Watches have been long used to make a statement. The most expensive designs talk about power and wealth, while the practical ones talk about your favorite activity and occupation. But, in today’s day and age, when we have the time on our phones, is it still worth it to invest in an expensive timepiece?
Well, if you can afford it, yes – a gorgeous watch still makes a powerful impression in your social circle. However, a beautiful watch doesn’t need to be expensive in order to also deliver accurate time measuring and withstand the test of time.
We did the research and found the best automatic watches under $200 that will wow the viewers and provide useful information for your needs.
Best Automatic Watches Under 200
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1. Orient ‘2nd Gen Bambino Version III’ Automatic Watch
As a brand, Orient is known on the market for classic watch designs, which is why the Bambino series is such a breath of fresh air! Just like its predecessors, Bambino Version 3 is an elegant timepiece with a minimalist design with clean, vertical lines.
The sunburst dial, rectangular hands, and date complication are complemented by the stainless steel case and leather strap, creating a beautiful and elegant design. In addition, it’s easy to notice the elements that make the Bambino series so special – the signature domed crystal and domed dial.
Of course, we can’t ignore the Japanese automatic movement that features hand-winding and hacking or the beautiful stainless steel case back decorated with the Orient logo. Overall, the Bambino Version III is an elegant watch with lots of personality and style.
Specifications
Pros
- Minimalist design that’s visually appealing
- Automatic movement with hand-winding and hacking
- Solid built with high-quality materials
- The dial and lens are impressive
- Clean-looking dial
Cons
- The date window is rather small
- The case is big and doesn’t fit slim wrists
Why We Chose This
Bambino Version III is a beautiful watch that has incredible value for the cost. Its minimalist design makes it ideal for both casual and elegant outfits, and the clean-looking dial looks great under the domed lens. In addition, the movement is solid and reliable making this one of the top watches under $200.2. Orient Men’s ‘Ray II’ Japanese Automatic Stainless Steel Diving Watch
Orient Ray II is a watch with Japanese automatic movement (around 40h power reserve) that supports hand-winding and hacking. Moreover, the watch has a Day and Date complication situated at the 3’oclock position and a three-hand system that uses silver-toned hands to indicate silver hour markings (both the hands and the markings are lumed for better visibility).
Overall, the watch registers as a solidly-built timepiece, with a stainless steel case and bracelet complimented by a metallic blue dial and black bezel. It looks good on your wrist and can be accessorized with both casual and elegant outfits.
The Ray II is accurate and reliable, so if you’re using it on a daily basis, you may not need to use the hand-winding and hacking features. However, if it runs out of power, you can use the crown, which has several positions for setting the Date, Day, and time.
Lastly, this is a stainless steel diving watch that resists at about 660ft under the water. Also, due to the lumed indices and large dial, it maintains visibility even in low-light conditions.
Specifications
Pros
- Solid build with stainless steel design
- An impressive look for both casual and elegant scenarios
- Accurate Japanese movement
- Good power reserve
- Hand-winding and hacking
Cons
- The crown should be slightly larger
- The mineral crystal lens doesn’t have an anti-reflective coating
Why We Chose This
The Ray II Orient design is one of those models that bring tons of value without having you spend lifetime savings. The Japanese automatic movement is accurate and reliable, it has good water resistance, and it looks amazing on both casual and elegant scenarios.3. ROCOS Automatic Mechanical Watch for Men
Featuring elegant lines and a case that’s in between round and rectangular, this ROCOS timepiece is a perfect dress watch for all sorts of fancy events. Moreover, the beautiful blue dial is complemented by the silver stainless steel case and bracelet, creating a visually pleasing spectacle.
The octagonal bezel and exhibition case back add to the charm of this watch as it allows the user to observe the mechanism hard at work. Under the mineral crystal lens that covers the analog dial, rests an automatic mechanical movement (the beating heart of this watch) that supports hand-winding.
Lastly, the gorgeous dial is easy to read and only features on Date complications in the 3 o’clock position. And, while it was not designed to resist under the water, it still resists nicely and it has lumed hands and hour markers to ensure visibility in low light conditions.
Specifications
Pros
- An elegant dress watch
- It features beautiful colors and high-quality materials
- A self-winding automatic movement that supports hand-winding
- Solid stainless steel build
- Easy to adjust
Cons
- Not suited for swimming
- The band is a bit difficult to adjust
Why We Chose This
If you’re looking for a good-looking watch that resembles high-end designs, this is a good option. In fact, it is one of the coolest watches under 200 due to its unique design and brushed steel look that works amazingly well with the blue dial. Overall, this ROCOS watch is a bargain that should be a part of an elegant man’s collection!4. Invicta Men’s 18160 Pro Diver Automatic Watch
As part of the Pro Diver series, this timepiece is a true statement for quality and robustness. Starting with the stainless steel link bracelet with foldover clasp, the screw-down crown, and ending with the exhibition case back, this watch is all about power and quality.
Its internal workings are carefully crafted to deliver accuracy, based on the Japanese automatic movement with three hands. In addition, the analog dial is beautifully designed to showcase important information such as date (in the 3 o’clock position), hour markers, and logo. The face of the clock is supported by a unidirectional bezel, highlighted in a dark blue tone.
Lastly, like all Pro Diver designs, the watch can be used at around 1000 feet under the water. It also has luminous markers to improve visibility in low light conditions.
Specifications
Pros
- Heavy-duty design with solid build
- Well-organized dial and face
- Tight and accurate bezel
- Appealing visual aspect
Cons
- It is rather heavy
- Too big for medium and small wrists
Why We Chose This
It doesn’t take much to understand that this is a badass watch! In fact, given its price, it’s probably the best budget automatic watch with such great water resistance and accuracy. The Invicta 18160 is part of the Pro Diver series, which makes it the perfect option for the outdoor guy who likes a reliable timepiece on their wrist.5. Seiko Men’s SNK615 Automatic Watch
A beautiful stainless steel watch with Japanese automatic movement and day and date complications in two languages (English and Spanish) at the 3 o’clock position. In addition, the blue analog dial features two luminous silver-toned hands and luminous silver-toned baton hour markers, a yellow sweeping second hand, and yellow minute markers.
As a result, the face of this Seiko design is extremely clean-cut, especially since it’s being framed by a brushed and polished stainless steel case. To add to the beautiful design, the mechanism can be observed through the stainless steel exhibition back case. Lastly, the Hardlex crystal lens helps maintain great visibility even in low light conditions.
The watch is supported by a stainless steel link bracelet, which can be adjusted according to your needs, and has a custom crown at the four o’clock position.
Specifications
Pros
- Elegant design & clean face
- Day & date complication in two languages
- Easy to read dial
- Solid stainless steel build
- Luminous hands and hour markers
Cons
- The band is a bit difficult to adjust
- The lug width doesn’t allow to swap the band
Why We Chose This
If you’re looking for the best dress watch under $200, this Seiko Automatic is a wonderful choice. The beautiful bracelet and clean design attract everyone’s eyes and let you feel confident and empowered. In addition, everyone will think you’re wearing a much more expensive design!6. Kenneth Cole New York Men’s 10026782 Automatic Watch
If you like watching your watch’s elements hard at work, you’ll definitely enjoy this impressive Kenneth Cole design! Featuring a Skeleton dial and an exhibition back case, the New York model is extremely appealing in both casual and elegant scenarios. In addition, some of the inner elements are easier to notice, as they have a different color.
To make sure the analog dial doesn’t get too crowded, the manufacturer used simple colors and elements for the hands and hour markers. Also, the stainless steel case fits nicely with the leather strap.
The mechanism is powered by a Japanese 21-jewel automatic movement which supports hand-winding (for those times you don’t wear it enough). Lastly, the watch is water-resistant but you shouldn’t wear it while diving or snorkeling.
Specifications
Pros
- The perfect accessory for elegant & casual scenarios
- Japanese Automatic movement with hand-winding
- Skeleton dial & exhibition back case
- A leather strap that’s comfortable and durable
- High-quality materials and craftsmanship
Cons
- Quite large for small wrists
- No complications on the dial