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Which Men's Watches Should I Get On A Budget ?
This review was meant to offer a pretty wide range of good reliable men's watches for the vast majority of us out there on a budget with timepieces below $150, below $500, and under $1,000. There’s just something to be said about affordable watches with a solid build and some character. Admittedly, purchasing a timepiece on a budget can be tricky since the market is littered with junk. On the flip side, plenty of examples down below will please the common amateur horologists alike. Some are from respected Japanese brands — Citizen, Seiko — others young innovators, Swiss Quartz and American made. But rest assured, none of this selection of affordable watches is made of low-quality materials or hands that fall off after a month’s use.
All products featured on Men Objects are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
How do I pick a watch for everyday use that is classic and yet durable for men? Although most people do care about watch brands, we would argue that famous designer watches are not necessarily synonymous with quality watches. Japanese Quartz Movements are known for their precision and reliability at an affordable price while the "Swiss Made" watches represent a seal of approval and a mark of quality recognized worldwide. More than half of the entire luxury watches are made in Switzerland. These mechanical movement Swiss watches are the best hand-made movements made by true professional career horlogists, a rare breed on this side of the ocean. We won't be including any of these in this review as these watches are beyond the current budget set for this blog review.
Types of Watch Movements
The movement, also known as caliber is the mechanism of a watch. It contains all the moving parts of a watch and is what powers its chronograph, date, time, calendar, or dual time zone.
1. Quartz
This movement is the cheapest because it is generated by a simple battery which you replace typically every 2-3 years. No other movement or gesture is required as the battery does all the work.
2. Automatic or self-winding
This movement also has a battery but it requires the energy and movement coming from your wrist to activate the mechanism inside the watch to start moving. If you don't wear it, it will rest and go into a pause.
3. Mechanical Movement
This movement requires a regular manual winding of the crown to operate and to keep it from receiving energy to work. The quality of a watch, however, stems first and foremost from the quality of the watchmaker's work.
All products featured on Men Objects are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Men Watches Under $150
From Top Left:
MVMT Chronograph Quartz: $116.05 | on Amazon
Timex Weekender Chronograph 40mm Watch: $42.52 | on Amazon
Invicta Men's Pro Diver 40mm Stainless Steel Automatic Watch, Silver: $78.82 | on Amazon
Casio Men's 200M Duro Analog Watch, Black: $49.67 | on Amazon
Michael Kors Dylan Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch: $202.57 | Buy now
Fossil Men's Nate Stainless Steel Chronograph Quartz: $107.16 | Buy here
Emporio Armani Men's Luigi Chronograph Dress Watch With Quartz Movement: $245 | Buy now
Invicta I Force Stainless Steel Quartz Watch with Canvas Strap, Black: $85 | Buy now
Fossil Men's Grant Stainless Steel Chronograph Quartz: $90.30 | Buy here
Fossil Coachman Quartz Leather Brown, Chronograph Silver: $79 | Buy here
Men's Classic Watches under $500.
From Top Left:
Citizen Eco Drive Promaster Diver - Water Resistant to 660 Feet: $245 | on Amazon
FEICE Men's Automatic Watch Mechanical Analog Waterproof: $255 | on Amazon
Michael Kors Dylan Stainless Steel Chronograph - Scratch Resistant Crystal Glass: $202 | on Amazon
Michael Kors Theroux Chronograph Stainless + Scratch Resistant Mineral Crystal Glass: $180 on Amazon
More Men's Watches under $550.
From Top Left:
Torgoen T18 Carbon Fiber Chronograph - Swiss Quartz + Water Resistant: $450 on Amazon
Tissot Men's T-Race Chrono Quartz 316L Stainless Steel Case with Black PVD Coating Swiss Silicone Strap, Red: $540 on Amazon
Victorinox Swiss Army Night Vision Watch - Swiss Quart Movement: $270 on Amazon
Tissot T-Classic Automatic III Day Date White Dial - Swiss: $224.47 on Amazon
Men's Watches under $1,000
From Top Left