- Every young professional needs a nice watch, but may not have deep enough pockets for high-end luxury brands.
- With a $250 budget, there are a variety of quality watches from brands like MVMT, Fossil, and Timex that make great gifts.
- We rounded up the 14 best watches under $250 to give as graduation gifts – or to buy for yourself.
Editor’s note: Graduation ceremonies across the country are being canceled and postponed due to coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean students aren’t still preparing to move on to the next phase of their lives. We hope this list provides some guidance for how to help them celebrate their accomplishments and smoothly transition to whatever form their next chapter may take.
While first-apartment essentials, tech items, and gift cards are all solid presents to give a recent graduate, a watch is an often-overlooked, but much-appreciated gift idea they probably couldn’t afford on their own.
College years are usually when young men begin building out their professional wardrobe with essentials for their internships, but shelling out hundreds of dollars for a watch isn’t always in the budget. As such, a nice timepiece is likely one hole in their wardrobe that needs filling.
If you're looking to gift them a watch they'll feel proud to wear to their first job, now is the time to do it. With a $250 budget, you can find plenty of watches that are perfect for casual days, formal functions, first-job interviews, and everything in between.
Whether you're shopping for a graduate, or you're a recent graduate yourself looking to spend some of your gift money, you'll find a hand-picked selection of affordable yet stylish watches here.
Check them out, below:
Todd Synder x Timex Beekman
Todd Synder x Timex Beekman, $158
New York menswear brand Todd Synder and Timex have teamed up for quite a few different watches, and the Beekman is one of, if not the most unique. Inspired by classic cars, the watch features a tachymeter gauge in the iconic swirl pattern, an Indiglo night backlight, and a genuine leather band with a croc skin pattern.
Seiko Series 5 Automatic
Seiko Series 5 Automatic, $157.38 (Originally $375) [You save $217.62]
The Seiko Series 5 watch is a classic. With an automatic movement, it's designed to keep ticking without any batteries. Its stainless steel case and bracelet are contrasted by a black dial and a teal and black bezel.
Seiko Recraft Automatic
Seiko Recraft Automatic, $129.99 (Originally $275) [You save $145.01]
If you're looking for a style that's more unique than the traditional round-case watch, the Seiko Recraft's square case is a great choice. The stainless steel watch features a dark blue case, a date date display at 3 o'clock, and a skeleton rear case.
MVMT 40mm Rose Gold Brown
MVMT 40mm Rose Gold Brown, $120
Featuring a 40mm rose gold case, a black dial, and a premium leather band, this watch from MVMT is elegant and simple - and at $120, it won't cost you much.
Timex Marlin Automatic 40mm
Timex Marlin Automatic 40mm, $249, available in five colors
While most automatic watches cost hundreds of dollars, the Timex Marlin is pretty fairly priced at $249. It features a modest 40mm case size, a leather band, and a dial with a date display. In addition to this black, silver, and gold color combination, you'll find four other styles available.
Fossil Minimalist
Fossil Minimalist, starting at $119, available in 7 colors
As its name suggests, the Fossil Minimalist, is kept very simple with easy-to-read hour and minute markers on the dial. What makes this watch special - and most other Fossil watches - is the free engraving option. You can add a personalized message to make this gift more memorable. And with 16 color combinations available between faces and straps, you'll find a bunch of great styles. You could buy two and still be under the $250 budget.
Linjer Chronograph
Linjer Chronograph 41mm, from $245 to $275
Founded in 2014, Linjer is a new watch startup that sells well-made watches at affordable prices. While many of their styles are extremely minimal, the 41mm Chronograph is a solid choice for guys who like more intricate designs.
Daniel Wellington Classic Durham
Daniel Wellington Classic Durham 40mm, $229, available on Amazon
Daniel Wellington is usually the watch brand of choice for true minimalists. The Classic Durham watch features a thin 40mm case, a white dial with gold hour markers and hands, and a brown leather band.
Hamilton Khaki Field
Hamilton Khaki Field, $244.90 (Originally $395) [You save $150.10]
Inspired by military-issued field watches, the Hamilton Khaki Field features a stainless steel case, a brown dial with tan accents, and a canvas strap.
Movado Bold
Movado Bold, $199 (Originally $595) [You save $396]
The Movado Bold is elegant, luxurious, and simple. Aside from the signature Movado dot, the all-black dial is completely clean.
Victorinox Alliance
Victorinox Alliance, $199.99 (Originally $495) [You save $295.01]
The Victorinox Alliance watch offers the dependability of a Swiss-made watch without costing an arm and a leg. Its two-tone silver and gold color pairs well with everything, which makes it a nice everyday watch.
Skagen Holst Hybrid Smartwatch
Skagen Holst Hybrid Smartwatch, $129 (originally $175) [You save $46]
If you want the connectivity and functions of a smartwatch, but prefer the look of a classic analog watch, the Skagen Holst Hybrid is a great choice. You can get notifications from your smartphone, set timers, control your music, and more.
Tissot V8 Automatic
Tissot V8 Automatic, $237.99 (Originally $395) [You save $157.01]
The Tissot V8 Automatic features a white dial with a date display, a silver case, a black bezel, and a perforated black leather band. With a 72-hour power reserve, it'll keep time even when if you don't wear it for a couple of days.
Invicta Pro Diver Automatic
Invicta Pro Diver Automatic, $81.16 (Originally $345.99) [You save $263.84]
As the most affordable watch on the list, the Invicta Pro Diver boasts some pretty attractive features. It has a gold-tone case and bracelet, a blue unidirectional bezel, and a magnified date display. Its pearlescent face and automatic movement make it look and feel like a much more expensive timepiece.