Buffy Acacia
Affordable is a relative term, but watches range from $20 Casio to $2 million Richard MilleThat makes all the difference. With $3,000 USD as your entry-level price for luxury timepieces, we’ve handpicked the best affordable sports watches to suit your active lifestyle.
RZE Urbanist
RZE specializes in rugged watches made from titanium that embody a spirit of adventure with performance. The RZE Urbanist is our most affordable watch to date, yet still packed with the most value possible. Grade 2 Titanium Case Ultra Hex Coating provides a hardness of 1,200HVScratch resistant With sapphire crystalThe 12-sided bezel and flowing lugs give it a subtle yet powerful 36mm, while the bold luminous numerals improve the readability of the textured dial. Plus, the Miyota quartz movement is solar-powered, so you’ll never have to worry about battery life. Price: $259 USD
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55
No list of the best affordable sports watches would be complete without the Seiko 5. For decades, the Seiko 5 series has been the undisputed champion of great-value, low-priced watches that look great and last. Though things have changed quite a bit over the last few years, the modern version of the Seiko 5 Sports is now: An improved version of the now-discontinued SKX diver’s watchThe SRPD55 is a very basic watch, but it also serves as a great platform for modifications and a very versatile watch to take swimming with you. Price: $325 USD
Citizen Promaster Dive Eco-Drive
Just as the Seiko 5 is a must-have watch on this list, so is the Citizen Promaster. Unlike the Seiko, this watch is a full diver’s watch, with a water resistance of 200 meters. It meets all the ISO requirements necessary to have the word “DIVER’S” printed on the dial, and its style is truly a timeless classic. The toothed bezel and thick insert, tombstone indexes for the compass, and thick but identifiable hands are all instantly recognizable as Citizen signatures. The Eco-Drive movement also offers solar charging, Citizen pioneered hidden panel technologyPrice: $375 USD
Zeros Swordfish 40mm Ti Emerald Green
Zelos is one of the big names in the microbrand world. Extreme facets, contrasting luminous color buckets, bronze cases Meteorite Dial These are just a few of the styles that Zeros has brought to the affordable range. The Swordfish is a staple in the ever-evolving Zeros catalog, with release after release selling out and experimental new models taking their place. With a full titanium case and bracelet, this reference measures 40mm in diameter, a compact 46mm lug-to-lug, and 12mm thick, which is surprisingly comfortable given its chunky appearance. The emerald green dial is wonderfully dynamic and glows with blue and green lume after dark, making it the perfect choice for a serious 200-meter dive watch. Price: $429
Hamilton Khaki Field King
With a long history of affordable watchmaking A star-studded relationship with HollywoodHamilton is one of the most popular Swiss watch brands, and the Khaki Field King in particular is a fan-favorite model that blends military influence with everyday practicality. The symmetrically placed day/date display at 12 o’clock and polished bezel exude a sense of luxury, contrasting with the tactical nature of the 24-hour display and the sturdy 40mm case with crown guards. Price: $695 USD, available at the Time+Tide shop
Seiko Prospex Speed Timer Pogue SSC947
Vintage Seiko watch enthusiasts have gone crazy for the reference 6139, but it’s hard to justify owning an old watch when there are issues with reliability and condition. Under the Prospex Speed Timer umbrella, a spiritual successor was released called the SSC947.Powered by a solar-powered quartz chronograph movement, the V192, and water resistant to 100 meters for swimming, this is a great everyday sports watch, but what really makes it stand out is the orange-gold dial and blue-and-red bezel. Price: $700
Mido Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer
The Ocean Star decompression timer 1961, which brought Mido’s fanfare to a new level Only limited editions will be releasedthe regular production decompression worldtimer is always available too. The gorgeous array of pastel-coloured rings continues on the blue dial version, while the black dial takes a more fiery approach with yellow, red and orange. The 200m water resistance of the 40.5mm case makes this a diving-ready watch, while the rotating bezel is given various cities of the world and can be used in conjunction with a fourth GMT hand. The 80-hour power reserve of the ETA Caliber 80 is also a big bonus. Price: US$1,310, available from the T+T Shop
Christopher Ward C65 Dune Bronze COSC
It is interesting that bronze’s most unique property, oxidation, has made it so popular as a watchmaking material. The patina is protective and non-corrosive, but A bronze watch will take on a totally different look over time unless you maintain its gold shine.If you’re looking to buy a bronze watch after the trend has died down in 2024, you could go all out with the Christopher Ward C65 Dune Bronze COSC. The bronze bracelet looks premium when in good condition, and when covered in patina, it exudes the vibe of shipwreck treasure. Combine that with a beautiful green dial and a 38mm case that’s water resistant to 150 meters, and you’ve got a capable sports watch with plenty of personality. Price: $1,550
Baltic Tricompax Panda
Inspired by the best racing chronographs of the 1960s, Baltic Triangle Panda is a perfect example of why contemporary design can be more nostalgic than its vintage predecessors. The black subdials with concentric circles, the dauphine hands, and the perfect off-white shade of the dial truly radiate tradition. It’s a successful example of watchmaking storytelling, and it’s easy to imagine wearing it while hurtling through grippy chicanes. The Sellita SW510-M is a manual-winding chronograph movement based on the famous Valjoux 7750 construction, which contributes to both the watch’s affordability and its comfortable 39.5mm x 13.5mm size. Price: 1,645 Euros (approx. $1,825 USD), available from the T+T Shop
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph
TAG Heuer is one of the top names in Swiss luxury watchmaking, and one of the few brands that hasn’t abandoned entry-level customers for luxury goods. Formula 1 Chronographs are high-octane models Never mind subtlety. The reference CAZ101AN.BA0842 is particularly bold, with a chunky black bezel and cherry-red sunburst dial that’s reminiscent of a certain Italian racing team. It may only be powered by a quartz movement, but it can measure to 1/10th of a second, meets luxury standards, and sports one of the most iconic logos in racing watch history. Price: USD 2,100
Longines Spirit 40mm
Incorporating the essence of the Allied pilot watches from World War II, The Longines Spirit collection is perfectly crafted down to the smallest detail.From the intricate minute track punctuated by delicate reflective rings to the tip of the glowing red seconds hand, everything is balanced with nuance and clinical precision. The 40mm version of the Spirit on a three-link stainless steel bracelet is a nice middle ground between the 42mm and 37mm sizes, fitting most wrists at 49.7mm lug-to-lug and 12.2mm thick. It’s water resistant to 100 meters, and the ETA-made Longines caliber L888.4 has a 72-hour power reserve, beats at 25,200 vph, and is a COSC-certified chronometer. Price: USD 2,875
Tudor Ranger
Modeled after the archetype of vintage field watches, the Tudor Ranger is the quirky (and much more affordable) cousin of the Rolex Explorer 1016. Its 39mm stainless steel case manages to strike a modern presence with retro understatement, and off-white lume brings warmth to the matte black dial. The caliber MT5402 is a superb time-only movement made by Kenissi, a company jointly owned by Tudor, Chanel, and Breitling. With a 70-hour power reserve, a smooth 4Hz frequency, COSC certified for accuracy Within -4/+6 seconds per day. If you want the full steel bracelet, you’ll need to budget $3,000, but otherwise you can choose the striped green fabric strap or the hybrid leather/rubber option. Price: $2,975
