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Best watches under 200 3

12 Best Watches Under $200


Just because you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a premium timepiece, that doesn’t mean you can’t slap one of the best men’s watches around your wrist. Indeed, as the best affordable watches go to show, there’s plenty of quality to be found for $200, even $100 or less. Real value for money watches exist in the lower price range, and we’re not talking inferior watches that will break down after weeks of use. We’re talking about genuine horological beauties that will have others thinking you paid far more than you actually did.

To give you some bona fide bang for your buck, we’re listing out our favourite cheap watches, each of which delivers prime functionality, steadfast durability and a striking aesthetic. One even includes fitness tracking and sleep monitoring, while some others look straight out of the Rolex playbook. Without further ado, we present the best watches under $200.

Seiko 5 sports style automatic
Image: Seiko 5 Sports Style Automatic Ref. SRPD63K1

1. Seiko 5 Sports Style Automatic

Craving that Rolex aesthetic? Then, by all means, scope the Seiko 5 and its stunning diver-style unidirectional bezel that surrounds an eye-catching dial. We love the combination of the green dial with cream indices and emanating from the dial are luminous hands and markers that deliver low-light visibility. Under the skin is a 23-jewel automatic self-winding movement. Hardlex crystal fends off the scratches while a screw-down exhibition window case back keeps everything firmly intact. Sealing the deal is a trusty clasp bracelet of stainless steel. There’s a reason the Seiko 5 is most watch-lovers first watch, it’s one of the best value for money watches available.

Brand: Seiko
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 42mm
Dial Colour: Green
Water Resistance: 10 atm (bath/swimming)
Movement: Automatic

Buy it here (Watchia) Buy it here (Shiels) Buy it here (Star Buy)

Timex weekender
Image: Timex Weekender 40mm

2. Timex Weekender

Consider us huge fans of the Timex Weekender Chronograph, regardless of its unbeatable price point. Between its 40mm brass case, legible dial, and leather band, the watch is the quintessence of minimalist style. Thanks to Quartz movement with an analog display, the affordable timepiece is no slouch in the mechanic’s department either. If you’re looking for the best affordable watch for around $120 AUD at retail, however, they tend to sell out quickly so keep your eye out. Easily one of the best value for money watches and one that even the most avid collector can appreciate for its looks alone.

Brand: Timex
Case Material: Brass and LLB
Case Diameter: 40mm
Crystal: Mineral Glass
Dial Colour: Cream
Water Resistance: 30M
Movement: Quartz Analog

Buy it here (Timex)

Bulova surveyor stainless steel
Image: Watch Direct/ Bulova Surveyor Stainless Steel Ref. 96C125

3. Bulova Surveyor

The Bulova Surveyor series is a standout collection from the brand. Here, we have pictured the Surveyor Stainless Steel ref. 96C125 but any number of pieces from the lineup fall under the $200 price tag. New for the range is the three-hand day/date feature, deep blue dial with silver-tone hands and markers, domed crystal, and stainless steel bracelet with short fold-over double-push closure. You can see where Bulova has taken notes from some of the best watchmakers in the world, it might not be a Rolex, but it won’t cost as much as one either.

Brand: Bulova
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 39mm
Crystal: Domed Mineral Crystal
Dial Feature: Luminous Hands
Water Resistance: 30M
Movement: Quartz

Buy it here (Amazon) Buy it here (Chrono24) Buy it here (Jomashop)

Orient mako ii 1
Image: Watch Direct/ Orient Mako II Automatic Ref. FAA02002D9

4. Orient Mako II Automatic

Here we have another affordable watch arguably moulded from the Rolex aesthetic. Making notable improvements upon its predecessor (the best-selling Mako), Orient’s Mako II hosts an upgraded 120 click unidirectional bezel in Pepsi red and blue, and a new 22-jewel, Caliber F6922 automatic movement. The brushed stainless steel case measures 41.5mm in diameter and is approximately 13mm deep. That’s joined by a hardened mineral crystal, a screw-down crown, a day and date window, and water resistance to 200m. Put it all together and you’re looking at not just a good, cheap timepiece, but one of the most affordable watches and best automatic watches under $200 that money can buy.

Brand: Orient
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 41mm
Dial Colour: Blue
Water Resistance: 660ft
Movement: Japanese automatic

Buy it here (Amazon) Buy it here (Watch Direct) Buy it here (Chrono24)

Rotary canterbury gents watch
Image: Rotary Watches ‘Canterbury’ Ref. GS02424

5. Rotary Watches Canterbury

Simple, streamlined and sophisticated, the Rotary Watches Canterbury model exudes pure masculine style. It comes in lean and mean with a polished stainless steel case that’s just 38mm in diameter and 7.6mm thick, affixed to a strap of genuine leather. Powered by the Quartz movement, the watch hosts elegant Roman numerals on the silver dial. Priced at around a mere $170 AUD this is our pick for an office daily that will get eyes peeking keenly.

Brand: Rotary
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 38mm
Dial Colour: Silver
Water Resistance: 50m
Movement: Quartz

Buy it here (Rotary Watches) Buy it here (First Class Watches) Buy it here (Amazon)

Casio edifice
Image: G Life Watches/ Casio Edifice Ref. EFR526L-7A

6. Casio Edifice

Casio is a brand already synonymous with top-shelf functionality at low cost, and the Edifice series duly delivers on that front. Distinguished by a round dial with textured chronograph subdials, the imported sports watch is a symphony of Quartz movement, mineral crystal, and stainless steel. We love the leather band and the contrasting cream dial on the black bezel when it comes to Ref. EFR526L-7A (pictured), however, you can truly take your pick when it comes to Edifice series watches. One look is all it takes to know whether this great, cheap watch is the one for you.

Brand: Casio
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 48mm
Crystal: Mineral Glass
Dial Feature: Luminous Hands
Water Resistance: 100M
Accuracy: ±20 seconds per month

Buy it here (G Life Watches) Buy it here (Casio) Buy it here (Amazon)

Citizen eco drive
Image: Star Buy/ Citizen Eco-Drive Ref. BM8180-03E

7. Citizen Eco-Drive

The ideal everyday watch for modern enthusiasts, Citizen’s Eco-Drive is unfettered in design and downright forward-thinking in engineering. More to the point, the lean 39mm watch comes equipped with Eco-Drive movement, which runs on solar power. Throw in a highly legible dial, green canvas strap, 100m water resistance and this is everything you can ask for in a good, cheap watch under $200.

Brand: Citizen
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 39mm
Case Thickness: 9mm
Crystal: Mineral Glass
Water Resistance: 100M
Movement: Solar Quartz

Buy it here (Citizen) Buy it here (Watch Direct) Buy it here (Star Jewellers)

Swatch clearly new gent
Image: Swatch Clearly New Gent Ref. SO29K100

8. Swatch Clearly New Gent

With its transparent construction and multi-coloured dial, the new Swatch Clearly New Gent gives off a contemporary vibe that’s all fun and in line with its approachable cost. That, however, doesn’t mean it isn’t stylish, with a transparent feature that captures the simplicity of time, and features a clear shiny case in bio-sourced plastic and a clear TPU strap. Sometimes it just feels right to go with a household name, and Swatch is just that, one of the best value for money watch brands on the market.

Brand: Swatch
Case Material: Bio-sourced material
Case Diameter: 41mm
Case Thickness: 9.85mm
Dial
Feature: Red, blue and yellow hands and black indexes.
Water Resistance: 3 Bar
Movement: Quartz

Buy it here (Swatch)

Bertucci a 2t
Image: Watch Co./ Bertucci A-2T

9. Bertucci A-2T Original Classics Watch

Just because you’re shopping for the best watch under $200, that doesn’t mean you can’t score something unique. For proof, look no further than the Bertucci A-2T, which comes equipped with a patented Unibody case of solid titanium. That makes this tight, eye-catching watch a truly resilient beast, not to mention an ergonomic one. Powered by a Japanese quartz movement, and further protected by a hardened mineral glass crystal, the watch is an original classic, indeed. This Bertucci watch is one of the best watches under $200 available.

Brand: Bertucci
Case Material: Rugged U.S. patented DX3 case.
Case Diameter: 40mm
Crystal: Scratch-resistant mineral glass crystal.
Water Resistance: 200M
Movement: Precision Japanese movement.

Buy it here (Watch Co) Buy it here (Amazon) Buy it here (Bertucci)

Braun gents

10. Braun Gents

Like the very demographic it’s targeting, the Braun Gents watch keeps things simple, masculine and optimal. Water-resistant to 50m, the watch comes equipped with a streamlined dial, Japanese quartz movement and a 38mm case of stainless steel. Driving home its rugged vibe is an adjustable leather strap of smooth brown. If you’re looking for the best watch for the money you’re outlaying then look no further than the Braun Men’s Classic Analog Watch.

Brand: Braun
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 38mm
Case Depth: 8.5mm
Dial Colour: White
Water Resistance: 5ATM

Buy it here (Braun)

Swatch sistem 51
Image: Swatch SISTEM51 Ref. SY23S400

11. Swatch Sistem51

It’s love at first sight with the Swatch Sistem51 collection, hosting unmistakable designs on a range of coloured dials. Along with that striking aesthetic, you get Swiss automatic movement, scratch-resistant acrylic crystal, numerous functions, and a black genuine leather strap. The Swatch Irony Sistem 51 is one of the best value for money watches on the market.

Brand: Swatch
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 42mm
Dial Colour: Black
Water Resistance: 3 Bar
Movement: Automatic

Buy it here (Swatch)

Nokia steel
Image: Kogan/ Withings Nokia Steel

12. Nokia Steel – Activity & Sleep Watch

Just because you’re buying one of the best watches for under $200, that doesn’t mean you can’t gain access to prime technology. On that front, Withings Nokia Steel has you covered. Not only does the watch employ premium materials and a downright brilliant dial design, but it offers fitness tracking, sleep monitoring and synchronization with the Nokia Health Mate app on your smartphone. And, at around $164 AUD, it’s potentially the best men’s watch for the money.

Brand: Withings
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 36mm

Buy it here (Amazon)

General FAQs

What is the best watch under $200?

It's possible to get a good watch for under $200, some great ones are the Nokia Steel, the Seiko 5 Automatic, the Citizen Stainless Steel and the Timex Weekender Chronograph.

What are the best value watches?

A few watch brands that are great value for price are Timex, Seiko, Citizen and Fossil.

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