can anyone recommend an inexpensive non-battery wrist watch ?
It depends on what your definition of inexpensive is but you can get some Stauer and Invicta’s with Japanese movements for a few hundred. For a little more ($750-$1000) you can get some vintage Rolexes. If you want something that will hold its value and are willing to spend a little more, I would go with that. One type to look for if you want to find vintage is are Rolex Cellini. These were a mid-priced line by Rolex and often are just marked Cellini, but it has very good precision movements up to the quality of their parent company. (the new Cellini line is pretty expensive but you can get some from the 80s for a few hundred). The good thing about the vintage Cellini is not everyone recognizes what they are so you can find some values.