Automatic watches have been around for a while and they can be pricey, but the great thing about them is that many of them offer different features. We're going to talk about some of our favorites in this review.
The "best automatic watches under $300" are a type of watch that can be automatic or self-winding. They're typically found in the price range of under $500.
In This Article...
The Top Automatic Timepieces for Under $500
You've come to the correct spot if you want a high-quality automatic watch but don't want to pay more than $500.
1. Pepsi Diver Seiko SKX009
- Battery-free automatic dive watch featuring two-tone...
- 42 mm stainless steel case with Hardlex dial window
- Japanese automatic movement with analog display
- Five-link stainless steel band featuring fold-over clasp with...
- Water resistant to 200 m (660 ft): In general, suitable for...
The SKX009 Pepsi, a beloved vintage Seiko, is the ideal automatic diving watch for people seeking the best value.
Its self-winding watch, powered by Seiko's workhorse 7S26B automatic movement, is very dependable and well-protected in this stainless steel casing. It has a screw-down crown, a 200-meter water resistance range, and may be used safely when diving. Along with the highly visible lume on the hands and hour markers, the shielded offset crown is another distinguishing feature of many of Seiko's dive watches.
With this watch, you may choose between a rubber band and a metal bracelet. One is definitely intended for diving, while the other is more or less intended as a dress accessory. Who can be upset when a mechanical watch is available for less than $500?
- automated Japanese movement
- Crystal Hardlex
- 3 o'clock day/date function
- Case and band made of stainless steel
- 200-meter water resistance (660ft)
- Size of case: 42 x 12 mm
2. Alpinist Seiko SARB017
- Automatic Movement with 50-hour power reserve
- Sapphire Crystal and Inner Rotating Compass Ring
- Japanese-automatic Movement
- Case Diameter: 39.5mm
- Water resistant 200m (660ft): in general, suitable for...
The Alpinist is another another classic from Seiko's extensive selection of automatic watches. Even though they are harder to get these days, mechanical watches are still quite popular, particularly because most modern watches are quartz.
This distinctive dress watch has an automatic movement and a green face with gold hands and hour markers. To cap it all off, there is a useful compass ring around the boundaries and a chic brown alligator leather strap.
Seiko have also added a quality Sapphire stone to this watch, something you rarely see at this price point. As well as 200m of water resistance, so you can certainly get this wet. Although, with a leather strap, I would not take it for long in the water!
- automated Japanese movement
- Sapphire stone
- 3 o'clock date function
- Case and band made of stainless steel
- 200-meter water resistance (660ft)
- Size of case: 38 x 11 mm
3. II Orient Mako
- Mineral crystal
- Crown:Screwed-down.120-Click unidirectional bezel
- Japanese-automatic Movement
- Case Diameter: 41.5mm without crown. Lug width - 22 millimeters
- Water Resistant 200m (660ft): in General, Suitable for...
The Orient Mako, which costs around $200, is arguably a touch too inexpensive for our list, but it still merits a spot.
Orient has always been a competitor for the most cheap and feature-rich automated diver on the market. This automatic watch includes both hand-winding and hacking in addition to its own internal automatic movement.
Of course, it also has a 200-meter water resistance rating for divers, so it can undoubtedly withstand the test. To ensure that, they incorporated a screw-down crown and caseback!
Many people like this recognized, enduring, and classic automatic diving watch. It is available in a variety of hues, and the Orient and the Ray are siblings that you may wish to compare in this article I prepared.
- automated Japanese (Orient caliber F6922)
- crystal mineral
- 3 o'clock day/date function
- Case and band made of stainless steel with folder-over safety
- 200-meter water resistance (660ft)
- Size of case: 41 x 13 mm
4. Oriental Baby
- ORIENT BAMBINO V2: Our 2nd Gen Bambino mens automatic watch...
- AUTOMATIC MENS WATCH: These leather band watches for men have...
- QUALITY MATERIALS: Our Orient bambino gen 2 watch is crafted with...
- GIFTS FOR MEN: If you are looking for gifts for dad, gifts for...
I have already written about the whole Bambino line from Orient since it is so large.
It is a line of dress watches that are quite inexpensive and are all automatic. A very basic white dial with silver markings, such as this one, is one option. Alternately, you could go all out and add a sub-dial labeled "tiny seconds" or an open heart that is partly skeletonized to reveal the inner workings.
With the addition of two more dial variations this year alone, Orient has continued to grow its collection. So, you may not need to go too far if you're looking for a dress design automatic watch.
- Automatic Orientation (Caliber F6724 with hacking and hand-winding)
- Domed crystal mineral
- 3 o'clock date function
- Alligator leather strap and a stainless steel case
- 30m of water resistance (100ft)
- Size of case: 40 x 12 mm
5. President of Orient
If an automatic watch with a little bling is what you want on your wrist, but without affording a Rolex that Trump would wear, then the President of Orient is the go. It is very much like the Rolex that it takes its cue from (of which there are many homages I have covered here).
Once you recognize the president, you can easily identify it thanks to the fluted bezel and full day window at 12 o'clock. Additionally, they are often made entirely of stainless steel in either silver, gold, or a mix of those colors. Most of them are provided by Orient.
This automatic watch with 40hrs power reserve, also comes with a Sapphire stone and crystals for hour markers, just to give it a touch more bling!
- Automatic Orientation with 40hrs power reserve
- Sapphire stone
- Date at 3 o'clock, Day at 12 o'clock.
- Case and bracelet made of stainless steel
- 100m water resistance (330ft)
- 36 x 11 mm for the case
6. Hamilton Khaki Field King Automatic
Few people are aware with the Hamilton brand, although they make exceptional automatic watches that cost more than $500. Depending on where and when you purchase it, you may be able to get The Khaki Field of Hamilton King for less than $500.
If you prefer or work in 24-hour time, you will appreciate Hamilton's addition of two rings of hour marks. Additionally, there is a stylish crown-guard, which is often seen on diving watches.
The in-house H-40 automatic movement is a quality piece of craftsmanship and has 80 hours of power reserve, something you almost never see. Especially in this price range. And of course, being Hamilton, you also get a Sapphire stone and a quality stitched leather strap.
The Khaki Field of Hamilton
Review of the Khaki King Automatic in its entirety.
- H-40 Hamilton internal automatic with 80 hours of battery life
- Sapphire stone
- Leather strap with stitching and a stainless steel case
- Day/Date function begins at 12:00.
- 50-meter water resistance (165ft)
- 40mm case size
7. Maximilian Maverick
- RUBBER STRAP. A smooth rubber strap with chain-like links wraps...
- SWISS MADE. This Swiss Made watch features a unidirectional...
- LUXURIOUS MASTERPIECE. The Maverick watch is a timeless piece...
- WATCH DETAILS. 43mm. Military time, date, end-of-life indicator,...
- TRUSTED QUALITY. Watches purchased from authorized retailers...
Yes, the Swiss Army Knife was invented and is currently produced by Victorinox. However, they have recently increased their selection of timepieces and travel accessories.
One of their most well-known automatic watches, the Maverick, comes in a few variations that cost less than or equal to $500. Many of its characteristics, especially the bezel and the crown-guard, are found in diving watches.
However, the cleaner dial and inner ring of 24 hour markings give it a unique appearance. In order to ensure that you don't miss it, Victorinox has also decided to position their date window at 6 o'clock and surround it with a silver border.
View the whole Maverick Review here.
- automatic, Swiss
- sapphire that isn't reflective
- Case and bracelent made of stainless steel
- 16 o'clock: date function
- 100m water resistance (330ft)
- Size of case: 43 x 12 mm
8. Bulova Dress Watch Automatic
- From the Bulova Men's Classic Collection, inspired by vintage...
- 3 Hand, Automatic, Day / Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Mineral Crystal
- 30M Water Resistant and 3 Year Limited Warranty
Bulova also makes relatively inexpensive timepieces, however they don't often have automatic movements. So, it is unexpected to see them provide such a cheap automatic dress watch.
It has a clean black dial with slim, rectangular hour markers and hands. There is a slim day/date window, which is still easy to read. There is a stainless steel case and jubilee bracelet, giving it a very classy look. And Bulova have included a Automatic Swiss movement, which is a bargain at this price point.
If Bulova's offerings appeal to you, you may explore their whole catalog here.
- Automatic Swiss movement
- crystal mineral
- 3 o'clock day/date function
- Case and band made of stainless steel
- 30m of water resistance (100ft)
- Size of case: 42 x 11 mm
9. Original Stuhrling Dive Watch
- Easy to read luminescent baton-style hands and indices, collected...
- Ultra-accurate and reliable Japanese Miyota movement for...
- Fully adjustable triple row stainless steel link bracelet with...
- Water resistant Our Depthmaster Dive Watch is protected up to 10...
- COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY: All Stührling Timepieces include a 2...
When you're on a tight budget, Stuhrling is another name to look at, and this extremely traditional-looking dive watch is a perfect choice.
As with most diving watches (Rolex established the norm with the submariner decades ago! ), this watch's design is not very innovative. But anybody without a large sum of money burning a hole in their pocket would appreciate this automatic watch.
And when you take a look at what you get for the money, it’s impressive. Automatic Swiss movement, 200m water resistance and their in-house Crystal Krysterna which is quite scratch resistant.
- Automatic Swiss movement
- Crystal Krysterna
- Case and bracelet made of stainless steel
- 200-meter water resistance (660ft)
- Size of case: 42 x 13.5 mm
10. Men’s Invicta 8926 Pro Diver
- Stainless steel case 40mm diameter x 14mm thick; Exhibition case...
- NH35A Japanese Automatic movement, 24 jewel; Assembled in...
- Stainless steel band, 205mm L x 20mm W; Band is adjustable by...
- Mineral crystal; Screw-down crown; Unidirectional stainless steel...
This Invicta automatic watch is the last on the list and another diving watch. It is not the inexpensive automatic I would choose first. Personally, I would always choose Orient or Seiko. Nevertheless, it's worthwhile to check out.
It comes with a Automatic Swiss movement and 200m water resistance too, so quite a bargain all in all.
- Automatic Swiss movement
- crystal mineral
- 3 o'clock date function
- Case and band made of stainless steel with folder-over and safety
- 200-meter water resistance (660ft)
- Size of case: 40 x 13 mm
11. Automatic III Tissot (Ref: T0654301603100)
- Movement Caliber: Automatic ETA 2836-2
- Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
- Crystal: Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Crystal
- Dial Description: Silver Dial with Index Numerals
- Water Resistance: 30m/100ft/3bar
The Automatic III from a renowned Swiss watch brand like Tissot is unsurpassed if you're looking for something more in line with a dress watch. It sports a crisp white dial with tasteful silver hour markings and hands. The strap is made of traditional brown alligator leather, which perfectly fits the face.
Of course, it comes with a automatic, Swiss movement you can rely on, and the dial is covered with an anti-reflective Sapphire stone, which at under 500 dollars is a bit of a bargain.
With just a 30m water resistance, this automatic watch is not one you should often get wet, but considering that it is a dress watch, that shouldn't be a major concern.
- Automatic Swiss movement
- Anti-reflective Sapphire stone
- 3 o'clock day/date function
- Alligator leather bracelet and stainless steel case
- 30m of water resistance (99ft)
- Size of case: 40 x 10 mm
The "best automatic watches under $2,000" is a list of the best watches that are available for less than $500. These watches have been chosen based on their quality and features.
Related Tags
- best automatic watches under $1,000
- best automatic watches under $200
- best automatic men's watch under $500
- best used watches under $500
- best swiss watches under $500
