10 Best Watches On Amazon That Offer Unbeatable Value!
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Amazon is a great place to shop for watches. They've got low prices, a vast selection, fast delivery, and an easy returns process. I've both purchased and received many watches from Amazon myself.
But which brands should you look at if you're after the best watch possible?
As you've probably discovered, that can be tricky to figure out. Nowadays, Amazon is flooded with obscure no-name brands, often recommended over well-known alternatives due to their lower cost and impressive on-paper specifications.
While these look tempting, most are rebadged, generic pieces purchased en masse from Chinese wholesalers for very little money; you'll often find them for far less on Chinese sites like AliExpress. Lying about specifications is commonplace, too, with some brands falsely labeling case materials, water resistance, and crystals to make their watches appear better.
To streamline your search, I've compiled this list of the best value brands on Amazon right now. I've tried and tested all of these, so I know they're worth your time…get it? Basically, you can be assured there's no garbage here. I'll whizz through the brands and mention some specific models along the way; let's get into it, shall we?
Casio
The cheapest decent watches on Amazon are almost exclusively Casios. This Japanese manufacturer has been producing watches since 1974, and they've garnered a reputation for unmatched reliability and durability.
Their most popular models are digitals like the venerable F91-W and A168; classics that have seen a resurgence in recent years due to their retro appearance. They also have lesser-known, equally great, analog watches that start at a similar price. Fan favorites include the well-built MDV-106 dive watch, the dirt-cheap MQ-24, and the AQ-230, which has both analog and digital displays.
Casio MQ-24
Casio EFV-100 Series
Arguably the best value picks come from some of their sub-ranges. The Edifice lineup features a huge range of well-finished, good-looking quartz models, like the versatile EFV-100 series, as well as several fashionable Audemars Piguet lookalikes.
The Lineage is like the next rung up, often boasting new materials and additional functionality like solar charging and radio-controlled timekeeping. The titanium LCW-M100TSE is probably the best watch I've ever reviewed on Ben's Watch Club and usually adorns my wrists between reviews.
If you're feeling adventurous, there's even the luxury Oceanus lineup, though those cost a fair chunk more and typically require international shipping.
Bertucci (price dependant)
Similar affordable options are usually available from American brand Bertucci. As mentioned in a recent review, these have ballooned in price recently but are ordinarily obtainable for prices similar to most affordable Casios.
These really are built for old-school performance, with high water resistance, recessed crystals to reduce impacts, unbreakable fixed lugs, and decent straps. While these are available in a variety of colors and in materials such as steel, resin, aluminum, and titanium, the styling is pretty similar across the board. Depending on your preferences, you're either going to like them all or not like any of them.
These don't have the best level of case finishing but are very reassuring in the hands, and I like how these also come in different sizes.
Lorus
If Bertucci doesn't tickle your fancy, it could be worth looking at Lorus. Lorus is a subsidiary of Japanese giant Seiko. While many of their watches are vanilla and, dare I say, boring, there are certainly some hidden gems if you know where to look.
Lorus Field Titanium Watch
Not only do they have some Seiko-rivalling entry-level automatics, with elaborate dials, such as the one I reviewed in 2021, but they've got some killer field watches that are practically unbeatable for the money.
There are some made of titanium and others with fully luminescent dials, all for pennies on the dollar.
San Martin
If you're after pure bang for buck, then the few non-dropshipped Chinese brands may be worth a look. One such example is San Martin. This microbrand is well-known for basically making the best-constructed watches you can get for the money.
Their designs…well, they're not particularly original. Outside of a few outliers, the San Martin range is mostly copies of famous luxury watches with their logo stamped on. Despite this, the quality is exceptional and often superior to big brands at the same price point, which is impressive for a company that most people have never heard of. Their most popular piece is, unsurprisingly a Rolex Submariner clone, though other top sellers include copies of other models from Rolex and Seiko.
Something to note with San Martin watches is that their new packaging has a foam insert that hides extras like tools or extra straps beneath. This insert is often so tightly fitted, you may mistakenly think it's fixed, as I did during my last review. So, definitely check beneath it if you pick up a San Martin.
Timex
Widely available on Amazon, Timex has some interesting watches to pick from. On the lower end you have the likes of the Weekender and Expedition ranges, which are hardy budget favourites. If you're after something more substantial, it's worth considering the newer Field Post and Field Solar ranges, which do cost more but are more durable with steel cases and scratchproof sapphire crystals. They also look better too, which never hurts!
A positive with Timex is that their roster is rapidly expanding. For instance, the new Midtown is a really nice dress watch option that's superior to their older Fairfield in just about every way. The Q Timex range also has some retro models, often with exhuberant dials that you aren't going to find anywhere else. While Timex boasts many different styles, it's worth being price sensitive as they're not as aggressively priced as other options on this list, considering the build and specifications.
In fact, one I'd avoid is their digital Casio lookalike, which is worse than the equivalent Casio in every measurable metric.
Invicta
Another brand worth exploring, with caution, is Invicta. Now, some of Invicta's watches offer undeniable value, hence their presence on this list. The likes of the Rolex-clone Pro Diver, as well as the fatter Grand Diver and chronograph versions are often lauded as some of the best cheap watches, due to their steel construction and affordability. They even contain Seiko movements, including some mechanical options for very little cash.
Left: Invicta 1953 Right: Invicta Pro Diver Automatic
You'll quickly notice that Invicta is for those with rather extreme tastebuds. Their designs are very loud and in-your-face, with everything from American football teams to the Joker making an appearance. Invicta is basically the marmite of watch brands. You'll either love or hate them, though it's generally accepted that they're mostly unique and decently made.
Something to note is that Invicta has some of the industry's most egregious MSRP practices. Their watches are permanently on discount and usually have supposed MSRPs reaching into the thousands. These watches are designed to be sold at these discounts and aren't worth close to those absurdly high figures, so take the 'discounts' with a massive grain of salt.
Seiko
With many bargain beauties for under $500, Seiko is hugely popular in the online wristwatch community.
Their best-loved watches on Amazon are usually automatic options, especially those in the beginner-friendly Seiko 5 series. This collection has been around for years, boasting popular options like the SNK800 series of field watches and the SNKL series of dress models, which are considered among the finest entry points into watch collecting.
Left: Seiko SNKL23 Middle: Seiko SNKL45 Right: Seiko SNK361
Following a refresh in 2019, Seiko began releasing new '5' series models, including the revamped SRPD dive watches, and GMTs. These are more expensive but are slightly better built and tend to be more contemporary in design. An alternative crest adorns their current models, so you can more easily tell them apart.
If you're willing to splash out more, you can also look at the upper-tier Presage automatics. Many harbor immaculate, striking dials and experimental finishing techniques that push them beyond most of their competitors.
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time
Seiko Solar SNE527
I recently took a look at some of their lesser-known quartz options too, including an interesting solar piece, the SNE527, which offers better performance than most stereotypical fashion watches while retaining the trendy minimalist aesthetic.
Citizen
If you have a larger wrist, Japanese brand Citizen has an extensive catalog worth investigating. I've tried a variety of these, including their eco-drive Super Titanium watches, and their heavy-duty divers. While none of them fit me particularly well, they are reliable, hardy, and fairly attractive. Some of their Pilot-style watches look really nice, though I'm yet to test those out. The higher-end radio-controlled Citizens compare favorably to similar Casio options, with matching features at a lower cost.
Citizen BM7360
Due to the movements used, Citizen watches tend to be nice and thin, providing a slick on-wrist experience that many people prefer. The Eco-Drive solar technology is the best in the industry and it's even accessible on some of their lowest-priced watches, like the BM8180 and BM8470, which are available in most territories.
Bulova
The Citizen watch company is also the parent of American watch brand Bulova, who you may also have seen floating around Amazon. I've been thoroughly impressed with those I've reviewed on the blog to date, the highlight probably being the insanely cool Precisionist, which stunned me with its unbelievably smooth second hand. I mean, how satisfying is that to look at…beautiful!
Bulova Precisionist
Bulova Hack
For vintage vibes, the Hack Automatic is like a time machine if you can find it, with modern components constructing a design straight out of the early 20th Century.
Other sought-after Bulovas on Amazon are the Lunar Pilot and the Oceanographer Devil Diver, retailing for around the $500 mark; though I'm yet to try either.
Orient
A brand you won't have trouble affording is Orient. This Seiko sister brand is also Japan-based and arguably offers even better raw value, with several offerings that have garnered a cult following in recent years.
The Bambino is probably the most obvious choice. Many people can't justify spending a fortune for a rarely-used dress watch. At around $90 to $180 the Bambino more than fills the void with stunning visuals and an in-house automatic movement that puts most rivals to shame. They offer this watch with different dials, colors, and sizes (here’s the new 38mm version), with some even including cutaway portions, revealing the inner workings. The only part of the Bambino that underperforms is the strap, though it can be replaced for next to nothing if required.
Orient Bambino 38mm
Orient Kano
Orient doesn't stop there either, as their dive watches are the darlings of the watch community, widely considered the best value options on the market. Best-sellers include the Mako and Ray 2, the aggressively-styled Kamasu, and some larger recent releases like the Kano.
Some of the later releases contain sapphire crystals, so keep an eye out on listings and reviews if you're after improved scratch resistance.
Honorable Mention: Armitron
An honorable mention to this list is Armitron, I have a few of these in the mail, and I'm keen to try them as their digitals look like the Casios mentioned earlier, but with steel cases instead of plastic, for only a marginal price increase.
That upgrade is something Casio fans have been crying out for, so these Armitrons could be an absolute steal if they're as good as some of you are telling me.
