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Affordable Men's Style

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Cheap Time – The Best Looking Watches Under $100

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Under $100 Watches – Fall 2011

When you were a kid, did you ever wonder when you’d stop liking toys?  You’d get dragged along to some carpet store or patio furniture outlet and you’d think to yourself:  “How can adults LIVE like this?”  All the crap grown-ups liked was boring, visually bland, and it was a mystery why they even wanted any of that stuff.  For a lot of us, watches are the closest most affordable thing we get to the toys of our youth.  They’re Legos and little green army men we fell out of love with long ago.

Visually appealing yet plenty functional, watches are one of the few things men can adorn themselves with.  In a way, a watch is your own personal hood ornament.  But that doesn’t mean you have to spend Bentley level cash to get a good looking one.  Below are ten pieces of proof, all costing less than $100.
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Kenneth Cole New York Iconic Chronograph – $95.75
Not your average KC watch

By far the best looking watch Kenneth Cole makes and it’s not even close.  The font and smaller numbers are perfect, the hands are thin, and it has the look of an old school classroom clock or maybe a watch a doctor would have had half a century ago.  Equipped with a chronograph and great looking pushers that make it run.

 

Orient Chief Automatic – $100 w/code DAPPEREDAUGUST
Available with a blue dial too.

The leather band versions are out of stock, but, you could still easily buy one with a stainless band and swap it out for your preferred leather version.  Incredible day cutout that gives you a full spelling.  Automatic too.

 

Bulova 96B104 Silver Dial – $76.57
A go-to suiting option

All class, a low price, and a brand that won’t be embarrassing in the least if anyone happens to notice.  These get mentioned every once in awhile in the likes of Esquire and GQ along side much more expensive time pieces.  Bulova sometimes stumbles with the “keep it simple” method, but they’ve nailed it here.

 

Seiko SNDC Series – $80.00 – $100.00
The hands are where?

Kind of like the SNZJ series, only not automatic, and comes inexplicably with black hands sgainst a black dial.  Which would make it pretty hard to tell the time wouldn’t it?  Save up the extra $30 – $50 for the SNZJ.

 

Armitron Nordstrom Exclusive Military – $65.00icon
Good (big) looks for a small cost.

Kinda like the J. Crew / Timex collaboration only on a less publicized level. Could be the cheapest Bell & Ross lookalike ever.  Flight dial hands, big numbers, and a larger 44mm diameter but it doesn’t look or feel gigantic on the wrist.  Comes in four different color combinations.  Japanese quartz with a nice and lightweight stainless steel case.

 

Casio G-Shock Rescue – $89.95 | G-Shock Solar Analog – $89.98
Subtle as a bulldozer.

For the guys who need a watch they can continuously beat the living sh*t out of.  The G-Shock rescue is a classic that’s rated 200m water resistant and cold resistant to -4 F.  The G-Shock Solar Analog is powered by the sun/light like a Citizen Eco-drive and trades in a full digital display for hands.

 

Hugo Boss Orange Nylon Strap and Rubber Strap – $100
Not a bad price from a fancy pants brand.

Comes with a little more modern edge than most other canvas/nylon/rubber strap weekend watches.  Just different enough without losing it.

 

Nautica Windseeker – $87.09
A bit of a project, but a small one.

The links are more than iffy at best, but that racing inspired dial makes it look like a Tissot.  Another band swap out should do the trick.  Try black leather with white contrast stitching or even one in rubber.

 

Invicta Pro Diver Automatic – $83.99
Cheap enough to justify a new strap.

Invicta makes a hell of a lot of watches.  Some of them are brutally big and obnoxious.  Their pro-diver series isn’t, thanks to the obvious style homage to the Rolex Submariner.  Instead of a coin edge bezel, this one comes with slight indentations that are easy to grip.  Rubber strap, and looks plenty good if you switch that out for a brown leather one as shown here.

 

Timex Weekender Slip-Thru – $32-$50
Check your local Target.

Of course these deserve a mention.  Part of the J. Crew Timex Alternatives series along with the Seiko 5 and Bulova canvas strap.  These are a bit of genius by Timex.  Plenty of dial and strap options, and dirt cheap.

Your turn guys.  If you’ve got one, what’s your favorite watch under $100?  Leave your picks in the comments…

Comments

  1. I’ve been lusting after the Skagen 858SLS Joe posted awhile back and I think the Bulova 96B104 w/ a brown strap is the closest I’ll get. Any other tips (<$500) with that look?

  2. Don’t get me wrong, some of those watches are very nice. But if I recommended splurging on one high end item, it would be a timepiece. “Under $100” just doesn’t do it for me.

  3. I’d say the Bulova or Kenneth Cole look the best.Or save up for a Seiko 5 series or better.

    The Armitron… hate to say it but it does look too big. And the big numbers make it look like it’s for old people with bad eyesight. I know the big watch fad is cool now, but something like that won’t be wearable a few years down the road.

  4. Agreed to a point.  Yet, many guys can’t, or don’t want to walk around with something real expensive on their wrist.  There’s a reason why the Timex Weekender sells so well.

  5. I agree with you but I also see my watch as a tailored accessory that flows with the outfit. A lower price point makes it easier to have a more versatile collection, and I could argue that makes me better dresser. You hit on good point when you said “if I recommended splurging on one high end item”. If someone is entering a business professional workplace for the first time, they may have a small budget to get a well-fitting suit, shoes, shirts, and accessories. My take would be to start affordable with everything and work up to high-end luxury (low price doesn’t always mean low quality) piece by piece. I would rather buy a clean understated dress watch for $100 than force my Marathon J-SAR under my suit cuff.

  6. I agree with you but I also see my watch as a tailored accessory that flows with the outfit. A lower price point makes it easier to have a more versatile collection, and I could argue that makes me better dresser. You hit on good point when you said “if I recommended splurging on one high end item”. If someone is entering a business professional workplace for the first time, they may have a small budget to get a well-fitting suit, shoes, shirts, and accessories. My take would be to start affordable with everything and work up to high-end luxury (low price doesn’t always mean low quality) piece by piece. I would rather buy a clean understated dress watch for $100 than force my Marathon J-SAR under my suit cuff.

  7. Can someone who owns one of the weekenders tell us if the case’s thickness and shiny finish is as noticeable in person as it is in photos?

  8. Can someone who owns one of the weekenders tell us if the case’s thickness and shiny finish is as noticeable in person as it is in photos?

  10. i like the timex easy reader. it is somewhere between 35 and 45 depending on where you get it. for a poor college student like myself, it is affordable and still looks good.

  11. I don’t think it’s as noticeable in person as it is there. Of course, I’m generally looking at it straight on, but I had to double check and pull it out just now to see if the case was as thick as pictured. From the face view, the case is so slim around the dial that the shiny doesn’t really catch my eye either. I couldn’t be happier for $25 shipped.

  13. Exactly. It is a very very small portion of the population that can be nonchalant about their Omega getting scratched. You need watches that are no worry most of the time, but still accomplish a look.

    I would rather beat up my Seiko than my Omega, so one gets daily wear and the other stays special.

    P.S. I don’t own any Omegas or Seikos.

  15. I think this Citizen Eco-Drive gives the Bulova a run for its money as far as affordable dress watches go. The black dial isn’t quite as classic as the Bulova’s white, but the convenience of never having to change the battery seems to balance that out.

  16. I wear homage watches to work since I try not to give the illusion that I make too much money (and I don’t really, watch collecting is just a passion of mine – particularly vintage watches, which also have easily scratched acrylic crystals) so I have a smattering of homage watches. I’ve been considering an IWC Yacht Club but without an IWC dealer close by to even try one one, I picked up this Tao Homage for $70 (with coupon) shipped as a test drive/work watch & I love it. Note that it says ‘Perpetual’ but isn’t in fact a perpetual calendar. Also among its quirks are that it only goes to the year 2015. But $70 for an automatic, and with a exposition back at that, its not too shabby. http://store.taowatch.us/TAO-160WD.aspx

  17. I have to agree. I don’t know how but I always bang up my watches. Banging up. Cheaper watch just means I’m that much closer in getting a replacement and won’t feel so bad about it. Not saying i’m being careless burdened happens especially if I wear watches daily.

  20. I don’t get this.  What I love about my Omega is that it doesn’t scratch, and that’s part of what you pay for, a watch that you can wear every day without worrying about.  If I then kept the Omega at home and wore a scratched up watch around every day, it would seem to defeat the point.  I do get buying a cheaper watch just to have some variation in style, but then I think I would just get worried about THAT watch getting scratched up, however comparatively cheap it may be.

  21. I carry a phone with me so a watch would be pointless. Fashion? I don’t find anything attractive about having a watch on one’s arm.

  22. I used to be in this camp for many years (maybe 10?), but have recently gone back to wearing a watch. It’s surprising how you adjust back, and by not whipping out the cell phone to check the time  I’m less likely to check my email, etc and generally disengage from what’s going on around me. I still use my phone, but have to say I’m a convert back to the world of watches from a practical (as well as fashion) standpoint.

  23. +1 for this Retrograde.  I’ve been eyeing this for quite some time as well.  Let me know if you find any discounts…

  24. I feel naked without a watch.  I used to not care for one but as a guy you really don’t have much to buy as far as little trinkets that you wear.

  25. Your Omega will scratch. You’re just not trying hard enough.

    My dad wore a Rolex Submariner during his career as a Marine infantry officer. The watch looked like death before my mom sent it in to be refurbished as a birthday present a few years back.

    No watch can withstand the perils of an active lifestyle with impunity. Cheaper watches will show wear faster, yes, and their movements will be more prone to stress-induced failure… but you can replace a cheaper watch several times over for less than the cost of a regular service for an expensive watch.

  27. Wearing my $75 Rotary Chronospeed today AKA Breitling Navitimer homage. My only quartz watch.

    Anyways, wanted to draw attention to the fact that the Timex Originals Dive Style watch they debuted at Basel this year is finally available for order online in blue or black, $85 and looks like they have a nice 20% off promotion going on http://www.timex.com/Timex-Originals-Dive-Style/dp/B005ELLN5G?ie=UTF8&id=Timex%20Originals%20Dive-Style&field_product_site_launch_date_utc=-1y&field_availability=-1&field_browse=236545011&searchSize=12&searchNodeID=236545011&searchPage=1&searchKeywords=dive&field_keywords=dive&class=quickView&refinementHistory=watch_movement_type%2Csize_code%2Cband_material_type%2Cdial_color%2Cprice&searchRank=salesrank

  29. If you are throwing Armitron, Timex, and Kenneth Cole in the mix, you really have to look at Fossil as well.  For the most part, quartz movement only, but Fossil has a solid movement and style for under $100.  Here are a few choices:
    Fossil Men’s FSAM4356 Decker Black Dial Watch
    http://www.amazon.com/Fossil-FSAM4356-Decker-Black-Watch/dp/B004C5XXGC/ref=sr_1_32?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1315246227&sr=1-32

    Fossil Men’s BQ9303
    http://www.amazon.com/Fossil-BQ9303-Stainless-Bracelet-Multifunction/dp/B000JQOR1I/ref=sr_1_27?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1315246528&sr=1-27

    I’m not too crazy about this strap, but do like the watch.  Cheap AE strap for $3 and you’ve got a new watch.
    Fossil Men’s CH2612
    http://www.amazon.com/Fossil-CH2612-Decker-Navy-Blue-Chronograph/dp/B003E63ZTA/ref=sr_1_55?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1315246584&sr=1-55
     

  32. If you ask me from the above list, the Armitron one works the best. It is simple, not cluttered with numbers and yet looks very stylish. I have used an Armitorn watch earlier and I must say that they have very good build quality. Apart from this one, they have a huge range which you can check here: http://www.armitron.com/