Watches are expensive – often frustratingly – so it can be hard to take the leap and purchase your first (or second or third) one. Even the cheapest watches for sale today can come with a significant asking price, making it hard to identify which brands maintain quality and style within a reasonable price range.

In most cases, budgets tend to be at odds with quality, especially with goods made with intricate components – think technology, camera equipment, power tools, and scientific equipment.

Watches are no exception to this unfortunate circumstance. However, there are a select few brands that manage to deliver on all fronts without breaking the bank. These brands manage to assemble elegant, functional, and, above all else, affordable timepieces that you can easily buy. Since there are (thankfully) more than just a few manufacturers that can meet these expectations, this list features some of trelet’s favorites and explains why they made the cut.

Keep reading to see who made the list!

Also in this week’s newsletter, check out:

This Week in Watches

• Citizen launched a 35th Anniversary Promaster Dive Fujitsubo this week, paying homage to a watch that honors the brand's core principles: Performance, Style, and Innovation. The limited-edition piece is crafted from Super Titanium™ and takes its name from a Citizen Challenge Diver that washed ashore in Australia – covered in barnacles (Fujitsubo) and still ticking.

• Intersect is coming to Austin in 2024. Originally exclusive to Los Angeles, the event has expanded to bring together brands and enthusiasts in Texas on November 16th, 2024. trelet will be there, and so should you! Register now at this link to RSVP for the show.

• Timepieces worn by world leaders are always fascinating subjects, and the Winston Churchill collection is no exception. A 1946 Movado Calendograph presented to Churchill by Beyer in Zurich “as testimony of the admiration and gratitude of some Swiss citizens, September 1946" (according to the caseback engraving) has recently been brought to market by Peter Harrington London. The watch is listed for a fixed price of 150,000 GBP.

The Best Affordable Watch Brands in 2024

Affordable watches are a regular topic on trelet, primarily because great ones are so hard to find. There is no shortage of supply – cheap watches are easy to find online and in most major retailers.

Unfortunately, not every cheap timepiece is worth the price. In fact, anyone wandering through the jewelry section at Walmart could probably say with certainty that most of the watches on display are a bad deal, even if they’re as cheap as $30.

The question is: how do you pick the right one?

Buying from a reputable brand can be a massive step in the right direction.

Many watchmakers offer their wares across a wide price range – including brands like Rolex and Chopard. For those on a budget, the key is finding a manufacturer with a range that starts at a reasonable price without sacrificing quality or fashion. This list features five watchmakers that frequently deliver on those expectations.

Seiko

Founded in 1881, Seiko cemented its reputation as a producer of reliable, innovative watches that many can afford. Known for creating quartz watches to sell at scale, the Japan-based manufacturer designs, develops, and assembles its watches entirely in-house, including the intricate components comprising their famed timepieces.

With a wide assortment of watches currently in its lineup, any watch enthusiast would be hard-pressed not to find a timepiece that suited their preferences – and their budget. Seiko offers classic and sporty models for as little as ~$250 (see below!), while their most expensive “Luxe Collection” items reach up to $6,000.

Seiko is one of the foremost watch manufacturers globally – with a long-kept reputation as a source of quality and style pieces that won’t hurt your wallet.

Swatch

If you’re looking for a Swiss-made watch on a budget, Swatch is a great place to start. The company was created in 1983 to make exciting, quartz-powered watches available to the masses – something it still does remarkably well today. The name ‘Swatch’ is a contraction of “Swiss Watch” (per Wikipedia), and every watch in their lineup today retains the badge of being constructed in Switzerland.

Swatch specializes in making appealing watches at a price point almost everyone can afford, with the cheapest models priced at $60. For those who want an automatic watch instead of a quartz-powered piece, a Swatch will cost upwards of $150. The most expensive timepiece that the company has on the market fetches just over $300.

Regardless of the price you pay for your Swatch, you can acquire a Swiss-made watch from a brand with an established reputation for making fun, long-lasting, and durable watches that anyone can add to their collection.

Timex

A trelet article about affordable watches without mentioning Timex would hardly be a worthwhile read! Timex is one of the most wallet-friendly ways to start a watch collection without sacrificing functionality and reliability. The brand is so successful that over one billion watches have been sold by the company since its inception in 1854.

Timex currently offers 149 men’s and 106 women’s timepieces for sale for less than $100 as of this article. Styles vary from durable digital products to elegant and sophisticated analog pieces – almost any of them would make for a quality starter piece for anyone on a budget.

If you prefer a more expensive model, Timex has collections bearing sticker prices over $300, many featuring automatic movements and enhanced functions over the lower-priced models.

Fossil

Fossil maintains a strong reputation as an entry-level luxury brand that promises to stand out on your wrist. Proudly producing an assortment of thoughtfully designed watches and accessories, Fossil makes it easy and inexpensive to level up your jewelry game without looking tacky. From classic, traditional pieces to see-through automatics, the company’s lineup attempts to satisfy fashion-forward buyers with a wide assortment of models.

The brand is owned by the same group (Fossil Group) as Tory Burch, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors, and it offers timepieces at a starting price of ~$130. Its most expensive timepieces carry a figure upwards of $300, but many models fall right between those price tags.

If you’re searching for an affordable yet luxury-inspired watch to start your collection, Fossil may be the right choice.

You won’t go wrong by buying from one of these brands, especially if you’re watching your wallet. Keep scrolling for a trelet preview of what these brands offer for $250 or less – find out what you might put on your wrist next!

Wearable 🔥 For $250 or Less

Price: $160

Overview: One of Fossil’s most highly rated watches (4.6 stars out of 5 as of this writing), the Neutra Chronograph offers every feature and fashion cue of an elegant, versatile watch. The 44mm stainless-steel case encapsulates a simple white dial, within which are nestled three chronograph sub-dials. This Fossil attaches to the wrist with a rich leather strap that beautifully contrasts with the case material and the dial color, ensuring the face stands out against the dark material.

Many functional capabilities make this watch more than just an attractive accessory. Rated for 5 ATM of water resistance and powered by a quartz chronograph movement, the Neutra Chronograph is a strong contender for budget-friendly watch ownership.

Price: $210

Overview: Swatch is one of the most affordable ways to enter the Swiss-made watch ownership club. Swatch was founded in 1983 to produce exciting, quartz-powered watches for the masses, and the company continues to deliver on that objective. The Dark Blue Irony is made of stainless steel and features a 43mm dial with three chronograph sub-dials – each finished in a brushed black. A blue bezel and second hand accent this Swatch, providing a pop of color against the neutral tones comprising the main components.

Admittedly, a Swatch does come with a brand premium, but that extra ‘tax’ doesn’t come at the cost of quality. The company has spent the last four decades perfecting its craft, so almost any of its timepieces bring strong performance and fashionable style.

Price: $250

Overview: Let’s clear the air – $250 is not less than $250. But this Seiko’s price tag is well worth it when you consider the watch received in the exchange. One of the most functional (yet still elegant) pieces available within this price range, the SSB425 – catchy name, Seiko – offers a 41.5mm stainless steel case capable of resisting water up to 100 meters, as well as a quartz movement with a ~3-year battery life.

Function hardly triumphs over form with this piece, despite the utilitarian name. Measuring 12.1mm thick, this watch is as sporty as the vehicles behind its high-performance inspiration. A bright silver dial contrasts with a black tachymeter outer ring and twin black sub-dials that strive to resemble the gauge cluster of a racecar. The bracelet is crafted from silver-toned stainless steel linked in the same pattern as racing stripes. Across all these individual elements, the SSB425 displays sophistication and refinement, making it a compelling entry-level timepiece.

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