Best Watches Under $500
Watches don’t have to be expensive. Scrolling on social media we all see hundreds of thousands of dollars of watches that have us drooling (literally). But not all of us got it like that (.01% to be exact). So to start, these are our favorite watches under $500. All of these are excellent and can last a lifetime if you choose to have it that long.
Bulova Hack Watch
Want to buy an automatic field watch NEW from the dealer, but don’t want to pay Hamilton prices? That’s essentially the draw of the Bulova Hack Watch. Its everything you want, minus the brand name, but with the same build quality. There is nothing wrong with this watch, its just a few hundred cheaper.
Citizen Promaster Diver
No list of affordables could leave out an Eco-Drive from Citizen. Really an iconic movement, and something that changed the watch industry forever. This Promaster Diver is funky yet sporty, and is ready for your adventure whether it’s out with friends or hitting the gym.
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical
The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical at a RETAIL price is over $500. But on the Grey market you can find these under $500 and they are worth every penny. The best Swatch Group affordable watch brand is called that for a reason. Hamilton is one of the oldest affordable watchmakers out there, dating back over $100 years. The Khaki Field line is their classic, and if you don’t have one, you need one.
G-Shock 5600
No under $500 watch list is complete without a G-Shock. And anyone that tells you otherwise is a LIAR. There are many G-Shocks, but we love the one that got run over by a 25 ton truck and STILL worked. At even under $100 you are getting probably the most durable watch of all time. Not to mention that the watch is sick.
Seiko 5 GMT
Take that Seiko 5 Diver, and make it a GMT. A few years ago Seiko introduced the NH36 movement which was really the first affordable GMT movement on the market now used by PLENTY of watch brands in this price range. Thus they decided to include it in Seiko’s most popular model, the Seiko 5 line. This gets you the GMT, almost the look of a Rolex, for under $500 which is a true delight.
Lorier Falcon
The Lorier Falcon is an Explorer homage somewhat, but it is its OWN watch. Most of Lorier’s watches come in at under $500, and they are all unique vintage inspired designs. What is best about these is they try to stay period correct with bracelets, crystals, size etc to match the correct era. Since vintage is so hot right now, and you’d be spending 10 times the amount on something else, we deem this to be an unreal fit.
Brew Metric
Our first micro brand on the list, is starting to become a non micro brand. Collectors love Brew for their extremely unique designs and artistic nature, and all you have to do is take one look at the watch. The build quality is tremendous with the integrated bracelet. Brew also sells leather straps that go exactly with the watch mentioned. If the watch is good enough for Idris Elba, it’s good enough for you.
Seiko 5 Diver
Can you sense a theme of the classics? The Seiko 5 Diver has been around for years, with every generation improving on itself. The current model is the best entry level dive watch at under $250. Everything you love about Seiko from affordability, finishing, movement, and most importantly the look.
The Orient Bambino
Another cult classic, the Orient Bambino is a Japanese made dress watch with finishing like a watch in the thousands of dollars. Automatic movements, great build quality, but again lack of impressive leather strap. Luckily leather straps are ALWAYS interchangeable on watches so no need to worry. What we love about this watch is how much it punches above its weight class, with seemingly zero effort.
The Seiko Cocktail Time
A favorite of collectors, the Seiko cocktail time is a stunning watch that is just below the $500 price point. These come in many colors or “cocktails” like light blue, green, red, etc. The dials are the draw here, but the open case back seiko movements are a close second to love. One thing that is lacking here through is the leather strap does feel cheap, and we recommend buying a new one like the ones in our shop.
