Best cheap watches 2022 Seiko to Casio

The best cheap watches with serious grail appeal

Don't be fooled into thinking a cheap watch tin can't be a great lookout. From the Seiko 5 to the CasiOak, nosotros choice the classics of the grade that GQ editors love

Whether you lot're in search of the perfect first watch, desire an analogue alternative to your smartwatch or a hypey addition to your existing drove, the horological globe has you catered for. Although it's easy to succumb to the notion that a men'south watch should be expensive, that'south got a lot more to do with marketing fluff than anything else. From M-Daze to Swatch and Tissot, some of the well-nigh celebrated timepieces of recent years have been available for well under £500, and that includes both mechanical and quartz watches.

So what should y'all be looking for in a cheap watch? Honestly, the most important thing is to avert those rogue brands that seemingly spend more than on Instagram marketing than they exercise design. Since we've taken intendance of all that with our edit below, we'd worry less about lineage or movements and more about skilful old fashioned aesthetics. Brightly coloured swoop watches, cheeky chronographs and slick takes on the stainless steel bracelet trend are all catered for below. So accept a look and find what suits yous.

  • Seiko 5

    Seiko 5

    Since its launch in 1968, the Seiko v has become ane of the coolest, and most affordable, sport watches of all time. The past fifty years have seen numerous designs of this workhorse timepiece, but ever with five main features: a robust movement, a durable example design, automatic winding, h2o resistance, twenty-four hours and appointment display and a recessed crown at four o'clock. Reintroduced in 2019 with the tagline "Built-in in the Sixties, redesigned for now", the cases are bigger at 42.5mm, new strap options include Nato-manner bands and Milanese bracelets. £250. At seikoboutique.co.uk & goldsmiths.co.united kingdom

  • G-Stupor GA-2100

    Even in the Thou-Shock'southward storied lineage of hype-laden watches the GA-2100 stands alone. Fondly known every bit the CasiOak, this Audemars Piguet-inspired piece takes enough of cues from the Regal Oak only takes that iconic octagonal bezel in an appropriately rugged management. With a striking analogue-digital display and an interchangeable resin strap, this is a G-Shock that'southward honey by watch nerds and streetwear obsessives. £99. At g-stupor.co.uk

  • Hamilton Khaki Field

    Although they are made in Switzerland today, Hamilton watches still retain the American spirit that fabricated them famous. Originally based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the inspiration for the electric current line of Khaki Field watches dates dorsum to the war machine timepieces made by the make in the 1940s. Robust and elegant, the 38mm black-coated, stainless-steel example of this latest piece has a black punch with white lacquered hands that are highlighted with sand-coloured Super-LumiNova. The watch is powered past a mitt-wound movement and its military styling is reflected in its practical, blackness Nato-manner strap. £465. At hamiltonwatch.com & watchshop.com

  • Tissot PRX

    A perfect means to leap on the stainless steel sports watch tendency that's dominated Insta feeds and auction houses akin in the by year, Tissot's effortlessly cool PRX is the all-time '70s revival we've seen since Led Zeppelin's short-lived comeback. Conspicuously both the blockbuster AP Royal Oak and Patel Phillipe Nautilus take proved an inspiration on this integrated bracelet design, but there's no denying this timepiece is a existent charmer in its own right. In that location are automated and chronograph variants available too if you don't mind spending a picayune extra. £295. At tissotwatches.com & goldsmiths.co.united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland

  • Citizen Promaster Diver GMT

    A satisfyingly chunky dive watch on a rubber strap, the Citizen'south Promaster Diver GMT takes the electric current emphasis on "light-green horology" to centre: the brand's Eco-Drive technology ways the picket runs sustainably on light. That means you'll never have to wind it upwardly or alter the battery. A screw-down case dorsum and crown guarantee h2o resistance to a decent 200m and the robust titanium instance and anti-reflective sapphire crystal over the dial make this a perfect companion if you lot're heading into the bluish depths of the sea. Or if you want, yous know, a practical scout for twenty-four hour period-to-twenty-four hour period use – whichever you like. £449. At citizenwatch.co.great britain & goldsmiths.co.uk

  • Casio A700WEG-9AEF

    Less of a spotter and more of a religion, the golden Casio is to horology what chips are to Michelin-starred dining: the ultimate in feelgood contrarianism. £44.90. At casio.co.u.k. , watchshop.com and argos.co.u.k.

  • Orient Bambino

    It might not have the cachet of fellow Japanese brands Casio or Seiko, but Orient'southward delightfully affordable watches have quietly fabricated a proper noun for themselves in contempo years - even though its roots become dorsum to founder Shogoro Yoshida's first Tokyo store in 1901. A clean and punchy dress lookout man with enough of personality, the Bambino is our pick of a charmingly dependable drove. Especially in this luminous blueish. £123. At amazon.co.uk

  • Mondaine EVO2

    Inspired by the clock face showtime developed for Swiss Federal Railways in 1944, there's a history and pedigree to Mondaine watches that you don't unremarkably find at this price. Instead of sticking with the traditional white dial and black minute indentations, this EVO2 model flips the script to hit effect. £151. At mondaine.com & jurawatches.co.uk

  • Swatch Clearly Gent

    Few watch brands have as richer back catalogue as Swatch, and so the Clearly Gent is a revival of one of its earliest hits: the transparent Jellyfish. Such was that timepiece's iconoclasm, it even earned itself a spot in MoMa's permanent drove. With a case that's made from bioceramic - a plant-derived plastic and ceramic hybrid - the Conspicuously Gent has some sustainably-minded credentials for the modernistic 24-hour interval also. £62. At swatch.com

  • Bamford Mayfair

    When Bamford Lookout man Department's customers were having their timepieces repaired, the company would lend them a "service" spotter to occupy the temporarily vacant space on their wrist. Problem was, these watches themselves were so nicely designed, people wanted to hang on to them. Eventually BWD decided at that place was only ane thing for it: to starting time selling their own Bamford London watches. Having launched in 2017, the line has expanded to embrace models with GMT and appointment complications. Just our favourite remains the original Bamford Mayfair, which is satisfyingly faithful to the service lookout that started information technology all, simply is now available in a multitude of punch, instance and strap combinations. £425. bamfordlondon.com & goldsmiths.co.united kingdom

  • Zeon Ltd

    Braun BN0265 Chronograph

    If award-winning aesthetics are your affair, then Braun could be the perfect brand for you. Ane of the most contempo accolades for the office-led, Bauhaus-inspired company is an iF Blueprint Honour for the 2019 BN0265 Chronograph. Attached to a charcoal-hued, molded leather strap, a 40mm matte steel case houses a grey concave dial with slim black hands. In Braun's signature primary palette, the yellow chronograph hands and reddish chevron date indicator add together the simply touches of colour on this clear and practical quartz timepiece. £258. At amazon.co.great britain

  • March Lab Seventy Electrics

    Made in France and developed between offices in Los Angeles and Biarritz, March Lab watches combine a Californian spirit with a French eye for detail. Very much at the brand's entry level, the Seventy Electrics is available in six dial colours, two case options and with a choice of three straps. The 36mm stainless-steel case frames a simple vertical-brushed dial, specially eye-catching in the company's signature green. The unproblematic and retro feel of the lookout is enhanced past the perlon strap made from plaited nylon. £179. march-lab.com

  • Spinnaker Dumas

    How do nosotros honey the Spinnaker Dumas? Allow us count the means. There's the beautiful 1970s dive watch styling, the 300m h2o resistance, the hard-wearing octagonal steel example, the unidirectional bezel, the Super-LumiNova markers and hands, the Seiko move, the exhibition caseback, the Milanese bracelet and the fact that it honours the diving pioneer Frédéric Dumas… Yup, information technology'southward quite a package. £315. At spinnaker-watches.com & jurawatches.co.uk

  • Apple Lookout SE

    Besides known as the budget-friendly Apple Watch, the SE is best thought of as an expert fitness tracker that can also tell the time. Of class, it comes with all the usual smartwatch tricks you lot'd look with a range of customisable faces, thousands of genius apps and the ability to keep tabs on all manner of workouts. Pair with a coloured silicone strap of your selection and you have a gym buddy for all seasons. £217. At amazon.co.united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland

  • Timex M79

    Timex has upped its cool factor over the by few years past reissuing certain archetype models such as the 1960s Marlin, as well as collaborating with manner and streetwear brands such as Ruby Fly, Todd Snyder and Encephalon Dead. A recent, noteworthy add-on to the collection is the gorgeous M79, a new take on the 1970s Q drove, which brings in to play a very contemporary use of colour, offering Timex'southward interpretation on the unidirectional and aptly named black-and-blueish "Batman" bezel. An automatic motion, luminescent material on the hands and indexes, a twenty-four hour period-appointment indictor at three o'clock and a deliciously retro woven steel bracelet all make this one not to be missed. £249. At timex.co.britain & watchshop.com

  • Briston Clubmaster

    When Briston launched in Paris retailer Colette half dozen years ago, the make'south stylish and accessibly priced watches took the globe by storm. Achieving an ideal blend of sporty, chichi and contemporary, Briston uses innovative materials such as cellulose acetate – more than commonly seen in eyewear – colour and modern flourishes such as its Nato-fashion strap to create a truly standout production. And, in the deepest shade of purple – or Central Grape, to give it its full name – the 40mm, quartz-powered, absorber-shaped Clubmaster chronograph is a watch that is sure to turn heads. £265. At jurawatches.co.united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland

  • Bulova Chronograph A 'Surfboard'

    Bulova's Accutron was the world'south get-go electronic wristwatch when it hit the market in 1960 and the brand's vaults incorporate all mode of other wonderful designs, not least the Chronograph A, which dates dorsum to the 1970s. Last year, Bulova released an updated version. The spotter, which was known as the "Surfboard" for the recognisable oval motif on its punch, is quartz-powered and therefore much more affordable than an original, but yet retains all the older model'south colourful 1970s touches. £449.bulova.com & jurawatches.co.uk

  • Marloe Watch Visitor Coniston Vulcan

    Founded in 2015, British-based Marloe Watch Visitor has created 6 mechanical timepiece collections, each telling a story of adventure and endeavour. Powered by a Japanese Miyota hand-wound motility, the 40mm Coniston takes inspiration from the English lake on which Sir Malcolm Campbell, and subsequently his son, Donald, set their water-speed records. The Vulcan model uses a military grayness for its base colour, while turquoise highlights are supplied through the seconds hand and logo. The hands and dial's sunken mid-section are coated in a luminous material, providing a brighter manner to read fourth dimension in darker conditions. £299. At marloewatchcompany.com

  • Certina DS Caimano

    This is a lot of picket for not a lot of money. Not but are you getting a serious Swiss brand with a heritage stretching dorsum over 130 years, simply also 100m h2o resistance, a date complication and a dash-cutting sunray anthracite dial. What's more than, inside this elegant number is a loftier-precision Precidrive quartz calibre. Want. £295. At certina.com & jurawatches.co.united kingdom

  • Elliot Brown Watches Canford

    A company created through the passion of ii men, Elliot Dark-brown watches are known for existence robust and fit for purpose – as proved by the make'south partnerships with RNLI, the Armed Forces and Mountain Rescue England And Wales, among others. The pop Canford collection, famed for its utilitarian blueprint combined with quality craftsmanship, houses a Swiss-made quartz motion in a 44mm steel case, and is water-resistant to 200m. The watch'south chocolate-brown leather strap and navy dial provide the perfect backdrop for hands and indexes that are filled with a pale, green Super-LumiNova. £395. At elliotbrownwatches.com & jurawatches.co.uk

  • Undone Basecamp Cali Vintage

    Undone is a brand that long ago piqued the interest of the scout community but still flies under the radar. The Basecamp Cali is powered by a rock-solid Seiko movement and references the pattern cues of a classic field watch, but there's enough about it that sets it autonomously from the crowd. Well-nigh evidently in that location's the collision of Roman and Arabic numerals (this is known as a California dial, owing to its popularity in the Aureate State during the 1930s), simply also the waffle patterning that takes the whole piece upward a level. £72. undone.com

  • Fossil Grant Automatic

    Ok. And so it's not quite a Hublot Big Bang, but Fossil's Grant Automated showcases the same skeleton aesthetic for a much more reasonable price. Combined with the use of Roman numerals around its dial, its winning clash of past and present makes for a timepiece with plenty of personality. £119. amazon.co.uk

  • Victorinox 'My I.N.O.X.' custom lookout

    Victorinox'southward INOX drove is now available in more than than 15,000 variations cheers to the brand'south new "My I.Due north.O.Ten." project. Choose from three case materials, seven dial colours, fifteen straps and 7 protective bumper colours – and accept the sentry personalised nonetheless further with engraved text. The sentry itself is – as you would expect from Victorinox – built for the outdoors. It can withstand falls from 10m, pressure of 200m and also the weight of an 8-ton truck (let's promise you never need to examination the latter). Each i comes with a Swiss Army knife in one of seven colours, four of which are exclusive to this serial. From £435. At victorinox.com

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