Mechanical watches keep the timeless tradition of horology design alive. Something is fascinating about mechanical watches that modern quartz watches do not have – centuries of tradition. The skills and expertise poured into the creation of a mechanical watch have gone through almost 600 years of development and evolution. The sophisticated charm of mechanical watches is its main draw with timepiece enthusiasts. While quartz watches have overtaken the classic mechanical timepieces as the primary watch movement – one cannot deny the timeless appeal of a mechanical watch.
Mechanical watches are typically high-end and considered to be among the list of luxury watch types. This pushed the mechanical timepiece as a sort of status symbol in society and is most appreciated due to the level of craftsmanship and refinement that these timepieces exude. That is not to say that watch enthusiast with a tight budget won’t be able to enjoy the perks of having a mechanical movement timepiece grace their wrist.
We have compiled a list of excellent mechanical movement watches that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Check out our list of affordable mechanical watches down below!
Seiko 5 Automatic SNK805
The Seiko 5 SNK805 Automatic Watch incorporates a military-inspired aesthetic. It features a green dial with green nylon straps. The stainless-steel case measures in at a sleek 37mm in diameter, which gives it a lighter weight – perfect for outdoor use. The Seiko 5 SNK805 also incorporates a Hardlex crystal for its dial window which gives it more than adequate protection. The green dial is complemented by the white Arabic numeral markers and hands which are also coated with a luminous finish. Additionally, there is also a day and date display located over at the 3 o’clock position. The Seiko 5 SNK805 Automatic watch also has a 30-meter water-resistant making it able to withstand the occasional splash of water of brief immersions.
Timex Marlin Automatic TW2T22800
The slick and refined design of the Timex Marlin series, along with its mechanical movement, makes it one of the most elegant mid-range timepieces around. The two-tone black and gold aesthetics is eye-catching, to say the least. The TW2T22800 Marlin model also comes in several color variants with other featuring an all-stainless-steel build to enhance overall luxury further. Within the Timex Marlin lies an automatic mechanical21-jewel movement that also provides an impressive 40-hour power reserve. The gold-tone stainless steel case measures 40mm in diameter. To further boost the luxury aesthetics, Timex used a domed acrylic crystal window. Other notable aspects about the Marlin Automatic includes the date display located beside the 3 o’clock marker and decent 30-meter water resistance.
Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB
The Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB is one of the most affordable on this list, and it doesn’t even look its price. The beautiful round watch comes in at 40mm in diameter with its polished stainless-steel case with a mineral glass window. As this is a diving watch, it features a unidirectional bezel and a water resistance of up to 200-meters. The Invicta Pro Diver also utilizes a transparent back case to give you a good view of its Japanese mechanical automatic movement. Another notable aspect is the date display which is placed underneath a magnified section of the dial window for better legibility.
Seiko Prospex SRP777 Diver Watch
This Seiko dive watch features a robust and rather bulky design. It has a hefty 45mm stainless steel case that also comes equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel, as is the with most dive watches. The dial is reinforced with Hardlex crystal glass which is durable and scratch-resistant. The Prospex SRP777 features a seal tight screw-down crown that helps give it its 200-meter water resistance. The watch is also designed for comfort as it uses flexible black silicone band. As for the dial, Seiko implemented a smart and simple design that focuses on legibility. The black dial features reflective and luminous silver-toned markers and hands, giving wearers excellent visibility even when underwater.
Orient Sun and Moon Version 2 Automatic Watch
The Orient Sun and Moon V2 might be one of the most visually striking mechanical watches in this list. It features a sun and moon display as well as a day and date sub-dial. The dial features a concentric pattern along with the guilloche finish, which gives the Orient Sun and Moon V2 with a tinge of elegance. This mechanical Orient timepiece also has a durable32.5mm stainless steel case build which also utilizes a sapphire crystal glass window. Also, the Orient Sun and Moon V2 have a 50-meter water resistance which means it can withstand quick immersions.
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Watch (H69429931)
The Hamilton Khaki Field is a lightweight mechanical timepiece designed for use in the outdoors. The robust polished 38mm in diameter stainless-steel case features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass window for added toughness. It also uses a green textile band to provide flexibility and comfort. The black dial features silver-toned luminous hands and Arabic numeral hour markers for easy legibility whether during the day or at night. The Hamilton Khaki Field also has a 50-meter water resistance rating which allows it to withstand splashes and brief immersions in water. This is a pretty rudimentarily designed watch that appeals to the soul of an outdoor enthusiast.
Swatch BAU Automatic Watch (SUTW405)
The Swatch BAU Automatic watch features a fairly modern aesthetic with a pristine white silicone strap. The black dial is enhanced by the primary-colored red, blue, and yellow-tone hands, which is visually nice. The case measures in at a decent 42mm diameter and is also equipped with a push/pull crown. The watch also has a 50-meter water resistance rating which means it can only withstand the occasional splash of water. Swatch is always known for their casual timepieces, and if you liked their brand of style, this is a mechanical watch that is definitely worth a look.
Victorinox Swiss Army Maverick (241602)
Victorinox has a signature robust design and is one of the brand’s selling point. Their primary selling point is with their tough as nails watch build, making Victorinox highly sought-after by outdoor enthusiasts. The Victorinox Swiss Army Maverick 241602 incorporates the brand’s distinct all-stainless-steel build. As with other Victorinox watches, the Swiss Army Maverick is designed for all occasions. You can wear them outdoors as well as during formal functions. This is also a Swiss-made watch, so its quality is a guarantee.
The watch has a 43mm diameter stainless steel case. The blue-toned dial features both a 12-hour and 24-hour format. Additional features include a date and day display as well as an end-of-life indicator. The case also features the sturdy and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal for added protection when outdoors. The Maverick also has a 100-meter water resistance which is the cherry on top.
Seiko PRESAGE Blue Gradation Cocktail Time “Blue Moon” (SRPB41J1)
The Seiko PRESAGE features a stunning and sophisticated aesthetic that gives it that unique luxury charm without having that high-end price tag. The Seiko PRESAGE is not just impressive in its design; it also has top-tier horological construction within. The dial features a sunburst pattern which definitely looks snazzy. The PRESAGE also employs Hardlex crystal for that added durability. Underneath the hood lies the Caliber 4R35 mechanical movement with 23 jewels. It clocks in at 21,600 VPH and has a power reserve of up to 41 hours on a full charge. The Seiko PRESAGE exudes a level of complexity while keeping actual functionality as rudimentary as possible. Simply put, this is a mechanical watch designed to impress without taking a huge chunk out of the bank.
Vostok Amphibian Automatic Russian Military Wristwatch (710657)
If you are looking for a mechanical watch that excels in its durability, then Vostok is a good place to start your search. What’s more? This particular Vostok automatic/mechanical watch is also incredibly affordable. As you might expect from a timepiece designed by the official supplier of the Russian army, the Vostok Amphibian is as tough as they come. It incorporates the Vostok self-winding movement with 31 jewels for its analog dial display. Once fully wound, the watch movement can run efficiently for 31 hours straight. As with all Vostok timepieces, the Amphibian model #710657 is also equipped with an anti-shock build. There is also a graduated rotating bezel on the robust case, and the watch itself provides an impressive 200-meter water resistance rating.