We hear it all the time: men worry that they won’t look “watch smart” if they buy a quartz-powered watch. The answer is always the same: buy what you like, and don’t be afraid if it has a quartz movement inside. In fact, some of the finest watches on the market from upscale brands house quartz movements. A quartz caliber helps get the job done, especially if the watch is packed with added features, without adding hefty weight or size to the piece.
While auctions and the second-hand markets tout the virtues of mechanical watches, that may well be because anything made prior to the early 1980s was predominantly mechanical. The first quartz watch was made in 1969 and the first one to appear at a Basel Fair was in 1970, but they did not come into serial production really until the early 1980s. So, with auctions selling many mid-century watches, they will naturally be mechanicals.
Today, though, many strong brands create quartz watches that range from sporty to classically elegant and everything in between. If you’re into cars, diving, or just looking good, there is a quartz watch out there for you. Here we take a look at 10 quartz-powered watches for men that won’t disappoint at all and that won’t break the bank.
Alpina Seastrong GMT Diver 300
Got a hankering for diving, check out the Alpina Seastrong GMT Diver 300 watch. The 44mm stainless steel watch is blackened with a PVD (physical vapor deposit) coating and features luminescent hands and markers on the black dial, as well as luminescence on the bezel. It is water-resistant to 300 meters. The chronograph function offers a central seconds hand for easy tracking.
Price: $795
Maurice Lacroix Eliros Green Smoked Dial
Green with envy is what everyone will be when they see this Eliros Green Smoked Dial watch from Maurice Lacroix on your wrist. With gold plated steel case and matching Roman numerals and hands, the 40mm watch has a vintage-inspired classic appeal. It is fitted with a matching green leather strap. It also offers central seconds and date indications.
Price: $695
Tissot Chrono XL Classic
From Swiss watch brand Tissot, the Chrono XL Classic watch is powered by an ETA quartz caliber. The 45mm watch is created in rose-gold-plated stainless steel and offers date, small seconds, chronograph function, and an end-of-life battery indicator in addition to hours and minutes. It is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Price: $425
Hamilton Jazzmaster Thinline
The Hamilton Jazzmaster Thinline watch celebrates thinness and elegance. Crafted in stainless steel with a black dial and black strap, the 42mm watch features white numerals and a date window at 6:00. It is finished with a black leather strap and is water-resistant to 50 meters.
Price: $445
Certina DS-2 Flyback
Looking for something on the sporty side? this Certina DS-2 Flyback may be perfect. It features a chronograph for timing events, a tachymeter for measuring speed, and a date indication at 6:00. The 43mm steel case features a black dial with luminescence for easy reading in the dark.
Price: $960
Luminox Navy Seal Steel 3250 Series
All black stealth-like watches are all the rage and this Luminox Navy Seal Steel 3250 Series watch features a 45mm blackened stainless steel case and bracelet. In addition to hours, minutes, seconds, and date indication, it is water-resistant to 200 meters and is equipped with Illumination Night Vision tubes that will glow for at least 25 years.
Price: $751
CT Scuderia Scrambler Saturno
For car loves who want a distinctive look, check out the CT Scuderia Scrambler Saturno that is powered by a Ronda quartz movement. The cushion-cornered rectangular watch is crafted in rose-gold-plated stainless steel and even offers a transparent case back. The watch offers chronograph count-down functions and its distinctive dial resembles a dashboard. Even the pushers and crown are placed at the case top instead of the side for added comfort in wear. The leather strap is perforated to resemble leather driving gloves.
Price: $1,383
Movado Ultra Slim
Thinking of a khaki neutral shade for summertime? Movado’s Ultra Slim watch with Museum-style dial is a sure bet. The 40mm watch is created in gold-plated stainless steel with gold-colored hands and a “dot.” The dial is tan/beige with gold-colored stick markers, while the matching leather strap is a deeper shade of beige.
Price: $695
Orient Sports
If a real deal is what you are looking for, the Japanese brand Orient offers some great looks with some form and function built into its Sports model. The 42mm stainless steel watch boasts a brown dial and matching colored strap and offers a few bells and whistles. In addition to hours and minutes display, it offers a date, small seconds subsidiary dial, chronograph, and 24-hour display. It is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Price: $200
Bomberg BB-68 Military Green
This BB-68 Military Green Bomberg chronograph offers bi-compax subsidiary dials. Crafted in black PVD steel with a military green dial and matching textile strap, the 44mm watch offers date indication at 6:00 on the dial. The green dial and strap are accented by a black bezel and black chronograph subdials. Hands and numerals are luminescent, and for comfort and looks, the crown and pushers are located at the 11:00, 12:00, and 1:00 positions on the case.
Price: $850
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