Nowadays, watches are more about style than timekeeping and that’s why automatic watches have become the new trend in the market. Automatic watches are classy and vintage in their design and are often considered as a luxury. Don’t worry though, there are lots of budget-friendly options as well.
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What is an Automatic Watch?
An automatic watch is one that runs on the energy stored by the natural movement of the arm. Manual winding and battery is not required for such a watch. However, if not worn for more than 48 hours, the watch stops functioning and then, you will need to manually wind it to make it start working again.
Here is the list of the best automatic watches that you can buy under $300:
1. Bulova Classic Aerojet Watch(Model: 97A136)
Bulova watches carry a piece of history as the company is one of the oldest American watch brands that ever existed. This watch by Bulova has a Gold Tone stainless steel case and an open aperture silver-white dial.
- Mineral crystal, double curve
- Display: Analog
- Case Diameter: 41 mm
- Case Thickness: 11.7 mm
- Band Material: Leather
- Band Width: 20 mm
- Water resistance depth: 100 ft
Price: $288
2. Tissot Swiss Automatic Watch(Model: T1094071603100)
A swiss automatic casual watch meant for everyday wear. This is one of the most affordable automatic watches made by Tissot.
- Display: Analog
- Case Diameter: 40 mm
- Case Thickness: 11.62 mm
- Band Material: Leather
- Band Width: 21 mm
- Water resistance depth: 100 ft
Price: $284
3. Fossil Townsman Automatic Watch(Model: ME3107)
Fossil watches are known to fashionable and of high quality. This is a round chronograph watch with a classic, beautiful and clean design.
- Display: Analog
- Case Diameter: 44 mm
- Case Thickness: 14 mm
- Band Material: Stainless Steel
- Band Width: 20 mm
- Water resistance depth: 165 ft
Price: $265
4. Stuhrling Automatic Dual Time Watch(Model: 371.01)
This is one of the most stunning looking watches. It has a skeleton dial, so you can see the movement of the gears and the self-winding mechanism. It has blue accents, bright shining silver, and ornate embellishments. It also has a dual time feature which comes in handy when you are traveling.
- Krysterna Crystal
- Display: Analog
- Case Diameter: 46 mm
- Case Thickness: 15 mm
- Band Material: Leather
- Band Width: 22 mm
- Water resistance depth: 165 ft
Price: $260
5. Citizen Analog Automatic Watch(Model: U 156)
A big dial watch with a plastic strap which can also be used for water sports meaning it is a diver watch. It is actually an Iso certified diver watch.
- Display: Analog
- Case Diameter: 42 mm
- Case Thickness: 13 mm
- Band Material: Rubber
- Band Width: 20 mm
- Water resistance depth: 660 ft
Price: $255
6. Seiko Recraft Series Automatic Watch(Model: SNKP23)
There cannot be a list of watches without a Seiko watch included in it. This is a classy stainless-steel watch with a power reserve of 41 hours. It’s one of the most affordable automatic watches by Seiko.
- Display: Analog
- Case Diameter: 39.5 mm
- Case Thickness: 13 mm
- Band Material: Stainless Steel
- Band Width: 21 mm
- Water resistance depth: 165 ft
Price: $206
7. Seiko Automatic Stainless Steel Watch (Model: SNZG15)
This watch by Seiko is a simple and affordable field watch. It has a military-style dial with a black matte face and big white numeral markers. There’s a day and date display at 3 o’clock. The lime on the hands and markers look great in the dark.
- Krysterna Crystal
- Display: Analog
- Case Diameter: 42 mm
- Case Thickness: 11 mm
- Band Material: Nylon
- Band Width: 22 mm
- Water resistance depth: 330 ft
Price: $154
8. Orient 2nd Gen Bambino Version III(Model: FAC0000DD0)
This Orient watch looks really luxurious as it is vintage styled with an elegant aesthetic to it. It’s a classic dress watch. The Japanese automatic movement keeps the watch running without any manual winding.
- Display: Analog
- Case Diameter: 41 mm
- Case Thickness: 12 mm
- Band Material: Leather
- Band Width: 21 mm
- Water resistance depth: 100 ft
Price: $132
9. Orient Mako II(Model: FAA02002D9)
Orient is a reliable brand among watch lovers. The Orient Mako II is one of the top affordable mechanical diver watches in the market today. It has a Japanese automatic movement along with a 120-click unidirectional bezel.
- Mineral Crystal
- Display: Analog
- Case Diameter: 41.5 mm without crown
- Case Thickness: 13 mm
- Band Material: Stainless Steel
- Band Width: 20 mm
- Water resistance depth: 660 ft
Price: $119
10. Invicta Pro Diver Watch (Model: 8926OB)
A very good looking watch which is quite similar in design to the 90s Rolex submariner. It has a round dial with a unidirectional bezel, luminous hands and markers, and a magnified date window at three o’clock.
- Display: Analog
- Case Diameter: 40 mm
- Case Thickness: 14 mm
- Band Material: Stainless Steel
- Band Width: 20 mm
- Water resistance depth: 660 ft
Price: $110
Remember, a watch always compliments your style and stylish watches never go out of fashion. So take careful considerations before spending on one. Hopefully this list helps to find the perfect watch you are looking for.
Its intriguing how so sophisticated automatic mechanical watch works.