6 Affordable Automatic Watches That Feel Luxe

Unimatic makes achingly stylish yet modern watches at ludicrously low prices, considering what you get. This is hardly surprising when you consider the Milan-based brand was founded by a pair of industrial designers in 2015. The 400 euro ($463) UC2 has a minimal brushed 316 solid stainless steel case that's waterproof to 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) and an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Sapphire is better than plastic or even mineral glass for toughness, so no need to worry about scratches if you bang the UC2 against a wall or ticket barrier. 

The black matte dial is finished with glow-in-the-dark, pale-green Super-LumiNova hour markers, while the automatic movement is good for a respectable 41-hour power reserve. The black nylon, two-piece strap finishes the package nicely. In a final flourish, at this price, amazingly, you also get the watch delivered in a Unimatic tough case.

The Hamilton Khaki Field is no stranger to lists of value watches, and rightly so. The military look is very much in style in the horology world (not that it ever really is out of fashion), but now the brand has brought in lightweight titanium options. This 42mm piece with a stealthy coating of black PVD (a process in which a solid material is vaporized in a heated vacuum then bound to a surface) houses the automatic movement, which offers an impressive 80-hour power reserve. The simple, clear dial will never look dated, while the tough canvas strap and 100-meter water resistance make this a watch that can serve for sports and evening occasions. 

Looking for something less Bruce Wayne in demeanor? Try Hamilton's new Far Cry 6 collaboration with Ubisoft. Identical to the in-game watch, this piece, also in titanium, has a stylized 6, red second hand, an additional leather strap, a strap-changing tool, and a leather carrying case. But take note: It's a limited edition run. Only 1,983 will be made.

Farer, a British brand, sells exceptional automatics under $1,000. Its 38.5mm Pembroke field watch with a 200-meter depth rating is made from marine-grade stainless steel (which has higher levels of chromium and molybdenum, so it's tougher and has greater corrosive resistance). Inside is a robust Sellita automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve and built-in shock system. 

This timepiece also comes with three quality straps: a marine-blue American Horween leather strap; a green waterproof NATO strap (NATOs are one-piece straps, originally made for the military, that are lightweight, quick-drying, durable, and simple to use); and an integrated “5 row” 316 marine-grade steel bracelet—all with quick-release fitting systems. Many high-end brands would not be so generous.

We're not sure there is much need for the separation of watches into “men’s” and “women’s” categories. After all, if you like diving, a dive watch is the right choice for you. What makes this 38mm watch stand out is not that the manufacturer calls it a “women's” piece but that it's only 9mm thick yet still manages to be fully automatic. Sapphire crystal? Check. Water resistance? Check (to 100 feet). Leather strap? Check again. Then consider the price. This costs just $200. Then consider the sale price. Right now it's only $99. 

Chinese brand Sea-Gull, a public company based in Tianjin, reportedly turns out 5.2 million mechanical movements a year, making it easily the world’s largest manufacturer. It also made the original and much-copied Seagull 1963 pilot’s chronograph, so don't let the low price fool you into thinking it's a brand to ignore.

Tech has, much like everywhere else, massively impacted the watch world. The arrival of quartz technology in the 1970s and early 1980s at the time largely replaced mechanical watches. 

Mechanical: The items on this list are mechanical and fully automatic, so your wrist movements recharge them (no winding), and they have smooth hand movements. Generally, mechanical watches are designed to last lifetimes, if cared for properly. With an automatic, you're also paying for craftsmanship. This is unfortunately why “proper” watches cost so much. For example, an entry-level Rolex Submariner will set you back more than $8,000.

Quartz Watches: A quartz watch uses a battery to send an electrical current through a small quartz crystal, which electrifies it and makes it vibrate. Those vibrations keep the movement oscillating and power the motor that moves the watch hands. Quartz timepieces are more accurate than mechanical ones and are much cheaper. 

But there is a trade-off. Unlike the smooth sweeping motion of a mechanical movement, the second hand of a quartz watch moves in jerking individual ticks. Also, that battery will need changing every year or two. Additionally, quartz watches are mostly mass-manufactured with the cheapest possible parts.