You don’t necessarily have to shell out thousands of dollars just to get a high-quality watch. There are beautiful and premium timepieces in the $200 price range that can still be worn as a fashion statement. From smartwatches to casual Japanese quartz wristwatches, you’re sure to find some excellent value for money among these wristwatches. While they may not feature platinum-plated movements or a tourbillon, they still look classy and are bound to get you noticed. We’ve selected the top ten watches for $200 for less.
These wristwatches encompass a great variety, so you’re likely to find one or more that suits your style. However, before we dive into the products, here’s a quick guide on some of the things to look out for when you’re shopping for a watch under $200
- The 11 Best Watches Under $200
- Fossil Men’s Grant Chronograph Quartz Watch
- Withings Steel HR Sport Hybrid Smartwatch
- Casio G-Shock DW9052-1V
- Citizen Watches AW1361-10H Eco-Drive Avion
- Seiko Men’s SNK809 Seiko 5 Automatic Stainless Steel Watch
- Casio Men’s G-Shock Casual Watch
- Michael Kors Slim Runway Stainless Steel Watch
- Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler Field Watch BM8180-03E
- Tissot Men’s Gent XL Swiss Quartz Watch
- Invicta Men’s 8926OB Pro Diver Watch
- Timex Men’s Expedition Field Chronograph Watch
- What to Look For:
- Movement Type
The 11 Best Watches Under $200
| Award | Design | Retailer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Casual Watch |  | Check Price | |
| Best Hybrid Smartwatch |  | Check Price | |
| Excellent Basic G-Shock |  | Check Price | |
| A Functional Japanese Quartz Watch |  | Check Price | |
| Automatic and Durable |  | Check Price | |
| The Ideal G-Shock for On-the-Go Use |  | Check Price | |
| A Classy Dress Watch |  | Check Price | |
| Ideal Watch for the Active and Tactical |  | Check Price | |
| A Premium Swiss Watch |  | Check Price | |
| A High-Performance Watch for Pro Divers |  | Check Price | |
| Perfect for Larger Wrists |  | Check Price |
Fossil Men’s Grant Chronograph Quartz Watch
Best Casual Watch
The Fossil Men’s Grant Stainless Steel Quartz Watch is one of the most sought-after watches under the $200 price point. Endowed with a quartz movement, this wristwatch is available in multiple colors. It features a 44mm diameter case size and a 22mm band size. The bands are interchangeable with all other 22mm bands made by Fossil.
This watch comes with 50-meter water resistance, making it a good option for recreational swimming and showering. You also get to enjoy features such as stopwatch functionality and a 24-hour timer.
| Movement | Quartz |
| Diameter | 42mm |
| Strap Type | Leather |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
Pros
- High-quality build
- Genuine leather band
- Comes with interchangeable bands
Cons
- Can be difficult to read at certain angles in the sun
Withings Steel HR Sport Hybrid Smartwatch
Best Hybrid Smartwatch
The Withings Steel HR Sport Hybrid Watch is another great watch you can get for less than $200. This watch is a fashion piece and a smartwatch in one package. Available in two different colors – black and white – this smartwatch comes with a plastic band and uses a battery that lasts up to 5 days in workout mode and an additional 20 days in power-saving mode.
You get to enjoy many smartwatch functions, including sleep tracking, a heart rate monitor, and workout mode. Packed into a stainless steel case, this watch is highly durable and very comfortable on the wrist.
| Movement | Quartz |
| Diameter | 40mm |
| Strap Type | Rubber |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
Pros
- 25-day battery life
- Fitness tracking
- Heart Rate sensor and GPS
Cons
- The included band may be a little uncomfortable
Casio G-Shock DW9052-1V
Excellent Basic G-Shock
In the world of watches for under $200, the Casio G-Shock DW9052-1V is an icon. Available for less than a hundred bucks, this watch defines simplicity and functionality. You get a highly durable design, 200-meter water resistance, alarms and stopwatches, and even an LED screen that lights up at night. Come rain or shine, this is one watch you’re going to love having on your wrist.
| Movement | Quartz |
| Diameter | 48.5mm |
| Strap Type | Rubber |
| Water Resistance | 200 meters |
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Reliable in most weather conditions
- Excellent for surface water sports
Cons
- The band isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Citizen Watches AW1361-10H Eco-Drive Avion
A Functional Japanese Quartz Watch
Citizen is one of the top brands to go to when looking for the best watches for men under $200. The AW1361-10H Avion is a testament to this fact. Sitting just under the $100 price point, this wristwatch features a vintage design embedded into a stainless steel case.
Using a Japanese quartz movement, it tells the time accurately, and its three-hand analog display features luminous numbers and excellent detailing. While the water resistance isn’t the best, its five-year warranty makes for a reliable form of purchase security.
| Movement | Japanese Quartz |
| Diameter | 45mm |
| Strap Type | Leather |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
Pros
- Luminous characters
- Uses eco-drive technology to convert light to energy
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- The leather strap can be too thick and may not loop around easily
Seiko Men’s SNK809 Seiko 5 Automatic Stainless Steel Watch
Automatic and Durable
The Seiko Men’s SNK809 Automatic Stainless Steel Watch is a beauty to behold. Featuring a Hardex mineral dial window and a 37mm stainless steel case, this watch is highly comfortable and accurate. Though it’s designed with an analog display, this Seiko watch comes with a precise 21-jewel automatic movement.
You’ll have to shake it horizontally before the initial use. Since this is an automatic watch, it doesn’t use batteries, and you’ll need to wear it frequently to maintain time accuracy
| Movement | Automatic |
| Diameter | 37mm |
| Strap Type | Nylon |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
Pros
- Uses no battery
- Comes with a day and date window
- Highly comfortable and easy to set up
Cons
Casio Men’s G-Shock Casual Watch
The Ideal G-Shock for On-the-Go Use
The Casio Men’s G-Shock Casual Watch is a men’s watch for under $100 that you’re going to love. It’s available in six colors and features a band made out of resin. Just like its sibling above, it’s water-resistant and comes with multiple alarms and a stopwatch. However, there’s much more to this casual watch. It has a battery life of up to 5 years, comes with a world clock, full auto-calendar, shock resistance, and a hand-shift feature.
If you’re someone who moves from city to city and would like to have a world clock, calendar, stopwatch, and more in a timepiece with a long-lasting battery and a solid build quality, this is a great option for under $200.
| Movement | Quartz |
| Diameter | 25.8mm |
| Strap Type | Resin |
| Water Resistance | 200 meters |
Pros
- Water and shock-resistant
- Analog and digital display
- Automatic calendar preprogrammed till 2099
Cons
- Band style may not suit your preference
Michael Kors Slim Runway Stainless Steel Watch
A Classy Dress Watch
Michael Kors is a brand reputed for creating timepieces with excellent aesthetics and comfort, and the Slim Runway Stainless Steel Watch is no exception. A three-handed timepiece, this watch comes with a black dial, Japanese quartz movement, and a 2-year warranty. It’s slim and fits the wrist properly.
With a water resistance of up to 50 meters, this watch will be perfectly safe in light rain as well as for use during short periods of recreational swimming. If you’re looking for a great dress watch for less than $200, this makes for a perfect choice.
| Movement | Japanese Quartz |
| Diameter | 42mm |
| Strap Type | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
Pros
Cons
Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler Field Watch BM8180-03E
Ideal Watch for the Active and Tactical
Are you looking for the best men’s watch for under $200 that can serve as a fashion statement while also portraying your active lifestyle? If so, then the Citizen Chandler Field Watch is one accessory you’ll certainly want to consider. This is a great watch for less than $200 for many reasons, such as its 100-meter water resistance, military-style design, rugged stainless steel case, day and date window, as well as a comfortable canvas strap.
Just like its sibling above, this watch also uses eco-drive technology to ensure that the battery remains active for a long time. With Citizen’s 5-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee, you’ll have no shortage of peace of mind with this purchase.
| Movement | Japanese Quartz |
| Diameter | 37.2 |
| Strap Type | Nylon |
| Water Resistance | 10 meters |
Pros
- Continous recharging thanks to eco-drive technology
- Luminous markers and hands
- Screw-down crown
Cons
- Dates can be unreadable in certain lighting conditions
Tissot Men’s Gent XL Swiss Quartz Watch
A Premium Swiss Watch
If you’re looking for the perfect everyday Swiss quartz watch to buy, the Tissot Gent XL Swiss Quartz Watch is one of the best watches under $200 you can choose. Designed with a black dial, this wristwatch is water-resistant and offers a good feel on the wrist. It’s incredibly accurate and also durable thanks to its solid stainless steel case and strap.
Adjusting and securing this watch is relatively easy, thanks to its folding clasp with push-button. You get up to 100 meters of water resistance as well as a date window. Whether you’re going to a business meeting or a casual get-together, the Tissot Gent XL is a watch that can suit both admirably.
| Movement | Swiss Quartz |
| Diameter | 42mm |
| Strap Type | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
Pros
- Works with most outfit
- Compact and comes in a variety of colors
- Accurate time-keeping
Cons
- May be too big for smaller wrists
Invicta Men’s 8926OB Pro Diver Watch
A High-Performance Watch for Pro Divers
The Invicta Men’s Pro Diver Watch is one that’s focused on providing divers with excellent performance and classic styling. It’s one of the best watches under $200 with an automatic movement and a resilient mineral crystal face. You get luminous hands and markers, allowing you to read the time with ease even in low-light conditions.
It comes with a water resistance of up to 200 meters, and its black unidirectional rotating steel bezel features coin edge detailing, which makes for a superb finish. This watch is a great option if you’re looking for a sporty but classy look.
| Movement | Automatic |
| Diameter | 40mm |
| Strap Type | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 meters |
Pros
- Excellent water resistance
- Great automatic movement
- Offers an ideal fit
Cons
- Accuracy drops over time
- Bezels aren’t the highest quality
Timex Men’s Expedition Field Chronograph Watch
Perfect for Larger Wrists
Do you have a wrist circumference larger than 7 inches? If so, the Timex Expedition Field Chronograph is a solid choice for a watch under $200. This watch features a 20-millimeter silicone strap that can be easily adjusted to fit wrists up to 8 inches wide. It also comes with a date window as well as Arabic numerals and a 30-minute chronograph.
The case of this watch is made out of brass, and with a water resistance of up to 100 meters, it makes for a great option for swimming and snorkeling, though it won’t do well with diving. If you’re looking for a great, inexpensive watch with adjustable bands, this is one of the best sub-$200 watches you can choose.
| Movement | Quartz |
| Diameter | 43mm |
| Strap Type | Silicone |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
Pros
- 30-minute chronograph
- Water-resistant
- Adjustable band
Cons
- Build quality isn’t the best
What to Look For:
Movement Type
Quartz Movement
The quartz movement is common in many watches – both premium and budget models. Timepieces with this movement type are accurate and quite affordable. This movement relies on the electricity supplied by the battery, allowing the wristwatches to require fewer parts to operate. Wristwatches in this category are durable and require less maintenance. However, their movement isn’t as smooth as what you get on mechanical wristwatches.
Mechanical Movement
Mechanical wristwatches are often expensive as they are handcrafted and critically engineered. Using a cold wire spring that’s often wound by hand, wristwatches with this movement operate smoothly and precisely. They don’t use batteries, and they are usually well-made and accurately engineered. However, they require regular winding, can be affected by environmental factors, such as wind, moisture, or dust, and their accuracy often declines as the years go by.
Automatic Movement
Watches with automatic movements are quite similar to those with mechanical movements. The difference between both is that while mechanical watches have to be winded by the user or watchmaker, automatic-movement watches feature a rotor that moves when you move your arm.
They also come with a brake-like device that ensures that the timepiece isn’t over-wound. However, they are expensive, less accurate, sensitive to environmental factors, and need to be stored in a winder when they’re not being worn.
Case Diameter
The diameter of a wristwatch is measured in millimeters. Generally, people whose wrist circumference is between six and seven inches should choose watches with a diameter between 38 and 40mm for men, and 36mm and above for women. Those whose wrist circumference is above seven inches should choose watches with diameters between 44 and 46mm.
Strap Material
Otherwise known as a band, the strap of your watch is another crucial element you want to look at when choosing a watch for under $200. Bands can be made out of metal, leather, or plastic. The right choice for you ultimately depends on your preference, style, outfit, and occasion.
Water Resistance
Another essential factor to look at when choosing the right watch for under $200 is how good it can resist water. While you may not get as much resistance as you would with divers’ watches, most brands offer a water resistance level that will protect your watch during a light rain shower.
For casual watches, ensure that you look out for at least a 50-meter rating, while those who are looking to swim with their watches should go for products with a rating of up to 200 meters.
Conclusion
There are many different options you can choose from when it comes to finding the right watch for under $200. However, the ability to compare them while knowing the pros, cons, and necessary factors to look at is something that will always come in handy. With the tips and product reviews we’ve provided above, you’ll be able to make a better decision when shopping for the best watches for under two hundred bucks.
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