Budget Watch Collecting for the Newbie

Every watch collection needs to start somewhere, and for most of us its going to start in the budget watch world. While this may sound like a negative, its definitely not. There are some truly great watch available in the budget segment. What it does mean is you need to be smart, especially as you find the brands, styles and features that appeal to your tastes. If your not smart with your choices, you will find yourself with a host of watches that you regret and end up getting rid of down the road. Today i’m going to present five watches, under $250, which you won’t regret and which can form the bedrock of your watch collections.

SNK809. Simple and perfect.

The Seiko SNK800 series have long been called a gateway drug to watch collecting. The reasons are simple, its classic style, workhorse movement, budget price and brand recognition are a nearly impossible combination to beat.

Citizen Promaster BN0151-09L.

The Citizen Promaster is a true 200m dive watch, with the incredible Eco-drive movement. Beyond that, its a handsome and well finished budget killer. Fabulous lume a d accuracy further entrench this as a contender for the best budget timepiece on the planet.

Orient Ray II. Beat that dial under $500.

Orient Ray 2. Where else can you get an in-house automatic movement, and a solid brand name for under $250? Add in a dial that looks like a million bucks and the answer is nowhere else. The Ray II became the heir apparent for the must have budget, automatic diver when Seiko discontinued the SKX. While the Orient Kamasu is now in that conversation, the Ray 2 remains the budget choice.

CWC G10. True military heritage in a budget package.

The CWC G10 shares similar military history, as Rolex, Tudor and the giants on the watch industry. What it doesn't share is the price tag. A nearly perfect field watch, with wearability off the charts the G10 deserves a place in any budding watch collection.

Casio GShock GWM5610. Iconic and tough as nails.

The Casio Gshock GWM5610 shares the same square case as the original Gshock, with an updated solar movement. This is a watch built to survive anything you can throw at it, without needing a battery change.