The Best Watches Under $300 | 2024

There are times when we wonder whether good quality watches are also available in hundred bucks. It might be uncompromising to have something good on a low budget but guess not if it is in the watchmaking industry. Therefore, here we’re going to lay out some best watches under $300 or within that point.

We’re definitely not talking about fakes or replicas as they’re not our areas to talk about. But there’s something to expect in this industry – watches with such a modest price yet still well-built construction. A budget of $300 or under might be the lowest you can assume, but in fact, there is still hope to grab a good piece at that price.

You don’t need to spend many hundreds to grab quality affordable timepieces. There are quite a bunch of watches that sell for $300 or lower and have all the basic requirements you need for a good timepiece – some even from renowned brands.

The Best Watches under $300 in 2024, Gnomon’s Pick

With a budget of $300 on hand, you can still expect a piece with good and solid quality. Some brands managed to offer affordable editions for everyone with a range of features you can choose from, such as the ones listed below:

Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive Moment of Adventure Green 

The first list comes from Citizen with a bold and striking appearance of Promaster Eco-Drive Moment of Adventure Green Ref. BN0157-11X. Citizen has been known for their rugged movements and this watch is one of its popular releases. Through this watch, Citizen watch opens up the opportunity for adventures to enjoy the wild while feeling safe with a reliable timepiece on hand.

Measured 44m in diameter, this dive watch under $300 comes with a 60-click, unidirectional green aluminum bezel with minute markings. The big markers on the dial and bezel also help improve the legibility while allowing a brilliant glow in the dark with its luminescent material. At the heart of the watch is Citizen’s proprietary Eco-Drive caliber, the E168.

Price: $270 USD

Read also: What is a Watch Crown and Why It is Important?

Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Modern Style Blue Ref. SARY217

The next on the list is Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Modern Style Blue Ref. SARY217. It’s Seiko and it definitely holds more than the price suggests. The Seiko Presage itself is a series that showcases a refined and elegant side of Seiko. The Cocktail Time is presented in a bright blue dial that has a subtle gradient effect.

It also has a beautiful guilloché-like design pattern that will shift tone under different lighting conditions. Flipping the watch over, you can see the Seiko 4R35 movement type which is the workhorse. It features 23 jewels that beat at 21,600 BPH and allows 41 hours of power reserve. Slightly above $300, this Seiko model is a great piece to consider that allows for an appealing design and reliable performance.

Price: $350 USD

Seiko Presage “Style60’s” Series Black Ref. SARY197

Still with Seiko edition but moving on to a classic model with the Presage “Style60’s” Series Black Ref. SARY197. Looking at the appearance, the watch embodies a strong nostalgic appeal. Not only that it radiates a vintage but also a sporty dress watch with significant features for its entry-level offerings. 

The watch is presented in a sweet spot between an intricate dress watch and a sporty, energetic timepiece. It makes a good watch companion for daily activities, especially considering the delightful 40.8mm case diameter. A versatile timepiece that allows for maximal comfort for any occasion in your day.

Price: $360 USD

Hitori Habuka Graphite Black

The next best watch under $300 you can expect with good features is Hitori Habuka Graphite Black. The dial is definitely where your attention goes in the very first place. Introduced with an affordable price tag, Hitori presented a captivating dial texture that mirrors the mesmerizing snowy mountains of the village. 

Many Hitori collections are influenced by Japanese culture. The brand heavily values proposition that puts a balance between the mechanical and aesthetic sides of things. As a result, as presented in the Habuka Graphite Black is a classic timepiece that carries Japanese heritage and great performance. 

The watch is driven by the automatic caliber NH35 with 24 jewels and 41 hours of power reserve. Another feature would be the blue winding rotor that creates an appealing look and pairs harmoniously with the dial texts and second-hand. 

Orient Bambino

An elegant and classic silver watch dial, Orient Bambino is a perfect dress watch at an affordable price. You can grab this watch at an estimate of under $200. It comes with a clean and neat dial design along with a crisp date window at 3 o’clock. Against the white dial is the blue hands that further elevate the elegance of the dial view. 

Orient made this model in several options for the strap, case color, and numerous dial layout designs. That makes the watch more favorable as the options are varies. As for the performance, the watch is driven by the automatic movement Orient F6724. 

The watch also features 30m water resistance, giving enough water protection from splashes or when washing hands. That said, this watch is a good option for men’s watches under $300.

Final Thought

Now you can see how wide and interesting the watchmaking industry is. Watch brands can offer from the lowest price point you can imagine to the most luxurious one that you might now expect as well. 

This says about a plethora of options that we can choose from and is available to us, such as the best watches under $300. That said, whatever budget you have set, there will always be a chance to grab a good piece. So, have you decided on your option?

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