A Bang for Your Buck
Ten watches that don’t break the bank but do fulfill your watch-collecting soul
While big-ticket items often grab the headlines, collecting watches does not necessarily have to be an expensive hobby. Even when you can’t, or don’t want to, spend a lot, there are still plenty of watches that offer you a bang for your buck. They combine reliable movements with good looks, and some even offer a genuine dose of heritage to boot. The following 10 watches show the diversity of this segment of the industry and underscore that spending less doesn’t necessarily mean that you are also getting less.
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
Sports watches with integrated bracelets have always been very desirable. With the PRX Powermatic 80, Tissot captures the historic soul of when such a watch first hit the market and gives it a contemporary edge. With a diameter of 40 mm, the size is spot on. Inside ticks Tissot’s Powermatic 80 movement, with the number referring to the hours of power reserve you are getting. The caliber can be admired through the sapphire insert in the caseback. While available in several colors, the ice blue is among the most striking.
Price: $725
Brew 8-Bit Brew
New York-based Brew is very serious about its watches — so serious, they also like to have a bit of fun with them. The 8-Bit Brew is the perfect example of how the brand offers a high-quality watch with a fun edge. It takes you back to the pixelated world of 1980s video games, bringing its funky colors off the dial. Its meca-quartz movement offers a chronograph function, allowing you to time that perfect cup of coffee as well.
Price: $395
Casio G-Shock Full Metal GMW-B5000D-1
With the Full Metal collection, Casio offers one of the most recognizable G-Shock models in full stainless steel. This solar-powered watch can take a beating and will look good doing it. Its iconic shape, higher-quality finishing, and functional details — from second time zones to alarms, a chronograph, and even Bluetooth connectivity — make it a standout.
Price: $550
Isotope Hydrium California
A California dial consists of a dial with half Roman numerals and the other half in Arabic numerals. Watches with this style have long been rare, and Isotope gives it a bold modern twist with the Hydrium California. The 40-mm case is water-resistant to 30 ATM/1,000 ft and powered by an automatic Swiss-made movement.
Price: $1,161
Gavox AviDiver
If you can’t decide whether you want a diver’s watch or a pilot’s watch, Gavox has you covered with the AviDiver. The 43-mm stainless steel case houses an automatic Miyota movement and features two crowns — one to operate the movement, the other to rotate the inner bezel. Water-resistant to 20 ATM/200 meters, it’s as capable underwater as it is in the air.
Price: $650
Hamilton Khaki Field
Built for demanding conditions, the Khaki Field descends from watches Hamilton made for the U.S. military. The current 42-mm model contains the H-50 caliber with an 80-hour power reserve. A sandblasted stainless steel case complements its rugged black dial, and a green textile NATO strap completes the look.
Price: $695
Nomos Ludwig 33
For those who prefer a vintage aesthetic, the Ludwig 33 offers slim blue hands, Roman numerals, and a white dial in a refined 33-mm case. Powered by Nomos’ in-house Alpha caliber, it’s a compact yet elegant daily wear.
Price: $1,380
Christopher Ward C65 Dune Automatic
The British brand Christopher Ward has built a reputation for offering excellent value, and the C65 Dune Automatic continues that tradition. Its 38-mm stainless steel case houses an automatic movement and includes vintage-inspired details like a date display and sand-colored dial.
Price: $895
Orient Bambino
The Bambino combines classic proportions with a domed crystal and Roman numeral hour markers. At 40.5 mm in diameter and only 11.8 mm thick, it’s a versatile automatic dress watch at a very competitive price.
Price: $285
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPK15
This article was originally published in the March / April 2024 print issue. To subscribe to WatchTime Magazine, click here.
