Affordable watches that hold their value

The legendary Seiko 5 SNK80X series provides some of the cheapest mechanical watches on the market. For less than $100 you get a great military-style field watch with one of the following dial colors:

• Black (SNK809)
• Blue (SNK807)
• Khaki (SNK805)
• Beige (SNK803)

The watch is protected by a lens made of hardlex. These timepieces are rugged, functional and very easy to read thanks to their eye-catching design. They are powered by the Seiko 7S26 automatic movement featuring a day-date complication with 41 hours of power reserve. It can be admired through the transparent case back.

• Ref: SNK809, SNK807, SNK805, SNK803
• Diameter: 37.00 mm
• Thickness: 11.00 mm
• Lug width: 18.00 mm
• Caliber: Seiko 7S26

Although it is less famous in Europe than Seiko or Citizen, Orient is nevertheless a very impressive watch manufacturer offering amazing watches for the money.

The Orient Bambino is an affordable dress watch that can be bought in the $150 range. Orient is one of the rare affordable watch manufacturers developing their own in-house movements.

• Ref: FAC00009N0
• Diameter: 40.50 mm
• Thickness: 11.80 mm
• Lug width: 21.00 mm
• Caliber: Orient F6724

The Seagull 1963 is a reissue of a watch that was used by the Chinese Air Force pilots. This chronograph is very much vintage looking and comes in a 38mm diameter case, making it very comfortable to wear, it is however 14.5mm thick, so it wears bigger than what the diameter suggests. The lug width is 18mm, making it easy for you to find other NATO straps.

• Ref: Seagull 1963
• Diameter: 38.00 mm
• Thickness: 14.50 mm
• Lug width: 18.00 mm
• Caliber: Seagull ST19

The Seiko SARX013 and SARX015 have a pattern of vertical stripes on their dial. Those models share the same handsomeness and differ on the color of their dials: the SARX013 has a black dial, whereas the SARX15 has a white dial. They both offer a date function, visible through a framed window at 3 o'clock. Those models house the renowned Seiko 6R15 automatic movement providing hacking and hand winding with a power reserve of 50 hours. You can observe this movement though the hardlex mineral glass of the case back. We love the masculine design of the case with a diameter of 40mm and a thickness 11.2mm, it has ideal proportions for most wrists.

• Ref: Seiko SARX013, SARX015
• Diameter: 40.00 mm
• Thickness: 11.20 mm
• Lug width: 20.00 mm
• Caliber: Seiko 6R15

Lorier is a fairly recent brand that has encountered a great success with it’s Neptune diver watch. This timepiece has a great vintage diver look and is simple yet very elegant.

The watch sports a Seiko NH35A movement (4R35 unbranded), with a domed plexiglass lens protecting a dial than can be black, blue or black “gilt” depending on the model. The hands glow very bright in the dark thanks to their BG W9 Super-LumiNova lume.

• Ref: Lorier Neptune
• Diameter: 39.00 mm
• Thickness: 12.00 mm
• Lug width: 20.00 mm
• Caliber: Seiko NH35

The SKX007/SKX009 is a very respectable diving watch that many people have in their collection. It is very affordable and easily found around $250 on eBay. It is very solid and is comfortable to wear.

The water resistance is 200m. It sports the Seiko 7S26 automatic movement which is a reliable workhorse and offers 40 hours of power reserve. Although this movement does not have handwinding and hacking capabilities, unlike the 4R36.

• Ref: SKX007K1, SKX007K2
• Diameter: 42.00 mm
• Thickness: 13.25 mm
• Lug width: 22.00 mm
• Caliber: Seiko 7S26

The diameter of this timepiece is 42.5mm and it is 13.25mm thick: it definitely has a healthy wrist presence, but is surprisingly comfortable to wear despite its size. The water resistance is 200m and it is ISO certified for diving activities.

The Seiko SKX007 is often mentioned as an affordable Rolex Submariner alternative, it has even found its place in collections made of much pricier timepieces. Others see it as the ultimate toolwatch that can take a beating without breaking a sweat.

• Ref: SKX009K1, SKX009K2
• Diameter: 42.00 mm
• Thickness: 13.25 mm
• Lug width: 22.00 mm
• Caliber: Seiko 7S26

The Seiko SARB017 aka Alpinist is a very well made watch. It has gained strong support from watch enthusiasts and is very often mentioned as a legendary watch. The SARB Series was introduced in 2006 and was discontinued in 2018, which made this watch even more desirable, contributing to a rather high price increase (ranging from 20 to 50%) in the last year or so.

The watch features a green dial with gold indices and lumed hands. It is a perfect watch for going outdoors and hiking, but looks very refined too. It even has a solar compass which can prevent you from getting lost - provided you know how to use it.

• Ref: SARB017
• Diameter: 38.00 mm
• Thickness: 12.00 mm
• Lug width: 20.00 mm
• Caliber: Seiko 6R15

The Seiko SARB033 ($350 On the used market), also called baby Grand Seiko due to its similarity with its big sister (SBGR001 retailing in the $2k range on the used market). Discontinued in 2018, this watch saw its value increase by up 25% in a few months. This model was only available on the Japanese domestic market (JDM) but is easy to find on eBay. It is still very desirable to this day.

The execution of the black dial is classy and the design is timeless. The watch features a date window at 3 o'clock. The automatic mechanical movement 6R15 - which can be seen through the see-through case back - is the same as the one used in the Seiko Brightz range, priced at the upper $1000 level. The 6R15 movement has a generous 50-hour power reserve. The diameter of this watch is ideal to me, 38mm makes it wearable in all conditions, whether it's while wearing a suit, or going for a walk on a sunny day. The thickness is 11.2mm.

• Ref: SARB033
• Diameter: 38.00 mm
• Thickness: 11.20 mm
• Lug width: 20.00 mm
• Caliber: Seiko 6R15

As its name suggests, the Hamilton Khaki Field is a field watch. The Khaki field is a well built and rugged watch that will stand the test of time. Its simple yet effective design makes it very easy to read and use.

This watch is full of history: it was introduced in 1910, when Hamilton began to equip the American Army with military watches which were more precise. It became the official watch supplier of the US Army.

This model has seen many battles, and if someone asked us to show them what a field watch is, it would be our pick: it represents courage and honor.

• Ref: Hamilton Khaki Field H69439411, H69439901, H69439931, H69449961
• Diameter: 38.00 mm
• Thickness: 9.50 mm
• Lug width: 20.00 mm
• Caliber: Hamilton H-50

The original model houses a reliable manual wind movement ETA 2801-2 (42h power reserve), whereas the latest edition features the Hamilton H-50 manual calibre with an impressive 80-hour power reserve.

Models housing the H-50 are available with or without a date.

The matte dial and lumed hands are protected by a sapphire crystal. It's a real classic that will never drop out of fashion. It is a highly versatile timepiece. The water resistance is 50m.

• Ref: Hamilton Khaki Field H69439363, H69419933
• Diameter: 38.00 mm
• Thickness: 9.50 mm
• Lug width: 20.00 mm
• Caliber: Hamilton H-50

The Everest (PRS 25) from the Smiths brand by Timefactors is an interesting and affordable watch. The Oyster case design, the black dial, and Mercedes hands remind us a lot of the Rolex Explorer, this watch is very simple yet elegant.

For $350, you get a Miyota 9015 automatic movement in a comfortable 40mm wide and 14.5mm thick case. The water resistance is 100m and the glass is acrylic so it can scratch but you can easily polish it.

• Ref: PRS 25 (1st gen)
• Diameter: 40.00 mm
• Thickness: 14.50 mm
• Lug width: 22.00 mm
• Caliber: Miyota 9015

This timepiece can definitely follow you in the mountains or in the jungle! It is therefore a great and affordable Rolex Explorer alternative.

A new 36mm version (2nd gen.) has a hi-dome sapphire crystal, the bracelet has been improved and is now fitted with an adjustable clasp which has four adjustments to ensure a perfect fit.

• Ref: PRS 25 (2nd gen)
• Diameter: 36.00 mm
• Thickness: 11.30 mm
• Lug width: 20.00 mm
• Caliber: Miyota 9015