Are you looking for the best cheap automatic watch? We have 16 solid options under $200 (or thereabouts). Let’s check them out.
Listen, watch collecting must start somewhere. And while we’d all love a bank balance that can cover everything from a TAG to a Patek, that’s not the reality. The reality is that the grail watch awaits those who know how to work their way up the horological ladder. And the first rung to that ladder is the best affordable automatic watch under $200. That’s where I can help.
My curated list looks at what you can get for a couple of hundred bucks. No, it’s not limitless. And no, even the oldest and most worn-looking of Royal Oaks don’t come that cheap! At the end of the day, a collectible is a collectible, no matter how old. So, if it’s a Nautilus or Royal Oak you someday want to own, take my advice and start here.
Best Automatic Watches for Men
Before you reach the higher echelons of luxury watch collecting, take a look at these best cheap automatic watches for men. They’re all under or around the $200 mark. They range from sporty timepieces to diving tools and even stretch to classic designs for pairing with more elegant attire. Finding automatic watches under 200 dollars certainly comes with its challenges. But I can confidently say these options promise the most bang for your buck within this price range.
Orient Tri Star
The Orient Tri Star derives from the Orient Star watch collection, which is world-famous for its value-for-money designs. It’s also home to a lot of wild-dial colors. The great thing about Orient is that it makes its own mechanical movements. From a value point of view, this greatly enhances the brand’s reputation for quality workmanship. The Calibre F6B22 inside this watch beats at 21,600vph and delivers an impressive 40 hours of power reserve.
The Japanese-made movement has a pointer 24-hour function. This feature sits at 5 o’clock on the deep blue dial. A days-of-the-week wheel sits at 10 o’clock, helping to achieve a sense of balance across the unconventional dial layout.
Additionally, there’s a highly legible date window sitting at 3 o’clock. Subsequently, the Orient name and logo at 1:30 puts a playful spin on this unique dial design, making for a great talking point.
Seiko 5 SNXS73K
The Seiko 5 watch collection is vast, so exploring it can often be overwhelming. I like to think of the collection as the bread-and-butter of steel sports watch options. It’s a series of simple, versatile watches that won’t cost a bomb. Take, for example, this SNXS73K reference. Its polished, fixed bezel frames a silvery sunray dial with legible, luminous-filled hands and indexes. The combination is clean and classic, making it great for everyday wear.
Most of the watches from the Seiko 5 collection come with a steel bracelet, giving you extra flexibility to pair with smarter attire during the evenings. The same applies to this model, which the brand secures with a folding clasp. Its 35mm diameter is also ideal for those with small wrists. The brand tops it with Hardlex glass and fits it with a reliable movement.
The Seiko 5 could easily be your first foray into proper watch collecting. It’s a solid name with a solid reputation and has a brand history worth discussing with fellow enthusiasts.
Orient Bambino 2nd Gen
You may struggle to find a brand-new Orient Bambino for under $200, but it’s certainly possible if you know where to look. Take, for example, this 2nd Gen Bambino watch. It oozes vintage vibes with its classic Roman numeral hour track and blue steel central hands.
The dial’s silver, off-white color, however, really captures a classic charm. Orient chooses a domed mineral glass front and a traditional brown leather strap to complete the design. Moreover, this is a 40.5mm model, so it won’t spill over the edges of a small wrist. Even better, the addition of a domed dial also makes the watch feel smaller than it really is.
Timex M79
The Timex M79 is a bold-looking timepiece inspired by the original 1970s Q Timex watch. Its green and black bezel also makes it a much cheaper Rolex alternative. This watch has a 21-jewel movement, a unidirectional bezel, and is 50 meters water resistant.
The robust steel bracelet is another unusual feature of the Timex M79 watch. Measuring 40mm, this is a suitable small automatic watch for medium wrists, and the Mercedes-style hands are another cool touch. Even better, you can catch a glimpse of the automatic movement working inside this watch. Flip the watch over, and Timex equips the timepiece with a sapphire exhibition caseback!
Orient Kamasu
For a little over 40mm in dimensions, you could own something bold and masculine like this Orient Kamasu on your slender wrist. Its green and steel outfit communicates strong diver vibes. The Kamasu watch takes inspiration from the fearsome Barracuda, with eye-catching hands that are teeth-shaped in design.
Maximizing its water-resistant capability of 200 meters is a screw-down crown at 3 o’clock on the case. Orient also implements a black unidirectional rotating bezel for measuring elapsed time underwater. The Orient Kamasu is unlike any other watch on the market, and because of its bang-for-buck value, you can’t go wrong. What other dial hosts hands that resemble teeth? Because it’s such a great talking point, the Orient Kamasu is a popular collector’s choice that deserves its place on this list.
Automatic Watches Under $200 for Diving
If you’re considering diving with a watch, it’s never a good idea to scrimp on quality. That’s why finding the best budget automatic watches under $200 for diving is quite challenging. Even though you need to stick to your budget, there are some brands that you can rely on.
Invicta Pro Diver 1953
Invicta may not be the most popular watch brand in the world, but it deserves a chance. The company sure gets some flack for its ostentatious-looking, often flashy, designs. However, the Pro Diver 1953 is a modest tool, and you can own it for as little as $150. Plus, you get a lot for your money.
Yes, the brand creates Submariner homage watches that Rolex aficionados would turn their noses up at. But it does punch above its price tag, offering features for everyday tasks. If you’re only just venturing into the world of watch collecting, the Invicta Pro Diver 1953 is a good place to start. It’s cheap but trustworthy and similar to a modern-day Submariner.
Its 40mm case boasts a nice level of finishing and makes for a surprisingly good option for beginner dive watch collectors. This clean and uncomplicated design serves its intended purpose on the list and doesn’t cost a fortune — a win-win.
Seiko 5 Sports SNZB33J2
The Seiko 5 Sports SNZB33J2 is a powerhouse on the wrist. Thanks to its accurate Seiko movement, it won’t let you down and will command some attention. Despite its manageable 40mm size, it looks chunky and hefty and is ready for adventure.
Before you buy any dive watch under $200, consider one thing. Are you actually going to dive with the watch? Or do you just like the look of the archetypal dive tool? The Seiko 5 Sports is a good option if it’s more the latter. If you want to dive with a watch, you’ll need to look for better water resistance than this model’s 100M rating. That said, its solid steel case and rubber bracelet are still great for quick dips in the water while on vacation.
Orient Mako II
The Orient Mako initially became an instant hit because of its affordability. It’s the kind of watch that appeals to those looking to get into mechanical watch collecting. The Mako II has dive-friendly features and even comes with a Pepsi bezel. Although Orient soon became a leader in Japanese watchmaking, the brand remains rather undiscovered on the Western side. This Orient Mako II is a 200M water-resistant watch with a distinctive red arrow-tipped second hand and a legible red and black day-date feature. This 41.5mm model is undoubtedly one of the best automatic watches under $200 for diving. It even features a 120-click unidirectional bezel for underwater safety.
Timex Harborside Coast Automatic
Another Pepsi watch – this time styled on a rather large 44mm dive watch. What helps this bezel pop on the wrist is its contrasting rich black dial with lashings of luminous material. The Timex Harborside Coast watch has some instantly notable dive watch features. The hour track, with rectangular, circular, and triangular markers, is a signature characteristic.
Timex equips this confident Harborside Coast watch with an automatic movement, a magnified date window, a mineral glass top, and a robust steel bracelet. With the addition of a 100M water-resistant case, this watch is ready for adventures both on dry land and in the water.
Automatic Dress Watches Under $200
Automatic dress watches under $200 come in many different designs. Here are a few of the best kinds I found on the market.
Fossil Everett
The Fossil Everett is slightly over the $200 mark. It’s a perfectly robust watch that you can wear every day of the week. Fossil mainly focuses on quartz watches but offers some reasonably priced automatics.
The Everett is a 42mm model that may be too large for those with relatively small wrists. Yet, the integrated bracelet design and tapering effect of the tonneau case bring the proportions of the case in. The Everett features a grid-like hour track and a skeleton dial that exposes the automatic movement inside. It also recalls the chrome and curves of vintage roadsters of a bygone era and will undoubtedly appeal to motorsport watch collectors.
Timex Marlin
No one can deny that salmon dials are super stylish. This beautiful Timex Marlin Automatic is a manageable 40mm model. It features quirky Arabic numeral hour markers placed against a black background at the cardinal points. The addition of the 8-inch brown calf leather strap elevates the Marlin to dressier heights, enabling it to pair with smart attire.
It would have been nice to see Timex equip this watch with a stronger glass than acrylic. Still, the salmon pink dial is the winning feature of this affordable dress watch. Timex has over 170 years of experience in crafting accessible wristwatches. For that reason alone, you know you’re not blowing your budget on something that will let you down after a week. Timex personifies reliability in every sense of the word and deserves to be among the best brands producing affordable wristwatches.
Best Automatic Watches Under $200 for Everyday Wear
Some of the best automatic watches for everyday wear are under $200, including timepieces from Timex and Seiko. Here are two great finds I stumbled upon.
Timex Waterbury Diver
You know you did well if you find a new automatic chronograph for under $200 on the market. As I said earlier, Timex is synonymous with reliability and affordability. If you’re new to the world of watch collecting, those two factors are key. The Timex Waterbury Diver presents its chronograph features on a black and silver reverse panda dial.
A greyish-green-coated central chronograph hand adds the only touch of color to this design. This 41mm stainless steel model features a 1/20th of a second timer and a 30-minute totalizer framed by a tachymeter scale for measuring elapsed time. Combine that with 100M water resistance, and you have a solid daily wristwatch for every occasion.
Seiko 5 SNK809
Ever-so-slightly over budget is the Seiko SNK809 from the Seiko 5 watch collection. It’s a robust, reliable all-rounder that won’t let you down. As with most things in life, spending a little extra on a reputable name goes a long way. For a little over the $200 mark, you can own the Seiko SNK809 from the popular SNK series. Initially, the SNK was an entry-level model, but since its discontinuation, prices on the market have been rising.
The model ticks all the Series 5 features. These include an automatic movement, robust Diaflex mainspring, day-date feature, water resistance, and a recessed crown at 4 o’clock. Additionally, this reference imparts strong military vibes. It has an inner 12-hour ring, five-minute increments around the main scale, and a legible black display.
Best Automatic Watches Under $100
The good news is that automatic watches under $100 do exist, but the bad news is that there aren’t many to choose from. You really have to be careful when looking for automatic watches on a budget as tight as this. Automatic watches in this category will not be of the best quality. Think horrific leather straps and crowns that come off between your index finger and thumb.
Still, there are some diamonds in the rough, especially when you explore Amazon’s range of watches. This is especially true if you stick with a brand you recognize, not an unfamiliar one.
Seiko SNKE03
Check this out for one of the best automatic watches under $100. The Seiko SNKE03 is a daily beater built from solid materials and moves to the beat of an in-house Seiko movement.
Crafted from coated stainless steel, the watch exudes a stealthy appearance with its matching black dial. The dauphine central hour and minute hands transition to a crisp, sharp point for superb legibility and join a red seconds hand. You also get a day-date feature, protected under mineral glass. Even better, this 50M water-resistant watch measures 37mm, so it’s perfect for the small-wristed male.
Invicta Pro Diver
The Invicta Pro Diver will create a massive presence with its hefty 47mm case, so be sure your wrist can handle it. This is not a watch for small wrists, but it promises exceptional water resistance for its price point. Its 300M rating pairs with a unidirectional rotating bezel and a robust steel bracelet with the Invicta logo engraving. One downside is its mineral glass, which is less scratch-resistant than sapphire crystal. On the whole, however, this Invicta Pro Diver is an absolute steal for its sub-100 dollar price tag.
Armitron Automatic Skeleton
It blows my mind that you can get a good-quality automatic watch for under $100. This watch even features a colorful skeleton movement. The self-winding marvel at the heart of this Armitron watch will keep perfect time while you wear it. Although this watch is on the large side (42mm), it’s sure to demand a good amount of attention on the wrist. The ionic plating on the case and circular, luminous-treated dot hour markers are bold, fun, and futuristic. If you’re looking for a bit of a statement piece, the Armitron Skeleton gets a thumbs up from me.
FAQs
Before we round up this article on the best affordable automatic watches, take a look at these FAQs.
Are Automatic Watches Worth It?
Automatic watches, especially entry-level ones, offer new collectors a lot for their money. Not only do mechanical movements power them, adding more complexity to a watch, but they’re also incredibly classic-looking.
Which Brand Makes the Best Automatic Watches?
Seiko and Timex are two brands that stand out for their quality craftsmanship and accessible price points. Other brands include Armitron, Invicta, and Orient.
What is the Lifespan of an Automatic Watch?
The lifespan of an automatic watch depends on how well you maintain it. Acquiring regular services and running your watch are two ways to care for it and prolong its lifespan. A well-maintained automatic watch can last 25 to 30 years (possibly even longer).
Conclusion
I chose these best affordable automatic watches for their quality materials, brand provenance, style, and features. Before exploring the market yourself, take inspiration from what I found, and you won’t go far wrong.
From Seiko dive tools to automatic Timex watches and even those manufacturers that get a bad rap – all are worth a chance. They all have the quality built or style to charm the wallet right out of your pocket. So, give a sub-$200 watch a go, and let us know what hidden gems you find on the market.
What timepiece has been your best find? Leave your co
