BEST Bargain Alternatives to Expensive Watches

ONLY Watches UNDER $300. Why pay the big bucks when there are fantastic watches that serve the same function and style as watches at a much higher price range? Don't forget to let us know what you thought in the comments, and subscribe if you want to see more.
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[@a.krawion1872]

Good choices but I liked the previous video style better. When you both had your own choices it seemed to inspire more thoughtful dialogue.

[@djisar-official]

He just needs to split his channel into two, one for the podcast audience, and one for the presentation audience. Seems odd to keep both on one channel.

[@tond2006]

@@djisar-official you worded that so much more concise than I just tried to do. Fully agree!

[@veschil]

Agreed

[@Duffman96]

I love this style of video. I prefer when you both find alternatives and make a little competition out of it

[@mrcom4359]

I made a joke in the comments of a video about the Offshore about how they were ripping off G-Shock. The foundation of the joke was that not only did the Royal Oak come first, but the Royal Oak design has been copied ad nauseam ever since it came out. I can confirm that such jokes are not universally understood or well received.

[@nicolassteno4193]

Reminds me of how J.R.R. Tolkien ripped off J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter down to the bearded wizards, elves, trolls, and magic.

[@piccalillipit9211]

*THAT BRAUN* O-M-G I'm buying that, that is a no-brainer, its the ONLY watch that is BETTER in quartz, because of the tradition and history of Braun. I'm a massive fan of Dieter Rams and the aesthetic he created...

[@lordsnooty4138]

One of my sons took design and technology I level and they studied Dieter Rams radio. I still have the 1980s calculator. For what it's worth the plain Braun watch for about £70 is beautiful.

[@itsiLynX]

That bell notification works man 😂

[@dannyg6592]

The Bulova is a reasonable alternative to the Hamilton at a lower price. Good choice.

[@adbirdk]

The Yema is surprisingly cool.. Very well done!

[@ryantylerthomas3316]

I'm in France right now and I think Yema is criminally undervalued. You can find a ton of vintage ones and they have pedigree.

[@ping7979]

You mentioned taking the Swatch watch to Timpsons to replace the battery. If you take it to a Swatch store they will replace the battery for free !

[@styraxopoponax8294]

Right before mentioning Braun, my first thought was 'if it were me, I'd say Braun'. Very surprised as these are rarely if ever mentioned in the watch-sphere.

[@markhpluygers2226]

Well, you really have capped the subject. Brands like Rolex, Patek, IWC are for those with little taste & endless money. All the 'alternative' watches are great, the originals? they don't impress me! 30,000€ goes a LONG WAY in my world....not on a watch for sure. I'm so glad your slot has become imaginative and more main stream. Super ideas, keep them coming. Worth waiting for the next 'in your face' approach. Loved it!..... off shopping. (without guilt or shame).

[@chriscraft999]

I agree the Swiss have made a play for the rich watch collector instead of the every day and not so fat wallet crowd. So the Chinese have solved that problem with super clones of their Swiss originals. How to get the look and feel of a Rolex for 3 percent of the price. It does sound like there is a bit of price gouging somewhere. Then there are hommage brands like Sugess where you can a Daytona clone for four hundred

[@twent10]

Definitely need a WatchFinder video dedicated to that Yema watch! Absolutely gorgeous!

[@tombluck]

For an alternative to the green Patek, I would go for the metal cases CasiOak in green. GM-2100B-3a I think

[@mell3109]

I was thinking the same because I have it 🤪😀

[@tombluck]

@@mell3109 , I have in silver 👍

[@mell3109]

@@tombluck I think I will also buy that one, the green one is mega looking but you can’t read the time!

[@toddp5026]

You guys are back on point with this one. Sharp humor. Nice one! Also some interesting watches.

[@shannon_mariani]

Love this format, really enjoyable to listen too, the humour in these videos always puts a smile on my face, keep these challenges coming they’re always fun to watch

[@kiwi_commander]

For watches for under $300, I will nominate an AliExpress special that has become one of my watch collection favorites, the Seagull 1963. For that price, you get a vintage styled column wheel manual wind chronograph. I have also seen Sugess adding this movement into their 70s racing chronograph inspired line with a blue dial, panda dial (think Hamilton Intramatic Chrono), and a very interesting khaki/black/orange color way.

[@rayalix]

Yes I got the Sugess Racing Panda a while back, it quickly became my favourite watch. Amazing quality for the money.

[@Jack.Napier]

They talked about the Sugess tourbillion awhile back, a tourbillion for about $500. That's unbelievable I think.

[@WriterandPhotographer]

I like the Lost in the Sea for $180 and I like the Hamilton and even the Braun and Yema a lot, but the problem with all of them is the case size. (although Swatch doesn't say for sure). When they start making more watches in 36mm, I'll begin adding to my collection again.

[@matzmx]

With Swatch you never need to pop into timpsons for a battery change. I have a Swatch skin and I always pop in to the Swatch shop to get a free battery changed. Free replacements for life.

[@donaldknapik2706]

Nice challenge. The Bulova alternative to Hamilton was my first thought as well. I found Nezumi through another KZbinr and think they have something to offer in the price range you’re looking at. Can’t wait for the next.

[@jeffc7344]

That Yema was a great pick. I would recommend a Timex Expedition for your Hamilton Khaki Field alternative.

[@Beechhill]

But then Tom disqualified Timex and Seiko first thing.

[@casualsuede]

@@Beechhill it's a cheat, but Lorus has a great titanium field watch.

[@Beechhill]

@@casualsuede Yeah. I remember Ben being absolutely sold on that one. It's more unobtainium than titanium these days I'm afraid. Lorus is a really steady brand though.

[@jonathanblanco3100]

Good choices in general. Well done Tom. My only comment is that instead of that very respectful Braun i would have probably gone for the Eone the Bradley instead. I think it is closer to the target. But that Braun is seriously nice.

[@mateuszz7]

Anyone else notice the nautilus slipped in when they were talking about the aquanaut? 😂

[@Stoater1]

I really like these Swatches, the Blue Grid is my favourite. These Core watches are a lot of watch for the money. I see that the sweep second hand is part of the chronograph, as it should be and not continuous seconds as so many Casinos.

[@mrmagoo.3678]

still..I'd much prefer a sweeping tick rather than the..err..'ticking' tick if ya get my meaning lol.. I was surprised to see the second tick on the moonswatch too.. kinda kills it for me.. dunno why but I'm reeeaaally not a fan of full second ticks

[@vetman548]

I really like the look of that Yema

[@abdulmohd3871]

From my experience “and my personal opinion” I used to wear nice pieces “Rolex, AP, and Grand seiko” I bought an Apple Watch and I wore it for a day, just a day. I bought a G-Shock and I wore it for a day as well. Then I gave it a second chance during a trip to London because I won’t wear nice pieces in streets and subways. Turned out I’d rather wear nothing than wearing this watch. But if it’s the only watch and I have only 300£ to spend I’ll go for Apple Watch

[@harryh536]

Ok

[@simptrix007]

I also prefer to wear Samsung smart watch over G-shock if there is no extreme condition going on but still feel better about wearing any automatic watch over both of them.

[@abdulmohd3871]

@@simptrix007 sure but you can’t wear nice pieces in unsafe places “this is my argument” my daily casual watch is 43mm sea dweller and my dress watch is GS Spring drive GMT chrono

[@abm4616]

The Braun looks like an owl with a red beak. I like it.

[@PleibeiszA]

Why do you and other watch-youtubers never mention Sekonda or Pulsar watches, when you talk about cheap watches?

[@Beechhill]

I'm not sure how highly I'd rate Sekonda, but Pulsar - and in the same sub-brand class Lorus - are massively overlooked. Their main weakness is of course brand recognition, but the design and quality is there for sure.

[@oldarpanet]

Wow. Besides the wonderful watch info, the snappy reparte you also have the very best background music of any channel i can recall! Cheers!

[@habfan123424]

Nailed these picks. I've looked at different Yema models before, but that might be my new favorite from them

[@derekeboyd]

Me: I'd like 1 Khaki Automatic Titanium, please! Hammy AD: We're sorry sir, but this is a functional watch for functional people.

[@37rdm37]

Attainable beauty is the only way to go for us mere mortals so this is very welcome. Zelos offers beautiful and distinct watch faces for sensible prices if you are not too bothered on having an in-house movement. One of their bronze divers was my pride and joy until I got mugged.

[@37rdm37]

@r2l100 I absolutely adore their teal dials (fumé) because it catches the light like no other watch dial I have seen in person does, deep aquamarine is my favorite colour and it's pretty rare to see that in anything. Believe it or not Omega is my favorite brands but not for looks. Their master chronometer movements on a seamaster ticks almost all the boxes with what are must haves namely immunity from magnetism if in a titanium case, relatively accurate, waterproof, rugged and with a sapphire caseback to lovingly view the movement. Perhaps my perfect choice would be a frankenwatch of a Zelos type dial on a titanium case Omega.

[@piccalillipit9211]

*TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY GUYS* I prefered every single one of your choices to the originals - owning the collection you had here would make me a very happy watch owner. They were all full of character and I honestly think they did a BETTER JOB of hitting the esthetic than the original.

[@finesse49]

The regular Bulova Hack costs less than the A11 and looks more like the Hamilton.

[@abababab2904]

I think Seiko SNK807 can also be a good replacement for the blue Hamilton Khaki Automatic. Nice video by the way!

[@m4dm3th0d]

15:39 on the video

[@saltuksongur8846]

@@m4dm3th0d Oh, I haven't heard that, thanks :)

[@ficko88]

Tom did an awesome job! Except for the Jungle Snake, that piece is quite hideous, lol.

[@dougritchie6870]

Rotary regent is a good sub 300 alternative to the aquanaut

[@melody3741]

The yeam is incredible. I love how it looks like a 70's watch. I wish it were mechanical.

[@peternorman2563]

Well seeings that Swatch own most of the top brands my choice would be the the German Stienheart a top of the range for £400 or less with I might add an ETA movement !

[@MTRose09]

Tom I'm unaware of you novelty level however your doing a great job I've noticed the appreciation haven't been bestowed upon you yet but please do continue your great work and eagerness of geeting more into the world of watches. Like the don't have the money attitude especially because watches should only be for the rich.

[@Ballsyone]

Jungle snake is a cool looking watch!

[@WeibenWang]

How can there be any question? Braun is German, and "au" in German is pronounced "ow," as in "brown." And braun in fact means brown. Fancy that.

[@rickgrau2450]

Facts

[@WeibenWang]

"Grau," case in point (means gray, but you know that).

[@markjohnson3002]

That Hamilton was Uber cool.

[@schruppe_7779]

So as a germany I can tell you: "Braun" is actually pronunced like the first one at 12:14 . Br - A - un

[@masterxyr]

hehee I know what you mean because I know how You pronounce A so my guess based on that is that it would rhyme with /foun-d/

[@kaneblaber1217]

Great. Now I want to own a watch called JUNGLE SNAKE! Thanks guys!

[@NoticeDesign]

Why are you guys so goddamn entertaining? I have work to do. I can't just be watching watch videos all day.

[@hullabamoo]

Some cool options for a lower budget. Thanks guys!

[@antyvirusuk8056]

Just wait till they find out about the solar and the other colours that released with the all black

[@opalzed3665]

It's Braun as in Prawn.

[@IHWKR]

a fun spin on the old videos but I do prefer the older style. either way, I'll be here supporting Watchfinder & Co. You two do a great job everytime and I want you both to know that I appreciate your work to bring us entertainment.❤

[@wilkosoft]

excellent choices and most entertaining!

[@technosworld2]

A bit of a reverse color scheme of the Tag Heuer but a micorbrand, Dan Henry 1963 is a great pick IMO.

[@waynesellers4078]

The unique thing about the aquanaut is the case shape and dial not the colour of the strap.

[@BAF605]

Tales of bad QC and after sales service about Yema are mentioned in the comments section of a lot of KZbin videos. No personal gripe but worth checking out if you are interested in buying.

[@holgermuller3597]

Guys, it´s Braun with an "AU" 😃

[@dunderhay9169]

Great choices Tom 👍

[@bobyoutube4037]

Cracking content lads big thumbs up, great alternatives👍

[@Questionnaireapologetics]

Love some of Yema’s designs, but I’ve heard nothing good about reliability of their watches or customer service. Anecdotal of course, but I’ve never heard so much negativity around those kind of things other than maybe Pagani Design.

[@gladlawson61]

Cheap for a reason bruh

[@Jack.Napier]

Yema is the watchmaker for the French army. They have a good collection of watches and their price is not cheap, it's just not overpriced.

[@oscargustavoarcosruiz8793]

This is what they usually call British humor? I find it lovely. I keep waiting for Casio to create a red, small and legible CasiOak, I need it!

[@furiousg1904]

Wow, that Yema is really cool !!

[@douglasladowski6342]

Is Tom secretly the brains of the outfit? Lol. Great stuff guys

[@user-qx3oz3nn9x]

Great video! I like the style and some the 'alternative' solutions were real surprises to me, definitely more videos of this kind would be welcome!

[@mordeth1964]

Go the Casioak! Casio, the best bang for your buck watch brand in the world 👍

[@masterxyr]

really surprised by the Braun. what a wonderful design

[@jaybee1196]

Great content

[@ColdSphinX]

I had to attenuate the high frequencies around 10kHz. Sound seemed a bit tinny.

[@piotrkaczmarczyk1792]

Try also, gentlemen , Yema's mechanical automatic watches. It is a bit different price league, still modest but they equip them with in-house movements mostly. Yema in France is an iconic brand, now it gets more and more popular and sells well abroad.

[@hitchhicker92]

Under/around 100$? ORIENT! (technically not Seiko... 😇)

[@downtimefun]

"G...." , "I am shocked", great pacing

[@lordsnooty4138]

By the laws of German grammar braun should be pronounced brown, however most people pronounce porsche as porsche and not porscheh, so perhaps with brand names the rules don't apply. (also some German speaking nations such as Austria and Switzerland have much softer pronunciations).

[@piccalillipit9211]

*I HAVE A WIERD LIKE* of Bulova watches - there is a dealer in my city in Bulgaria and they always look WAY better than the price would suggest...

[@leon_ME]

Please consider doing this or another format as a podcast.

[@bonnsbee1527]

Absolutely loving this, because if worth while watch collections had to be worth more zeros than a WW2 dog fight, I'd be collecting lighters instead.

[@liquidtunes]

Lol this comment could be framed and put up in a pub.

[@ollywhitehouse]

I see Seiko still managed to sneak in with the Yema movement 🕵️

[@sleepy1017]

great video, there's a rare date just with similar color dial as the hamilton

[@gladlawson61]

Jungle snake The belova is nice. The new shock casioak. I think that's the one for my nephews and myself. So far each one has been better than last. Wow grand slam Braun I would buy for a watch friend that's looking for different The yema is a miss. But cheap is name of the game. Sharp looking watch though pretty affordable. Ok edited.. it looks better on the wrist.

[@Mr-Safology]

Can anyone recommend an alternative to the Cartier Santos medium. I adore the square shape and the elegant dial face. I'm still hunting, no prey is bold enough to reveal itself. Thanks 👍🏼

[@mystic48209]

Bulova A11 hack is a good choice.

[@mcgitarz]

I thoroughly enjoyed that! Nice, thoughtful work.

[@jamesblonde2271]

Gotta say, that jungle snake is cool af. £145 now.....

[@omarmb1539]

this green will be a replacement for the zenith elprimero revival.

[@xgford94]

Yep I have to agree the last two where MUCH better than the “ premium” originals

[@spjones463]

For the AP I like the swatch but really just buy a PRX for a bit extra over 300 bucks you can even get a Swiss movement and equivalent looking dial the rest I think the choices are on the money

[@MrHouseRockers69]

Wow, that Yema is incredible for that price. Subject to it not falling apart of course

[@patricksijben7289]

For less than 100,- (40,- actually) I would say a Casio MRW-200h. Very robust, 100m and great looking dials. If i should need a ‘beater’ ;) this is the one

[@chriscraft999]

I have Swiss watches and I like them very much. I have Japanese watches including a Spring Drive which is a bargain in the watch world. I also have Chinese copies of Rolex, Omega, and Patek. These watches fascinate me, since the quality is quite good now. I don't need to waste boatloads of cash to get one.

[@andrewjackson8089]

Spec and Schlone (spelling) is a great aquanaut!

[@DonCarso]

That Yema was very impressive

[@canpamukcu413]

Ochs und junior is awesome people... Or am I a boring architect? I'm confused...

[@alvarortega2]

Missed Skagen instead of Braun! Well designed and cheap!

[@BigDutchKingTut]

@3:05 sorry but that is not pvd steel.

[@fbcpraise]

Great job, guys.

[@AkhilGupta7147]

really nice alternative watches suggested.

[@melbguy1]

As a Patek alternative, I'm surprised you didn't mention the Maen Manhattan 37 which you featured in another review. Yes it is roughly double your $300 budget, but worth the stretch

[@leonardoferraz2493]

I'm going to be honest with you. I'm unable to buy even the Royal Broke.

[@pederlindstrom3132]

G-SHOCK in green,, Awsome. Royal Oak you had there, from what I would guess is not the most ledgeble of watches at a glance. Speaking of ledgeble I must say my beater is fantastic in that sense. Bertucci A-3P.

[@mercmoore68]

☑️ love your content... Great variety of our passion. Accurist, pulsar, lorus, Rotary... great very low budget choices ..... many micro brands too offering big spec & design for low budget...👍👌👊

[@marcosolivarria9770]

I think a closer match to the Offshore would be the metal Casioaks from last year, the GM-2100 series.

[@mitchellwnorowski6747]

Under $100 timex expedition chrono, pagani design with seiko mechaquartz movement.

[@VoiceOfReason5487]

Even better than the neon G-Shock is the new all-metal G-Shock, GM2100-1A. I also like the Bulova Precisionist with the Grand Seiko Spring Drive-like sweeping secondhand.

[@SuperAwesomeace]

Is it considered morally okay to put the casioak movement into an aftermarket Royal Oak mod case?