Top 10 Best Affordable Racing Watches [For Motorsport enthusiasts]
If you are looking for a sporty timepiece with motorsport inspiration and are a fan of motorsport, you have come to the right place.
But before we dig into some of the best and most popular affordable racing watches let’s try to figure out what a racing watch really is.
What is a racing watch?
When racing increased in popularity during the 1900s, racing drivers needed a way to measure average speed over a certain distance since they didn’t have fancy electronic equipment at the time. Measuring the elapsed time is done via a tachymeter scale and a chronograph function by determining a certain distance. When the car begins at the start, the chronograph is activated, and when the car reaches the end of the distance, the chronograph is stopped. The number that the chronograph hand points at on the tachymeter scale are the average speed.
With that said, racing watches were originally used as tools within motorsport, but as more advanced instruments have come about since then, these are not generally actively used within motorsport for their function. But their history and design still remain, which is why chronographs are still popular within motorsport.
With that said, chronographs are generally the type of watch that is known as racing watches. There are racing watches without a chronograph function, but these only offer a racing-inspired design and no function. But with that said, when most people think about racing watches, they think of chronographs with tachymeter scales.
Chronograph watches often also have motorsport-inspired designs in one way or another. It is common to find sporty design elements in this type of watch and in particular black and red accents. Some use materials that remind of motorsport such as carbon fiber or are simply designed with very sporty or classic designs which are inspired by the original and early racing watches to pay tribute to their history.
In this article, we are looking closer at some of the best and most popular affordable racing watches. Most are chronographs with tachymeter scales, some are just chronographs, and some are just regular watches without functions. Either way, they will make for a perfect addition to any motorsport enthusiast’s watch collection.
Best Affordable Racing Watches (For Motorsport enthusiasts)
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Seiko Dress Watch SSB331
Starting off this list is the Seiko SSB331 chronograph. This is a racing watch with a sporty design and masculine details.
It is presented with a stainless steel case with a diameter of 42.7mm and has a black steel bezel for added sportiness. The crown and chronograph pushers are black as well to match.
Around the outer edge of the dial, it has a tachymeter scale which is used together with the chronograph to measure the average speed. When it comes to the dial, Seiko has done a great job with the detailing and finishing of this watch. It has a nice pattern which makes it more interesting and adds depth. Between 4 and 5 o’clock, it has a date window and the markers are raised with copper/brownish details, just like the sub-dials and the hands.
The hands are large and feature applied luminescent material which ensures a good contrast and excellent legibility.
For perfect accuracy, it is powered by a Japanese quartz movement. The water resistance of 100m/330 feet allows you to go swimming with it, but being a racing watch, it’s not really a watch that requires the best water resistance. As for the chronograph function, it provides a measurement of up to 12 hours of elapsed time in 1/5-second increments.
Specifications
- Movement: Japanese quartz
- Diameter: 42.7mm
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
Seiko SNN241 Chronograph
Next up is the Seiko SNN241 which is designed as a vintage and classic-inspired watch without a tachymeter scale. With that said, it doesn’t offer the traditional elapsed time measuring function, but it has a nice racing-inspired design.
The watch features a stainless steel case with a cushion shape which gives it a funky and vintage-inspired design, very commonly found in racing watches back in the day. It is presented with a brown sunburst finish at the center and a raised brown section towards the outer edge with large white markers and applied luminescence. At the center, it has large white Arabic numerals.
At 6 o’clock, we find a date window and two sub-dials. It is powered by a Japanese quartz movement for excellent accuracy and has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet.
All in all, this is a retro-inspired watch with a touch of racing inspiration. Perhaps not in function, but in its design, which is reminiscent of many racing watches from back in the old days. But because of this, it is also a very versatile timepiece that works great for everyday wear.
Specifications
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Movement: Japanese quartz
- Diameter: 42mm
- Thickness: 11mm
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
Citizen ‘Eco-Drive’ CA0649-06X
The Citizen Eco-Drive CA0649-06X is a really stylish and sporty racing chronograph with all of the classic design traits that you would expect in a racing watch.
First and foremost, it has a 44mm stainless steel case and offers a water resistance of 100m/330 feet. The watch has a black bezel with a tachymeter scale, as a race watch should, and is powered by a Japanese quartz movement, which, for the chronograph, means that it measures up to 60 Minutes and in 12/24 Hour Time. For convenience’s sake, it also has a date function at 3 o’clock. This is also an Eco-Drive movement, meaning it gets energy from solar and ambient light, thus eliminating the need for replacing the batteries.
The watch features a cream-white dial with black markers and three sub-dials. The dial also has a touch of dark orange for added sportiness. As for the dial, the legibility is great with its black markers, white background, and hands with black frames.
Another detail that goes very well with its racing-inspired design is its leather racing strap with perforated holes in it which is a signature feature of many racing watches, both today and in the past.
Specifications
- Diameter: 44mm
- Movement: Japanese quartz, solar-powered
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Movement: Japanese quartz
Tissot PRS 516 Quartz Chronograph T100.417.11.031.00
The Tissot PRS 516 quartz chronograph T100.417.11.031.00 is a watch that radiates sportiness and already at first impression reveals that it is a racing watch.
First and foremost, it features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 42mm and a thickness of 12.12mm. The case has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet. Being a racing watch, it has a black tachymeter scale for the bezel which works together with the chronograph hand.
The dial is white and has a lovely pattern to it which adds to its appeal and makes it reflect the light beautifully. Around the very edge of the dial, it has thin metal hour markers applied. For a touch of sportiness and racing inspiration, the dial has subtle red details which add to its sportiness and racing design. The hands are rectangular with luminescence applied to them and the chronograph hand is red.
At 4 o’clock, it has a date window discreetly tucked in. And last but not least, it is presented on a stainless steel bracelet.
With this said, this is a sporty and versatile timepiece with a racing-inspired design which makes it excellent for everyday wear.
Specifications
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire
- Diameter: 42mm
- Thickness: 12.12mm
- Movement: quartz
Seiko SSB031 Chronograph
The Seiko SSB031 chronograph is a sporty and touch chronograph with a masculine racing-inspired design.
It is mostly black with red accents which goes very well together with its sporty purpose. The watch has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 40mm and a Hardlex crystal on top. It has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet and is powered by an accurate quartz movement. For more versatility and a sporty look, it features a stainless steel bracelet with a satin finish.
The dial has three sub-dials and a red chronograph hand. At 12, 3, 6, and 9, there are subtle yet important red details that perfectly pair with the chronograph hand and add an important touch of sportiness.
Being a racing watch, it has a black bezel with a tachymeter scale on it. Between the 4 and 5 o’clock markers, it has a date window, which can be convenient to have. The applied hour markers are large and feature luminescent material. Thanks to this, the legibility is great, as well as its versatility. If you want a trusted everyday companion with a sporty racing-inspired design, the SSB031 is a really great option that offers excellent value for money.
Specifications
- Diameter: 40mm
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Movement: quartz
Tissot Supersport T1256173605101
The Tissot Supersport T1256173605101 is a very masculine men’s chronograph with a large case size of 45.5mm. With that said, it requires a large wrist or a preference for large watches. The case has a thickness of 11.92mm.
Powering the watch is a Swiss quartz movement for perfect accuracy. The bezel has a black tachymeter scale, and to go with the sporty theme, it has a black-treated case. On top of the case sits a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
It is powered by a Swiss quartz movement and has three large sub-dials positioned on the dial as well as a date window positioned at 6 o’clock.
The water resistance is 100m/330 feet which makes it suitable for short periods of time swimming. But.. as mentioned, water resistance isn’t the most crucial aspect when looking for a racing watch.
In Tissot’s own words, ”The Tissot Supersport Chrono has straight lines and sharp edges with a bold design on the 45. 5mm case. The dial has indexes filled with SuperLuminova and asymmetric appliques that add a powerful 3D effect, a dynamic appearance, and allows for impressive readability in dark conditions.” we couldn’t agree more with that description. And last but not least, for a suitable finishing touch, it is presented on a brown leather strap.
Specifications
- Diameter: 45.5mm
- Thickness: 11.92mm
- Movement: Swiss quartz
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
Tissot Supersport T1256171605101
The Tissot Supersport T1256171605101 is a classic, vintage-inspired, and racing-inspired timepiece with a traditional look. It features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 45.5mm and a thickness of 11.92mm. The case has straight, rectangular lugs which give it a bold and bulky appearance. On top of the case, it has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
Like most chronographs on this list, it offers a water resistance of 100m/330 feet. It has a black dial with three sub-dials and a red chronograph seconds hand. The hands are swords-shaped and have generous amounts of luminescence applied to them for excellent legibility. It is designed with sharp edges and bold lines for a very sporty look, so don’t expect any soft or rounded lines.
If you look closer, you’ll also notice the rich details that add depth to the watch.
Specifications
- Diameter: 45.5mm
- Thickness: 11.92mm
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Movement: Swiss quartz
Victorinox Swiss Army 241889 Fieldforce Sport Chrono Watch
The Victorinox Fieldforce Sport Chrono 241889 is a really sleek and sports racing chronograph with all the right details and design features. The watch has a sporty 42mm stainless steel case which is black-coated for a very sporty look. The watch has a black bezel with a tachymeter scale and a large black dial. The dial has three sub-dials, large Arabic numerals with luminescent material, and a date window at 6 o’clock. The watch also has large sword-shaped hands which provide a sporty and aggressive look that goes well with its racing design.
Victorinox has also done a good job with the dial details of this watch by adding raised and recessed elements, making it more vibrant and giving it greater depth.
All in all, this is a great everyday watch that is perfect for everyday wear, in particular for those who like racing.
Specifications
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Diameter: 42mm
- Movement: Swiss watch
Seiko Solar Chronograph SSC721
The Seiko Solar Chronograph SSC721 is the ultimate sporty and masculine racing watch. Why? Because this watch is designed to be all-black. Literally.
It is presented with a diameter of 43.5mm and has an all-black treated case and is presented on an all-black steel bracelet. The watch has a thin black bezel with a tachymeter scale for measuring average speed.
Inside the watch is the accurate Seiko Solar quartz caliber V176 which has a power reserve of 10 months when fully charged. And being a solar movement, it gets energy from solar and ambient light, meaning you don’t have to replace its batteries. On top of the case, we have the classic Seiko Hardly crystal.
Of course, this watch incorporates a chronograph function, but also a date window at 3 o’clock.
The water resistance is the standard 100m/330 feet.
This is the ultimate racing watch for those who want a very sporty and masculine chronograph that stands out from the ordinary and attracts people’s attention.
Specifications
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Diameter: 43.5mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Movement: Japanese quartz caliber V176
- Crystal: Hardlex
Citizen Eco-Drive Brycen Chronograph BL5568-54L
Last but not least, we have the Citizen Eco-Drive Brycen Chronograph BL5568-54L. This is a large, bulky, and masculine racing chronograph with a stainless steel case of 44mm. The watch has a black fixed bezel without a tachymeter scale because this is actually placed on the rehaut of the watch.
It features a beautiful light blue dial with a sunburst finish and a 1/20 second chronograph and a date window at 4 o’clock. The three sub-dials are black and provide great contrast against the dial. The dial also features metal hour markers with luminescent material applied to them. The watch also incorporates an alarm, world time, and multiple time zones.
Inside the watch is the Citizen Eco-Drive quartz caliber which is powered by light and therefore never needs a battery. And the water resistance is the classic 100m/330 feet.
This is the ultimate racing chronograph for the traveler and jet-setter.
Specifications
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Diameter: 44mm
- Movement: quartz
Criteria of a racing watch
The fact of the matter is that there is no real official definition for what a racing watch is. However, there are a few things that we can agree on that have to be on a watch in order for it to be classified as such.
Tachymeter scale
The core concept of a racing watch is to use it when racing. Remember that this type of watch came about when there were no digital tools or instruments for timing lap times or other racing-related events, and therefore, they used stopwatches or wristwatches – in fact, this was how racing watches came about in the first place. A tachymeter scale allows you to measure the average elapsed time over a certain distance, which is obviously useful information. Whilst there are far more accurate ways to measure this information nowadays, it can still be a fun function to have, that you can still actually use as a watch to time races in a more traditional manner.
Sporty design
This is a little looser, but since racing watches can be defined as sports watches, they should have a sports watch design. As you can see in the list above, the watches vary a lot in design, but overall, they give a very masculine and sporty impression
Chronograph function
Naturally, in order to be able to use the tachymeter scale and to time different things, you need to have a chronograph function – or at the very least, a stopwatch function (but most watches just integrate a chronograph function as it is more practical). As such, all racing watches will be chronograph watches. Most chronographs today have two chronograph pushers which are used to start, stop and reset (lower pusher) the central chronograph hand. In addition to this, you normally find sub-dials on the dial, which will allow you to read the elapsed hours and minutes since the start of the event. There are in fact many different chronograph variations, so keep in mind that not all of them will measure time in the exact same way.
Strap or bracelet option
Most racing chronograph watches have an appropriate strap or bracelet option to go with the racing watch theme. A lot of racing watches will use a so-called racing leather strap, on which the distinct design feature is perforated holes. The perforated holes on racing straps are inspired by the cutouts on the knuckles of racing gloves as well as drilled holes in steering wheels. Ultimately, you can change straps on most watches later on if you want, but to go with the sporty look of a racing watch, you will most often find leather straps or sporty metal bracelets. Rubber straps have also become more common in recent years due to their ruggedness and robustness, whilst also reminding of tires, which is a good match.
Good legibility
Good legibility is a key feature of a racing watch in order to be able to tell the time and measure information easily and quickly. This is especially important if you are driving whilst measuring the time. Racing watches often use the colors black, white, and red, which help with legibility but also add to their sporty appearance.
Buying a racing watch – tips
Just like when buying any watch, there are a few things you want to keep in mind. Naturally, it first needs to tick all the boxes just mentioned above. But in addition to this, consider these few things:
- What size do I want the watch to be?
- Do I want a mechanical or quartz watch?
- What dial color do I want?
- Do I need good water resistance?
Conclusion
Whether you are actually planning to take your automotive-inspired watch to the track and use it for measuring time, or just want a stylish accessory, racing watches have grown in popularity over the years. Although originally, they were the go-to tools for measuring the time in racing-related events, there are now far more accurate tools that are being used, but despite this, the appeal of a race watch still remains extremely high and appealing. A racing watch is – due to its sportier design, most suitable for casual and sportier occasions, but a lot of people also find that they work extremely well as everyday timepieces as well.
