Seven Watches Under $600 For When You Want To Keep It Digital (And Simple)

While mechanical watches and their micro-engineered marvels remain the raison d'être for Hodinkee—and what drew me to writing about horology—sometimes the mood calls for a complete departure. Something fun, rugged, and remarkably light on the wrist. Digital watches have evolved into so much more than Casios, even if they exist in a world of their own when it comes to choice. Whether you're chasing that nostalgic rush of childhood or, like me, "borrowing" your kid's F-91W for a bike ride, digital watches offer crisp legibility without the pretense. From budget-friendly classics to more sophisticated offerings, read on for compelling digital options that might just remind you why simple can be sublime.

Rich with retro credibility, the fitness-focused Timex IRONMAN predates today's Garmin and Polar fitness juggernauts by decades, and famously popped out from President Clinton's dress cuff on occasion. But the IRONMAN is not one for suiting up, feeling more at home on the wrist of Chuck Norris or a Navy SEAL, as it's a down-to-earth tool watch with a strong backstory. For less than $100, you get impressive value: 200-meter water resistance, shock-resistant resin construction that can handle serious abuse, and Timex's signature INDIGLO night light for excellent low-light legibility. The 42mm case feels substantial without being overwhelming, while the resin strap handles sweat and water without complaint. 

$93 on a resin strap, learn more at Timex's website.

Everyone over the age of 40 has surely had a Casio once, and the brand keeps coming up with new fun, rugged, or retro-dressy takes on digital wristwear. Sure, they make analog watches like the $70 Duro diver seen on the wrist of Bill Gates, but the Japanese flavor of Casio is best enjoyed displayed on an LCD screen. The PAC-MAN edition of the eighties calculator watch for elf-like fingers might not be the most legible with its tiny screen, but it makes up for it with bucketloads of fun. The bright yellow resin case evokes a PAC-MAN arcade cabinet (Google it). At the same time, the calculator resembles the labyrinth of the game, with PAC-MAN chasing along the bottom. With a 34.4mm width and featherweight 25g presence, it is one of the most comfortable watches around, and we dare you to pair it with a suit.

$79.95 on a resin strap, learn more at Casio's website.

US-based microbrand Autodromo, which we've reviewed before at Hodinkee, remains a design-focused brand with a penchant for the vibrant eighties and motorsport. The Group C is more solid than it looks, with a perfectly sized 36mm steel case and quality specs that befit its price. The strap is a reversible FKM rubber offering a smooth or striated look, and the LCD module with its EL backlight is protected by a sapphire crystal, unlike most digital fun pieces we know. The dark grey brushed case is inspired by the visceral speed and looks of Group C racers lapping Le Mans and Sebring at breakneck speeds, with a fresh fluorescent green smattering of detail giving a deep dive into eighties design language. With a chronograph offering split-time mode and a useful day-date complication, it's a solid everyday watch that could pair well with some neon green sweatbands for the summer.

$399 on a reversible FKM rubber strap, learn more at Autodromo's website.

Digital watches aren't all about exuberant colors and fun and sports timing, and the Timex Q80 Continental is a more eloquent take on digi-cool. The Continental picks up where the short-lived digital Tissot PRX left off, with an angular cushion case and a unashamedly dressy gold-toned look. But despite its 39mm, svelte 9.5mm design, it still offers a multifunction quartz movement with split-seconds stopwatch functionality, a decent deployant clasp, and the charming night-time pop of INDIGLO lighting. And hey, take a closer look—this is a bona fide integrated bracelet design, offering a retro-right entry ticket to the still-hot genre for less than $200. That's pretty sweet.

$149 on a gold-toned steel bracelet with a deployant clasp. Learn more at Timex's website.

When Casio entered the realm of $300+ steel watches with a heavier rendition of the venerable G-Shock some years ago, their All-Metal 5000-series became an instant hit. With today's trend of smaller watches, you'll feel the size of the steel 42.3mm G-Shock, but it works. With the peace of mind of Casio's patented Multi band 6 Bluetooth connectivity with its easy world timer, it is for many (including me) a great throw-it-on travel watch. Solar charging provides roughly 10-year battery life with normal use, ensuring this always-accurate watch remains maintenance-free.. For diehard G-Shock fans, consider investing in a light titanium version. Alternatively, we prefer this newer model, which features a classic brick-pattern LCD screen surrounded by a fresh green frame. The bracelet might seem a bit vintage-loose at first try, but it is remarkably solid, making this a decent sports watch with an undisputable heritage.

$550 on a steel bracelet, learn more at Casio's website.

Popular microbrand RZE surprised us this summer with their UTD-8000. We've been aware of their value-based sports watches for some time, which eschew retro for a pure modern vibe and clean lines, mainly in the sub-$500 price bracket. But they've never done digital. The UTD doesn't have Bluetooth or Solar charging, but a faceted, bead-blasted titanium case and massive numerals. A big bonus is the AR-treated sapphire crystal, which is a first for any digital watch we've seen, and seriously impressive for less than $300. The digital custom module has been tested for operational use while exposed to extreme temperatures, and has a 200m WR. The fresh yellow version shown here comes on a comfortable apple-like Velcro strap, which is fixed to the top lugs of the titanium case and loops back without going under the watch to increase thickness. It is a light, comfortable strap, but adding another $180 to the watch price will get you a full titanium bracelet. Sure, it almost doubles the price, but still comes in way lower than any G-Shock in titanium, its natural competitor.

$230 on a soft yellow elastic fabric strap, learn more at RZE's website.

Bookending this story is Illinois-based Farr and Swit with their deep dive into eighties culture for a Casio-beating price. And by that, I mean the more basic F-91W-type watches, which share the same 34mm easy-wearing charm for less than $50. Is it an actual watch? Legibility-wise, the digital module framed by a very literal cassette tape décor is crisp, and the fun festival-bracelet-like lack of weight hides multifunctional value controlled by three easy buttons. This includes an alarm, date, and timing functions. But for those of us who remember, it's all about the ritual—hitting Rewind, Play, Record, Stop—carefully curating a tape with your favorite tracks for that special someone. A lost art that can be recalled every time you look at your wrist, in bright colours that also happen to frame an eminently wearable, thankfully non-connected watch.

$34.99 on a resin strap, learn more at Farr and Swit's website.