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Teens are exceedingly difficult to shop for. The rebellious years make them especially picky with clothing and style. They don’t have a lot of cash either, and teens with part-time jobs might want something nice, durable, and trendy, without the hefty price tag attached. If this sounds like you, read on to find our best suggestions.
View The Best Affordable Watches for Teenagers Below
1. Michael Kors Men’s Slim Runway Quartz Watch
Our best overall choice is this classic design by Michael Kors. The dark watch face, paired with a sleek, stainless steel chain link band, looks good with any outfit – you also get a choice from seven different colors. It also comes with a 2-year international warranty no matter where in the world you are.
This slim watch has three watch hands to display accurate time with Japanese-quartz movement. The design is waterproof and water-resistant for recreational swimming. However, it’s not recommended for deep water sports. The 44 mm diameter watch case is the perfect size for male wrists.
Pros:
+ It comes with a 2-year international warranty.
+ Japanese quartz movement
+ Water-resistant
+ Stainless steel
Why We Like It – We’re a fan of simple and classic designs. They never go out of style, and they go with any outfit, especially with all the color choices.
2. Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle Smartwatch
This digital watch is simple and straightforward. It’s even compatible with iOS and Android devices! The smartwatch comes with a smart battery mode, which can extend your battery life to great lengths. The rapid charger allows you to charge up to 80% in a single hour. You no longer need to get a fitness monitor separately if you invest in this timepiece.
It helps you to track your heart rate, distance, and it has a built-in GPS. Take phone calls and receive notifications and alerts from your device. If you aren’t a fan of the stainless steel band, you can swap it out with any Fossil 22mm band.
Pros:
+ A digital watch compatible with iOS and Android
+ Smart battery mode
+ The rapid charger makes charging faster
+ Tracks your fitness stats
Why We Like It – We love all the smart features but also how you can switch the band and switch up the style with any of Fossil’s 22mm straps.
3. Casio Classic Quartz Watch
Quartz provides the best and most accurate movement known to watches. The white watch face and black Arabic numbers make this watch easy to read. It’s a tad smaller than the other options, and it’s also a lot thinner as well. This makes it easy to wear under sweaters and jackets without getting caught on the sleeve.
The black resin band makes the style more sporty, and the buckle closure is easy to take on and off. The timeless style is great for any outfit and any age. The lightweight watch is also water-resistant!
Pros:
+ Quartz movement
+ Clearly labeled Arabic numbers
+ Water-resistant
+ Black resin band
Why We Like It – Anything easy to read, lightweight, and comfortable is always at the top of our list. Plus, this watch is an extremely affordable option!
4. Swatch Blue Rebel
Swatch is a renowned and coveted brand for younger generations. We know we had a few in our teenage years! Known for their simple yet versatile designs, the Swatch Blue Rebel adopts their signature plastic design. It’s equipped with a date window and bright green markers.
At 41mm, it’s also a smaller size but sits quite nicely on a male wrist. The Swiss quartz movement keeps the watch on point, and it’s water-resistant up to 30 m. This means the watch isn’t suited for extreme water activities, but simple hand washing is ok.
Pros:
+ Swiss quartz movement
+ Water-resistant
+ Comfortable silicone band
+ Mineral crystal dial window
Why We Like It – This style just takes us back a few years. Swatch always comes out with simple yet innovative designs, and this one is yet another hit!
5. Timex Expedition Classic Digital Watch
Teenagers lead rambunctious and high-energy lives that sometimes need a good and sturdy watch to match it. The nylon fast-wrap strap makes this a great pick-up-and-go option and can fit anyone with a wrist up to eight inches thick! It’s a 100-hour chronograph watch with alarms, 24-hour military time, time zones, and an Indiglo backlight.
There are many colors and strap options, which make it a fantastic choice. It’s highly waterproof up to 100m and works well for swimming and snorkeling but not deep diving.
Pros:
+ A wide variety of colors
+ Fast-wrap strap
+ Comes with many functions
+ Water-resistant
Why We Like It – We always like a watch that can withstand heavy and rigorous exercise and activities. This Timex is a durable watch that can keep up with us is essential.
6. Bulova 96B104
This beautiful design could qualify as a dress watch! With its minimal exterior and black faux croc leather strap, it brings some elegance to the youth. It also comes with a tiny date window right at the 3-hour marker. The stainless steel case is tough and resistant to scratches and corrosion.
If anything does go wrong, you’re covered by the Bulova 3-year limited warranty, so no worries there. It’s a wonderful addition to your assortment of accessories, and the watch is even water-resistant up to 99 feet!
Pros:
+ Stainless steel case
+ Calfskin croc pattern band
+ Shock and water-resistant
+ Japanese quartz movement
Why We Like It – Simple does it with some watch designs. Class up your outfit with this dress watch and never get the date wrong ever again!
7. Seiko 5 Watch
Although this isn’t a digital watch, the style is still military-inspired. Most military-style watches are digital and come with a myriad of functions. This sports watch features a green dial and day and date functions. The smaller design is made to be lightweight and easy to wear, measuring at 37mm.
The analog display is powered with automatic movement, and the watch face is tough, made with Hardlex crystal. Seiko has made their case with stainless steel. The military green watch is waterproof up to 30m (99ft) and is, unfortunately, not suited for swimming.
Pros:
+ Displays 24-hour time as well
+ Military-style watch
+ Lightweight
+ Waterproof
Why We Like It – As this is analog, it’s a fresh take on military watches. As we’re more used to digital options, the more traditional watch face gives us a new perspective.
8. Stuhrling Original Watch
Very similar to the Bulova option, this one from Stuhrling is also of a minimalist design. It’s an extremely thin option that sits flat against your wrist. The leather band provides maximum comfort. The date window is right next to the 3-hour mark to make sure you’re always on schedule.
The watch dial is clean and uncluttered, giving you an accurate read of the time, anywhere. The simple yet versatile design is great for any outfit. Stuhrling also provides a 2-year comprehensive warranty for their watches that come in a wide variety of colors.
Pros:
+ Sleek and elegant with multiple color options
+ Genuine leather band
+ 2-year comprehensive warranty
+ Small date window
Why We Like It – For such a simple design, the genuine leather band adds more elegance to the minimal design.
9. Tonnier W8479G Quartz Watch
This sleek, stainless steel model was designed with comfort in mind. The quartz movement watch has a watch face that draws your attention to the dial. The surface of the watch case is constructed from hard, scratch-resistant scratching.
The Japanese quartz movement displays accurate time even without a second hand. The mesh strap is surprisingly soft and breathable for stainless steel. The watch is only splash-proof, so make sure you don’t wear it at the swimming baths or during other water sports.
Pros:
+ Minimally waterproof
+ Lightweight and breathable
+ Stainless steel strap
+ Quartz movement
Why We Like It – The extra color for autumn is a gorgeous indigo blue. This is a great dress watch for those on a budget, and it’s super lightweight.
Affordable Watches for Teenagers Buyer’s Guide
What to Look for When Buying the Best Affordable Watch for Teenagers?
With so many great watches for a picky group of people, what are some things we should pay attention to?
Size
Men’s watches are generally larger than female ones, but to make sure which is the right one for you, you can refer to our watch size guide! Once you’ve identified the thickness of your wrist and which category it falls under, you’ll find the best watch size for you.
Budget
Since we’re looking at affordable watches, you should reflect on your allotted budget and make sure the watch you can afford has everything you need.
Features
The next question is what do you want to be included with your watch? Do you need to go as far as having a watch double as a fitness monitor? Or do you just need the simple alarms, backlight, water-resistance, etc.?
Material
A watch needs to be comfortable if you’re going to wear it for long periods. To make sure the watch won’t hurt or irritate your skin, you need to think about what it’s made from. Nylon, silicone, and stainless steel are some of the most commonly used materials.
Conclusion
There are a lot of suitable watches for teens out there, but we decided to go with options that will remain relevant as the years go on. Follow our guide to find the perfect watch for teens.
Expert Tip
You can still find a good quality watch at an affordable price; look for quartz movement, accurate timekeeping, and sturdy materials.
Did You Know?
Just because a watch is labeled waterproof, that doesn’t mean it can be submerged. Some manufacturers label the watch as waterproof when, in reality, it’s only splashproof.
