The Best Automatic Watches Under 150 Pounds
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After several years of reviewing wristwatches on YouTube, it’s clear to me that all watches are not made equal; far from it, in fact. There are major contrasts in quality between different brands, even at comparable price points.
If you’re new to the hobby, this can make it pretty tricky to identify a decent budget watch without being ripped off.
Therefore, I figured I’d put together a list of the best automatic watches under 150 pounds. These watches are tried, tested and hit well above their weight when it comes to performance. Each of these beauties features excellent design and solid build quality for their price; much better than some of the cheap fashion brands I’ve mentioned before.
Orient RA-AB0019L19B Tristar
Orient watches are renowned for being some of the best value out there, offering custom automatic movements and classy designs for very little money.
While there are many Orient watches to choose from, I find the ‘Tristar’ range offers some of the most versatile and wearable options for men (Tristar referring to the three stars positioned below the centre of the dial). At a perfect size of 39mm, the blue-dialled RA-AB0019L19B could easily be worn with a t-shirt and shorts or a suit, should the occasion demand it. While the bracelet is nothing to write home about, the rest of the construction certainly is.
This watch is constructed to a high standard in Japan and has other surprising features such as competent luminescence and 50m of water resistance; an unexpected bonus for a dress watch. People often refer to the Tristar watches as Seiko watches with a touch of bling, I personally find them more interesting, though some colourways are a bit much. This simple RA-AB0019L19B strikes a nice balance between class and function, making it a no-brainer for those after a great watch; the blue dial looks great with jeans.
Orient Bambino V3
Arguably the best overall dress watch under £150, the Bambino V3’s minimalist design is extremely popular and takes many design cues from more expensive German Bauhaus pieces. I reviewed this watch on my blog and was particularly impressed with the case finishing and overall weighty feel.
Unlike some of the other watches on this list, this one features domed mineral glass; which provides some scratch resistance and also an interesting warp effect when combined with the curved dial. The smooth sweep of the second-hand looks far more aesthetically pleasing on a minimalist piece like this, versus the slow tick of quartz. This features another in-house Orient calibre, though is slightly on the louder side when rotated.
This watch is lauded online for looking far more expensive than the price tag indicates and having experienced the watch first-hand, I can attest to its exquisite presentation. The sunburst dial effect, in particular, gives the piece a near-luxury appearance.
At just over 40mm, it is quite a versatile size, though there are smaller and larger variants available, with slightly different styling. This is clearly a dress watch, so may not be the most versatile piece available. However, if you’re looking for a low-cost but high-class dress watch for very few pennies; the Bambino should be your first choice. This version 3 is currently hovering at around £100, which is a bargain price.
Citizen NH8380-15E
If you have a large wrist and want a solid watch to sit on it, you can’t grow wrong with a Citizen. This automatic NH8380-15E is a beast of a watch, clocking in at 46mm in diameter and boasting enough water resistance for most water activities. The detailing on the bezel makes it not only look unique but also makes it extremely easy to grip and adjust.
By default, this one comes fitted with a rubber strap, which is suitable for water exposure; though isn’t suitable for more formal wear – you may have to switch it for an alternative 24mm band. Citizen watches are praised for being some of the most durable in the industry. This model has decreased in cost over recent months, making it a great alternative to the now discontinued Seiko SKX line of dive watches.
Contained within the watch is a Citizen Miyota 8200 series automatic movement, which is a basic mechanical option, sometimes found in watches at multiple times this price point. As a result, it’s a wise choice in a budget watch like this. With its stainless steel construction, this is a hardy choice for a large wrist.
Vostok Komandirskie
Founded during the chaos of World War 2, Russian watchmakers Vostok create rugged military and dive watches that are designed with extreme usage in mind. Their popular Komandirskie (‘commander’) model contains an in-house Vostok 31-jewel automatic movement, which is also shock-resistant. Impressive for a watch costing so little. When paired with a stonking 200m of water resistance, it’s clear to see the Soviets didn’t cut corners when designing this piece back in 1965.
I’m under no doubt that other brands would be charging triple the retail price if they had a watch boasting such specifications.
The unbelievable array of designs and colourways makes these highly collectable among watch enthusiasts. There really is a style for every taste; some being homages to famous watch designs, with others retaining a more quirky, unique look. If you want to get your hands on a historically significant watches, for not a lot of money, the Vostok Komandirskie is a great place to start.
At 41mm in diameter, and 15mm in-depth, this is a size well-suited to average or larger wrists, albeit the slightly smaller Amphibia (also from Vostok) may be a more optimal choice for skinnier arms.
Parnis Submariner
The ever-popular submariner design is often copied by other brands, looking to provide the same look for less. The best sub-£150 choice is the Parnis Submariner. Since 2005, this brand has been on a mission to offer luxury designs and build quality for a much lower price. Their submariner homage looks very similar to the real thing, obviously without the Rolex logo and boasts brilliant specifications.
Aside from the 316L construction, you also get the near-scratchproof sapphire crystal along with a Miyota 8215 automatic movement. Unlike other cheap submariner homages, these are renowned for being good quality and have a positive reputation overall. For around £70, you really get a lot for your money.
Evidently, this watch lacks originality, as everything about it is ripped straight from the Rolex. That being said, if you’re on a tight budget, Rolex watches aren’t going to be on the cards anyway. As such, if you want something that looks like a submariner for a fraction of the price, Parnis is probably the best bet. It’s much better than going for a bad quality fake Rolex in my mind (and is also legal!).
Seiko SNXS79K
Perhaps the best watch available for around £100, the Seiko SNXS79K is part of the super-popular Seiko 5 series. I recently reviewed a watch from this range, where I go into more detail on the history and significance of such budget watches.
This particular variant bares strong visible resemblance to the Rolex Datejust and certainly looks more premium than the low price tag would suggest. The dial is actually very dark grey, contrary to the ‘black’ listed in many places online, giving a slightly ‘warmer’ look when under direct light.
If you’re after a first watch, you really can’t beat these affordable Seiko models. Whilst the 7S26 automatic movement may not be the most accurate on this list, they are very reliable and do provide day-date functionality. The default bracelet is rather jangly and is far from the best quality out there, nevertheless, you could always switch this out in the long-run. I’d rather them cut costs on the bracelet than the rest of the watch anyway.
Seiko SNK375K1
For a similar, albeit slightly more sporty Seiko, I’d go for the SNK375K1, which features the same basic construction and movement as the SNXS79K, with a few aesthetic changes that give it a different vibe. I love the red track to the upper right, which gives this piece a pop of colour.
Another pleasing touch is the addition of a black date wheel, which complements the dark dial very nicely and doesn’t stick out like the white date windows on other models.
This also features a bold arrow hour hand, making the time easy to read in a pinch. At 37mm, like the previous Seiko, this is a smaller watch that is well-suited to medium and thin wrists, that will also slip under your sleeves without any trouble. In a world now filled to the brim with giant fashion watches, it’s nice that Seiko has so many smaller options.
Seiko SNZG11K1
For a completely different look, the Seiko SNZG11K1 field watch is an ever-popular choice for casual, rugged environments. At 42mm, it’s slightly on the larger side, so the alternative SNK800 series might be a better choice for smaller wrists.
This SNZG11K1 does offer better specifications then the SNK range though. Housing a 7S36C movement, extremely similar to the 7S26 featured in other, this watch offers a traditional field watch look, with the addition of a raised chapter ring. You also get a generous amount of lume across the hands and hour markers; meaning this is totally readable and usable in low light.
While I’d say an automatic field watch like this may not be as robust as a quartz field watch; if you’re not looking to repeatedly trek up mountains or through rainforests, this watch will still easily hold up for regular usage. With 100m of water resistance, you can easily swim wearing this too. This comes with a canvas strap or metal bracelet, depending on your selection. Given the metal options are normally more expensive and still low-quality, I’d certainly opt for the more comfortable canvas band, which you could change down the line if required.
Swatch Sistem51 YIS424G
Did you realise, for less than £150, you could get yourself a Swiss-made watch containing an automatic Swiss movement? Me neither, until I discovered Swatch’s Sistem51 range a couple of years ago.
This watch is a far cry from the low-quality plastic, quartz Swatch models you’ll find in department stores. This YIS424G is made of stainless steel, features mineral glass and houses the famous Sistem51 movement, which boasts an impressive 90-hour power reserve and a low number of moving parts (to increase durability).
This particular model comes with a stylish metal bracelet, matching the black and white colourway of the dial. It is to be noted that the on-paper 42mm diameter isn’t fully realised when on the wrist. The watch definitely wears slightly smaller, given the short lug to lug distance. Frustratingly, as with all Swatch watches, their unusually shaped lugs will restrict your strap options; but you may think that is a small price to pay for an attractive, Swiss watch.
Fossil ME3099 Skeleton Watch
Loads of first-time watch enthusiasts are amazed by the intricacies of mechanical watch movements The gears and springs are undoubtedly hypnotising to look at. Therefore, loads of men enjoy the appearance of skeleton watches; where the dial is cut away and the movements are partly, or fully, exposed.
There are many cheap, generic Chinese skeleton watches out there, however many have low-quality movements, which break down rather quickly. Your best bet is to go for a more well-known brand, who should have better quality control.
If you’re lucky, you should be able to grab the Fossil ME3099 for under our £150 budget. This piece not only features the skeletonised dial but also has an exhibition case-back; allowing you to also view the rear of the movement, including the main rotor.
While I’m not personally a big fan of skeleton watches, this is probably the best looking low-cost one available and does come with a half-decent leather strap. Fossil is definitely a fashion brand, though tend to create slightly better watches than some of their contemporaries; at least providing original designs.
Are Cheap Automatic Watches Worth It?
Many online watch snobs disregard low-cost watches as pointless and a waste of money; citing that one would be better to save up thousands or take out a massive loan for a luxury piece instead. Personally, I disagree with that notion. Realistically, most of us don’t have the disposable income to splash out on luxury watches. Frankly, such purchases are irresponsible in many circumstances. Taking out a loan or finance for a watch is, in my opinion, is equally as reckless.
Luckily, you can get some fantastic watches for a low price nowadays; offering comparable looks and performance to more expensive pieces. With cheap automatic watches, you can play around for a low cost and discover which styles and sizes work best for you; without the risk of blowing thousands on a single piece that you may come to dislike over time.
Then, if you have plenty of disposable income and know what style you’re after, you could consider getting a higher-end watch at some point.