I'm a big fan of Fortis watches (http://www.fortis-watch.com/en/collection/index.html) but i know of no model thats in the price range your after.

I was looking for a beater watch and came across two that interested me:
http://www.rei.com/product/769134
http://www.rei.com/product/745614

But I doubt their automatics.

My favorite watch bands are the diver's nylon webbing ones that wrap around your wrist (forget the name of them right now). Just don't look professional enough for work (I personally don't care... but thats a story for another time)

Leather ones, the nicer ones, don't react to well to water... and since i'm in the ocean when I can I just can't have one.

I have a love/hate relationship with the rubber bands... love them, love the look, but hate it when i sweat with one on.

Metal is ok, but it seems the nicer watches are, the more my arm hair gets caught in the band!

Hope that helps...
Kris