Small Watches Under $50

Looking for a watch on a tight budget? Here are some options for under 50 bucks from well-known brands.

Watches are such an essential accessory for every occasion. Whether you are running a marathon, or running to the open bar at your best friend’s wedding, watches help you keep track of time on the go. 

But, let’s be honest, most of us wear a watch mainly as a style accessory. (Phones keep time too, you know). 

If you are upgrading your style with wristwear, or just looking for a new beater, here are some cheap small watches to consider. 

Watch Styles and Movement

There are many different kinds of watches, not only in branding but in composition. 

You have digital watches with LED, LCD, or other illuminated displays. 

There are some analog watches, which like digital watches, are powered and moved by quartz, or a battery. 

There are also mechanical watches that have an analog face but are wound in order to keep the hands moving. 

Automatic watches are mechanical watches that keep time by motion that occurs while wearing them; these watches do not require daily winding. 

Quite honestly, I personally wouldn’t even bother looking at sub-$50 automatic or mechanical watches.

The options are just so limited unless you’re willing to spend more. Instead, I’d either save around $200 bucks before browsing the market, or I’d get a quartz watch.

Small Automatic Watches from Lesser-Known Brands

A word of warning: mens’ automatic watches are typically a little larger than most watches in order to house all the moving parts. This is especially true at lower price points. They also traditionally run up a bigger price tag. 

Fortunately for us, manufacturers like MASTOP, TEVISE, and ALPS have shops on Amazon for watches 35 mm-44 mm under $50. 

Yes, these are brands you probably haven’t ever heard of, but, like I mentioned, you’re not going to find many automatics from well-known brands at this price point. 

MASTOP B0759K7776

With over 400 reviews, this watch is one of the more highly reviewed small watches on MASTOP’s Amazon store. The case, at approximately 39mm in size, is recognized by a vast majority of reviewers as being easy to read. 

One aficionado measured the watch against a timegrapher and found that this model has a 0.1 millisecond beat error in dial-up position. 

The watch is rated for 30m depths in water, but per many reviewers, try and refrain from exposing it to even minimal amounts of water. 

Critics of the watch also state the watch feels cheap. That’s because it is! At around 30 bucks you shouldn’t expect an heirloom product, but rather a minimum of a year of good use. In fact, the watch comes with a 12-month warranty. 

At the end of the day, if you’re on a super tight budget and want to see if automatics are for you, this is probably an excellent option. 

TEVISE J0506-10

If you want something that looks like a Submariner but don’t want to save up 3 months’ worth of pay for one, then this watch from TEVISE is the one for you.

At around $40, this 38mm diameter watch features Swiss Automatic movement, making it one of the best self-winding watches on a budget. 

This watch fares better against the elements than the MASTOP, even in spite of the fact they are both rated at 30m resistant to water. For a little over 10 dollars more, I think it’s worth it. For one thing, there are 500 people shouting this watch’s praise on Amazon.

ALPS 6610

Now for the finale. The ALPS 6610 is my favorite automatic watch under $50. Admittedly, this is the largest of the group, measuring 41mm in case diameter (you have to make compromises if you only want to spend $50).

Believe it or not, this isn’t that big as far as the cheapest automatic watches go. However, I must admit that it is a bit of stretch for guys with small wrists. 

This model shows off the mechanical movement, leaving the moving pieces visible. Roman numerals and Austrian diamonds (at least, so they say…) grace the dial, making this piece look and feel special. 

The band features a double-locking foldover clasp and feels sturdy in construction. 

The best part of this watch is its price. Sporting a 4.1-star rating with 5,000+ reviews, I think that this is perhaps the best small automatic watch available for under $50. 

Small Mechanical Watches

This section will refer only to mechanical watches that are wound manually.

Similar to their automatic counterparts, these watches tend to run larger due to the additional parts used to keep these watches ticking. 

Here are some of the best smaller ones now available:

Invicta Specialty Mechanical (17185)

The Invicta Specialty Mechanical is usually $179.00. However, the watch is often marked down to only $49.90. This timepiece has a steel case measuring 42mm and a genuine leather band. 

A fascinating piece of equipment, the skeleton design of this watch lets you see its working components and moving pieces, mesmerizing the wearer as the seconds tick by. 

This watch would be a great addition to any man’s collection.

Winner S1089-2 

A luxurious-looking alternative to some of the flashy, thousand-dollar watches, the Winner model is consistently priced at $39.99. This piece is meant for those who want their watch noticed. The watch comes in several colors, including some awesome blues. 

The watch case measures 40mm with a bandwidth half that size. Mechanical watches love to boast a skeleton design, and this one is no different. This watch is not water resistant, so make sure to remove it if there is a risk of rain.

Quartz Analog

The quartz movement watches have become increasingly popular since their inception in the late 1960s. These watches are usually either battery-operated, solar-powered, or both. 

If your budget is $50, I highly recommend getting a quartz watch. Thankfully, you have a much better selection of quartz watches to choose from at lower price points. For one thing, it’s much easier to find small quartz watches. 

In this section, I will suggest some of the best quartz watches with an analog face.

Casio MQ24

An incredibly accurate small timepiece, this Casio model packs a powerful punch in a simple design. Only 35mm, this watch is perfect for almost all small wrists.

What I like about this one is the variety of colors you can get so you can match your personal preferences. 

At only $22.95 on Casio’s site, you could purchase two of them and still be under $50. 

These watches are also very accurate, with only a difference of 20 seconds per month.  

Many watches under $50 have minimal water resistance, and unfortunately, this model follows that same pattern. 

Casio MDV10

This watch is typically between $69.99-74.99, but you can find it on sale for under 50 bucks. The reason this watch’s price tag is usually higher is because it boasts a 200m depth water resistance. 

Those are practically dive-watch numbers!

The main con of this watch is its size. It is definitely the largest watch to make this list. 

At 44mm, it may not work for all wrist sizes. However, if you need a watch that can withstand water and pressure, this is a great option for you. 

The benefit of cheaper watches is that if your watch broke today, you could replace it without spending an arm and a leg (or a wrist). 

Timex Easy Reader Day Date

Timex durability for less than $50? Yes, please! 

This classic watch has it all. At 35mm, its smaller profile boasts larger numbers and a day and date viewing window for added value.

Not only does the watch have a crystal clear dial for easy viewing, it has illumination capabilities at the press of a button for nighttime. This watch features a leather-looking band, which to me adds a refined touch to an already classic-looking watch. 

The Easy Reader has a 30m water resistance rating, so it can tolerate the occasional splashing or moisture. 

Quartz Digital

Digital watches are not for every occasion. However, they can be a decent option for casual or informal events. 

For the best bang for your buck, here are the best digital watches under $50:

Casio F91W-1

An icon. This watch is the first on this list because it is the staple digital watch. It happens to be great for smaller wrists since it only is 35mm in case diameter and weighs just 21g. Depending on the season, you can find this watch for under 20 bucks.

With digital watches, you do get the added benefits of stopwatches and alarms. This watch features both, with the stopwatch measuring down to 1/100 of a second. The F91W-1 is also very accurate, with only a potential variance of 30 seconds month to month.

Also check out the A158W. They are very similar watches, but here are the differences. 

Casio A700

An even slimmer option, this Casio watch keeps the same 35mm diameter but trims down on thickness.

Albeit thinner, this watch weighs more than double the F91W-1 at 50g. This is due to the adjustable, stainless steel band compared to the resin band of the F91W-1. 

As far as digital watch-specific features, the two Casio watches here have the same benefits. The slimmer A700 does cost a tad more, but that is due to the higher quality band and thinner design. 

I recommend this watch as a classier upgrade to the F91W-1.

Armitron Rubik

No, this is not the same watch. This one takes the previous Casio watches to the next level. 

An added benefit — you can get this watch with one of three stylish color combinations.

This watch offers a little bit more durability and style when it comes to digital watches. 

Equipped with a stopwatch, alarm, and dual-time capabilities, this watch certainly has a lot to offer. 

Sometimes dipping below $30 at Amazon, grab this watch while you can!

FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions about small, inexpensive watches: 

Which style of watch is best for me? 

The first thing to consider when selecting your watch for the day is function and occasion. Do you need the features of a digital watch? Or is an analog face sufficient? 

Ultimately, though, it comes down to personal preference. 

Do I have to spend a lot of money on a watch? 

No, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a watch. There are some great options out there for 50 dollars and under. 

Conclusion: You Don’t Have to Spend Big Bucks

Watches are one of the best ways a man can take his style to the next level. Owning a watch should not require six figures. With these options, you should be able to find a watch (or two) that you like and can confidently wear without breaking the bank. 

What’s your favorite sub-$50 watch? Share your opinion with me and your fellow readers in the comments!