Best Buy: 15 Best Pulsar Watches Under $100

Perhaps one of the most underrated watches in the market, Pulsar watches — for those who are familiar with them — are one of the most affordable watches that do not disappoint. Whether you get yourself a dress watch or a chronograph, Pulsar makes sure to give you exactly what you need and more. 

Together with Lorus Watches, Pulsar Watches are owned and manufactured by Japanese watch giant Seiko, which explains the high quality of the watches. Most often for some of us, it’s easy to accept the poor quality of cheap or affordable watches. After all, we only paid this little amount of money for them. So when the straps break, or the batteries die within days of buying them, we’ve learned to shrug it off and charge it to experience — so to speak. 

So when we encounter affordable watches that actually deliver — like Pulsar Watches — we are usually taken aback as if saying, “Is this for real?” Well, for Pulsar’s case, yes, it’s for real.

A Brief History of Pulsar Watches 

Pulsar was not always owned by Seiko. It was originally owned by another well-known watch brand, the Hamilton Watch Company. Under Hamilton, Pulsar made history by developing the world’s first digital watch, which they called the Pulsar Time Computer LED Watch.

 Although digital watches are common today, they were sensational when they were first introduced. Remember, this was in the ’70s and it was the first-ever digital LED watch. It was made of an 18K gold case and sold for a whopping $2,100, which was a lot of money back then. The watch took the watch industry by storm, even appearing in a James Bond movie in 1973. 

In 1978, Seiko acquired Pulsar and eventually introduced a full line of affordable yet high-quality quartz watches. In 1980, Pulsar surprised the watch industry yet again by introducing the first-ever calculator watch — a legacy that the brand enjoys up to this day. 

It was also in the 1980s, already under Seiko, when Pulsar watches started to expand their distribution all over the world, particularly throughout Europe. 

By the time the ‘90s rolled in, Pulsar already expanded, adding new lines to the collections, including sports and chronograph watches. Today, Pulsar continues its heritage of offering top-of-the-line collections without denting its customers’ wallets.

Carving a Niche in the Industry

To keep up with the tough competition, Pulsar had to find its own place in the industry. Since it cannot compete with high-end, more established watches in the marketing game, it had to come up with something that will make it stand out against the competition. 

With its catchphrase, “Tell it your way”, Pulsar taps into its customers’ individuality, offering a wide range of stylish and durable watches that aim to express a person’s unique personality, style, and preference.  

Pulsar gained the trust of watch enthusiasts not only because it is under Seiko’s wing but also because of its own, distinct style and authenticity. Not only that, Pulsar has one of the best warranty options among all watch brands, giving its customers a three-year warranty for each watch. 

Best & Most Affordable Pulsar Watches

Of course, you shouldn’t just take our word for it. You should see and experience for yourself how great Pulsar watches are. And to make it easy for you, we have done the pre-shopping for you and rounded up 15 of the best and most affordable Pulsar Watches. And by that, we mean a list of high-quality watches that won’t cost you more than $100.

1. Pulsar PQ2003 World Time Alarm Chronograph 

Featuring 39 different time zones, the Pulsar Digital World Time Chronograph Watch let’s you have the world at your fingertips, literally! Not only that, it has five daily alarms, 30 schedule alarms, digital calendar, and a full chronograph function. Its 42mm stainless steel case houses its cutting-edge technology, featuring a big digital display protected by a Hardlex crystal. 

Making all this possible is a quartz movement powering the watch. It is water resistant up to 100 meters, which allows you to wear it while doing some mild water activities. A sturdy, black urethane strap keeps the overall vibe of the watch sleek and sporty. 

2. Pulsar PM3127X1 Military-Style Chronograph

The Pulsar Chronograph PM3127X1 is a suave military watch housed in a 42mm stainless steel case, featuring a green dial and a matching green military-style nylon strap. The green dial displays the chronograph sub-dials, Arabic numeral markers, luminous hands, as well as a date window at 3 o’clock. Meanwhile, the stainless steel bezel and lugs complement its green color, giving the watch a refreshing vibe. 

Powering the chronograph watch is the VD57 quartz movement, boasting precision and functionality. What’s more, the watch has a 100m water resistance, so it’s sturdy and durable enough for those fun weekend activities.

3. Pulsar On The Go PS9105

With its black stainless steel ion-plated case and bracelet and matching black dial, the Pulsar On The Go PS9105 watch commands attention. It has a sleek and mysterious vibe with touches of red and white on the dial. In contrast, the dial features an unassuming wave pattern, with only the luminescent index hour markers and hands, Pulsar logo, and a date window adorning it. 

Powered by a quartz movement, the watch has a screw-down caseback and mineral crystal, allowing the watch to be waterproof even at 100m underwater. With its versatile design and functionality, this watch will look right a home either with a suit and tie or a surfing wet suit!

4. Pulsar PZ4021X1 Sports Watch

Boasting both a digital and an analog display, the PZ4021X1 Sports Watch is everything an avid sportsman needs and more. This robust 45mm watch comes in a stainless steel case with a black dial and a matching stainless steel bracelet. The watch features a 99-hour chronograph with 1/100 second accuracy, split time, 3-channel regular alarm, as well as World Time. Even though the black dial looks busy, it has a system that works. It only has rectangular index hour markers, and the minute markers are displayed around the edge of the dial. The gray and white hands complement the hour markers.

Meanwhile, at 9 o’clock, you’ll find the World Time digital display, and at 3 o’clock is the date window. The bottom half of the watch dial is where the digital hour display is displayed, while the upper half shows the city for the second time zone. All this is being powered by a quartz movement. On top it all, this watch is water resistant up to 100 meters. 

5. Pulsar PXX006 Ladies’ Dress Watch

Simple yet elegant, this Pulsar Ladies Dress Watch in two-tone is all you need for an everyday dress watch. Its tiny, 23mm frame in stainless steel goes well with you every wardrobe — from office to happy hour. The understated white dial is clean and minimalist, displaying thin indexes and hands and as well as a small date window at 3 o’clock. 

Inside, a quartz movement runs this tiny gem of a watch. It is also water resistant to 30 meters and, like all of Pulsar watches, has a three-year warranty. A two-tone bracelet finishes its elegant design. 

6. Pulsar Traditional PH9039 Dress Watch

An understated and elegant dress watch, the Pulsar Traditional PH9039 can take any gentleman from day to night without sacrificing on style. Wear it with a suit and tie to any boardroom presentation in the morning, and simply take off your tie and roll up your sleeves for some happy hour with your mates in the evening. It is a versatile watch with a 41mm stainless steel case and a matching bracelet with a white, minimalist dial. You can easily dress it up or down, depending on the occasion. 

Just like most of the Pulsar watches in the market, this one runs on a quartz movement and has water resistance up to 30 meters. 

7. Pulsar PAR143 Kinetic Watch

Powered by the movement of your body, the Pulsar PAR143 Kinetic Watch is not only a robust sports watch but it is also a very sustainable timepiece. Imagine making it run solely by kinetic power without any need of batteries. What’s more, it has a power reserve of six months! So, you don’t have to worry about wearing it every day to keep it running. 

Aesthetic-wise, this kinetic watch is everything you look for in a sports watch. It has a black dial enclosed in a 43mm stainless steel case. Its black polyurethane strap keeps it durable and comfortable on the wrist. Its black dial displays a minimalist design, with only the luminous hands and index hour markers, Pulsar logo and a date window adorning it. It has a screw-down crown and a water resistance of 100 meters — perfect for those snorkelling and water sports. 

8. Pulsar Traditional PS9488 Gold Dress Watch 

Everybody needs a special watch for special occasions. And this Traditional Gold Dress Watch from Pulsar is as special as it gets. At 40mm with only 9mm thickness, this dress watch is perfect for those gala parties or weddings you need to attend this year. It is thin and inconspicuous enough to be worn under a shirt cuff of your suit, at the same time it provides that certain elegance and opulence where it’s needed. Its gold-tone case is complemented with a champagne dial and a matching gold-tone bracelet. 

The dial, of course, is minimalist, as every dress watch should be. It only displays a mix of gold-tone Arabic hour markers and stick indexes, hands, and a small date window at 6 o’clock. It also runs on a quartz movement and is water resistant up to 30 meters. 

9. Pulsar Ladies’ Dress Watch PPGD78X1

This petite Pulsar PPGD78X1 Ladies’ Watch is every inch elegant in its own right. Its 20mm stainless steel case has a yellow-gold tone, which makes its white dial stand out. Black Arabic numerals adorn its oval dial, complemented by black two hands with a rose-like center. The whole look is finished with a rich brown leather strap, adding understated glamour to the design. 

Powered by a quartz movement, this tiny, beautiful watch can be your perfect everyday watch for work. This goes well with a little black dress, too, for those ladies’ night outs with your girlfriends. 

10. Pulsar PM3101X1 Chronograph

Yet another sports watch that you can wear as a casual dress watch — the Pulsar Chronograph PM3101X1 comes in a 43mm stainless steel case, a white dial, and an elegant black leather strap. And because it’s big and robust enough and its a chronograph watch, this is also a perfect weekend sports watch, which allows you to cruise without sacrificing style and sophistication. What’s more, it has a water resistance of up to 100 meters! So snorkelling, yachting, or even surfing with this watch won’t be a problem.

Inside, a quartz movement is powering its chronograph function accurately up to 1/10th second. Besides the three sub-dials, thin indexes and hands, the dial also displays a small date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions. 

11. Pulsar PJ6023 Two-Tone Dress Watch 

In the market for a sophisticated, everyday watch that won’t dent your wallet? The Pulsar PJ6023 Two-Tone Dress Watch is what you need. It comes in a 36mm two-tone stainless case and a matching stainless steel bracelet. Its white, minimalist dial makes it easy to dress the watch up or down, depending on the occasion. You can wear it with a formal suit for business, or with a shirt and jeans for casual affairs. Either way, you’re sure to sport an elegant watch that nobody would suspect you bought for less than $100!

The key to power dressing on a budget is to keep it minimal and classic, and this watch simply fits the bill. Its quartz movement, of course, makes sure the watch runs smoothly and accurately, all while being low-maintenance.

12. Pulsar PJ6065X1 Leather Dress Watch 

For those who prefer their everyday watch in sophisticated leather, this Pulsar PJ6065X1 Dress Watch won’t disappoint. It has a round-shaped case in 38mm stainless steel case with a thin bezel, a white minimalist dial, and finished with a black leather strap — a perfectly elegant dress watch that won’t cost you an arm and a leg! Besides the Arabic numerals, thin hands and a date window at 3 o ‘clock, the watch’s dial is clean and streamlined — another must if you are looking for a dress watch for your formal business and social affairs.  

This watch runs on a quartz movement, protected by a Hardlex crystal, and is water resistant up to 100 meters! How’s that for style, functionality and affordability? 

13. Pulsar PG2008 Ladies’ Two-Tone Watch

Ladies, on the other hand, will never go wrong with this 32mm Pulsar Two-Tone Watch. As an everyday watch, this timepiece certainly packs a stylish punch. Wear it with your office suit at work, with an LBD on your date night, or with a cute floral dress at a weekend farmer’s market! This watch is a chameleon with its versatility that you never actually need any other accessories besides maybe a pair of pearl stud earrings. 

Its two-tone case of steel and muted gold-tone give the watch its understated luxurious look. The thin bezel encloses a silver sunray dial featuring thin, stick indexes and Roman numerals as well as gold-tone hands. Besides the Pulsar logo, the dial is clean and minimalist, allowing its simplicity to shine. Matching the case is a two-tone stainless steel bracelet for an added style factor.

14. Pulsar PPGD54 Bracelet Watch

Special occasions require a special watch — and ladies know it. This two-tone Pulsar Bracelet Watch is more than just a timepiece. It’s a fashion statement. It goes well with any of your formal wear, from cocktail to evening gown. Because it’s dainty — only 16.7mm — you can style it any way you want according to the look you desire. 

Matching the two-tone case is a two-tone bracelet that complements the black, minimalist dial. Save for the two gold-tone hands and four index hour markers, the dial is devoid of any other design to keep it simple and understated. It runs on a quartz movement and has a battery power of at least three years. Talk about low-maintenance beauty!

15. Pulsar PYR047 Square Dial Ladies’ Watch

Featuring Swarovski crystals on a polished-finish stainless steel case, the Pulsar PYR047 is a gem of a watch, literally! It has an eye-catching shape to boot, too! Its 29.5mm square case is studded with 56 Swarovski crystals on the bezel, while a matching stainless steel bracelet finishes its almost monochromatic look. The silver dial is another story. Besides the silver hands and indexes, it features day and date window sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock positions, and another sub-dial for 24 hours at 6 o’clock.

Inside the watch is as exquisite as the outside. It is powered by a quartz movement, giving the watch its precise functionality. What’s more, it is water resistant up to 30 meters. 

Style and Functionality for Less

Pursuing a passion doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. When you’re a watch enthusiast, finding the right watch is all about passion and creativity. You don’t need to spend beyond your means to be able to find a watch that brings you joy or completes a purpose — whether fulfilling a passion or for the sake of fashion. And this is exactly what Pulsar is offering.

 

Want more options for affordable watches? Check out some of the best Invicta Watches under $100!