Dappered Classics – Six Stainless Steel Watches under $300

Six Stainless Steel Watches under $300

Originally Published 7/13/2010

When picking out a new watch, the stainless steel wristband is usually what a guy will reach for first.  It’s dressy.  It’s formal.  And James Bond can make it look really quite good.  The only problem with a metal wristband is that unlike leather, the styling can go wrong very quickly.  If the links are too dainty, or there’s gold or other metals plated on there, that watch starts to look like nothing more than jewelry.  And that’s not good.

Details Magazine suggests a metal watch band for that large swath of time between suit and t-shirt and jeans.  Unfortunately, the average price of their six picks is $3,868.  Which is pretty ridiculous.  Here’s six that won’t set you back more than a tenth of that.
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Orient Black Mako Automatic – $107.57

Seems like everyone who’s ever owned an Orient raves about their quality and style.  At just over $100, the Orient Black Mako is a nice alternative to the seemingly everywhere Invicta Pro Diver.  You get the classic shape of the Rolex Submariner at a bargain price.
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Seiko SUN 007 Kinetic Black Ion Watch – $188.49

There’s a definite tactical look to this watch, but since the dial has none of the usual chrono or tacheometer business usually seen in other military models, it’s kind of refined.  No battery thanks to the kinetic movement and a power meter on the face lets you know how much energy is left in the reserves.  A terrific deal at under $200.
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Citizen Eco Drive Ion Plated Perpetual Calendar – $270 | Eco Drive Nighthawk – $229

The Citizen Eco Drive power-train is about as good as it gets.  No batteries, and if you have a larger watch collection and let one of these sit for awhile, all you have to do is take it out and set it in a naturally lit room for a day.  The Ion Plated Perpetual Calendar would look equally sharp with a suit as with a pair of jeans and a polo.  The Night Hawk has plenty going on with the face but at 43mm it’s not a monster of a watch either.
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Tissot T-Sport PRC-200 Chronograph – $299.00

For the guys who like a good amount of flash on their wrist.  This thing is attention getting.  The face is dark blue but the classically positioned chronograph dials are a slightly lighter shade.  The links are intricate and the entire thing has a high shine.  Add on top of that the fact that 20 of the 22 Amazon reviewers gave it 5 stars.
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Emporio Armani Silicone Strap Chronograph – $295.00

As Limon Zerga/Saul (AKA Carl Reiner) said in Ocean’s Eleven:  “I have never enjoyed the touch of cold steel to my skin.”  So here’s a watch with the stainless steel link look that’s not stainless steel at all.  The silicone band is incredibly soft and obviously has no flash to it whatsoever.  E.A. Perfect styling + chronograph = a watch you’ll want to wear every day.
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