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Best Dive Watch Under $400
Citizen Promaster Dive
Best Dive Watch Under $400
Citizen Promaster Dive
Now 20% Off
Credit: CitizenPros
- Eco-Drive movement is extremely reliable
- Water-resistant up to 200 meters
Cons
- Polyurethane strap can be a bit uncomfortable
Like the automakers that hail from the land of the rising sun, Japan's Citizen has developed a reputation for solid, reliable, and easily serviced timepieces. The Promaster Dive is without a doubt one of the most robust divers you can get at its price point. It's ISO-certified, which makes it a high-functionality professional diver, and Citizen's patented Eco-Drive movement is solar powered and can keep ticking up to six months without sunlight.
Best Automatic Diver Under $400
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55K1
Best Automatic Diver Under $400
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55K1
Credit: AmazonPros
- Tons of color options
- Seiko accuracy and reliability
Cons
- Lower water resistance than the SKX it replaced
No respectable list of affordable watches would be complete without at least one offering from Seiko. The Japanese maker has a stellar reputation, and their watches have been everywhere from the bottom of the ocean, to the military, to the big screen. The SPRD had big shoes to fill in replacing the widely loved SKX, but it comes through with nice brushed and polished surfaces, a Hardlex mineral crystal, and Seiko's newer 4R36 automatic movement.
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Best Chronograph Under $400
Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz
Best Chronograph Under $400
Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz
Credit: Yema Pros
- Available in multiple dial colors with either a leather strap or steel mesh bracelet
- Reads well in low light thanks to Super-LumiNova BGW9
Cons
- Design may be on the bold side for some
Yema is a French watchmaker with a history in racing. They made the first French watch to make it into space and the Rallygraf was famously worn by none other than Mario Andretti. The new Rallygraf is powered by Seiko's VK64 hybrid meca-quartz movement, and its retro styling punches way higher than its price tag would have you believe.
Best Automatic Watch Under $400
Timex Marlin Automatic 40mm
Best Automatic Watch Under $400
Timex Marlin Automatic 40mm
Credit: Timex Pros
- 21-jewel automatic movement
- Domed acrylic crystal is very pretty
Cons
- Small crown can be difficult to adjust
The Marlin comes from a time when everyone knew a Timex could "take a licking and keep on ticking." So watch fans were taken aback when Timex rereleased its Marlin in 2017 with a mechanical movement. But the successful collaboration with men's fashion icon Todd Snyder breathed new life into the classic brand name, and as a result, this dynamo is still stylish—and still very affordable! You just have to wind it, which we think only adds to its mid-century-modern appeal.
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Most Durable Watch Under $400
Casio GGB100-1A9 "Mudmaster"
Most Durable Watch Under $400
Casio GGB100-1A9 "Mudmaster"
Now 27% Off
Credit: AmazonPros
- Water resistant up 20ATM
- A Swiss Army knife–like list of features
Cons
- Huge 55mm case is not for everyone
If the original G-Shock is rugged, then the Mudmaster is a nuclear fallout bunker for your wrist. It uses a system of gaskets that supposedly keeps mud and dust out of the watch. It also comes jam-packed with features including Bluetooth connectivity, a thermometer, a compass, a calendar, and much more.
Best Gold (look) Watch Under $400
Casio Vintage A159WGEA-1VT Gold
Best Gold (look) Watch Under $400
Casio Vintage A159WGEA-1VT Gold
Credit: AmazonPros
- Stopwatch, daily alarm, yearly calendar, and 12- or 24-hour formatting
- Highly legible digital readout
Cons
- Maybe a bit too "bling" for some
For those who harbor nostalgia for the Eighties, Casio still offers many of its popular offerings from the past. The A159WGEA-1VT has all the basic features you want from a watch and is packaged in a mega-cool gold-tone case. You might have seen Matthew McConaughey rock this throwback watch in the 2017 movie Gold. Alright, alright, alright.
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Most Stylish Watch Under $400
Swatch Clearly Gent
Most Stylish Watch Under $400
Swatch Clearly Gent
Credit: Swatch Pros
- Style and 34mm make for a nice unisex option
- Water resistant up to 3ATM
Cons
- Clear plastic is known to yellow over time
Way back in 1983, Swatch launched one of its first collections of stylish plastic watches. One of the most coveted pieces from that early collection was the Jellyfish, with its clear plastic case displaying its colorful quartz movement. The Clearly Gent is a descendent of that watch, and it's still painfully cool.
Most Functional Watch Under $400
Casio AE1200WH-1CV
Most Functional Watch Under $400
Casio AE1200WH-1CV
Now 20% Off
Credit: AmazonPros
- Can display multiple time zones simultaneously
- Unbelievable price
Cons
- Not known for its fit and finish
Another classic from Casio, the World Time (or "Royale" as it's often known) is nearly as impressive today as it was when it was initially released. It features a built-in stopwatch, timer, and 5-point daily alarm. Most impressively, you can cycle through any time zone worldwide with one of its many side buttons.
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Best Reliable Watch Under $400
Casio G-Shock GWM5610-1
Best Reliable Watch Under $400
Casio G-Shock GWM5610-1
Now 35% Off
Credit: AmazonPros
- Seamlessly blends retro styling and reliability
- Highly legible backlit dial
- Plenty of color options
Cons
- Aftermarket straps are not easily integrated
There are few names more closely linked with rugged reliability than the original G-Shock. The G-Shock took years of R&D before it was finally released in 1987. This original model has gone mostly unchanged since its release, save for a plethora of color updates.
Best LED Watch Under $400
Armitron Griffy
Best LED Watch Under $400
Armitron Griffy
Credit: AmazonPros
- Lots of color options
- LEDs are very crisp and bright
Cons
- You have to press a button to view the time
Digital quartz watches have seen something of a resurgence in popularity. Armitron is not typically a brand that garners a huge following, but the rerelease of their Griffy harkens back to the heyday of Seventies-era LED designs. It features a relatively svelte case at 35mm wide, and is available in a ton of colors, though the two-tone steel and gold is clearly the coolest.
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Best Designed Watch Under $400
Braun Gents BN0032
Best Designed Watch Under $400
Braun Gents BN0032
Credit: AmazonPros
- Available with a black or white dial
- Water Resistant up to 5ATM
Cons
- 40mm case may be a bit large on smaller wrists
Designed by the German-based company Braun, whom you may know for their men's shavers, the BN0032 embodies the company's philosophy of functional minimalist design. It features a 40mm matte stainless steel case, quartz movement, and date window at the six o'clock position.
Best Military Watch Under $400
Marathon Black General Purpose Quartz 34mm
Best Military Watch Under $400
Marathon Black General Purpose Quartz 34mm
Credit: AmazonPros
- Uses a lightweight durable high-impact composite fibershell case
- You can add "US Government" to the dial at no extra charge
Cons
- 16mm lug width is polarizing
Marathon has supplied watches to the armed forces of a number of nations for much of its history. Today they are the sole supplier of watches to the United States Armed Forces. Needless to say, these are serious timepieces. The General Purpose is one of Marathon's entry-level items, but if it's good enough for armed combat, it'll surely handle whatever you throw at it during daily use.
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Best Pilot Watch Under $400
Laco Type B Miyota Automatic
Best Pilot Watch Under $400
Laco Type B Miyota Automatic
Credit: AmazonPros
- Incredibly legible dial
- Vintage military styling
- See-through case back
Cons
- Movement can be a bit noisy
German manufacturer Laco was founded in 1925 and was one of the original suppliers of pilot watches used in World War II. The Type B is a faithful reproduction of those early watches. Its large 42mm case and legible dial are what you'd expect from a pilot's watch, but its party trick is its Miyota automatic movement.
Best Dress Watch Under $400
Orient Bambino
Best Dress Watch Under $400
Orient Bambino
Now 43% Off
Credit: AmazonPros
- In-house automatic movement
- Excellent fit and finish, particularly on the dial
Cons
- 41mm case is large for its dressy character
Orient is a Japanese watchmaker that's been producing timepieces since the Fifties. It was acquired by Seiko in 2009. Much of the fanfare around Orient is because of this watch, the Bambino. Watch enthusiasts tend to agree that this is one of the best value propositions out there. For under $200, you get a beautiful piece with a nicely finished case, a sunburst dial, a date window at the three o'clock position, and, most importantly, Orient's own F6722 in-house automatic movement.
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Best "Premium" watch Under $400
Seiko SRPB41 Presage Cocktail
Best "Premium" watch Under $400
Seiko SRPB41 Presage Cocktail
Credit: AmazonPros
- In-house Seiko movement
- See-through case back is very cool
Cons
- Crown is very large
Seiko's Presage line is a step up from its entry-level Seiko 5 models. Despite this, SRPB41 can still be had for a reasonable sum. It features Seiko's own 4R35 23 jewel movement, a Hardlex crystal, a date display, and a beautifully designed dial with polished hands and markers.
Best Retro Watch Under $400
Casio Databank CA53W-1
Best Retro Watch Under $400
Casio Databank CA53W-1
Now 27% Off
Credit: AmazonPros
- Very lightweight
- Resin case and strap are pretty durable
Cons
- Doesn't store data like its more expensive sibling
Arguably the predecessor to the modern smartwatch, Casio's Databank was originally launched back in 1980. What was once considered a nerdy piece of tech has come full circle and is undeniably retro-cool. Its features include a calculator, alarm, second time zone, and chronograph.
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Best Rerelease Watch Under $400
Timex Q Reissue
Best Rerelease Watch Under $400
Timex Q Reissue
Credit: Todd Snyder Pros
- Case finishing is top notch in its price bracket
- Battery hatch makes for easy service
Cons
- Bracelet could be sturdier
When this watch came out in 1979, every third watch sold in America was a Timex. Timex relaunched their iconic Q in 2019 to rave reviews. It features a rotating bezel, a stainless steel bracelet, a battery hatch, and an acrylic crystal.
Best Steel Watch Under $400
Timex Q LCA Reissue
Best Steel Watch Under $400
Timex Q LCA Reissue
Now 23% Off
Credit: AmazonPros
- True to original, single bulb backlight
- Available in silver or gold
Cons
- 30m water resistance
Following the success of the reissued Q, Timex opted to reintroduce another classic from their vault, the Q LCA. Like some of the other retro-style digital watches from the likes of Casio and Seiko, the Q LCA relies heavily on Eighties nostalgia.
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Best Smart Watch Under $400
Apple Series 8
Best Smart Watch Under $400
Apple Series 8
Now 16% Off
Credit: AmazonPros
- Crack resistant screen
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Not a big styling update over its predecessor
If you want a watch that does essentially the same thing as your smartphone (probably not as well), then perhaps a smartwatch is what you're after. Apple's Series 8 is among their latest and sits between the base SE and the fully loaded Ultra. The number of things this watch can do is astounding, from taking an instant ECG to alerting emergency services if you're injured. Of course, it connects seamlessly with all of your other Apple products.
Most Affordable watch Under $400
Casio F-91W-1JF
Most Affordable watch Under $400
Casio F-91W-1JF
Now 17% Off
Credit: AmazonPros
- Great beginner piece for kids or teens
- Its clean, minimalist design will never age
Cons
- Backlight isn't the strongest
The F-91 is the lowest-priced watch on the list and is also one of Casio's most ubiquitous pieces. It's insanely accurate and reliable, highly legible, and easy to wear. It is the mold for all basic digital watches.
Assistant Commerce Editor
The Assistant Commerce Editor for Hearst Autos, Justin Helton is an enthusiast with a passion for heavily depreciated autos and a penchant for philosophical debate. As a lifelong Manhattanite, he has mastered the ins and outs of classic car ownership in one of the least car-friendly cities in the world.
Senior Editor
The only member of staff to flip a grain truck on its roof, Kyle Kinard is R&T's senior editor and resident malcontent. He lives near Seattle and enjoys the rain. His column, Kinardi Line, runs when it runs.
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