An affordable men's watch really starts to feel sturdy around 60 euros, when the case is made of steel and it's water-resistant to 5 ATM. Sapphire crystal—the scratch-resistant kind—becomes available at 129 euros. The first automatic movement is priced at 198.89 euros. Between these price points, most of the price difference comes down to the brand and the strap, not the movement itself.
We sell 2,391 men's watches, 1,523 of which are available for purchase today. The figures on this page are taken from our own product listings, as of October 26, 2026, and each watch listed was verified on its product page that same day. Here is what each price range actually includes.
The Three Thresholds That Make a Difference
The price of a watch doesn't rise steadily. It rises in increments, and between those increments, you're mainly paying for style. Here are the only three increments that change what you have on your wrist.
Glass: Something You'll See Every Day
In our men's product listings, 541 feature mineral glass and 214 feature sapphire crystal. Mineral glass is shock-resistant but prone to scratches. Sapphire crystal is virtually scratch-resistant. After two years, this is the most noticeable difference between two watches with the same purchase price. The first men's watch with sapphire crystal that we have for sale is a Casio EDIFICE EFR-S108D-7AVUEF for 129 euros.
Waterproofing: Read the number, not the word
The word “water-resistant” means nothing on its own. In our men’s product listings, 202 models are rated for 30 meters, 208 for 5 ATM, 350 for 10 ATM, and 126 for 20 ATM. Thirty meters provides protection against rain and hand washing. Five ATM can withstand an occasional shower. Ten ATM allows for swimming. Twenty ATM is suitable for diving. A 25-euro watch can be rated at 10 ATM; the rating isn’t a matter of price, but of the gasket.
The movement—the bar is set higher than we think
All watches priced under 198.89 euros are quartz. This is not a flaw. A quartz watch is more accurate than an automatic one, requires a battery replacement every two to three years, and is more shock-resistant. The first automatic mechanical watch available in our catalog is a Pierre Lannier Automatic Skeleton for 198.89 euros. What you’re buying at this price isn’t just precision—it’s a mechanism that runs on the movement of your wrist and can last for thirty years.
What's Included in Each Price Tier
Here is the actual breakdown of our men's section, showing the number of watches actually available for purchase in each price range and the brands represented in each range.
| Slice | Available for Purchase | Leading Brands |
|---|---|---|
| less than 50 euros | 100 | Casio, Performer, Sector |
| from 50 to 100 euros | 238 | Casio, Sector, Pierre Lannier |
| from 100 to 150 euros | 350 | Casio, Sector, Pierre Lannier |
| from 150 to 200 euros | 257 | Daniel Wellington, Sector, Nixon |
| from 200 to 300 euros | 305 | Nixon, Pierre Lannier, Daniel Wellington |
Six Watches for Seeing the Staircase
Six actual models, one per tier, all available as of this writing. Prices are as listed on the product page on October 26, 2026.
| Model | Price | What You Earn |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Classic Performer, brown faux leather | 34.90 euros | The admission ticket. It tells the time and is rain-resistant. The label itself indicates that it has a fake chronograph dial and is made in China. |
| Sector H2o, black | 59 euros | Steel replaces the resin, and the water resistance is now 5 ATM. The acrylic glass scratches but does not shatter. |
| Ice-Watch Ice pw, black and rose gold | 119 euros | The water resistance rating. Ten ATM means it's suitable for swimming, and that number is even written on the dial. |
| Casio EDIFICE, stainless steel with a cream-colored dial | 129 euros | The best value movement in the catalog. The first watch available with a sapphire crystal, and it's water-resistant to 100 meters. |
| Nixon Time Teller Solar, All Black | 155 euros | The price of a distinctive style and a durable case. Technically, there's no improvement over the previous Casio model. |
| Pierre Lannier Automatic Skeleton, Brown Leather | 198.89 euros | The first mechanical watch available for purchase in the catalog. No more battery changes, and a movement visible on the dial |
Three Mistakes That Cost More Than the Watch
Buying a seal you don't have
The most common problem with an inexpensive watch isn't mechanical—it's caused by moisture. A watch advertised as water-resistant to 30 meters that gets wet in the shower will absorb moisture, causing the dial to stain and the movement to rust. The repair will then cost more than the watch itself. Check the price before you buy, not after.
Paying for a chronograph that isn't one
Many inexpensive watches feature three sub-dials that don’t actually measure anything. Our product descriptions make this clear when it’s the case; the Performer on this page explicitly states that it has a dummy chronograph dial. That’s not a problem if you like the design, but it is if you think you’re buying a chronograph.
Replace the watch instead of replacing the battery
A quartz watch that stops isn't dead—it's just hungry. A dead battery left inside the case will eventually leak and corrode the movement, and only then will the watch become beyond repair. If yours stopped months ago, our workshop will provide a free estimate, and you won't even have to leave your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum price for a decent men's watch?
Expect to pay around 60 euros for a steel case and 5 ATM water resistance. For under 50 euros, you can find watches that work well and are durable, but they’ll have a resin or lightweight metal case, mineral glass, and 30-meter water resistance—meaning they’re suitable for rain and hand washing, but not for showering.
How much does a sapphire glass cost?
According to our catalog as of October 26, 2026, the first men's watch available for purchase with a sapphire crystal is a Casio EDIFICE EFR-S108D-7AVUEF, priced at 129 euros. Sapphire crystal is virtually scratch-resistant, and that's the difference you'll notice most after two years.
What is the starting price for an automatic watch?
The first automatic mechanical watch available for purchase in our catalog is a Pierre Lannier Automatic Skeleton, priced at 198.89 euros. Below that price, all watches are quartz, which isn't a drawback. A quartz watch is more accurate than an automatic one and requires a battery replacement only once every two to three years.
What does “water-resistant to 30 meters” mean on an inexpensive watch?
That doesn't mean you can swim at a depth of 30 meters. A water resistance rating of 30 meters protects against splashes and rain. You need 5 ATM for occasional showers, 10 ATM for swimming, and 20 ATM for diving. The rating is listed on each product page.
Can a watch that costs less than 100 euros last a long time?
Yes, as long as you replace the battery as soon as it dies and don't force the crown. What ruins a cheap watch is almost never the movement itself; it's a dead battery left inside the case, which eventually leaks and corrodes the mechanism.
Is it better to buy a new, inexpensive watch or a used one?
For a first purchase, buying new is simpler. A new watch comes with a two-year warranty and a fresh battery. Secondhand watches become a good option at prices above 300 euros, where the discount applies to mechanical watches that can be serviced.