Budget automatic watch

Are you tired of changing battery after battery in your quartz watches? Wouldn’t you rather have a fine-crafted automatic watch with a lengthy power reserve?

Mechanical timepieces use your arm’s natural movement as a winding mechanism. Once you get one around your wrist, you’re bound to become a fan. Automatic watches often set themselves apart from quartz timepieces with design cues that are atypical and simply beautiful.

The problem with automatic watches is that they’re often quite expensive. They’re definitely worth the money, especially with their scratch-resistant dial windows and gorgeous nuances. But, sometimes money is tight and a luxury mechanical watch just isn’t in the budget.

We understand. And whether you want a field watch or a dress watch, we’ve got a worthy luxury alternative for you on our in-depth list of the Top 7 Budget Mechanical Timepieces For 2021.

Let’s get going with our pick for #7!

The 7 Best Affordable Automatic Watches For 2021

7) Frederique Constant Men’s Classics Index Automatic Watch

We start with the most expensive watch on our list. The Frederique Constant Men’s Classics Index Watch usually sells at a low four-figure price tag, but it’s the perfect bridge between budget mechanical watches and luxury timepieces. The case size is just right, the date display pops against the stark black dial, and the entire construction straddles the line perfectly between sleekness and durability.

Specs

Display Window Material: Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Push-ButtonDeployment Clasp

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 40 mm

Case Thickness: 10 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 20 mm

Strap Color: Silver

Dial Color: Black

Movement: Automatic

Water Resistance: 50 meters

Pros

• The sapphire crystal dial window is leagues ahead of mineral crystal in clarity and durability.
• The black dial is perfectly toned for depth paired with the stainless steel case and strap.
• This watch is versatile enough to be worn with casual and dressier outfits.

Cons

• It’s not the easiest watch to read in low light.
• It’s the most expensive watch on our countdown by far. It’s worth it, but it’s still an investment.

6) Tissot Visodate Stainless Steel Dress Watch

Based off a popular 1950s Tissot watch model, the Tissot Visodate Stainless Steel Dress Watch still strikes a decidedly modern chord. The brown crocodile leather strap and matte stainless steel casing contrast against each other in a harmonious fashion. And the strength and scratch-resistance of the synthetic sapphire crystal dial window will have you swearing off domed mineral windows for good.

Specs

Display Window Material: Synthetic Sapphire Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Hidden Clasp

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 40 mm

Case Thickness: 12 mm

Strap Material: Leather

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 20 mm

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Black

Movement: Swiss Automatic

Water Resistance: 30 meters

Pros

• The Swiss-made automatic movement is one of our favorites on this list.
• The synthetic sapphire crystal dial window is seemingly impervious to dings and scratches.
• The inclusion of a hidden clasp gives this watch an aerodynamic fit around your wrist.

Cons

• This watch is a bit too classy to be paired with casual garb.
• The water-resistance of this watch is pretty substandard for the price.

5) Invicta Men’s Pro Diver Stainless Steel Automatic Watch

The cheapest automatic watch on our list, the Invicta Men’s Pro Diver Watch outperforms its under $100 price point in multiple ways. Its 200 meters of water resistance make it the perfect companion for swimming, snorkeling, and low-depth diving. And it’s got a classic look that most other dive watches wish they could pull off. With a more scratch-resistant dial window, this would be our number one entry without question.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Deployment Clasp With Safety

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 40 mm

Case Thickness: 14 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 20 mm

Strap Color: Silver

Dial Color: Black

Movement: Japanese Automatic

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Pros

• 200 meters of water resistance for under 100 dollars? Sign us up!
• It’s one of the most affordable automatic watches out there, and it still offers great looks and sturdiness.
• The screw-down crown and diver buckle make it the class of budget dive watches.

Cons

• The dial window is much easier to scratch than other entries on our list.
• The watch feels a bit chunky and clunky compared to other watches we’ve tested.

4) Orient Mako II Japanese Automatic Stainless Steel Watch

The Orient Mako II comes in a couple of different colors, but we’re quite partial to the blue dial. It has a multi-tone pop that adds dimensionality and contrasts divinely with the hour/minute hands and day/date window. It’s also one of the most water-resistant watches on our countdown, offering full protection at a depth of up to 200 meters. It’s a fantastic budget piece to add to any watch collection.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Push-Button Foldover Clasp With Safety

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 41 mm

Case Thickness: 13 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 20 mm

Strap Color: Silver

Dial Color: Blue

Movement: Japanese Automatic

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Pros

• The 40-hour power reserve is a welcome sight for a budget watch.
• The multi-toned blue dial is a joy to gawk at around your wrist.
• 200 meters of watch resistance at a low price point is hard to beat.

Cons

• The crown is small and really hard to unscrew.
• The watch face is kinda small for larger wrists.

3) Seiko 5 Black Dial Stainless Steel Men’s Watch

The Seiko 5 Black Dial Men’s Watch makes a statement. The muted stainless steel construction brings the stark black dial forward in a way that other watches just can’t match. And the luminous hands and hour markers are very easy to see in even the lowest of light. The case back is sturdy, the look is unparalleled, and the price is perfectly pitched for such a gorgeous timepiece.

Specs

Display Window Material: Hardlex

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Deployment Clasp

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 42 mm

Case Thickness: 13 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 22 mm

Strap Color: Silver

Dial Color: Black

Movement: Japanese Automatic

Water Resistance: 100 meters

Pros

• Seiko is one of the most trusted watch brands out there in terms of creating fine budget automatic timepieces.
• The Hardlex dial window is deceptively strong and scratch-resistant.
• The illumination of the markers and hands make this a good buy for those who like to go out at night.

Cons

• The bracelet can rattle and squeak on smaller wrists.
• The movement lacks precision compared to others on our countdown.

2) Hamilton Khaki King Stainless Steel Automatic Watch

The Hamilton Khaki Field Watch is one of the best-looking automatic watches out there right now. And it just so happens that you can buy it for a fraction of the cost of a luxury mechanical timepiece. It’s a Khaki King for sure, with a build and design scheme fit for a royal’s day off. It’s also built to exhibit military-grade durability with its anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial window, tough leather strap, and water-resistant casing.

Specs

Display Window Material: Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 40 mm

Case Thickness: 11 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 19 mm

Strap Color: Brown

Dial Color: Black

Movement: Automatic

Water Resistance: 50 meters

Pros

• This watch is a stunner. The colors of the dial and band just work so well together.
• The anti-reflective sapphire dial window feels impossible to scuff sometimes.
• The leather strap is pretty dang comfy out of the box.

Cons

• It’s the second-most expensive watch on our list, so keep that in mind.
• The luminescence of the watch hands is prone to dulling over time.

1) Orient Bambino 2nd Generation Japanese Automatic Watch

An unparalleled mixture of a classic aesthetic and budget price point, the Orient Bambino 2nd Generation Japanese Automatic Watch is the right pick for anyone looking for an entry-level mechanical timepiece. The dial is uncluttered, the leather strap is comfortable out of the box, and the pop of blue in the watch hands adds oomph when it’s wrapped around your wrist. This watch looks like it should retail for much more. We’re glad it doesn’t.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 40 mm

Case Thickness: 12 mm

Strap Material: Leather

Strap Length: 9 inches

Strap Width: 21 mm

Strap Color: Brown

Dial Color: Off-White

Movement: Japanese Automatic

Water Resistance: 30 meters

Pros

• It’s rare that you find a comfy leather strap out of the box at such a low price.
• You can’t beat the value when looking for your first mechanical watch on a budget.
• The blue hour/minute hands are a great aesthetic addition.

Cons

• This watch is barely water-resistant. Don’t shower with it.
• We’d prefer an exhibition case back.

FAQs

Are automatic watches worth the money?

They sure are! While quartz watches contain quartz movements that are generally more accurate, the best automatic watches are a completely different ballgame. Mechanical watches often have a different build quality and air to them. They are for watch lovers who prefer wearing miniature pieces of art over accessories built mostly for utility.

Whether you choose a hand-winding automatic watch or a self-winding version, you’ll fall in love with the timepiece around your wrist. A quartz watch has the pinpoint timekeeping of a quartz movement. But, they can’t beat the craftsmanship of a timepiece with an automatic movement.

What is the cheapest mechanical watch?

The cheapest of the mechanical watches on our countdown is the Invicta Men’s Diver Watch. It usually retails for under $100, and arguably provides the best value of any watch on our list. It’s the right choice for men who want a sleek, sexy dive watch that won’t break their bank. You can wear it with a t-shirt or a suit, and it will look fantastic either way. And the addition of a screw-down crown doesn’t hurt either.

What is the best cheap automatic watch?

Our pick for the best cheap automatic watch is the Orient Bambino. It comes in several iterations, with the 2nd Generation model being our current favorite. The mineral crystal dial window is stronger than most, the design is timeless, and the price is a real steal. We also love the hashed minute markers and Roman numeral hour markers. It’s the complete timepiece package for a price you can afford.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you’re looking for a mechanical watch with a Swiss-made automatic movement or one with a precise Japanese automatic setup, there’s a watch for you on the countdown above. From fashion watches to dress watches and everything in between, you can find the perfect automatic timepiece at a fair price tag. Just click on one of the links above, add a watch to your cart, and experience one of the best affordable automatic watches in the marketplace for yourself.