I haven’t done a “Five Watches” list in over ten years. So, let’s dust off this old chestnut with an update. I listed Five Watches Under $50, and Five Watches $50-100 back in 2014. A lot has changed since then. My taste has evolved, new watches have been released, and $50 ain’t what it used to be. So, in 2025, can you still buy a fun watch on the cheap? As The Time Bum, I say most emphatically yes. Let’s see what I found for under $100 without resorting to anything sketchy.
Casio AE1200, $21.92
Casio still rules the roost when it comes to high-value digital watches. I used to turn my nose up at them, but these days, The Bum has more mature tastes, an open mind, and fewer hang-ups. Well, different hang-ups at least. I still haven’t gone full G-Shock, but I have grown to love the Casio AE1200 World Time (“Casio Royale”) and its sibling, the AE1300 Countdown Timer. See my review here. They are tough (200M WR), look cool, and are cheap as dirt. I found one at Walmart for just over $20. The World Time has the added benefit of being easily modified with aftermarket steel or bronze cases, sapphire crystals, and fitted straps or strap adaptors so you can turn your $20-30 bargain beater into a custom creation that costs ten times more.
Farr+Swit Retro Digital Mix Tape, $34.99
A cheap and cheerful watch list would not be complete without this little beauty from Farr+Swit. The Retro Digital Mix Tape is an ode to the 1980s that combines design cues from old Casios, the original Swatch Watches, and Memorex cassette tapes to create a delightful little watch that costs next to nothing. Read my full review here and buy your own here.
Sheffield QL1, $50
Sheffield has mastered the art of delivering a lot of watch for very little money. The brand is so good at it that they have made this list twice, the first of which carries a price tag od only $50. That buys you the QL1, a 3-hand, Miyota quartz driver’s watch. No, not diver, driver (the diver comes later). Sheffield’s owner is a dedicated car guy, so the QL1’s dial is oriented with the 12 in what would normally be the 2 o’clock position, appearing upright when your left hand is firmly gripping a steering wheel. It’s available in 38mm and 42mm cases and in a variety of dial and strap colors inspired by 1970s Porsches.
Merkur 70s Red Army, $67
There are few options for mechanical watches under $100, but my favorites come from China. I’ve purchased a few bargain hand-winding watches from the Merkur factory and love their vintage style and proud guochau retro design. You can read my review of a couple of them here. For this list, I’ll point you at the watch that I’ll simply call the 70s Red Army. Merkur lists it on its site with a name that is practically its own paragraph, but you’ll find it, and for a mere $67, you’ll almost certainly get the maximum bang for your buck.
Boderry Voyager, $99
Boderry squeaks in just under the wire, and I do mean squeaks, because it’s $109 on the Boderry site but only $99 on Amazon. I’ve added it here because it has a titanium case, 100m water resistance, a sapphire crystal, C3 Swiss Super-LumiNova, and a Seiko NH35 automatic movement. That’s a lot of watchy goodness for very little money.
