At a time when high-tech smartwatches and fitness gadgets are becoming all the rage for your wrists, we will always have a soft spot for the classics timepieces (especially when they’re cheap watches which also stand the test of time).
It’s not every day you find sapphire crystal men’s watches for under $500, but we’ve done it. These are ten of the best looking and cheap watches that won’t break the bank – all of which I’d be happy to call my own.
For best results, wear these quality cheap watches with a nice suit or smart-casual attire, not to the gym.
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*Our Top Pick*
Farer Frobisher II
We’re big fans of the Farer brand. Designed in England and made in Switzerland. Crafted out of brushed 316L high grade stainless steel with a highly polished back engraved with the Farer compass design. The curved dial is covered by a domed, sapphire-coated glass that gives the watch a beautiful aesthetic, especially when viewing at an angle. A great looking watch and company.
BUY $450
TIMEX American Documents
In a first for the Timex brand they’ve created a supremely elegant men’s watch with a Swiss movement. The Timex American Documents is the brand’s big release for 2019 and is sure to attract a number of new customers. What we love out this watch is whilst its moment is Swiss, the watch is made in America, keeping with the brand’s people and traditions. At $495 it’s a bargain.
BUY $495
VICTORINOX I.N.O.X
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The I.N.O.X is said to be the world’s strongest watch and Victorinox have proven this by running it over with a tank and using it’s strap to winch a human to safety in a mock rescue. The I.N.O.X now comes in a range of different colours and for just under $500 you’re getting a hell of a watch that will be resistant to almost any knock you give it.
BUY US$299
Tissot Tradition
The Tissot promises to blend ultramodern watchmaking with a hint of nostalgia. The nostalgia piece comes with vintage finishes, and classical aesthetic details ideal for the contemporary watch wearer. A Quartz ETA G10.211 movement along with a stainless steel case with PVD coating, and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal makes this one of the more attractive options for men on a budget.
BUY $495
Timex Allied Chronograph Brass And Canvas Watch
Timex is a great and affordable brand for guys who want reliable quartz watch. The Allied Chronograph as been inspired by the military and comes on a stone washed canvas strap. This piece has a blackened brass and stainless steel case set with an INDIGLO® light-up dial for guaranteed legibility even in low lighting.
BUY $155
*The Best Value For Money*
SWATCH Sistem 21
Agruably the best value for money watch on the market the SWATCH Sistem21. You’re getting Swiss precision at a fraction of the cost. The Sistem21 features polished stainless steel case houses the groundbreaking SISTEM51 automatic watch design, while the openwork caseback reveals the inner workings of the self-winding mechanical movement.
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BUY $299
Seiko Prospex SNE439P Solar 43.5mm
Japanese watches are still incredible value for money. The Seiko Prospex Solar Diver’s Watch, SNE439P, with black dial and silicone strap, has a 43.5 mm stainless steel case with a hardlex crystal. This new model features a Seiko Caliber V157 solar powered quartz movement with a 10 month power reserve when fully charged (with any light source). A date display is at 3, and you get highly luminous hands and markers treated with Lumibrite for awesome low light visibility. Perfect for the sportsman or diver. Think of this as the affordable Rolex Pepsi.
BUY $495
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Hamilton Khaki Field Watch
This is simplicity at its best. The Khaki Field Officer hand winding offers basic functions and components for the no-nonsense, rugged watch wearer. Available with a choice of leather or canvas strap it is a timepiece not to be overlooked. The Hamilton Field watch has water resistance 5 bar (50 m), is 38mm in diameter and has a sapphire crystal glass face.
BUY $475
Apple Watch
Like it or loath it, the Apple Watch presents incredible value for money when you explore everything it can do. We love it for exercise and fitness but for others its useful for business, meetings, making calls, communicating with friends and colleagues. It’s square design is unique and you can get the Apple Watch in almost endless colours and straps.
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BUY $399
TRIWA Nevil
Swedish watch and sunglass company TRIWA takes its name from an acronym: TRansforming the Industry of WAtches. The company is out to bring attitude, individuality, and creativity to the traditional world of watches and accessories. The Havana Nevil injects a little more sophistication into that ethos via a genuine leather strap, a stainless steel and black dial with white chronograph sub dials. The white contrast seconds hand makes it clear that the brand’s sophistication is still fully intact.
BUY $449