• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Modest Man

  • .
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • About
  • Outfit Ideas
  • Free Stuff
Home / Blog / Clothing and Style / Accessories

Top 10 Best 38mm Watches For Any Budget ($249 to $23,800)

Published on August 26, 2019 by Celine Simon · Accessories May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

Hunting for a new 38mm watch to wear? Whether you’re into robust divers, sporty chronographs, or classic dress timepieces, here are our top picks for the best 38mm watches, ranging from $249 to $23,800.

Best 38MM Watches For Any Budget Hero ImageVintage-inspired timepieces and restrained proportions are picking up speed in the watch world, which means more sub-40mm men’s watches to choose from. And that’s great news for guys with smaller wrists.

A 38mm watch is right around the top end of the scale when it comes to a well-proportioned watch for slender wrists—anything larger could start to wear too bulky. It’s also a great size for business casual settings.

But with the impressive assortment amongst the 38mm watch category, there really is no reason to sacrifice the right fit for a specific style. From the inexpensive to the ultra-luxurious, check out these fantastic options for men’s 38mm watches.

Quick Take

Short on time? Here are our top three picks for the best 38mm watches you can buy right now:

Our Pick
Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic
Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic
$575

Dressier than your standard military watch, the timepiece dons a 38mm brushed stainless steel case fitted with a black dial with 12-hour markers, 24-hour markers, and a date window.

Buy Now Check Price on Jomashop
Budget Pick
Seiko SKX013
Seiko SKX013
$994.00

The Seiko SKX013's 38mm stainless steel case fits incredibly well, while the dial retains the familiar day and date duo.

Buy Now Check Price on Jomashop
02/15/2023 12:55 am GMT
Upgrade Pick
Nomos Glashütte Metro 38
Nomos Glashütte Metro 38
$2,860

The Metro 38 brings together Nomos Glashütte’s signature clean aesthetic with small punches of color for an appealing dial design.

Buy Now Check Price on Jomashop

Read on for more info and the complete list…

Best 38mm Watches For Any Budget

Here’s the list…

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph

If Audemars Piguet can take the Royal Oak’s famed eight-sided “Jumbo” case silhouette, size it down to 38mm and pack it with an automatic chronograph complication within its trim 11mm profile, then other watchmakers should take note and follow suit.

AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK SELFWINDING CHRONOGRAPH
Check current price | Check Price on Jomashop

From the octagonal bezel to the hobnail dial to the integrated bracelet, the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph offers all the design details that make the RO so beloved but in a manageable compact size.

Price-wise though, the watch is still mega where the stainless steel version will set you back a cool $23,800.

Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat

Not only are the cushion-shaped cases of the relatively new Drive de Cartier collection sized at a tasteful 38mm x 39mm, but the ultra-thin versions are a mere 6.6mm thick.

A particularly handsome edition is the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat in 18k pink gold with a brown leather strap.

DRIVE DE CARTIER EXTRA FLAT WATCH
Check current price | Check Price on Jomashop

The dial of the time-only watch is classic Cartier, with its black Roman numerals, blue sword-shaped hands, and silvered background.

Inside the $15,400 precious metal watch is an in-house Cartier manual-wound movement, protected by a pink gold caseback.

Panerai Luminor Due 38

You may be surprised to see Panerai included on a list about smaller watches since the brand is synonymous with oversized watches.

However, in 2016, Panerai debuted the Luminor Due collection, featuring slimmer cases and the option of an under-40mm watch.

PANERAI LUMINOR DUE 38
Check current price | Check Price on Jomashop

Meet the Panerai Luminor Due 38, which retains the famed cushion-shaped case and lever-protected crown guard combo but in an easier-to-wear 38mm size.

The watch even houses the signature Panerai sandwich dial, complete with green-colored luminescence for a pop of color. This stainless steel version of the Luminor Due 38 retails for $6,000 and runs on an automatic movement.

Breitling Navitimer Automatic 38

Equipped with a chronograph and slide rule bezel, the Navitimer has been Breitling’s pride and joy since the 1950s. For six decades, the brand remained faithful to the watch’s core design.

However, to tackle the current demand for smaller watches, Breiting now offers a fresh take of its icon in the form Navitimer Automatic 38.

NAVITIMER AUTOMATIC 38 Gold Silver
Check current price | Check Price on Jomashop

The chronograph is gone to make way for the smaller 38mm case but the slide rule remains on the dial to remind us that this is a Navitimer.

This particular edition brings together stainless steel, red gold and leather and it’s priced at 5,820.

Omega Speedmaster 38

One of the most famous chronograph models ever made, the Omega Speedmaster lineup offers a bewildering assortment of models.

Thankfully, that means plenty of size options too, including the Omega Speedmaster 38 models.

SPEEDMASTER 38 CO AXIAL CHRONOMETER CHRONOGRAPH 38 MM
Check current price | Check Price on Jomashop

Sporting a 38mm steel case, a black tachymeter bezel, a black dial, and powered by an automatic movement, this version of the Speedy, which retails for $5,100, gives you a similar look to the famed “Moonwatch” but without the largeness and manual-winding requirements.

Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight

Tudor’s recent watch releases have been very well received thanks to a combination of high-quality materials, in-house movements, superb designs, and affordable prices.

TUDOR BLACK BAY FIFTY EIGHT
Check current price | Check Price on Jomashop

A particularly standout release is the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight, which as its name implies, draws inspiration from a 1958 dive watch model.

While a touch larger than the 38mm watches we’re highlighting, the 39mm case is both noticeably smaller and slimmer than typical Black Bay sports models.

Plus, if you opt for a $3,300 nylon strap configuration (leather and metal are also available), it’s lighter to wear too.

Nomos Glashütte Metro 38

Nomos Glashütte has made a name for itself by producing top-notch German-made watches with understated designs, restrained proportions, and some of the best prices in the luxury watch space.

NOMOS GLASHUTTE METRO 38
Check current price | Check Price on Jomashop

Designed by industrial designer Mark Braun, the Metro 38 ($2,860) brings together Nomos Glashütte’s signature clean aesthetic with small punches of color for an appealing dial design.

The dial is encased within a slim 38.5mm steel case with thin wire lugs and a manual-wound movement powers the trio of hands.

Weiss Standard Issue Field Watch

With Cameron Weiss at the helm, Weiss is on a mission to bring American watchmaking back to the forefront by building watches and mechanical movements by hand in Los Angeles, California.

And the American watch company is doing a fine job at it too with a range of models and calibers to its name.

WEISS STANDARD ISSUE FIELD WATCH
Check current price

The Weiss Standard Issue Field Watch is a great example of what the brand does best—no-nonsense military-inspired timepieces.

The watch features a steel 38mm case, a fresh white dial with oversized sword-shaped hands and a running seconds indicator, a manual movement inside, and a price tag of $1,150.

Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 38MM

If you prefer an automatic field watch, Hamilton makes the Khaki Field Auto 38MM model. Dressier than your standard military watch, the timepiece dons a 38mm brushed stainless steel case fitted with a black dial with 12-hour markers, 24-hour markers, and a date window.

HAMILTON KHAKI FIELD AUTO 38MM
Check current price | Check Price on Jomashop

Playing up the more formal nature of the watch is the elegant black leather strap with white stitching.

Priced at $575, this Khaki Field automatic watch can comfortably go from office to outdoors and everything in-between.

Seiko SKX013

Diving watch dimensions are continuously a struggle for guys with smaller wrists. The “bigger is always better” remains strong amongst modern diving watches.

Yet, whether its price or size, there’s always Seiko to solve common dive watch dilemma!

The Seiko SKX013 38mm Watch
Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Jomashop

The Seiko SKX013 is similar to the famed SKX007 dive watch but in petite proportions. The 38mm stainless steel case fits incredibly well, while the dial retains the familiar day and date duo.

Just like its bigger brother, the SKX013 is water-resistant to 200 meters, runs on an automatic movement, and comes with a unidirectional black timing bezel—all for the bargain-basement price of $249.

Closing Thoughts

The world of 38mm watches is a varied one, including almost any timepiece type you can think of. And if the trend towards smaller watches continues forward, then choices will only get better.

If you’ve been wearing a watch that’s simply too big for you, then it’s time to give it up in favor for one that fits correctly.

Accessories Buying Guides, small watches, Watches

Related Posts

Omega Seamaster 36mm
7 of the Best Dive Watches for Small Wrists
Best 36mm Watches: IWC Pilot's Watch
Top 11 Best 36mm Watches For Any Budget ($75 to $31,550)
Junghans Max Bill Manual Wrist Watch MB 3004
The 10 Best 34mm Watches For Any Budget ($50 to $5,400)
Best automatic watches for small wrists
Top 25 Small Automatic Watches (Under 38mm)

About Celine Simon

Celine Simon is a freelance luxury watch writer who has enjoyed working in the horology industry for over ten years.

Background: Like many of the high-end timepieces she writes about, she comes from Switzerland—the heart of fine watchmaking. From Singapore to Montreal, Geneva to Hobart, Dubai to Amman, Celine has lived all over the world but now calls the beaches of Southern California home.

Expertise: Celine has written for the likes of BeckerTime, TrueFacet, Bob's Watches, Haute Time, and Crown & Caliber.

More Articles by This Author

Facebook LinkedIn

Join the Club

Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download). No spam. Ever.

Subscribe Now

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Ask Me Anything Cancel reply

    Got questions? Want to share your opinion? Comment below!

  1. Nick says

    August 22, 2021 at 12:54 pm

    (Moderator — same comment but terrible typos fixed. If you post, please use this version. Thanks) Thanks for posting this article, Celine. Fun read. The only thing that “fits correctly” is the band. IMO dial/lug-to-lug size doesn’t matter when it comes to men’s watches, and I’d even extend this to thinner wristed blokes. Dial size is simply a style element. It’s the sport coat that is “fitted”, not the size of the lapel — right? The band or bracelet is fitted, the dial is not and can come in an assortment of sizes all of which are fine/a matter of preference. A large lapel-ed sport coat does not “overwhelm” a smaller bloke. I think the same is true with watch dial sizes and styles. I’m a 6′, 230 hulking brute with proportionately thick wrists that I never bothered to measure. I have a little three watch collection, recently having flipped or gifted most of my too many watches. I’m currently sporting my understated, sublime 37.5mm Seiko 5 SNKL75 (a $100 DateJust-y little piece for people who don’t hate their money). Looks absolutely fine. On the other side of the spectrum, I also have a gianormous 51.6mm Casio Pro Trek solar Safari ABC(T) as my weekender (instead of a boring dime-a-dozen desk diver). Both look fine on the wrist. A watch is basically a bracelet. You can have a bracelet style that’s thick. You can have a bracelet style that’s thin. There is no correct size as DIAL size is a style element largely decoupled from gender cues. This whole association of watch dial size and “manliness” is a product of silly action movies and is laughably absurd. Something insecure dudes concern themselves with. Conversely there are such things — as you know, as an obvious/outright women’s watch — usually bejeweled and around 27mm. Random cut-paste example: TAG HEUER AQUARACER 27MM MOP DIAL 2-TONE SS WOMEN’S WATCH. So there’s a canyon-ish gap between men’s/unisex watch and a true women’s watch.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Join the Club

Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download).

No spam. Ever.

Subscribe Now

Top 5 Favorites for Fall & Winter 2022

  1. Thursday Boots Captain – still the best Goodyear-welted boot under $200 (full review here) 🥾
  2. Matte for Men SPF Lotion – because you should be using moisturizer with SPF
  3. Darn Tough Wool Socks – possibly the best boot socks you can buy 🧦
  4. Hamilton Khaki Mechanical – perfect everyday mechanical watch under $500 (Amazon/Jomashop)
  5. Flint & Tinder Waxed Jacket – great fit, perfect weight for fall 👍🏼

Trending Articles

Men over 40 style

How to Dress Well In Your 40s and 50s (and Beyond)

Fashion brands for short men

Where to Buy Clothes for Short Men (2022 Guide)

Seiko 5 SNK805

31 Great Watches For Small Wrists (Updated for 2023)

Best Business Casual Shoes for Men

Top 8 Best Business Casual Shoes for Men (2023 Guide)

Business casual outfits

The Complete Guide to Business Casual Style for Men

Topics

  • Clothing & Style
  • Outfit Ideas
  • Fitness
  • Product Reviews
  • Dating & Confidence
  • Grooming
  • Men of Modest Height
  • Income Reports

Footer

The Modest Man logo

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Home • Blog • Resources • Contact • Advertise

 

Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure • Terms & Conditions

 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Copyright © 2023 The Modest Man (Registered Trademark)