Not too many years ago, I found myself dismayed by high prices in a Fossil store. My $15 Casio had died, and I wanted to step up my wristwatch game. But compared to my budget Casio, the $50 to $400 prices that greeted me seemed outrageous. After agonizing over the idea of spending so much money on such a frivolous item, I left the store with an oversized three handed quartz model, which set me back a whopping $75- the equivalent of five Casios.
The word “budget” is subjective in the watch world. These days, I consider any decent watch priced under $500 a bargain, a significant leap from that tormenting day in the Fossil store. Other enthusiasts might have different thresholds, higher or lower than mine, and compiling a list of budget watches without parameters is a guaranteed way to alienate any enthusiast whose budget differs from my own. Instead of making enemies, I thought it would be fun to explore the top five budget watches by category. Ranging from $60 to $2000, this list showcases the most affordable way to experience some of the most popular genres of watches.
Citizen Pro Master Ray Mears
Citizen Pro Master Ray Mears on Original Vintage Highley Genuine Leather Watch Strap
I love solar watches. Solar offers a niche in the quartz category that is as practical as it is technologically fascinating. Brands in all price ranges are embracing this technology, offering no shortage of opportunities to drop thousands of dollars on a luxury solar watch such as the Cartier Tank SolarBeat or the Tag Heuer Solargraph.
But if you want solar technology without the luxury price tag, you can find affordable options from big brands like Seiko and even smaller brands like Vaer. When looking for the best budget solar watch and considering cost of ownership, it's hard to beat a Citizen Eco-Drive that will NEVER need a new battery. My personal favorite is the Pro Master Ray Mears with its ultra-legible dial and lightweight case, but this technology can be found in Citizen watches in every genre, size and price.
Nodus Sector GMT
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Microbrands were once synonymous with affordability. While you can still find plenty of $300 NH35 powered dive watches from fan favorite brands, other brands like Monta and Christopher Ward are challenging the idea that microbrands can't offer value driven timepieces with four digit prices. With the category currently in flux, how do you define the best budget option?
I would argue the best budget microbrand is one that can offer compelling designs at competitive prices, while finding ways to distinguish themselves from the competition. There are dozens of brands currently doing this (part of the reason why I love this hobby!), but none stand out quite like Nodus. I’ve written before about my admiration for the Nodus Sector GMT, a watch with a strong design and that goes above and beyond by regulating an off the shelf GMT movement without charging gobs of money. Sure, you can spend much less (or more) on a microbrand, but the Nodus Sector Metro GMT finds a balance of innovation and value that is hard not to love.
Casio F91W
Casio F-91W - Credit WatchGecko
High end quartz feels a bit like an oxymoron. When a Casio F91W is accurate to within 1 second per day, why do we feel compelled to spend thousands of dollars on 9F quartz movements from Grand Seiko and obsess over Citizen Chronomasters? While there is probably a more technical answer to this, I think it's as simple as being attracted to nice things. It's like wanting that 2024 BMW even though a 1993 Corolla is equally capable of your morning commute. Yes, the Casio F91W is plenty accurate for all practical purposes, but it's hard not to be drawn chasing even greater accuracy, especially when that accuracy comes in such an attractive package.
But what is the best budget option to enjoy the quest for precision and luxury without Grand Seiko pricing? Look no further than the Longines V.H.P. (Very High Precision). Resurrected in 2017, the V.H.P. is accurate to 5 seconds per year (take that Casio!), features a five-year battery life, can self-detect and correct inaccuracies caused by magnetic fields, and even comes equipped with a perpetual calendar and a smart crown system that replaces manual time setting by automatically resetting the hands with exact precision. Yes, $1000 is a lot of money to spend on a watch, but in the realm of precision, the Longines V.H.P. is the best budget high-end quartz money can buy.
Tissot PRX
Tissot PRX 35mm Powermatic 80 - Credit WatchGecko
As watch enthusiasts, we love Swiss watches. From luxury brands like Rolex to the Moonswatches we can’t stop talking about two years later, we just can't get enough of them. Enthusiasts in the market for a Swiss watch have a seemingly endless list of reputable brands to choose from.
If you want a stylish yet dependable Swiss watch on your wrist that doesn’t break the bank, then consider the Tissot PRX. First released in 1978, the PRX has been a fan favorite since it was revived in 2021. With new models constantly being added to the growing collection of digital, automatic and quartz options, the 35mm mint green quartz is the winner in my book. It offers the iconic integrated bracelet charm of the 70’s combined with the reliability and affordability of quartz in a comfortable case, not to mention a knock out dial color that has become a staple for countless brands.
Formex Reef
I take issue with the term “entry level” luxury. It's a bit demeaning, and implies that some luxury timepieces (despite costing thousands of dollars) are only “starter” watches. I love a good bargain, and there are plenty to be had in the luxury watch space. Sure, these timepieces can be an entry to luxury if that's what you’re looking for, but they also make fantastic exit watches as well.
One of the biggest contributing factors to the cost of a watch is the movement. The use of an in-house movement can quickly add digits to a retail price. If you’re open to watches with third party movements, the world of luxury watches quickly becomes more accessible. After years of browsing luxury watches and dreaming of dipping my toes in the water, I always come back to one brand as the best budget option: Formex. While usually gush over the Essence, the Formex Reef offers arguably even better value by pairing a GMT complication with an innovative swappable bezel- allowing the wearer to maximize versatility by swapping bezels instead of swapping watches.
