The Best Affordable Watches of 2025

The best new affordable watches of 2025 provide definitive proof that you no longer need a fat bankroll to put an enviable ticker on your wrist. Sure, you might not get one made of gold, set with a rainbow of precious gemstones, or with a mechanical movement that’s been labored over by an artisan in the Swiss Alps , but not every great watch is a product of precious metals or coaxial tourbillons. Indeed, the last 12 months have shown that no matter what kind of watch you’re into, from sporty to dressy to vintage-inspired , there’s plenty of style and substance to be had for well under a grand. ​ Mainstays like Timex , Casio , and Citizen have all helped to make 2025 a banner year for budget-friendly bangers, but not all of this year’s best budget picks come from the big names. Thanks to the efforts of established indies like Lorier and Brew, and niche specialists like Junghans, there are some excellent under-the-radar options to choose from. And if you’re into buying something assembled right here in the good ol’ US of A, you’ve got options there too, thanks to the stylish efforts of Vaer and Shinola. Basically, unless you’re absolutely itching to spend ten grand on a watch, you can find something you love for far less among the selects below. 5 of 2025's Best Affordable Watches Todd Snyder x Unimatic Modello Quattro U4 GMT Watch It may not be quite on the level of Lennon and McCartney or Kobe and Shaq (yet), but the partnership between Todd Snyder and Unimatic is proving to be an incredibly fruitful one. The latest collab between the heavyweight American designer and the Italian GOAT of minimalist sports watches is par for an extremely stylish course. Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm Watch In the few years since its North American launch, the Tsuyosa has quickly established itself as a frontrunner on every Best Mechanical Watches Under $500 list. With its integrated bracelet, sapphire crystal, and a variety of fetching dial colors, it’s easy to see why. This year, thanks to a new 37mm case size, it’s become that much more of a go-to. Bulova Surveyor Watch Watch companies are notorious for changing the dial color on a timepiece and acting like it’s a super big deal. In some cases, however, it actually changes the whole personality of the watch. That’s true of Bulova’s newest Surveyor, whose silvered brown dial will be a serious complement to indigo denim, navy-blue suits , and a lot of your other favorite wardrobe pieces. Casio A158 Watch This relative of the iconic Casio f91w doesn’t change the script in any major way, and that’s a good thing. Instead, it offers a five-link bracelet, an LED backlight, and a hit of green that makes a perfect companion to its yellow gold-tone finish. Junghans Max Bill Quartz Damen Watch If mid-century Euro-minimalism is your jam, you’re probably familiar with the Junghans Max Bill lineup, which is based on a...

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