Best Affordable Automatic Watches: (2024 Guide & Reviews)

by Emma Watson

Best Affordable Automatic Watches: (2024 Guide & Reviews)

Automatic watches are gaining popularity day by day with both women and men due to their automated mechanism and nature.

These watches require no manual winding to work and instead use the wearer’s motion and energy to wind itself up and work.

The gears of this watch run by the motion and energy of the wearer and automatically start to work instead of requiring regular maintenance of its mainspring.

For an automatic watch to run, you need to wind it at least 30-40 times before it starts ticking.

The best part of this mechanism is that you cannot over-wind the watch as it stops engaging after the designated turns.

The run time of this type of watch is around 30-40 hours and it starts to work as soon as you strap it on your wrist.

Knowing what watch is best for you requires a lot of research and debate and we have done that for you.

If you do not have the time to go over the entire review, we have selected Orient ‘Bambino Version IV‘as the top pick for you that comes with many attributes and specifications.

It is a classy unique watch that is best for both formal and informal occasions and you can check it ours separately for more details of this product.

Which Is The Best Affordable Automatic Watches?

Here are my recommended top 8 Best Affordable Automatic Watches:-

PRODUCT IMAGE

PRODUCT NAME

FEATURES

Buy

Seiko Mens SNK809 Seiko 5 min 2

Seiko Men's SNK809 Seiko 5

Analog dial type
It has a round case shape
It is water-resistant up to 30 meters.

Orient Mens 200 Meter Diving Watch min

Orient Men's 200 Meter Diving Watch

It is water-resistant up to 200 meters.
It has mineral crystal.

Invicta Mens Automatic Watch min

Invicta Men’s Automatic Watch

It has steel and gold stainless steel.
It has luminous hands.

Orient Bambino Version IV

Orient 'Bambino Version IV'

It is water-resistant up to 30 meters.
It has a date indicator.

Vostok Amphibian Wristwatch 710059 min

Vostok Amphibian Wristwatch #710059

It is water resistant up to 200 meters.
The watch movement is both automatic and manual.

Hamilton King Series Automatic Watch min

Hamilton King Series Automatic Watch

It has a 40mm stainless steel case.
It has two dials, a 12 hour and 24-hour inner dial.

Bulova Mens Automatic 98A179 min

Bulova Men's Automatic - 98A179

 It is water-resistant up to 100 meters.
it has a 40-hour power reserve.

Vostok Komandirskie Wristwatch WR 200m min

Vostok Komandirskie Wristwatch WR 200m

It is water resistant up to 200 meters.
It has a graduated rotating bezel.

08- Seiko Men’s SNK809 Seiko 5: (Best Seiko Affordable Automatic Watches)

Seiko Men's SNK809 Seiko 5

First up on our list is the Seiko Men’s SNK809 Seiko 5 Automatic Stainless-Steel Watch with Black Canvas Strap.

This stylish black watch is an analog watch with shiny black straps and white Arabic lettering. Its unique, timeless, and classy.

Seiko has committed to making some of the best unique pieces that incorporate time and art and has been doing so for the past 125 years.

FEATURES:

It offers a wide array of features such as a pull/push crown.

It is an analog watch with a skeleton case back. It has functions like day, date, second, minute, etc. It has a tang clasp and a round case.

The stainless-steel clasp extends and merges with the nylon strap for comfortable wear.


It also possesses a scratch-resistant hardlex crystal. It has luminous hands for easy viewing in the dark. The day and date are also present at the 3 o’clock hand position. It is also suitable for water activities such as swimming and snorkelling.

VERDICT:

It is a good choice for daily wear and the best option for people who like to keep it simple and classy.

Pros
  • Versatile in look.
  • Leather straps that look good when worn with casual outfits.
  • Good watch for its price range.
  • It offers a limited warranty of 3 years.
Cons
  • Straps can get rugged from rough use.
  • Not water resistant.
  • May need to change straps often.
  • Only good for casual wear, not formal or office wear.

07- Orient Men’s 200 Meter Diving Watch: (Best Orient Affordable Automatic Watches)

Orient Men's 200 Meter Diving Watch

The second watch on our list is the Orient Men’s Japanese Automatic / Hand-Winding Stainless Steel 200 Meter Diving Watch.

Since 1950, Orient has been manufacturing these mechanical watches for well over 65 years now.

All the movements are manufactures exclusively in Japan to ensure the highest quality products.

This watch is one from the highly coveted RAY-II collection and a classy silver piece, perfect for all occasions.

The Ray II collection has also been appreciated for two-star qualities in the watches being namely, bo9th the brightness and longevity.

FEATURES:

Some of the features include being a silver analogue watch. It is a water-resistant Swiss Automatic watch.

Since it is water-resistant up to 200 meters, it is good for serious water activities such as snorkelling swimming but not for longer periods of time such as diving.

Its upgrade to 120 clicks has also benefited as it has now improved precision. It is imported and boasts of the Japanese-automatic movement.

VERDICT:

It is a good choice for people who are active in water sports or just want a more formal look at their wrists.

This watch is both sporty and stylish and a must-have for people who prefer a flair with their practicalities.

Pros
  • Improved mineral crystal for more precision.
  • Water-resistant.
  • Can be used in extreme water sports.
Cons
  • Needs to be winded often.
  • Not recommended for casual day-to-day wear.
  • Only 1 year warranty.

06- Invicta Men’s Automatic Watch: (Best Invicta Affordable Automatic Watches)

Invicta Men’s Automatic Watch:

Another good choice in automatic watches is the Invicta Men’s Pro Diver 40mm Steel and Gold Tone Stainless Steel Automatic Watch, Two Tone (Model: 8927).

Invicta is committed to manufacturing watches with flair and practicality side by side.


This resulted in the Pro Diver Family Collection. This watch hails from the Pro Diver Family which makes it as feasible as it is stylish.

Its two-toned look gives it a flourish and its water-resistant properties make it a good choice for both work and play.

FEATURES:

A swiss automatic Japanese automatic watch. It comes in six colours.

It is highly water-resistant, can even be used while scuba-diving and other extreme water sports.

It comes in silver-tone and 23kt yellow gold-plated stainless steel. It also has a uni-directional rotating bezel.

It also features 21 jewels. This watch also boasts of a mineral crystal with a magnifier crystal. The band is adjustable as you can add and remove the links to adjust to wrist size.

VERDICT:

This watch is perfect for those who like a fancier look to their watches. Its water-resistant properties also make it a more popular choice for people into extreme water sports.

Pros
  • Extremely fancy and formal looking.
  • Good for official and festive events.
  • Gold plated.
  • Studded dial.
  • It has a 3 year warranty.
Cons
  • High maintenance.
  • Needs a lot of care to keep up luster and shine.
  • Not good for everyday casual wear.

05- Orient ‘Bambino Version IV’: (Best Orient Affordable Automatic Watches)

Orient 'Bambino Version IV'

Next up is the highly coveted 03Orient ‘Bambino Version IV’ Japanese Automatic Stainless Steel and Leather Dress Watch.

This watch is the most popular and highest-selling from Orient’s Bambino watch collection.

While it bears a strong resemblance to its previous versions, this watch has a tad more fancy tweaks that make it popular among men.

This is a leather Japanese automatic watch more suited to more fancy looks due to its leather straps.

FEATURES:

It has many features that make it a popular choice for purchase. It has a domed crystal look. It uses hand-winding motions.

It has 50-meter water resistance. It also has a date indicator.

This is an imported watch with a 41mm case diameter.

VERDICT:

This watch is more for pomp and show, for people who want a dressier look.

The leather bands lend it a classy look, a perfect accessory for formal events. This is the best choice for people who want style and practicality all in one.

Pros
  • Stylish leather straps.
  • Different coloured variants.
  • A domed, classy shape.
  • Good for everyday use.
Cons
  • Leather straps can wear out faster.
  • Not water-resistant.
  • Long exposure to water can damage it.

04- Vostok Amphibian Wristwatch #710059: (Best Vostok Affordable Automatic Watches)

Vostok Amphibian Wristwatch

Another popular option is the Vostok Amphibian Automatic Self-Winding Russian Military Wristwatch #710059.

This watch is manufactured for the Department of defence of Russia for military use.

The company Vostok became an official supplier of watches to the Department of Defense of the Soviet Union in 1965.

Their venture in crafting military watches earned them many laurels due to it being sturdy, practical watch.

FEATURES:

Due to it being a military watch, it is crafted quite sturdily. It is a self-winding movement with 31 ruby jewels.

It has a nylon strap. It is shock resistant. Its run time is 30 hours approximately. It has a bi-directional bezel function. It has luminous hands and dots.

VERDICT:

It is a more practical option for harsh conditions, hence well suited for the tough training of the army. Not recommended for people who attend more formal events.

Pros
  • Luminous dial for easy viewing in the dark.
  • Can be used roughly in every sport.
  • Can withstand rough conditions.
  • It has a 2-year warranty.
Cons
  • A very rough look.
  • Not good for official, formal events.
  • Nylon can wear and tear easily.

03- Hamilton King Series Automatic Watch: (Best Hamilton Affordable Automatic Watches)

Hamilton King Series Automatic Watch

Another popular item in this list is the Hamilton Men’s H64455533 Khaki King Series Stainless Steel Automatic Watch with Brown Leather Band. This is an extremely classy piece with a cross-stitched leather band that comes in two color variants.

This is a practical choice for those who want a classier look incorporated into their watch.

FEATURES:

Some of the features and specifications of this watch include leather-stitched bands. It comes in two colors. It is water resistant. This watch also has an anti-reflective sapphire dial with a 40 mm stainless-steel case.

The leather bands are comfortable and come in two variants, brown and black. It has an anti-reflective and anti-scratch crystal top. It also has luminous hands for easy viewing in the dark.

VERDICT:

It is a stylish piece perfect for all those formal events. It is suitable only for little water exposure, like swimming, but not long-term exposure like diving and scuba-diving.

Pros
  • A classy leather watch.
  • Good for office use.
  • Buckle and strap mechanism.
Cons
  • Leather straps can wear out.
  • Not water resistant.
  • Long time exposure to water can damage the watch.

02- Bulova Men’s Automatic – 98A179: (Best Bulova Affordable Automatic Watches)

Bulova Men's Automatic

Another one of the top picks in the automatic watches is the Bulova Men’s Automatic – 98A179.

This is one of the most coveted watches due to its style and design. This is a sport style watch from the automatic collection of Bulova.

The company has been operational since 1875 and since then has been creating unique timepieces that are a part of history itself.

FEATURES:

This watch offers many practical specifications; some being the watch being stainless steel in gunmetal. It has a 40-hour power reserve. It has sapphire glass. It is water resistant up to 100 meters. It has a black dial with silver overtones for a classy monochrome look.


It has a double-press deployant closure. It also has an exhibition case back. It has a double push-button release and a round face. The lithium-ion batteries are included with the watch.

VERDICT:

It is a unique timepiece crafted by a company known for its innovation and style.

it is perfect for all occasions. It has synthetic sapphire and is one of the most attractive automatic watches of all time.

Pros
  • Stylish in shape and color.
  • It is stainless steel so fewer chances of scratches and damage.
  • 3-year warranty.
Cons
  • Not suitable for long wear.
  • Long exposure to water can damage the watch.
  • It sometimes does not work at a full power reserve of 40 hours.

01- Vostok Komandirskie Wristwatch WR 200m: (Best Affordable Automatic Watches for small wrist)

Vostok Komandirskie Wristwatch

Another sturdy watch by the same company that caters to the Department of Defense for military use is the Vostok Komandirskie Automatic 24-Hour Dial Russian Military Wristwatch WR 200m.

This classic Vostok model is another bestseller after the ‘Amphibian’ model.

This watch is crafted for the harsh conditions faced by army officials, but its features and design make it popular for civilians as well who prefer a practical watch with less of the flair and more of practicalities.

FEATURES:

Some of the features and specifications of his watch include the sturdy nylon straps. It has luminous hands and dials. It has a dual color strap. It is water-resistant up to 200 meters.

It possesses a self-winding movement with 32 ruby jewels. It has a graduated rotating bezel and a unique 24-hour dial. It also shows the date on the 6-hour hand.

VERDICT:

Due to it being manufactured for army officials, it is equipped to deal with harsh conditions. Good for people who use watches roughly. It can take some time and training to get used to reading the 24-hour dial on the watch as it is different from the standard 24-hour dials in most watches.

Pros
  • This is durable for long wear.
  • Crafted to withstand any harsh environment.
  • Can be used roughly.
  • Can be used in water too.
  • It has a 2 year warranty.
Cons
  • This watch is sporty in look.
  • Not recommended for office wear.
  • Only suitable for casual attire.


Buying Guide:

Buying watches is as fun as it is confusing with all the different varieties to choose from. Some might go for practical classy Seiko watches while others might opt for a bit more pomp and show and go for studded Quartz watches.

Before buying a watch, you should always keep in mind all the attributes you want before making a purchase.

Water-resistant, anti-scratch, there are multiple options to choose from and one should always keep the environment in mind before strapping on the watch.

This guide has all the concerns you might have in mind before selecting a watch that is best for you.

Now let us look at some of the factors which make it a good purchase. To start with the factors:

WATER RESISTANCE:

For a good automatic watch, you should always consider the factor of the watch being water-resistant.

A good automatic watch is considered practical if it is water-resistant up to 100 meters initially.

Some offer more resistance and some less, but good watches range from 100-200 meters of water resistance.

NON-REFLECTIVE TOPS:

Another good aspect of an automatic watch is the type of glass used in the watch. It is recommended that the watch possess a non-reflective crystal top.

This allows for clear viewing even in sunlight and harsh light as the light is not reflected in the viewers’ eyes.

CRAFTSMANSHIP:

One of the most important factors in purchasing a watch is craftsmanship. A good stylish watch is what everyone desires as it looks good on the wrist and adds style to the overall look.

The design and color are important factors to look at alongside the mechanics of the watch.

Now to move on to some of the most frequently asked questions:

Let’s move to FAQs

1). What is the best cheap automatic watch?

there are many options to choose from while buying a cheap automatic watch. All these watches come equipped with many attributes that make them a popular choice for people from all sorts of lifestyles.

Some water-resistant variants might be a tad more expensive than their non-resistant counterparts.

Likewise, some brands may sell them cheaper and vice versa.

All good watches and their rates depend on the attributes that come along with them. it is a different experience for everyone however some reasonable brands include Seiko, Bulova, etc.

2). Are automatic watches worth it?

Yes absolutely, automatic watches are worth it. They are easy to work with and are not even remotely high maintenance.

They are also popular with people who are busy and cannot be inconvenienced by winding the watch manually every other week or so.

They work immediately as soon as you strap them on and come in many variants and colors and styles, so you have a lot to choose from. They are not even remotely expensive, so every penny spent is worth it and they also last a long time.

3). Should you wear an automatic watch to bed?

Wearing a watch in bed, automatic or not, is highly inconvenient as it tends to press on the wrist and leaves marks.

While it has no adverse health effects, it is not generally advised to wear it to bed. With that said, some people do wear their watches in bed even for the simple convenience of holding their wrist up and watching the time should they ever wake up in the idle of the night due to any reason whatsoever.

It is a solely personal preference if you decide to wear your watch to bed or not.

4). Is wearing a watch all the time bad?

Wearing a watch all the time is not bad at all. If you wear it on formal occasions and then also decide to wear it when you come back home, it is not something offensive or bad at all.

Watches are a unique accessory that looks good with everyone despite the gender and age and they offer a style to the overall look that cannot be replaced with any other alternative accessory. make sure to take it off while showering or any other strenuous activity to avoid damaging it.

5). Does wearing a watch make you more attractive?

Yes, indeed it does. A wristwatch is a unique accessory that looks good on any person of both genders of any age. A good watch can lend your outfit the classy look it deserves and highlights your good taste in dressing.

So, in retrospect, it makes you more attractive as people appreciate the good taste in dressing.

Conclusion:

Now that you are done with the buying guide, it will hopefully help you in deciding the best choice for yourself. This guide will now enable you to select your favorite from the list of the top-ranked automatic watches.

This guide will give you all the information you need to satisfy all your concerns about the best automatic watches in the market.

Emma Watson

A Professional blogger, Since 2017, I have worked on 100+ different blogs, Now i am a CEO of Watchbuzzy.com. Also, I am a watch Enthusiast.