Automatic Watches Around $100: 3 Picks and the Trade-Offs
At around $100, the tempting question is how much watch you can get for the money. A more useful question is how much watch you actually want on your wrist. A visible movement is fun; a watch that feels too heavy by lunchtime is less fun.
Our starting point is the OLEVS 6725 for a simpler everyday automatic, the 9920 for a smaller skeleton design, and the 9901 for a heavier, more conspicuous skeleton watch. All three were priced below $100 before tax when checked. This is a shortlist from our own catalog, not a claim to have tested every mechanical watch on the market.
Selection note: These picks are from the OLEVS Watch Store catalog, compared using listed specifications rather than hands-on testing. Prices were checked on October 22, 2026, in USD; taxes are extra, and prices, availability and destination pricing can change.
The useful numbers, side by side
| Model | Price | Case diameter | Thickness | Weight | Strap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6725 | $94.99 | 41mm | 12mm | 60g | Leather |
| 9920 | $92.96 | 40mm | 12mm | 119g | Steel links |
| 9901 | $90.00 | 41.5mm | 13.5mm | 133.5g | Steel links |
The quieter choice: OLEVS 6725
The 6725 is the one to consider if you want an automatic watch without making the movement the centerpiece of the dial. Stick markers, a relatively uncluttered face and a leather strap make it easier to pair with ordinary work clothes.
The strongest distinction is the listed weight: 60g, versus 119g and 133.5g for the two steel-bracelet options. That does not prove it will be more comfortable for everyone, but it gives weight-sensitive buyers a useful starting point.
What you give up: no front-facing skeleton view. Leather also calls for different care from steel; this is not a strap we would choose for repeated soaking or sweaty training sessions.
The smaller skeleton option: OLEVS 9920
The 9920 is listed at 40mm across and 12mm thick. Compared with the 9901, it is smaller in diameter, thinner and lighter. If you want visible mechanics but worry about a large case, those differences are worth noticing.
The trade-off: 119g is still nearly twice the 6725's listed weight. A 40mm label alone cannot tell you how a watch will sit; bracelet fit, case shape and the distance across the lugs matter too. Ask for missing measurements rather than guessing from a close-up.
The bolder skeleton option: OLEVS 9901
The 9901 is the lowest-priced of these three at the check date, despite being the heaviest. Its appeal is visual: an exposed movement, decorative indices and a substantial steel bracelet.
That is a reason to buy it if you like the look, not evidence that it is more accurate or better made than the other two. At 13.5mm thick, it also asks for more room under a fitted cuff. We would choose it for someone who wants the watch to be noticed.
What a $100 automatic does not promise
“Automatic” describes winding, not an accuracy certification. Mechanical watches use a spring, and their timekeeping is affected by use and conditions; they are not generally the simplest route to quartz-like convenience. For background, Seiko explains mechanical-watch characteristics. Its model-specific instructions are not winding instructions for these OLEVS models.
The listings do not establish a named movement caliber, a tested daily accuracy result or a verified power reserve for this comparison. We would not fill those gaps with guesses. All three list coated glass rather than a confirmed sapphire crystal, and a skeleton opening is not evidence of a tourbillon.
Before choosing your first one
- Decide whether you value a clean dial or a view of the mechanism.
- Compare thickness and weight, not only diameter.
- Follow the supplied model manual for starting and winding. Do not assume every automatic supports the same crown operations.
- These listings specify 30m water resistance; do not buy them for swimming or shower use.
Which would we start with?
The 6725 if the job is an everyday watch. The 9920 if the visible movement is the reason for buying. The 9901 if you deliberately want more size and heft. None is a universal winner, which is exactly why the small price differences should not make the decision for you.
Check the linked product pages for current prices and colors. Standard packaging is included; store warranty terms and the return policy explain the after-sales conditions.
New to mechanical ownership? Read why an automatic watch can stop overnight before assuming a stopped watch is faulty.