TGIF: Watch Brands for Collectors on a Budget

It's fun to collect watches. But, it can be demoralizing to read watch magazines and watch websites that are often focused on watches that lie far beyond comfortable middle class price points. It's no fun to read about watches that we can't afford and where our collection might be limited to just a handful of very high quality timepieces.

A used Nivada watch that is out of my price range

While the dream lingers out there on the edges of our imagination, in reality, the median household income in the United States in 2025 was just under $84,000.  The average income was a little higher at $121,000 annually. This means a Rolex watch could easily be priced at 10% of a year's annual household income. That's a significant financial commitment. When you think about the chronic underfunding of American retirement accounts, the high cost of housing, and the purchasing power than many American's have lost due to inflation, luxury and ultra-luxury watches as defined by the watch industry become an impossible dream.

A Pair of Timex Waterbury Watches

Fortunately, we don't have to give up watch collecting. There are many watchmakers that provide interesting watches at far more affordable price points.  In my years of perusing watch advertisements, Amazon listings, and collecting watches on my own, I've found 11 watch brands that provide affordable watches.  Most choices from these brands are prices at far less than $500. Many regularly offer nice watches for less than $100.  Here are the 11 watch brands that watch collectors on a budget can count on for attractive, affordable, watches:

1. Timex
2. Orient
3. Invicta
4. Mathey-Tissot
5. Peugeot
6. Harry Williams
7. MVMT
8. Skagen
9. Diesel
10. Swatch
11. Vostok

You can find plenty of great watches to build a collection without breaking your bank!

The Diesel I didn't get when I had the chance!

To check out some of the very best Timex watches around, visit my Best Timex Watches on Amazon page for a great selection. For a great selection of very collectible Diesel watches, check out my Best Diesel Watches on Amazon.

Watches A to Z: Harry Williams

When I was searching for watch values on Amazon over the weekend, I came across an unfamiliar brand:  Harry Williams. I wondered if it was an old British brand or a newfangled Asian brand. It turns out that it is actually an Italian brand. It was founded in 2015, by watch industry veteran Stefano Abbati. A veteran of watch brands including Sector, Binda Group, and Fossil, Abbati chose the name as a playful nod towards Britain's royal family with Harry being the rebel and William being the traditional. The design ethic is one of homage to the Swinging London era of the 1960s and 70s where tradition and rebellion were often at odds. Perhaps, you can see some of that conflict, in the design this Harry Williams Moon-phase Watch. 

The Harry Williams Moon-Phase Quartz Watch

[You can get this interesting watch (above) for 20% off on Amazon.com as of September 2025, just click it here for this Harry Williams watch.]

On the one hand, it has electric blue hands and a modern minimalist dial, but the moon phase complication and the Roman numeral at 12 o'clock remind the wearer of tradition. It makes for a captivating look: minimalism, modernism, and tradition. It makes for a sophisticated and transgressive combination for a watch that costs less than $100. 

The Harry Williams Skeleton Watch

Another cool watch from Harry Williams is this colorful skeleton watch with a Japanese automatic movement. It provides an unusually vibrant and youthful look for a fairly traditional automatic watch. It's also a very reasonably priced watch at less than $140.

[You can also get this skeleton watch (above) on Amazon, just click it here for the Harry Williams Skeleton Automatic watch.]

Sharp Watch Shout Out: The Invicta S1 Rally

If you are looking for a watch inspired by auto racing and fast cars, check out the Invicta S1 Rally. It's a great looking motor sports chronograph watch that most of us can afford. That's why it gets this week's sharp watch shout out!

Invicta S1 Rally Chronograph Watch (Amazon.com)

Invicta S1 Rally Features

The watch has 24-hour chronograph functionality with elapsed hours, minutes, and seconds. It's well constructed with 100-meters of water resistance and a stainless steel case. The strap is made of leather and has large holes around the circumference to help well air circulation. The watch has a VD54 Japanese quartz movement. The case is 48mm in diameter. It's a good looking watch that you won't miss on any wrist. 

Where to get the Invicta S1 Rally Chronograph

The Invicta S1 Rally is available on Amazon right here.

TGIF: How Important is Dial Color?

A recent question on X by the French watch shop (@TempusShop) about some watch colors he had in stock, led to a discussion about dial colors. For me, dial color is pretty important. I have some dial colors that I really like - blue, silver, black, and white. Some dial colors are right out for me:  salmon (that is pink) and red. It makes me wonder: How important is dial color to you? When you visit watches on Amazon, its pretty obvious that dial color can really make a big difference in price.

A Grok-generated AI image of colorful watches

To see a good example of the price differences between dial colors check out one model of watch that comes in different colors. For price comparison purposes, let's look at the Fossil Men's Sport Tourer Quartz Stainless Steel Chronograph watch. I've been intrigued by watches that have a vintage vibe and this one is all over it. This combo is brown leather, silver, and cream. There is currently a 16% discount on Amazon that brings this watch in at just over $160. You can see this watch here on Amazon.

A Fossil Men's Sport Tourer Quartz Watch (Amazon photo)

If you want the same exact watch with a slightly different strap, the sale price drops it from $195 to just under $115. 

A Fossil Men's Sport Tourer Quartz Watch with Yellow Dial (Amazon photo)

It's definitely worth poking around just to see variations of this watch between $115 to $220. To see this one here, check it out on Amazon.

Watch Deal Alert: Stuhrling Original Minimalist Black Watch for Men

Stuhrling Original is known for putting very high retail prices on their watches and steeply discounting them so that they appear to be bargains. However, even accounting for such practices, they do have some watches that value-oriented watch enthusiasts may want to consider. For example, this Stuhrling Original Black Watch is a great looking minimalist timepiece. It is part of their Symphony collection. Purchasers on Amazon seem to like this watch as it earns 4.4 stars in reviews and ratings. It might be time to set aside the Stuhrling hate.

Stuhrling Original Minimalist Black Watch (Amazon Photo)

Unfortunately, I'm having trouble finding the exact dimensions for this timepiece. The best information that i can find is that the watch comes in at 42mm in diameter. The watch is currently marketed as being 80% off and that comes in at just under $60. That's a price range that I love because the watches start to be decent and, yet, they are still affordable.

If you'd like to get this Stuhrling Original minimalist dress watch, you can find it here on Amazon.

Sharp Watch Shoutout: Hilfiger Men's Multi-Function Quartz Watch

I just noticed this Hilfiger watch on Amazon.com and had to give it a shout out. This watch has everything that makes Hilfiger a great fashion watch brand.  It's a multi-function watch with the Date, Day of the Week, and 24 hour time provided by functional sub-dials.  It has a comfortable silicone strap in the bluest of blues. It just looks great for a little under $100. That's why it gets a Sharp Watch Shoutout!

Tommy Hilfiger Men's Multi-Function Quartz Watch - Model 1791349

There a plenty of more storied watch brands, but this watch compares well against them. Why? Perhaps because they are designed and manufactured by the Movado Watch Group--an outfit that knows a little about making excellent watches. Hilfiger watches have a consistent level of quality in their designs, material, and manufacturing. They also pair well with the brands clothing lines.  Basically, this watch will pair well with that shirt that makes you look good. That's a powerful combination.

If you'd like to check this watch out, you can see it here on Amazon.

Wristwatch Review: Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch

The Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph for men is is one of the Chinese watches that has to worry traditionally low-priced watch brands like Armitron, Casio, and Timex. It provides a good look, chronograph functionality, and what seems to be a factory-direct price on Amazon. It's a competitive watch now and only a few minor flaws stand in the way of it being an outstanding watch choice at its price point.

Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch

Nibosi Watch Design and Features

The design of the Nibosi Chronograph is a solid.  It has the expected three watch hands plus three functional sub-dials that provide the 24 hour time, the elapsed seconds and elapsed minutes as chronograph features. Like most subdials, they are a little difficult for me to read as a watch enthusiast in my late 50s. The date window is canted at the 4:30 position which may be upsetting to some. I don't mind it.  The outline of our planet with longitude and latitude lines is etched into the dial background. Hour marker batons are thin chrome or stainless steel that matches the watch finish. The watch has a stainless steel bracelet secured by a deployant clasp.

The Push-button Deployant Clasp on the Nibosi Chronograph

Nibosi Watch Construction

This Nibosi watch has all stainless steel construction and seems quite solid. At this price point, it is an unexpected. The inside edges of the watch are a little sharper and rougher than the same places on more established brands like Casio or Timex. This is the one flaw that is noticeable on this watch. The effect on comfort is negligible, but might be noticed by some wearers. I found the watch fairly comfortable for extended wear. But, removed it from time to time when typing for long periods.

The Nibosi Case Back

The watch is marked as 3 Atmosphere or 100 feet of water resistance and the construction quality seems like it would easily provide that level of water resistance.

Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph

Nibosi Watch Dimensions

This timepiece has a 42mm diameter case and 22mm diameter bracelet. It's not too thick either. The bracelet comes a little long and has a link removal tool included in the packaging so that it can be adjusted down to fit.

The Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph is no classic, but it's pretty cool!

Overall Impression

Overall, the Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph provides tremendous value. It only costs about $20. I found it comfortable and substantial on my wrist. If you are looking to scratch the watch bug at an affordable price point, I'd recommend trying Nibosi out.

Where to Buy Nibosi Watches

You can find the Nibosi Stainless Steel Chronograph here on Amazon.