When you are traveling, you want a watch on your wrist that is practical, durable, and well-designed, but not overly showy. The idea is to have a fully functional timepiece that serves you effortlessly but does not attract attention from would-be thieves. So, leave your showy and expensive watch at home, unless you are traveling to be the honored guest at a very special occasion. Instead, select a watch that is easy to read, easy to use, and makes you happy.
The watches suggested here are all in a price point from about twenty dollars to just under one hundred dollars. Some of these watches offer time function only; while others offer special features that may help with your particular travel plans. If you find watches exciting, there is a lot of excitement here! Please keep in mind that there are companion women’s models for each of these and women increasingly are wearing the larger men’s (“boyfriend”) watches.
Men’s Travel Watches Under $50
Casio® Men’s Core AW80-7AV Black Resin Analog Quartz Watch with White Dial
It is hard to believe that a great travel watch can be had for under twenty dollars, but in this case, believe me, it can. Casio is a tried and true brand and has been helping travelers know what time it is for decades. This is a great looking Casio. This Casio has a silver dial face, Arabic numerals for at-a-glance readability. There’s a handy 24-hour display, a 30-page databank, a dual time-zone function and a digital band that clearly indicates the day, date and month. The 10-Year battery claim is correct; ours has lasted nearly double that time. Talk about ease of ownership. Just strap it on and away you go. All of this in a 38-millimeter resin case, with stainless steel bezel, on a black resin band. It is water resistant to 165 feet. $18.82
Zoo York® Men’s Brown Silver Tone and Black Leather Strap Watch
This is a basic, uncluttered, and yet stylish watch, in a military style silver tone case, on a military style leather band. The dial is black with standout white numerals and hands, and an attractive red sweep second hand. Not to mention the intertwined ZY logo at the 12 position. The Japan made battery movement will serve you well no matter where your travels take you. $29.99 to $40.00
Caravelle® Men’s New York Stainless Steel Watch 43B129 – Silver, 44 mm
Bulova introduced the Caravelle line in the 1950’s as their entry level watch. They were a superior value then, and remain so today. This Caravelle offers a rugged stainless steel case and a stainless steel bracelet. The green dial is truly handsome, and the quartz movement will get you to your train or plane dependably. There is a date window and the watch is water resistant up to 30 meters. The case is a big 44 mm in diameter. $31.99 to $48.00
Men’s Travel Watches Under $100
Timex® Weekender Chrono Oversized Large
Ask anyone to name a famous watch brand, and Timex is one of the two they will name. Rightly so. Since the 1950s, Timex has graced more wrists than any other brand. This handsome watch looks like it was made for travel. It gives you a crisp design for everyday wear, chronograph reliable functionality, and long-lasting good looks. An easy-to-wear, slip-through style makes sure the strap stays in place. I like the blue dial, the contrasting tan of the strap, but Timex has a surprise in store for you: you have loads of other dial and strap options for the Weekender. You will also appreciate the 30-meter water resistance; the 40 mm case diameter; the stopwatch feature; and the date display. $80.00
Pulsar® Gents pt3793x1 Chronograph Watch
Pulsar began as a future forward brand of Hamilton Watch and is now part of the Seiko family of watches. It is in the middle price niche between their Lorus and Seiko brands. This Pulsar offers a stainless steel construction throughout the case and bracelet. This is a 43 mm diameter, 3-button chronograph, with 100-meter water resistance, a white dial, and black hour indicators. A date window nestles between the four and five position. It is almost unheard of to have the quality and functionality this watch offers for such a reasonable price. $76 to $101
Invicta® Specialty Men’s Quartz 45mm Stainless Steel Case Black Dial – Model 21466
Invicta watches are extremely popular, you might say hot. They are innovative and fresh; so much so, that people have been surprised to know that the Invicta brand has been around since 1837. This particular model is quite handsome with its 45 mm stainless steel case, black dial, and date feature. It is also a great value at $79.00.
Citizen® Chronograph Black Dial Men’s Watch AN8073-55E
Citizen Watch Co. Ltd. began life in 1918 under the name Shokosha Watch Research Institute. The mayor of the city demanded that the Shokosha-Watch Institute should have a bearing on all citizens (hence the name Citizen), in so far as “people appreciated and benefited from the institute’s results”. The Citizen Watch Co. continues to be a leading manufacturer and marketer of watches and clocks – and is one of Japan’s “Big Four” watchmakers. This Citizen watch offers a gold-tone stainless steel case with a gold-tone stainless steel bracelet, and a handsome black dial with gold-tone hands and index hour markers. There’s a tachymeter, date display, and chronograph sub-dials displaying: three – 60 second, 60 minute and 24 hours. 44 mm. $69.99 to 89.99
