Probably an SRPG35 off Amazon.

 

I would look at San Martin. They are hard to beat in that price range.

 

I would buy whatever you like the look of best.

 

It depends on what look you are going for: Seiko 5 Sports for a casual-sporty look or an Orient Bambino for a more dressy look

 

Citizen Eco-drive - look for one with sapphire crystal (if available within your price range)

 

Best watch under $250

There is no such thing as the “best” watch for under $250. If you focus on the established ones in your search, then they are all more or less equally good or bad. With your budget, I would look at the quartz watches from Seiko, Citizen and Casio, or check the Bay for a Tissot PRX Quartz if you need a new watch. If you are open to buying a used one, then maybe a well-preserved Steinhart.

 

I don't think there's anything better than a vintage one for a budget up to 250.
if you prefer modern, I would go for a Seiko, second-hand why not.

 

I know this is a boomer forum but vintage under $250 is probably going to be way more garbage than a non-enthusiast is interested in or interested in dealing with.

 

Yay, the "name all watch for X monies" thread.

These kinds of questions are basically unanswerable. What do you want from a watch? There's no point in me giving you fifty different mecaquartz chronograph recommendations if you don't want a chronograph. That's just a giant waste of my time.

What is important to you? What features do you want? Do you care if there's a battery in there that you need to change periodically? Is it important to you that the watch is highly accurate, and will not drift more than a few seconds per week? Are you interested in the watch being able to correct its own time via a radio signal? What sizes do you want or not want?

You need to ask and answer these questions yourself. If you just go, "I have X money, do all of my research and work for me! I want to do nothing!" you're just going to get piles of watches in all shapes and sizes and movements, because nobody knows what you want.

 

These kinds of threads are helpful for people who aren't familiar with all the brands.

 

Casio does mechanical watches very well and their new gravitymaster grb300 is about that costwise. And you wont find that many dials on much of anything else.

 

Casio does mechanical watches very well

You mean analog, not mechanical. Casio doesn't make mechanical watches.

 

Used Hamilton Khaki would be my buy

 

Various Seiko 5 Sports models, Orient, and Citizen Eco-Drives come to mind:


Seiko SRPE55

SSK001/003

SRPG27

Orient Kamasu

Bambino

Citizen BM8180-03E

CA0621-05L

Also, keep in mind you're not just stuck with the factory straps and swapping them out will add further versatility for all watches.

 

These days with a budget of sub$250 the world is your oyster, add a half dozen parameters to narrow it down the only one so far is that you won't be swimming with it. My preference is for dive watches, I don't scuba or snorkel much anymore and probs don't even go swimming more than a dozen times a year, but I like dive watches. This is my current fav budget diver, it has a funny name and fabulous lume and the titanium case is strap only, i simply call it a tacfrog, it is a Tudor FXD homage and if you catch a sale they are sub $150.

I bought this Seiko field watch for my younger Son cuz it was a great deal used full kit like new $100, he loves it.

This Chronosports Magnum PI was also sub $150 and also a gift to my younger Son, he loves it too

 

As usual, go to Chrono24, set your search filter to $250, and see what you like. Then come back when you've done your research and give us options.

 

The one you like the best.

Get down the local mall and try on a load.

 

I will also add Glycine Combat models on Jomashop.com or Ashford.com.

For example:

 

Ashford has the 43mm version in stock

 

I'd like to nominate a screwback G-Shock. They can still be found for the money, especially in the 5700 form factor, and they're an excellent, sturdy watch for which the supply of consumables (bezels and bands) is unlikely to be exhausted any time soon.

 

San Martin
Cronos
Watchdives ( love them)
Citizen Eco Drive ( reliable)
Casio Edifice

 

I’d also consider the following:

 

Casio Duro or Seiko 5.

 

Glycine for sure, used hamilton also. The used market in general will get you a much better watch for the money.

 

Citizen Promaster Marine Automatic Black Dial Coke Bezel Men's Watch NY0085-19E

Shop for Promaster Marine Automatic Black Dial Coke Bezel Men's Watch NY0085-19E by Citizen at JOMASHOP.

www.jomashop.com

Citizen Promaster Automatic Black Dial Coke Bezel Men's Watch NY0085-86E

Shop for Promaster Automatic Black Dial Coke Bezel Men's Watch NY0085-86E by Citizen at JOMASHOP.

www.jomashop.com

Citizen Promaster Diver Automatic Black Dial Men's Watch NY0120-01E

Shop for Promaster Diver Automatic Black Dial Men's Watch NY0120-01E by Citizen at JOMASHOP.

www.jomashop.com

Citizen Promaster Diver 200 Meters Eco-Drive Blue Dial Steel Men's Watch BN0191-55L

Shop for Promaster Diver 200 Meters Eco-Drive Blue Dial Steel Men's Watch BN0191-55L by Citizen at JOMASHOP.

www.jomashop.com

Citizen Promaster Black Dial Men's Watch BN0190-82E

Shop for Promaster Black Dial Men's Watch BN0190-82E by Citizen at JOMASHOP.

www.jomashop.com

Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic Warm Sand Dial Men's Watch NJ0158-89Y

Shop for Tsuyosa Automatic Warm Sand Dial Men's Watch NJ0158-89Y by Citizen at JOMASHOP.

www.jomashop.com

Tsuyosa Automatic Yellow Dial Men's Watch NJ0150-81Z

Shop for Tsuyosa Automatic Yellow Dial Men's Watch NJ0150-81Z by Citizen at JOMASHOP.

www.jomashop.com

 

Orient or San Martin, I recently got a San Martin that was right at $250. The quality and attention to detail on it blew me away. Better then any under $300 Seiko I’ve every seen, I really like Glycine and the examples given In this thread are a great deal. But there are very very few you will find for that price, if that is the style of watch you want jump on it.

 

Since you're asking me, along with a whole bunch of other people who know even less than you about what you want, I looked through the half-dozen watches I own that cost less than $250 and decided these two would be the best for every day.

I'm not quite sure any of the answers you have gotten or have yet to get will help you, aside from illustrating the variety of nice watches that can be had for less than $250.

 

No swimming you say? Then look at an Orient Bambino.