30 Affordable Watches That Look More Expensive Than They Are

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A GOOD watch for men doesn't have to be an investment piece; in fact, some of the best affordable watches for men are handsome and built to last. Courtesy of the best watch brands out there, today’s cheap watches for men will not only exhibit style but also offer functionality. Between dress watches and stainless steel watches, chronographs and automatic watches, the best cheap watches for men should boast accurate timekeeping and need to be made in durable materials that can withstand daily wear and tear.

Below, our style experts have found and reviewed the 30 best cheap watches for men—at five different points—that won’t require you to shell out an entire paycheck. There's the versatility of Timex watches, the innovative simplicity of Casio watches, the affordable luxury of Citizen watches, and more. All in all, these cheap watches for men look and feel like a million bucks—but thankfully aren’t.

Here you'll find household names like Casio, or American icons like Timex, as well as some of the best, rarest gems from Amazon. Because your entry to cheap watches for men needs not to be a cheap hand-me-way-down.

Rugged with a progressive, industrial profile, this stainless steel watch is a perfect choice for urbanites who live by the mantra of sophisticated style. Made to be water resistant at up to 165 feet, it's suitable for recreational swimming and showering too.

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Rylan Quartz Watch

amazon.com

$58.00

Bring a pop of color to your wrist game with this olive green watch. The nylon strap is adjustable and designed to fit up to an eight-inch wrist circumference. That's not the only thoughtful feature: The watch also includes 24-hour military time, should you ever need the conversion.

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Unisex Weekender Watch

amazon.com

$35.38

"This is a beautiful watch, very pleasing on the eyes, [and] the thinnest watch I've ever owned," writes one of the 5,700+ customers who gave this sleek piece a glowing 5-star review. "It tucks easily under my sleeve." Read: It's a great buy if all you want is something unfussy that won't make you feel like you're wearing a bulky accessory.

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Ultra-Thin Wrist Watch

amazon.com

$42.99

Thanks to its black resin band and stainless steel case, Casio's analog watch might not look like a breezy beach accessory, but it has a secret skill: This durable watch is water-resistant up to 660 feet deep, which makes it more waterproof than most watches.

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Duro Analog Watch

amazon.com

$49.92

This elegant piece looks like it was dug up at some fancy antique market—when in reality, it's under $35 and eligible for Prime shipping. And it comes with chronograph functionality, meaning you can use it as an accurate stopwatch as well as a regular dressy timepiece.

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Luminous Men's Chronograph Wrist Watches

amazon.com

$35.99

"If you're looking for a thin and lightweight watch for very little money, I don't think this one can be beat," writes one reviewer, who notes they've had the watch for two months without any signs of it slowing down. The rectangular face is a little unusual, but if you like slick lines and a contemporary feel, it could well be your new go-to accessory.

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Ultra-Thin Rectangle Dial Watch

amazon.com

$39.99

At this price point, cheap watches for men look much better and classier already as you continue to spot names like Vincero and Casio while breathing the fresh air of Nordgreen and Skagen.

Go battery-free with an automatic diver watch. Invicta's customer-favorite version is made with luminous markers, water resistance up to 200 meters, and a stainless steel outlook that'll dress up any look (yes, even your faded wash tee).

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Pro Diver Automatic Watch

amazon.com

$72.28

The watch equivalent of a Hans Wegner chair, this minimalist-meets-mid-century design is another great Scandinavian style option from Skagen. It comes with a 40mm stainless steel case, a three-hand analog display, and a chic leather band. The tiny blue and orange accents make it stand out just enough.

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Signature Stainless Steel and Leather Watch

amazon.com

$71.97

With gold accents matching the rich tan leather band, Vincero's Chrono S is the perfect everyday piece. Not only will it go with just about everything in your wardrobe, but it can definitely stand up to some wear and tear. Oh, and it's a chronograph in case you've not noticed, delivering as much form as function.

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The Chrono S2

vincerocollective.com

$195.00

Between the antique brass face and the textured black leather strap, this rectangular wristwatch is ideal for vintage lovers. Peugeot is offering free lifetime battery replacement with each purchase, so you'll never have to worry about upkeep.

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Vintage Rectangular Wrist Watch

amazon.com

$65.69

You can't go wrong with a Casio G-Shock. And this one is tough as nails, rugged like a workhorse, and has some hidden perks: It's a semi-diver with a 100-meter water resistance, powered by sunlight, and can time-keep automatically via calibration radio signals. That's to say nothing of how hunky it looks.

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G-Shock GW2310-1 Tough Solar Atomic Sport Watch

amazon.com

$103.60

"Ditch the apple watch and swap in a nice leather banded watch to round out your look," says personal stylist Grace Thomas regarding the best watches for business casual attire. “Brands like Nordgreen won't break the bank and are offered in beautiful leather options.” We especially love the Native because it’s fully customizable: on top of the dressy, minimalist style, you get to personalize the strap, size, dial, and color.

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Native

nordgreen.com

$189.00

Many cheap watches for men under $300 have a fascinating backstory to tell, whether it's via their distinguished designs, functions, or actual histories behind the watch. Hence, the slightly higher but still affordable price point.

Built like a luxe off-road SUV, Vaer's entry-level field watch really is the exemplar of style and substance. And because it's a field watch, it's designed to last you through all kinds of outdoor adventures.

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C5 Field

vaerwatches.com

$239.00

Can't afford that ridiculously expensive but even more ridiculously covetable Cartier tank watch, worn by the likes of Princess Diana and Muhammad Ali? Japanese watchmaker, Seiko, has a much more pared-down version that looks just as elegant, as a not-too-shabby alternative.

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Essential SGP RECT Tank Watch

amazon.com

$161.25

It feels true to the '70s because, well, the model first hit the scene in that era and created a stir for quartz technology. Decades later, looking at the once smash-hit diver's reissue, even the most critical watch aficionado can still appreciate its timeless design: A "Pepsi" red-and-blue bezel on a distinctive stainless steel body, updated with modern quartz movement.

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Q Reissue 38mm

timex.com

$179.00

Wear it with your favorite structured suit or with a breezy button-down for a casual dinner; either way, Kenneth Cole's Skeleton watch is a versatile find you'll get tons of mileage out of. It's practically a piece of art, and its openwork details and transparent design will actually get you looking at the clock ticking away, thoughtfully.

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Automatic Skeleton Watch with Leather Strap

kennethcole.com

$185.00

This solar watch moonlights as your everyday dress watch. Made in stainless steel, it’s tough and rugged and will last as long as its power does: one hour under direct sunlight can fuel the watch for a month! Plus, it’s water-resistant at up to 100 meters, while oozing out class and elegance.

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Sentry Solar Stainless Steel Watch

bespokepost.com

$300.00

Here's a new watch term: The panda dial, in the combo of a white dial and black sub-dials, resembling that cute namesake animal. The Apex's isn't a complete panda—missing a black sub-dial as the mouth—but it's still a classic, entry-level panda watch if you dig the style.

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The Apex

vincerocollective.com

$228.00

Here, things get a bit out of hand, and you might be eager to decry these watches as splurges or extortion. But, we promise, cheap watches for men under $400 still have the soulful history, iconic style, or cool functions to earn their respective price tags—which, honestly, aren't too heavy if you consider what you'll get out of them. (Think Seiko and Citizen, Bulova and Tissot.)

Sterling dive watch at an attainable price—that's Citizen's Promaster. Inspired by the blue ocean, this piece is made for explorers and outdoorsmen who are as aspirational as they are inspirational. Since it's always on sale on Amazon, no need to break the bank to get it.

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Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Quartz

amazon.com

$275.00

It's a solar-alarm-chronograph hybrid, though the stopwatch can count up to 60 minutes. But let's be real: You're not buying this watch to use the chronograph anyway; you're buying it because you want to get laid.

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SSC143 Stainless Steel Solar Watch

amazon.com

$315.00

If you've got this on your wrist, you might as well say you've gone to the moon and back: While it's not the OG lunar watch—that would be Omega's Speedmaster—astronaut Dave Scott did take Bulova's Lunar pilot to the moon in 1971 during the Apollo 15 mission. And this is a remake of the original Bulova lunar watch that was once on a surface with 1/6th less Earth gravity. And thankfully, it's always on sale on Amazon, putting it nicely under $400. Available in. a leather strap version too.

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Archive Series Lunar Pilot

amazon.com

$378.99

Swear by an elegant dress watch? Tissot's PRX is on the higher end of our price spectrum but is definitely worth the (relative) splurge. Its minimalist, streamlined design is a remake of the 1978 predecessor. And the pared-back strap will serve as a polished finishing touch for your outfit.

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PRX Watch

bloomingdales.com

$375.00

This is a timepiece that’ll make a statement without distracting, with enough silver sheen to blind your eyes. Boasting a pure tone dial, and a quartz movement, Movado Face also looks like the epitome of understated class. Featuring a no-frills 41mm dial and a soft leather strap, it's the perfect purchase if you're on the hunt for a dress watch that is also everyday-friendly. It's the watch of the hour that'll make you the man of the hour, no matter how minimalist it is.

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Movado Face

movado.com

$395.00

Luminox has been the Navy SEALs' go-to watch brand for decades which means its tickers can absolutely handle anything you can throw at them. The all-black trend is nothing new for Luminox, who has always cloaked its watches in a matte black finish for tactical purposes. The Leatherback SEA Turtle is one of its top dive watches, with a 44 mm case and big block numerals that are easy to read while keeping the watch discreet enough not to stand out. If you're into the tactical military look, this watch is for you.

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Leatherback SEA Turtle Giant

luminox.com

$345.00

Lastly, these cheap watches for men are considered investment pieces of affordable watches for men because they have the style and the quality that'll last even you. From rugged Citizen to dressy Frederique Constant, these watches under $500 can be your entry to a collection of luxury watches as well.

Looking masculine and sophisticated, Victorinox’s FieldForce Classic has the functionalities to match its rugged facade. It’s decently water-resistant so you can sweat or even go a few laps in the swimming pool with it. The GMT feature lets it accurately monitor two different time zones at once (anyone in a long-distance relationship?). The dials and numerals are also highly legible. At under $500, it's worth a grab.

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Fieldforce

victorinox.com

$495.00

Walmart isn't usually the place where you'd look for a watch, and it certainly isn't the place where you'd look for a Swiss-made watch by Frederique Constant. But here we are—weirder things have happened before, certainly—looking at Frederique Constant's classic black dial dress watch in all its glory, at Walmart.

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Classics Quartz Movement Black Dial Watch

walmart.com

$329.95

Designed to make you look more sophisticated and classier than you are, Citizen's Calendrier will prove an unfailing spiff-up to any outfits you sport. And it's equipped with Citizen's signature Eco-Drive tech, meaning the watch is powered by light—any light. Only darkness can make it eschew its splendor.

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Calendrier

citizenwatch.com

$332.50

This is the quintessential field watch—and arguably the most famous one. It's for when you're spelunking and just want to know the time, hence it dons a classic military look that's tried and true, robust and resilient. With quite a few things going on at the bezel as well, it's a must-have for life's bravest adventurers.

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Khaki Field Stainless Steel Automatic Watch

amazon.com

$510.00

If you're not afraid of a little color, Shinola's Detrola watch collection has some of the most striking—but not distracting—hues. The Sea Creatures, for instance. But you'll also love that it's inspired by the deep sea and built from ocean-bound plastic. The Sea Creatures can even be worn for short bouts of swimming: It's water-resistant up to 100 feet deep.

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The Sea Creatures 40mm

shinola.com

$450.00

This pilot is equal to your needs in the sky, as it is made by a Canadian watch manufacturer dedicated to aviation timepieces. It's built to military specifications—not to mention supplied to the US military—and made for the toughest environment, and powered by Swiss craftsmanship. Even in the dimmed surroundings, you'll still see this pilot shine.

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41mm Pilot's Navigator

amazon.com

$450.00

Quality: Affordable, cheap watches for men should not compromise on quality. Opt for timepieces that boast reliable construction, sturdy materials—such as stainless steel cases and leather or metal straps—and well-finished details like scratch-resistant crystals, to ensure the watch’s longevity.

Movement: Look for cheap watches with accurate and dependable quartz movement or automatic movement. Both ensure precise timekeeping without frequent adjustments. Some watches are also powered by light.

Style: Cheap watches for men will come in many styles, including but not limited to dress watches, dive watches, field watches, pilot watches, race watches, digital watches, sports watches, etc. Whether you prefer a minimalist design, bold statement, or classic elegance, find cheap watches for men that will match your taste.

Functionality: Practicality matters. For instance, even cheap watches should offer some level of water resistance to handle splashes and occasional exposure to moisture. Additionally, depending on your preferences, cheap watches for men will include additional features like date displays, luminous hands, or chronograph functions.

On the more affordable front, watch brands like Casio, Fossil, Timex, and Invicta are known for making reliable, stylish watches that come under $100 or $200. These brands make cheap watches that cater to various styles, from rugged outdoors to classic to sleek urban. Moving up, newcomers like Vincero, Nordgreen, Nixon, and Vaer make great cheap watches that marry craftsmanship and value and are great for everyday use. Lastly, if you want to shell out a bit, Citizen, Seiko, Bulova, and Tissot are known for their affordable luxury watches that will cost less than $500 but have quality and craftsmanship that will last a lifetime.

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