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As seen on the Oscars red carpet, a good timepiece can complete an outfit — or signify a big milestone. Sure, phones have become today’s time-telling devices, but that portable screen likely won’t represent a major life achievement or showcase the same engineering feat as a well-designed watch.
Some of the best men’s watches today don’t need to be expensive to make you feel like a million bucks. And those who aren’t ready to invest in the luxury dials seen on Hollywood collectors (think Rolex, Jaeger Le-Coultre, Omega and Tag Heuer, to name a few) can still find an accessory that’s equal parts cool, practical and wallet-friendly.
There are a few things to consider when you’re buying a new watch:
- Movement type: There are three types of watch movements — manual (the wearer must wind the watch by turning the crown), automatic/self-winding (the wearer’s wrist motion is used to wind the watch automatically) and quartz (battery-powered; tends to be easiest to maintain).
- Water resistance: Plan on making a splash in your watch? Consider your timepiece’s water resistance, which can range between 30 to 200 meters.
- Type: Consider what works with your style and needs. Some of the most common watch types include dress (more minimalist looks to accompany a suit or formal wear), diver (meant to withstand water and keep track of dive times), sport (rugged builds that offer a stopwatch, water resistance and more athlete-friendly features), chronographs (preferred by pilots or anyone who needs a stopwatch, display watch and sub-dials for tracking seconds, minutes and hours), field (durable, reliable pieces often inspired by military) and racing (watches that also measure speed and distance).
Though not all luxury watchmakers sell their goods online, many retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Luxury Stores, Jomashop, Vestiaire Collective, Fashionphile, The RealReal and other resale platforms offer pre-loved designer watches from Rolex, Omega, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Montblanc, IWC, Tudor, Breitling and many high-end horologists.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the best men’s watches at every price point from classic collector-loved brands such as Tag Heuer, Seiko, Orient, Bulova and Timex alongside modern makers including Shinola, Citizen, MVMT and others.
The Best Men’s Watches Under $250
Best Budget
Orient Japanese Automatic/Hand-Winding Dress Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 38 mm
Movement: Automatic
Water resistance: 30 meters
Warranty: 1 year
Dress watches don’t always have to be pricey. Orient’s Japanese automatic Bambino watch boasts a vintage feel with its cracked leather band and stainless steel case.
Best Value
Bulova Classic Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 41 mm
Movement: Quartz
Water resistance: 30 meters
Warranty: 3 years
Bulova’s entry-level Classic model (also available in rectangular faces) is among the best men’s watches under $250. Lightweight and comfortable, this affordable 41mm quartz crystal timepiece has a silver-white sunray dial with Roman numerals, and is water resistant up to 30 meters.
Best Easy to read
Timex Easy Reader 35mm Black Leather Strap Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 35 mm
Movement: Automatic
Water resistance: 30 meters
Warranty: 1 year
Timex’s Easy Reader (available in other designs) is everything the name suggests: the oversized Arabic numerals, simple face and no-fuss design makes it a great everyday watch for under $50.
Best Budget Digital
Casio Men’s Vintage A158WA-1 Water Resistant Digital Watch
Display: Digital
Case: 38.6 mm
Movement: N/A
Water resistance: 30 meters
Warranty: 1 year
Casio’s classic digital watch is Back to the Future retro at its finest. The vintage-inspired piece has a 1/100-second stopwatch, calendar and daily alarm.
Daniel Wellington Classic Sheffield Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 36 to 40 mm
Movement: Quartz
Water resistance: 30 meters
Warranty: 2 years
Look to Daniel Wellington for a sleek and minimalist watch that won’t break the bank. The affordable brand’s classic Sheffield silhouette comes in different case sizes (36 to 40mm) and styles ranging from rose gold to silver finish.
BEST MINIMALIST
MVMT Odyssey II 40mm Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 40 mm
Movement: Quartz
Water resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: 2 years
Channel the Dark Knight in MVMT’s all-black Odyssey II watch that boasts a sleek, ’70s-inspired design with a matte-meets-polished steel twist.
Best Chronograph
Timex Waterbury Traditional Chronograph 41mm Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 41 mm
Movement: Quartz
Water resistance: 100 meters
Warranty: 1 year
Timex’s vintage-inspired Waterbury Traditional Chronograph is a classic for a reason, and it’s one of the best watches you can get under $250. The iconic silhouette’s blue dial pops in all-stainless steel 41mm case and bracelet. It’s finished with three sub-dials.
Best Collab
G-Shock x J Balvin ‘The Ma G’ 5600 Series Watch
Display: Digital
Case: 48.9 mm
Movement: N/A
Water resistance: 200 meters
Warranty: 1 year
Casio-owned G-Shock recently teamed with Colombian superstar J Balvin on the Ma G, marking the brand’s first collab with a Latin artist (and their first timepiece featuring Spanish). The limited-edition 5600 Series comes with interchangeable black and matte yellow bands and covers, so you get two cool watches in one. (John Mayer is among G-Shock’s celebrity collectors and collaborators.)
Best Eco-Friendly
Mondaine Essence Black Rubber Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 32 mm
Movement: Quartz
Water resistance: 100 meters
Power reserve: up to 41 hours
Warranty: 2 years
Made of natural rubber, Mondaine’s 32mm Essence watch is defined by its minimalist-yet-bold dial and rounded red second hand. Swap out the straps with the brand’s other styles to switch up looks.
The Best Men’s Watches Under $500
Best for Travel
SEIKO 5 Sports Automatic GMT Sport Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 42 mm
Movement: Automatic
Water resistance: 100 meters
Power reserve: up to 41 hours
Warranty: 3 years
Frequent flyers will appreciate Seiko’s durable 5 Sports GMT watch that keeps track of two time zones simultaneously. The sturdy stainless steel case and bracelet and the black dial combine for a handsome finish.
Best New Design
Bulova Snorkel Watch
Display: Analog
Movement: Quartz
Case: 41 mm
Water resistance: 100 meters
Warranty: 3 years
Surfers and ocean lovers will appreciate the marine-inspired touches in Bulova’s new Snorkel watch. Available in other vibrant colorways, the piece brings a fresh take on the brand’s classic Oceanographer silhouette with a new hybrid ceramic case, a wave-pattern dial and cool etched case back. It’s finished with a date display, lumiescent hands and perforated rubber strap.
Most Unique
Original Grain Jack Daniel’s Chrono 44m Watch
Display: Analog
Movement: Quartz
Case: 44 mm
Water resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: 1 year
Sustainability-minded timepiece brand Original Grain uses traditional woodworking techniques to craft its watches out of old guitars, whiskey barrels (like this 44mm Jack Daniel’s Chronograph), charred forest fire wood and even coffee beans. The company also donates proceeds to help plant trees and support fire relief, to name a few charitable causes.
Best Statement piece
Fossil Bronson Automatic Gold Tone Stainless Steel Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 48 mm
Movement: Automatic
Water resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: 2 years
Fossil’s Bronson watch makes quite the statement with its partially transparent black dial to reveal the timepiece’s inner workings. The 48mm gold-tone stainless steel case and bracelet round out these vintage-inspired design.
The Best Men’s Watches Under $1,000
Best OVerall
Shinola Runwell Chronograph Leather Strap Watch
Display: Analog
Case size: 41mm
Movement: Quartz
Water resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Limited lifetime
Shinola’s Runwell Chronograph is a nod to Detroit’s manufacturing roots and features a matte ivory dial, Swiss quartz movement, a 41mm stainless steel case and a 24mm leather buckle strap.
Best Value
Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 Automatic Bracelet Watch
Display: Analog
Case size: 39 mm
Movement: Automatic
Power reserve: Up to 80 hours
Water resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: 2 years
Revered by watch enthusiasts, Tissot’s Le Locle Powermatic 80 is an ode to the luxury watchmaker’s Swiss hometown and boasts an exhibition case back, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal face and a date display.
Best Investment
Citizen Series8 831 Automatic Watch
Display: Analog
Case size: 40 mm
Movement: Automatic
Power reserve: Up to 42 hours
Water resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: 5 years
Technically, Citizen’s Series8 831 watch is just north of $1K — but for horology die-hards, it’s worth the spare change. Known for its pop culture collabs, the rising watch company uses its Caliber 9051 mechanical movements in its 831 model that offers “enhanced magnetic resistance” for the most accurate timekeeping — all in a luxurious brushed and polished stainless steel case.
Best ARchive Design
Bulova Lunar Pilot Archive Series Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 43.55 mm
Movement: Quartz
Water resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: 3 years
Born from the Apollo 15 mission, Bulova’s iconic Lunar Pilot Chronograph in the Blood Moon model boasts an eye-popping red dial (other colors available) on a stainless steel case and bracelet — or swap it with the included black leather NATO strap with contrast stitching. Luminous material keeps the hands and display visible in low-light settings.
Apple Watch Series 10 GPS + Cellular in Titanium
Display: Digital
Case: 42 to 46 mm
Movement: N/A
Water resistance: 50 meters
Warranty:
For iPhone users who want to stay connected, the latest Apple Watch Series 10 comes in handsome aerospace-grade titanium with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal display, giving it a true timepiece feel. The smartwatch tracks heart rate, sleep, respirator rate, body temperature, fitness and more while offering wellness insights on the Health app. Choose from swim-friendly Rubber, lightweight Textile or the luxe Stainless Steel band.
Seiko Prospex Alpinist Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 39.5 mm
Movement: Automatic
Water resistance: 200 meters
Power reserve: Up to 70 hours
Warranty: 3 years
When it comes to finding the best luxury watches under $1,000, the Seiko Prospex Alpinist — based on the Tokyo-based company’s first sport watch — stands out with its sunray-finish green dial, LumiBrite hands and markers and gold accents.
Hamilton Watch Khaki Field Mechanical Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 38mm
Movement: Mechanical
Water resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: 2 years
The military-inspired Hamilton Khaki Field Watch — so iconic it was even featured in Far Cry 6 — delivers on utilitarian style with its stainless steel case, durable fabric strap and 50 meters of under water resistance. Note that this mechanical watch needs regular winding — but once you do, it keeps ticking for up to 80 hours. (A Hollywood favorite, Hamilton has been worn by everyone from Elvis Presley to Matthew McConaughey.)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Display: Digital
Case: 47 mm
Movement: N/A
Water resistance: 100 meters
Warranty: 1 year
Whether you’re an athlete or a commuter, Samsung’s newest Galaxy Watch Ultra will keep up with Android users’ busy lives. Available in other case and band colors and styles, this rugged smartwatch tracks heart rate, speed, distance, sleep, fitness activity and more while guiding you with accurate GPS, keeping you connected and of course, telling time.
Tag Heuer Pre-Owned Formula 1 Black Dial Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 41mm
Movement: Quartz
Water resistance: 200 meters
Warranty:
Believe it or not, you can find a Tag Heuer timepiece for just over $1,000 — like his Formula 1 black watch on sale at Jomashop featuring a 41mm stainless steel case, luminescent hands and markers and a rugged black rubber strap. Ryan Gosling and Patrick Dempsey are among the brand’s Hollywood ambassadors.
Best Diver’s Watch
GV2 Liguria Swiss Automatic Stainless Steel Diver Watch
Display: Analog
Case: 42mm
Movement: Automatic
Water resistance: 500 meters
Warranty: 2 years
With water resistance up to 500 meters, GV2’s Liguria Swiss Automatic Diver Watch looks and plays the part. It’s finished with a 18mm stainless steel bracelet, a ceramic unidrectional rotating bezel and a magnified date display.
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