The second, and the one we’re concerned with today, is mechanical. If this is a sign of things to come from Bell & Ross, we can’t wait to see more. The best independent watch brands don’t get more artisanal than this. Whether you’re looking to gift someone a diver or a dress watch, there’s an affordable mechanical watch out there for everybody. Unlike its cousins, however, this one is a bit more toned-down and, therefore, better for dress wear — yet it’s still an eye-catching piece that’s sure to strike up a conversation with discerning parties. And the aptly-named Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph takes all 5+ decades of experience building ocean-going timepieces and distills them into a single, gorgeous, reliable timepiece that would look superb on any wrist or added to any collection. The Longines Heritage Military Field Watch is a little of both, boasting styling from the 1940s and borrowed directly from timepieces designed for the British Royal Air Force. Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Some major features include luminous accents, a green dial, and both day and date function. Weiss has been making its watches on American soil for some time now and is one of the few brands to do so. Movement: Automatic. An automatic (skeleton) or self-winding watch is a mechanical watch in which there is no quartz battery but instead a mainspring that is wound automatically as a result of the natural motion of the wearer. On top of its bold dial markers, it also features a subtle date window, luminous indices, a 40mm stainless steel case with a matching band, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and — most importantly — an automatic movement powering it all. Find designs from some of the world’s most respected brands … Brands. The watch will need to be worn for more than 8 … During the past 100 years, the mechanical wristwatch has seen many changes, even seeming to come close to demise. Powered by a Swiss automatic movement, this watch will keep ticking ad infinitum and it will stay right on time. Founded: 2013 Founder: Cameron Weiss Country: USA. Possibly the last word in elegance when it comes to Japanese watchmaking, the Grand Seiko SBGK006 is an absolutely spectacular manual-wound mechanical watch. Movement: Automatic. To narrow the field down, we only considered men’s watches with a case diameter of 37 mm or greater. Putting the brand's newest hybridized athleisurewear to the test. The Victorinox Maverick mechanical watch is one of the best watches available on the market. 3 How to … Case: Stainless Steel Just because the median price of a Swiss mechanical watch is the equivalent of a decent car, that doesn’t mean there aren’t outliers. Every watch collection has to start somewhere, and often that initial watch purchase is on a somewhat restricted budget. Alternatively, automatic watches skip this step entirely — most often by using the kinetic energy produced by the wearer to wind their internal springs. Widely considered the better of the two for their craftsmanship and non-reliance on battery power, mechanical watches utilize a clockwork mechanism hinging on a mainspring — most often either manually-wound or automatic self-winding — to keep time. The hand-winding variant features a glossy dial with Arabic numerals, ETA 2801 hand-winding movement, 34mm stainless steel case and a black leather strap. Case: Stainless Steel Size: 42mm This is a popular type of watch for men because it combines style with extra functionality. Exactly the opposite has happened. ©2020 Hiconsumption LLC. A chronograph watch is one that combines a timer function and a traditional timepiece. Made specifically by Hamilton for the film, this unique version of the brand’s (arguably) most popular watch features a stainless steel case, an automatic movement, an alligator-style leather strap, and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Features include the automatic Seiko NH35A movement, oversized screw-down crown, Super LumiNova C1 lume, 2.5mm-thick ultra double-domed sapphire crystal and black Horween Cordovan Shell two-piece strap. I realize even when solely discussing technical merits, that will be a controversial statement. Movement: Automatic, If big, bold timepieces are more your speed, you might find an interest in Panerai’s Luminor. Monochrome apparel and equipment with style and substance to spare. Check it out. Case: Stainless Steel 2.1 #1 Longines HydroConquest Automatic Diver. An attractive silver dial, thin handset, acrylic crystal and handwound movement give the Marlin vintage vibes, while a 34mm stainless steel case lends the watch to both male and female wearers. Mate that with a 300m water-resistance rating, a double-glare-proofed cambered sapphire crystal, and a self-winding movement and it’s easy to see why this watch is trusted by aviation professionals and horological fanatics alike. This provides enough energy to power the watch. Being a self … An automatic Miyota 8125 movement with date, sapphire crystal, nicely textured dial and glass bezel make for a timepiece that looks great with casual wear. Of course, you can also select, Size: 44mm For car lovers, there’s probably not a better historically-significant watch around. Case: Stainless Steel The Seiko 5 SNK805 is an affordable and worthy option. Size: 40.9mm Size: 38mm Embrace a modern classic look with a mechanical watch. Another option for fans of the obscure is Citizen’s similar NJ series which uses the same Miyota movement but comes in titanium, as opposed to the NH’s stainless steel. Size: 39mm Popular brands include Rolex, Seiko, Christopher Ward and more. 2.5 #5 The Seiko Scuba Diver’s Watch. Hell, the movement inside (the Orient Caliber 469) is based on a 1970s Seiko caliber which itself formed the basis for the modern 7S. https://www.gearpatrol.com/.../a516363/affordable-mechanical-watches But they’re not all created equal. Seiko is one of the few fully integrated watch manufactures. Size: 41mm Whether paired with eveningwear or jeans and a t-shirt, this is a watch that never looks out of place. Every mechanical watch is an engineering feat with a multitude of tiny moving parts tucked underneath its shiny exterior. This particular edition is new for 2019 and includes a construction of Oystersteel — both the case and bracelet — a brand-spanking-new 3285 calibre in-house movement (with a 70-hour power reserve), the ability to tell the time in dual timezones at once, an iconic rotating two-tone bezel, and a signature magnified date window at the 3 o’clock position. Tissot has a long history of watchmaking that touches on every end of the spectrum. And that gold pairs beautifully with its dark chocolate dial and matching leather strap. NOMOS Glashütte is headquartered in Glashütte, Saxony, producing both manual-wound and automatic-mechanical watches. Movement: Automatic. Learn more. Case: 18K 5N Gold Movement: Automatic. Movement: Automatic. His mechanical genius produced watches that embedded some of the wisdom used in generating their exceptional grandfather clocks and featured many watches with automata and what separates them from other high-end watchmaking brands is that they are considered a more refined brand for those with only the most exquisite taste. And that goes double if your interests also lie in horological traditions, as this hefty wristwatch is powered by an in-house hand-wound mechanical movement. The Japanese luxury brand has evolved over the years and has expanded into eyewear as well as … Rolex is often seen as the epitome of luxury watches. For those with an appreciation for Japanese precision and a hefty bank account to match, this is one of the most exceptional watches currently available — mechanical or otherwise. A Brief History. Perfect for the office or after hours. While producing a mechanical wristwatch can be an expensive proposition, the proliferation of relatively inexpensive but high-quality Japanese movements has meant that smaller boutique brands finally have a way to craft affordable hand-winding and automatic timepieces, while the larger brands can make this technology affordable with large-scale production. Plus, it features a gorgeous 19K rose gold case with matching indices on the dial, hands, and even the crown. Though not technically a ‘Sumo’ Seiko, the Prospex 1968 SBDC061 shares quite a bit with its highly sought-after brethren — including its turtle-shaped stainless steel case and offset crown. Case: Stainless Steel If history and handsomeness are on your watch docket, go no further. But the brand’s craftsmen may have outdone themselves with this limited edition watch — an ultra-slim titanium field watch housing a similarly-slim aluminum movement. For a dressed-up timepiece that does it’s one expected job beautifully, go no further. Furthermore, while this mechanical watch features a stainless steel case, the bezel is marked by a bronze-finished edge for a bit of stylish contrast. This particular one, dressed-up in beautiful deep blue and silver, boasts an automatic movement with an anti-magnetic housing, a screw-down crown with a helium escape valve, an exhibition caseback, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and 30 bar water-resistance. Boluva’s elegant American Clipper is a simple design that’s perfectly suited to dress watch duty. Max Bill was an iconic designer whose Bauhaus-influenced designs live on in the Junghans watches that bear his name. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 8 Types of Sweaters to Add to Your Wardrobe, 14 Affordable Face Masks That Won't Break the Bank, 17 Signs the Cycle of Bike Innovation Is Endless, The Best Face Masks for Running and Biking, Tested, The Best Fitness and Wellness Gifts for Her. HiConsumption is reader-supported. A water-resistance of 150m also makes the Cahill a watch you can beat up and not worry about. This exquisite mechanical watch … A formidable diver favored by the bodybuilding blockbuster actor. Case: Stainless Steel And this version, the automatic mechanical, is amongst the best therein. Mechanical Watch Movements. Case: Titanium Let’s have a look at mechanical wrist watch history and some of the technological milestones that have helped it evolve. But don’t worry — you won’t have to be constantly winding this one, as it features a 3-day power reserve to make things a bit simpler. Size: 40mm The Version 2 upgrades the original look with a funky integrated bracelet, which can be removed and replaced with a pull-through strap. Pilot watches, a historically-significant watch style, are a dime-a-dozen nowadays. The SNK805 features a military-inspired dial with day/date function, an automatic movement and 30m of water resistance. It also features a reliable automatic movement, a steel link band, built-in magnetic resistance, and a 200m water-resistance rating. And they’re separated by their movement type — the mechanism by which these watches keep time. The first and most popular is quartz, which works by feeding an electrical current through a quartz crystal via a watch battery and uses the vibrations of that crystal to keep time. When quartz watches were first introduced in the 1960’s, many people thought that traditional mechanical watches would become obsolete. Case: 18K Rose Gold But you know what? Omega Seamaster Professional Diver Watch. We’ve outlined exactly what separates them on our quartz vs. mechanical watch guide. You can’t really go wrong with an Omega, but this mechanical one is all the more special. Case: 18K Yellow Gold Victorinox Maverick Mechanical Watch. In fact, some stand head and shoulders above the rest — like the Victorinox Airboss Mechanical. From an ultra affordable pick, all the way to an ultra luxurious option, we've rounded up a few amazing spring-driven timepieces to start a collection or expand your current one. One of the coolest automotive-inspired watches out there. Interestingly, though its dial is abundant in its markings — including both 12-hour markers, as well as 60-minute indices — it still manages to have a clean and uncluttered design. Movement: Automatic. A true, tough-as-nails diver, the MWC Submariner 300m Military watch was built to survive some of the harshest environments in the world and keep right on ticking. With its black dial, day/date function, automatic movement and black leather strap, this is an affordable mechanical piece that’ll go well with any look. 2 Top 5 | Best Mechanical Watches for Men. To understand the inherent value of a mechanical watch, you must first understand how they differ from their quartz brethren. Their products adopt the Bauhaus design and are found to be of high-quality. The Sector Dive is a handsome dive watch with 150m of water resistance, meaning you can wear it just about anywhere without having to baby it. The Seiko 5 has long been a staple in the Japanese brand’s line, offering inexpensive mechanical goodness to the masses. A reimagining of Hamilton’s military watches crafted for the U.S. Army, the Khaki Field Mechanical is a modern field watch built with classic mil-spec design cues. The company also provides warranty for the products also with an excellent customer service. Despite its military leanings, however, this is still very much a dress watch with its stainless steel case, minimalist numerical dial, trio of hands, and a duo of straps — one green leather and one NATO nylon. Case: PVD-Coated Stainless Steel If black is your color and you want a watch that can take tons of punishment, this is the mechanical watch for you. Their watches fall under the category of men; women and kids watch and provide an eye-catching classic mechanical watch. 8. This angular, self-winding, stainless steel watch also comes with a unique integrated link bracelet, a crystal-clear sapphire window, and — if this basic version doesn’t quite fit your needs — it has a full suite of siblings to choose from ranging from complex chronographs, to moonphase watches, to skeletonized dials, and more. Size: 45mm An exceptional dress watch with just the right amount of sinister styling, this 18K gold and black Portugieser Chronograph from IWC is an absolute stunner. But if you look hard enough, you can find alternatives made from rarer substances — like this Breitling Avenger Chronograph with its black-finished titanium case. The NH series comes in a few flavors, though mostly in a simple dress watch (available in a considerable amount of different dial designs and colors, not to mention some with gold plating), as well as a 100-meter dive watch design. Automatic mechanical watches are more widely available and often preferred for their convenience, but manual watches offer a level of craftsmanship and boast a historical significance that many watch aficionados prefer. Powered by a passion for traditional watchmaking, boutique brand Baltic pairs neo-vintage designs with mechanical movements. A completely new offering and possibly the best new watch of 2019, the Bell & Ross BR-05 capitalizes on the brand’s iconic square case shape but pares it into a much more toned-down, dressed-up, sleek timepiece. This brand produces both quartz and mechanical watches. In other words, to explore Seiko and their respective branches is to explore virtually all possibilities and designs, quite often at unbeatable prices. As is the case with most “best of” watch guides, this list is not complete without the appearance of an appropriate Rolex timepiece. With its 37mm stainless steel case and matching nylon strap, the Seiko 5 is the perfect mechanical watch for the field. Movement: Automatic. It’s not going to allow you to wormhole through the universe, but it’s still an exceedingly special timekeeper. Size: 42mm And while it’s looks are spot-on, it’s the mechanical bits inside that really steal the show — that includes a self-winding automatic movement that’s good for 44 hours between “charges.” Along with that, it also comes with a black alligator leather strap, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and it’s water-resistant to 3 bar — not that you’d go swimming with this handsome, dressed-up timepiece. Here's an introduction to entry-level mechanical watches from 10 brands. This strikingly unique chronograph features a lauded El Primero automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve, a stainless steel case with a matching bracelet, and a handy tachymeter bezel. Case: Black Titanium Baltic. As the favored brand of both James Bond and NASA, Omega has quite a few mechanical watch offerings worth their weight in gold. While there are numerous dial and strap options available, this black variant with cream-colored strap and case are neutral enough to pair with most casualwear. Likely because of its relative inexpensiveness and durability, most watches are crafted from stainless steel. Founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Hamilton is a brand that enjoys an interesting and eventful history. Important electronic watches will merit a list unto themselves. This limited-edition timepiece from Italian watchmaker Unimatic packs an enormous amount of dive watch punch into 41.5mm case. Its case is crafted from striking 18K yellow gold (including the crown, indices, and hands), it features a simple and easy-to-read power indicator, it has an understated seconds sub-dial, and it’s paired with a spectacular crocodile leather band. 2.2 #2 Victorinox AirBoss Mechanical. It also features an anti-shock housing, a shielded crown, a hefty stainless steel case, and a handsome leather strap. In the world of wristwatches, there are two overarching watch styles that cleave the category in two. You might recognize the TAG Heuer Monaco as the watch favored by the likes of the ‘King of Cool,’ Steve McQueen — or at least you recognize it as the watch he wore in his Le Mans automotive movie. Learn more here. While quartz watches are relatively inexpensive and readily available, any watch collector or horological fanatic worth his salt should own, at the very least, one mechanical watch. This means, so long as the user wears their watches regularly or uses a kinetic storage device (a watch winder), these watches will keep right on ticking forever. Movement: Manual. Size: 40mm Meanwhile, some of their luxury pieces are still produced entirely in-house. A hand-winding movement from ETA and a 24-hour dial help to retain the vintage design influence, while a 38mm case brings the watch firmly into the 21st century. It also boasts 200m water-resistance and a screw-down crown to keep it safe both during normal usage and in actual dives. Featuring an automatic movement and inner rotating bezel as well as a vintage Tropic-style dive strap, the 1970 is a modern homage to a classic case style from the height of scuba diving’s popularity. That’s aided by an ultra-durable PVD-coated steel case with a dive timer bezel, a reliable 24-jewel automatic movement, a screw-down crown, and a NATO nylon strap. Case: Oystersteel On top of its unmistakable styling, markings, and minimalist simplicity, it’s also a manually-wound timepiece, adding even more desirability to it for those who can appreciate the horological intricacies of an old-school movement. This Affordable Mechanical Watch Is 25% Off, This Brand Is Making Affordable Mechanical Watches for Under $500, These Are the Best Affordable Mechanical Watches to Gift This Holiday Season, Seiko’s Affordable Mechanical Watch is the Perfect Blank Canvas, The Affordable, Mechanical Seiko 5 Watch Is Back, This Affordable Mechanical Chronograph Watch Costs Just $500. 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