As you know, there are two types of mechanical watches. One is manual or hand-wound, wherein you need to manually wind the watch to power it. And the other is self-winding, also known as automatic watch, which uses the natural movement of the wrists to harness energy to run the watch.
Using a metal weight called an oscillating rotor, the wearer’s wrist movement provides the energy that powers the watch. When the watch moves, the rotor spins and sends energy to the main spring.
The energy is then transferred to the escapement, which regulates that energy to the balance wheel. The wheel then delivers the energy to the watch’s hands, which tell the time.
Reasons You Should Get an Automatic Watch
A mechanical watch is not for everyone. Some people are not keen on winding their watches once in a while once they stop running. But for those who appreciate the craftsmanship behind each mechanical watch, then an automatic (self-winding) watch is a good start.
Below are a few reasons why watch lovers prefer automatic watches over quartz.
Craftsmanship. Unlike a battery-operated watch, it takes time and skills to manufacture automatic watches. The movement alone comprises hundreds of different parts that need to be fastidiously assembled. It’s basically art and engineering combined in one small device.
Heritage. Manufacturing a mechanical watch honors centuries-old watchmaking tradition and craftsmanship, which adds to the appeal of the watch. For people who respect these traditions, owning a mechanical watch is like having a piece of horological heritage.
Value. Items that are created with great skills and craftsmanship are often valuable. Most of the time, they tend to increase in value over time. And mechanical watches are no different.
Endurance. Because of the craftsmanship involved in the making of a mechanical watch, they tend to last longer than quartz watches. This makes it possible to be passed down as heirlooms to the next generation. Not to mention, these watches can be perfect, lasting gifts to loved ones.
Overall Aesthetics. Often, mechanical automatic watches are more aesthetically pleasing than your regular quartz watch. A see-through caseback is a typical feature of automatic watches to allow wearers a closer look at its intricate movement.
15 Best Automatic Watches that Won’t Break the Bank
Due to the high level of craftsmanship and precise engineering involved in manufacturing these watches, automatic watches are often more expensive than quartz watches. However, due to the commitment of some watch brands to offer great-quality watches at relatively low price, we are able to enjoy affordable watches that are on par with luxury models.
Here are 15 of the best automatic watches that are priced under $100.
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1. Orient Symphony ER27008W Classic Automatic Watch
A classic dress watch, the Orient Symphony ER27008W Classic Automatic watch embodies the brand’s watchmaking traditions. The stainless steel case complements the white, minimalist dial with its Arabic numeral markers and silver dauphine hands. A neat date window sits at 3 o’clock.
Running on an automatic movement, it boasts 40 hours of power reserve. With its understated brown leather strap, this watch is a great everyday accessory for work or even formal events.
Specs
- 41mm stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- Automatic movement
- 40 hours of power reserve
- White dial
- Arabic numerals and silver dauphine hands
- Date function
- Brown leather strap
- Screw-in case back
- Water-resistant to 30 meters
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2. Seiko 5 SNK809 Automatic Watch
One of Seiko’s most popular and best-selling watches, the Seiko 5 SNK809 Automatic watch is a solid yet simple military watch. It features a black dial enclosed in a 37mm stainless steel case and paired with a matching black canvas strap. A crown at 4 o’clock makes the watch look ruggedly unusual.
The black dial features Arabic numeral markers with the hours written on the inner circle and minutes on the outer circle. A nice day-date window peeks at 3 o’clock. Powered by the 7S26 automatic movement, it boasts a 40-hour power reserve and a water-resistance of at least 30 meters.
Specs
- 37mm stainless steel case
- Hardlex crystal
- 7S26 automatic movement
- 40 hours of power reserve
- Black dial
- Arabic numeral markers
- Day-date function
- Black canvas strap
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
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3. Citizen Automatic NH8350-59E
If you’re looking for a sophisticated everyday watch that that is both timeless and affordable, then the Citizen NH8350-59E is your best bet.
This automatic watch has just the right size at 40mm and features a stainless steel case and a matching bracelet. Its black dial is clean and uncluttered, with only the hour markers and luminous hands adorning it. Meanwhile, a simple day-date window sits at 3 o’clock. Running on the Citizen 8200 automatic movement, this elegant watch boasts up to 41 hours of power reserve.
Specs
- 40mm stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- 8200 automatic movement
- 41-hour power reserve
- Black textured dial
- Mixed Roman numerals and index hour markers
- Luminous hands
- Day-date function
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
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4. Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB Automatic Watch
A watch that has a water-resistance of 200 meters and won’t break the bank? Count us in! The Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB automatic watch is exactly that and more!
Of course, if you’re a fan of the Rolex Sub, then you’ll appreciate its 40mm stainless steel case and solid bezel. Running on an NH35A automatic movement, this watch has a rugged 41 hours of power reserve, too! You can admire all its workings through its exhibition caseback.
Specs
- 40mm stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- NH35A automatic movement
- 41-hour power reserve
- Black dial
- Applied hour markers
- Polished hands and logo
- Cyclops date function
- Stainless steel bracelet
- See-through caseback
- Water-resistant up to 200 meters
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5. Relic by Fossil ZR77280 Blaine Automatic Watch
This handsome automatic watch from Relic by Fossil is the only accessory you need with your business or casual attire for a classic, timeless look. What’s more, its skeleton dial can also be a great conversation starter at office parties!
Enclosed in a 44mm stainless steel yellow gold-tone case is an interesting openwork dial that allows wearers to admire its automatic movement up close. A genuine brown leather band with a buckle closure gives the watch an added sophistication.
Specs
- 44mm stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- Automatic movement
- White skeleton dial
- Mixed of Roman and index hour markers
- Luminescent hands
- Yellow gold-tone bezel
- Exhibition caseback
- Crocodile-embossed brown leather strap
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
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6. Ingersoll Silvertone INJA001SLBK Automatic Watch
An all-black dress watch that runs on an automatic movement and costs less than a hundred bucks? What’s not to like about the Ingersoll Silvertone INJA001SLBK watch?
The 42mm stainless steel case encloses a black dial that features Arabic numeral markers and luminous hands. Powered by an automatic movement, this dress watch epitomizes Ingersoll’s watchmaking heritage, which dates back to 1892. It is an understated and elegant watch that packs a punch!
Specs
- 42mm stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- Automatic movement
- Black textured dial
- Luminous Arabic numerals and hands
- Black crocodile leather strap
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
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7. Kenneth Cole New York 10031275 Automatic Watch
Elegant with a touch of grit, this Kenneth Cole New York 10031275 automatic watch is perfect for the businessman who rides motorbikes for fun on the weekends.
The rose gold-tone 44mm stainless steel case encloses a black, openwork dial that displays the mechanism of its automatic movement. However, a sophisticated black leather strap perfectly balances the ruggedness of the skeleton dial, making the watch an interesting dress watch with a twist.
Specs
- 44mm stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- Automatic movement
- Black skeleton dial
- Black leather strap
- Exhibition caseback
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
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8. Seiko 5 SNK795 Automatic Watch
Yet another classic stainless steel watch that you can pair with any formal or casual wardrobe, the Seiko Men’s SNK795 Seiko 5 Automatic watch is a great everyday timepiece.
Its regular-sized 37mm case highlights a minimalist black dial with a day-date display. The unassuming index hour markers and luminous hands are all you really need on the dial. And if you want more action, you can view the intricacies of its automatic movement through its see-through caseback. A matching stainless steel bracelet caps its minimalistic yet utilitarian appeal.
Specs
- 37mm stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- Automatic movement
- Black dial
- Silver index hour markers and hands
- Day-date function
- Stainless steel bracelet with fold-over clasp
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
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9. Orient Bambino ‘2nd Generation Version 2′ Automatic Watch
With the upgraded automatic F6724 movement, the Orient Bambino ‘2nd Generation Version 2′ FAC00009W0 watch is better and more dashing than ever.
Its white dial features a mix of Roman numerals and index hour markers, with blue dauphine hands taking the centerstage. Complementing the minimalistic look of the dial is an unobtrusive date window at 3 o’clock. What’s more, it has a 30m water-resistance and a matching brown leather strap, to boot!
Specs
- 40mm stainless steel case
- Domed mineral crystal
- F6724 automatic movement
- White dial
- Mixed Roman numerals and index hour markers
- Blue dauphine hands
- Date function
- Brown leather strap
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
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10. Vostok Amphibian Classic 710059 Automatic Watch
With a 200m water-resistance, this funky Vostok Amphibian Classic 710059 automatic watch is a great dive or sports watch buddy. It runs on an automatic movement, boasting a power reserve of 31 hours.
When you’re not out diving or doing any water sports, you can pair this watch with any casual outfit and you’re all set for a fun and fashionable weekend! Its blue-green dial and orange NATO strap are all the trendy accent you need in a cool sports watch.
Specs
- 41mm stainless steel case
- Acrylic crystal
- Automatic movement
- 31-hours power reserve
- Blue-green dial
- Silver hands and index hour markers
- Date function
- Orange NATO strap
- Water-resistant up to 200 meters
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11. Carnival 8017G Automatic Watch
A Bauhaus timepiece, the Carnival 8017G automatic watch is clean and minimalist — all the features you need in your dress watch. Its white dial accented with thin blue hands and a date window at 3 o’clock is complemented by a black leather strap.
Powered by a self-winding automatic movement, there’s more to this simple watch than meets the eye. You can watch its mechanism up close through its exhibition caseback. The extra-flat dress watch is also water-resistant up to 30 meters.
Specs
- 40mm stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- Automatic movement
- White Bauhaus dial
- Mixed Arabic numerals and index hour markers
- Thin blue hands, seconds sub-dial
- Date function
- Black leather strap
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
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12. Caravelle New York 43A135 Automatic Watch
Highlighting an interesting silver and blue skeleton dial, the Caravelle New York 43A135 automatic watch is all about pleasant surprises. Besides its openwork dial, this watch also features an exhibition caseback to allow its wearer to enjoy its automatic mechanism up close.
Slightly bigger than your usual watch, its 43mm stainless steel case does not look and feel chunky at all. It could be the matching stainless steel bracelet that makes the whole look monochromatic, or the fact that it’s only 12mm thick — which is considered thin enough for a mechanical watch.
Specs
- 43mm stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- Automatic movement
- Blue and silver skeleton dial
- Mixed Arabic numerals and index hour markers
- Silver hands
- Exhibition caseback
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
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13. Invicta Specialty 23533 Automatic Watch
Staying true to its watchmaking heritage, the Invicta Specialty 23533 automatic watch embodies the elegance of a classic European timepiece. Its openwork dial features Roman numeral indexes and hands, while a flame fusion crystal push-pull crown adorns its 42mm stainless steel case.
The watch also features an exhibition caseback, allowing the wearer to enjoy watching its automatic mechanical movement up close. A black croc-embossed leather strap elegantly captures the vintage vibe of this timepiece.
Specs
- 42m stainless steel case with 18k rose gold ion-plated finish
- Synthetic sapphire crystal
- Automatic movement
- Skeleton inner dial
- Roman numeral indexes and hands
- Croc-embossed white leather strap
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
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14. Vostok Komandirskie 650541 Automatic Watch
A robust military watch that you can also wear at business meetings, the Vostok Komandirskie 650541 automatic timepiece is every-inch a man’s watch.
However, there’s more to its timeless 42mm stainless steel case and matching bracelet. Running on the 2431 automatic movement, it boasts 31 hours of power reserve and an anti-shock resistance system. Its black dial displays luminous 24-hour Arabic numerals and hands, with a practical date display at 6 o’clock. But what gives this watch an edge is its 200m water-resistance, which can rival any dive watches in the market — at a fraction of their price.
Specs
- 42mm stainless steel case
- 2431 automatic movement
- 31-hour power reserve
- Black dial
- Luminous 24-hour Arabic numerals
- Luminous hour and minute arrow hands
- Red central seconds hand
- Date function
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Water-resistant up to 200 meters
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15. Kenneth Cole New York 10030813 Automatic Watch
An elegant dress watch in yellow gold-tone, the Kenneth Cole 10030813 automatic proves you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg for a luxurious-looking mechanical watch.
It features an automatic movement and a skeleton dial, enclosed in a tonneau-shaped 42mm stainless steel, yellow gold-tone case. Whether you’re in a suit for a formal event or something casual for the weekend, this watch accessory won’t disappoint.
Specs
- 40mm stainless steel, yellow gold-tone case (tonneau-shaped)
- Mineral crystal
- Automatic movement
- Skeleton dial
- Yellow gold-tone hands and indexes
- Exhibition caseback
- Stainless steel, yellow gold-tone bracelet
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
Conclusion
There’s just something appealing about mechanical watches. And finding one that’s good quality at such an inexpensive price is an achievement in itself! With our extensive list of great-quality automatic watches that cost under $100, we’re hoping you find an item or two to add to your collection.
Want more in-depth information on some of the best watches on a budget? Check out our feature on the best affordable watches you can get under $100.
