The 31 Best Affordable Watches In 2024

This isn’t another surface-level list of the best affordable watch brands out there. It’s the result of years of my personal experience as a watch enthusiast and writer, informed by buying, selling and handling almost all of the watches in this article. If you find a more personal and comprehensive article on the English-speaking internet, please email it to me or reach out on Instagram, as I’d love to read it.

No matter if you’re starting to get into watches or you’re already down the rabbit hole about collecting watches, there’s an important place in everyone’s collection for the best affordable watches. Because while the most luxurious and intricately created timepieces often cost a decent chunk of change, the best thing about cheaper watches is you can buy more of them.

Unless you’re a seasoned veteran who’s been collecting for decades (though this still applies to them too), more affordable watch brands are a great way to understand the kinds of watches that you like and the best way to develop your own personal taste without needing a bank loan. There’s nothing worse than spending a packet on a watch you thought you’d love, only to start wearing it and realise it leaves you colder than Hannibal Lecter.

RELATED: The 13 Best Watches Under $5000 You Can Buy In 2024

As well as being the best way to find out the kinds of timepieces you enjoy wearing on a daily basis, affordable watch brands can also be more enjoyable to wear every day as you know you’re unlikely to get mugged or your arm cut off for wearing a house deposit on your wrist (especially if you’re living in London). If you need a service, or you accidentally drop your watch on a tiled floor, it’ll also be more affordable to get it back up and running without suffering through a month of Mie Goreng dinners after sending it off to the service centre.

In saying all of that, there are also a lot of pretty rubbish watches out there that bill themselves as offering “affordable quality” so to avoid adding a lemon to your collection, it’s worth knowing what to look for in a good watch that doesn’t break the bank. I’ll take you through a few of the best affordable watches that I’ve personally owned over my collecting journey and can vouch for, as well as a collection of timepieces that are well-known for being some of the best value in the game.

Tips for Buying Inexpensive Watches

First up is the same advice for buying any watch, no matter how much it costs – do some research. I’m not talking about dozens of hours of comparing automatic movements specifications and water resistance levels, but just some light reading to see what’s out there.

If you know you’re interested in dive watches, quartz watches or sports watches, then find out what timepieces are available in the area you’re keen on. Read this article, read watch brand websites and dedicated reviews of the shortlist you start to make. You can never do too much research and you don’t want a package to arrive at your door, only for you to realise something similar, but slightly different might have been a better choice.

Another tip for buying inexpensive watches is to avoid Kickstarter watches unless the team behind the watch has proven they can actually make a quality timepiece. I don’t want to turn you away from new brands trying to get off the ground because some of them are fantastic, but time and time again the discounts offered by Kickstarter watches are too tempting and the watch they eventually deliver is far below expectations.

A number of brands I recommend in this list started on Kickstarter, including Ikepod (when it relaunched), Baltic and Furlan Marri, but all of them were started by people who had either worked in the watch industry or were well-known in the watch world before they started their brand. Beyond researching the watches on Kickstarter, do some digging into the people behind the brands too and if they’re being launched anonymously, that should tell you something already.

Don’t Be Afraid Of A Quartz Movement

Many of the horological cognoscenti turn their noses up at the world of quartz movement watches, but for the most part, I’d ignore them. A quartz movement is sure to make any great watch design more affordable and if the quartz calibre is coming from a brand such as Seiko or Longines, you know it’s a high-quality movement.

Plus, while a quartz calibre doesn’t have the romance of “beating-heart” mechanical watches, it’s more reliable, more accurate and a whole lot cheaper when it comes to servicing. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking only mechanical watches with an automatic movement are good quality because it isn’t true. Even some references of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak were made with quartz movements.

Recommended Watch Brands (In No Particular Order):

• Longines
• Seiko
• Mido
• Citizen
• Tissot
• LIP
• Ikepod
• Baltic
• Furlan Marri
• CWC
• Bamford
• Baume & Mercier
• Serica
• Timex
• Hamilton
• Swatch
• Casio G-Shock
• Bulova
• Orient
• Braun

The Best Affordable Watches On The Market Right Now

My Personal Favourites

Every watch (and watch brand) on this list is either one that I’ve owned myself, bought as a gift for a friend or recommended a friend to buy. While they’re all great in different ways, I’ll also explain some of the downsides that I’ve personally experienced with them.

Seiko SPB153 Dive Watch

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 42.7mm
• Case Thickness: 13.2mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Aluminium
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Rubber
• Dial Colour: Green
• Water Resistance: 200m
• Movement: 6R35
• Power Reserve: 70 hours

This is a dive watch purchase I made when it was first released as a reissue to the cult classic Seiko ref. 6105 “Willard” and it remains one of the best watches that I own as well as a favourite among many collectors I know. There are just so many great details, from its faceted sapphire crystal over the dial and the slightly different shades of green for the bezel and dial, to the shape of its case and the way the crown guard is integrated.

I haven’t found any faults in owning it so far, apart from the metal loop on the rubber strap which can pinch your skin occasionally. If you’re after a dive watch that’s basically bulletproof, looks great and has an interesting history behind its inspiration, you won’t regret picking up a Seiko SPB153.

Serica 4512 Commando

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 37.7mm
• Case Thickness: 11.3mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 200m
• Movement: Mechanical hand-wound STP1-11M
• Power Reserve: 40 hours

The French-founded Serica brand first piqued my interest when I wrote about its launch back in 2019 and after diving a little deeper into its thoughtfully minimalistic design, knew I needed to buy one. I love the somewhat unfamiliar lack of branding on the dial (especially when most brands have their logo front and centre) paired with its immediately recognisable field watch-inspired design.

While the dial has obviously been carefully considered, the profile and shape of the case are also clearly the result of dozens of design iterations, with mirror-polished bevels on the flat bezel and sweeping lugs that don’t make a 37.7mm case feel too small on the wrist. As I’m left-handed, I was also keen on the brand’s offer to deliver your watch with the screw-down crown on either side of the case and when combined with the impressively comfortable “bonklip” bracelet that was popular in the 1920s, makes for a great everyday watch.

Dan Henry 1937 Dress Chronograph

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 12.7mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: Seiko VK64
• Power Reserve: 3 year battery life

If you’ve not come across Dan Henry before, enjoy this moment as I wish I could go back to learning about the brand for the first time again. Established by one of the most important watch collectors in Brazil, it was started in an effort to offer great watch designs at a price that anyone can afford. As far as democratising watch collecting goes, I haven’t seen a brand do it better than Dan Henry.

The Dan Henry 1937 Dress Chronograph entered my collection immediately after it launched because of how well it captured the spirit of Art Deco watch design. With its multi-tonal sector dial, 38mm case size and Seiko VK64 mecha quartz movement (which doesn’t tick in the same way a normal quartz movement does), it’s one of those classic dress watch designs I find myself reaching for it frequently.

Timex Marlin Automatic

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 34mm
• Case Thickness: 10mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
• Dial Colour: Silver
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: Manually wound mechanical
• Power Reserve: Unspecified

The Timex Marlin Automatic watch is another great heritage-inspired dress watch with a legacy that few watch brands can claim as their own. Inspired by a collection of Timex watches from the 1960s, the American-founded watchmaker partnered with the team at Todd Synder to reissue this line of dress watches in 2017, in the 34mm case size that is common for vintage watches of the period.

I bought the watch as I loved the numbers on its sunray brushed silver dial, but found that 34mm was a little small for my wrist and gave it to a friend to enjoy. If you love smaller watches and like to wear a leather strap, this is one for you.

Ikepod Duopod Grey Market

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 42mm
• Case Thickness: 15.9mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Silicone
• Dial Colour: Dark grey
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: Quartz Miyota movement
• Power Reserve: 3 year battery life

Arguably one of the first “concept” watch brands, Ikepod was founded in 1994 by a fellow Australian and one of the most influential industrial designers of this generation, Marc Newson. He’s also the man who designed the original Apple Watch, has worked with brands like Hermès and Louis Vuitton (even recently designing a Tokyo public bathroom) and in 2015 one of his remarkable Lockheed Lounge chairs sold for just under $5 million.

Newson’s design language is as visually arresting as it is enduring (cues from his Ikepod Seaslug dive watch can be seen in the latest Apple Watch Ultra) and the pebble-shaped Ikepod was revived in 2018 by watch business alum Christian-Louis Col. Since buying my Duopod, it’s made me reconsider what I thought I knew about watch design thanks to its 42mm case that actually wears like a 39mm watch, supremely comfortable integrated rubber strap and optically striking domes sapphire crystal over the dial. If you’re interested in design as much as watches, Ikepod is a brand you should own at one point in your collecting journey.

Casio G-Shock GWM5610

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 43.2mm
• Case Thickness: 12.7mm
• Case Material: Resin
• Bezel Material: Resin
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Resin
• Dial Colour: Digital display
• Water Resistance: 200m
• Movement: Tough solar quartz
• Power Reserve: 2 years when in power saving mode

Truly one of the best affordable icons in the watch world, it’s all the evidence anyone needs that cheap watches and digital watches aren’t necessarily destined to break. About as close to the original digital display 1983 G-Shock as you can get today (which was the product of more than 200 prototypes by the Japanese brand), everyone needs to own a G-Shock at some point in their watch collecting journey and I did too.

Measuring 43.2mm in width, its case, bezel and strap are all made from super shock-resistant resin that’s also lightweight enough to keep the G-Shock GWM5610 at just 51g. Unlike the original, improvements have been made to this legend of digital watches in the four decades since including a solar cell dial to power the battery and a radio signal receiver to ensure it keeps close to perfect time.

Tissot PRX

• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 10.9mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
• Dial Colour: Blue
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power Reserve: 80 hours

As an affordable watch brand that arrives with Swiss watch industry quality, for years the Swiss brand Tissot has been producing some of the best affordable mechanical watches you can buy. While its price point has always been a compelling factor, the PRX collection was a coup for the brand as a collection of faithfully recreated 1970s-inspired automatic watches and has proven incredibly popular among collectors.

I was very generously given a Tissot PRX by a colleague shortly after they launched and I love wearing it for its extremely comfortable integrated bracelet and case profile. The blue dial is a stunner too, with an intricate grid pattern that nicely compliments the brushed case and bracelet and with 80 hours of power reserve, you honestly can’t go wrong with one of these high-quality watches.

Bamford London GMT Heritage

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 11.7mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: Sellita SW330-2
• Power Reserve: 56 hours

I’ve known a couple of friends to own Bamford watches in the past, but it wasn’t until I had the pleasure of working at Time + Tide for its first collaborative watch release with Bamford that I owned one. While the Bamford London x Time+Tide GMT1 is sold out, you can still buy from the same collection of GMT watches that offer a range of great designs and are more than solid in terms of their value for money.

Featuring a 40mm 316L grade stainless steel case and powered by the workhorse Sellita SW330-2 automatic movement (which can be serviced anywhere in the world at an affordable price), the GMT bezel can be rotated via the second crown at 10 o’clock. While the bracelet is a little fiddly to add or remove links from (I’d recommend not trying it at home), it’s another great everyday watch for the frequent flyer (or anyone that finds themself needing to know the time somewhere else in the world).

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 9.75mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Textile and leather
• Dial Colour: White
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: H-50 caliber
• Power Reserve: 80 hours

I bought this watch with a few mates for a friend before he embarked on a cycling journey the length of the Americas and love it for its classic field watch design, solid 38mm case size and clean dial design. Hamilton has a history of producing military for the armed forces of the world and this design was born during World War II for infantry soldiers.

Its sandblasted steel case isn’t flashy or attention seeking, its luminous dial and hands are easy to read in any lighting conditions and while you need to be conscious of overwinding the H-50 calibre inside, is a solid movement with 80 hours of power reserve. One of those classic watches with an adventure-ready design, with options of either a NATO or leather strap.

LIP Mach 2000 Chronograph

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: Unspecified
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Rubber
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: Quartz ronda 5021-D chronograph movement
• Power Reserve: 3 years battery life

I recently bought the time-only version of this LIP Mach 2000 Chronograph and absolutely love its Roger Tallon-designed case and dial. While I’m enjoying the bracelet equipped with the time-only version, this chronograph is much more well-known and respected among the watch community for its distinctive 1974 design with spherical primary coloured chronograph pushers and crown contrasting well with the blacked-out case and strap.

This collection of modern watches is directly inspired by the mid-70s original and features a 42mm wide stainless steel case and is powered by the easily servicable quartz Ronda 5021-D chronograph movement. Manufactured in France, where LIP was founded, it’s an oddball classic that won’t break the bank.

CWC G10

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 10.5mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: NATO strap
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: Quartz ETA Swiss
• Power Reserve: 3 years battery life

A couple of years back my father mentioned he was after a new watch and for his birthday I got us both matching Cabot Watch Company (CWC) G10s. Another watchmaker with authentic ties to the armed forces of the world, the G10 was originally produced as a cheap watch that could be issued to the infantry troops of the British Army from 1980 onwards, but given the wrists it was intended for, was designed to be incredibly robust and hard-wearing.

While neo-vintage examples of the G10 are slowly starting to push up in price as their collectibility is more widely known, you can still buy new examples from CWC directly. Measuring 38mm in diameter with the crown, they’re still made to British MoD specifications and are powered by quartz ETA Swiss movements. As far as a comfortable and durable watch goes that you can forget about on your wrist, it doesn’t get much better.

Omega X Swatch MoonSwatch

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 42mm
• Case Thickness: 13.25mm
• Case Material: Bioceramic
• Bezel Material: Bioceramic
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Fabric VELCRO
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: Quartz
• Power Reserve: 3 years battery life

If you’re even a little interested in watches (which I assume you are if you’ve made it this far), then you’ll probably already know all about the Omega X Swatch MoonSwatch. I’ve worn a couple of them that friends have owned and they look great and are comfortable on the wrist.

There’s a good reason that this Swatch group link-up is arguably the most popular watch collaboration of the last decade, but for those who are expecting Omega Speedmaster quality for a Swatch price, please manage your expectations. They’re great watches for the price you’re paying, lightweight on the wrist and arrive in enough different colours that there’s something for everyone, so if you can find one from a Swatch store, it’s a fun addition to the collection.

Seiko 5 Sports

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 42.5mm
• Case Thickness: 13.8mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Aluminium
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: 4R36
• Power Reserve: 41 hours

The Seiko 5 Sports collection has returned with a vengeance since it was officially relaunched in 2019, replacing the fan-favourite SKX— range that earned the watch industry so many enthusiasts over the last decade or so. This year the collection is celebrating its 55th anniversary since it first made its debut, offering a great many watches in an affordable price range that all contain a mechanical movement.

Recently I bought a watch from the second round of Rowing Blazers x Seiko 5 Sports limited editions and loved its vibrant orange dial (inspired by the 6106-7107 70m Sport Diver), wearable 42.5mm case size and comfortable bracelet. While that limited edition has sold out, much of the regular catalogue Seiko 5 Sports collection is priced very fairly when you consider their mechanical movements, 100m of water resistance, metal bracelets and classic designs.

Other Great Affordable Watches

While I’ve either owned or spent significant time with all of the watches we’ve covered on this list so far, I haven’t owned all of the best affordable watches out there that are worth knowing about. The following watches are ones that the watch community loves, offer great value for their price points and often have a really cool history behind them too. Let’s get into it.

Baltic MR01

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 36mm
• Case Thickness: 9.9mm
• Case Material: 316L Steel
• Bezel Material: 316L Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather strap
• Dial Colour: Salmon
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: Automatic Hangzhou CAL5000A Micro-Rotor
• Power Reserve: 42 hours

While I don’t own a Baltic MR01, I wish I did. Boss Hunting co-founder James Want enjoys that privilege and he can’t speak highly of it enough thanks to its vintage-inspired 36mm case, complex dial design (with a cracking off-centre sub-seconds) and micro-rotor automatic movement. Arriving on a leather band, it’s great watchmaking at an even better price.

Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 11.5mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
• Dial Colour: Blue
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power Reserve: 80 hours

Just like the Tissot PRX, the Gentleman Powermatic 80 is jam-packed with value from its robust case to its top-notch movement. Thanks to its eye-catching blue dial and finely polished case and bracelet details, it looks like it should close a lot more than it does.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph

• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 10.96mm
• Case Material: Titanium
• Bezel Material: Titanium
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Titanium
• Dial Colour: Grey
• Water Resistance: 200m
• Movement: TH50-00
• Power Reserve: 3yrs battery life

I haven’t owned one but I’ve certainly considered it, one of the newest members of the TAG Heuer catalogue is the Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph, a super impressive watch with a dial that doubles as a solar cell and a case and bracelet made from titanium. Boasting a dark grey appearance and light blue highlights, it marks the beginning of a new era for TAG Heuer and we’re all here for it.

Bulova 96B251 Special Edition Lunar Pilot

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 45mm
• Case Thickness: 14mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Textile
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: High Performance Quartz
• Power Reserve: 3 years battery life

Everyone knows the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch went to outer space, but not many know this classic Bulova worn by Apollo 15’s mission commander made the same journey. It has a substantial presence on the wrist without being too big and enjoys an important place in history that deserves to be known more widely.

Longines HydroConquest Green

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 43mm
• Case Thickness: 11.90mm
• Case Material: Steel or rubber
• Bezel Material: Ceramic
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
• Dial Colour: Green
• Water Resistance: 300m
• Movement: L888 automatic
• Power Reserve: 72 hours

Just like its Swatch group stable mate at Tissot, Longines excels at offering incredible value for the price range of its watches. The Longines HydroConquest is no different (owned by another member of the Boss Hunting team in John McMahon), with a high-spec automatic movement, comfortable 43mm case and stunning green ceramic bezel that matches the dial. You don’t need to buy a Rolex Submariner to get a great dive watch on the wrist.

Merci LMM-01 Field Watch

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 9mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Black fabric NATO
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: Seiko VH31
• Power Reserve: 3 years battery life

Another quality French-founded young watch brand, the team behind Merci should be applauded for the straightforward approach to design and affordable price points. The Field Watch is about as clean as it comes, with a 38mm stainless steel case, Seiko VH31 movement and fabric strap – you’re getting a lot of watch for your money.

Citizen 200m Promaster Mechanical Diver NB6021-68L

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 41mm
• Case Thickness: 12.3mm
• Case Material: Super titanium
• Bezel Material: Aluminium
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Super titanium
• Dial Colour: Blue
• Water Resistance: 200m
• Movement: Caliber 9051 automatic
• Power Reserve: 42 hours

Citizen is a well-known Japanese watchmaker that sells good-quality and affordable timepieces and this Citizen 200m Promaster Mechanical Diver is one such nice watch, featuring a sandblasted 41mm titanium case and workhorse calibre 9051 movement. It’s lightweight on the wrist, water resistant to 200m and robust enough to handle anything you might want to use it for.

Baume & Mercier Riviera 10659

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 42mm
• Case Thickness: 11mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Rubber
• Dial Colour: Blue
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: Automatic calibre BM11893-2
• Power Reserve: 45 hours

We’re big fans of Baume & Mercier here at Boss Hunting, with the Riviera collection being one of the very first watches to feature an integrated case and bracelet when it was first launched 50 years ago (just a year after the first Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet). Today, it remains a core part of the brand’s catalogue and this reference features a 42mm steel case, an impressively comfortable rubber strap and the calibre BM11893-2 GMT movement that tracks two time zones, it’s a great everyday travel watch.

Timex IRONMAN Classic 30

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 12.73mm
• Case Material: Resin
• Bezel Material: Resin
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Resin
• Dial Colour: Digital display
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: Quartz
• Power Reserve: 3 years battery life

The Ironman is a classic quartz Timex that can handle even the toughest of sporting demands (including an Ironman, hence the name) and is one of the most affordable timepieces on this list. The Timex Ironman is the everyday watch of Jocko Willink and if it’s tough enough for a Navy SEAL, it’ll be able to handle anything you’re wearing it for thanks to its 38mm hard resin case, 100m of water resistance and all of the functions you’d expect from other digital watches like G-Shock.

Furlan Marri Grey Sector Ref. 2145-A

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 37.5mm
• Case Thickness: 10.5mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
• Dial Colour: Dark grey
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: Manually wound G100
• Power Reserve: 68 hours

Furlan Marri is another young heritage-inspired brand producing fantastically designed timepieces at a price range that most should be able to afford. While there’s no in-house movement that you’d find in similar expensive watches, you’re getting a 37.5mm stainless steel case with some truly spectacular lugs (kept slim at just 10.5mm in thickness) and a G100 mechanical movement with a solid 68 hours of power reserve. A fine taste classic in the making.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 13.5mm
• Case Material: Titanium
• Bezel Material: Titanium
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Fabric NATO strap
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 200m
• Movement: Quartz movement
• Power Reserve: 3 years battery life

Bertucci A-2T Classic

The field watch is an incredibly popular design from history and for good reason. Its design is simple and easy to read and the folks at Bertucci have created a well-executed version in the A-2T Classic, which features a 40mm sandblasted titanium case, 200m of water resistance and the Arabic numerals we know and love. A very strong value proposition.

Scurfa Diver One Titanium

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 14.4mm
• Case Material: Titanium
• Bezel Material: Titanium
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Rubber
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 500m
• Movement: Ronda 713SM quartz
• Power Reserve: 3 year battery life

The Scurfa Diver One Titanium is one of the most high-spec dive watches you’ll see for this price, featuring a 40mm titanium case and a whopping 500m of water resistance thanks to its built-in helium escape valve. A black leather strap won’t do much for this rough and read watch, which is why it arrives on a comfortable rubber strap and is powered by a Swiss-made quartz calibre.

Orient Bambino

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 40.5mm
• Case Thickness: 11.8mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
• Dial Colour: Cream
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: Caliber F6724
• Power Reserve: 40 hours

Another fan-favourite Japanese brand, Orient is one of the best affordable watch brands out there and its Bambino dress watch is a cult classic thanks to its timeless design and affordable price point. Measuring 40.5mm in diameter and featuring a warm cream-tone dial, its blue steel hands offer the perfect contrast and make for a watch you can dress up or down depending on what the occasion demands.

Tissot Everytime Swissmatic

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 11.6mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
• Dial Colour: White
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: Swiss Tissot automatic
• Power Reserve: 72 hours

One of the more compelling everyday quartz watches, the Everytime Swissmatic from Tissot does everything you need it to, and nothing you don’t. It’s a bare-bones approach to time-telling that doesn’t overcomplicate things, simply offering the time and date in a slimline package that’s comfortable on the wrist at 40mm in diameter and looks great paired with its steel bracelet.

Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 14.45mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
• Dial Colour: White with black subdials
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: H-31 automatic movement
• Power Reserve: 60 hours

A classic chronograph design from Hamilton, the two-tone dial of the Intra-Matic Auto Chrono is eye-catching without being over the top and wears comfortably thanks to its 40mm case (even if it is a little thick at 14.45mm). Powered by the automatic chronograph H-31 calibre it offers 60 hours of power reserve and with 100m of water resistance, isn’t a watch you’ll need to treat with kid gloves.

Seiko Prospex 1959 Alpinist Modern Re-interpretation

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 36.6mm
• Case Thickness: 11.1mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather bund strap
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: 6L35
• Power Reserve: 45 hours

Just like its premium sibling in Grand Seiko, the more affordable Seiko has a deep archive filled with classic timepieces from before the quartz crisis and the Seiko Prospex 1959 Alpinist Modern Re-interpretation is one of them. As a mid-century “sports watch” before the term was even invented, its 36.6mm case size is comfortable and its automatic 6L35 movement is reliable enough to survive any peak.

Mido Ocean Star Tribute

• Case Diameter: 40.5mm
• Case Thickness: 13.4mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 200m
• Movement: Automatic Mido Caliber 80
• Power Reserve: 80 Hours

The Mido Ocean Star Tribute isn’t breaking the mould when it comes to diving watch design, but that’s exactly what is so great about it. It’s familiar, it’s well balanced and with 200m of water resistance and the Mido Caliber 80 inside serving up an impressive 80 hours of power reserve, it’s an elevated dive watch that doesn’t sacrifice its functionality.

Braun BN0211 Classic Slim

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 6.6mm
• Case Material: Steel
• Bezel Material: Steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: Quartz
• Power Reserve: 3 years battery life

Braun might be best known for its home electrical goods, but not many people are aware that the German brand also makes a collection of very nicely designed timepieces too. Created with the Bauhaus principles of “less but better”, these minimalist watches have earned themselves a number of design awards with this specific reference featuring a 38mm case that’s just 6.6mm thick. Boasting an integrated bracelet and ultra-clean dial design, Braun deserves more credit than it gets from the watch community.