OUR TOP 6 PICKS: Men’s watches that don’t even cost €80

Tags: Selection of the best | Men's | Classic

20.1.2026 | 6 MIN

Are affordable watches inherently bad? Not at all. From our selection of men’s watches, we’ve chosen a few pieces that are genuinely accessible while still delivering solid quality.

1) Sporty / Digital

With budget watches, quality is often a concern. But if you go with a tried-and-true brand, there’s nothing to worry about—like these Casio AE-1500.

They’re tough yet comfortable—and available at a fantastic price. Plus, they pack all the key functions.

You can set up to five alarms, display a second time zone, run a stopwatch or countdown timer, and switch on the backlight in low light.

The sporty design echoes the legendary G-Shocks—at roughly a third of the price. They also offer 100 m water resistance, making them a great fit for sport. They’re made of resin (with a stainless-steel caseback), a pleasant type of plastic that wears well. They’re lightweight and, surprisingly, sit nicely even on smaller wrists.

And perhaps the most impressive bit: an extremely long battery life—10 years. What more could you want from a watch for around €40?

“I bought the watch for sport—running, cycling, the shooting range. The value for money is unbeatable. It’s easy to read, lightweight, and sits well on the wrist. The functions I need for sport are all there—time, stopwatch, countdown. Setting it up is fairly intuitive, and after the first time with the manual you’ll be fine. Thanks to the bezel design, the crystal is protected and the chance of scratches is low. A 10-year battery life is a big plus.” – Honza (read more reviews)

Alternative: If “sporty” to you means analog—say, a diver style—then we have to highlight the Casio Duro. Timeless design, excellent water resistance, and of course an accessible price.

2) Modern retro

Watches that never go out of style—or keep coming back into fashion? Depends on your definition, but retro digitals seem immortal.

That’s why models like the Casio F-91 or Casio A168 are perennial bestsellers. We’ve included a modernised take: Casio ABL-100. At first glance it may look the same, but functionally it surprises.

Beyond the expected stopwatch, countdown and backlight, it also offers a step counter and Bluetooth.

Bluetooth, in particular, is useful and makes setting the watch far more convenient. Thanks to the link with your phone, the watch always keeps accurate time—and the correct date, of course. The app also logs your stopwatch times and steps.

A stylish evolution.

Alternative: If you don’t need any upgrade, you can always reach for the aforementioned Casio F-91 or Casio A168. Or—perhaps the ultimate retro move? A Casio calculator watch! The CA-53, made famous by Stranger Things, or the DBC-32 with databank.

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3) Highly legible / minimalist

Perfect legibility isn’t a trivial demand. Quite the opposite. Since watches became more of an accessory, practicality has often taken a back seat. Fortunately, there are still plenty of options that prioritise the essentials—an easy-to-read dial.

Large, clear numerals, minute markers, high-contrast hands, lume, and a date window—that’s what you get with JVD. The case is stainless steel, on the larger side, and offers 100 m water resistance, so everyday water contact won’t be an issue. You also get a day display.

The stainless-steel bracelet is durable, practical, and easy to fasten thanks to a simple fold-over clasp.

Alternative: If you want to strip minimalism—and price—down to the bone, go for the Casio Collection MQ-24. Absolute simplicity, appreciated even by Pope Francis. They don’t even cost €20, are featherlight, and if you’re not afraid of color, check out the Casio MQ-24B variants.

4) Versatile / one watch for everything

Arguably one of the most versatile watches ever made—at a price that won’t break the bank. Meet the Casio MTP-1302.

Fundamentally elegant without being overly formal. In fact, they feel pretty relaxed. As a do‑it‑all option, the size helps: 35.5 mm in diameter and just 9.2 mm thick, so they won’t get in the way, work fine with a T‑shirt, and will slip under a shirt cuff when needed.

Water resistance is 50 m, which is on the basic side—so not really for swimming—but for daily wear and typical situations, the MTP-1302 will handle it with ease.

Variant with a blue dial.

Today it’s offered in countless colors. For all-round use, we’d recommend the more classic dial shades so they go with everything. If you’re picking them as an additional watch in your collection, feel free to go bold.

Colors like white, black, and blue will go with almost anything, making them the most versatile.

“Perfect—you won’t find better at this price! Quality workmanship, looks premium. Highly recommended.” – Tomáš (read more reviews)

Alternative: If the Casios seem too small, or you want higher water resistance, these Lorus watches could be the answer. A somewhat underrated Japanese brand with a compelling price-to-performance ratio, and this model adds solar power, a larger diameter, 100 m water resistance, and an all‑stainless build.

5) Dressy / formal

For dress watches, prioritise solid execution and a conservative design. These are the watches you’ll choose for the theatre, a restaurant, or a job interview—and underdressing the occasion is not a great idea.

Festina offers a model that makes a great companion. It’s a brand with a strong name worldwide, a long history, and reliable watches. Which is why we allowed ourselves to nudge the price limit—just a touch.

We picked the stainless-steel bracelet version because many will wear it more often, but if you need a truly formal accessory, choose the leather‑strap variant—or add a leather strap alongside the steel bracelet.

Match the strap to the colour of your leather shoes and belt. And don’t worry—you won’t pay nearly as much for the strap as for the watch. For example, Ricardo offers an affordable leather strap, the Cortona with a deployant clasp, or the entry-level Rieti.

Alternative: Few watches are more revered as dress classics than the Cartier Tank or JLC Reverso—both rectangular. A tasteful, historically grounded choice. A more accessible option? Try the Casio Collection LTP-B165.

6) Outdoor / with extra functions

And now something for the great outdoors. The Casio Fishing Gear already hints in the name at functions nature lovers will appreciate.

Thanks to moon phases, they can suggest the best time to head out fishing. Perhaps that’s why they also feature 100 m water resistance and a more rugged build.

But even if fishing isn’t your thing, you’ll appreciate features like three alarms, which you can set to a specific date. Naturally, there’s also a stopwatch and a countdown timer, which signals the final 10 seconds.

Variant in natural brown with a negative display.

An LED backlight and 10-year battery life are just the cherry on top of these excellent outdoor watches.

Alternative: There are plenty of outdoor digitals out there. But if you prefer classic hands, we can wholeheartedly recommend the Casio MRW-200. Practical, with date and day of the week, basic lume, and—crucially—100 m water resistance. And you can get them for around €40.

Gift tip

A gift under €80? No problem. Choose from Swiss brand Swatch.

The mainstay is the Swatch Once Again (or the larger Twice Again). Design-neutral, time‑tested colours, with excellent specs, legibility and an unmistakable charm.

Swatch is an institution in the watch world, and its history is anything but black and white—unlike this watch. You’ll also find countless colourful options—just pick the right one. For example, the transparent hit Clearly New Gent.

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Need more ideas? Browse the full selection of men’s watches up to €80.

Photo credits:

• Hodinky 365

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