Our Favorite Affordable Integrated Bracelet Watches on the Market

Without question, the number one trend in the watch industry right now is integrated bracelet stainless steel sports watches. The integrated bracelet style was seen by many as dated just a few years ago, but now every brand and their mother are releasing a new integrated bracelet watch. And it really isn’t hard to see why. The style is versatile, it looks good, and it offers brands the opportunity to show off some of their finishing skills. But there’s a problem with this style: most iconic integrated bracelet watches cost five figures. Thankfully, we’ve searched around to find the best affordable integrated bracelet watches that stay below that scary $10,000 mark.

The Return Of ‘70s Style

For much of the twentieth century, luxury watches were exclusively done in precious metals. That changed in 1972 when Gerald Genta designed the Royal Oak for Audemars Piguet. Crafted in stainless steel and sporting an integrated bracelet design and luxurious finishing, the Royal Oak became the first luxury steel sports watch — a segment that dominates the market today. The watch was followed four years later by another Genta design, the Patek Philippe Nautilus, which executed an even higher level of finishing. With the most prestigious watch brand on the planet now on board, the luxury steel sports watch was further legitimized, and other brands followed suit over the years. The style fell out of fashion in the 2000s, but thanks to a recent feverish interest in both the Royal Oak and the Nautilus, the style has come roaring back bigger than ever. And this time, it shows no signs of going away.

What Is an Integrated Bracelet

Admittedly, there is a gray area when it comes to the definition of an integrated bracelet, especially when the spirit of the integrated bracelet (i.e., classified by “you know it when you see it”) doesn’t always equate to its function. But in earnest, integrated bracelets are made specifically for the case and cannot be (easily) swapped for another. Likewise, the lugs of the watch are not visibly existent and bleed –– or integrate –– into the bracelet itself. There is the traditional styling, however, which is featured on the Royal Oak and sports a gapless link design, often with two center links that connect to the case head itself. If these general mores are followed then certainly you will know one when you see it.

Defining Affordability

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus, Vacheron Constantin Overseas, Hublot Big Bang, Bvlgari Octo Finissimo, Girard-Perregaux Laureato, Piaget Polo… these are all highly-coveted integrated bracelet watches. And they all start at above $10,000. In some cases, quite a ways above. So it seemed that the five-figure mark made for a sensible cutoff for this affordable guide, with three sections evenly divided between watches under $1,000, under $5,000, and under $10,000. So regardless of what your idea of “affordable” is, you’ll be able to find an integrated bracelet watch for your budget here.

The Best Under $1,000

Seiko 5 SNKK52

This watch is completely absurd — but in the absolute best way. A gaudy, gold-plated member of Seiko’s budget “5” line, the SNKK52 is clearly inspired by the Patek Philippe Nautilus, right down to the trademark “ears.” But this is no mere homage or replica. You’re still getting a Seiko at the end of the day, which means robust build quality, lots of heritage, and a reliable in-house automatic movement. It’s not a Patek, but it sure is fun.

Tissot PRX

Tissot blew the doors off of 2021 with this watch, one of the year’s biggest releases. A modern reissue of a Tissot Seastar model from the 1970s, the PRX has a classic integrated bracelet design, period looks, and finishing that’s miles better than anything else at this price point. And if you’re offended by the quartz movement, have no fear: Tissot has already announced that an automatic version of the watch powered by ETA’s Powermatic 80 movement is on the way this summer.

Melbourne Watch Company Burnley

This Australian microbrand keeps getting better with each subsequent release, and in 2020 they jumped on board the integrated bracelet train with their well-received Burnely. With a familiar but not too derivative design, solid specs, and good finishing, the Burnley makes a strong case for anyone who’s looking for an integrated bracelet watch that’s a little off the beaten path. The brand’s small size means you’re not very likely to run into anyone else wearing a Burnley, which adds a touch of exclusivity at a low price point.

Citizen Super Titanium Armor

Citizen makes a fair amount of integrated bracelet-style watches, but not all of them strike the delicate balance between retro and dated as well as this one. The sleek lines, contrasting finishes, and patterned black dial all make this Eco-Drive-powered watch stand out, but its construction might be even more impressive than its design. The watch is made from Citizen’s proprietary Super Titanium material that’s five times more scratch-resistant and 40% lighter than stainless steel.

The Best Under $5,000

Maurice Lacroix AIKON

A more established Swiss brand than most of the others at this price point, the Aikon should receive serious consideration from anyone who’s looking to spend up to five grand on an integrated bracelet watch — it’s that good. The styling is clearly inspired by the Royal Oak, especially on the bracelet and dial, but the design is still original enough to steer clear of homage territory. And that finishing — man, oh man. The Aikon is a true luxury watch that really turns heads, and it looks like it costs at least twice as much as it actually does.

G-SHOCK MRGB2000D-1A

G-SHOCK is mainly known for making uber-tough digital watches that are built for adventure, but the watch you see before you is a stone-cold stunner. Intended more for urban adventures than outdoor escapades, the top-flight model of G-SHOCK’s premium MR-G line turns heads with titanium construction with deep-layer hardening. But since it is a G-SHOCK after all, you’re still getting 200m of water resistance and Triple G Resist protection from shocks, vibrations, and centrifugal forces.

Tudor Royal

Anyone who follows the watch industry knows the following statement to be true: Tudor’s gonna do what Tudor’s gonna do. The Rolex subsidiary has a reputation for taking risks, and well, this is a pretty big risk. Tudor could have played it safe and gone with a ‘70s-inspired design when it was time to release an integrated bracelet watch in 2020, but instead, they released the very ‘90s Royal. With its optional two-tone finishing, Roman numerals, and fluted bezel, the Royal definitely isn’t for everybody. But it’s still a Tudor, which makes it the closest thing you can get to a new integrated bracelet design from Rolex.

The Best Under $10,000

Wempe Iron Walker Chronograph

The underrated German brand Wempe won’t be underrated for much longer thanks to their Iron Walker series. A decidedly handsome and masculine integrated bracelet-style watch, the Iron Walker especially comes alive in its chronograph variant. Available in a blue or stunning reverse panda dial, the watch boasts a tri-compax layout and an inner tachymeter bezel. These traditional chronograph features blend extremely well with the integrated bracelet design, giving the Iron Walker Chronograph all the trappings of a modern classic.

Bell & Ross BR 05

Bell & Ross has a very distinct design language, and while it is certainly iconic and beloved by many, few would describe it as elegant. And yet, somehow, when translated to an integrated bracelet design in the BR 05, that’s exactly what it becomes. The BR 05 may have been an unexpected release from B&R, but it’s also a welcome one. The watch is gorgeous, it’s finished to a luxury level, and it still maintains the unmistakable style of a Bell & Ross — it’s just traded in its flight suit for a tuxedo.

Omega Constellation

The Constellation has been around since the 1950s and was Omega’s flagship before the Seamaster and Speedmaster took over the brand. In the ‘80s, the watch received a major quartz-driven overhaul as the “Manhattan,” a thin, integrated bracelet design with an unusual clawed bezel. Since then, the watch has been a successful part of Omega’s lineup, but its design remained polarizing. But with Omega’s 2020 refresh that finessed and modernized the Constellation’s design while also updating its movement to a Master Chronometer, the Constellation is once again looking like it could return to flagship status for Omega.

Cartier Santos

Speaking of polarizing designs, rectangular watches can be a tough sell to a lot of people, as can Roman numerals. And putting both of those things on an integrated bracelet sounds like it would be an utter disaster. But does the Santos care about any of that? Nope. It’s just going to keep on being one of the most iconic watches ever made, with a design that has been turning heads and closing deals since 1911. Cartier may not get as much attention as other Swiss watch brands, but they are a horological force to be reckoned with, and the Santos is a big reason why.

Zenith Defy Skyline

Zenith’s Defy collection is known as the brand’s space to experiment with high-end movements and new materials and finishing techniques. As such, you may be surprised to see a Defy on a list of “affordable” watches. But it would behoove you to note the brand’s Skyline model, which, aside from the octagonal bezel shape, is about as traditional as an integrated steel sports watch gets. There’s nothing revolutionary about the bracelet and the dial has a sunburst patterned dial with a subdial featuring the very first 1/10th of a second indicator powered by the iconic El Primero movement. But everything is finished to the nth degree, and this thing just screams luxury.

Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture

Frederique Constant has made a name for themselves by crafting complicated in-house movements at shockingly-affordable prices. But even with that reputation in mind, this watch is still mind-blowing. FC has manufactured an in-house perpetual calendar — one of the most difficult complications to master — and stuck it in a beautifully finished integrated bracelet design. And while nine grand is undeniably a lot of money to spend on a watch, keep in mind that a Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in stainless steel retails for over $76,000.

The Best Vintage-Style Dive Watches

Are you digging the retro vibes offered by these integrated bracelet-style watches but want something even sportier? Then you should check out our guide to the best vintage-style dive watches for even more modern takes on old-school timepieces.