We know that the word “affordable” is subjective, of course, but in the world of watches, collectors and enthusiasts are well versed in justifying four-figure sums for a wristwatch as a bargain. So I suppose I’m going to do that myself by saying that 2025 saw some fantastic releases from brands that genuinely offer something special for a very reasonable price. Value for money isn’t always a top priority with watches, because if you love it, you love it, often, regardless of the cost. However, sometimes, brands can challenge certain tropes around particular complications or materials, and deliver watches that can surprise us all. Here are the ones that surprised us most this year.
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Power Reserve
A question I get asked a lot is, “Hey, you know about watches, what watch should I buy?” My answers are generally the same. Firstly, I’ll say, “buy what you love”, but this always poses a problem, because most people at that point have no idea what they want, let alone love. When I need to get more specific, I’ll ask, “What will you be doing wearing it? How long does it have to last, and what’s your budget?” This narrows things down well, and more often than not, the answer often rolls around to a Hamilton Khaki Field. I don’t think you can get a better watch for $1,000 that will do everything you possibly need it to, when you need it, for as long as you need it, all while looking mature, rugged, and purposeful.
The Mechanical Power Reserve variant that released this year is a beast of a watch: yes, it’s a little on the large side, but I’d argue that, for something functional as a proper tool, you need it to have some size and heft. Plus, it’s a hell of a strap monster, so it’s incredibly versatile, no matter the conditions, and that 80-hour power reserve (that is now easily trackable!) is a perfect pick for someone who might not wear it every day. Price: from US$975
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical SPB513
For years, Seiko were considered the king of value. You could pick up a quality Seiko diver for a few hundred of your finest dollars, and it would last a lifetime. These days, however, with inflation, competition and several other reasons, that’s not quite so simple. But that’s not to say that there aren’t any ultra-high-value gems from the beloved Japanese brand anymore.
Enter the SPB515 Prospex Speedtimer, a 200-meter water-resistant, well-sized, high-quality Seiko with a twist. The twist: a handy countdown timer in the form of a rotational inner bezel – quirky and practical all at once. All this can be bought for under a thousand dollars, which is quite the bargain. Price: US$995
Baltic Hermétique Summer
Summer couldn’t feel further away right now in the northern hemisphere, but, Baltic managed to bring enough heat this year to remind you of summer all year round. The Baltic Hermétique is a solid favourite of ours at Time+Tide anyway, but 2025 saw the release of the Summer collection, integrating fresh and vibrant colours to make it one of the top summer picks of the year.
The combination of the 37mm stainless steel case, with details such as the flush crown, and a cohesive, feature-rich dial paired with a colour-matched awesome FKM rubber strap, makes the Hermétique a must for anyone’s collection – not only because it’s the perfect summer watch that will never go out of style, but it’s also exceptional value for money. Price: US$1,050 from the Time+Tide Shop
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph
When TAG Heuer teamed up with KITH in 2024 to revive the original, affordable Formula 1, it was a masterstroke – but being limited edition, these were all snapped up pretty quickly. Thankfully, TAG brought the OG Formula 1 back with a wider release in 2025, which also added solar-charging functionality to boot (something we’re a big fan of…)
Slightly larger than the original models at 38mm in diameter and 9.9mm thick, the Formula 1 Solargraph remains a unisex proposition, with a wide variety of colours returning as well as the option of either a rubber strap or a three-link bracelet. Two minutes of exposure to direct sunlight is enough to power them for an entire day, and once fully charged, they can run for up to six months. Fun, practical and dripping with F1 credibility, these are an obvious inclusion in any list of the best affordable watches of 2025. Price: from US$1,850
Christopher Ward C63 Extreme GMT
If one brand stands out as a cornerstone of value, it’s Christopher Ward. October saw an under-the-radar release from the brand that brought together aspects watch enthusiasts have been hankering for for some time. What came was the Christopher Ward C63 Extreme GMT, an extreme explorer’s watch with a fixed ceramic bezel and a tough, hardcore demeanour.
Available with either a charcoal black or khaki green textured dial, the Extreme GMT offers some serious bang for your buck, such as a shock-absorbing internal case structure, insane levels of luminescent Globolight material across the dial, hands and bezel, and a GMT movement for tracking the time when you’re in complete darkness for hours on end, perhaps in a cave. The C63 Extreme GMT is a double-hard explorer’s watch that does everything you need it to, and more. Price: US$1,995 from the Time+Tide Shop
Kurono Tokyo Grand Jubilee Triple Calendar
When you hear the two words ‘triple’ and ‘calendar’ together, things start to get interesting. These days, it’s an often-overlooked classic complication that is relatively rare in the microbrand arena, but as Hajime Asaoka set out to prove this year, his affordable label Kurono Tokyo really knows how to put one together. The Grand Jubilee Triple Calendar is the brand’s third triple calendar, featuring a gorgeous salmon-coloured, vertical guilloché-adorned dial.
The watch features a beautifully crafted 38mm stainless steel case, with a thin bezel and reprofiled lugs, plus a solid gold medallion on the caseback bearing Asaoka’s hanko, or personal stamp. Inside the watch beats the Miyota 9022, an automatic triple calendar movement that challenges the notion that complex calendars have to cost the earth. Kurono watches are notoriously tricky to get hold of at launch, so sadly, you’ll have to wait for the Asaoka’s next triple calendar. Price: US$2,380
SpaceOne Worldtimer
There’s something about daring watches like the SpaceOne Worldtimer that’s so unapologetically crazy they can’t go overlooked. Yes, by the time you’ve actually worked out what the time is in whatever city you’re tracking, it’s already about 10 minutes later than when you started, but that’s not the point. You’re getting a watch that not only has the visual ability to almost stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Urwerk or Ōtsuka Lōtec, but it looks like you’ve literally arrived from the future. Plus, it’s in titanium, plus, it has an in-house-developed worldtimer module, and best of all, it’s only going to set you back just over three grand, to boot. Price: US$3,165
Tudor Ranger 36
It’s about time! In November, a 36mm Tudor Ranger launched, tipping its hat to the vintage Tudor crowd. Not only that, we got a sandy Dune white dial variation too. So you’re getting a Goldilocks-sized Tudor, which has a COSC-certified movement, a screw-down crown with 100 meters of water resistance, a 70-hour power reserve, and bags of history and brand prevenance to boot, all for under £3,500.
It’s a watch that will last a lifetime, go with you to the ends of the earth and back, and still keep ticking while looking superb. You can’t say fairer than that. If you’re after something a little larger, there’s always the 39mm version, too, and it’s available either on a T-fit bracelet or the jacquard fabric NATO-style strap as pictured. Price: From US$3,400
Furlan Marri Disco Volante Diamonds Onyx
In September, when this model launched, I said that Furlan Marri is a disruptive brand. They may not appear to be on the surface, but I stand by that statement. They’re offering some beautiful watches that subtly reference some of the most stunning vintage pieces, for a fraction of the cost. And like it or not, this is positively impacting microbrands by showing that it can be done respectfully.
The model in question is the Disco Volante Diamonds Onyx, showcasing a brilliantly deep onyx dial, set with six stunning diamonds in a 38mm Disco Volante case. It’s a monochromatic stunner, with a dial free of clutter and text, and a case free of unnecessary lugs and details. It looks a million bucks, but comes in way below, at under 5k. Right now it’s sold out, but there’s more due on the horizon soon… Price: US$4,375
Fears Arnos
We’ve all been there, scouring Instagram (or “watchtok” as the kids are calling it nowadays), and there are swathes of people much cooler than me, all wearing Cartier Tanks or Jaeger-LeCoultre Reversos, like if you don’t have one, you couldn’t be more square, or, rectangular… Whatever. The truth is, we’re not all financially endowed enough to fill our watch boxes with these four-sided stunners, but there are other options out there.
The Fears Arnos is one such prospect. Released in March of this year, it was launched as a new core collection for British brand Fears, inspired by the Art Deco movement of the 1920s and 30s, taking aim at other rectangular dress watches on the market. It’s small and dressy, with classic features such as Roman numerals and distinctive “Pipette” hands, and is the perfect alternative if you’re looking to dress well on a smaller budget. Price: US$4,500 from the Time+Tide Shop
Nomos Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer
April was a massive month for Nomos. Watches & Wonders 2025 saw the launch of the brand’s new take on a world timer, bringing with it a dose of typical Nomos style, and a barrage of awesome colour combinations that were an instant hit. The Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer uses the Nomos Club Sport as its foundation, slightly bumped up to 40.5mm, and adds a subtle world time disc and home time sub-dial.
Inside, the watch houses the DUW-3202 calibre, a fully in-house worldtimer movement that is around 1mm slimmer than we’d seen previously. If the new calibre wasn’t enough, the dials were what got everyone frothing, with six different variations featuring bold colours and contrasting sub-dials, all selling out in record time. The neomatik Worldtimer is a strong contender for one of the best-value watches of the year, as well as one of the best full stop. Price: US$5,190