The military watch is one of my favorite watch styles. The modern military watch has its foundation in the vintage watches of World War I and World War II. Today, there are many great military watches that pay homage to those vintage watches. I have handpicked for you the 13 best military watches available for under $100.
This article is part of my complete guide to the Best Military Watches Under $100. That link will always be updated with new information about military watches styles and the latest reviews, so check it out.
Best Military Watches: #1 Seiko 5 SNK803, SNK805, SNK807, SNK809, SNKM95
Seiko’s SNK80X watches in their Seiko 5 series is my favorite military watch under $100. In fact, Seiko is one of my favorite manufacturers for watches, especially because they produce their own high-quality automatic movements at prices that are accessible to all. Seiko was the leading manufacturer of military watches for the Japanese Imperial Army and Navy during World War II, but today they produce the best Type B Flieger under $100.
The SNK80X gives you the classic Type B Flieger look while packing in the 7S26 automatic movement in a 37mm stainless steel exhibition case with a modern day-date complication for around $55. While it comes with a canvas strap, these babies were meant to go with a NATO or brown leather strap. Prices tend to fluctuate on Amazon, so be patient. It’s hard to beat the value of a Seiko 5 automatic at this price.
Best Military Watches: #2 Timex Weekender
I am a little biased since this was my first watch, but the Timex produces some great quartz military watches at a great price point. The Weekender is my favorite casual military watch in the field style. It is a clean, timeless design available starting around $20-$30. Make sure that you read my review for the Timex Weekender 40 for all the details!
The Weekender collection gives you a bunch of style options from which you can choose. The original Weekender gives you the classic field watch style on a 38mm face with Arabic numeral markers and 24-hour military time on the inner dial while the Weekender 40 gives you a bigger, oversized 40mm dial with minute markers on the circumference of the dial. There is also a version of the Weekender 40 that pays homage to the W.W.W. pilot watch with a secondary subsecond dial without the 24-hour military time makers.
The one drawback to most Timex quartz watches is the movement creates very loud ticking. If the loud ticking of the Weekender is something that bothers you, check out the 40mm Weekender Chronograph which features a much quieter movement and a classic pilot chronograph. Whatever Weekender you pick will be one of the best value deals you can get for a watch.
Please note there are many different dial colors and straps available if you click through to Amazon.
Timex Weekender
Timex Weekender 40
Timex Weekender 40 Subsecond
Timex Weekender Chronograph
Best Military Watches: #3 Timex Expedition Scout
When talking about military watches, it’s hard to talk about the Weekender without also talking about the Timex Expedition. The Weekender is the more casual watch, while the Expedition has a more rugged feel. Like the Weekender, the base 40mm Expedition Scout has a high contrast dial with Arabic numeral hour markers, 24-hour military time hour markers on the inner dial, Indiglo, and a brass case. Unlike the Weekender, the case is round, but looks more rugged, especially by the lugs The circumference of the dial contains lines for minute markers instead of Arabic numerals, and there is a date window at the 3 o’clock position.
The Expedition collection also has a variety of different styles and sizes. The Mid-Size is a smaller 36mm version. The Expedition Scout 43 offers an oversized 43 mm dial. The Expedition Scout Chronograph offers a chronograph with the date window move to the 4 o’clock position. Although a little more expensive than the Weekender, the Expedition Scout with its date window is still a great value.
Please note there are many different dial colors and straps available if you click through to Amazon.
Timex Expedition Scout
Timex Expedition Scout Mid-size
Timex Expedition Scout 43
Timex Expedition Scout Chronograph
Best Military Watches: #4 Citizen Chandler BM8180-03E
The Citizen Chandler BM8180-03E is the best Flieger Type A watch available. The BM8180-03E uses Citizen’s renown Eco-Drive solar quartz movement. The dial features a black classic Flieger Type A style with white Arabic numeral hour markers with a triangle replacement at 12 o’clock. It also features minute markers on the circumference of the dial and a modern day/date complication at 3 o’clock. Though it comes with a stock green canvas band you can replace it with a NATO or brown leather strap for a more classic look.
Best Military Watches: #5 Seiko 5 Sports SNZG07, SNZG09, SNZG11
The Seiko 5 Sports SNZGXX is the other automatic military watch under $100 in Seiko 5 line. The SNZGXX has a more of a field watch vibe compared to the SNK80X’s Flieger Type B style. It has a full line up of Arabic numeral hour markers with 24-hour military time on the inner dial, a day/date complication at 3 o’clock, and lines for minute markers on the circumference of the dial. SNZGXX comes in much bigger than the SNK80X at 42mm, its 7S36 automatic movement has two more jewels, and naturally, a higher price. These watches usually hover just below $100. You might need to be patient and check to wait for them to drop below $100.
Please note that this watch collection also includes the black dial versions SNZG13, SNZG15, SNZG17, but are not included here because these watches are rarely under $100.
Best Military Watches: #6 Seiko SNDC31, SNDC33
Seiko makes some nice automatic military watches, but they also produce some of the best dollar-for-dollar quartz chronographs. Both the white SNDC31 and the black SNDC33 give you the classic pilot style in a 40mm stainless steel case with three chronograph subdials, and a date window replacing the 3, 6, 9, and 12-hour markers.
Best Military Watches: #7 Vostok Komandirskie
No military watch list is complete without Vostok! During the Cold War, Vostok became the official watch supplier for Defense Department of the Soviet Union. While Vostok is more known for their Amphian line of divers, their Komandirskie or “Commander” watches delivers a great value as well. The Komandirskies use a Russian mechanical movement with handwinding, which is usually unheard of for automatic watches at this price. They also come in a wide range of Russian military themed styles. The Komandirskies would be much higher on the list, but the strap is notoriously terrible (replace it!) and there are questions about reliability. However, its hard to argue against the value that the Komandirskies bring if you want a quirky, fun, and unique military watch with handwinding for $50.
Please note that there are too many dial styles to list here individual. Check out all of the options on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2CeemZN
Best Military Watches: #8 Seiko SNN241
The Seiko SNN241 is another great quartz chronograph from Seiko. It has two chronograph dials at 12 and 6 o’clock along with a date window inside the 6’o clock chronograph. The dial is a unique dark brown. I rated the SNDC31 and SNDC33 higher because their dials feature the more traditional black and creme color. The SNN241 is still a beautiful looking watch, especially if brown is your color.
Best Military Watches: #9 Citizen Avion AW1361-10H
The Citizen Avion Eco-Drive AW1361 is another Flieger Type B option. The dial adds a third set of 24-hour military time markers to the traditional Flieger design. It also has a unique date complication at 3 o’clock that also shows the previous and future date. The coloring of the watch also makes it a little quirky. The dial is a dark gray and the Arabic numerals makers are a yellowish/off-white and orangeish-red color. This is also one of the largest dials, measuring in at 45 mm, available at this price. If you are looking for a large watch and don’t mind the unique color set and the busy dial, this would be a great watch for you.
Best Military Watches: #10 Seiko SNE095
Seiko 5 line sometimes tends to overshadow some of the great solar quartz field watches Seiko has available. The Seiko SNE095 has a similar look and feel to the dial of the SNZGXX, but comes in at $20-25 cheaper. The strap is not great quality and will need to be replaced.
Best Military Watches: #11 Citizen BI1050-81B, BI1050-81F, BI1055-52E
The Citizen BI1050-81B, BI1050-81F, and BI1055-52E are battery-powered quartz pilot watches. While it’s a little disappointing to not have an EcoDrive quartz movement, the fact that this series comes on a silver or black stainless steel bracelet makes up for it.
Best Military Watches: #12 Seiko SNE179
The SNE179 is another field watch in Seiko’s solar quartz lineup but features a silver stainless steel bracelet. It has the classic field watch style with red 24-hour military time markers on the inner portion of the dial and a day-date complication at 3 o’clock.
Best Military Watches: #13 Seiko SNE329, SNE331
The Seiko SNE329 and SNE331 offer a unique twist to the Seiko solar military watch lineup. On these watches, there are only Arabic numeral hour markers on the 12, 3, 6, 9 o’clock positions in an army stencil font to go with the typical Seiko day-date complication at 3 o’clock. The SNE329 offers white markers on a blue dial to go with a blue band, and the SNE331 offers off-white markers on a black dial to go with a beige band.
Best Military Watches: Conclusion
I would love to hear what you think of my guide! Is there any watch I left out? If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this article and love affordable watches, make sure you subscribe!