A nice watch can pull a look together and add an immense level of refinement to an outfit. This list of the 20 Best Watches Under 100 Dollars, although subjective, is meant to provide you with several excellent options in differing styles. These watches come from reputable companies and won’t break the bank.
These best watches under 100 dollars are reliable, sharp, provide an excellent value, and at least one should suit your needs. I have focused exclusively on classic analog timepieces, non-digital, non-smart, in order to maximize the level of refinement and style these watches can have. Other than listing the 20 Best Watches Under 100 Dollars, I have also included a brief history of each company to help guide your decision.
A quick important note: For the “Best Watches Under 100 Dollars”, you will see water resistance described in feet, meters or ATMs (atmospheres). However, if a watch is advertised to be water resistant down to 100 feet, it does not mean that you can dive down 99′ 11″ without problems.
Check out the following table on water resistant claims and the amount of water the watches can truly tolerate. This is an incredibly important factor when shopping for watches. If you are like me and are prone to accidentally leaving your watch on when you hop in the shower, it can be ruined (despite claims of water resistance). I would hate to recommend the best watches under 100 dollars and have them be destroyed by water, so I wanted to include this chart.
20 Best Watches Under 100 Dollars
Timex
In 1854, brass manufacturer Benedict & Burnham began creating brass clocks for the masses. Even then, they had the idea of providing luxury (pocket) watch designs from Europe to the masses in the United States at reasonable prices. This quickly made them into a leading producer of watches and clocks throughout the world.
Although the company fell under hard times in the late 1800’s due to poor marketing, the Benedict & Burnham company, now called the Ingersoll Watch Company, saw promise in WWI. Artillery gunners needed a way to tell the time while simultaneously using their guns. As a result, the midget-pocket watch was constructed into a military issued wrist watch.
In the 1930’s the Ingersoll Watch Company found success by bringing happiness to its customers in the form of Mickey Mouse watches/clocks and eventually changed its name to Timex in the 1950’s.
Today, Timex is known for its reliability and superior designs at reasonable prices, which is why four of the twenty are listed as best watches under 100 dollars.
Timex Weekender Chronograph $58.77
- Diameter: 40mm
- Band Width: 20mm
- Movement: Analog Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 99 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Chronograph, Indiglo Luminous
Timex Men’s Mod 44 $39.00
- Diameter: 44mm
- Band Width: 22mm
- Movement: Analog Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 100 Feet
- Case Material: Brass
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Day and Date Calendar
Timex Southview $57.23
- Diameter: 41mm
- Band Width: 20mm
- Movement: Analog Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 100 Feet
- Case Material: Brass
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Day Calendar, Dial
Timex Expedition Field Chronograph $53.30
- Diameter: 43mm
- Band Width: 15mm
- Movement: Analog Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 330 Feet
- Case Material: Brass
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Chronograph, Indiglo Luminous
ESQ
“Powered by Movado”, ESQ watches boast a 30 year history. With dedication to craftsmanship, ESQ offers quality timepieces at a competitive value.
ESQ places a strong emphasis on precision engineering and modern designs that stretch across all different lifestyles, from refined formal to laid-back casual at sensible prices.
All ESQ watches feature Japanese quartz movements, ionic plating, stainless steel cases/bracelets, and Swarovski crystal accents. (Source)
ESQ Men’s Brown Strap 37ESQE08101A $95.00
- Diameter: 44mm
- Band Width: 21mm
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 165 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Date Function
Invicta
Invicta (Invicta Watch Company), meaning “invincible” in Latin, was founded in Switzerland by Raphael Picard in 1837. Picard’s goal was to bring Swiss quality watches to the masses at affordable prices.
The Picard family owned the company throughout the generations until 1991 . In the 1970’s, Invicta nearly went out of existence during the “quartz invasion” when popular battery operated watches from Casio and Timex took wide swaths of market share from Invicta.
Now, Invicta is owned by a United States company out of Hollywood, Florida, where the CEO, Eyal Lalo, is a third generation watch-maker.
Staying true to its pedigree, Invicta still provides quality watches at affordable prices. (Source)
Invicta 8932OB Pro Diver $59.99
- Diameter: 37.5mm
- Band Width: 18mm
- Movement: Analog Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 660 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Magnified Date Window
Komono
Founded in Belgium in 2009, Komono means “small things”, where the focus is distilling the best parts of culture into its simplest forms. Founders Raf Maes and Anton Janssens pride themselves on cultivating sleek, minimalist designs into their products and adhere to the Belgian tradition of quality and craft. Described as “the perfect blend of vision and timing”, Komono does not disappoint. (Source)
Komono Winston Regal $99.95
- Diameter: 41mm
- Band Width: 18mm
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 100 Feet
- Case Material: Brushed Metal
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
Seiko
Kintaro Hattori founded the K. Hattori clock and watch shop in Japan when he was 21 years old. At 31, Hattori partnered with engineer Tsuruhiko Yoshikawa to establish the Seikosha watch factory in 1892, which today is known as Seiko. After a few years of producing wall clocks, Seikosha produced its first pocket watch in 1895, calling it the “Timekeeper”, to appeal to wider English-speaking audiences throughout the world.
Predicting the rise of wristwatches, the company began producing their first model in 1913. Following a massive earthquake in 1923 that devastated Japan, the Seikosha factory rebuilt and introduced the first watch model with the name “Seiko” on the dial. Seikosha roughly translates to “House of Exquisite Workmanship” in Japanese.
Seiko Men’s SNN241 $98.98
- Diameter: 43mm
- Band Width: 22mm
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 330 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Hardlex
- Special Features: Chronograph
Seiko Men’s SNK803 $65.89
- Diameter: 37mm
- Band Width: 18mm
- Movement: Automatic Self Wind
- Water Resistant Depth: 330 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Calendar
Daniel Wellington
Daniel Wellington is a fairly new watch company that espouses clean, classic, minimalist designs. Perhaps their biggest feature is that each watch face is designed to have interchangeable straps, making for a wide range of styles available.
Daniel Wellington’s simple lines will ensure that their classic designs can be worn on all occasions for years to come.
Daniel Wellington Classic Black St Mawes $94.00
- Diameter: 36mm
- Band Width: 18mm
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 100 Feet
- Case Material: Rose Gold
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Unisex
Citizen
In 1918, a jeweler from Tokyo, Kamekichi Yakamazi, began the Shokosha Watch Research Institute, where pocket watches were the main focus. In 1924, the first commercial model, “Caliber 16”, pocket watch went into production under the name “Citizen”.
After WWII devastated the Japanese watch industry, company president Eiichi Yamada sought to expand overseas and created the Citizen Trading Company. With a strong emphasis on technological advancement, the Citizen Trading Company was a leader in Japanese watch innovations.
In 2008, Citizen acquired the Bulova Watch Company, including its subsidiaries (Wittnauer, Caravelle, Bulova, Accutron) making it the world’s largest watch company.
Citizen Black Ion-Plated Watch $82.49
- Diameter: 40mm
- Band Width: 21mm
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 165 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Date Calendar
Stuhrling Original
With roots dating back to the 1800’s, the Stuhrling Original watch company officially began in 1999. Max Stuhrling IV, great grandson to Swiss watchmaker Max Stuhrling, began the company. Max Stuhrling was a master at complicated watches and worked as a “silent protégé” to Jules-Louis Audemars, producing some of the finest watches of his time.
During the middle of the 20th century, there was no one in Stuhrling’s family actively involved in watch-making, but Max Stuhrling IV rekindled his great grandfather’s efforts. Sticking to his grandfather’s ideologies, providing complicated watches at reasonable prices, Max Stuhrling IV’s Stuhrling Original watches are unique, well-crafted and cutting edge. (Source)
Stuhrling Original Mens Analog Stainless Steel Sport Aviator Watch $99.95
- Diameter: 44mm
- Band Width: 22mm
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 328 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Krysterna Crystal
- Special Features: Luminous, Day Calendar
Skagen Denmark
Danish ex-pats Henrik and Charlotte Jorst moved to the United States in 1986 and began their own watch business steeped in Danish roots in 1989. They found a Danish watch manufacturer that owned a factory in Hong Kong, and the Jorsts began designing their own watches.
After showing their initial watches at a gift fair in New York City, retailers recommended the Jorsts market their watches under their own brand. The Jorsts chose the name “Skagen Denmark”, after a Danish fishing village.
The company rapidly expanded, and by 1998, it was one of the fastest growing, top 250 privately owned companies in the US. By 2012, Fossil Inc. purchased Skagen Designs, Ltd. for 150,000 shares of Fossil stock and $225 million.
Skagen Jorn $65.98
- Diameter: 41mm
- Band Width: 22mm
- Movement: Analog Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 165 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
Skagen Men’s Holst Saddle Leather $83.98
- Diameter: 40mm
- Band Width: 20mm
- Movement: Analog Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 165 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Luminous Hands, Dial Calendars
Skagen Men’s Holst Stainless Steel and Leather $89.00
- Diameter: 40mm
- Band Width: 22mm
- Movement: Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 165 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Dial Calendars
Fossil
Fossil was founded in 1984 by Tom Kartsotis, a Texas A&M dropout. After seeing moderate success in scalping tickets to Dallas Cowboys games, Tom eventually decided that being a 30 year old ticket scalper wasn’t for him. Tom’s older brother, Kosta, worked as a merchandising executive for a large Dallas based department store chain and informed Tom of the profits from moderately priced fashion watches.
Tom sold his share in the scalping business and flew to Hong-Kong. He found a watch manufacturer and brought 1500 watches back to the US. Tom sold the watches to Dallas boutiques and department stores.
The company has since grown and become a licensed manufacturer, designer and distributor for other brands like Emporio Armani, Burberry, Michael Kors, Adidas and several others. (Source)
Fossil FS4813P Grant Chronograph $62.99
- Diameter: 44mm
- Band Width: 22mm
- Movement: Analog Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 165 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Chronograph, Luminous
Fossil Nate Brushed Steel Watch $88.98
- Diameter: 50mm
- Band Width: 24mm
- Movement: Analog Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 165 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Chronograph
Fossil Townsman Chronograph $75.99
- Diameter: 44mm
- Band Width: 24mm
- Movement: Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 165 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral
- Special Features: Chronograph
MVMT
In 2013, founders Jake Kassan and Kramer LaPlante dropped out of college with a dream to shake up the watch and fashion industry. With an online business plan, watch design, and successful crowdfunding campaign, MVMT was born. Through successful marketing, the company went global and has now shipped to 160+ countries. (Source)
MVMT White Tan $95
- Diameter: 45mm
- Band Width: 24mm
- Movement: Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 100 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral Crystal
- Special Features: Calendar Date
MVMT Black Tan $95
- Diameter: 45mm
- Band Width: 24mm
- Movement: Quartz
- Water Resistant Depth: 100 Feet
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial Window Material: Mineral Crystal
- Special Features: Calendar Date
Although there are certainly other great watches under $100, this list of the best watches under 100 dollars should provide a good starting point for your next purchase. The companies mentioned above are some of the best in the market at that price point, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.
If there are some that I missed, feel free to leave a comment!
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Thanks for reading about the best watches under 100 dollars!
-Chris
December 13, 2018
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