gear work than pretty much any other accessory you can think of.

Have you ever seen an automatic watch at work? How you ever looked through the clear backing of a great mechanical watch and just gawked at all the minutiae moving in complementary and parallel fashions? It’s absolutely breathtaking. The problem, though, is that these watches usually will cost you an arm and a leg to procure.

However, it doesn’t have to be like that. We’ve scoured the marketplace, testing tens of amazing mechanical watches one by one to boil things down to our list of the seven best budget mechanical watches available in 2021. We’ve even added an informative Frequently Asked Questions section to shed more light on automatic watches as a whole.

But first, let’s start with #7 on our countdown.

The 7 Best Budget Mechanical Watches For 2021

7) Timex Marlin Watch

To start off our list of the best affordable mechanical watches, we look to Timex — a watch company synonymous with well-crafted watches made for those working within budgets. The Timex Marlin Watch series has three different styles, each balancing timeless design quirks and a hand-wound mechanical movement that’s easy to set into motion. We’re partial to the version above, with the contrast of black and gold promising to add dimension and class to any outfit you pair it with.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Clasp

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 40 mm

Case Thickness: 13 mm

Strap Material: Leather

Strap Width: 20 mm

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 30 meters

Movement: Automatic Movement

Pros

• The design of this particular watch is understated enough to pair with a variety of different outfit choices, casual and formal.
• The leather strap is comfier than most leather bands out of the box.
• Timex is one of the most trusted low-cost watch brands out there, so you know what you’re in for when their brand imprint is on the dial.

Cons

• The bubble-top mineral dial window is prone to abrasions.
• The movement is well made, but it’s a bit noisy when hanging in quiet areas like the library.

6) Seiko Presage SARY051 Mechanical Watch

If you’re looking for an affordable dress watch with a mechanical movement, the Seiko Presage line is the way to go. The stainless steel case and band combination is both appealing to the eye and extremely sturdy. In addition, it’s water resistant to a depth of 100 meters which makes it safe for both the swimming pool and lounging at the beach. And to top off the durability quotient, the dial is protected by sapphire crystal which fends off scuffs and scratches with ease. Dressy and practical, the Seiko Presage watch collection has so much going for it.

Specs

Display Window Material: Sapphire Glass

Display Type: Analog

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 41 mm

Case Thickness: 11.4 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 21 mm

Strap Color: Silver

Dial Color: White

Water Resistance: 100 meters

Movement: Japanese Automatic Movement

Pros

• This is a versatile dress watch for dressing up or dressing down after a long day at the office.
• The sapphire crystal dial window is among the most scratch and ding resistant windows on this list.
• The water resistant construction is super impressive, especially considering how dressy this watch is.

Cons

• The watch bracelet is a bit stiff and takes some getting used to.
• It’s hard to read in low light.

5) Citizen NH Mechanical Men’s Analog Watch

The Citizen NH series has plenty of different watches to choose from. So if you don’t like the blue-on-blue look of the watch pictured above, there are plenty of variations out there worth perusing. The real selling point of this watch series is the inclusion of a Miyota movement which offers fantastic accuracy for a mechanical movement. Citizen is one of the best watch companies out there for those looking to save a few bucks without sacrificing quality, and the watches of the NH series are perfect evidence of this.

Specs

Display Type: Analog

Case Diameter: 36 mm

Case Thickness: 19 mm

Strap Width: 25 mm

Strap Color: Blue

Dial Color: Blue

Movement: Japanese Automatic Movement

Pros

• The Miyota movement included in this watch is one of our favorite automatic movements on the lower shelf of the mechanical watch marketplace.
• Citizen is a world leader in the low- to mid-level watch game, so you know you’re getting great quality.
• We love the simple splash of orange on this particular model’s minute hand. It really adds something to the aesthetic.

Cons

• The date window is tiny and may be hard to read for those with sight problems.
• The strap is a bit big and may be a bit too much for tinier wrists.

4) Orient Sun & Moon Version 3 Japanese Automatic Watch

The first of two beautiful watches on our list from Seiko’s sister company, Orient, the Orient Sun & Moon Version 3 is a low-cost mechanical watch with a ton of personality. This watch comes in a variety of different dial color schemes and has plenty of nuances to its credit, including a day/night indicator and some impressive artwork on said sub-dial. It’s also one of the most durable watches we’ve profiled here thanks to its synthetic sapphire crystal dial window and sturdy stainless steel construction.

Specs

Display Window Material: Synthetic Sapphire Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Push Button Deployment Clasp

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 42.5 mm

Case Thickness: 14 mm

Strap Material: Leather

Strap Length: 10 inches

Strap Width: 21.8 mm

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: White

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 50 meters

Movement: Japanese Automatic Movement

Pros

• The sub-dial layout adds gravitas to this watch, especially with the day/night dial’s artful design scheme.
• While it’s not the most water resistant watch on this list, it’s extremely durable otherwise thanks to the strength of its construction and sapphire dial window.
• This is one of the best looking watches on this countdown, blending classic touches with a New Age feel.

Cons

• This watch can run a bit fast, adding about a minute per day if you’re not paying attention.
• The band feels a bit flimsy.

3) Seiko 5 Men’s SNK805 Automatic Watch

One of the most beloved and trusted budget mechanical watches out there today, the Seiko 5 Men’s SNK805 Automatic Watch combines a unique look with the versatility expected from a durable field watch. The green-on-green aesthetic simply pops with any wardrobe choice, and the nylon strap is pretty dang comfy and conforms nicely to your wrist. Affordable and trustworthy, the Seiko 5 Men’s SNK805 Automatic Watch is one of the best budget watches you’re gonna find, mechanical or not.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 37 mm

Case Thickness: 11 mm

Strap Material: Nylon

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 18 mm

Strap Color: Green

Dial Color: Green

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 30 meters

Movement: Automatic Movement

Pros

• The Seiko 5 watch series has a fantastic reputation for providing quality mechanical watches at affordable prices.
• This looks and feels like a field watch should, and the green-on-green design is really something different.
• While the stock strap is on the small side, it’s comfy and conforms well to small to medium-sized wrists.

Cons

• This watch can lose about five minutes per week, so you’ll have to be diligent in setting the time.
• The stock band will be too small for those with larger wrists.

2) Orient Tri Star Automatic Watch

We go from a staple of the Seiko brand to one of the pure standout oddities from its sister company, Orient. The Orient Tri Star Watch has a fantastic automatic movement which serves as the base point for Seiko’s newer 7S line. And the cool thing about the Orient Tri Star Watch is that it works just as well as said newer watches while costing you less than 100 dollars. It’s also a great looking watch on its own accord, with a classic stainless steel construction contrasting perfectly with a timeless black dial. Entry level automatic watches don’t get much better.

Specs

Display Window Material: Scratch Resistant Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 39 mm

Case Thickness: 11 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Width: 4 mm

Strap Color: Silver

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 50 meters

Movement: Automatic Movement

Pros

• We love how timeless and malleable this watch is. You can wear it with a variety of outfits and it looks great.
• We’re a fan of Seiko watches and anything under their company umbrella is usually well crafted and long lasting.
• The contrast of the weather stainless steel band/case and the black dial makes this watch a real stunner at a bargain price.

Cons

• The luminescence of the watch hands can be a bit weak in some models, making this watch hard to read in low light.
• The stainless steel band is a bit on the unwieldy and heavy side.

1) Swatch BAU Automatic Silicone Strap Watch

In all honesty, it’s hard to beat a great Swiss-made automatic movement. Swatch is one of the best and most trusted low-cost purveyors of the Swiss watchmaking tradition, melding classic touches with a modernist aesthetic that’s simply eye-popping. This is undeniably evident in the Swatch BAU Automatic Silicone Strap Watch — a marriage of timeless design touches and an atypical flair that’s Swatch through and through. From the three-tone watch hands to the silky feel of the silicone band, everything is in place with this affordable mechanical watch masterpiece.

Specs

Display Window Material: Acrylic

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Plastic

Case Diameter: 42 mm

Case Thickness: 13.9 mm

Strap Material: Silicone

Strap Length: Unisex

Strap Width: 20 mm

Strap Color: White

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Plastic

Water Resistance: 30 meters

Movement: Automatic Movement

Pros

• We fell head over heels for the look of this watch. It’s modern without being too Avant Garde, classic without being redundant.
• This is one of our favorite silicone watch bands that we’ve ever tested. It fits so nicely to wrists big and small.
• The design flair of this watch is counterbalanced by an impressive automatic movement which doesn’t lose or gain time too quickly.

Cons

• The plastic case and bezel decrease this watch’s overall durability.
• The 30 meters of water resistance proffered in this watch’s specs seems a bit generous.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mechanical watch?

Mechanical watches eschew the use of a battery in favor of a mainspring which is wound by either an internal self-winding mechanism or by hand. Whereas quartz watches use radio waves to synchronize to an atomic clock, mechanical watches utilized a self-contained clockwork mechanism to keep time. Mechanical watches also usually have a lengthy power reserve which is used to power a mechanical watch over the course of the day so you don’t have to constantly wind it.

The downside of a mechanical watch is that they’re generally not as accurate as quartz watches in regards to keeping time. Automatic watches also need periodic maintenance to keep them in working order. However, automatic watches are a marvel of craftsmanship which are more pieces of art than mere accessories.

What features should I look for in a great budget mechanical watch?

The best budget automatic watches have a 40-50 hour power reserve or better. A 48 hour power reserve or better is ideal, but anywhere in that range is a good deal. Affordable mechanical watches don’t have to be low quality. An affordable mechanical watch may not have all the top materials in its construction, but it still can be water resistant to a great degree and have nuances like a Swiss made movement or reliable self-winding power source. They may have budget accoutrements like a rubber strap or something similar, but things are always tied together in a way that projects pure craftsmanship.

Closing Thoughts

Choosing one of the seven automatic watch standouts on the list above will be a toughie, especially considering just how sturdy and beautiful each of the entries truly are. However, there’s definitely something for any automatic watch aficionado or automatic watch newbie looking to dive in headfirst. Whether you want a refined dress watch or something more sporty, you can’t go wrong with any of the automatic watches profiled above.