Buffy Acacia
This list would have been easier to write just a few years ago, but the rising cost of watches has made it much harder to hit that low bar (like $100), which is why I had to give some brands a second thought. That said, there are still some great options out there that will set you back a hundred dollars, so you don’t even need to lower your standards.
Casio F91W-1
Casio is one of the few brands that offers a wide selection of watches under $100, and the F91W-1 is one of the most iconic and least expensive of them all. From the black resin case and strap to the playful blue, yellow, and red pattern on the dial, no other watch embodies the timeless style of the ’80s and ’90s better than this one. It has retro appeal, but its features are also useful for modern life. Features include a 1/100th second chronograph with multiple measurement modes, daily alarm, annual calendar, and hourly chime. The 35.2mm case sits comfortably on any wrist, and a small LED backlight ensures visibility in the dark. Price: $22.95
Timex Expedition Scout
Timex has a reputation for reliability and affordability. Expedition Scout Outdoor Watch Style It’s perfect for the adventurous on a budget. The monochrome dial with 12-hour and 24-hour markings has military origins, but the overall highly legible approach will cater to all tastes. The yellow accents on the seconds hand also add a nice accent to the dial. The Indiglo feature lights up the dial at night, so you’ll never lose track of the time. The 40mm size makes it stand out without being too bulky. Price: $65
Casio G-SHOCK DW-5600UE-1
Casio has already appeared on this list, but its G-SHOCK line absolutely needed to be recognized. It’s hard to even destroy unless you hit it with a hammer and nails. The modern DW-5600UE-1 is as close as possible to the original 1983 release, retaining the octagonal shape, raised shoulders, protected pushers, and easy-to-read black numeral dial. Small accents of color around the frame of the LED screen add a bit of fun, and the resin case and bracelet make it lightweight and practical. Price: $74.95 USD
Swatch Clearly Gent
Based on Swatch’s first limited edition Jellyfish watch, released in 1983, the Clear Regent offers childlike wonder at an affordable price. With a plastic case, TPU strap and transparent movement parts, Make as much of the clock as possible transparentThe colorful hands and movement metal parts really stand out. It’s cool from a style standpoint, and the quartz movement is a joy to stare at. Even though it’s called the Clear Regent, it’s 34mm in diameter and fits any wrist. Price: $80
Timex Standard Sub Second
Timex also made it to number two on this list, but not by much. Classic Dress Watches Available for under $100, the Timex Standard Sub-Second is not only an attractive value for the price, but it’s also arguably one of the best small-seconds time-only watch designs around. The vertically brushed grey dial is sleek, and the polished pebble case and straight lugs are a perfect nod to the 1940s, except for the modern 40mm case diameter. Price: $99
Time+Tide Timeless Picks: Discontinued Seiko 5
It’s not a secret Over the past five years, Seiko has raised prices and overhauled its catalog.But Seiko’s production numbers have always been insanely high, which means there are still plenty of new Seiko 5 watches for sale with the now-outdated 7S26 movement. They may not have manual winding or stop seconds, but these movements are still great value for money and can easily be found in some cool-looking watches for under $100.
