Make room for some of these best automatic watches under $200 in your collection. You won’t regret it!
Now, watches under £50 are one thing. But what if you want to step it up a little? I’m not saying go all out and break the bank.
For men seeking precision, exploring the most accurate watch movements can elevate their timepiece collection and enhance their style with reliable craftsmanship. But if you’re looking for an entry-level automatic or a starting point to begin your collecting journey, read this article.
Affordable Watch Collecting
Here’s the thing, automatic watches don’t need to cost an arm and a leg. You can still pick up a reliable automatic watch for an excellent deal, provided you know where to look.
Most people think a $200 budget could only stretch to a quartz. But that’s where they’re wrong. Whether you prefer quartz or automatic, you can enjoy both at this price.
But sifting through the junk and finding the real gems in the “under $200” category is harder than you think. It requires time and skill, something you pick up along the way. When considering precision, many enthusiasts ask, “What is the most accurate automatic watch?” for reliable timekeeping in their everyday wear.
After some experience in watch collecting, it becomes like a sixth sense. You learn to look past the poor-quality stuff and stick with the brands you know won’t disappoint.
If you’re new to watch collecting, you probably want to lean into more affordable options. Maybe that’s because you have a small budget to start with.
Or perhaps you want to limit financial commitment until you know what you’re looking for. You’ll also avoid any major mistakes if you start with affordable pieces, right? When searching for style and functionality, investing in the best men’s watches can elevate any outfit and showcase your personal taste.
This list of best automatic watches under $200 has you covered. You can rely on any of these brands to deliver quality. Even if your tastes move on with time, your wallet won’t suffer.
Take a look at these great options:
Best Automatic Watches Under $200
This list proves that finding automatic watches under $200 is possible when you know how.
Seiko 5 Watch Reference SNXS77
Say the words “affordable automatic,” and Seiko is at your service. The Japanese giant is a world-renowned name that crafts watches powered by Japanese movements.
Seiko manufactures everything independently and creates some of the most accurate watches.
Seiko offers a plethora of fantastic budget-friendly automatic watches. These span from robust dive watches to military-inspired field watches, classic dress watches, and sporty chronographs.
This Seiko 5 watch reference SNXS77 has a classic design that will pair well with all attire. Its rich blue dial has a day-date function at 3 o’clock. Broad hands and rectangular hour markers will also guide you to accurate timekeeping at night.
This watch is a compact design for smaller wrists, with a 37mm stainless steel case. A Hardlex front keeps costs low. The watch features a steel bracelet, too, making it ideal for pepping casual attire up a notch.
Invicta Pro Diver Watch Reference 8926OB
You might look at this Invicta watch and instantly recall the design of the Rolex Submariner. Of course, it won’t match the Sub in quality, but you certainly can’t grumble at its price tag.
At well below the $200 mark, the Invicta Pro Diver offers a lot for your money. It promises 200 meters of water resistance and a Seiko automatic movement.
The Invicta Pro Diver is perfect for all your leisurely underwater pursuits. While professional divers may be looking for something a little more high-spec, it does feature a 120-click bezel.
You don’t always get this level of quality with a sub-$200 automatic watch.
This is an excellent find if you are willing to compromise a little on a sub-par lume and a slightly rattly bracelet.
Seiko Automatic Reference SRPG39K1
Back to Seiko again, and this reference SRPG39K1 gives off strong military vibes. If you’re a field watch fan, this model will surely tickle your fancy.
It features a military, deep blue-colored dial with legible white details for superb readability.
You may plan to use this affordable Seiko watch for military training, or maybe you love the “field watch” look. Either way, this 39mm model works on 6-8-inch wrists and boasts a slightly pilot-watch edge.
It features a black-grained leather strap and steel pin buckle for comfort against the wrist. Adding to its military-inspired layout is a 24-hour track on the inner side of the hour scale.
The watch also features large Arabic numerals and a day-date function for keeping track of the days of the month.
Discover the 8 best Seiko 5 watches you need to know about for men, combining style, durability, and affordability in every timepiece.
Bertucci DX3 Plus Performance Field Watch Reference 11040
Again, if you know your stuff when it comes to military watches, you’ll be familiar with Bertucci. The brand has been specializing in field watches since 2003. Designed for robustness, these models have a rugged aesthetic and look ready for action.
At the same time, Bertucci watches have a very classic style. The company makes each watch in the USA, making it one of the most recognized American watch brands.
This 40mm Bertucci DX3 11040 watch wears more on the smaller side because the lugs seamlessly flow into the case. The watch oozes military appeal. It features a black dial with grey-green luminous hour markers.
Interestingly, the watch case is resin, constituting a lightweight companion for the wrist. It also features a 24-hour track, white sword-shaped hands, and a 4 o’clock crown to prevent it from snagging on clothes.
Orient Mechanical Contemporary Watch Reference RA-AC0E01B
This 40mm Orient watch is one of the best watches for slender wrists. It features an automatic movement that keeps time efficiently and an elegant dial.
As classic as ever, you can wear this watch with dressier attire. It features a black display with a stainless steel bracelet.
If you like contemporary dial designs, the slender hands and indexes on this dial will surely appeal to you. The hand-wound crown at 3 o’clock is easy to grip and features a grooved surface.
Orient is a good budget watch company for anyone starting out on their horological journey. You can jump straight into an automatic at the same price you’d expect to pay for a mid-range quartz.
Orient is a Japanese watch company that takes design very seriously. Like Seiko, attention to detail is key in every design, as seen in this example.
Orient ‘Mako II’ Watch Reference FAA02002D9
Ok, so the Orient “Mako II” is slightly over budget at around $260. But this watch is worth it if you can afford to stretch a little outside the $200 bracket.
You get so much bang for your buck with this watch. Its design leans towards keen swimmers and divers with a robust 41mm stainless steel case.
This is a 200-meter water-resistant watch with an ocean-blue-inspired dial color. The red triangular second hand pops alongside white lume-coated hour markers and hands.
The watch features a Japanese movement and a 120-click unidirectional bezel. The latter ensures you can’t accidentally extend the time while underwater and moves only in the counter-clockwise direction.
Skagen Holst Automatic Midnight Watch Reference SKW6735
Where else could you get an automatic watch with a skeleton dial? I actually think this sub-$200 automatic watch is one of the best offers out there.
It features a black skeleton display that exposes an automatic movement through its surface. This is a slightly larger watch, measuring 42 mm in diameter. However, it wears much smaller thanks to its tapering, curved lugs that hug the wrist.
Skagen established itself in Denmark in 1989 and takes a minimalist approach to watchmaking. Its designs are resolutely contemporary, featuring minimalist layouts and simple detailing.
If you’re looking for an affordable dress watch, this Skagen Holst watch offers a bit “extra.” It boasts luxurious gold-colored Roman numeral markers and hands to match the decorated elements of the mechanical engine inside.
Fossil Automatic Men’s WTCH Reference S7239655
Are you looking for a Rolex Daytona alternative? This men’s Fossil watch reference S7239655 is the answer. For under $200, you can own an automatic watch that will grab attention.
Its white dial, adorned with black-filled sub-counters for the chronograph functions, makes it a stylish panda watch for budget buyers.
The chunky hands and hour markers illuminate at night, while a black-filled date window at 4:30 stands out with superb contrast.
What I love the most about this Daytona-inspired Fossil watch is its retro mesh bracelet in stainless steel. It gives the watch a real classic and subtly sporty look.
Timex Marlin Automatic Watch Reference TW2V44500
For $200, you could buy yourself a Timex automatic watch from the Marlin collection. As one of the most respectable budget brands in the industry, you can’t go wrong with Timex.
This Timex Marlin watch measures a standard 40mm diameter but features lugs that bend slightly into the wrist. This sculpting effect enables 7-8 inch wrists to wear better and feel more compact.
Here’s where the value aspect comes in. The Timex Marlin watch features a domed acrylic crystal front and an automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve.
The 21-jeweled movement powers a set of willowy sword-shaped hands around a blue sunburst-effect dial.
The Marlin has been a popular collectible since the 1960s. It’s great to see Timex celebrating this special model.
The watch retains all the Marlin’s popular features, including a sophisticated brown leather strap to complete the look.
Drop Felix Watch
The 39.5mm Drop Felix watch definitely has some “Hamilton” about it. The field watch style is particularly popular with long-time Hamilton fans. But you’d be paying over $200 for a Hamilton watch like this.
Drop offers the Felix watch in this stunning black and blue combo. The black dial features luminous hands and Arabic numeral hour markers. Inside this track is the 24-hour scale. Zesty orange accents add a vibrant punch to the dial.
The Drop Felix watch is an automatic model featuring a Sellita movement. It comes on this comfortable blue fabric strap to complete a military-inspired edge.
The Takeaway
Fact: Automatic watches are available under the $200 mark. It’s all about knowing where to look.
Once you know which brands you can trust, picking up a deal becomes a natural, intuitive skill.
Hopefully, this guide has helped highlight some of the best automatic watches under $200. If you’ve found any great deals, let us know. Also, if you’re looking for stylish options, check out The Slender Wrist’s 10 best watches under $50 for men that won’t break the bank.
What’s your favorite budget-friendly automatic watch? Leave your answer in the comments.
