10 Best Watches Under $250 for 2024
For a lot of enthusiasts, the cost of entry into the watch market can vary. With many loud opinions out there, I thought I’d take a look at what many consider the minimum for a solid quality first watch. There can be a lot of noise out there on what one should consider a reasonable price tag for a good quality watch. Some think you can’t get quality out there for less than $1,000, but I’m here to tell you there are solid options out there that won’t even cost you $300. So I thought I’d take a look at 10 of my favorite options under $250. Let’s get started
Seiko Recraft
The Seiko Recraft is one of those watches that channels that 1970’s energy in a modern package. Coming in at just $250, the stainless steel sport watch features an integrated bracelet, a unique case shape, and an automatic movement that features 41 hours of power reserve. Seiko is often a good go-to brand for first time watch enthusiasts, and the Recraft feels like a classic you could wear every day and not get tired of it. The green dial is also a budding feature in the watch world, with many major luxury brands cashing in on that new trend. The watch measures in at 43.5mm, but only 13mm thick, making this watch quite a staple in any collection without being too thick to slide under a cuff. You can pick up the Seiko Recraft for $250 USD, though it’s often discounted on secondary markets.
Orient Bambino V4
Orient has long been a fan favorite of the watch enthusiast ecosystem. The Japanese brand has long produced a significant amount of quality timepieces for a reasonable amount of money. One benefit from Orient is you can be sure the movements are made by the brand themselves, and not some off the shelf junk that’s often associated with affordable brands. The Bambino is a strong contender for my favorite dress watch that won’t break the bank. Coming in at just $250 USD, the automatic movement, quality finishing, and easy wearability at 42mm, makes the Orient Bambino one of the most quality driven dress watch that exists.
Timex Marlin
Look, I often hear that “Timex is sold at WalMart, how much can they really provide as far as quality” but I’m here to say that Timex has a solid history of creating solid watches at an affordable price point. The recent release of the Timex Marlin is a testament to the brand’s ability to create modern issues of heritage time pieces. The Marlin was first introduced in the 1960’s, but quickly became a staple dress watch of those who needed an affordable timepiece that matched with a suit. The 34mm Stainless steel dress watch features a unique font for the indices that Evoque an almost nautical theme in a watch that’s mostly designed to be dressed up. Timex considers the Marlin to be a “Gentlemens Standard” and we don’t disagree. At just $209 USD, the Marlin can really fit into any collection, or be a staple one watch option for those just starting out in their collecting.
CIGA Design Series C Skeleton
It's incredibly rare to be able to get a GPHG winning brand under $200. But CIGA is the first Chinese brand to be awarded with a coveted GPHG award. The CIGA Designs Series C is a solid entry if you’re looking for a skeletonized steel watch for a beyond reasonable price. Once again, CIGA delivers a banger for a reasonable price. The stainless steel watch comes in both regular stainless steel, or a black PVD coat to make it more bold, but the real star of the show is a skeletonized dial with splashes of color to make it more legible. Price for the Ciga Series C is $169 USD, which we consider a steal for the quality.
Casio G-Shock 2100 Series GAB2100CT-5A
When the Casioak first made its appearance, it broke the watch enthusiast internet. The Octagonal bezel within the more affordable pricepoint was the big thing before the moonswatches. G Shock got it’s name from it’s incredible shock resistance, but also their often exaggerated case sizes and design language. With the casioak, Casio showed it’s ability to design a watch with some restraint. What enthusiasts get is a watch that’s fairly refined, rugged, and easy on the eyes – And the wrist. You can pick up a CasiOak for $170 USD.
Swatch Sistem Through Again
The Swatch Sistem 51 is devisive among enthusiasts. It’s kind of a throw away watch, meaning once it starts having problems, it’s cheaper to replace it than fix it. But in my opinion, the price is reflective of the reasonability of the value proposition. The Sistem Through Again is a solid skeletonized watch that’s both attractive and effective. The stainless steel watch features the brand’s Sistem 51 movement, utilizing only 51 parts to power the automatic movement – Making it one of the more efficient movements on the market, even if it needs to be replaced after a while. Price for the Sistem Through Again is a fair $250 USD.
Citizen Weekender
Citizen has really been upping its game recently, from the affordable collector favorite Tsuyosa to the more expensive but very impress Series8 GMT. But Citizen as a brand hasn’t forgotten its roots. You can still get very affordable yet high quality timepieces, even under $250. One piece that I really like is the Weekender. To me this watch gives off similar vibes to a Hublot Big Bang or Norqain Wild One. And it runs on Citizen’s ever reliable Eco-Drive movement. It’s not a bad deal for $220 USD.
Nordgreen Philosopher
There are not many Scandinavian watch brands, but when you think about Scandinavian design aesthetics, you probably think minimalistic and clean lines. And that's exactly what you get with the Nordgreen Philosopher. This no-frills watch from the Copenhagen, Denmark based brand is just attractive and versatile. And you can't go wrong with the sleek design. It retails for $219 USD.
D1 Milano Sketch
D1 Milano as a brand, and their Sketch model, have become somewhat divisive to collectors. Many, if not all, of the models in their catalog appear to be heavily influenced by the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. And while the Sketch also is inspired by the Royal Oak, it is a more fun and quirky take on the Genta-designed icon. The watch, made out of polycarbon, is outlined in black, making it looks like it has been sketched with a marker. In a world of serious and complicated watches, this one is quirky and unserious. I own one, and when I wear it it is commented on more than any watch I own. The Sketch retails for $195 USD.
Spinnaker Croft
If you are looking for an affordable dive watch that doesn’t just look like a Submariner copy, the Spinnaker Croft is a great choice. Not only does it run on an automatic movement, but it has a very attractive textured gradient blue dial. On top of that, the matching blue bezel and vintage indexes give this watch a little bit more visual interest. While the Croft only has 150 meters of water resistance, that’s more than enough for most of us. Overall, its very obvious that a lot of thought went into a watch that is currently on sale for just $199 USD.