Top 20 Best Watches Under £50 ($75) - The Ultimate Watch Guide
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Record levels of inflation and supply shortages have seen watch prices reach unprecedented levels. Those previous $100 bargains are now sitting northward of $130, $150, or even $180!
With your wage packet remaining stagnant, these budget watches don't seem quite so…budget anymore, right?
In this inflation-busting roundup, I've filtered through all the junk and cherry-picked the best value watches under $75 (£50); the diamonds in the rough that you won't regret buying and that will remain affordable if prices keep rising. All those I'm mentioning are affiliate linked throughout this post for your convenience, and some of them… they're better than you'd think!
Digital Watches
Digitals are super versatile and generally super affordable too, so let's start with those.
Casio A700
First up is my favorite, the A700. I've covered this repeatedly over the past year or two because this watch has it all: a clear display, a super slim case, and a versatile minimalist design that's not typically found on digital watches.
It's got a better backlight and bracelet than many previous generation Casios, rounding out the perfect budget package.
Casio A500
My second favorite Casio digital right now is probably the A500. This has an even more retro look and offers world time functionality, which could be helpful if you're a globetrotter.
As it's also made of resin, like the A700, it will get scratched up over time; however, it is a surprisingly fashionable little piece for under $50.
Other Casio Wannabe Shocks (G-Shocks are out of range)
While G-Shocks are generally out of range at this price point, there are other options worth exploring if you're after the most durable watch possible.
First up, there's a selection of 'wannabe-shocks' as I call them. These are similar in design to most G-Shocks and are hardy in their own right but lack some of the advanced shock-resistance features to hit a lower price point. I've got a royal rumble of these coming up soon to see which lasts the best, so make sure you return to not miss it.
Timex Ironman
Alternatively, the Timex Ironman lineup provides a similar level of performance in a slightly sleeker and sportier package. It has many different functions paired with a huge display for easy visuals.
This model also has a raised bezel to protect the crystal and Indiglo, though the latter is less performant than on the analog models. A reliable 200m of water resistance is also on your side, more than most similarly-priced Casios.
Field Watches
Field watches are a popular go-to casual option that combines a classic aesthetic with compact toughness. If you're after a simple everyday analog watch, this section is for you.
Lorus Titanium Field Watch
The obvious choice in this category is the brilliant Lorus titanium field watch that I reviewed in 2020. Ok, technically, not that model. You see, they discontinued it suddenly, only to revive it under a different model name (with minor cosmetic differences) months later. Titanium is inherently extremely lightweight. When combined with the diminutive dimensions, you can barely feel this Lorus on the wrist. At this price, this level of comfort is remarkable.
An excellent substitute for slightly less money is the steel version of this watch, which also offers a full Lumi Brite dial for the ultimate low-light experience. Both variants are small, slim, and have terrible stock images that don't accurately portray how nice they look in person.
Timex Weekender
Perhaps the main rival to Lorus is Timex, with their timeless Weekender field watch. This fan-favorite has been knocking around for some time now and is available in more color and strap combinations than ever before. With both 38mm and 40mm sizes to pick from, along with the popular crown-activated Indiglo technology, for optimal night visibility, it's a noteworthy contender and is often available for less cash than both Lorus models.
Nevertheless, it does have a loud ticking noise and brass construction, which won't age as well in the long run. Timex released updated versions of these watches in the form of the Expedition North range, though they retail for well above this list's budget.
Bertucci
If it's pure performance you're after, then American brand Bertucci has you covered. Their unusually profiled field watches formed the backbone of their business and house some unique features, including unbreakable fixed bars (in place of spring bars) and raised steel bezels that prevent the crystal from being impacted from the side or knocked loose.
They have a variety of case materials available, with resin and steel options being the primary options for around $75 or under. There are even a couple of sizes to pick from, so you're bound to find one that suits your individual needs.
While the case finishing is simplistic, these Bertucci watches nonetheless feel more substantial than most alternatives on this list.
Vostok Komandirskie
Perhaps the only upside of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is that Vostok watches have fallen in price due to the Ruble plummeting in value (though this has partly reversed since writing). Obviously, it's up to you if you want to effectively give money to Russia. However, the Komandirskie range nonetheless offers ridiculous value at around $40 on Meranom at the time of publishing.
These are available in a vast range of experimental designs and are infinitely moddable, should that be your thing. Unlike the other field watches here, they're even mechanical and have a rugged reputation given they were historically developed for military personnel.
Chronographs
Chronographs are hard to come by for under $75, though there are a few worth considering. Here are the ones to look out for.
Pagani Design Chronograph
The best value affordable chronograph that I've come across is the Pagani Design chronograph. This Chinese home brand offers a huge range of decent quality watches, including some ridiculously cheap mecha-quartz chronographs, which compare favorably to other brands at triple the retail price.
I reviewed the PD2720K chronograph in early 2020 and was shocked at how well-built and attractive that watch was. When this watch exists, there's literally no reason to spend more on a Vincero.
Suppose the Pagani Design doesn't tickle your fancy. In that case, it might be worth a look at the Casio V302D chronograph, which provides a restrained, understated look in a slightly smaller and substantially thinner package. The dial isn't nearly as well finished, but this model is from a brand with a better QC track record.
Lorus
Seiko subsidiary Lorus is back with their crazy affordable RM300 series of sporty chronographs. These are the low-cost bargain of choice if you're after something casual, offering superior construction to other timepieces in the same price range.
There is a multitude of colors to choose from, as well as some similarly styled multi-function watches that also boast different subdials. The dials are far from the most intricate, but this isn't noticeable without a magnifying glass.
Accurist 7032
The dressiest chronograph on this list is the Accurist 7032, which sneaks in just below our budget cap at the time of publishing. While not as impressive as the pricier 7216 that I looked at last year, the 7032 has an intricate dial in its own right, with a vertically ribbed surface accompanied by a raised chapter ring, housing indices that protrude over the dial.
At 43mm, it's pretty big. More importantly, some websites do have this down as discontinued, so you may want to act quickly if this one's in your shopping cart. If you can grab it at a competitive price, it will meet your dress watch needs without a hitch, while a quick strap change can unlock more casual versatility.
Dive Watches
If you want to go diving in real life (or just enjoy the sporty look), then dive watches are arguably the avenue of choice right now. The sheer number of them released each year gives us quite a few viable options, even at this lower end of the market.
Casio MRW-200HD
The best of the super-cheap divers is the Casio MRW-200H, along with its metal-plated brother, the Casio MRW-200HD. These are an excellent choice if you're after something rugged and submergible on a strict budget. They're not the smallest, at 41mm, but should fit average wrist sizes without issue. The HD variation, in particular, looks more expensive than it is, especially in the darker dial colors.
It is to be noted that, while silver, the case of the 200HD is constructed of resin, like the 200H. Therefore, it will accrue numerous scratches. However, this shouldn't be an issue for a watch that is best suited to
Invicta Pro Diver or Pagani Design
For a more well-known aesthetic, a homage watch may be the way to go. These watches, while ethically questionable, essentially clone luxury brand designs for low prices. The Rolex Submariner is arguably the most copied, with the Invicta Pro Diver and Pagani Design Diver being two half-decent options in this price range.
The Invicta is the better-known of the two, available at various retailers and in multiple colors and sizes. You're more likely to find the quartz model for under $50, though the automatic versions are sometimes known to dip below that during sale periods.
You'll also have seen the brand 'Pagrne Design' floating around on Amazon. While these retail for roughly double our price range there, these can actually be purchased for significantly less directly from AliExpress or the Pagani Design website; the only difference is the shipping time and brand name. While initially called 'Pagani Design,' they now rebadge their watches to 'Pagrne' in some regions, likely to avoid disputes with the famous hypercar company.
Overall, these have better finishing than the Invicta Pro Diver and come with an even better stock bracelet. However, they have slightly less (but still decent) water resistance and inconsistent quality control.
Casio Duro
The legendary Casio Duro is usually the go-to dive watch in this field. In the current economic climate, though, you'll struggle to get this as affordably as you once could, especially in the UK. In the US, this can be had for around $60, but elsewhere, it's challenging to locate this for under $100.
Still, the MDV-100 series of divers remains competitive even at that price, with probably the best build quality on this list, a pleasing sunburst dial, and admirable aquatic performance at 200m. It even has a screw-down crown and a half-decent strap. Additionally, Casio recently added extra colors to the lineup, giving you more options than ever before. It's a great buy.
The Duro might not be viable in some territories, so I've got a few alternatives waiting on standby, just in case.
Casio MTD-1053
The Casio MTD-1053 is built similarly to the Duro and carries over the water performance and steel construction. This model clearly takes inspiration from the much more expensive Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, with the dial layout, font and handset all bearing a striking resemblance.
Of course, it's not nearly as well made as the Blancpain, but it's decent for the money and provides a great alternative to the Duro, despite not being very original. The case finishing isn't as good as its brethren, but it can generally be had for about 20% less money.
Pulsar Diver
While you can't buy a Seiko branded diver at anywhere near this price, you can have the next best thing. Pulsar is another subsidiary of the Japanese giant, which takes a similar approach to sister company Lorus, targeting solid construction at the lowest possible price.
Admittedly, most Pulsar and Lorus offerings lack personality, but they're among the best options for budget buyers after a high-performance watch. While many of these are available at fluctuating prices, the PG8303X1 seems to be consistently among the cheapest, occasionally falling as low as the mid-30s. These are a little trickier to come by in the states.
Accurist 7037
Alternatively, the Accurist 7037 provides somewhat of a Seiko look with an SKX-like handset and can frequently be found for around the $50 (£40) mark in the UK. While the rubbish stock bracelet is very rattly, the rest of the package is better than expected, with a substantial steel case, a lightly domed crystal, and a ratcheting bezel.
I've seen far worse than this for the price, and its clean design makes it an easy wearer. Unfortunately, this UK-branded piece is priced at around $100 in the US, meaning other better options are available if you live Stateside.
Dress/Minimalist Watches
For the cleanest look, however, you'll likely want some sort of minimalist watch. Now here's where we run into some issues. The likes of Daniel Wellington, MVMT and Tayroc, and other pretenders produce minimal viable products and market them as minimalist as a ruse to get you to buy them. In my opinion, of course.
I've narrowed this part down to the fashionable watches where the price more accurately matches the quality you're getting.
I'm also going to put dress watches in here, as most are inherently minimalist anyway.
Burei & Chronos
The Burei and Chronos watches that you'll find on Amazon are fundamentally identical to Daniel Wellington, but for a fraction of the price. The materials, design, quality, and place of origin are all the same (or so similar that it makes no difference), so I suspect they're sourced from a comparable Chinese supplier, just with different logos stamped on.
I reviewed the Burei previously and bought the Chronos specifically for this article. If anything, the latter is better than a Daniel Wellington for under $20; it's got a 3d inked logo and a domed crystal that help it look slightly more upmarket. Even so, I doubt this company has anything to do with the year 1898 printed on the dial.
Timex Fairfield
The Timex Fairfield is probably the best direct alternative to the above, from a well-known brand. These come in 37mm and 41mm sizes and in a range of straps and case colors. Despite only being constructed of chromed brass, in person, these still feel and look infinitely better than the likes of MVMT. The stock straps are far better quality, not to mention all Fairfield's have built-in high-performance Indiglo backlights for great low-light visibility.
There are lesser-known chronograph and sub-second versions of these too, which have far less audible ticking noises.
Casio MTPVT01L
The Casio MTPVT01L is another rarer option that is a descendant of the highly-popular 'Daniel Wellington Killer' Casio LTP that was discontinued a couple of years back. While this model doesn't carry across the sapphire crystal, it is still incredibly thin at just 8.2mm and throws in a couple of Roman numerals to prevent it from looking bland.
While not a massive leap in quality over the Burei and Chronos, this Casio does look more upmarket, though it will set you back more money.
Lorus RH985
For something with a more oversized dial, the Lorus RH985KX9 can be sniped for under $50 and offers a comparable minimalist appearance, with a nice indented minute track and a contemporary hooded lug design. As with most watches on this list, the stock band does suck, but the construction is reasonable, and it's fairly water-resistant considering the cost. It's not a bad choice by any stretch.
Guanqin
Easily the best-specced dress watch here, this Guanqin has a cult following online due to the unique design, sapphire crystal, and Seiko NH36 movement for an absurdly low price. Luckily Guanqin recently altered its logo, removing the garish wings that used to sit beneath, creating a much more pleasing aesthetic. You're unlikely to find a better watch than this for the money, with the main downside being the wait time, given that you have to order it from AliExpress. Please check the reviews section first, as some lower-rated sellers are known to offload fakes before being banned from the platform. This watch will undoubtedly impress you if you opt for a reputable seller.
Crucially, I'd recommend purchasing one of the lower-cost leather band listings. The stock bracelet that some versions come with is built well, but it has a garish pattern and fixed end links that dramatically increase the lug to lug length, rendering it clunky for all but the largest wrist sizes. A band alleviates both of these issues and can be switched later if required.
Shanghai Hand Wind
Ok, here's an insanely cheap one for you. I've only tried one model so far, but I have to say the Shanghai Watch Factory mechanical presents insane value for money. It's like having a freshly built vintage watch on your wrist, with its classy mid-century design, hand-wound movement, and a shockingly good level of construction for barely any money. It's got a domed crystal that fits the look perfectly, and even houses applied appendages and an insanely thin profile, allowing it to slip under tight cuffs.
My only real complaint is that the handset is too short, but still, it's a lovely watch for the price of a Domino's pizza! It might be worth checking out some of their other models, which house different hands that help alleviate this issue.
For other great wristwatch options, check out this post next, where I cover the best affordable watches in Ben’s Watch Club history! Many of those should be on your shopping list too.
Disclaimer: The Vostok Komandirskie, Casio MRW-200H, Casio MTPVT01L, Guanqin, Shanghai Hand Wind, Accurist 7032, all Lorus models, both Timex Fairfield models, Burei, Chronos, Pulsar Diver, Daniel Wellington, and MVMT were all purchased with my own money. The remaining watches had their costs either partly or fully covered by Amazon for this video or previous ones. Amazon retained no creative control over this video, so all thoughts are my own.
