The difference between sapphire crystal watches and other watches may not be readily apparent from first glance. Regardless, the ruggedness and lasting power of a watch with a sapphire crystal dial window can’t be denied.
A window made of sapphire crystals will protect everything from the date window to the hour and minute hands in a way that mineral glass dial windows simply cannot. Whether your prefer mechanical watches with stainless steel construction elements or really want a sports watch with an accurate Japanese quartz movement, there are sapphire crystal watches for everyone out there!
And, do you know what the best thing is? You can find a sapphire crystal watch with amazing features like a screw-down crown, luminous hands and hour markers, and polished stainless steel constructions for under $300 a pop. To help you find these amazing horological deals, we’ve tested dozens of budget beauties to bring to you our in-depth list of the 7 Best Affordable Sapphire Crystal Watches For 2021.
Let’s get things kick off with a gold-toned timepiece that reframes budget dress watches for the better.
The 7 Best Sapphire Crystal Watches Under $300 For 2021
7) Citizen Men’s Corso Eco-Drive Gold-Tone Watch
- Timeless styling that effortlessly takes you from work to play.
- 3 Hand, Date
- Gold-Tone Stainless Steel
- Sapphire Crystal
- 100M Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
Deftly combining the gravitas of a dress watch with the longevity of the most rugged sports watches, the Citizen Men’s Corso Eco-Drive Gold-Tone Watch does it all surprisingly well. Water resistant to a depth of 100 meters, this watch is perfect for both dinner parties and low-depth scuba diving. And with the inclusion of Citizen’s famed Eco-Drive movement, you know you’re investing in one of the most reliable solar watches at this or any price point.
Specs
Display Window Material: Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Deployment Clasp
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 41 mm
Case Thickness: 9.78 mm
Strap Material: Stainless Steel
Strap Width: 21.83 mm
Strap Color: Gold
Dial Color: Silver, White
Bezel Material: Gold-Plated Stainless Steel
Movement: Quartz
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Pros
- Citizen’s Eco-Drive movement makes regular battery replacement a thing of the past. You can catch a charge from nearly any light source, natural or artificial.
- Rarely do watches balance dressiness and durability for this low of a price.
- The gold-plated construction adds a spark to any wardrobe.
Cons
- The dial design may come off as plain and unremarkable to some.
- The band is a bit tight for larger wrists.
6) Bering Men’s Analogue Solar Powered Watch
- The BERING watch has a highly scratch-resistant and curved sapphire crystal covering the black dial
- Solar Watch Collection | Any kind of light will charge it and when fully charged it runs for 6-12 months | Solar movement
- The case is made from silver IP-plated medical grade (316L) stainless steel. The case is 33 mm in diameter and 8 mm in thickness
- The strap is made from silver IP-plated milanese consisting of medical grade (316L) stainless steel. The straps length is 200 mm and the width is 29 mm
- Water resistant up to 3 ATM / 30 meters / 98 feet | General resistance to rain, splashing, accidental submersion and showering. Not suitable for swimming or bathing
From the beautiful countrysides of Norway comes a unique, modernist take on the concept of the eco-friendly timepiece. The solar-powered Bering Men’s Analogue Watch is a real looker that stands out from other sapphire watches with its boxy aesthetic and minimalist flair. This particular model can fit most wrist sizes and has a unisex feel that increases its overall versatility. Swiss watches may get all the publicity, but this Norwegian outlier is well worth a few headlines on its own accord.
Specs
Display Window Material: Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Bangle Bracelet Clasp
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 33 mm
Case Thickness: 8 mm
Strap Material: Stainless Steel
Strap Length: Unisex
Strap Width: 29 mm
Strap Color: Silver
Dial Color: Black
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Solar-Powered
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Pros
- This watch has a unisex charm that effortless integrates feminine and masculine design elements.
- With a solar power reserve of 6-12 months, there’s very little movement maintenance to worry about.
- The luminescent hour and minute hands are super easy to see in low light.
Cons
- The date window is exceedingly small and hard to read.
- The square watch body isn’t for everyone.
5) Casio Men’s Edifice Stainless Steel Quartz Watch
- Solar Powered, Sapphire Crystal, 100M Water Resistant
- Date Display, Stopwatch, Resin Band
- Quartz Movement
- Case Diameter: 47mm
- Water resistant to 100m (330ft): in general, suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not diving
Now for something completely different (yet familiar). Casio’s Edifice Stainless Steel Quartz Watch is yet another winning sports watch from the beloved watch brand. It offers a great water resistance rating, three sub-dials for chronograph functionality, luminous minute and hour hands, and a striking black dial with blue accents. Nobody does budget watches quite like Casio, and this cost-effective sports timepiece is yet another winner in a catalog full of them.
Specs
Display Window Material: Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 47 mm
Case Thickness: 12 mm
Strap Material: Plastic
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Width: 22 mm
Strap Color: Black
Dial Color: Black
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Japanese Quartz
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Pros
- This is one of Casio’s best-looking offerings yet!
- The sub-dials are perfect for runners, bikers, and all athletes looking to improve both time and performance.
- The included Japanese quartz movement is solar powered for easy charging and long-lasting usage life.
Cons
- The plastic band might need replacing right away. It feels flimsy and low-quality out of the box.
- The lume is strong at first, but loses resonance rather quickly.
4) Invicta Men’s 80488 Subaqua Gold Ion-Plated Watch
- Round 18k gold ion-plated watch featuring blue dial, bezel with screws, and five-link bracelet
- Swiss quartz movement with analog display
- Protective synthetic sapphire crystal dial window
- Features date window, day-tracker, chronograph functions with 60-second, 30-minute and 1/10 of a second subdials, and fold-over-clasp with safety
- Water-resistant to 500 m (1460 ft)
A dive watch with the aesthetic sensibilities of a dress watch, the Invicta Men’s 80488 Subaqua Gold Ion-Plated Watch is one of our favorite entries in the venerable Invicta Pro Diver series. Water resistant to a jaw-dropping depth of 500 meters, this sapphire glass superstar can go deeper than most without so much as a hiccup. And thanks to its superbly accurate Swiss quartz movement, losing time and missing on-shore meetings won’t be an issue.
Specs
Display Window Material: Synthetic Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Fold-Over Clasp with Safety
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 52 mm
Case Thickness: 20 mm
Strap Material: Stainless Steel
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Width: 31 mm
Strap Color: Gold
Dial Color: Mother of Pearl
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: SwissQuartz
Water Resistance: 500 meters
Pros
- A 500-meter water resistance rating is a huge get for divers and water lovers of all types.
- The six o’clock date window is well-place and easy to read.
- The Swiss quartz movement is accurate and experiences minimal clock drift over the course of a month or year.
Cons
- This watch is huge! Smaller wrists need not apply.
- Most text on the dial is extremely small and hard to read for those with vision problems.
3) Orient Men’s Automatic Watch w/ Stainless Steel Band
- Gents stainless steel analogue
- Automatic movement
- Sports
- Green dial and metallic strap or bracelet
- Wr 200mt
If you’re only familiar with the popular Orient Sun & Moon series of timepieces, you’re missing out. Orient is a world leader when it comes to crafting high-quality watches that won’t put a strain on your bank account balance. A prime example of this is the Orient Men’s Automatic Watch — a refined, stately water-resistant watch with a spectacular Japanese automatic movement to its credit. It also has a quality invisible safety clasp that keeps it tight and form-fitting without pinching or cutting into your skin.
Specs
Display Window Material: Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Invisible Clasp
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 42 mm
Case Thickness: 13 mm
Strap Material: Stainless Steel
Strap Width: 22 mm
Strap Color: Silver
Dial Color: Blue-Green
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Pros
- The blue-green dial has a soothing vibe that’s easy on the eyes.
- A lengthy 40-hour reserve is an impressive addition for a budget automatic watch.
- The invisible clasp form-fits to your wrist in a very attractive manner.
Cons
- This watch wears a bit small thanks to its demure case. It might be a tight fit for larger wrists.
- The hollow end links can squeak a bit out of the box.
2) Seiko SNE529 Stainless Steel Japanese Quartz Watch
- SOLAR POWERED: this solar watch is exclusively designed to be powered by light energy, requiring no battery change and ensuring a 10-month power reserve once fully charged
- DAY/DATE CALENDAR: stay organized and updated with the built-in date calendar, which sets this luxury watch apart from other men's watches
- STAINLESS STEEL & LEATHER: designed with a stainless steel watch case and luxurious leather bracelet for durability and a classic, timeless look
- 100M WATER-RESISTANT: water-resistant up to 100 meters (330 feet), these versatile men’s wrist watches can withstand splashes, showers, and short durations of immersion
- V158 CALIBER: equipped with reliable V158 caliber movement, this watch guarantees accurate timekeeping
Powered by whatever light source is available at a given moment, the Seiko SNE529 Stainless Steel Japanese Quartz Watch comes with a 10-month power reserve that’s unmatched in its class and price range. Coupled with a singular style all its own, that lengthy power reserve makes this the kind of everyday watch you look forward to strapping around your wrist. The stitched leather band and awe-inducing green dial bring everything together, making this a budget watch that feels and wears like anything but.
Specs
Display Window Material: Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 40 mm
Case Thickness: 9.73 mm
Strap Material: Leather
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Color: Brown
Dial Color: Green
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Japanese Quartz
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Pros
- The green dial will turn heads on your wrist, no matter what you’re wearing with it.
- The leather strap is comfortable out of the box, which is rare for under $300.
- The strong solar power reserve makes maintenance a breeze!
Cons
- The lack of lume on the dial and hands is pretty disappointing.
- We’d prefer a domed sapphire crystal dial window instead of the flatter layout.
1) Tissot Men’s Analog Swiss Automatic Watch
- Stainless steel bracelet watch with silver dial fixed with day and date function
- Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
- Swiss-automatic Movement
- Case Diameter: 38.5mm
- Water Resistant To 165 Feet
If you pressed us on our favorite Tissot men’s watch for under $300, there’s the Tissot Men’s Analog Swiss Automatic Watch and then there’s everything else. Featuring a transparent caseback that let’s you gawk at its inner workings with amazement, a lengthy 38-hour power reserve, and a minimalist pop that looks great with most outfit choices, this silver-on-silver stunner is both breathtaking and fantastically malleable. And thanks to its anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass dial window, you can cut down glare and dial up your class quotient exponentially.
Specs
Display Window Material: Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Push Button Deployment Clasp
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 38.5 mm
Case Thickness: 9.8 mm
Strap Material: Stainless Steel
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Width: 17 mm
Strap Color: Silver
Dial Color: Silver
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Swiss Automatic
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Pros
- With very few design elements, this watch still looks like a million bucks.
- The transparent caseback is a fun addition for watch lovers of all ages.
- The stainless steel strap is deceptively comfortable and versatile.
Cons
- The watch winder is hard to grip without the help of a tool.
- It loses time a little faster than we’d like.
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Sapphire Crystal Watches
Are sapphire crystal watches worth anything?
While sapphire glass has much more lasting power and scratch resistance than mineral crystal or plastic dial windows, cheap sapphire crystal watches aren’t going to fetch you a massive return at the pawnshop. While the use of sapphire crystals makes your watch much more scratch-resistant, the crystals aren’t rare enough or valued enough to add inherent material value. Exactly what your sapphire crystal watch is worth is more about its other features.
Does it have a rare automatic movement typical of the best luxury watches? What exactly is the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal dial window protecting? While most of the sapphire crystal watches on our list are admittedly pretty cool, they’re not worth more than their listed retail values at this time.
Which watch brands use sapphire crystal?
More watch brands than you might think! Whether you’re looking for expensive watches from luxury imprints like Rolex and Tag Heuer, or affordable watches from top brands like Tissot and Casio, dozens upon dozens of watch brands use sapphire crystal to construct their watch glass windows. You can find an amazing watch perfect for everyday wear at a price you can afford from brands responsible for the best men’s watches in the marketplace right now. And because of the extremely durable nature of sapphire crystal, you can rest assured that you’re not just buying any old typical watch. You’re buying a gem with a scratch-resistant watch face that will last you a long time.
Closing Thoughts
The seven entries on the list above make up a who’s who of the best watches available for under $300. The external glass faces may be their unifying selling point, but they’re all high-quality watches with their own distinct styles and impressive features. If you love watches and want a timepiece that puts other watches to shame in terms of lasting power, grab one of the watches above ASAP. You won’t be disappointed.