Top 10 Best Affordable Japanese Watches [& Brands]

Top 10 Best Affordable Japanese Watches [& Brands]

It’s no secret that Switzerland and Swiss watches are most associated with watches as it is the motherland of watchmaking. But Switzerland’s watches are also known for being rather expensive as well.

A country that has only established a stronger and stronger presence on the watch makes is Japan. Japan has had a long and rich history of watchmaking as well, but it is particularly in recent decades that Japanese watches have gotten an upswing on the market and built a name for themselves.

Japan as a whole is known for making quality products, whether it is knives or watches. And when it comes to watches, Japan is most known for making high-quality watches that offer exceptional value for money. The Japanese know their quality, but perhaps the greatest challenge is making quality products at affordable prices. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why Japan has built such a strong and good reputation on the market over the last decades. And there are some brands in particular that have been able to grow big and built a reputation for themselves.

About Japanese watches

Japanese watchmaking has existed for many decades, but it was particularly during the quartz crisis that Japanese watches increased in popularity and built a name for themselves. During the quartz crisis in the 1970s, quartz watches came about, and Japan was leading within this area. Quartz watches were something new and cool, and perhaps most importantly, they offered amazing value for money, compared to the more expensive Swiss mechanical alternatives.

In fact, Japanese quartz watches became so immensely popular that the Swiss mechanical watch industry went into a ”crisis” of massively dropping sales to the point where they needed to take action in order to save the Swiss watch industry. Eventually, the Swiss watch industry would come back after a series of actions, but the watch industry would never become the same, and Japanese watches would forever have built a strong reputation for themselves.

Whilst Japan has for a long time been most known for its high-quality quartz watches, Japan has become more and more specialized in making high-quality and affordable mechanical watches, as the interest in them after the quartz crisis has increased substantially.

Today, Japanese mechanical watches are some of the best value for money on the market.

Best Affordable Japanese Watches

As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

In this article, we have listed the top affordable Japanese Watches from the most popular affordable Japanese watch brands.

---

Orient watches

First up, we have Orient watches. Orient is a watch brand that is known and appreciated particularly for making high-quality and affordable mechanical watches that offer great value for money.

Orient was established as a company in 1950 but its history goes all the way back to 1901 when Shogoro Yoshida opened a wholesale shop called “Yoshida Watch Shop”. Today, Orient makes all of its watches in Japan and is one of only a few brands in this price category that makes its mechanical movements in-house. The brand is also responsible for numerous innovations and inventions.

Orient RayJapanese Automatic Dive watch

Perhaps the most popular Orient watch is the Orient Ray. This watch has a classic and sporty dive-inspired design with a stainless steel case that measures 41mm. It has all of the classic design features you expect to find in a dive watch and whilst it has great attention to detail, it remains true to classic dive watch designs.

The watch is equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel with a black aluminum insert and a luminous pip at 12 o’clock. The crown at 3 o’clock is protected by crown guards. On top of the case sits a mineral crystal. 

This is not just a watch with a dive-watch-inspired design either. It actually has water resistance to back it up. The watch is water-resistant to 200m/660 feet and is therefore suitable for both swimming and diving.

The dial is simple but has an emphasis on legibility, which is crucial in a dive watch. It features large hands with luminescence applied to them as well as applied luminous markers for optimum legibility. At 3 o’clock, you’ll also find a day and date window which is practical and convenient to have for everyday wear. Because the truth is, most people will wear this watch for everyday wear, not for actually going diving.

Powering the Orient Ray is a robust and reliable automatic movement. All in all, this is a stylish and sporty timepiece with great quality and timeless design that is extremely versatile and works for virtually any occasion.

Specifications

• Diameter: 41mm
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

---

Orient ‘2nd Gen. Bambino Ver. 2’ Japanese Automatic dress watch

Next up, we have the Orient 2nd Gen Bambino Version 2 which is one of the most popular affordable automatic dress watches on the market. It has a sleek, elegant design, great attention to detail, a solid automatic movement, and an elegant and refined look on the wrist.

It’s easy to see why this watch is so immensely popular with its stainless steel 40.5mm case with its thin polished bezel and slim polished lugs. The automatic movement that powers this watch is the caliber F6722 which has both hacking and manual winding functions, two of which are not very common to find in mechanical watches at this price point. On top of the case sits a domed mineral crystal which gives the watch more of a classic appearance. And to follow this theme, the dial is domed as well It is equipped with applied metal Roman hour markers and has slim and elegant hands. All in all, Orient has done a great job of paying great attention to every single detail about this watch without making it cluttered or too busy. All of this is the recipe for a perfect dress watch.

The water resistance is 30m/100 feet which is more or less what we expect and need from a dress watch.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
• Movement: Automatic F6722 caliber

---

Seiko watches

Seiko is unarguably the most popular and most well-known Japanese watch brand in the world. Seiko is a watch brand with a long and rich history that is responsible for countless inventions and innovations and is most known for making affordable timepieces that offer exceptional value for money.

The story of Seiko began in 1881, when a 21-year-old entrepreneur, Kintaro Hattori, opened a shop selling and repairing watches and clocks in central Tokyo. Hattori started out by opening a shop and selling and repairing watches and clocks in Tokyo. In 1892, he bought a factory that wasn’t in use and named it the Seikosha factory.  “Seiko” means “exquisite”, “minute” or “success” and “sha” means house in Japanese. Hattori made his first clocks in this factory, and this is what would become the start of the Seiko watch brand.

Today, Seiko makes countless different watch models in all kinds of different styles and designs. With that said, there is plenty to choose from, and there certainly is a Seiko watch for everyone, mechanical, quartz, or digital. Seiko has also established a number of sub-companies, with the most famous being Grand Seiko, which focused on making luxury and exclusive timepieces (naturally, with much higher prices than its standard watches).

---

Seiko 5 SNK793 Automatic

The Seiko 5 SNK793 is one of the most popular affordable automatic watches in the world. This watch has a stylish, sleek design that is extremely versatile and works perfectly for virtually any occasion. This watch looks just as good with a suit as it does for everyday wear.

The watch is presented with a stainless steel case with a diameter of 36mm which suits both men and women. To make it more versatile, it is also presented on a stainless steel bracelet. The case is simple with a polished bezel and a brushed case. The crown is positioned at 4 o’clock which is a signature design trait in many Seiko 5 watches. On top of the case, we find Seiko’s signature Hardlex crystal.

The dial is what stands out most about this watch as it has a beautiful dark blue color with a lovely sunburst brushed finish. Positioned at 3 o’clock, it has a day and date window. To enhance its appearance, it has applied metal hour markers with luminescent applied to them and sword-shaped hands with luminescence.

Like all Seiko 5 watches, it is powered by an automatic movement. This movement is known for being robust, durable, and long-lasting. A trait that makes Seiko stand out due to the low price point at which it is offered.

The water resistance is 30m. It’s not a watch made for swimming, but it can handle water splashes.

Specifications

• Diameter: 36mm
• Crystal: Hardlex
• Movement: Automatic
• Water resistance: 30m

---

Seiko 5 SNK809 Automatic

The Seiko 5 SNK809 may be the most popular affordable automatic watch on the market. This is due to its extremely lower price, but also high quality in relation to its price.

The watch is presented with a 37mm stainless steel case and has a Mineral crystal on top. The watch has a sporty design that is inspired by traditional military field watches and has all of the signature design features that vintage military watches have. To go with this sporty theme, it has a satin-finished case. 

The dial has large diamond-shaped hands with lots of luminescence applied to them and 12-hour and 60-minute markings printed on the dial. Positioned at 3 o’clock, we have a day and date window integrated into the dial which can be practical for everyday wear.

 The water resistance is 30m/100 feet which, in practice, means that it is splash-proof. A detail that watch enthusiasts, in particular, will enjoy about this watch is that it has a see-through case back, allowing you to see the automatic movement inside.

All in all, if your looking for a robust yet versatile automatic watch at an affordable price, there are few watches that can compete with the SNK809.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
• Crystal: Hardlex
• Diameter: 37mm
• Thickness: 11mm
• Movement: Automatic

---

Seiko SNKM97

The Seiko SNKM97 is a cool and unique watch that stands out from the ordinary with its funky retro-inspired design.

The watch has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 43.5mm and a cushion-shaped design that combines both polished and brushed elements. The watch is also presented on a stainless steel bracelet, giving it a more versatile look, and has a Hardlex crystal on top.

The center of the dial is what stands out with its green emerald color and beautiful sunburst brushed finish. The dial has applied metal hour markers with a yellow gold finish as well as yellow gold sword-shaped hands with a skeletonized design. At 3 o’clock, it has Seiko’s signature day and date window which is practical for everyday wear. Providing additional depth to the dial is a large rehaut which takes up about 1/4th of the dial with seconds markers printed on it.

It is water-resistant to 50m/165 feet.

Powering this watch is an automatic movement with a power reserve of 41 hours.

This watch is a great choice for those who are looking for a stylish and versatile everyday watch but with a design that stands out from the ordinary and is a bit different from most other watches out there.

Specifications

• Diameter: 43.5mm
• Water resistance: 50m/165 feet
• Crystal: Hardlex
• Power reserve: 41 hours
• Movement: Automatic

---

Citizen watches

Citizen is another very popular Japanese watch brand that is known for making high-quality affordable timepieces. Citizen was founded in 1930 by Japanese and Swiss investors and was first registered in Switzerland. The company opened a factory in 1912 under the leadership of Swiss watchmaker Rodolphe Schmid.

Apart from watches, Citizen also makes products such as calculators. Like most other Japanese watch brands that have been in the industry for a long time, Citizen is responsible for a number of inventions, such as the world’s first multi-band atomic timekeeping watch in 1993 and a type of quartz watch with ultra-high frequency (262.144 kHz). Today, Citizen’s watches are some of the most affordable Japanese

---

Citizen Promaster Dive Watch

The Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive is one of the best affordable dive watches on the market. It has a stylish and sporty design, great performance and robustness, and is offered at an attractive price.

The watch features a 48mm stainless steel case with a mineral crystal on top. As a dive watch should, it has a unidirectional rotating bezel. This one has a blue aluminum insert with a luminous pip at 12 o’clock. To improve comfort and prevent the crown from digging into the wrist, the crown and its crown guards are positioned at 4 o’clock.

The watch is powered by a quartz Eco-Drive movement which means that it gets its energy from solar and ambient light. This is very practical as it means you won’t have to replace its batteries.

This watch does not only look like a rugged dive watch, but it also has the depth rating to back it up. The watch is water-resistant to 200m/660 feet, which means you can go diving and swimming with it.

It is designed with a matte dial and has large applied markers with a generous amount of luminescent material. The hands are broad as well which provides a good contrast against the dial. Positioned at 4 o’clock, it has a date window integrated which is practical for everyday wear.

All in all, this watch is a great sporty choice for those who want a stylish and tough watch at an affordable price, but with great performance.

Specifications

• Diameter: 48mm
• Movement: quartz Eco-Drive
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

---

Citizen Eco-Drive Garrison Quartz BM8180-03E

The Citizen Eco-Drive Garrison BM8180-03E is a stylish and tool-like sports watch with a military-inspired field watch design. The watch has a vintage look to it which makes it suitable for everyday wear, but also for sporty occasions and outdoor activities.

It has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 37mm which makes it appropriate for many different wrist sizes and has a large knurled crown that is easy to operate. The crown sits protected between crown guards and for the crystal, Citizen has used a mineral glass.

Following the theme of military watches, it has a black dial with painted white Arabic numerals for the 12-hour markings and 60-seconds markings. At 3 o’clock, it has a day and date window which is useful for everyday wear. 

The watch is powered by an Eco-Drive quartz movement which is powered by solar and ambient light. Very practical as it eliminates the need for replacing the battery.

For an outdoor and sporty watch like this, the water resistance of 100m/330 feet is quite good as it is suitable for short periods of swimming and can handle water splashes. A nice detail is that the watch has a red seconds hand which provides a splash of color against the otherwise monochrome black and white dial.

The hands have been made broad as well with a generous amount of luminescence applied to them. This provides good contrast against the dial but also helps improve legibility in low-lit conditions.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Diameter: 37mm
• Movement: quartz Eco-Drive

---

Casio Watches

Casio is another highly popular and well-known Japanese watch brand around the world. Casio is also not just a brand that is associated with watches, but also other digital devices such as calculators and musical instruments.

The company was founded in 1946 in Japan in the aftermath of World War II by Tadao Kashio. The founder started out by making mechanical parts. When his brother joined, who had particular expertise in electronics, they began making calculators in 1949. In fact, Casio was so successful with this that the company made the first electronic calculator in Japan in the 1950s. Following this, Casio’s calculators became wildly successful all around the world.

In 1974, Casio produced its first watch and eventually became specialized in quartz watches. These timepieces were well received by the market, and by now, Casio has established itself as a well-known watch brand.

When it comes to watches, Casio is primarily not associated with mechanical watches but is mostly known for its quartz timepieces. Today, Casio has a wide range of timepieces in all kinds of different styles, designs, and executions. The brand’s most successful subsidiary brand is G-Shock, which is appreciated for its functionality and robustness.

---

Casio G-Shock DW5600E-1V

The Casio G-Shock range may be the most popular watch line in the world. These timepieces are known for being tough, robust, and extremely durable.

The Casio G-Shock DW5600E-1V is one of the most popular G-shock watches in its collection. It has a simple yet robust design with an integrated case design which creates a seamless look and a comfortable wrist presence. Like most G-Shocks, it is built with a resin case and a resin strap for durability and good shock-resisting properties. It has a large LCD screen at the front.

It is naturally powered by a quartz movement and incorporates a number of useful functions such as a multi-function alarm, 1/100-second stopwatch, countdown timer, hourly time signal, auto calendar, and 12- and 24-hour formats. On top of the screen sits a protective mineral crystal.

The water resistance is also really good at 200m/660 feet.

All in all, it’s easy to see why this and so many of the other G-Shocks are so popular. This model in particular has a smaller and less clumsy design which makes it much more practical for everyday wear. But the best part is that because it is so affordable, and because it is so tough, it can be brought to virtually any occasion and activity and never let you down.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Movement: quartz
• Crystal: Mineral glass

---

Samsung watches

Samsung is most known for its electronics, and this is what it specializes in. But in recent years, Samsung has also entered the smartwatch market, and since it is a watch (which has also proven to be immensely popular), we figured it deserves a spot on this list.

If you’re looking for a Japanese smartwatch with practical functions, connectivity ability, and more, a Samsung Galaxy smartwatch is a great choice.

---

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

The Samsung Galaxy smartwatch is a smartwatch that is packed with useful functions and features for everyday wear as well as fitness and outdoor adventures.

It has advanced sensors which can be used for tracking your activity, keeping your running pace, and much more. It is also crafted in aluminum which makes it light and comfortable to wear.

Additional functions include heart rate monitor, diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, sleep tracker, stress level, as well as tons of other fitness-related functions.

Naturally, it can also connect to your phone. 

With that said, if you’re more after the functions and features of a watch, there’s no denying that a smartwatch is a practical gadget to have. 

Specifications

• Functions: activity tracker, heart rate monitor, sleep tracker, stress level tracking, phone connectivity, and more

---

Pulsar watches

Pulsar is a lesser-known watch brand compared to the likes of Seiko and Citizen, but it is still known for making excellent high-quality products. This Japanese watch brand also has a long and interesting history.

As a matter of fact, Pulsar was the world’s first electronic digital watch, but today, Pulsar is a division of Seiko Watch Corporation of America. Interestingly enough, In 1970, Pulsar was a brand of the Hamilton watch company.

The first pulsar watch was released in 1972 and marketed by Hamilton Watch. Pulsar is perhaps most known for being worn by James Bond which helped the company a lot in building a brand for itself and becoming known in the digital watch industry.

Being a sub-division of Seiko, it is not a Japanese watch brand, with a particular focus on quartz watches.

---

Pulsar Gold PXF296X1

The Pulsar PXF296X1 is an elegant and classic dress watch with a minimalistic design. It has a yellow gold-tone case with a yellow gold dial and applied gold hour markers. Together with its elegant leather strap, it makes for a great dress watch with a luxurious appeal to it. It is also, of course, powered by a quartz movement.

The water resistance of this timepiece is 100m which is actually quite good for a dress watch. If you are looking for something simple and high-quality yet at an affordable price, Pulsar watches are definitely worth exploring.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 100m

---

Best affordable Japanese watch brands

There are plenty of great and well-respected Japanese watch brands that are known for making high-quality timepieces at affordable prices. We have already looked at some of the top brands above, but to summarize, the best affordable Japanese watch brands are:

• Seiko
• Casio
• Pulsar
• Citizen
• Credor
• Hajime Asaoka
• Knot

---

Japanese watches buyer’s guide

Regardless if you buy a Japanese watch, Swiss watch, expensive, or affordable, there are always some things you want to keep in mind before deciding on your watch.

Consider your budget

When buying a watch, your budget needs to be on top of your mind. Ultimately, this will help you narrow down your options and define which watches can fit into your budget. The good news is that overall, Japanese watches are relatively affordable, so with not a lot, you can get quite a lot. Before you dig in, define your budget and try to understand which types of watches will fit into it. Whilst Japanese watches are, in general, affordable, there are some more expensive alternatives like Grand Seiko.

The movement

Japanese watches are available with all kinds of movements. Digital, analog, quartz, or mechanical. Which you choose ultimately comes down to your taste and preferences. The good news is that unlike with some other watches, you can still get all of these types of watches relatively affordable, meaning it ultimately comes down to what you want, not necessarily what your budget limits you to.

When it comes to automatic watches, in particular, Japan has been able to establish a strong reputation for making high-quality and durable automatic watches at affordable prices. In fact, some of the most popular Seiko watches on the market today are automatic, simply because they offer unparalleled quality in relation to their price.

The style and design

The style and design of the watch depend on what type of watch you are looking for but ultimately how you intend to use it. If you want an elegant dress watch to go with formal attire and occasions, you should be looking at a dress watch. But if you are looking for something sporty and casual for everyday wear, you should be looking at something more sporty. Defining the occasions you intend to wear your watch will allow you to narrow down your options and better choose a watch that suits your needs.

Water resistance

The water resistance of a watch is something that may or may not be important, depending on how you intend to use it. If you are going to wear it as a dress watch on formal occasions, the water resistance isn’t really important. On the contrary, if you intend to go swimming and diving with it, the water resistance will be much more important. With that said, think about how you plan to use the watch and then consider if it is important if the watch is water resistant or not.

Are Japanese watches good?

Whilst Switzerland has been able to establish itself as the capital of watchmaking with a long and rich history of specializing in the art of watchmaking, other brands are becoming stronger in the watch industry. One of the top challengers is Japan. What makes Japan stand out is its ability to produce high-quality, well-performing watches, but at a fraction of the price of Swiss watches. You’re simply getting quality watches, but without paying for any premium that the “Swiss made” designation involves.

But in addition to this, Japan also has a number of watchmakers that have focused specifically on making luxurious, fine watchmaking timepieces with impeccable attention to detail. The most notable is of course Grand Seiko. These timepieces are constantly compared with Swiss luxury counterparts and in many cases even outperform them. With that said, Japanese watches are definitely good. When buying a Japanese watch, you can feel comfortable in the fact that you are getting a high-quality timepiece that offers fantastic value for money.

Swiss watches are still, overall, considered better, but they are in general also more expensive.

Are Japanese watches better than Swiss?

As mentioned, Japanese watches are definitely known for being high-quality, but Swiss watches still have a greater reputation and in general, produce better watches than Japan. At the same time, Japanese watches focus mainly on making affordable timepieces, so it is not always a fair comparison. But overall, Swiss watches are known for using more high-quality materials and for having better accuracy.