Everybody loves something “affordable,” but this doesn’t have to mean “cheap” in the pejorative sense. You can get highly accurate and well-designed watches for under $100, and there are even excellent mechanical watches available for not much more than that. There’s some crap out there too, sure, and that’s why a little guidance can be helpful.

The good news is that it’s a good time to be a watch lover, or a watch shopper, even if you don’t have a lot to spend. The rise of crowdfunding, online retail, direct-to-consumer microbrands, global supply networks and inexpensive production has lowered the entry point to levels of quality that once costed much more. You’ve got a lot of options.

“Affordable” is relative, of course, and means something different to everyone. Whether you’re looking to spend as little as possible for a simple, functional timekeeper or just want bang for your buck, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find solid recommendations and insight to help you make a smart buying decision, whatever your angle.

The 30 Best Affordable Watches Under $1,000

best affordable watches under 1000

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From $80 to a grand, these are the best watches to get when you don’t want to spend a fortune.

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The Best Affordable Mechanical Watches

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From field watches to divers to dress watches and more.

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Affordable Vintage Watches That Experts Love

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Sam Gardiner

We got some of the foremost experts in the watch world to weigh in on vintage watches that aren’t prohibitively expensive…yet.

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These Are the Best Watches You Can Buy Under $500

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You don’t have to drop a ton of money in order to get a great watch that, with a little TLC, could potentially last a lifetime.

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These Are the Best Watches Under $200

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Gear Patrol

Bargain watches get a bad rap, but there are plenty of dirt-cheap options with excellent design and solid build quality.

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The Best Watches Under $100

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It’s perfectly possible to snag a respectable watch for less than a Benjamin — in fact, you can even go mechanical.

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5 Budget Watches That Look Way More Expensive Than They Are

5 budget watches that look way more expensive gear patrol lead full

Maen

Quality and refinement don’t need to cost thousands.

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5 Classy Dress Watches Under $1,000

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A great dress watch doesn’t have to cost as much as a car.

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A Brief Guide to Affordable Vintage Rolex Watches

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From Air Kings to Oyster Perpetuals, these are the Rollies you can buy without taking out a HELOC.

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Affordable Alternatives to the Most Iconic Watches Ever

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If that classic watch is out of reach, there are still other great options.

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The Best Field Watches Under $500

best field watches under 500

Marathon

Field watches offer some of the best value out there, and these awesome examples prove it.

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These Are Seven of the Most Affordable GMT Watches

best affordable gmt

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GMT watches needn’t be bank-breaking. From big Swiss companies and upstart microbrands, here are 7 affordable GMTs.

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