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A watch is something that never seems to be going out of style! New models keep coming, including SmartWatches, but there is something about a regular wristwatch that makes it a must-have for both men and women. Whether you prefer a minimalist watch with a plain brown leather strap or a gold-toned digital watch with water resistance features – there is something for you. Many prefer to have more than one watch so that there is something to wear with every outfit.
A nice sports watch or regular leather strap watch does not have to cost a fortune. So we have put together this list of watch reviews, to help you find an affordable option that lives up to your expectations.
View The Best Cheap Watch Under $50 Below
1. Timex Unisex Weekender 38mm Watch
Getting the Timex Weekender Chronograph means you are getting a strap watch you can count on! This beauty of a Timex watch is water-resistant down to 100ft (30 meters), and while it isn’t recommended that you swim with it – it can easily handle being submerged in water. It has a thick Nylon slip-through strap that comes in 13 different colors, offering you a chance to choose one that goes with your personality.
You can get more than one, so you can change it up! A men’s military watch such as this shows both 24-hour military time and the Arabic numerals. It has that classic style; you can’t say no to. There is also an Indigo night light and Indigo Light-Up Watch Dial, making these Timex Weekenders quite the gems!
Pros:
+ Shows 24-hour military time
+ Available in 13 colors
+ Durable and water-resistant
+ Indigo Light-Up Watch Dial
Why We Like It – It comes with a variety of exciting features that will elevate the experience of owning a wristwatch, and you have a total of 13 colors to choose from!
2.Casio Men’s G-Shock Classic Digital Watch
A shock-resistant men’s military watch that can be submerged in water, and that resists a depth of down to 200 meters. It has a flash alert, backlight with afterglow, measuring modes like elapsed time and split time, and the alarm function has a flashing light and a buzzer, to make sure you cannot miss it.
The display is easy to see both in daylight and when it’s dark, and it is a lightweight watch that you will barely notice wearing. It also has this retro feel to it, but with a wide variety of functions and modern commodities.
Pros:
+ Full auto-calendar
+ 200-meter water resistance
+ Hourly time signal
+ Backlight with afterglow
Why We Like It – For those who do sports and need a watch that won’t break if bumped into, this Casio G-Shock virtually indestructible wristwatch, which also happens to be water-resistant, won’t disappoint.
3. Timex Women’s Indiglo Easy Reader Watch
The Timex expedition women’s watch comes in several different colors. This company understands the importance of offering a product that can go with any style and any personality. You can get it with a black leather strap, a brown leather strap, or in any of the other available colors. While the display of this stainless steel watch has a very timeless and classic look, it is both high-quality and surprisingly modern at the same time!
The Indiglo Easy Reader withstands splashes of water or getting spilled on. It has large numbers to make it an easy-reader watch, as well as an Indiglo light-up Watch Dial. This Timex also has a small display for the date, to give you the ultimate simple watch for telling time and more.
Pros:
+ Classic watch with the Arabic numerals
+ Leather strap available in multiple colors
+ Large numbers that are easy to read
+ Water spill-resistant and splash-proof
Why We Like It – Sometimes what you want might be something simple and functional. If so, this classic style watch is one you will fall for, thanks to its sleek design and the fact that it goes with any outfit!
4. Casio Men’s Sport Analog Dive Watch
This dive watch is one you can take with you when you go swimming, diving, snorkeling, or surfing, and it is water-resistant down to 330ft (100 meters). The resin strap and case will keep these men’s watches in their place, and it has an analog 3-hand display, a rotating bezel, and Japanese quartz movements. It is a Casio men’s pro diver strap watch with 12/24 hour timekeeping, day and date shown right at the number 3 on display.
A watch with a resin such as this is ideal for all kinds of outdoor adventures, as it won’t be weighed down if wet, or damaged in any way. The price is surprisingly low considering what you get, and these are wristwatches you can use for any occasion.
Pros:
+ 330ft water resistance
+ Japanese Quartz movements
+ Displays time, day and date
+ Black resin strap
Why We Like It – The resin band and the water-resistant features make this the best cheap sports’ watch you can get, and it also shows day and date right there on the screen.
5. Casio Women’s LRW200H-7BVCF Watch
Check out this white and pastel tone wristwatch designed especially for women, but which can, of course, also be used by men. It has an analog display with Japanese Quartz movement, bi-directional bezel, date window, and round dial, and it is made in the United States! You can go snorkeling and swimming while wearing this stylish watch, but it is not recommended to go scuba diving or similar.
Casio is a brand that has been around since 1974. They have created a compact, stylish, and highly functional watch with a built-in solar battery so that you never have to worry about changing the battery again.
Pros:
+ Built-in solar battery
+ Experienced brand
+ Inviting pastel tone details
+ Simple and compact design
Why We Like It – If you want a watch that stands out in a crowd, and one you won’t have to change the batteries of – this is a great looking and affordable option!
Got more to spend? Check out these great watches under 100 dollars.
6. Casio Men’s MQ24-1E Black Resin Watch
This gorgeous 38mm watch is the dress watch of dress watches. It is water-resistant, 3-hand analog, has a battery life of approximately two years (SR621SW battery) and goes great with both a suit and your running gear. It is constructed with a black stationary resin bezel and a resin case.
The adjustable strap buckles on the black rubber strap make it easy and lightweight to wear, and it comes with a black dial face and a mineral window.
The gold dashes give this watch a unique touch, and it is one of those Quartz watches that make an impression as soon as you see it.
Pros:
+ Durable and water-resistant
+ Adjustable strap buckles
+ 2-year battery life
+ Black resin case
Why We Like It – It is hard to believe that this watch costs less than 50 dollars. The luxury exterior and together with a long-lasting battery and functions make this Casio MQ24-1E ideal for any watch lover.
7. Casio Men’s Analog Anti Reverse Bezel Watch
You can go swimming while wearing this watch, as it is water-resistant down to 660ft (200 meters), and made with a material in the strap that won’t absorb water or weigh you down. It has a black stainless steel frame, black resin band, a date window at 3 o’clock, an anti-reverse bezel, and a black dial.
While this Casio watch shares some features with the Timex Weekender Chronograph and the G-Shock classic, it is its product that is worth having a look at. You set the time just the way you are used to – by pulling down the crown, and the luminous markers make it easy to tell time also when it is dark.
These are great field watches thanks to the diving features. This Casio is the ultimate sports watch for anyone who loves water sports.
Pros:
+ Anti-reverse bezel for diving
+ Black stainless steel frame
+ Water-resistant down to 660ft
+ Practical date window to the right
Why We Like It – The elegance of this sporty watch makes it great for any occasion, and the anti-reverse bezel optimizes it for diving and other water sports.
8. Casio Men’s Vintage A168WA-1 Electro Luminescence Watch
This is a scratch-resistant watch, thanks to the protective mineral crystal, and it has a rectangular shape, a large digital screen, and a pleasant retro feel! Modern watches are fantastic, but when you get this men’s watch, you get all the modern and high-tech features, all packed into a vintage-style package. It is water-resistant so that you won’t have to worry about sweating, getting splashed or similar when you are out.
The alarm clock comes in handy for whenever you need to keep track of important events and make sure you wake up on time for your morning routine. Regardless of what you plan to be using your stylish and affordable watch for – it has got you covered!
Pros:
+ Unique retro design
+ Protective mineral crystal
+ Built-in stopwatch
+ With reliable alarm clock
Why We Like It – The most appealing aspect of this watch is perhaps the retro look, as you will get that perfect combination of modern and vintage.
9. Michael Kors Slim Runway Women’s Stainless Steel Watch
This stunning Michael Kors watch may not be your cheapest option, but it is a wristwatch that is well worth its cost. It comes in colors like rose gold, gold-tone, tan, brown, red, black, and blue. This array of color choices makes it easy to get the one you think will go best with your style and personality.
This Michael Kors watch has a 42mm stainless steel case, a double fold-over clasp on the stainless steel band (with double push-button for ultimate safety), quartz movement with analog display and mineral glass. It is water-resistant down to 50 meters (165ft), which means you can wear it or short swims, but perhaps not for keeping it submerged in water for longer.
Pros:
+ Double fold-over clasp
+ Stainless steel case and band
+ Water-resistant down to 165ft
+ Available in multiple colors
Why We Like It – It is hard to list just one reason for liking this fancy-looking watch. While it might be a bit pricier than some other products on this list – you quickly realize why it could be worth paying a little extra.
10. Casio F91W-1 Classic Resin Strap Digital Sport Watch
If you prefer a classic digital casual watch with a ribbed resin band, you are going to love this Casio G-Shock Classic digital watch! It has a convenient alarm timer, a 1/100 digital stopwatch, water-resistant features, a chronograph feature, and measuring modes that include, for example, first- and second place time, split time, and net time.
The mineral dial window is rectangular and with a digital display and quartz movements, and a convenient nightlight.
This Casio is one of the best chronograph watches for someone who intends to surf, dive, or do water sports while wearing it, as it is deep-water resistant and highly durable.
Pros:
+ Rectangular display with quartz movements
+ Ideal for swimming, diving, and surfing
+ Stopwatch and multiple measuring modes
+ Featuring a convenient and reliable nightlight
Why We Like It – This is not just the average round wristwatch, but instead, it has the rectangular shape that gives it a delightful retro look, mixed with all its modern features!
Cheap Watches Under $50 Buyers Guide
Once you start looking into the selection of cheaper watches, you will quickly notice that there are quite a few to choose from! It can be a slippery slope if you don’t know how to avoid the low-quality brands, and this is where cheap watch reviews can come in handy. We have skipped all those low-quality brands that won’t live up to their promises nor your expectations! We have instead focused on quality brands.
Examples of great affordable watches are the Timex Ironman/Timex Ironman Classic and Timex Weekenders (Timex men’s and women’s watches are known for being very durable), the Invicta Men’s Pro Diver, the Burei Men’s Minimalist Watch, Lucien Piccard watches and more, but you also need to know what features to look for, in order to find the right watch for you.
Movement
The concept of movement when talking about a watch is simple; it is what makes the clock move forward – either mechanical or quartz. Mechanical movements (manual and automatic) use springs, gears, and other mechanical parts to function, and this is generally a type of watch desired by collectors, as it entails a whole different kind of craftsmanship. A mechanical watch does not require batteries or charging and continues to run indefinitely until possibly needing repairs.
Quartz movement is different, and these are watches that run on battery. The benefit is that they are by far the most accurate type of watches, timewise, and they are also very cheap to maintain, as you rarely need to change the battery any more often than every two years or so.
Case
Not everyone is aware of how much of a difference there can be between two watches, depending on the type of case! First of all, we have the shape of the watch! Do you prefer a rectangle shape, a round shape, or perhaps a square? The shape does little for the actual function, and it more a question of taste and how well you want to be able to see the numbers on the screen.
Material is somewhat more relevant, and the back of a watch, the front, and the bezel may be made with different materials. Here you need to consider what material you would feel the most comfortable wearing against the skin of your wrist, the price (as a pure gold watch is naturally more costly than a plastic- or resin watch) and what the watch will be used for.
Purpose
Picking up on the same note – knowing what you plan to use your watch for will make it a lot easier to pick one that will work for you. A wooden watch might not be ideal for someone who does sport or who risks getting the watch wet, and military watches may not be what you are looking for if you want your watch to go well with fancy outfits. It also depends on the brand, as an Invicta men’s watch is very different from a Timex Men’s Expedition watch, for example, and they are suited for various purposes.
Look for a water-resistant watch if you hope to engage in water sports while wearing it, such as the Timex Expedition Scout watch (or another Expedition scout watch model) or a watch from the Polo Association, as these will also make sure that nothing happens to your new watch if you accidentally wear it in the shower or similar. Knowing what the watch will be used for narrows down your options, and makes your perfect watch easier to find.
Is the Bracelet/Band Replaceable?
It depends on the model whether the bracelet/band can be replaced, but the general answer is yes. Some might have a more easily replaced band than others.
Are Watches Under $50 Water-Resistant?
If you need your watch to be waterproof, then you need to look for this specifically when you initiate your search. Not all watches are waterproof, but there are plenty of good water-resistant options for less than $50.
Are The Batteries Replaceable?
Yes, if your new watch runs on batteries – the batteries are replaceable. The easiest way to have a watch battery replaced is by bringing it to a place where they do this for you, as some watches can be tricky to open, but if you can easily access the battery yourself, then there is no good reason for why you shouldn’t just go out and get a replacement battery. There are now some modern watches that are run on solar power, and these do not require battery changes, nor do mechanical watches.
Conclusion
Regardless of whether you have your heart set on getting a Timex men’s or women’s watch, a Burei men’s or women’s watch, a watch with blue dial or black dial, one of the famous Seiko watches or something else – we have put together a guide to better inform you of what is available for under $50.
Shopping on a budget shouldn’t have to mean compromising quality, and that is the motivation behind this cheap watch review.
Expert Tip
Read through the product specifications, to make sure the watch has the features you are looking for.
Did You Know?
It was in 1812 that the first wristwatch was created under that particular name, and they had previously been described as an “arm watch,” during the 1570s.
