Best Mens Watches Under $ 150

CNN
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As our calendars fill more and more with in-person engagements, from business meetings to dinner parties, watches are making a comeback.

Choosing a watch depends on personal style and where you plan to wear them. Perhaps ironically, watches that stand the test of time also tend to be timeless. “I’m not looking at watch trends,” says Matt Hranek, author of “A Man and His Watch” and founder of WM Brown Magazine. “I love watches that look like they might have been made today, yesterday or 20 years ago.”

Finding the perfect timepiece for all occasions doesn’t necessarily mean spending your savings. “I have a lot of watches under $ 150 that I think look like a million dollars without breaking the bank,” says Preston Konrad, lifestyle expert and founder of Preston Konrad Home. We consulted with men’s style experts for their top affordable watch picks to make sure you look great when you get to your next destination – on time, of course.

Todd Snyder tops our expert lists for the brand’s collaboration with Timex. “Celebrated menswear designer Todd Snyder is a longtime Timex collector and knows not only what makes them tick, but also what makes menswear enthusiasts tick,” says Jian DeLeon, editorial and menswear director at Nordstrom.

DeLeon’s choice is The Mod. “The eye-catching face is inspired by an archival design that simultaneously shows standard time and military time, and the interchangeable NATO strap allows for a certain degree of customization,” he said.

Timex Fairfield Watch with Mesh Strap

“Timex has been digging through the archives and reproducing a lot of their old retro models, and they are just awesome,” Hranek says. “These are watches designed with purpose and function in mind.”

Timex 41mm Standard Chronograph Leather Strap

This Timex comeback, for example, looks worthy of Indiana Jones, with three sub-dials and a date display, not to mention it’s even splash resistant.

MVMT Voyager Mesh Strap Watch

A more recent entry into the watch space, Los Angeles-based MVMT is another favorite among style experts. “MVMT is a watch brand for men who prefer to make their own way rather than well-trodden roads,” says DeLeon. “The Voyager’s mesh bracelet infuses a welcome dose of understated elegance into the minimal timepiece.”

Minimalist vintage watch MVMT

“MVMT is probably one of those brands that you couldn’t avoid seeing in sponsored ads on Instagram,” Konrad says. “If you go for a sleek all black and New York look.” Konrad offers a design with a black dial, bezel and leather strap.

Braun 3-Hand Analog Quartz Watch

For watches that look like works of art, Hranek turns to Braun. “It always feels like a European architect would wear a Braun watch, with red-rimmed glasses and a black crew-neck sweater,” he says. “Enough thought is devoted to the simplicity of the design which makes them look modern. ”

Braun Black Dial Analog Quartz Watch with Silver Mesh Strap

With a silver mesh chain, this watch is surprisingly durable for people who love the outdoors. The glass dial is scratch resistant and the watch itself is water resistant. Plus, we love the yellow details and the date display.

Swatch Classic Quartz Silicone Bracelet

Swatch is another must-have for Hranek, which emphasizes the design versatility and mechanical reliability of the brand. “I have the first Swatch I bought; you put in a battery and it keeps running, ”he says. “They can be as simple as you want, or as decorative and intricate in terms of outward-facing design. ”

Silicone Bracelet Quartz Transformation Swatch

Speaking of decor and intricacy, this Swatch watch is as eye-catching as it gets, with an iridescent screen and white strap.

Fossil Minimalist Stainless Steel Slim Casual Quartz Watch

For Konrad, Fossil is also a nostalgic legacy brand that definitely holds up. “Fossil has seen a complete evolution and has really stepped up his game,” he says. “They have a really nice everyday watch with a brown leather strap and a nice silver bezel. You can wear it with a button down shirt or shorts and sandals.

Nixon Time Teller

Nixon is another brand that Konrad notes it associated with a more casual aesthetic, but has recently refined its offerings. “The Time Teller looks like that cool ’70s watch. It’s not garish or oversized, it just adds an extra touch,” he says.

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Invicta Pro Diver 40mm Stainless Steel Automatic Watch

For a Rolex Submariner style look at a fraction of the cost, Preston recommends the Pro Diver from Invicta. “I probably wouldn’t dive into it, but with a few links removed, it looks like a $ 5,000 watch – certainly in an Instagram photo or in an in-person meeting,” he says.

Casio G-Shock Quartz DW-5600

For LED displays and digital watches intended for navigation in outdoor adventures, the G-Shock from Casio remains the standard bearer. “G-Shock is trusted by everyone from professional snowboarders to the military,” says Hranek. “They’re robust and sort of unstoppable,” he says, with more features than many typical users could ever need (or figure out how to use).

Casio G-Shock GA100MB

For a watch that really feels like it can take just about anything you throw at it, this one is all about durability, able to withstand heavy shocks, water pressure and more. As one reviewer wrote, “I knew the G-Shock was durable, but I honestly believe you CANNOT break this thing. I played it on the bell and it came out unharmed. The bonus is that it looks pretty cool too.

G-Shock Baby-G Ana-Digi Watch

“G-Shock is one of the brands I grew up with,” says DeLeon. “During the pastel-colored sneaker and streetwear trend of the mid-2000s, these industrial watches were the perfect contrast. For a slightly elevated option, DeLeon likes the GA-110. “The large face contributes to its rugged appeal, and the fact that you can actually dive into it is a welcome touch. ”

Casio F91W-1 Classic Digital Sports Watch with Resin Strap

From a purely functional standpoint, Hranek likes Casio’s Alarm Chronograph series and says he always keeps one in his Dopp kit. “They could easily have been on my IBM engineering uncle’s wrist in the 1970s,” he says. “They are so beautiful and classic.”

Casio Vintage A168WA-1 Electro Luminescence Watch

Straight out of Bill Gates’ closet, this is the kind of watch that’s now retro-cool with a silver link bracelet and digital dial.