Best Budget Field Watches for Under $200 in 2023
Jean Arevalo
12 September 2023 | 14 min read
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There are definitely different types of watches, depending on their functionality and usability. Let’s say, for instance, that dive watches are meant for scuba diving, swimming, and other water-type adventures.
Pilot watches, on the other hand, are crafted purposefully as pilot’s timekeepers used while on aviation and aeronautical missions. Likewise, field watches, as the name implies, are tough and tactical time-telling devices meant to be worn on the field.
Specifically crafted for outdoor enthusiasts, field watches are known for their uncompromising rigidity and unmatched reliability to withstand any unfavourable or extreme conditions.
Whether you’re looking for a reliable outdoor watch to use on your next field adventure or want a timepiece perfect for everyday wear, field watches are an absolute staple.
We all know that the majority of high-end and striking timepieces are expensive, which is primarily one of the reasons why it may be quite challenging for some people to obtain a top-notch timepiece.
The good news here is that some of the field watches are retailed for a budget-friendly price, even though they’re from a few well-known watch brands.
In this article, we’ll look at the 12 best field watches under $200 you can find on the market today.
What are Field Watches?
As mentioned above, field watches are timekeepers specifically made for use on the field. These types of timepieces have a unique style and appearance that are always associated with military watches.
Of course, it’s no longer news that most military timepieces are field watches. After all, field watches are time-telling equipment for use in the field or outdoors, including military use.
Historically, field watches were first designed during World War I, when soldiers required a trusty companion that could survive any demanding conditions while displaying precise time and date.
Soldiers and military personnel dubbed field watches “trench watches.”
In a nutshell, field watches are timepieces known for their toughness, durability, and extremely robust features. They’re a perfect watch for those with active lifestyles who want to own a highly reliable timekeeper.
12 Best Field Watches Under $200
Now let’s take a closer look at the 12 best budget field watches under $200 you can find on the watch market these days.
1. Timex Expedition Scout 40mm
Timex has a rich history of manufacturing classic, stylish watches with an affordable tag. The brand began its horological journey in the mid-1800s, initially branded as Waterbury Clock Company. To this day, Timex remains an iconic watchmaker of high-end, one-of-a-kind timepieces.
If there’s one best offering from the Timex catalogue, the Timex Expedition Scout 40mm is definitely a go-to time-telling device. Even at first glance, you can already tell how sturdy this field watch is. It is made of a chunky 40mm BRASS and LLB with a well-polished matte finish.
The striking black dial is adorned with silver-tone hour and minute hands and a distinctive yellow second hand. Attached on top is a mineral glass to protect the watch from any damage or scratches.
One thing impressive about the Timex Expedition Scout 40mm is that it’s integrated with the brand’s very own INDIGLO® night light invention, allowing you to read time even if the watch is in a dark environment. For easier access, simply push the screw-down crown button located at 3 o’clock to use this feature. Ticking inside is a high-calibre quartz movement that ensures unrivalled accuracy in timekeeping.
What completes the whole chic appearance of the Expedition Scout 40mm is a soft and lightweight green fabric strap. This comes with a stainless steel buckle, not just to securely fit on your wrist but also to give you comfort while wearing the watch. Lastly, the watch has a 50-metre water resistance capacity.
Just prepare to shell out around $41.99 to get your hands on this classic, high-end field watch.
2. Seiko 5 Men’s SNZG09K1
Next, we have the Seiko 5 Men’s SNZG09K1 that possesses a striking, rugged appearance. Coming from a reputable Japanese brand, Seiko, with an iconic watchmaking history dating back to 1881, this particular field watch is definitely one of the best field watches under $200 available on the watch market today.
With the brand’s most sought-after timepieces like Seiko Presage Cocktail Time, Seiko Alpinist, and Seiko Prospex, you can be assured that the Seiko 5 Men’s SNZG09K1 is packed with superior features and delivers superb precision in timekeeping.
The Seiko 5 Men’s SNZG09K1 has a hefty 42mm round case made out of stainless steel, which is paired with a beguiling green dial and a green nylon strap. The dial is packed with lots of useful features, such as 24-hour markings, minute markers around the outer rim, and a day and date function at the usual 3 o’clock spot. Additionally, the watch comes with a scratch-resistant hardlex crystal to protect it against any external threats.
Meant to be a field watch, the Seiko 5 Men’s SNZG09K1’s hands and indices are coated with excellent luminosity. It allows anyone who wears it to have a clear and legible view of the dial at all times.
Powering inside the watch is a top-grade in-house 7S36 automatic movement that delivers a 41-hour power reserve. Held together by 23 jewels, this mechanism offers accuracy of up to +45/-35 seconds per day.
Retailed at only $179, the Seiko 5 Men’s SNZG09K1 is indeed one of the best budget field watches on the market today, allowing you to own a classic, reliable timepiece without having to break the bank. Not to mention, it has a whopping 100-metre water resistance capacity, which for sure exceeds what you need.
3. Orient Defender FET0N003Y0
Being branded as part of the three big Japanese watch companies along with Citizen and Seiko, Orient is a highly respected watchmaker known for its exceptional quality watches retailed at affordable prices.
They started manufacturing timepieces as early as 1901.
Searching for the top-quality, best field watches under $200? The Orient Defender FET0N003Y0 is certainly a great option for you, extremely notable for its great legibility and striking functionality.
Presented in a 42mm sleek round stainless steel case, the Defender FET0N003Y0 is paired with a handsome cream dial equipped with luminous hands and hour markers for optimal legibility.
It is furnished with minute markers around the outer rim, a day/night indicator, and a date function spotted at 6 o’clock. Not to mention, the watch is equipped with two sub-dials, serving as a 24-hour and day of the week.
Completing the overall stylish, rugged appearance of the Defender FET0N003Y0 is a brown leather strap that comes with a buckle clasp. Speaking of its movement, this field watch is run by Orient’s very own calibre 46B40.
It is a self-winding automatic movement with 22 jewels that offers a 40-hour power reserve. Lastly, the Orient Defender FET0N003Y0 comes with a 100-metre water resistance rating.
You can purchase this top-notch field watch for around $125.
4. Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic GW7900B Black
Another reputable Japanese brand joining our list is none other than Casio. Sought-after for its popular G-shock collection, Casio has always been at the vanguard of crafting high-quality watches since 1946.
In this rundown of the best budget field watches under $200, we highly recommend checking out this Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic GW7900B Black. It has a classic, trendy digital aesthetic design and is fully equipped with practical features to accompany you on the field.
The Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic GW7900B Black is offered in a beefy 50mm black resin case and strap, making it an excellent choice for those with a big wrist. The digital dial is adorned with mineral glass to protect it against scratches.
It hosts different sub-dials showing 12- and 24-hour formats, a 1/100-second stopwatch, a daily alarm with snooze, a tide/moon graph, 31 time zones, and day/date/month calendars.
For a legible dial, the watch is furnished with a high-grade electro-luminescent backlight. And being part of the G-Shock collection, this Casio watch comes with shock resistance feature.
What’s more interesting about this Casio G-shock watch is that it’s integrated with the brand’s famous tough solar system. This simply means that the timepiece has the capacity to convert any light source into electrical energy to power the watch with approximately 9 months of operating time when fully charged. It helps eliminate the hassle of changing the battery from time to time.
Besides, the solar panel is smoothly integrated into the dial, making it quite invisible and not affecting the overall aesthetic appearance of the watch.
Splurging for as low as $150, you can already wear this Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic GW7900B, with a 200-metre in-depth water resistance rating.
5. Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler Field Watch
Hailing from one of the world’s largest watchmakers, Citizen Watches, with a history of watchmaking as early as 1918, the Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler Field Watch gained our number 5 spot in this list. This particular timepiece is sought-after as one of the best budget field watches under $200 on the market with fully-packed top-tier features.
The Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler Field Watch has a minimalist look presented in a 37mm stainless steel case, making it a perfect choice for those with smaller wrists.
The beautiful matte black dial is adorned with white-hue Arabic numerals and minute markers around the outer rim. It is equipped with a top-grade mineral crystal with impact-resistant shock.
As a field watch, the Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler comes with luminescent hands and markers for best legibility. At the 3 o’clock spot, you can find the day and date window presented in a black tone. The green nylon strap completes the whole military-inspired, rugged appearance of the watch.
Another commendable feature of this Citizen Eco-Drive watch is that it is driven by top-grade Eco-Drive technology. This is Citizen’s light-powered technology that gives the watch the ability to convert any light source into electrical energy to function without the need for batteries.
If you want a hassle-free life of changing watch batteries from time to time, you should consider opting for the Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler Field Watch. Not to mention, it also has 100-metre water resistance to survive some accidental splashes.
6. Bertucci A-2T Original Classic
Established in 2023, Bertucci is a newly minted watch brand based in the United States. They’re an American watchmaker solely focused on crafting rigid and tactical titanium field watches offered at affordable prices.
The Bertucci A-2T Original Classic, in particular, is our best-recommended field watch from the brand, which is offered at $200.
This specific model is offered in a 40mm titanium case with a matte finish. It is fused with unbreakable titanium band retention lug bars to ensure the watch’s toughness and rigidity.
The case is paired with a striking black dial and nylon strap. On top of the dial is an ultra-scratch-resistant R-type sapphire crystal that protects it from external threats.
Additionally, the Bertucci A-2T Original Classic is furnished with hands and markers treated with Swiss Super Luminous material, best known for its high performance. What’s exceptional about this feature is that it allows the watch to intensely glow for hours based on its exposure to indoor lighting or sunlight without the need to push any buttons.
Running inside this Bertucci watch is a top-notch Swiss quartz movement with a claimed battery life of up to 10 years. To survive accidental water splashes, the watch is water resistant with a 200-metre in-depth rating.
7. Vaer S5 Calendar Field White
Vaer is another freshly minted, great American watch brand that was established in 2016. They’re focused on manufacturing top-of-the-line field watches that can withstand any conditions.
Even at first glance, you can already tell that the Vaer S5 Calendar Field White has that typical classic field watch look. Its 40mm case is made of stainless steel with a smooth and streamlined finish.
The minimalist white dial is furnished with black-hue Arabic numeral indices, a date function at the usual 3 o’clock position, and a flat sapphire crystal with AR coating.
Made as a field watch, the Vaer watch’s hour, minute, and second hands are coated with 15 layers of Old Radium SuperLuminova for the highest legibility.
When it comes to the mechanism, Vaer used the Japan-made Miyota 2035 quartz movement to power this timepiece. It delivers up to 40 months of battery life with an estimated 10/+20 sec/month timing tolerance to offer. In addition, the watch also comes with an in-depth rating of 100 metres of water resistance to guarantee you can wear it even in some water-type activities.
Lastly, here’s the best part: the Vaer S5 Calendar Field White is offered in two interchangeable straps, where you can easily pick and change between khaki nylon and black silicone straps. The American watchmaker also claimed to offer a custom-fit stainless steel bracelet. So, regardless of your personal preference, Vaer will surely cater to all of it.
With its affordable price tag of $179, the Vaer S5 Calendar Field White is indeed a must-have field watch for everyone.
8. Wenger Attitude Heritage Black
Wenger is a great Swiss watch brand that was established in 1893. They might not be as popular as Swiss watchmakers like Rolex with its high-end Rolex Explorer or Omega with its top-notch Omega Military, but Wenger is also home to some of the finest modern field watches today.
If you’re looking for an almost all-black field watch, you should check out this Wenger Attitude Heritage Black, which retails for only $200.
Available in 42mm, the Wenger Attitude Heritage has a well-polished case that blends well with its black dial and black nylon strap. The striking dial is packed with lots of features, such as white-tone Arabic numeral markers, pencil-shaped skeleton hands coated with luminous material for superior legibility, and a day and date display window at 3 o’clock.
Driving inside the Wenger Attitude Heritage Black is a superior Swiss-made Ronda 517 quartz movement that offers up to 45 months of battery life. To ensure it survives accidental water splashes, this field watch is integrated with a whopping 100-metre water resistance. You can buy this high-end, rugged timepiece for as low as $185.
9. Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s 241515
Victorinox has been in the watchmaking scene for as long as we remember, with a sweeping catalogue of high-end, best-performing watches. With its decades of watchmaking experience, this Swiss watchmaker is truly home to some of the finest, most robust timepieces.
One particular field watch model we highly recommend you check out is the Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s 241515. It has a grey monochromatic look, perfect for those who prefer a minimalist yet elegant timekeeper.
The Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s 241515 is offered in a 40mm grey stainless steel case with a smooth and polished finish. It is impeccably paired with a beguiling grey dial and a grey nylon strap.
For an easy-to-read dial, the watch is furnished with luminous hands and easily noticeable Arabic numeral indices at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. Aside from that, it also comes with useful 24-hour (GMT) markings and is adorned with a hardened mineral crystal on top of the dial. A functional date window is spotted at 4 o’clock.
Turning this Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s 241515 over, you will find a solid stainless steel caseback. It protects the Swiss-made quartz movement that runs inside. The water resistance is available at 100 metres, allowing you to enjoy a few water-type activities.
Lastly, the Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s 241515 is retailed at around $200–$325 depending on the luxury watch website you decide to get a piece from.
10. Marathon General Purpose 34mm Desert Tan Quartz
Marathon is a well-known Canadian brand founded in 1939. This watchmaker offers a massive lineup of rugged, highly reliable military watches, catering to the needs of both military personnel and the general public.
What makes them easily distinguishable is that Marathon designs its timepieces in Canada, but all are made and manufactured in Switzerland. As you might notice, Marathon watches bear the designation “Swiss Made” on the dial.
Right off the bat, the Marathon General Purpose 34mm Desert Tan Quartz is a cool, rugged field watch packed with superior features.
This is a highly accurate field watch that meets the requirements of a true military watch. Its 34mm case is crafted using a Desert Tan Composite material with a stainless steel back that is water-resistant and dustproof to ensure its rigidity.
The classic black dial is furnished with Arabic numeral indices and hands, which are both coated with MaraGlo luminescent paint for better legibility.
With this MaraGlo material, the watch can glow for up to 8 hours on one charge using any external light source.
As mentioned, all Marathon watches are made in Switzerland. That said, you can be assured that running inside this Marathon General Purpose watch is a top-grade Swiss-quartz ETA High-Torque FØ6 movement.
Being held together by 3 jewels, this quartz movement delivers up to 68–94 months, depending on the battery’s mAh. Finally, the watch is equipped with 30-metre in-depth water resistance.
Given its top-tier features, it’s no surprise that this Marathon General Purpose 34mm Desert Tan Quartz is retailed at $280.
11. MVMT Field Nomad 41mm
MVMT is a new American watchmaker, joining the horological industry in 2013. Despite being branded as a newly minted brand, MVMT never failed to release minimalist, stylish watches with impressive features.
The MVMT Field Nomad 41mm, in particular, is a top-notch field watch from the brand’s extensive collection. The 41mm case is meticulously crafted using a stainless steel material. It has a sleek, highly polished finish that exudes so much sophistication, making it a timekeeper you can wear on both rugged field adventures and casual days.
The watch’s face has a simple yet sophisticated look, with its black dial fully furnished with bold, white Arabic numeral indices that contrast well. At 6 o’clock, you can easily spot the date window printed in white with a black background. On top of the dial, a hardened mineral crystal is added to protect against any external threats. What completes the watch’s overall classic appearance is the brown nylon textile strap with a buckle clasp.
Flipping the MVMT Field Nomad 41mm over, you will be welcomed by a stainless steel caseback that protects the mechanism inside.
It is driven by a Japanese quartz movement that delivers unmatched accuracy in timekeeping. For better experience, the watch is integrated with a whopping 100-metre water resistance.
For as low as $118, you can already purchase this classic, extremely reliable field watch.
12. Stuhrling Aeronaut Japanese Quartz 43mm Aviator
Sturhling is a reputable American watchmaker that began crafting high-end watches with affordable prices in 1999.
They have an extensive collection of some of the finest timekeepers with budget-friendly tags, which makes them easily gain respect in the entire horological industry.
Now let’s take a closer look at the Stuhrling Aeronaut Japanese Quartz 43mm Aviator. At first glance, you can already tell that it has a quirky style with its colour combination of yellow, black, and silver.
The 43mm case is made of a sturdy stainless steel case that is paired with a black dial and a black alligator strap.
What’s instantly noticeable on the watch’s face is its big, bold yellow 6 and 12 Arabic numeral markers, which make a great blend with its black face.
In addition, it also comes with a day-date complication at the usual 3 o’clock spot.
On the underside of this Stuhrling Aeronaut watch, you will find a well-polished, highly-detailed caseback also made of durable stainless steel. It protects the quartz movement inside, with a useful rating of 100 metres of water resistance.
What’s more, the Stuhrling Aeronaut Japanese Quartz 43mm Aviator sells for around $89.
Final Thoughts
All in all, field watches are a staple item for those who love to go on field adventures or simply want to wear a reliable timekeeper every day.
Field watches are made to survive any condition and are packed with high-end features to deliver the best timekeeping.
Luckily, some field watches are retailed at affordable prices, even from reputable watchmakers.
So, if you’re on the watch market searching for a field watch, you can check out the list of the 12 best budget field watches under $200 to compare which watch model is best fit for your style, preference, and estimated budget.