Historically, Seiko never fully focused on one particular horological craft. Bulova is known for their high-frequency quartz movements, while Tissot is known for fashioning Swiss mechanical watches at low prices.
This approach could have made Seiko a master of none, but the complete opposite happened. Many Seiko sub-brands, spanning every price category, were born from this Japanese brand’s many expertises.
Even in their budget sphere, you’ll find automatics, creative designs, and unique offerings like solar power and sapphire crystals.
So if you want the best Seiko
We selected pieces that represent different styles and functions, so you’ll find everything here from quartz timepieces to mechanicals, from field watches to dress watches. Without further ado, let’s just dive right into the watches!
Our Picks For The 10 Best Seikos Under $100
- Seiko SNE329
- Seiko SNDC31
- Seiko SNK807
- Seiko 5 SNK793
- Seiko SGEH75P1 Sapphire
- Seiko 5 SNKK27 Automatic
- Seiko SKS607P1 Chronograph
- Seiko SNK615 Automatic
- Seiko SKS537 Chronograph
- Seiko 5 SNKE57 Automatic
This considerably proportioned field watch is known to wear surprisingly well even on smaller wrists. Stand-out design features include generously-sized Arabic numerals in military-esque stenciled font, and the geometric tire tread on the side of the bezel for a distinct and exciting profile. It’s also powered by Seiko Solar, which harnesses energy from all types of light and doesn’t require battery changes.
Leave it to Seiko to build an affordable stopwatch chronograph that’s equal parts sporty and fancy, classic and modern. It’s like a vintage adventurer’s map made into a watch face, complete with warm hues and serif fonts. This watch definitely goes well with a suit, and can also elevate a casual look.
From Seiko’s entry-level mechanical subline, Seiko 5, the SNK807 is the blue rendition of the popular military-inspired SNK80x family. It keeps its utilitarian aesthetic, but the bright blue dial adds a modern, slightly sleeker spin. I actually think that the red tip of the second hand stands out more against its fellow primary color.
Another gem from the Seiko 5 line, this dress watch features a regal, layered face with a subtle sunburst shine. It wears almost like a bracelet because of its close case-to-strap ratio. Like the SNK80x watches, its 7S26 caliber makes this watch as efficient on the inside as it is classy on the outside.
Seiko forgoes its love affair with Hardlex here, opting for a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. This timepiece is a fun mix of understated features and distinct statement designs, like the Arabic numerals in a Wonderland-esque font. Go for this watch if you’re looking for a classic dress watch with just a hint of quirk.
We’ve featured this “speed racer watch” as a Seiko 5 highlight in the past, but this SNKK27 has a remarkably bright blue and orange color palette. I’m particularly fond of the orange second hand! This watch is a unique offering because despite its modern sporty aesthetic, it wears classically at a reasonable 38mm.
Being both a chronograph and a two-tone, this distinct timepiece is aesthetically busy but still manages to keep its overall classy style. Its secondary gold tone is sprinkled throughout vs taking up any significant color blocks. This watch is like New Year’s Eve -it’s shiny and dressed up, but it’s also fun and a little bit loud.
This handsome timepiece can be worn as an everyday watch and as a dress watch. The royal blue dial face and yellow sweeping second hand elevate the style, but its general simplicity make it super versatile. Moreover, the colors on the face are too deep and rich for pictures to really do the watch justice!
If you want an everyday watch that borders on fancy, this is a great option. The face is layered and complex, and enhanced by the silver-toned skeleton hands. Even at this price point, this chronograph boasts zero clear design shortcuts.
This watch has the bold Arabic numerals of an Explorer II, with the cool guy style of a casual, contemporary Timex watch. This is because of the thick, illustrative lines around the Arabic numerals, the sword hands, and all around the dial. It’s fun and almost cartoon-like, but not childish.
What is the Best Budget Seiko?
It depends on what you’re looking for, of course!
Few
How Seiko can give us their sub-100 automatics in the Seiko 5 line or the SGEH751’s scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is truly a feat few big brands even try to do. Which awesome qualities impress you the most at this price point?
We hope you are able to find a few Seiko watches under $100 from this roundup that you love! Hit B up on Twitter or Instagram and let him know which one you picked.