10 Watches That Can Upgrade Your Style Without Breaking The Bank

A man’s timepiece collection can never be too extensive. The wrist watch is an essential accessory that is literally timeless and has the power to define the entire aesthetic of a person—for better or for worse.

Much like a brand new whip or a bottle of fine wine, the only limitation to how heavy you want to splurge lies in the thickness of your wallet. There are watches out there that break the multi-million-dollar barrier. At the end of the day, though, you don't have to sign your life away just to keep your wrist frosty. The watch options available to you are virtually endless. And many of those options can be had at an affordable price point without having to sacrifice style. Peep this breakdown of champagne-level time-keepers at a beer budget.

For the purpose of this exercise, we capped the price off at the $300 mark.

Buy now: $145

Leave it to the Danish to create a contemporary timepiece that showcases subtle swag and has purpose. Skagen’s Ancher features sharp lines and clean stainless steel elements that lend themselves to a range of occasions. It’s a casual watch cloaked in dress attire. It’s simple, straight-forward, and fits comfortably under the cuffs given its slim, 8mm case thickness.

Buy now: $94

Having a tortoise shell piece in your repertoire is essential for the times when you want to switch things up. Particularly with summer approaching, this simple yet refined watch will pair up nicely with your wardrobe, whether you're clad in beach attire or are dressed for a night out.

Buy now: $116

The classic Sheffield is the epitome of effortless style. The dark leather band pairs up rather nicely with the slim rose gold case. Its ultra-clean lines work well with a suited look, through its versatile enough for daily wear if you want to go that route. Basically, you'll feel like a baller without having to spend like one.

Buy now: $160

The city that never sleeps is represented well with the Destination NYC from Swatch. The stylish matte black dial and textile strap, paired with white numerals, are a nod to the nightlife of the Big Apple. Work or play—this is the one.

Buy now: $29

The cheapest way to give your wrist an instant upgrade is with the classic Casio digital watch. Seriously, $30 bucks for all that shine? It’s the true definition of ballin’ on a budget.

Buy now: $255

A nice dark strap is the standard in quality men’s wristwear. That’s not to say, however, that stainless steel should be overlooked. This beauty from Mondaine is just the right amount of flash-with-class, and certainly deserves a spot in your rotation as a statement piece.

Buy now: $95

You could very well be looking at your new go-to watch right now. The tan leather band looks hip as shit, and the murdered out dial is offset with just enough red to keep them on their toes.

Buy now: $219

The minimalist look is always in—think we’ve established that by now. But sometimes you have to floss on a different, more intricate level. That’s where the Seiko Flight Alarm, with its aviation-inspired design and precisely tuned Japanese chronograph quartz movement, comes in. The face is busy but not overwhelming, and the rotating bezel will have your swagger flying high.

Buy now: $200

This is yet another example of how the Scandinavians have the contemporary look down to a tee. The Dawn Klinga features refined Swedish details like a slim profile and conical crown. Under the elegant hood is a Japanese Citizen Miyota three-hand movement for precise time-keeping. And the slick, perforated leather band—well, it speaks for itself.

Buy now: $94

The Orient Bambino is an elegant timepiece at a bargain price. It’s not going to win you over with flash. No, it doesn’t have quartz movements. What the watch does have going for it is the quality automatic movement at a very reasonable price point. The slick alligator leather band, paired with a domed crystal and dial give it that heritage look that commands appreciation.