All watches are not made equal. And if you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you can get in a lot of trouble once your find a watch that fits your wardrobe and personal sensibilities.
Whether you’re a member of the Navy SEALs in search of a survival watch or a businessperson looking for a dressier timepiece, it’s easy to spend too much for too little.
What if we told you that you could find an easy-reading timepiece with a well-crafted Miyota quartz movement for under $100? What if we told you that there are some amazing luxury watch offerings out there for less than $200?
You may be skeptical, but we’re here to say that there are plenty of inspired and cheap timepieces out there for a variety of occasions and tastes. To help prove that to you, we’ve put together a compendium of cheap watch options for you to choose from.
Here’s our definitive list of…
The 7 Best Men’s Watches Under $300 For 2021
7) Momentum M50 Mark II Japanese Quartz Diving Watch
- Pressure tested to 500m/1650ft, the M50 is designed to keep up with any abuse it is put through
- Comes standard with sapphire crystal, ensuring scratch-proof legibility for years to come
- Includes a glow in the dark superluminova dial, allowing for optimal readability at any time of day
- Featuring a high quality Japanese quartz movement, and a 10 year battery to ensure maximum longevity
- A favorite of military, police, and fire personnel across North America, including Vancouver's ERT
With multiple strap and dial combinations and a unique style inspired by the best tactical and military watches in the businesses, the Momentum M50 Mark II Japanese Quartz Diving Watch balances beauty and brawn. The synthetic sapphire crystal dial window is pure gold in terms of long-lasting power and clarity. And if you want to take this watch diving or snorkeling, you’ve got a fantastic 200 meters of water resistance to play with.
Specs
Display Window Material: Synthetic Sapphire
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 44 mm
Case Thickness: 15 mm
Strap Material: Nylon
Strap Length: 10.25 inches
Strap Width: 22 mm
Strap Color: Blue
Dial Color: White
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Japanese Quartz
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Pros
- The Japanese quartz movement stays on time all the time.
- 200 meters of water resistance is a great get in this price range.
- The synthetic sapphire dial window is fantastically scratch-resistant and impact-resisant.
Cons
- The nylon strap isn’t suited for bulkier wrists.
- The watch face design is pretty ordinary.
6) AVI-8 Men’s Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph Watch
- AVI-8 - OUR STORY: The brand inspiration and design excellence originates from the collaboration between pilots and engineers who served in air forces around the world. Every collection is an explicit homage to the planes, people and history of military aviation. Each timepiece brings to life the detail and narrative of the inspiration to delight and engage the wearer.
- THE HAWKER HURRICANE: A tribute to arguably the most iconic plane from the WW2 era. The Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph is characterised by a simplicity that echoes the design of its namesake. Clean, bold lines surround the dial on which the colours and graphics celebrate the fighter plane’s simple but striking motif that identified the Hawker Hurricane.
- CHRONOGRAPH MOVEMENT: A classic timepiece that speaks across generations - a stylish men's watch with Japanese Quartz Chronograph movement and date function
- THE FINER DETAILS: The Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph features a 42mm stainless steel case, a 22mm genuine leather strap, mineral lens and water resistance of 50m.
- 2 YEARS INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY: Your AVI-8 watch is warranted against any manufacturing defect for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of purchase.
The subtle nods to the history of aviation included in the AVI-8 Men’s Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph Watch are done so well. The way that the sub-dials and main dial play off the light brown leather band adds a timeless dimension and aesthetic appeal that looks good with most wardrobe choices. If you’re buying a watch for a pilot or a guy who simply loves aviation and its history, you can’t do any better at the price point.
Specs
Display Window Material: Mineral
Display Type: Analog
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 42 mm
Case Thickness: 11 mm
Strap Material: Leather
Strap Color: Beige/Brown
Dial Color: Black
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Japanese Quartz
Pros
- This watch is perfectly crafted for airplane aficionados. It feels like a working historical document.
- The Japanese quartz movement is very accurate for this price tag.
- The stainless steel case is quite durable and fends off scratches well.
Cons
- The leather band needs breaking in when you first get it.
- The date window is small and kind of hard to read.
5) Victorinox Men’s Night Vision Swiss Quartz Watch
- Night Vision Chronograph, silver dial, dark brown leather strap
- Stainless steel with triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Swiss-quartz Movement
- Case Diameter: 42mm
- Water resistant to 50m (165ft: in general, suitable for short periods of recreational swimming, but not diving or snorkeling
The Victorinox Men’s Night Vision Swiss Quartz Watch has many features to its credit like an anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial window and SOS Morse Code signal. However, it’s the insanely powerful backlight that’s the star of the show here. The dial light comes in eight different colors with six different settings and can be used as a flashlight when you need it most. Other features include a titanium case and bezel, solid Swiss quartz movement, and fashionable leather band.
Specs
Display Window Material: Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Titanium
Case Diameter: 42 mm
Case Thickness: 14.4 mm
Strap Material: Leather
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Width: 21 mm
Strap Color: Brown
Dial Color: Silver
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Swiss Quartz
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Pros
- We really dig the Swiss quartz movement and its overall accuracy.
- The included backlight is the best and most customizable option at this price point.
- Titanium watch cases are built to take whatever life throws at them and much more.
Cons
- It may be too thick and heavy for some tastes and wrists.
- The leather band looks cool, but it’s a bit rigid when you first get it.
4) Orient Sun & Moon Version 3 Japanese Automatic Watch
- Sapphire Crystal
- Sun and Moon Indicator
- Japanese-automatic Movement
- Case Diameter: 41.5mm
- Water resistant to 50m (165ft: in general, suitable for short periods of recreational swimming, but not diving or snorkeling
If you enjoyed the original Orient Sun & Moon Japanese Automatic Watch, you’re going to absolutely fall head over heels for this updated take. The Orient Sun & Moon Version 3 features a new hand-wound automatic movement that includes a hacking seconds halt. And, the improved aesthetics of the moon phase dial and entire watch presentation are truly something to behold. When this dressy timepiece is around your wrist, you’ll feel like a billion bucks for under $300.
Specs
Display Window Material: Synthetic Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Push-Button Deployment Clasp
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 42 mm
Case Thickness: 14 mm
Strap Material: Leather
Strap Length: 10 inches
Strap Width: 20 mm
Strap Color: Blue
Dial Color: Blue
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Japanese Automatic
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Pros
- Try scratching the synthetic sapphire crystal dial window. It’s nearly impossible.
- The Japanese automatic movement is well-crafted.
- The included leather strap is soft and pliable out of the box.
Cons
- 50 waters of water resistance seems generous. This watch fogs up with too much moisture around.
- It feels a bit small for thicker wrists.
3) Stührling Original Automatic Skeleton Watch
- MESMERIZING MOVEMENT: Engraved, see-through intricate cutout dial and exhibition case-back allow you to watch on your wrist as the mechanism inside marks the passage of time
- NO BATTERIES NEEDED: Automatic self-winding mechanical movement utilizes your natural movements to keep your wristwatch running for as long as you wear it
- STEEL BRACELET: Solid, heavy full stainless steel bracelet, unique link pattern with deployant clasp
- DUAL TIME/AM-PM: Keep track of time in 2 separate time zones with functional GMT subdial, Also keep track of night and day with Sun/Moon Subdial
- COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY: All Stuhrling Watches include a Comprehensive International Warranty
One of the coolest self-winding automatic watches at this or any price point, the Stührling Original Automatic Skeleton Watch simply takes our breath away. There isn’t another dress watch available for under $500 that has its unique flair and gravitas. The dual time feature and sun/moon sub-dial are great features to have. But, it’s the overall presentation and stunning skeleton design that makes this a real crowd-pleaser.
Specs
Display Window Material: Krysterna Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Deployment Clasp
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 49 mm
Case Thickness: 15 mm
Strap Material: Stainless Steel
Strap Width: 24 mm
Strap Color: Black
Dial Color: Silver
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Pros
- We adore the scratch-resistant Krysterna crystal dial window and its lasting clarity.
- This watch has a unique look that sets it apart from all watches in its price range.
- This is a versatile timepiece that can be worn for most occasions with most outfits.
Cons
- The analog watch hands may be hard to see for those with sight issues.
- The stock bracelet feels kinda cheap.
2) Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive Dive Watch
- Iconic Promaster watches with advanced functions designed to venture to the deepest depths.
- 3 Hand, Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Luminous Hands and Markers and Anti-Reflective Mineral Crystal
- Featuring our Eco-Drive technology – powered by light, any light. 200 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
For those looking for a solar-powered diver watch that takes like a fish to water, we present to you the Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive Dive Watch. Previous models in the Citizen oeuvre have pushed low-cost dive watches to a whole new level, and this model is a natural evolution of that. We think the world of this watch and its 200 meters of water resistance and Eco-Drive movement that uses solar power in a unique and efficient manner.
Specs
Display Window Material: Mineral
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 43 mm
Case Thickness: 12 mm
Strap Material: Polyurethane
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Width: 19 mm
Strap Color: Blue
Dial Color: Blue
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Japanese Quartz
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Pros
- The Citizen Eco-Drive power source keeps this watch ticking with limited available light.
- 200 meters of water resistance and a precise Japanese quartz movement? That’s a heck of a value at this price.
- The luminescent hands and markers really stand out in the dark.
Cons
- The polyurethane band isn’t as comfortable as say, a rubber strap.
- The dial coloration is pretty ordinary.
1) Seiko Prospex Padi Solar-Powered Watch
- Featuring a Silver-tone Band, Silver-tone Case, Scratch Resistant Hardlex Crystal
There are diving watches and then there’s the Seiko Prospex Padi Solar-Powered Watch. The watchmaking gurus at Seiko worked closely with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors to create a water-resistant beauty that’s the best of the best men’s watches under $300. It features a unidirectional rotating bezel, fantastic solar-powered movement, a screw-down crown built for deep sea diving. Utility is one thing. Doing it with this kind of style is quite another.
Specs
Display Window Material: Mineral
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Deployment Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 43 mm
Case Thickness: 12 mm
Strap Material: Stainless Steel
Strap Width: 22 mm
Strap Color: Silver
Dial Color: Blue
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Japanese Quartz
Water Resistance: 200 meters,
Pros
- This is a fantastic water-resistant (and somewhat mud-resistant) watch design.
- The stainless steel link bracelet fits well to most wrist sizes.
- The Lumibrite hands and hour markers help light up the watch face in low light.
Cons
- The date window is hard to read in any light.
- Resizing the bracelet isn’t as intuitive as it should be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best watches for the money?
If you’re on the hunt for men’s watches and are in need of a quality timepiece, the list above is a definitive look at the best men’s watches under $300 available right now. These affordable watches are all loaded with impressive features. We’ve included everyday watch options for casual wear and dress watches at affordable prices.
The main features that separate these watches from the pack include scratch-resistant mineral crystal and Hardlex crystal dial windows, luminous hands, unidirectional bezel capabilities, and strong battery life. They also include inspired designs and loads of different attractive strap options.
What is the cheapest luxury watch brand?
Stührling creates self-winding and hand-wound movement watches that turn heads wherever you may go. A perfect example of this is the Stührling Original Automatic Skeleton Watch. Featuring a gorgeous, intricate skeleton watch face and a precise automatic movement for the price point, it’s a great watch that’s high class at a low cost. You can always expect quality craftsmanship from Stührling at budget prices. And when you strap one of their watches around your wrist, you can be confident that you’ll get more than your money’s worth out of it.
Closing Thoughts
You don’t have to drain your finances to find the best watch for your style. Whether you wear a suit to work or sweatpants in your home office, you can find a beautiful and water-resistant timepiece at a reasonable price! And the seven watches on the list above are proof positive of that.