Watches were once an expensive accessory, made by hand and featuring an intricate and delicate balance of tiny parts.
Since the arrival of quartz movements and the opportunity to mass-produce watches, prices have fallen and there are options to suit all budgets.
Whether you’re on a tight budget, you want a budget watch to wear when you don’t want to risk damaging a more expensive timepiece, or are looking for a watch to give as a gift, there’s an impressive range of options available for less than you might think.
We challenged ourselves and set out not just to find the best budget watches, but the best cheap watches under $50.
We found everything from sporty styles to classic and timeless designs.
Read on for our round-up, and for more information about what to look out for in a budget watch.
See Our Top Watches Under $50
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Best For Higher Budgets
3Fossil Women Jacqueline Everyday Watch
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Best For Low Budgets
4Timex Women's Basic Watch
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Best Overall
6Casio G-Shock Classic Digital Watch
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1. G-Shock – Classic Analog-Digital
The classic version from G-Shock features the same ruggedness and durability that most users are familiar with, but it is a bit thin on features. It has the same analog and digital combination but it won’t let you tell the time in several time zones (only one) and doesn’t have some of the fancier features people seem to enjoy.
Still, if you’re not looking for anything too fancy and you want durability and reliability, this is the watch to consider. At first glance, you can see the analog two-hands quartz movement (the hour hand is lined with red while the minute hand is a light grey), the negative dial, and the hour markers. The watch features three Arabic numerals (for the 12, 3, and 9 o’clock positions) and markers for the rest.
Underneath the analog hands, on the bottom half of the face, there is a small screen that displays information in digital format. Here, you can see the date and day of the week and play with some of the other features (stopwatch, alarms, dual time zone, and others).
To change the modes and set the time, date and other settings you’ll have to use the lateral buttons, which are a bit stiff. Also, if the light is low, there is a light on the watch, but it will only stay on for a few seconds (there is no auto EL like with more advanced G-Shock versions).
Specifications
Pros
- Durable design with a solid build
- It is lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Long battery life (up to 3 years)
- Several basic features
- Accurate and reliable
Cons
- Setting the time and date is a bit of a pain
- The negative display can be difficult to see
- A bit thin on features
2. Invicta – Pro Diver 8928OB
This analog watch has a unique design, with a 23k gold-plated stainless steel case, black watch face and blue dial/bezel, and a gold and stainless steel tone bracelet. The blue dial is designed to make it easy to read the watch, even in low light conditions.
The hands and markers are luminous and there is a magnified date window at 3 o’clock.
It’s rated as water resistant to 660 feet (200 meters), which is suitable for water sports but not recommended for scuba diving.
It also has an automatic (self-winding) mechanism, which does not operate on batteries. Instead, it’s wound by the movement of your wrist as you wear it, known as kinetic energy.
Specifications
Pros
- Unique styling, with gold and silver tones on the band, a black watch face and a blue dial/bezel.
- Blue dial makes it easy to read in any kind of light.
- Powered by kinetic or self-winding technology, so it doesn’t need a battery, a charge, or to be wound.
Cons
- Doesn’t have the bells and whistles of a digital or smartwatch.
- The multitude of colors on the watch may be too much for some.
3. Fossil Women Jacqueline Everyday Watch
- Elegant, classic design
- Roman numeral hour markers
- Leather strap
- Easy to read face with textured dial
This Fossil watch is fashionable yet timeless, and the elegant style equally suits work, dress or casual wear.
The simple stainless steel case is well-proportioned and sits on a narrow leather strap, which has a suede-like texture. The white dial has a slight texture for decoration, and is clean and easy to read.
Roman numeral hour markers sit around the edge of the dial. Both the markers and the hands (hour, minute and second) are silver to complement the bezel, but none of them are luminous.
There’s a date display at the six o’clock position, though it is very small. We liked the design of this watch and its versatility for everyday use, but the strap can become marked quite easily which is one point to bear in mind.
Specifications
Pros
- Date display
- Water-resistant to 30m
- Slimline case (8mm thick)
- Comes in presentation tin - makes an ideal gift
Cons
- Date display is very small
- Hands and markers are not luminescent
4. Timex Women's Basic Watch
- Timeless design
- Indiglo light-up dial
- Scratch resistant mineral glass
- Petite design ideal for smaller wrists
The classic design of this Timex watch is perfect for someone looking for a timeless and simple style. The petite and clean round case is edged in brass, held on a brown leather strap. The black numeral hour markers have a retro feel and are easy to read against the white dial.
Simple hour, minute and second stick markers in black and brass are not luminous, however this watch does feature an indiglo light-up dial.
A press of the crown illuminates the dial in low light or at night. There is a date display at the 3 o’clock position, although this is quite small.
The water resistance to 30m means this watch should cope with splashes but isn’t suitable for swimming.
Overall this is a perfect option for someone looking for a straightforward and elegant timepiece who doesn’t need an array of extra functions.
Specifications
Pros
- Attractive brass bezel and crown
- Date display
- Water resistant to 30m
- Simple stick hour, minute and second hands
Cons
- Date display is very small
- The large number of lines between each hour marker is confusing
5. Fossil Jacqueline Ladies Watch
- Classic, elegant design
- Blush pink leather strap
- Whiteface with a subtle pattern is clean and easy to read
- Attractive rose gold bezel
With a blush pink leather strap and a rose gold bezel, this elegantly designed Fossil watch is a feminine style which equally suits daily or dress wear.
The analog display is very clear and easy to read, with a white dial that features a subtle pattern. There are clear Roman numeral hour markers in the same rose gold as the bezel, and these are matched by the hour and minute hands.
There’s also a second hand in plain black. A date display at the 6 o’clock position is edged in rose gold, although the actual display is a little small to read.
Whilst we really liked the blush pink strap, it does quickly show marks so you may want to apply a protector or keep it for dress use.
The watch is water resistant to 30m so not suitable for swimming.
The low profile design and soft tones of this timepiece make it an attractively-priced dress watch.
Specifications
Pros
- Low profile case (only 8mm thick)
- Date display
- Water-resistant to 30m
- Rose gold Roman numeral hour markers and hour and minute hands
Cons
- Blush colored strap can become dirty easily
- The date display is very small and not easy to read
6. Casio G-Shock Classic Digital Watch
- Durable design
- Multi-function alarm
- Shock resistant
- 12- and 24-hour formats
Casio’s G Shock watches are known for their durability and this low-cost, shock resistant model is no exception.
It’s a sporty design with a retro look and a rectangular digital display.
The resin case and plastic strap are designed to withstand tough use and the watch also manages to pack in plenty of useful features.
There’s a multi-function alarm, 12- and 24-hour time formats, and an auto-calendar.
The stopwatch can measure down to 1/100 second for the first hour, beyond that (and up to 24 hours) it’s accurate to 1 second. It has elapsed and split time modes and can record first and second-place times.
The backlight helps to illuminate the digital display in low light or darkness.
We did have one criticism which is that the buttons around the bezel can be hard to press in, particularly the button on the top left – we noticed other users reported the same issue.
Water resistance to 200m means this watch should be fine for swimming and showering, though we didn’t test this out.
Specifications
Pros
- 1/100 second stopwatch
- 200m water resistance
- Countdown timer with 24-hour range
- Backlight
Cons
- Can be hard to press the buttons around the bezel, especially the upper left one. This seems to be an issue experienced by many users.
7. Invicta 8932OB Pro Diver Silver Watch
- Classic Diver style watch
- Stainless steel case and strap
- Date display
- Mineral crystal face
If you appreciate the diver style of an iconic design from a much more expensive brand, you’ll like this classic Invicta model.
It has a sporty look, with a stainless steel case and strap and a black dial. The design of the face is clean with luminous hour and minute hands, a slim second hand and simple luminous hour markers.
There’s also a date display at the 3 o’clock position. This is not a watch packed with features, but it is a stylish and reliable timepiece for day to day wear.
The water resistance is reported as 200m, though we didn’t test the watch in water.
We would be cautious about using it for swimming as there isn’t a screw down crown and we noticed that a few users reported some condensation under the mineral crystal face after exposure to water.
Specifications
Pros
- Luminous hands and hour markers
- Band can be adjusted by removing or adding links
- Japanese Quartz movement
- 200m water resistant
Cons
- Does not have a screw down crown for water resistance
- The deployment clasp seemed stiff to open
8. Bewell W086B Handmade Wooden Wristwatch
- Made from wood for an eye-catching look
- Date display
- Hypoallergenic
- Packaged in a gift box so ideal as a present
Budget watches are typically mass produced, which enables the cost to stay low.
If you’re looking for something different to the norm, this Bewell wood watch proves that it’s possible to find an option which is eye-catching and unusual for under $50.
The analog face is simple, allowing the wood finish to take centre-stage. There are stick hour, minute and second hands, and clear hour markers.
A date display at the 3 o’clock position completes the design. The bracelet style watch is also made from wood, with a stainless steel foldover clasp to fasten it securely.
It’s possible to remove links to reduce the size of the bracelet and a tool for doing this is supplied. Wood is a hypoallergenic material, so this suits people who are sensitive to other finishes.
However, you need to take more care than you perhaps would with other watches, to avoid getting it wet (which can dry out the wood) or staining.
Specifications
Pros
- Choice of wood finishes
- Links can be removed to fit your wrist (tool supplied)
- Lightweight
Cons
- You need to avoid getting the watch wet
- Can become stained
9. Invicta Coalition Forces 25325 Watch
- Durable silicone strap
- 12- and 24-hour display
- Day and date display
- Sporty design
This Invicta watch features a grey silicone strap and bezel which gives a different twist to the sporty design.
The face has an analog display, with the black dial allowing the luminous hour markers and the hour, minute and second hands to stand out clearly.
The dial has both 12- and 24-hour indices.
There’s also a day and date display at the 3 o’clock position. The bezel is marked with bold white second markers, but the bezel doesn’t move which is a shame.
The watch is water resistant to 100m so should be fine for swimming. The silicone band is ideal for daily wear as it’s durable and can withstand knocks and bumps without showing too many marks or scratches.
Whilst we didn’t have any issues ourselves, we did note quite a few reviews mentioning issues with the build quality so it would worth bearing that in mind.
Specifications
Pros
- Clear and simple face is easy to read
- Luminous hands and markers
- Water resistant to 100m
- Quartz movement
Cons
- Some users report build quality issues
- Bezel does not move
Buying Guide For Watches Under $50
Design
Setting a budget of $50 doesn’t mean that you have to limit your expectations when it comes to finding a stylish and well-designed watch.
Our research showed that there’s a huge variety of cool watches under $50, including models from well-known brands such as Casio and Timex.
If you want something a little different, it’s definitely possible to find unique watches under $50 too, such as watches made in an eye-catching wood finish. For more wood watches, make sure you give our guide on the best wooden watches a decent read.
Minimalistic
If your personal style is minimalistic, the good news is that there are plenty of women’s and men’s minimalist watches to suit this aesthetic.
We found some great minimalist watches under $50, which feature a clean analog display and a pared-back dial.
There are also digital options, but we generally found the analog designs to be simpler.
Thin
Some people prefer their watch to be low-profile, so it doesn’t snag on clothing or other objects.
A thin case can be particularly important if you’re someone who has to change in and out of a uniform, for example.
If this is a consideration for you, look out for watches with a case thickness of under 10mm – but the thinner the better – that won’t protrude too far from your wrist.
We wrote a great and in-depth guide covering the 5 best ultra-thin watches that you should definitely check out.
Type
One of the main choices you have to make when selecting a watch is the type of display you want.
Digital, Analog, or Smart
Digital watches tend to offer more features, so in this sense, the best digital watches under $50 can offer more for your money.
They are more likely to have functions such as a timer, alarm, or stopwatch.
On the other hand, a cheap analog watch can offer a classic, timeless design that is suitable for work or for dress wear and won’t date.
Smartwatches are even more feature-packed, allowing you to keep track of your step count or daily exercise, and even measure your heart rate.
The price of these is reducing as more options come onto the market, so you will be able to find some smart options within your $50 budget.
But if you are willing to go a little over your budget, we have a review for the best Smartwatches under $100.
Features
Choosing a watch under $50 doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to compromise on features. Here are some you might want to look out for.
Water Resistance
If you want a watch for swimming, then water resistance is definitely going to be important to you.
Look for watches with water resistance over 100m.
Remember that there is a difference between water-resistant and waterproof.
A truly waterproof watch takes more engineering and so is more expensive, so we’d struggle to point you in the direction of the best waterproof watches under $50.
But don’t worry, there are plenty of water-resistant options!
Even if you’re not a swimmer, a watch that’s water-resistant to 30m should be able to cope with splashes you might expose your watch to through daily activities such as washing your hands or getting caught in the rain.
Shock Resistance
Shock-resistant watches are engineered so that knocks or drops (within reason!) don’t affect their working.
This could be important if you have a physical or active job, or are someone who enjoys lots of outdoor or sporty activities. Watch durability is very important for jobs like construction.
Because of that, we’ve compiled the list of best durable watches for construction workers.
Shock resistance is more likely to be a feature of sports watches, for example, Casio offers a G Shock option for under $50.
Materials
The materials your watch is made from are important to the aesthetic and also can impact functionality. Materials can also be important if you have any allergies.
Stainless steel is one good hypoallergenic watch option and is a common choice for both watch cases and straps.
It’s robust and doesn’t degrade, though it is prone to show scratches.
A leather strap is a timeless choice and is comfortable to wear. Over time, leather can deteriorate and crack, especially if it’s exposed to water frequently.
That’s why many sports watches use durable materials such as resin or silicone. The best materials choice for you will offer a combination of style, comfort, and function.
Our Verdict
Our research showed that even if your budget is limited, you can find a stylish watch to suit your taste. We were impressed by the range of designs and quality available.
Our Best Entry Level pick is from Timex, a well-known and respected brand. Their Women’s Basic Watch has a classic design, with a simple analog face and leather strap.
There’s almost a retro feel to the design and it’s ideal for someone who wants a timeless piece.
Equally classic is the Invicta 8932OB Pro Diver Silver Watch, our Best Top of the Range choice.
It has the styling of a much more expensive watch, has a stainless steel case and strap for a quality look and durability, and is even water-resistant to 200m.
Finally, our Best Value selection is the Casio G-Shock Classic Digital Watch.
Like a digital watch, it’s able to offer a range of features despite the low price, with an alarm, stopwatch, timer, and backlight.
A great all-rounder for the price point and ideal for everyday wear.
