
The 22 MOST AFFORDABLE luxury watches on the market. (New to luxury watches? These are the pieces for YOU!)
High-end craftsmanship is meant to come at a cost. Think of the priceless material and the tedious attention to detail it requires to craft a piece that stands the test of time and ascends to the top of the market.
These big-name brands have earned their title for a reason. You are paying for all of their class, all of their style, and all of their heritage.
That being said, there are some outliers in the market that offer the same level of elevated engineering at a fraction of the cost.
If you are new to the luxury market space or want to learn more, my best advice would be to start small. Or, more specifically, look for high-quality quartz watches as they are notorious for being moderately priced.
My goal for today is to provide you with extraordinary pieces that guarantee you are getting the luxury experience, all from a price pool that you wouldn’t expect.
These are the kind of watches that have been tested and reviewed, with high ratings across the board, ensuring that as we dive in, the features and qualities presented will prove to satisfy your needs as a consumer.
Pay attention to the pieces discussed and be thinking about what your dream watch could look like. Who knows, it could be hiding in this list.
What to look for
Wondering how to choose the right watch for you? Think of your favorite qualities from your favorite watches. It could be the shape, material choice, dial design, or perhaps the brand itself.
Whatever your preference is, out of the 22 watches we will look at today, there is bound to be something you will enjoy. Look out for those qualities, and any other standout feature you can think of.
I hope this list finds you well and I hope you’re able to narrow down your favorite luxury pieces to make your journey through the market all the easier.
Orient Bambino 38mm

Beginning our list is the simple sophistication of the Orient Bambino. This Japanese watch gives off a vintage appeal that mixes well with the blue dial hands, enriching the case with a faint splash of color.
My personal favorite model of the Bambino is the beige-colored dial with a dark brown crocodile strap to further implement that dated look. The stainless steel isn’t too flashy, and it provides an ample view of the F6724 automatic movement, which powers the watch with a reserve of 40 hours.
This is a rather slim piece, measuring 38.4mm in diameter and only weighing 54 grams, so it will appeal to those who prefer smaller dimensions.
The Orient Bambino costs $250-$300.
AX Armani Exchange Chronograph

Armani is unapologetic for making pieces that some will enjoy and some will not. Their designs are bold and stylish, appealing to some who enjoy that extra flavor while deterring others who prefer a much more moderate tone. One thing everyone can agree on, however, is their affordable prices.
The Armani Exchange is a standard Armani piece equipped with stainless steel and measuring 45mm in diameter. It has a sleek, silvery dial, with hands of the same tone, all complementing one another, with three subdials adding more texture to the layout.
Inside, the Japanese quartz powers the piece with a surprising amount of accuracy for the price. Not everyone is expected to gravitate towards the design, but it is an extraordinarily made watch; there’s no debating that.
It’s a different style than the majority of luxury watches you’ll see on the market, and that’s ok. Armani watchmakers are experts at their craft and the level of precision needed to engineer something of this caliber is enough to make me respect them.
The AX Armani Exchange Chronograph costs $139.
Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic

Coming in with a colorful splash is the Tsuyosa Automatic. This debut from Citizen comes in a 40mm case and a wide variety of colorful dials with a three o’clock date aperture and elegant-looking baton markers.
Inside, the watch features the Citizen in-house caliber 8210, visible through the open case back so that its wearer can view the 21,600 vph beauty that houses 40 hours of power reserve. It’s obvious that colorful variety is what Citizen was going for here, and they did not disappoint.
Wearers get five variations of dials (black, blue, green, yellow, and turquoise), each providing their unique flavor aesthetic to spice up the rest of the piece.
Overall, this is a very simple watch that seems like it was made for everyone. The multitude of colors will attract fans of all different styles, and the straightforward structure of the dial will satisfy most Citizen fans.
The Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic costs $360.
Bulova Marine Star
The Marine Star aims to capture a very modern appeal with its deep blue face. Upon first glance, you are immediately enthralled with the high-detail aesthetic brought forward by the three different subdials and the pointy sword hands that demand their own level of attention.
The stainless steel is smooth, and the bracelet is tight, but this watch measures rather large, with a diameter of 43mm and a thickness of 13mm.
The chronograph features really serve the watch in terms of symmetry, giving a well-rounded, polished look that will appeal to many diver fans, as the textured sides complement the design to perfection.
The Bulova Marine Star costs $330.
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time

In 2017, Seiko came out with the Presage Cocktail Time series, offering an expanded collection of cocktail-inspired 40.5mm dress watches with bright, sunburst dials.
Seiko is no stranger to making gorgeous dials that steal the show; these intricate dial patterns are reminiscent of a cut-glass cocktail tumbler (which was the intention), and the unique colors catch your eye almost immediately, with a glossy finish to completely change the entire look depending on your lighting conditions.
The hour markers are simple, serving the purpose of complementing the dial even more, and the large, plain numbers blend nicely with the diamond-esque shape and pattern.
The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time costs $340.
Timex x Todd Snyder MK-1 Amalfi
Timex and Todd Snyder continue their wonderful partnership to deliver us the MK-1 Amalfi, a 36mm beauty with a cream dial and gold-hand indexes that make for perfect everyday wear.
This is a sporty watch through and through as it looks to be meant to be worn on the green, hitting golf balls with business associates.
It has a very conservative and laid-back aesthetic, as it is supposedly inspired by Mediterranea vacations. The hand-wound mechanical movement further testifies to that casual vibe, as those who prefer a more casual, less demanding presence on the wrist will undoubtedly be drawn to this piece.
The Timex x Todd Snyder MK-1 Amalfi costs $239.
Hamilton Khaki Field Watch

The history of field watches is highlighted by the Hamilton Khaki. This rugged, durable, accurate, and good-looking watch is a certified classic, as its simplicity has transcended the years, continuing to satisfy customers no matter what is in style.
There is no date window; this watch doesn’t need one. There’s only the time with 24-hour “military time” markers which is a callback to the military heritage this watch hails from. The measurement is simple as well, coming in at 38mm, and the hand-wound movement is easy and precise, prioritizing utility as well as style.
The Hamilton Khaki Field Watch costs $488.
Tissot T-Classic PRX

Tissot has become world-renowned for producing top-tier, authentic Swiss watches for a marginal cost. This PRX, for example, comes in a perfectly balanced 39.5mm case, affirming a modest taste while being bold enough to appear fresh.
The steel and navy color scheme is fit for any attire, serving as an everyday piece and as a true luxurious statement.
Where the piece shines is the quartz movement, which is why Tissot is able to list these kinds of pieces at the prices they do. The simple winding doesn’t demand any high-tech intricacy, allowing Tissot to focus on the quality and style of the aesthetic, giving that iconic Swiss-made apparel.
The Tissot T-Classic PRX costs $350.
Seiko Presage SRPG05

This sleek piece is part dress watch and part dive watch, combining the best features from both, throwing in a sleek vintage look that is easy to style with suiting and also looks great with casual attire. This is one of those pieces that will compliment anything you wear, giving no real reason to ever take it off.
It comes in a traditional 40mm diameter, giving a familiar ruggedness that reminds you of its diver roots, with a waterproof edge that lets you feel safe while wearing it. This is Seiko at its best, producing a piece fit for everyone with an objectively elegant aesthetic. I wouldn’t be able to tell you somebody this watch isn’t for.
The Seiko Presage SRPG05 costs $374
Citizen Promaster Dive

Funny enough, the Citizen Promaster Dive is technically marketed as a women’s watch, but men will have no problem fitting this beauty on, it may just wear a little tighter.
Measuring 37mm, this watch isn’t even the smallest piece on this list, and it has a 200m dive rating, which is very rare for a standard women’s piece.
The soft, flexible band is very appealing to those who enjoy aquatic adventures, and the Solar Quart movement gears this piece up for the ultimate outdoor experience. The design is beautiful as well, with a navy blue dial and stubby sword hands that blend nicely with the larger indices.
The face is highly visible, which causes hardcore divers to love it. Both men and women can enjoy this watch while sailing the seas or traveling beneath them. It’s something everyone can appreciate.
The Citezen Promaster Dive costs $300
Invicta Pro Diver Quartz

Here we go. The Invicta Pro Diver is one of those pieces that make you go “wow.” This thing is bold; it’s out there, and you either love it or you don’t. Seeing that two-tone watches were out of fashion for an extended amount of time, their triumphant return has been very welcome, and Invitca has taken advantage.
A richly colored blue dial brings together this gold and silver look, giving a royal essence to the aesthetic. The quartz movement is solid, and the 43mm case size makes every feature stand out even more.
If I could describe this piece in one word, it would be “fun.” That’s it. It’s not for everyone, but those who it is for will very much enjoy it.
The Invicta Pro Diver Quartz costs $149.
Frederique Constant Classics Quartz

Another Swiss-made watches to add to this collection, the Frederique Constant comes in a beautiful, inky black dial with silvery-white hands that blend perfectly with the silver case.
The leather strap matches the tone of the dial, all held together by a simple quartz movement that is yet again the reason for the extremely affordable price.
This watch also has subdials, which add a little more detail to the pallet, and the Roman numeral indices will appeal to those die-hard Cartier fans who want to feel like they’re getting a similar experience. With a 39mm diameter, this piece screams simplicity, with nothing too wild sticking out, adding to the appeal all the more.
The Frederique Constant Classics Quartz costs $650
Oris Divers Heritage Sixty-Five Automatic
Switching gears to an elevated price pool, we have the Oris Divers Heritage, a much more traditional luxury watch at a price you would expect.
While these next few watches will be more expensive than the ones previously discussed, please keep in mind that everything on this list is relatively “cheap.”
This is a very expensive industry, and when you’re dealing with pristine materials and flawless engineering, the price will absolutely reflect that.
With that being said, the Oris Divers Heritage Sixty-Five Automatic rounds out to about $2,000. It holds onto the iconic high-quality craftsmanship that Oris is well known for, and it is powered by the Swiss automatic Orient caliber 733 with a power reserve of 38 hours.
The classic dial will please long-time Oris fans as its simplicity breathes a sporty essence into the already refined aesthetic, and the bezel takes a classier approach that rounds out the entire design.
As I said before, the Oris Divers Heritage Sixty-Five Automatic costs $2,000
Omega De Ville Prestige

This classic is a fundamental beauty that ranks among my absolute favorite dress watches of all time. It features a very preserved and laid-back aesthetic, with a silvery-white theme that checks all of the boxes.
The dial is sleek, the hands are elegant, and the 40mm case is beautifully polished to give it that nice shine.
It also boasts an extremely powerful 27-jewel COSC-certified movement with co-axial escapement to give it a healthy power reserve of up to 55 hours. What can I say? I’m a sucker for steel on steel and for Omega in general. This watch just speaks to me.
The Omega De Ville Prestige costs $4,900
IWC Pilot’s Automatic 36

IWC is world famous for its pilot watches. First developed over 80 years ago with the goal of providing a reliable instrument for airborne navigation, IWC has only evolved its design, bringing us masterpiece after masterpiece.
This version features a jet-black dial with a stainless steel bracelet. Nothing too extreme, but the aesthetic is very neat and orderly, providing a very compact appeal that goes quite nicely together.
As the name suggests, this is a fairly thin watch, measuring only 36mm in diameter, so those of you who gravitate toward smaller measurements will most likely find this more appealing than previous IWC Pilot designs. And, of course, what is a Pilot watch without the iconic plane symbol engraved on the case back? This watch is a beauty.
The IWC Pilot’s Automatic 36 costs $5,600
Cartier Ronde Must De Cartier

With Roman Numerals, blue apple-shaped hands, a winding mechanism with a sapphire crown, and a rail-track minute circle, The Ronde Must De follows the classic staples of a Cartier design. The case is made of stainless steel, and the dial is a smooth white, serving as a beautiful contrast to the dark blue hands.
This piece is electrifying and is one of the cheapest Cartier pieces I have ever seen; it is seriously worth considering if you’re in the market for a prestigious watch.
Cartier saves money with a traditional quartz movement, but that doesn’t take away the fact that they’re the second highest-selling Swiss watch brand in the world, so if you find a piece like this with a price this low, it’s seriously worth taking a closer look at.
The Cartier Ronde Must De Cartier costs $3,300
Grand Seiko Snowflake

This list would feel incomplete without adding the cheapest watch from Grand Seiko’s luxury brand, the Snowflake. With the distinct snowflake-like dial that gives the piece its name, this is truly one of the most underrated gems of the watch world and is an absolutely breathtaking work of art.
The gorgeous dial is made even better by the pair of silvery hands that slice along the white surface and—my favorite part—the light blue second hand that perfectly contrasts the entire pallet.
This is another silver-on-silver watch, and as you know, that’s right up my alley. It is a clean, elegant design made by some of the most genius minds in the watch world.
The Grand Seiko Snowflake costs $4,000
Tag Heuer Carrera Date
The Tag Heuer Carrera Date is engineered to satisfy both luxury sports watch fans and those who love dressier pieces.
The stepped bezel fiddles with the light, causing the watch to take different shapes depending on your lighting conditions, and the sunray brushed surface of the dial makes you intently study the impressive display.
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A very silvery aesthetic, this time with a black crocodile leather strap that elevates the look, and with a measurement of 39mm in diameter, you’re getting the perfect size for a watch of this caliber.
The Tag Heuer Carrera Date costs $3,300
Tudor 1926

Often considered Rolex’s direct relative, it makes sense that Tudor would have pieces of the same quality but at a far cheaper price.
The 1926 is well known for its “Rolex-like” features and its miniscule price. What catches my eye the most is the waffle pattern on the dial that provides an extraordinary texture and feel to the entire piece.
I like how it catches the light, and the blue indices were a genius design choice, as they pair well with the detailed layout.
Measuring 39mm, this watch feels much thinner than it actually is, which does wonders for the aesthetic as well. I can’t imagine anything bigger complimenting the design nearly as much. It’s a reserved style. Very beautiful indeed.
The Tudor 1926 costs $2,225
Tissot Excellence

The slim case of the Tissot Excellence is made possible by the ETA 2892 movement that can be admired through the open caseback. This makes the watch extraordinarily comfortable around the wrist with a timeless wear that perfectly represents Tissot’s commitment to excellence.
The 40mm case is made of 18k gold, which is very surprising for the price, and the symmetrical roundness of the design combined with the gorgeous crocodile leather strap will appeal to almost everyone.
The Roman numerals on the dial are true stunners as well, complimenting the golden shade with an equally elevated presence that embodies an extremely luxurious tone.
The Tissot Excellence costs $2,895
Breitling Endurance Pro
This technical marvel is designed to perform in the harshest environment as the thermocompensated SuperQuartz movement serves as the heart of this gigantic unit. As you would expect, this piece is far from subtle, but the quartz chrono feature is too special to leave out of this list.
Fans of sporty watches go crazy for this kind of thing, and it’s easy to see why. The 44mm case is engineered for any obstacle, any environment, and any condition. It can also dive into 100m deep waters, providing high efficiency and sustainability for all of your sporty needs.
The Breitling Endurance Pro costs $3,400
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34

Finally, rounding out our list, we have Rolex in its most simple form, the Oyster Perpetual. This watch is well-loved and well-respected, as it’s the cheapest in Rolex’s catalog, but it also delivers that same swagger and authenticity that this legendary brand is known for.
The Oyster case, Oyster bracelet, and Perpetual no-date movement have become staples in and of themselves, deeming this watch as an all-time classic.
The key to saving money is going for the 34mm, which is technically classified as a women’s watch, but small to medium-wrist-sized men will have no problem slipping it on.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34 costs $5,800
Conclusion
As our list concludes I cannot recommend enough that if you’re in the market, seriously consider picking up one of these pieces for yourself so that you can take advantage of these incredible prices.
These brands have stood against the test of time and have emerged as staples in the industry that continue to innovate and excite with every new release.
I hope I could help you narrow down your search, and if you’re new to the watch world, I hope you have a deeper understanding of what true luxury looks like and what to expect from masterful watch designers such as these.
About Exquisite Timepieces
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