While the hyper-luxury industry of watches keeps expanding its customer base day after day through brand ambassadors, new concepts, and mechanisms; the other extreme, the entry-level simple watches realm, thankfully does exist. Affordable simple watches are not necessarily inferior in quality to other price ranges. And an expensive watch does not always manage to deliver the best movements, assembling, and design.
When it comes to picking the best simple watch you want to adorn your wrist with, it is a matter of information and choice. There are plenty of watch brands that manufacture exceptional simple watches for under 100 dollars. Timex, Casio, and Swatch are only a few of the giant watch manufacturers that keep feeding the marketplace with affordable simple watches under 100 dollars. If properly maintained, some of them will last for ages. Today we will take a look at some of the best simple watches under $100. Check them below.
Timex Waterbury Chronograph
Timex is a US-based watch brand that has more than 100 years of experience in the watchmaking industry. So rest assured that when purchasing a genuine Timex watch, you are purchasing the best of the best. And the good news is that Timex simple watches come in a price range from 80 up to 300 dollars.
The Waterbury from the Timex Chronograph watches collection comes with a legible dial fitted in a 40mm stainless steel case. The watch features the function of a chronograph, used to measure the elapsed time up to 1/20 of a second. A date window is also available, perfectly positioned at 4 o’clock. Timex Weekender Chronograph is one of the best simple watches under 100 dollars and it can be a great companion for casual as well as semi-formal activities.
Product Specs
- Movement: Quartz
- Functions: Chronograph, Date Display, Indiglo Night-Light
- Water-resistant: Up to 30 meters
- Case size: 40mm
Casio Duro MDV106-1AV
Duro MDV106-1AV from Casio watches got popular when Bill Gates, the tech tycoon, was wearing one of those during a US TV show. The best thing is that the watch is worth something around 60 up to 70 dollars. I know what many of you are thinking. If Bill wore the watch, it is worth having. And you are correct. Casio Duro MDV106-1AV is one of those simple watches whose features exceed the value of the price. See, the watch comes with a quartz movement with 3 years of battery life. It features luminous markers and hours hands, as well as a date window at 3 o’clock. With 200 meters water resistance rating, this simple watch is considered an affordable diver timepiece.
Product Specs
- Movement: Japanese quartz
- Functions: Date, diver’s bezel
- Water Resistance: Up to 200 meters
- Case size: 44mm
Invicta 8932OB Pro Diver
Similar, not to say identical in design with the iconic Rolex Submariner, 8932OB Pro Diver from Invicta is a homage watch that pays tribute to the creation of Rolex Submariner. The design is the only property that connects both watches, and many have applauded the good work of Invicta, while others can’t neglect the similarity.
Above all, this Rolex-looking-Invicta is being sold for a fraction of the price of a Rolex Submariner, and its features can not pass unnoticed. It comes with a Japanese quartz movement from Seiko and the Mercedes-styled hands & hour markers come with luminous material. The watch provides 200 meters of water resistance, however, it is recommended only for short periods of swimming, but not for diving purposes.
Product Specs
- Movement: Japanese quartz
- Functions: Date Display, Diver’ bezel, luminous hands, and markers
- Water Resistance: Up to 200 meters
- Case Size: 37.5mm
Swatch Sir Swatch 19
Swatch is well known by the watch lovers community as a watch brand that likes to experiment with colors and materials. The distinctive designs fitted in reliable movements are what you get from the Swiss watch brand – Swatch.
Sir Swatch 19 for example, is a colorful watch that will make your wrist reflect youthfulness. The strap is on one side green and the other side red. On the dial, if you pay close attention to the emblem, you can read the SWATCH letters placed abnormally under a yellow-colored crown. The watch is battery operated and you can get one to adorn your wrist for less than 100 dollars.
Product Specs
- Movement: Quartz
- Functions: Timekeeping
- Water Resistance: Up to 30 meters
- Case Size: 41MM
Seiko Series 5 Automatic
Next for our simple watches reviews comes Seiko, the giant Japanese watch manufacturer that put the entire Swiss watchmaking industry into collapse, when they invented the world’s first quartz movement, back in 1969. As you all know, Seiko is a reputable watch brand and they have earned a valuable place within the hierarchy of watchmaking.
Seiko Series 5 Automatic, except for being one of the most affordable automatic simple watches on the market, happens to be also reliable and accurate. The watch features a day/date window display positioned at 3 o’clock, with silver-cut hour markers fitted in a white dial. From the mineral crystal glass, you can catch a glance of the luminous coated hour hands. The watch is powered by an automatic self-winding movement, which you can admire from the exhibition case back.
Product Specs
- Movement: Seiko Automatic caliber 7S26
- Functions: Day & Date Display
- Water Resistance: 30 meters
- Case Size: 38MM
Braun Vintage Style Watch
Unlike other watches mentioned in this article, Braun is a microbrand watch that flies under the radar and is unknown to the masses. Many watch enthusiasts value Braun watches for their simplicity and functionality. If you are looking for unique and affordable simple watches, Braun watches are where you should start your search. Braun has been around for almost a century now, however, their journey began as a radio manufacturing company in the 20s. Later in the 1980s, Braun started manufacturing watches, digital watches, and calculators.
The simple watch we have picked features a minimalist design with a white dial fitted in a 40mm stainless steel case. The watch is battery-operated, the quartz movement of who is responsible for the accuracy of a date function and timekeeping. And if by any chance you are a fan of stylish Milanese bracelets, this is the watch for you.
Product Specs
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Functions: Date Display
- Water Resistance: Up To 50 meters
- Case Size: 40mm
Citizen BF2011 – 51EE
Priced slightly above 100$ (hope you won’t mind), the Citizen BF2011 – 51EE is a great choice if simplicity is what you’re looking for in a watch. It runs in batteries, has a day/date function, and is resistant to water for daily usage. And it is manufactured from a respected and reputable watch brand like Citizen is. Its clean design makes the watch ideal to be used in different settings, from casual to formal events. It is indeed, one of the best watches you will find at this price range, even worthy enough to sit under the cuff of your tuxedo jacket.
Product Specs
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Functions: Day/Date Display
- Water Resistance: Up to 50 meters
- Case Size: 41mm
Casio Pac-Man 2021 Digital Watch
Actually named Casio A100WEPC-1B, is a Casio vintage-inspired and vivid digital watch that brings to life memories from those good ol days. To honor the world’s most iconic arcade game Pac-Man, Casio made a collaboration and brought to life one of their most-sold vintage models with the pop-culture icon motifs adorning the watch. It is as visually appealing as it is functional. The watch is packed with a dozen functions. Including here a daily alarm, an auto-calendar, a digital chronograph, an LED backlight, an hourly time signal (which you can turn off, of course), and Hour, Minute, Second, PM, Date, Day, Month.
Product Specs
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Functions: Daily alarm – auto-calendar – digital chronograph – LED backlight – hourly time signal
- Water Resistance: Up to 30 Meters
- Case Size: Measuring 32.7mm by 40.7mm
