Top 20 Best Affordable Watches of 2024 - The End of Year Round-Up!
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2024 was a spectacular year for budget watches; easily the best year since I started reviewing watches back in 2018! We just kept getting banger after banger! Over the past twelve months, I got hands-on with 153 watches across my two channels, and today, I’m bringing you the cream of the crop. The top 20 best watches I’ve looked at this year. There’s a little bit of everything in here, and a few are frankly remarkable for the money, so stay tuned until the very end!
This year was so competitive that some really great watches missed out and only made it onto the honorable mentions list. They’d have been chart-toppers in previous years!
Honorable Mentions
Christopher Ward Watches
The most expensive models I looked at were from Christopher Ward. They were built excellently, and the C63 Sealander GMT in 36mm is lovely, especially in Dragonfly Blue. The Twelve sports watch is also cool, but both are pushing the limits of affordability for a list like this.
Avi-8 Flyboy Airmaster Sector
As far as looks go, the Avi-8 Flyboy Airmaster Sector was also a great, low-cost surprise with fantastic color combinations and incredibly high potential. Sadly, it had an overly strong anti-reflective coating that hindered far more than it helped.
Wise ADX
If this were a list purely about build quality, the WISE ADX-110 would probably sit at the top. It has monstrous specs, including 904L steel construction, top-tier finishing, and impeccable luminescence. It narrowly missed out because the styling isn’t at the level of others on this list, and with import fees, it’s also a little pricey for this post.
Addiesdive AD2101
The Addiesdive AD2101 is worth a shout on the opposite end of the price spectrum. While it lacked originality, it was a complete spec monster, with features rivaling watches nearly 10x the price. During sales, this can be had for almost $40, which demolishes anything on Amazon or the high street. A true bargain banger!
Boderry Landmaster & Voyager 38
Similarly, you have the Landmaster and the Voyager 38, each from Boderry. Both are surprisingly good-looking and can usually be had for about $120 and $100, respectively, with great specs and pretty thin cases. They could well be Boderry’s best watches to date.
Timex WW75 V3
Rounding out the ‘nearly men’ is the limited edition Timex WW75 V3. As soon as I saw it, this was a must-buy for me, with a slim hand-wound movement and a beautiful cross-hatched dial. The case finishing was also upgraded versus some similarly styled Q-Timex models, but I had trouble with one of the Sea-Gull movements, resulting in me having to replace it. It’s also not the most versatile choice.
Now we’re into the upper echelons, the top twenty!
20: Citizen Zenshin/Forza
Kicking things off, we have the Citizen Zenshin, known as the Forza in some regions. I actually reviewed three versions of this watch, all of which feature the same highly textured dial and lightweight titanium construction, which instantly made them a community favorite. My pick of the bunch was the Eco-Drive solar three-hander, which offered the slimmest construction and cleanest dial, as well as the lowest retail price.
This watch comes in some pretty attractive colors, and the dial certainly gives off some luxury watch vibes, so why isn’t it higher on this list?
Well, after some testing, I discovered that Super Titanium is a highly misleading technology, with the majority of watches bearing this name not performing anywhere close to Citizen’s “5x more scratch-resistant than steel” performance claims.
In short, there are multiple tiers of Super Titanium, which you’d only know if you went to this specific Japanese webpage and translated it. There’s no English equivalent of this page and Citizen product pages don’t differentiate these tiers either. They’re all thrown under the same ‘Super Titanium’ moniker, regardless of performance, which is extremely misleading. This Forza, for example, which ships with Citizen’s coveted ‘Duratect’ coating, still scratches more readily than three different stainless steel watches.
So, while the material is still an interesting inclusion, it’s not the second coming of Christ, as most reviewers would have you believe! Still, it’s a solid watch that squeezes into my top 20.
19: Merkur Sector Dial
At 19, the Merkur Sector Dial. This one came straight out of left field; it didn’t even have a model name, or at least not one I could find! My wife was simply browsing AliExpress, spotted this, and thought I should review it. So, I ordered one, and wow, it is surprisingly smart in person, particularly in this vibrant green color that really provides some on-wrist punch.
It’s worth noting that some other versions of this watch have slightly different (and, in my opinion more unsightly) text beneath the logo. This version says Peking, which is the old English name for Beijing, whereas the others bizarrely say ‘Watch & Co’ which looks a bit out of place. So, I’d stick with this green if you can. It offers a beautiful Art-Deco style minimalist design and even packs a decorated hand-wound movement into its slim housing. You can buy this watch on a strap or bracelet, and overall, it’s a little-known bargain that’s often available for around the $100 mark; it cost me £101 to ship to the UK, including import fees! If you’re on a tight budget, this Merkur over-delivers!
18: Casio EFR-S108D
At 18, another great green dial watch is the Casio Edifice EFR-S108D. Now, this watch does come in a range of other dial colors and textures, I covered the original release of this one a few years back. However, Casio recently revamped the lineup with metallic variants that look a whole lot more premium. The Edifice EFR-S108D has a sapphire crystal, a wafer-thin case, and high water resistance to boot.
This reinterpretation is so good it made some of Casio’s other releases, like the EFB-108D, near-obsolete, with more versatile proportions and a higher-quality appearance. The crystal atop is far from the clearest, and the integrated bracelet is also pretty average, limiting your options in the process. Nevertheless, it’s a strong, durable sports watch that can be yours for very little cash.
17: San Martin SN0116 GMT Root Beer
At 17, the San Martin SN0116. This Chinese-made automatic GMT marks the first appearance of this highly-revered brand in this post, and it almost rivals the previous Casio in terms of slimness; at 12mm with the domed crystal and just 10mm without it.
Accompanying that is elite-level case finishing and minimalist styling that marked somewhat of a turning point in San Martin’s repertoire. The SN0116 was one of the first ‘original design’ San Martin models that actually looked good. In fact, this gilt-laden ‘root beer’ variant really is an attractive piece that also looks far more expensive than the shockingly low AliExpress price tag. Of course, it comes with the big specs commonly offered by Chinese brands, and it’s now available in a wider variety of colors and versions, including a non-GMT equivalent.
The only real letdown is that the black dial surface is somewhat rudimentary, but aside from that it’s a very pretty choice.
16: Erebus Ascent
At 16, the Erebus Ascent. This was the second watch I reviewed from Erebus, and it was comfortably the best. Erebus is a brand co-founded by YouTuber Just One More Watch, and the Ascent is their strong first attempt at a GADA watch (a ‘go anywhere do anything’ watch). The dials are what popped the most, with some surprisingly vivid colors, elaborate textures, as well as multifaceted hands and markers.
It’s got top-of-the-line specs, but the Ascent even packs in stealthy extras like color-matched date wheels, a sublime sculpted case shape, and a super-adjustable clasp. Admittedly, the branding isn’t my absolute favorite and I’ve not worn this watch as much as I first expected; I just don’t find myself reaching for it all that often, which is why it’s not higher, but I could see how this may sit further up your list. It doesn’t have any major weaknesses, though and is very deserving of a spot on this list.
15: Peren Regia X
At 15, the Peren Regia X. This Swiss-made watch is incredibly unique and unlike anything else I’ve covered. I called this “the Nintendo of watch designs” for good reason, as the Regia X boasted a completely fresh approach to wristwatch minimalism, with rounded accents and meticulously styling that should leave most fashion watch brands embarrassed.
The predominantly matte case is still the most impressive blasted case I’ve seen, or at least the most extreme. I’ve no clue what differentiates this one, but the final result is captivating, to say the least. In a similar vein, the double-edged bezel is also gorgeous and has both the secure feeling and sound of an old bank vault lock.
The Regia does have some minor drawbacks. The crystal could be clearer, the watch could be thinner, and it is quite expensive, and this is a budget watches list after all. Also, the bicolor bezel version looks better; if I’d reviewed that version, it could have scored even better. Nevertheless, Peren is a very interesting brand that I’ll be keeping my eye on!
14: Zelos Nova 2 37mm
At 14, the Zelos Nova 2 37mm. There’s one reason this watch is on the list: the dial, or should I say dials! These watches have some of the most extravagant textures I’ve seen on a dress watch and the kicker is that most of them work. Each has a unique Art Deco design, my favorite being the salmon version, with deep, scale-like ridges that look immaculate in person.
Now the legibility is far from ideal on these, and the buckle choice is nothing short of bizarre.
Nevertheless, the Nova 2 is incredibly high quality, and the caseback is virtually flat, giving you a silky smooth on-wrist experience.
Undoubtedly, these are some of the fanciest dress watches for the money, though they are among the more expensive watches on this list, and some colors have now sold out, hence why they’re at 14.
13: Dan Henry 1964 Gran Turismo MOP 36mm
At 13, the 36mm Dan Henry 1964 Gran Turismo. Now, this next watch isn’t as well built as the last few; I’d be lying if I said it was. Instead, this watch ranks so highly because it fills a long-vacant void. It’s finally a truly small chronograph for small wrists. At 36mm, this is perhaps the first chronograph that fits me well and is readily available new for a fairly low price. It’s substantially smaller than alternatives like the Sea-Gull 1963 and looks much better in the process, especially the standout Mother of Pearl variant.
Now, due to the highly domed sapphire-coated crystal, the overall thickness is pretty high on paper, and most versions do look a little vanilla. Case finishing is only average, too, and the specs are beaten by similar mecha-quartz options on AliExpress. That said, the dial detailing on the 1964 is much better than most of those, and it’s not just a direct clone of another watch, which surely counts for something!
Unless you fancy venturing into the vintage watch space, the Gran Turismo is a very solid chronograph for skinny arms. I’ve had no regrets paying full retail for this one.
12: Orient Bambino 38 Green
At 12, the new braceleted version of the Orient Bambino 38mm. This is essentially a rerelease of the 38mm Bambino dress watch that Orient released a couple of years ago, but with sportier dials and a stainless steel bracelet. In all honestly, this one wipes the floor with the previous (and fairly bland) 38mm Bambinos, with a higher-quality appearance and a bracelet that thoroughly trounces the previous leather straps.
The green version in particular is stunning in person, with a tasteful forest green metallic dial that boasts a glorious sunburst finish. This version of the Bambino shares the same mediocre case finishing and middle-of-the-road specs as the older models, but as a whole is still much better than the Orients from a few years back and more than deserving of a spot in this list.
11: Casio A700WEV
At 11, the Casio A700WEV. Like the previous watch, this is again a new version of an existing design, in this case, the already handsome A700. Casio wiped this piece with a minimalist pen, removing the majority of text and leaving you with arguably the best-looking digital design ever made. Now, it does lack some of the retro charm of the older models, so the A700WEV may not scratch the same itch. Nevertheless, from a purely aesthetic perspective, I think it’s hard to argue against this one.
It’s wonderfully thin, just like the original A700, shares the same decent backlight, boasts enhanced symmetry, and even has swanky metallic surround for extra flashiness.
As far as materials go, it’s far from impressive, with resin construction and an acrylic crystal, but the watch looks killer and is typically available for very low prices, so it’s hard to complain. If Casio made this exact watch in steel and with a better bracelet, it would probably be my favorite ever. For now, it still makes it onto this best-of-the-year list!
10: Q Timex GMT
At 10, the Q Timex GMT. Now, this one didn’t actually release in 2024, but I had to shoehorn it in somewhere because it surprised me so much when I finally got my hands on it. I’d say this is comfortably the best quartz GMT you can buy right now, with a stylish design, a sleek case, and a modest price tag.
Originally, I skipped it because I assumed it would be overhyped like the original Q Timex, which actually looks quite cheap in the flesh. However, the GMT looks much better when the two are side by side, as you can see here, with a much more premium appearance. It’s undoubtedly one of the most fun and versatile watches I’ve tried this year and deserves more attention despite the sub-par bracelet and clasp.
9: Timex Marlin Jet Automatic
At 9, another Timex, this time the Marlin Jet Automatic. The Marlin Jet came in towards the start of the year with a striking space-age design, comprising an all-encompassing acrylic dome and a hyper-stylized internal bezel.
From above, the watch is absolutely stunning, with a chic, minimalist layout and a theme-appropriate monochrome color scheme. This piece absolutely has some mystery and luxuriousness about it, despite the mediocre specifications, with the main downsides being the low-quality strap and the overall chunkiness. Timex has since released this in a few other colors and versions, which may be your only opportunity to get one, as the original model seems to be out of stock everywhere.
8: Casio Edifice EFB-730D
At 8, the Casio Edifice EFB-730D. I knew this late addition to the list would be decent when I saw the product shots. With a Zenith-like case shape and an extreme sunburst dial, this chronograph is a strap monster that is arguably Casios smartest release in several years. All three colorways are commendable, though the silver and black dial is the one that seems to have captured the zeitgeist, selling out everywhere almost immediately.
Casio seems to have given this one extra attention, kitting it out with better-than-average case finishing by their standards, as well as a solid bracelet and a sapphire crystal. Even the markers are fairly detailed, as are the hands, which appear to have been specially modified for this model. It’s easily one of the best quartz chronograph watches I’ve seen, possibly the best. If you can look past the divisive Edifice branding, this one is a winner!
7: Orient Bambino 38 Small Seconds
At number 7, the Orient Bambino Small Seconds 38mm. At present, this is the closest we’ve gotten to the ultimate Bambino, with far better dial and case proportions than previous entries in the Bambino series.
In short, this is a great all-around classic dress watch, combining the highlights of the other models into a much more refined package. The dial is gorgeous, the build quality is more than adequate, and the 38mm steel case finally matches the retro design to an appropriate degree. Undoubtedly, this particular model will become a future classic; it tastes just like Goldilock’s perfect porridge.
The primary downside is the plasticky-feeling strap, and while the bubble-effect mineral crystal is mid on paper, such a dome would have proven very expensive if made of sapphire, likely bumping the price further.
6: Nezumi Tonnerre Monochrome
At 6, the Nezumi Tonnerre Monochrome. Wow, what a late addition. In any previous year, this could easily have topped the list. It’s the king of cool, with a slick black and cream design that hits all the right notes and a sweeping case that’s almost as sexy. It’s a darker refresh of the original Tonnerre chronograph that I reviewed a few years back with most of the same specs, including a Seiko mecha-quartz movement, 5ATM water resistance, and a competent selection of straps.
What you might not realize is that Nezumi has also sneaked in some subtle upgrades that enhance performance. For starters, the brushed handset provides a massive legibility improvement over the former polished hands; the high-contrast color scheme boosts this even further.
Additionally, they’ve completely overhauled the luminescence, meaning the new Tonnerre is very competent in low light, unlike its forebearer. As a whole, this is a top-tier affordable watch that both looks and feels the part. It’s worth every penny. The only asterisk is if you have a particularly skinny arm like me, the strap may be a touch too long.
5: Citizen Tsuyosa Small Seconds
Kicking off the top 5, the Citizen Tsuyosa Small Seconds. The first iteration of the Tsuyosa saw widespread acclaim due to its attractive, sporty design and punchy colors. I thought it was good but it looked a little too much like a Rolex Oyster Perpetual clone for my taste, with an unnecessary and unsightly Cyclops to boot. Then, out of nowhere, Citizen launched a much more unique successor, which fixed both of these issues.
The Small Seconds Tsuyosa boasts an elaborate guilloche dial with microscopic ridges that fan out from the center, forming a surprisingly sophisticated radial pattern akin to those you might find in nature. This helps the piece look much more distinct and expensive than its predecessor and, quite frankly, most alternatives at its price. The movement is also superior to that in the original Tsuyosa, with a quieter operation, thanks to the hollowed-out rotor and a strong 60-hour power reserve, which is rare at this price.
On the wrist, it doesn’t feel quite as stubby as the dimensions would suggest, though I still wouldn’t call it ‘thin’ by any means; it’s best suited to average or larger wrists, as you can see from the wrist shots. While the water resistance is a little low, considering the sporty styling, I’d still say it’s my favorite Citizen to date, with an air of class and prestige that’s hard to quantify.
4: San Martin SN0144-GX
At 4, the San Martin SN0144-GX. This absurd watch has a dial that looks straight out of a museum. Not because it’s dated...because it’s mesmerizing. They call this a ‘Jianzhan’ dial, a type of ‘low-temperature enamel’ finish that gives a 3D effect akin to a type of Chinese pottery despite the top layer actually being flat. You get these texture-rich veins splaying from the center like a mythological stone, which is insane, considering this can often be had for $300 or less.
What’s even more insane is the case and the bracelet. This watch has quartz-rivalling thickness and Rolex-rivalling finishing; I’m not kidding. In the review, I compared them side by side; you can see it for yourself! The bracelet is comfortably the best-finished bracelet I’ve seen on a sub-$1000 watch and even ships with a ‘Glidelock-style’ super-adjustable clasp. San Martin has since launched this in two further sizes, meaning you can now choose between 36, 39, and 42mm, depending on your wrist size. The SN0144 is easily one of the most impressive watches of the year and probably the best-built for the money on this list.
3: Addiesdive AD2030
At 3, the Addiesdive AD2030. Now, I can’t stand the Addiesdive name and logo. It reads poorly, it looks dreadful, and historically, I struggled to look past it. That all changed with the groundbreaking AD2030. Despite the shoddy branding, this dirt-cheap AliExpress find was so undeniably good that I simply had to cover it.
A full stainless steel case, a surprisingly capable steel bracelet, a Seiko mecha-quartz movement, and a bonkers 3d desert-effect dial, all for the price of a couple of Domino’s pizzas! And that dial is the real show-stopper here. We may have seen cheap watches with high specs before, but until the AD2030 came along, we’d never seen a sub-$50 watch with anywhere close to this level of dial complexity. The applied markers and hands were surprisingly clean, and the dune-like ridges even boasted a grainy sand texture to complete the illusion. To my knowledge, Addiesdive was the first to attempt this desert dial concept, which has since been copied by a plethora of brands big and small; none of whom have been able to replicate it for such a low amount of money.
The AD2030 undoubtedly set a new benchmark for what can be obtained at the lowest end of the market, a price point usually occupied by plastic Casios and trash-tier fashion watches, though it wasn’t without compromise. It only ships in one size, 36mm, at the time of recording, and because it’s thin, it wears as small as you’d expect. It also has no lume, oh, and there’s the unsightly logo, of course. Thankfully, Addiesdive has addressed the latter issue by releasing a logo-free version, which does look a little vacant, but I guess it fits the theme, right? Not much life in the desert, is there?
2: San Martin SN0129
At 2, the San Martin SN0129. If the previous Addiesdive set the standard at the sub-$50 mark, the SN0129 did the same at the $300 mark, only without any notable weaknesses. The first version I looked at had a desert dial not too dissimilar from that on the Addiesdive, only with a slightly crisper surface, neater text, and nicer markers. I’d say the San Martin branding is also less of an eyesore.
San Martin could well have nicked that aspect from their rival, but the rest of the watch is still really impressive. The case finishing is ludicrously good, especially the polished portions. The bracelet is top-tier with a super-adjustable clasp, the low-light performance is strong, and it still ships with high water resistance and a sapphire crystal. Moreover, this isn’t just an automatic watch with these features at this price; it’s an automatic GMT, as you can see from the extra hand and the Seiko NH34A in the back.
Essentially, the SN0129 didn’t just smoke the big brands in terms of looks but in performance, too, all at a price tag that’s a zero shy of what other companies would probably charge you. Even the size is in that ‘Goldilocks zone,’ aided by the female end links, which conform well to a huge variety of wrists.
San Martin continues to launch other versions of this watch, including some lower-cost bezel-free automatics, as well as variants with alternative dials, like the Aventurine option I covered in that same post. Arguably, that one looks even more luxurious, with a hypnotizing starry-night effect that bigger brands charge far more for.
The SN0129 is like the Michael Schumacher of affordable watches; the best I’ve seen in terms of performance, and the benchmark for all other drivers should be compared against. But, surprisingly, it’s not my watch of the year!
1: Vaer D5 Pacific
Number 1, the Vaer D5 Pacific. My winner was never in doubt. From the moment I laid eyes on it, the D5 Pacific instantly became my favorite dive watch. And it was more than a quick fling. Each and every time I take this piece out, I can’t help but marvel at its beauty. I’m absolutely in love, and it doesn’t even fit me properly! Yeah, at a touch over 40mm wide and with a 39mm bezel, it’s a great size for most arms but is admittedly ill-fitting on my tiny 6.25-inch wrist.
The D5 Pacific is the first and only watch I’ve continued to wear despite such an obvious size discrepancy. I can’t help myself. It’s just too stylish.
I’d never considered tropical theming to be my kind of thing, but all three colors the D5 ships in look immaculate, each offering up the same dynamic dial, comprising of a checkered outer edge, a lighter-tone channel just inside and perfectly poised markers bridging the space beneath. The Anacapa green version I reviewed is nothing short of stunning. The sapphire bezels are equally well-engineered, not only looking the part but also providing smooth, higher-pitched clicks during operation.
Beneath, the sweeping Omega-like case has top-notch brushing and polishing, with a reassuring weight, and the watch is powered by a Miyota 9015, meaning the whole package is relatively slim if you exclude the domed crystal. Luminescence is fantastic, with parts of the bezel even lighting up. The crown is very secure and clean to operate, and the bracelet is also better than most.
It’s pricier than many of the options on this list, sure, but I think the immaculate design and attention to detail earn every penny. It’s not perfect; I did have a slight issue with the clasp, but for me the D5 was about as close as we got in 2024.
Surely 2025 won’t be as good for lower-cost watches?! If it is, I’m going to be one busy boy!