The 10 Best Beater Watches for Men in 2023

Gentleman, there are watches that we like to wear and then there are watches that we wear on a daily basis. Take, for example, the Nomos Tangente. The Nomo Tangente is a beautifully-designed watch that any watch enthusiast would love to sport, but it’s not a watch designed for everyday wear. That’s what beater watches are for. But what is the best beater watch money can buy?

P.S., I talk about the qualities of a good beater watch first, so if you’re looking to explore our picks, you can use the table of contents to skip right to the catalog!

Also check out: Are Bulova Watches Good?

Best Beater Watches 2020

Every man needs a watch that they can take with them wherever they go, whether it’s to the grocery store or to the camping grounds. The best beater watches are the ones that are durable, simple, and built to be of use in multiple, different situations. 

And that’s what we’re taking a look at today. We’re looking at the best beater watches for men who like to adventure out into the unknown. We’re looking at the best watches for men who like to get their hands dirty once in a while. 

What is a Beater Watch? Beater Watch Meaning

What is a beater watch? A beater watch is a watch that can be worn without fear of the watch being scratched, dented, or devalued. Hence, why it’s called a “beater” watch because most of these watches get “beat” down after constant wear.

The reason these watches can be worn without fear of being scratched, dented, or devalued is that most of the time, these watches have a pretty affordable price tag and qualities that make them extremely durable. 

Beater watches also have features that qualify them for many different situations. As you will see on this list, many of these beater watches possess some type of luminescent display, allowing them to be used during both the daytime and nighttime. 

Other common features are a timekeeping feature, water resistance, and a sturdy mineral or sapphire glass crystal. Now, without further ado, let’s get into the best beater watches that one can own if you’re looking for a watch that you can take anywhere. 

This is a pretty long list, so we’ve added a table of contents above for you to scroll through the different watches at your convenience.

We’ve also compiled all the watches on this list onto a table below so that you can check them out for yourself.

Most Affordable Beater Watches

These beater watches are a bargain because, for a very affordable price tag, they’re giving you more than their worth.

Casio Classic F91W-1

We’re going to be starting this list off strong with the Casio Classic F91W-1. The Casio Classic F91W-1 is not a shower, but it definitely has all the features of a great beater watch. The watch is lightweight, has a digital LCD display, and is made up of resin and stainless steel for the casing.

The Casio F91W-1 is shatter-resistant so the watch crystal will come out relatively unharmed if the watch is dropped from a reasonable height. However, just because the watch is shatter-resistant doesn’t mean that it’s shock-resistant.

After you go into battle with this sturdy timepiece, you’re bound to get a few scratches on the case. 

The digital sports watch features an alarm, chronograph functions, stopwatch, and even a night light. The accuracy of the Casio F91W-1 promises +/- 30 seconds per month, meaning about +/- 1 second per day. This accuracy is an accuracy that even some of the most elite, luxury watches cannot match.

But the best feature of all for the Casio F91W-1 is its very affordable price. You’re getting a watch that should cost $200-$300 for only $10. You only need $10 to get a watch that can outmatch most brand-name luxury watches. The Casio F91W-1 will stick by your side and prove to be an asset for years to come if you choose to purchase one.

Casio Classic F91W-1 Features

• 33mm Diameter Case
• Quartz Movement with Digital Display
• Band Options: Resin
• Mineral Dial Window
• Resin Case
• +/- 30 Seconds Per Month

Casio Royale AE1200WHD-1A

The Casio Royale is by no means an expensive watch. However, the functionality is where it shines. 

The watch dial has a world map with the located timezone, a digital and analog display, stopwatch, timer, alarm, and an LED light for nighttime display. In terms of durability, this watch doesn’t have the same unbreakable features that the Citizen Promaster Tough or Casio G-Shock might have. 

However, the battery can last up to 10 years if you take good care of the watch and with an acrylic lens, 12.5mm case thickness, and a stainless steel bracelet, it shouldn’t be that hard. 

Seiko 5 SNK809

Now, let’s take a look at some other brands besides Timex and Casio. Seiko is a brand worth mentioning on this list. Since 1881, this Japanese watchmaking brand has built dozens of watches that have become favorites for watch enthusiasts around the world. 

One of these favorites is the Seiko 5 SNK809. This field watch boasts 21-jewel 7s26 automatic winding movement, a day-date window, a recessed crown at 4 o’clock, and luminescent hands and dial markers. 

The Seiko 5 SNK809 is a watch that prides itself in durability. The watch has a stainless steel case, Seiko’s trademark Hardlex crystal, water-resistance of up to 30 meters, and a well-built Nylon strap.

The stainless steel casing helps protect against scratches and drops. Seiko’s Hardlex crystal is tougher than mineral glass which makes it very scratch-resistant and the water resistance coupled with the Nylon strap allows the Seiko 5 SNK809 to be used in many environments. 

This is the first watch on our list that uses Automatic movement rather than Quartz movement so you’ll be getting a sweeping motion across the hands of the watch rather than a tick.  At it’s price point, this is probably the best automatic watch that you can get.

The Seiko 5 SNK809 is simple with its designs but elaborate with its features. Thanks to its stainless steel casing, Hardlex crystal, and Nylon strap, this watch can last you years in any environment.

With the Automatic movement, luminescent hands and markers, and day-date window, the watch provides utility to many circumstances. This is a watch that you can take with you when you go hiking, camping, swimming, or any other outdoor activity you have planned.

See how Seiko holds up against other watch brands:

• Seiko vs. Citizen
• Seiko vs. Tissot

Best-Looking Beater Watches

Who said beater watches can’t look good? These are our favorite beater watches in terms of looks and style.

Timex Expedition T49905

If you’re looking for something a little bit more rugged, then the Timex Expedition might be the beater watch you want. Right away, you can tell that the Timex Expedition has a tough look.

The Timex Expedition T49905 has a black metal case with tough-looking, brown leather straps accompanying it on each side. The dial has an analog display with chronograph functions. Aesthetic-wise, the dark-brown dial matches the black metal case and tough-looking brown straps.

Even more so, the Timex Expedition T49905 is as tough as it looks. The mineral glass crystal helps protect against any accidents that might happen while wearing this watch and the water resistance allows you to wear it on both land and sea. 

Utilitywise, the Timex Expedition T49905 does not waiver. The watch has a stopwatch feature, a tachymeter to track distance traveled, and Timex’s patented Indiglo night light.

Overall, the Timex Expedition T49905 has a lot of the features that you might find on the Casio Classic F91W-1. However, the Timex Expedition T49905 adds a rugged look to these features whereas the Casio F91W-1 goes with a technical design.

I like to think of the Timex Expedition T49905 as the lumberjack watch. It’s a watch that’s sturdy, well-built, and can thrive in many environments, just like a lumberjack. 

Timex Expedition Features

• 42mm case diameter
• Quartz Analog movement
• Band Options: Leather
• Mineral Glass Crystal
• 21mm Band Width
• Water Resistant Up to 100m
• Black Brass Case
• Indiglo Dial Night Light

Timex Weekender

We’ve got another Timex on our list. This time, it’s the Timex Weekender. First off, what I really like about the Weekender is that it allows you to choose from a variety of color combinations. You can change the strap material, strap color, dial color, dial design–the options are out there.

Like the Timex Expedition, the Timex Weekender has a pretty casual appearance. The dial has a plain face with a 24-hour display and a crown at the 3 o’clock position.

The Timex Weekender has several features that have caught my eye. The watch has a clean, brass bezel and stainless steel casing that protects the Weekender from scratches and drops. The clean dial display and Timex-patented Indiglo features make it an easy to watch to use in any circumstance.

But it’s standout feature is the sheer number of straps you can get with your watch. This is what makes the Timex Weekender different: the mere fact that you can choose between Nylon, leather, and fabric straps in several different color variations and designs. 

As the name says, the Timex Weekender is the perfect watch for the weekend. But the ability to mix-and-match between different straps makes the Timex Weekender the perfect watch for any weekend. So no matter if you’re going out to dinner with your friends or going on a roadtrip with the family, the Weekender is a watch you can wear on any trip you plan to take.

Timex Weekender Features

• 38mm Case Diameter
• Quartz Movement
• Band Options: Nylon, Perlon, Leather, and Fabric
• Mineral Glass Crystal
• 20mm Band Width
• Water Resistant up to 30m
• Stainless Steel Case

Most Durable Beater Watches

Beater watches are meant to be tough, but these watches take it to a different level in terms of durability.

Casio G-Shock DW5600

Another Casio watch that is worth your time is the Casio G-Shock DW5600. The G-Shock is very similar to the F91W-1. However, the Casio G-Shock is tougher and has better features to boast.

Literally built by Casio as a watch meant to never break, the Casio G-Shock DW5600 has 200 meters of water resistance, button guards to protect the buttons against direct impact, bezel protrusions to protect the mineral glass crystal, and shock resistance. 

The interior of the watch is protected by cushioned material so as to protect against any damage that might come if the watch were to fall. Another interesting feature is the curved band of the G-Shock DW5600. The curved band ensures that if the watch does fall, the back of the watch will not hit the ground when dropped. 

When it comes to utility, the watch has a countdown timer, alarm, and stopwatch. There is also a flash alert that flashes in sync with the alarm and EL backlight made for seeing in the dark.

The Casio G-Shock DW5600 is your tough-as-nails watch. I’ve heard countless stories of this watch taking a beating and still coming out unscathed. Yes, all of the beater watches on this list are extremely durable. But if I had to choose one beater watch to wear based on how long it can last me, I would definitely choose the Casio G-Shock DW5600.

Casio G-Shock DW5600

• 45mm Diameter Case
• Quartz Movement
• Band Options: Resin
• Mineral Glass Crystal
• 26mm Band Width
• Water Resistance Up to 200m
• Resin Case
• Shock Resistance

Citizen Promaster Tough

Citizen built the Promaster Tough with durability and sustainability in mind. Like the G-Shock, the Citizen Promaster Tough is virtually unbreakable, using some of the highest quality materials to build the case, crystal, and bands. 

The case and bands of the watch are made of stainless steel casing with a super titanium coating. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal. Sapphire crystal has a rating of 9 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale, making it the toughest and most durable crystal we’ve seen so far on this list.

The Citizen Promaster Tough is also shock resistant and antimagnetic, ensuring accurate timekeeping throughout the years. The watch also has a solar-powered Eco-Drive engine, which means that the time will keep ticking as long as you treat it right. 

What I like about the Citizen Promaster Tough is it has several of the unique qualities that the G-Shock has. But the Promaster Tough is designed to look like an actual watch. 

As long as you’re responsible, this watch will last you a lifetime. The solar-powered movement keeps the Promaster Tough from breaking down after many years’ use and the titanium-coated build ensures that even the hardest drops won’t damage the movement or the material.

Citizen Promaster Tough Features:

• 42mm Case Diameter
• Solar-Powered Eco-Drive Movement
• Band Options: Stainless Steel With Super Titanium Coating
• Stainless Steel Crystal With Super Titanium Coating
• 22mm Band Width
• Water Resistant up to 200m
• Stainless Steel Case With Super Titanium Coating

Vostok Amphibia Scuba Dude

An expensive timepiece, the Amphibia is one of the most famous watches Vostok has ever created. It’s possibly the most affordable dive watch for its quality, coming in at under $100, and it has one of the most ludicrous fanbases.

The watch was built during the Soviet Era and because the Soviets were unable to match the manufacturing prowess of the Swiss, the Vostok Amphibia was designed in such a way that it had all the qualities of a high-end dive watch but it could be sold at a much lower price. 

The main feature of the Vostok Amphibia is the uniquely-designed caseback which gives it its beater function. The caseback alone is not sufficient for water resistance. However, under immense water pressure, the caseback pushes into a rubber gasket, creating a tighter seal the higher the pressure. 

The Vostok Amphibia is mainly a diver’s watch but because of its sheer durability, this watch is considered a favorite pick by many as their go-to beater watch. The unique caseback design and affordable price tag have made it a staple for many watch aficionados

.Vostok Amphibian Scuba Man Features

• 39mm Case Diameter
• Automatic Self-Wind Movement
• Band Options: Stainless Steel 
• Acrylic Crystal 
• 18mm Band Width
• Water Resistant up to 200m
• Stainless Steel Case

Utility Beater Watches

The function of a watch can go a long way. These multi-function watches can serve as a stopwatch, measure distance traveled, and even track the time of other places in the world.

Seiko SKX007

The SKX007 is one of the other affordable favorites that watch fans around the world love to boast. Meant for the water, the durability of the SKX007 makes it a watch that can be considered as both a dive watch and a beater watch.

Right away, you can tell that the watch is built to last you for years in the toughest environments. The casing is made up of stainless steel, the crystal is Seiko’s very own Hardlex material, and the movement is Seiko’s in-house 72s6 automatic movement.

The bulky build of the watch ensures that if the watch is dropped, scratches and cracks will be maintained to a minimum. And that in-house 7s26 automatic movement? Well, you can count on that movement to last you years before you need another servicing. 

Utility features include LumiBrite markers that provide excellent shine in dark areas, a 120 click unidirectional bezel for timekeeping, 44-48 hour power reserve, and water resistance up to 200 meters or 660 feet.

If you’re looking for an affordable timepiece that can serve as a beater watch on land and a dive watch in water, then the Seiko SKX007 is your watch. Seiko has put some of its best features into this watch. 

You get excellent durability with the stainless steel casing, in-house movement, and Hardlex crystal; and then you have the features that make it an excellent watch for any type of work with the unidirectional bezel, power reserve, LumiBrite markers, and water resistance. 

The Seiko SKX007 is the watch you want if you’re looking for Seiko’s very best in utility and durability. But the best part? Seiko is only asking for barely above $300 while most watch companies would ask $700+ for the features they’ve given the SKX007. 

Seiko SKX007 Features

• 42mm Case Diameter
• In-house 7s26 Automatic Movement
• Band Options: Stainless Steel & Rubber
• Hardlex Glass Crystal
• 22mm Band Width
• Water Resistant up to 200m
• Stainless Steel Case

Citizen Nighthawk

The Citizen Nighthawk is a combination of the technical features that the Casio Classic F91W-1 offers and the aesthetics that the Timex Expedition provides. The watch has the standard, high-quality durability with a stainless steel case and bracelet. 

However, the Citizen Nighthawk’s unique selling point is the GMT function and the slide rule bezel. The watch has a GMT function which allows you to track two time zones and the slide rule bezel allows for basic conversion and tracking distance traveled.

The watch has a low-charge warning to pair with its solar-powered Eco-Drive movement and extremely luminous hands/markers. Citizen’s NightHawk is also water-resistant up to 200 meters and has a mineral crystal display.

.Citizen Nighthawk Features

• 42mm Case Diameter
• Solar Powered Eco-Drive Movement
• Band Options: Stainless Steel 
• Mineral Glass Crystal
• 22mm Band Width
• Water Resistant up to 200m
• Stainless Steel Case
• GMT Function
• Slide Rule Bezel

The Best Beater Watch Overall

It’s hard to have a favorite, especially with so many strong candidates. However, in the end, I’d have to say that the Casio G-Shock is what takes the cake for me. Beater watches are meant to last you ages and the Casio G-Shock fits this definition perfectly.

The Casio G-Shock provides you a timepiece that will last you your entire life if you treat it right. It might not have the looks of the Timex Expedition or the Citizen Promaster Tough, but the Casio G-Shock does a darn good job of staying alive and that’s what you want out of a beater watch.

But that doesn’t mean you should only buy G-Shocks. The Seiko SKX007, Seiko 5 SNK809, Citizen NightHawk, Vostok Amphibian: all of these are favorites in the watch community because they provide utility to the wearer and are durable in most situations.

If you liked this list, consider checking out our favorite picks for Swiss watches.