This is a question that I hear a lot when watches are being discussed. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, on the verge of purchasing your first watch or even seeking to gift one, you will have more than once found yourself asking this very question.

Before we can talk about specific brands, let’s talk about what you mean by “affordable”. If your goal is simply to buy the cheapest watch available then go online, sort by lowest price and you’ll find “watches” available for less than a few bucks. What you really want to ask is: “what watch gives me the best value for my money?”. Now we have two variables that we can use to ascertain which brand might be a good choice for you.

The first variable is money. What is your budget? The term affordable can vary from individual to individual. Based on your means and preferences, set a maximum value, that you will absolutely not exceed. This is the make it or break it amount. Meaning that if you found a watch even one dollar over that amount, you will not buy it. Based on that figure, determine a figure that you would deem affordable.

For example: If your high end value is $500.00, then a 150-300 dollar watch would be an excellent affordable option. If your high end value is 300 dollars, then perhaps a 50-100 dollar watch would be a more desirable option.

The second variable is value. What about this watch is going to make it worth the money that you intend to spend on it. If you ask me there are four main reasons why people buy watches:

1. Status – Do you want people to notice what’s on your wrist and assume certain things about you? While this may seem like vanity, it is a perfectly valid reason to purchase a watch. Individuals in certain roles and situations are held to certain standards and a flashy or recognizable watchbrand can go a long way in presenting certain images.
2. Functionality – Are there specific functions or situations that your watch needs to be able to handle? For example, do you need something that has a stopwatch, date function or perhaps a higher water resistance? All of these can impact the price of the watch that you are considering.
3. Materials and Design – What kind of aesthetic should the watch have and what kind of materials would like it to be made of? Metals, plastics, leathers and other options will impact the look, feel and functionality of your watch, thus also impacting the value that it brings to you.
4. Desirability – How badly do you want this watch? Is it something that you absolutely must have, or not? How badly you want it, compared against the price that you are able to get it for will absolutely affect the value it brings to this equation.

Once you have factored these two variables, you are ready to begin looking at affordable watch options for yourself. One of the following brands is usually one of the first watches worn by most enthusiasts. Most watch collectors will usually agree that the following brands present a variety of watches that cover a range of requirements, with decent build quality and at prices that can satisfy a range of budgets:

1. Casio – Known for its durable and reliable watches, including the iconic G-Shock series and classic digital models.
2. Citizen – Known for their Eco-Drive technology, which is solar-powered, Citizen offers stylish and affordable options.
3. Invicta – Known for their wide range of styles and affordable prices, particularly in their Pro Diver series.
4. Orient – Offers affordable automatic watches with solid build quality and in-house movements.
5. Seiko – Provides excellent value, especially in their entry-level models, with reliable automatic and quartz movements.
6. Swatch – Offers trendy and colorful watches with Swiss-made quality at accessible prices.
7. Timex – Offers a wide range of affordable, durable, and stylish watches, including the popular Weekender and Expedition series.

Does this mean that these are the only affordable options out there? Not at all. These are the brands that are a good starting point as first purchases or even as research first step. Some of these brands or their parent companies also produce other brands that are good options (See article on Seiko brands). Other options include emerging brands or micro brands.

And all of that is still not even considering the used/secondhand market. Through a variety of retailers you can purchase overstock, used and refurbished options that can come at a significant discount when compared to their brand new counterparts.

When it comes to watches, the first step is to determine what you want, and then go find an option that best suits your means.

May there forever be a weight on your wrists and a ticking in your ears!