Top 6 Affordable Automatic Watches for Your Collection

Interested in collecting watches? Well, if you do, automatic watches may be the wise choice for you. An automatic watch will allow you to enjoy a mechanical watch’s aesthetic, craftsmanship, durability, and heritage. And as a starting point, investing in some affordable automatic watches can be a great way to pique your curiosity.

If you are interested in mechanical watches but value practicality, an automatic watch is a fantastic choice. An automatic watch, also known as a self-winding watch, uses the wearer’s natural motion to wind the mainspring. And, if you wear your automatic watch regularly, manual winding might not be necessary.

Typically, expensive watches may come to our mind when thinking of automatic watches that offer both functionality and the heritage of mechanical watches. But don’t worry. We will give you a recommendation of some affordable automatic watches that are available in Gnomon Watches.

6 Recommendations of Affordable Automatic Watches as A Starting Point to Collect One

The best option if you want to start collecting mechanical watches is an automatic watch. Automatic watches will give you the values of heritage, craftsmanship, aesthetics, and durability of mechanical watches, but they will also provide you with practicality through self-winding movement. 

Despite your interest, you may experience difficulties choosing the automatic watch that is perfect for you. Well, in general, there are several things to be considered when you decide to buy an automatic watch. 

The first is a preference; indeed, you must like what you wear. To find out your preference, you may pay attention to the design, the dial’s color, or the strap that corresponds to your personas.

Secondly, consider the watch size. Pay attention to the sizes available and select the one that fits you. The final consideration is the price; understand the value of automatic watches made with the utmost precision and get your money’s worth.

To help you select the best automatic watch that fits your personas and to start your journey of collecting watches, we will provide our top 6 recommendations for affordable automatic watches along with the details on the specification. Check the details down below!

Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic Black 42 – Brown Leather

The Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic Black 42 – Brown Leather series is the first recommendation. The Khaki field collection was created as a tribute to the U.S. Air Force military pedigree. Thus, it will give you a sense of strong history and great durability that radiates from its robustness and reliability.

The Khaki Field, powered by H-10 movement, a 25-jewel ETA C07.611, has a pumped power reserve for 80 hours and has the frequency balance slowed from 4Hz to 3Hz, or from 28,800 beats per hour to 21,600bp. Further, the mainspring’s length is also increased as a result of the barrel arbor’s core reduction. Thus, the automatic movement is as great as those found in classic military watches.

With dimensions of 42 mm in diameter, 51.5 mm lug to lug, and 11 mm thick, as well as the design military and vintage, It is the best for you to give a masculine and refined appearance. Secured with 100m water resistance, your Khaki Field Hand Auto will be protected while swimming or snorkeling.

Price: $545.00 USD

Read also: 7 Best Military Watches to Complete Your Everyday Gear

Steinhart Nav B-Chrono 42 Classic A-Type Black

Thirdly, we recommend the Steinhart Nav B-Chrono 42 Classic A-Type Black, which combines the practicality of a mechanical watch with a casual look that you can wear every day. Additionally, the heritage it presents is intriguing because it draws inspiration from the history of aviation and emphasizes the functionality of the chronograph type as the primary tool of a pilot.

It is powered by Swiss-made ETA Valjoux 7750 Elaboré Premium automatic 25 jewel movement with a 48-hour power reserve and a 4Hz beat rate of 28,800 bph. Further, with dimensions of 42mm in diameter, 49.8mm lug to lug, and 16 mm thick, it will be the greatest fit for a gentleman. In addition, it has a black lamb leather strap with double studs 20×18 mm that will certainly complement both your formal and casual look.

Price: $1,030.00 USD

Seiko Presage Automatic Black “Baby GS Titanium”

The third recommendation is the Seiko Presage Automatic “Black Baby GS Titanium”, Seiko’s most recent line of watches. By purchasing this, you will get the best quality automatic watch for a fair price. This design provides you with a sense of elegance and fits on every occasion while also boosting your look and confidence. 

Driven by Seiko’s automatic 6R15 caliber that runs at 21,600bph (3 Hz), it is capable of hacking and manual winding. Further, it has a 23 jewel and provides a 50-hour power reserve through a Spron 510 mainspring.

With dimensions of 40mm in diameter, 46.2mm lug to lug, and 11mm thick, it is a perfect match for gentlemen. Moreover, it is protected with 100m water resistance that will allow you to wear your watch while you are swimming or even snorkeling.

Price: $845.00 USD

Following our recommendations for the best affordable automatic watches for men, we will list some affordable automatic watches for women down below:

Steinhart Ocean 39 Pink Gold Ceramic

We begin with Steinhart Ocean 39 Pink Gold Ceramic, which will provide you with an elegant and feminine look through the design, especially the design of the case with pink gold stainless steel’s slick and polished coating.

Powered by ETA’s automatic caliber, SW 200, élaboré, and runs at 28,800bph (4Hz), it is capable of hacking and hand winding capabilities. Additionally, it has 25 jewels and a power reserve of 42 hours.

With dimensions of 39mm in diameter, 47mm lug to lug, and 13mm thick, it will be the perfect fit for a lady boss. Moreover, the water resistance of 300m allows you to wear it underwater, even for diving.

Price: $500.00 USD

Glycine Combat SUB 36 Brown

Next is Glycine Combat SUB 36 Brown, which delivers the aesthetic of a mechanical watch. The compact design will be a perfect match for a lady with slender wrists. Additionally, you will get the value of craftsmanship through it, as it is entirely hand-finished in Switzerland with a high degree of precision and satin brushing on the top of the lugs and the side of the case.

Powered by GL224 Swiss automatic movement and has a 25 jewel. It is renowned as a workhorse movement with a 4Hz beat rate of 28,800bph and a power reserve of 38 hours. In addition, it offers the functionality of an elegantly sized dive watch with a water resistance of 200m. 

Price: $568.00 USD

Mido Rainflower Pink Sapphire Ladies

Last but not least, the top pick goes to Mido Rainflower Pink Sapphire Ladies. It is inspired by Singapore’s Artscience Museum, which symbolizes the lotus flower and will give you a feminine and soft appearance.

Powered by Swiss automatic movement Caliber 80, a modified 25 jewel ETA C07.611 movement, it has a power reserve for 80 hours that was acquired from the slowed 4Hz beat rate of 28,800 beats/hour to 3Hz (21,600 beats/hour). 

Another fascinating part is the back of the watch which has a stunning sapphire display case-back that shows Mido’s custom engraved rotor with an alluring floral motif. It will undoubtedly fit you if you are looking for a watch that gives you a classy image.

Price: $940.00 USD

Conclusion

Well, that is the overview of the top affordable automatic watches that would be wonderful to have as a starting point for collecting mechanical watches. Hopefully, it will help you gain insight and become a guide for you in choosing your first automatic watch.

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