Top 11 Best Affordable Gold Watches [List & Guide]
Gold watches certainly split opinions. Historically, gold watches have been seen as elegant and classy, most often found in dress watches for gentlemen. But the gold watch trend has changed a lot since, and now, we can find gold watches in all kinds of different styles and executions.
In this article, we will look at the best and most popular affordable gold watches. But as you know, gold and affordable aren’t really two terms that go together very well. So as you can understand, we will focus on gold-tone watches and not watches that are made in solid gold.
For watches made in solid gold, the price tag is substantially higher, and these cannot really be called affordable. The good news is that if you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a gold watch, you can opt for a gold-tone watch instead. These have the same luxurious and striking appeal but without the hefty price tag.
Why gold watches?
Watches are usually found in either gold or steel. And gold watches certainly split people’s opinions. Some people find them tacky and too flashy, whilst others really like the look, coolness factor, and shine that gold watches have.
And there is no denying that watches made in gold stand out and are hard to miss. But if you’re a person who likes gold watches, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will look closer at some of the best and most popular affordable gold watches. Since these are not made in solid gold, we can also call them affordable since we are talking about watches with prices of around a few hundred dollars.
Best affordable gold watches
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Invicta Pro Diver Automatic
Starting off this list is the very popular Invicta Pro Diver. This is an affordable gold watch with a classic and iconic design, very evidently inspired by the Rolex Submariner. It is presented with a gold-tone case with a diameter of 40mm and a thickness of 14mm. It is also presented on a gold-tone bracelet for an even more striking and eye-catching design.
The watch is powered by an Automatic movement which is something that watch enthusiasts will appreciate. On top of the case, it uses a mineral crystal.
Being a dive watch, it has a great water resistance of 200m/660 feet which is actually quite impressive considering its very low price. As for the dial, it has all of the elements you would expect in a diver, meaning large markers and good legibility. It also has a date window at 3 o’clock. It is of course also equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel.
This is the ultimate choice for someone who wants an affordable and reliable watch but at the same time stands out from the crowd with something undeniably flashy and eye-catching.
Specifications
- Diameter: 40mm
- Thickness: 14mm
- Jewels: 24
- Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
- Weight: 152 grams
Orient ‘2nd Gen. Bambino Ver. 2’ Automatic
There is a big difference between gold sports watches and gold dress watches. Whilst sports watches tend to become more flashy when they are made in gold, dress watches tend to become more classic. This is to a great extent due to the history of gold dress watches.
The Orient Bambino V2 is presented with a gold case but has a sleek and elegant design which makes it perfectly elegant for formal occasions. It features a 40-5mm gold-tone case and is presented with a brown embossed leather strap. Generally, gold watches tend to be quite flashy, but the flashiness of this watch is balanced out well with its leather strap and white, vintage-inspired dial. In other words, the gold case does not take up a lot of property of the watch.
Powering the Bambino Gen2 Version 2 is the automatic caliber F6722, and this is part of the reason why it is so popular amongst watch enthusiasts. For a more classic and vintage-inspired look, it has a domed mineral crystal on top.
The watch has a water resistance of 30m/100ft which isn’t great, but it doesn’t really matter in a dress watch.
Specifications
- Movement: Automatic F6722 caliber
- Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
- Diameter: 40.5mm
Seiko 5 SNKK52 Automatic
The Seiko 5 SNKK52 Is a bold, sporty, and eye-catching sports watch, very evidently inspired by the iconic Patek Philippe Nautilus.
The watch features a 35.5mm gold-tone case and is presented on an integrated gold-tone bracelet. On top of the case, it has a Hardly crystal.
Inside is an automatic self-winding movement that displays the day and date at 3 o’clock. With this watch, almost everything is gold-toned which certainly makes it stand out. The dial has a champagne color with a sunburst finish as well as gold metal hour markers applied. The hands are of course gold as well.
The water resistance of this watch is 30m/100 feet which isn’t that great, so you can see this watch as more of an everyday watch with a sports-inspired design, rather than an actual sports watch.
All in all, this is undeniably a very flashy gold watch with a bright and eye-catching tone that stands out from the ordinary.
Specifications
- Diameter: 35.5mm
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
Seiko SUP896 Gold-Tone and Brown Leather Solar
The Seiko SUP896 is an elegant dress watch with a gold case and champagne-colored dial.
The case has a rectangular shape with a diameter of 28.1mm and its case shape adds to its traditional appearance and makes it more classy and classic. For a maximum dressy appearance, it has a brown embossed leather strap.
The watch is powered by a solar quartz movement, meaning it gets energy from solar and ambient light, thus eliminating the need for replacing the battery.
The dial is simple but beautiful with applied gold metal hour markers, gold hands, and a sunburst finish that reflects the light beautifully. On the front, it has a Hardlex crystal.
Because of its traditional case shape and leather strap, the watch isn’t too flashy compared to many others in this list but instead makes for a very classy appearance.
Specifications
- Movement: Solar quartz
- Water resistance: 50m/165 feet
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Diameter: 28.1mm
Seiko 5 SNZH60 Automatic
The Seiko SNZH60 is a very popular gold watch from Seiko with a nice, classic design, and a price that makes it offer great value for money.
The watch is presented with a gold-tone case which has the shape of a traditional dive watch with no crown guards. If you’re looking for a sporty gold watch with a dive-inspired design, this is a good choice.
Considering its dive-inspired design, it has a unidirectional rotating bezel with a 60-minute graduation scale. The dial is black and has gold accents such as gold hands and applied hour markers which match the case perfectly. As a dive watch should, it offers excellent legibility. The hands are large and have luminescence applied to them. At 3 o’clock, you also have a date and a day window which can be convenient for everyday wear.
The watch is also presented on a gold bracelet which further adds to its luxury appeal.
Inside beats a Japanese automatic movement with 23 jewels.
All in all, its black accents and details work as a great contrast to the gold case and find a perfect balance between sportiness and class.
Specifications
- Movement: Japanese automatic
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Crystal: Hardlex
Seiko SNKE56 Seiko 5 Automatic
The Seiko 5 SNKE56 is quite similar to the watch we looked at above, but it is not designed as a dive watch, but rather a classy and elegant everyday watch.
It is presented with a gold bracelet and a gold case with the crown positioned at the Seiko-iconic 4 o’clock position. Inside the watch beats an automatic Japanese movement with 21 jewels.
This is a watch that is made to stand out considering the fact that essentially all elements of it are made in a gold color. The dial is champagne-colored and has a beautiful sunburst finish that shimmers beautifully in the sun. The hands are gold-toned and applied. The hands are sword-shaped and have luminescence applied to them. On top of the case, we have Seiko’s classic Hardlex crystal. The dial has a day and date window which is convenient to have for everyday wear.
The water resistance of 30m/100 feet tells us that this is not a sports watch, but mainly a classy and elegant dress watch that is sure to stand out.
Specifications
- Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
- Movement: Japanese automatic
- Crystal: Hardlex
Seiko SGF206 Gold-Tone
The Seiko SGF206 is a casual and elegant everyday watch with an all-gold design. This means the case, dial, bracelet, and all dial details. With that said, whilst it has a simple and classic design, it’s a timepiece that is sure to stand out.
The watch has a simple case design with a fluted bezel on top which enhances its appearance and makes it look more elegant. It has the crown positioned at 3 o’clock for better comfort and a Hardlex crystal on top.
The dial has a champagne color and a beautiful sunburst finish. At 3 o’clock, it has a day and date window which is convenient for everyday wear. The dial has thin rectangular markers with black color on top which provide a contrast against the champagne-colored background and improves the legibility. The same goes for the hands.
It is powered by a Japanese quartz movement which provides great accuracy. To go with the classy theme, it is presented on a really nice Jubilee-inspired bracelet.
The water resistance of this timepiece is 30m/100 feet. Not great, but it’s not a watch you would go diving with anyway.
Specifications
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Movement: Japanese quartz
- Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
Tissot Quartz T1096103605100
If you’re looking for a simple, elegant, and sleek design, the Tissot T1096103605100 is a great choice.
This watch has a thin case design with a gold-tone, which leaves lots of room for the dial. The lugs are also short and thin. The dial is black with thin applied gold markers and pencil-style hands. For accuracy, it is powered by a Swiss quartz movement.
The case is slim and will sit seamlessly on your wrist and slide under a cuff without any issues. Because of its simple design, enhances with gold elements, it is a perfect dress watch for formal occasions.
Sometimes, simplicity is all you need, and that’s exactly what this watch offers.
Specifications
- Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
- Movement: quartz
Tissot Tradition Automatic Open Heart T063.907.36.038.00
The Tissot Tradition Automatic Open Heart T063.907.36.038.00 is an affordable gold watch but one that still has a lot to offer. It is designed as a dress watch and is therefore sleek and elegant with a gold case with a diameter of 36mm. The thickness is only 9.4mm in order to ensure that it slides under a cuff without any issues.
The highlight of this watch is, however, its open heart design at 12 o’clock which is essentially a cutout of the dial, allowing you to see the Swiss automatic inside. Speaking of the movement, it has a power reserve of an impressive 80 hours. Another detail that watch enthusiasts will appreciate is the fact that it has a see-through case back which also allows you to see the movement from the case back.
Apart from the open-heart design, the dial is simple and white. The center of the dial has a lovely pattern which helps make it more interesting, and around the dial, it has thin gold metal hour markers applied as Roman numerals.
Specifications
- Diameter: 36mm
- Thickness: 9.4mm
- Lug-to-lug: 40mm
- Crystal: scratch-resistant sapphire
Tissot T100.430.36.051.00 T Sport PRS 516
If you want a sporty, racing-inspired gold watch, the Tissot T Sport PRS 516 T100.430.36.051.00 is definitely a great choice.
This watch is presented with a gold case with a diameter of 42mm and a thickness of 12mm. For a sportier appearance, the case is satin-finished, and equally so its black bezel. For the front, Tissot has opted for a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Because this watch is mostly satin finished, it gets a rather sporty appearance, even though it features a gold case.
The watch is powered by a Swiss automatic movement and has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet. If you turn the watch around, you’ll also be able to appreciate the movement through the see-through case back.
The dial is black with a lovely finish at the center. At 3 o’clock, it has a convenient day and date window with a gold metal frame around it.
All in all, this is a sporty racing-inspired watch that has a gold case, but this isn’t perceived as too dressy due to the fact that it has a satin finish case and bezel. In other words, it is a perfect watch for everyday wear.
Specifications
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Diameter: 42mm
- Thickness: 13mm
Tissot Tradition Dress Watch Rose Gold T0636103604700
Last but not least, we have the Tissot Tradition T0636103604700. This watch is designed as a dress watch with a slim case and a simple yet elegant dial design.
It has a gold-tone case with a diameter of 42mm and a thickness of 7.47mm which ensures it slides under a cuff without any issues. On the front, it has a sapphire crystal.
The watch is powered by a Swiss quartz movement for perfect accuracy, and for keeping the case slim.
The dial is certainly the highlight of this watch, presented with blue color and a mesmerizing sunburst finish that reflects the light beautifully. Thanks to its striking dial, you’ll never get bored of this one. At 3 o’clock, it has a convenient date window discreetly integrated. The dial also has applied gold metal hour markers which enhances its elegant feel.
In Tissot’s own words, it ”gives ultra-modern watchmaking a justified hint of nostalgia, giving today’s technology a vintage-style design signature. High-tech operation is perfectly balanced with classic details and subtle vintage-look finishes. These are complemented by design elements such as guilloche decoration and a gently curved case. The Tissot Tradition promises wearers endless hours of precision with sustainable good looks.” And this perfectly describes what it is all about.
Specifications
- Diameter: 42mm
- Thickness: 7.47mm
- Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
Cheap solid gold watches
If you don’t satisfy with gold-tone watches (meaning, watches that are not actually made in gold), there are some more real gold watches on the market that can still be bought at relatively affordable prices.
Now, I want to point out that for obvious reasons, solid gold watches will be quite expensive overall. Gold is an exclusive and expensive material, so the fact of the matter is that you will not find a watch that is more affordable than its actual gold contents. A normal watch may have a total gold weight of 20-100 grams (obviously depending on the model), and the current gold price is around 50 EUR/60 USD. As such, the actual gold value in a normal watch (I’m not talking 28mm slim dress watches) will be somewhere around 1000 to 5000 EUR.
The gold weight will obviously be less if you are looking at a super small dress watch compared to a sporty dive watch. And if you also want a gold bracelet, the weight will be substantially higher.
But with this in mind, solid gold dress watches normally begin at 800 EUR. This will usually get you an old vintage gold watch. In my opinion, the watches that offer the best value for money (if you want a “cheap” solid gold watch) are vintage Omega watches. These can often be found at around 1000 EUR and that gives you an elegant and classic dress watch. There are of course other, less famous brands of vintage gold dress watches that can be had at even lower prices as they don’t have the well-renowned brand like Omega does which people are willing to pay more for.
Is buying a gold watch worth it?
The answer to that question is completely up to you. Is buying a nice watch worth it at all when you can buy a 5 dollar watch that does the exact same thing?
When it comes to solid gold watches, you actually pay substantially more than the actual value of gold, meaning that there is a great premium for solid gold watches that aren’t reflected in the actual gold value. In that sense, it is not worth it. But if you buy a gold-tone watch that doesn’t contain any gold, it’s just a matter of style, taste, and preference.
Some people find gold watches too flashy and bold, whilst others really like something that stands out and catches people’s attention.
At the end of the day, it really comes down to whether you think it is worth it or not. This is especially important if you plan to spend thousands of dollars on a solid gold watch. This is why those who are looking for a budget gold watch will opt for a gold-plated watch or simply a gold-tone watch. In this way, you achieve the same look but without having to pay thousands of dollars for one.
Are gold-plated watches expensive?
Compared to solid gold watches, gold-plated watches are certainly not expensive. Compare a thin layer of gold with a solid chunk of gold. The difference in gold weight will be substantial, and as such, the price difference will be substantial as well. You can find a gold-plated watch for just a few hundred dollars, but as discussed above, you’ll struggle to find a new watch at less than 2000 dollars today. Naturally, gold-plated watches will be more affordable than solid gold watches due to the difference in the amount of gold used, which is why they are a popular choice for those who are not willing to spend thousands of dollars on a watch.
Gold-tone watches are naturally the most affordable since they do not actually use any real gold.
How long does gold plated watch last?
A relatively common issue with gold-plated watches and many gold-tone watches that are made in metal but have a layer of either gold color or gold plating is that the plating tends to come off after a while.
The result is that the metal behind is starting to shine through which doesn’t look very appealing.
This is true for essentially any type of plating such as PVD or DLC. The most important thing to prevent this is obviously to take good care of your watch and try to avoid heavy scratches which may instantly reveal the metal underneath. How long the plating lasts also depends on the thickness of the plating that the manufacturer uses. Some manufacturers use a thicker layer of plating to increase its durability and keep the watch looking good for a longer period of time. Others use a thinner layer that wears out relatively quickly.
Well-made gold-plated watches can last for more than 10 years when looked after and used carefully. More common is that the plating on a watch starts to come off after a few years if it’s a more affordable watch.
Another term you may have heard in the context of gold watches is “gold-filled”. Unlike what that term suggests, it does not mean that the watch is filled with gold. Instead, it means that the watch has a thin layer of gold plating which is thicker than that of regular gold plating, but still less than 5% of the total weight. Gold-capped or gold-filled watches were more common back in the day and are not very common today. Today, most manufacturers either stick to solid gold or gold-plating.
Types of gold
Today, watch brands use mainly three types of gold: yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. For watches that are not made in solid gold, there’s no real point in making a white gold-tone watch. As such, when it comes to gold-tone watches, you’ll either find yellow gold or rose gold watches.
Rose gold, also known as pink gold or red gold is a type of gold that has copper added to it to get a red hue. This gives a different look than the classic bright yellow tone that you find in yellow gold. Which of these you prefer comes down to your own preference, but some people prefer rose gold because it isn’t as flashy and bright as yellow gold.
The good news is that even if you don’t buy a solid gold watch, a lot of watch brands have started to make gold-tone watches in rose gold as well to serve the demands of the market. Today, rose gold is considered more trendy, but also in some cases more feminine.
