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Affordable Men's Style

Dappered Classics: Stainless Steel Watches under $300

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Affordable Stainless Steel Watches, for the guy who never wears them.

Originally Published 11/10/2010

Not counting the Timex Ironman I run with, I own seven watches.  Not a single one has a stainless steel band.  Four have black leather bands, two have brown leather bands, and one has this red and blue striped nylon watchband from Brooks Brothers.  Stainless steel watchbands just haven’t ever been my style.  Until now.

I’m strongly considering getting one and wearing it sparingly.  I’m in no rush by any means, and I’ve got a few requirements:

  • Not too shiny.  Can’t look like man-jewelry
  • Has to be relatively versatile so I can wear it with a suit or a t-shirt and jeans.
  • Chronograph is a huge plus (I use parking meters quite a bit)
  • The links can’t be too small/intricate.  That’s a personal preference.
  • Must be under $300.

Here’s a few that I’m considering:

Bulova Stainless Steel 98B131 – $220.00 $137.31 (reg. $275)

Almost always on sale for $220

The Pros: Simple.  Classic.  Great orange accents.  Trusted brand.  Decent Terrific price.
The Cons: Could have more shine in person. Maybe a tad boring? Over $200.
UPDATE: Serious hat tip to Jon for catching the Bulova for under $140 on Amazon (see the comments below).  That’s an amazing deal.  Plus, it’s fulfilled by Amazon (no longer the case) so if you question any of the authenticity it’s their return policies you deal with.
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Citizen Eco Drive Black Ion Plated Chrono – $270.00

But could you wear it with a suit?

The Pros: It’s a Citizen with Eco-Drive. Great dial and features.  Chronograph.
The Cons: Links get a little small on the bracelet.  Black Ion might not be that versatile.  Expensive.
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Tissot T17 PRC 200 Chronograph – $298.99

Right image via Karl Kierstead & Amazon

The Pros: Great balance between sport and dressed up style.  Incredible brand.  Well reviewed.
The Cons: Really expensive.  Looks better with a leather band?
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Swiss Army Chrono Classic #241122 – $268.00

Too sporty?

The Pros: Trusted brand, great links, terrific dial.
The Cons: The Tach around the bezel is a little much.  Also expensive.
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Orient Black Mako Automatic – $117.99

Right image via Amazon Customer "Inder"

The Pros: Looks great.  Perfect links.  Pic from customer shows it looks better in person.  Incredible price.
The Cons: Not many.  A little plain?
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Wenger Battalion II Diver – $125.65

Not the best pics, but all that's available.

The Pros: Simple, looks a lot like the Bulova.   Love the larger crown.  Inexpensive.
The Cons: Like the Orient above, is it too simple?
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GUESS Waterproof Chronograph – $125.00

Has potential.

The Pros: The black bezel is a nice touch.  Intricate looking dial.  Inexpensive.
The Cons: How chromed up are those pieces in between the links?
UPDATE: Via Matthew who owns the Guess watch above. Those spaces between the links are the same shine level as the rest of the band. Check out the pic here (bonus points for having the site pulled up in the background…)

If you had to pick one, which one would you go with?  Got any additional suggestions or direct experience with any of these?   Any and all feedback goes in the comments section below…
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Comments

  1. I’m with you on the steel watch band Joe. I rarely see one that I like enough to buy, they just seem clunky to me. My problem was solved when i received this watch from a friend for being in his wedding party.

    Its got the steel band, but it seems a little less clunky then most.

  3. This article is right in my wheelhouse. I have always been a huge fan of stainless steel band watches, probably has something to do with admiring my fathers rolex submariner growing up… Anyways, I own a Casio watch that I bought about 3 years ago for under $50 that is awesome, still keeps perfect time, no problems. Unfortunately I think they have discontinued it, as I couldn’t find it anywhere on the web. I did however find this watch from invicta.

    For $55 and pretty much the same look as most of the watches above, I think this is a real winner.

  4. I strongly recommend St. Moritz stainless steel watches. They are affordable, incredibly reliable, and look pretty good.

  5. Personally, I’d never pay more than $50 for a watch, but all those watches look as good as the price tag says they should.

  6. I have the Blue Mako and really love it. Great presence, perfect size, and its an automatic which is really cool. However, Amazon is not the place to buy it. The prices on the Orient USA site are higher, but you can almost always find a coupon code for 49 or 50% off. Try searching watchuseek.com for coupon codes. I got my last Orient for 49% off.

  10. Agree that St. Moritz makes a nice watch. Also, sierratradingpost.com has name brand stainless watches at substantial discounts. I picked up a very nice Wenger with a blue dial for under $75.

  11. @ Joe:

    Regarding that Tissot, I was seriously considering it (with the leather band) earlier in the year, but to me it looks like the stainless is INCREDIBLY shiny… and that’s something you wanted to avoid right?

    Cheers,
    Ben

  13. The Citizen and Guess get the nod from me. I have a Citizen Eco-drive that is stainless steel and it hasnt failed me in over 5 years. I also have an all black Guess stainless steel watch that I always get compliments on.

    Personally, I like having multiple watches for different occasions. My other watches are a GShock for when I hike/backpack/gym and I even took your idea for the Target Timex with JCrew band that I wear for fishing. Thanks!

  14. Check out hautelook.com, they have some serious deals on Swiss Legend watches right now… They have been outperforming Gilt lately in my opinion.

  16. @Ben: It does look a little more chromed up than I’d prefer, but the dial/hand/face is perfect (to me). That, and the seller just jacked the price up to $320. Hm.

  17. My Fossil Arkitekt has served me well since 2006. $42 initially. I’ve had the battery replaced at least twice – the first time it was $9, the second time they did it for free because I came in right after a huge blizzard and they hadn’t had a customer all day.

  18. I own that very Tissot and it is by far my favorite watch, I have a few Skagens, Diesels and Kenneth Coles as well. It is indeed a bit shiny, but in a stately manner, not a blingy manner. No one would consider it to be too onstentatious. Also as you mention, it transitions quite well from casual to dressy settings.

    I’d recommend Skagen stainless steel watches for something a bit more understated and sleek though.

  19. Aside from the looks of each watch which is obviously personal preference I think it has been omitted that Mako is automatic which may be good (never need a battery plus you get the sweeping second hand) on the other hand you need a winder to keep it running unless you want to adjust time every time you put that watch on.

    Regarding the chronograph, rotating bezel will do just fine for parking meter.

  20. Mako is a great watch, looks and feels much more expensive than it really is (I got mine for under 100 at the orient usa website). The citizen bands are usually very light and with small links, they make better watches on leather. All of these are decent options except the Guess.

  22. @Sam, I agree. Skagen makes some very nice and incredibly thin and light watches. Not for those who enjoy the heft of most steel watch/bands, but quite elegant. They’re a bit simple for some, but a favorite of mine. I’m wearing my third (they haven’t broken, the first two were lost/snatched). I only wish they made a chronograph other than a single, odd brown color.

  23. I looked for a long time for a stainless watch and I bought and love the Orient. I wanted high water resistance and automatic movement and they are a great brand and it has served me well. Also, if you order through their website there are constant promotions for half off, I got it for under $100. Just sign up for their email list. Thanks for the reviews.

  24. is the Bulova or the mako appropriate for a business casual setting work environment? in other words, is it wearable with a suit?

  25. I own the ion plated Citizen. I have found that after 2 years of daily use some of the black is starting to wear off the band. Other than that I have found it excellent.

  26. My biggest issue with any sort of metal bad is that I have hairy arms and that hair goes all the way to my hands. These bands rip the hair out all the time (on me) I had one for a while and got tired of it pulling my hair out. It is now my deal that if I see a watch I truly love and it has a metal band, I will buy a separate band that isn’t metal and replace. My dad on the other hand, buys only metal bands because they last longer and as someone who does a lot of blue collar work he would constantly wreck his leather bands.

  27. I can’t believe Seiko hasn’t been considered. Some of their steel band/watches are simple and elegant. I haven’t checked the chronos but I think it’s a name that should be looked at.

  28. I’ve had a stainless Seiko 5 for about a year. It was the cheapest automatic watch I could find (averages about $60-$75) but it’s got a very tasteful design and it’s still keeping accurate time.

    There are plenty of varieties of the 5 to choose from on Amazon, so at that price there’s no reason not to own an automatic if you’re sick of changing batteries.

  29. I’m still not sure how a $130 watch is “affordable.” I guess compared to more expensive watches. But seeing as it’s just an accessory, I’d rather buy another pair of shoes, a nice jacket, or maybe a night out with the wife.

    Maybe it’s just because I’m probably poorer than most.

  30. Regarding your watches with leather watchbands: there’s no need to have separate watches for black and brown leather bands. Once you get the hang of it, you can swap the band on a watch in about 15 seconds! I use one watch I love, and just change the band as required. You can either save a boatload, or instead invest in one very nice watch.

    More info here, where I first learned about this trick.

  31. @Adam: Right, and I’m wearing an extremely basic swiss army I got off Gilt for like $60 with a red and blue fabric Brooks Brothers strap. I swapped out the band not with the standard spring bar tool (although I have one now) but a steady hand and a small scissors. Anyway, being that I bounce back and forth between black and brown shoes quite often, I’d rather not swap bands every other day. Y’know? That, and I just like watches. The more the better. 🙂

  32. I second the Seiko fans that commented. I have a great Seiko that has worked flawlessly for 6+ years now. I wear it daily, it has worn extremely well. Mine is titanium, and thus had a slightly higher price (though not much more than most of those listed). It is nice and light, without having overly small links and does not have a highly burnished look because it isn’t stainless. Highly recommended if you can still find them for a reasonable price.

  33. A couple of times in this article you asked “too simple?”
    The answer is “no”.
    A watch cannot be too simple.

  36. I have to second that recommendation for Invicta. You can can a georgeous Invicta from Amazon for under $75. They are very well made. I am wearing the 9211 Speedway Collection, which I picked up last year on sale for $70. It feels just as good as the $300 Seiko that it replaced.