Field watches are popular among watch enthusiasts because of their accuracy and simplicity. But, finding a good field watch on a budget can be challenging. So, we did the hard work for you and compiled the best field watches under $200.
Why Are Field Watches So Popular?
Field watches first became popular throughout World War II. Soldiers use them as an accurate timepiece for coordinating their movement and attack. As years go by, they’re no longer exclusively worn by soldiers and have become a favorite by many watch collectors.
People are drawn to field watches because of their accuracy and simplicity. Since they need to tell time with precision, they’re usually built to be tough and water resistant (up to a certain depth), using top-notch materials and well-thought designs.
Field watches also need to be easy to read wherever you are. That’s why most of them have high-contrast and glow-in-the dark hands, a large number size, and a crystal with optical coating to prevent undesirable light reflection.
Another great thing about these watches is they’re customizable. You can choose different colors, cases, straps, and other aftermarket parts to create a field watch that’s based on your unique style and purpose.
Some of the high-quality field watches are made by big-name designers and manufacturers, such as Filson, Luminox, and Seiko. Although there are also other major brands that have released top-notch field watches, just like Breitling SA, Omega, Rolex, and Timex. Most of them are expensive, but it’s not impossible to find models that cost less than $500 or even $200.
With that said, below are ten of the best field watches that cost under $200.
The Best Field Watches under $200
Expedition Scout 40mm Fabric Strap Watch
Are you looking for a field watch that’s stylish and built for rough handling? The Expedition Scout 40mm Fabric Strap Watch is the best choice for the price.
This well-crafted field watch features a scratch-resistant mineral crystal and an interchangeable double-layer, slip-thru strap made from sturdy nylon. It’s resistant to water penetration up to 50 meters. It basically means it’s okay to wear it while swimming in shallow waters, sweating, surfing, or washing your dishes.
Unlike most field watches, Timex’s Expedition Scout doesn’t have glow-in-the-dark hands and numbers. Instead, it has the exclusive Indiglo electroluminescent panel. This feature evenly lights up the whole dial of the watch, making it easy to read in the dark.
Seiko 5 Men’s SNZG09K1
At first glance, the Seiko 5 Men’s SNZG09K1 looks similar to most field watches in its price category. It has a silver-tone, stainless-steel case, green canvas band, olive green dial with luminous hands, day/date indicator at the 3 o’clock position, and large numbers.
But, what makes the SNZG09K1 unique is its “open” case back. The see-through cover on its backside allows you to see the mesmerizing inner workings of its automatic movement, which doesn’t need constant winding to maintain power.
Citizen Eco-Drive Garrison Men’s Watch
The Eco-Drive Garrison Men’s Watch (BM8180-03E) is Citizen’s response to the strong market demand for affordable solar-powered field watches. For this field watch, they equipped it with their well-respected Eco-Drive technology, so it can run for months by converting any light into electronic energy. No battery needed.
The Citizen Eco-Drive Garrison features a 37mm stainless-steel, screw-back case with a woven nylon strap. It also comes with a day-date indicator, a black dial that serves as a backdrop for its luminous hands and markers, impact-resistant mineral crystal, and a 5-year limited warranty. It has a water-resistance rating of up to a depth of 100 meters.
Timex Weekender Chronograph
Powered by the exclusive W92 movement, the Timex Weekender Chronograph doesn’t only tell time, but it also functions as a stopwatch. Even if you don’t use this feature all the time, it’s still a great style choice for any field watch.
Because of how simple its design is, it helps focus your attention on exactly what you need to see—the Arabic numerals with 24-hour military time on its nostalgic Indiglo backlit dial. Securing the mineral glass crystal is a large silver-finished 40mm case with a slip-thru, quick-release tan strap.
The Weekender Chronograph is waterproof, but only up to a depth of 100 feet (30 meters). Unless you’re going deep diving or swimming for long periods, it should still work perfectly when exposed to water splashes or brief water submersion.
Bertucci A-2T Original Classic
The Bertucci A-2T Original Classic comes with a B-TYPE Heavy-Duty Nylon Webbing, which offers a wide range of adjustment to make sure it fits any hand. The patented Fold and Tuck feature leaves just enough nylon webbing band, so you can easily fold and tuck in the extra strap end into the third ring.
A-2T’s case is made of Bertucci’s U.S. Patented Unibody 40mm titanium case. The crown is strategically positioned on the 4 o’clock side of the case, so your wrist could freely move.
You don’t need to push any button to make this field watch glow in the dark. Thanks to the non-radioactive Swiss Super Luminous, the hands and hour markers stay luminous for hours, depending on their exposure to natural and artificial lighting.
Wenger Attitude Heritage
Wenger is one of the best brands for Swiss-made timepieces. Affordable yet dependable, their Attitude Heritage field watch is the perfect companion for work, out-of-town trips, or whenever you need precise timekeeping.
For its primary power source, the Wenger Attitude Heritage uses a Swiss-quartz movement. It has luminous hands, a sapphire coated mineral crystal that’s encased in a large stainless-steel case (42mm), and a genuine leather strap.
Can you submerge it in water? Yes! The Attitude Heritage is safe to wear when swimming in shallow water (up to 100 meters or 330 feet deep) or doing certain water sports, such as boating and swimming.
Tissot XL Field Watch
Tissot develops and manufactures their watches under strict requirements to ensure they meet quality standards at all times. The same goes with their affordable field watches, like the Tissot XL Field Watch.
The Tissot XL Field Watch is a suitable option for those who are looking for a watch that they can wear during semi-casual occasions and their daily life. Its minimalist design and neutral colors—khaki strap, beige dial, anti-allergic 316L stainless-steel case with gray PVD coating—make it easy to pair it with any outfit.
This field watch doesn’t have luminous hands, but it is water resistant. Like the other field watches in our list, it can withstand up to a pressure of 10 bar or 100 meters. This means you can wear it while swimming or showering, but only for short periods.
MVMT AT Green Field Watch [104]
![mvmt at green field watch [104]](https://invoqe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/MVMT-AT-Green-Field-Watch-104-1024x683.jpg)
Whether you’re enjoying the outdoors or working at the office, the MVMT AT Green Field Watch is ready for any adventure. It has an interchangeable strap, so you can alternate between colors and materials to fit the occasion and your mood.
Equipped with a Japanese quartz movement, the MVMT AT Green Field Watch will faithfully keep track of time in style. It features a traditional fixed number dial, a dark olive nylon canvas strap, green lume dial accents, and a water-resistant, stainless-steel case with a matte gray finish.
It might cost under $200, but MVMT made sure you’ll get your money’s worth. It’s perfectly okay to wear it while surface swimming or working out at the gym, just as long you don’t submerge it in water for a long period of time or that’s up to 100 meters deep.
Momentum Atlas 44mm Field Watch
Accurate and durable—the Momentum Atlas 44mm Field Watch offers tremendous value for the money. It’s made from a titanium case (44mm) that’s truly lightweight and scratch resistant. Its screw-down crown with gaskets and mineral or sapphire domed crystal create a tight seal to stop dust and water from going inside the case and cause serious damage.
The Momentum Atlas is a low-maintenance field watch. It comes with a Japanese quartz movement with a day-date display, so you don’t need to worry about frequent battery replacement.
Timex Expedition Rugged Metal Watch
The Timex Expedition Rugged Metal Watch is a great everyday field watch that you could give to the favorite guy in your life, without breaking the bank. Aside from its accuracy, it’s very comfortable, thanks to its 45-millimeter brass case with mineral glass crystal and fixed bezel and 22-millimeter genuine leather strap.
As you can expect, it features Timex’s signature Indiglo light-up watch dial. That, plus its luminous hands and large Arabic numerals allow you to easily tell the time in low-light situations. It also features a good-contrast cream dial with a day/date window at the 3 o’clock position.
