Tested: 8 Best Affordable Men's Watches Under $150

Collecting watches can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be.

While luxury watches should be bought only by those who can afford them, there are plenty of great brands that do a wonderful job in the under $150 range, and often you don't feel like you're wearing a cheap watch. For those who do not have enough budget for their next wristwatch purchase, we present our guide to the best men's watches under $150, where we tested our favorites.

How We Tested

Compared to high-end luxury watches, quality watches become less and less noticeable the cheaper they are. Fortunately, we love affordable watches as much as anyone, and have spent considerable time in this area. Therefore, many of the watches on this list became our favorites long before we were given this assignment. Nevertheless, we still analyzed the space to see if we missed anything, and compiled a shortlist of options that took into account aesthetics, case material, movement, and of course, price.

After that, we purchased the watches for testing and spent several days with each of them, examining how they sit, feel, and function. In the following guide, we highlight our favorites and go into detail about what we liked and didn't like.

• Wrist Size: It should also be noted that our tester's wrist diameter is about 8″, so keep this in mind when comparing to your own wrist.
• A Note on Price: Although our guide features favorite watches costing up to $150, we focused specifically on the $100 to $150 price range, as we have other practical video guides dedicated to the best watches under $100, as well as favorite watches under $200.

What to Look For

• Aesthetics: When looking for budget watches, aesthetics will be a more defining factor than ever. Buy a watch that helps you express your style and that you would want to showcase on your wrist all day. Or you might opt for something more understated. The choice is yours!
• Case Size: The case size not only helps emphasize the presence of the watch on the wrist but can also be a significant comfort factor. Before purchasing, find out what you prefer. If you have small wrists, watches over 40 mm in diameter will be less comfortable than options under 40 mm.
• Material: Although the selection may be limited in this price category, it's better to stay away from cheap plastic. It's best to choose durable resin, as in many G-SHOCK watches, or stainless steel.
• Water Resistance: In this price category, you can still find watches with significant water resistance, although they are less common than more expensive divers. 50 m or 100 m should suffice, but don't dismiss a good watch just because it's only splash-resistant.
• Movement: Another aspect that may be a bit limited in this price range. Watches costing up to $150 will predominantly have quartz or battery-powered movements, but there are a few automatic options. But don't worry: quartz movements are more accurate than their automatic counterparts and don't need winding before use.

G-Shock GA700UC-5A

G-SHOCK has always been a reliable source for finding worthy watches at a price under $150, but these GA700UC can be found for even $100! Known for its incredibly durable and often unbreakable wristwatches, Casio's sub-brand offers this analog-digital hybrid in a military-style case color and hyper-utilitarian layout, featuring a running seconds display that is one of the coolest we've ever seen. The analog and digital screens sync with each other, allowing time to be read in two ways. Other features include 200 m water resistance, world time function, alarms, stopwatch, timer, and a quartz battery with a 5-year lifespan.

The GA700 family, created almost ten years ago, combines G-SHOCK's penchant for making durable watches and budget principles like no other brand model. Measuring 53.4 mm across, 18.4 mm thick, and 57.5 mm lug-to-lug, these watches weigh only 2.4 ounces thanks to the resin case, making them one of the lightest watches you'll find, and 10 mm wider than your average beaters. Additionally, the watch is equipped with 5 buttons, the fifth of which - the front - activates an Illuminator LED indicator under the dial for convenience.

• Case Size: 53.4 mm
• Case Material: Resin
• Movement: Quartz
• Water Resistance: 200 m

Seiko SNKL45

In budget watch lists, you'll see many Japanese models, and that's because the early adoption of quartz calibers in Japan led to the quartz crisis of the 1970s. However, Seiko overcame these constraints, creating, in our opinion, the best budget automatic watches on the planet. Although Seiko is discontinuing the SNK model, you can still find these affordable mechanical watches on secondary markets and even on Amazon, like this beautiful SNKL45 model.

These watches in a 38 mm stainless steel case boast an attractive design and compact wrist size - 42 mm lug-to-lug. Beneath the 60s-style Hardlex lies a clean and simple glossy black dial with metallic markers and a framed Dauphine hand, powered by the caliber 7S26, visible through the exhibition case back. If we had to change one thing, it would be the bracelet, which, as expected, is not premium. However, it features a clasp with plenty of micro-adjustments and can even be easily swapped for a third-party option.

• Case Size: 38 mm
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Movement: Automatic
• Water Resistance: 30 m

G-Shock GA2100BCE-1A

You may know G-SHOCK for its incredibly durable tool watches, but perhaps the most beloved model is the octagonal 2100, where robust construction meets street style like few other brands can. The model we reviewed - the GA2100BCE, admittedly looks more like a field watch with a sturdy Cordura strap instead of the traditional resin bracelet. Here, the strap is equipped with elegant metal loops and a clasp.

A bit more fashionable than the already stylish 2100 model, the GA2100BCE offers you everything you love about the CasiOak model, as it's lovingly called by fans for its resemblance to AP's Royal Oak. Like the standard 2100 model, you get an analog-digital hybrid display, Tough Solar movement, Bluetooth integration with a smartphone, and a 45.4 mm resin case with carbon infusion, which may seem large to some but is nonetheless very lightweight. In terms of durability, G-SHOCK watches are unmatched: the shock-resistant Carbon Core Guard Construction case and 200 m water resistance.

• Case Size: 45.4 mm
• Case Material: Resin
• Movement: Quartz Solar
• Water Resistance: 200 m

Bertucci #11201 DX3 Super

An excellent way to stretch your dollar and still have a great everyday watch is to choose a field watch. These watches, being highly utilitarian wrist companions, exude a traditional, rugged military influence combined with solid specs from top to bottom. In this price range, Bertucci's offerings are some of the best, such as this special DX3 series dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the American brand's DX3 field watches, showcasing how much attention they paid to every detail.

Although Bertucci is primarily known for its penchant for titanium field watches, the DX3 model with a fiber-reinforced polycarbonate case was a new direction for the brand. Thanks to the case material, these field watches are noticeably lighter than competitors and at the same time extremely durable. Despite the NATO strap between the case back and the wrist, the watch still appears quite thin on the wrist, partly due to its 11 mm thickness and 40 mm diameter. We like the matte silver offset crown, which contrasts with the matte black case and matches the loops and hardware of the strap. The watch is water-resistant to 100 m and features a quartz movement, as well as a date window at the “4 o'clock” position with a large cyclops. In this price category, the NATO strap is one of the best we've seen.

• Case Size: 40 mm
• Case Material: Fiber-Reinforced Polycarbonate
• Movement: Quartz
• Water Resistance: 100 m

Casio A1100-1VT

In recent years, Casio seems to have focused a lot on vintage reissues, and we can't complain. These affordable watches are enjoyable to wear, making them great for street conversations. One of our favorite models is the new A1100-1VT - a revival of the 52QS-14B model with very few changes for an authentic resurrection. The original late 70s design slightly improved quality by replacing the case with a stainless steel one rather than resin with a steel coating. Other changes include solid metal front-facing buttons and a new quartz caliber inside.

The watch is much smaller than typical men's watches - 35 mm across, but at the same time, it looks a bit larger thanks to the nearly integrated flat bracelet (which we love!), which almost completely wraps the wrist from lug to lug. One unique feature of the watch is the button placement on the front panel. Each button is marked with an elegant engraving in the center, making it easier to familiarize yourself with the watch's functions, including stopwatch, alarm, calendar, and LED glow, which admittedly are standard for budget Casios.

• Case Size: 35 mm
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Movement: Quartz
• Water Resistance: Not Specified

Citizen Garrison

Another Japanese watch brand with affordable prices, Citizen is rightly one of the largest watch manufacturers in the world. In 1976, it released the first solar-powered quartz watch and continues to develop solar technologies, creating the famous Eco-Drive movements that are powered not only by the sun but by any light source. After just 11 hours of operation in complete darkness, the watch will run for 6 months. This technology is used in the Garrison field watches - durable yet simple 37 mm budget watches with 100 m water resistance thanks to the screw-down crown.

Against the backdrop of a deep velvety black dial, bright white markers and Arabic numerals create a fantastic contrast not found in more expensive models from other brands. We would have liked an additional timing function on the dial, like in pilot's watches, but only because these watches remind us of them so much. Moreover, unlike typical field watches, Garrison does not use a cut-through NATO strap, although there is an integrated fabric strap with a faux leather backing, which is quite nice.

• Case Size: 37 mm
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Movement: Solar Eco-Drive
• Water Resistance: 100 m

Timex Waterbury Traditional Day/Date

If you were wondering where another budget giant is, you'll be happy to know that the remaining two watches in this guide are from the one and only Timex company. The first model is the Waterbury Traditional Day/Date, paying tribute to the brand's American heritage, which was called the Waterbury Clock Company back in 1854. One of the most beautiful and underrated everyday wristwatches you can find, this model is not a reissue, like many other Timex releases. Instead, it's a modern creation, albeit not without a few vintage echoes. For example, the Waterbury logo is on the counterbalance of the second hand, as well as under the number 7.

The proportionate 39 mm stainless steel case with a 46 mm lug-to-lug length catches our attention with its flawless finish, where matte and high polish details harmoniously combine. The dial with a deep bezel and matte flange are nice touches that, combined with embossed Arabic numerals, give the dial significant depth. The watch operates on a quartz movement and is adorned with a beautiful leather strap that also significantly exceeds its price.

• Case Size: 39 mm
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Movement: Quartz
• Water Resistance: 100 m

Q Timex Reissue LCA

On the other side of modern Waterbury are the resurrected Q Timex, which are modern quartz reissues celebrating the brand's craftsmanship and ingenuity during the quartz crisis of the 70s and 80s. In this case, it's the Q Timex Reissue LCA (liquid crystal analog), a return to the late 80s with a fully digital dial and a pseudo-analog ticking second hand. Rivaling similar retro Casio watches done in gold tones, but taking them to a new level, these watches are unique, affordable, and still feel premium.

The watch measures just 32.5 mm in diameter, which may be too small for many users. However, the flat integrated case shape slightly mitigates this small size, so the watch wears more spaciously. The watch is controlled by four buttons located on the side and is equipped with dual time, alarm, timer, and stopwatch functions. Unsurprisingly, given the price tag, the watch operates on a Chinese-made quartz mechanism with a lot of Chinese components, which helps keep costs down. But be that as it may, it's an impressive item.

• Case Size: 32.5 mm
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Movement: Quartz
• Water Resistance: 30 m