Even if a watch has the most beautifully executed dial, is the perfect size, houses a reliable mechanical movement, and is presented on a comfortable bracelet or attractive strap, one key factor can still stand between you and purchasing it: the price. Fortunately, a watch needn’t be expensive to be good (and not all expensive watches are good), with several great dress and tool watches accompanied by exceedingly affordable price tags.
The word ‘affordable’ is a somewhat loaded term, as affordability is relative; what may be pocket change to one might be someone else’s monthly salary. For the sake of consistency, we’re defining ‘affordable’ as under $1000USD. Yes, thanks to the ever-fluctuating nature of the Australian dollar—and perhaps to give ourselves a tad more leeway—we’re opting to work with USD rather than AUD.
When looking for the best watches under $1000USD, the most attractive options are the timepieces that don’t try to do too much. That means no tourbillons or moonphases; as these tend to be poorly executed and can ‘cheapen’ the feel of the watch. Look for time-only or time-and-date watches, as this is where the segment plays best. Oh, and ditch your preconceived notions about quartz — a well-made quartz watch is more accurate than its mechanical counterparts and often less expensive too.
Spanning dive, pilot’s, field, and dress watches, the best watches under $1000USD are an attractive option for those in the market for a starter watch as well as those simply looking to add a new great watch to a preexisting collection.
The best watches under $1000
1. Baltic MR01
Sitting well within budget, the Baltic MR01 delivers refined aesthetics and elegant finishings at an eminently affordable price point. A matte grained dial plays host to applied Breguet numerals and leaf-shaped hands, with the timepiece distinguished by its off-centre small seconds subdial at 7 o’clock. The timepiece is housed within a minimalist stainless steel case (though it’s also available in gold PVD); defined by its purity of lines, it features a thin profile thanks to the use of a micro-rotor movement which is visible through the exhibition caseback. It’s presented on either a leather strap or an attractive beads-of-rice bracelet.
Price: €545 (approx. $595USD/$880AUD)
Model: MR01
Movement: automatic
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 36mm
Related: In A Sea Of Sports Watches, Wear A Dress Watch…
2. Dan Henry 1939 Military Chronograph
Movement snobs look away. Dan Henry is a name that should be bigger than it is. Founded by one of the most prolific watch collectors in Brazil, the eponymous brand is playing a role in democratising watch collecting by creating vintage-style pieces at affordable prices (with most timepieces priced under $300USD) — largely in part thanks to the use of reliable quartz movements. The Dan Henry 1939 Military Chronograph is powered by a mechaquartz movement (which gives it a sweeping seconds hand rather than the usual ticking hand that typically acts as a telltale sign of quartz) and features a tonal sector dial with vertically positioned subdials that draws upon the design codes of the Art Deco movement.
Price: $270USD (approx. $404AUD)
Model: 1939 Military Chronograph
Movement: mechaquartz
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 38mm
3. Serica Field Chronometer ref. 6190
A field watch with a COSC-certified movement for under $1000USD? Yes please. French microbrand Serica has made a name for itself thanks to its pared-back, almost unbranded watches that boast a minimalist vintage aesthetic. Its take on the field watch sees the rugged classic take on a sleek, streamlined appearance that allows it to feel equally at home paired with a suit as it does with more casual gear. The Serica Field Chronometer ref. 6190 is available in three dial configurations, however we’re partial to the Californian style, and can be ordered with the crown on the left or right side.
Price: €825 (approx. $901USD/$1345AUD)
Model: Field Chronometer ref. 6190
Movement: automatic
Water Resistance: 20ATM
Case Diameter: 37.7mm
Related: The 13 Best Field Watches Are Ruggedly Charming
4. Orient Bambino
A well-made automatic watch at under $200USD is a rarity, but trust the Japanese to make it a reality. The classically styled Orient Bambino sits comfortably on the wrist at 38.4mm, with its convex dial and domed class adding vintage charm.
Price: from $208AUD ($139USD)
Model: Bambino
Movement: automatic
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 38.4mm
5. Timex Marlin Hand-Wound
While best known as a purveyor of affordable mass-produced quartz watches, the Timex Marlin Hand-Wound proves the American manufacturer knows how to do mechanical watches too. The Timex Marlin Hand-Wound looks to vintage styles, with a throwback case size of 34mm and a hand-cranked movement. The silver-toned dial features a subtle brushed sunburst finish with slim black Arabic numerals.
Price: $365AUD ($245USD)
Model: Marlin Hand-Wound
Movement: manual winding
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 34mm
6. Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical
A streamlined classic at an unbeatable price point. With period-correct sizing, a clean dial layout, and a rugged build, the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is the natural choice for a daily beater. Its black dial, Arabic numerals, 24 hour inner ring, and healthy dose of lume harken back to the watches the Swiss manufacture produced for the United States military in the mid-20th century. Its mechanicals are equally as impressive, with the timepiece powered by a hand-wound movement. Whether on a NATO strap or stainless steel bracelet, it exudes utilitarian style.
Price: $950AUD
Model: Khaki Field Mechanical
Movement: manual winding
Water Resistance: 5ATM
Case Diameter: 38mm
7. Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
Tapping into the increasing collective consumer desire for steel sports watches, the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 caters to the trend at an unbeatable price. The integrated bracelet style comes in several colourways, but none so appealing as the ice blue variant. The ergonomic fit and finish are comparable to timepieces well above its price range, while the automatic movement boasts a weekend-friendly power reserve of 80 hours. A solid contender for those looking to buy into the steel sports watch trend without refinancing the mortgage.
Price: $725USD/$1150AUD
Model: PRX Powermatic 80
Movement: automatic
Water Resistance: 10ATM
Case Diameter: 40mm
Related: 11 Steel Sports Watches That Are Worth Their Weight In Gold
8. Duckworth Prestex Verimatic
A uniquely styled watch courtesy of relaunched heritage British watch brand Duckworth Prestex, the Verimatic sees a classic cushion case play host to a grained fumé dial with lume-filled Arabic numerals and brushed gold hour markers with applied lume. An elegant dress watch with a laidback feel (and an impressive 20 metre water resistance), the Duckworth Prestex Verimatic is a decidedly versatile vintage-inspired timepiece.
Price: $1152USD (approx. $1716AUD)
Model: Verimatic
Movement: automatic
Water Resistance: 20ATM
Case Diameter: 39mm
Related: A Guide To The Different Watch Case Shapes
9. Baltic Aquascaphe Classic
We know, we know, another Baltic. But there’s no denying the French microbrand’s ability to put out a watch that punches above its price point. Looking to dive watches of the 1950s, the Baltic Aquascaphe employs vintage design codes while carving out its own space in the market. Created by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, it nails vintage proportions with a 39mm case size and features a subtle sunburst dial with cream-toned hour markers and a domed sapphire crystal. It’s presented on a handsome beads-of-rice bracelet that lends the Aquascaphe a unique character and sets it apart from its contemporaries.
Price: €660 (approx. $772USD/$1080AUD)
Model: Aquascaphe
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 20ATM
Case Diameter: 39mm
Related: Dive In; The 17 Best Dive Watches To Buy In 2024
10. Furlan Marri Nero Sabbia
This elegant chronograph comes courtesy of another microbrand producing beautiful heritage-inspired timepieces at affordable prices. The Furlan Marri Nero Sabbia boasts vintage aesthetics with a twist, with the black dial taking on a sector layout with hour markers on the inner ring, minutes on the outer, and a chronograph scale on the periphery. A gilt-toned small seconds subdial rests at 9 o’clock. While most chronographs are well above the $1000USD mark, the Furlan Marri Nero Sabbia is powered by a hybrid mechaquartz movement (the Seiko VK64) which allows it to sit within the affordable category.
Price: $555CHF (approx. $651USD/$972AUD)
Model: Nero Sabbia
Movement: mechaquartz
Water Resistance: 5ATM
Case Diameter: 38mm
11. Corniche Heritage Chronograph
From a branding perspective, a combination of a rather flowery background story and an overt use of faux-heritage/old money aesthetic editorial imagery has Swedish microbrand Corniche veering dangerously into fashion watch territory. Fortunately, its solid design and value proposition saves it from such a fate. Reminiscent of notable vintage models like the Patek Philippe 5170P and the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1815 Flyback Chronograph without being too derivative, the Corniche Heritage Chronograph is an undeniably attractive watch. The black ceramic dial is topped with polished hour markers and features a railroad minutes track and a tachymeter scale on the periphery. Like the Furlan Marri mechaquartz chronographs, it’s powered by the Seiko VK64, a hybrid mechaquartz movement that combines the accuracy and reliability (not to mention the affordability) of quartz with the visceral appeal of a mechanical movement. This means that it features a sweeping (rather than ticking) seconds hand and that when the chronograph is reset, the chronograph hands are disengaged from the quartz motor and are snapped back to zero (a telltale sign of quartz chronographs is a gradual sweep back to zero).
Price: $425USD ($632AUD)
Model: Heritage Chronograph
Movement: mechaquartz
Water Resistance: 5ATM
Case Diameter: 39mm
12. Farer Mansfield
Green is arguably the most horologically zeitgeisty dial shade of the decade, however the Farer Mansfield does it a little differently. A sophisticated cushion case plays host to a sector dial in an alluring shade of tea green, diverging from the deeper hues of forest green, khaki, and heritage green often employed. The raised circular ring houses applied highly polished hour indices and Arabic numerals which are paired with slim dauphine hands. A recessed silver subdial with a grooved texture sits at 6 o’clock, and features a hand in a different shade of green. A masterful interplay of colour combined with a hand-wound movement make this a timepiece worth getting your hands on.
Price: $995USD (approx. $1480AUD)
Model: Mansfield
Movement: manually winding
Water Resistance: 5ATM
Case Diameter: 38.4mm
Related: The Best British Watch Brands Are Doing Things Differently
13. Tissot Heritage Banana
Uh, the Tissot what? The Tissot Heritage Banana looks to an archival style that first came into production in 1916. While not a good source of potassium, the original Tissot Banana derived it name from its long, curved case. Despite looking like the lovechild of a Frank Muller Curvex and a Cartier Tank, the Tissot Heritage Banana manages to carve its own space out thanks to its almost comically elongated proportions. Be warned: you need a fair amount of wrist real estate to pull this one off. Priced from around $315USD to $375USD (depending on the edition and choice of metal), the Tissot Heritage Banana isn’t currently sold on the brand’s webstore, but you can usually find a secondhand one for just over retail (and well under our $1000USD budget).
Price: from $315USD retail (approx. $482AUD)
Model: Heritage Banana
Movement: quartz
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 49mm x 27mm
14. Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz
Many black and white chronographs are at risk of looking too Paul Newmany (yes, that’s a legit term); most by their own devising. The Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz avoids this fate through a unique subdial shape inspired by the dashboards of vintage race cars. Like the Furlan Marri and Corniche timepieces above, the Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz is powered by the Seiko VK64 mechaquartz movement, meaning it features a sweeping seconds hand and instantaneous chronograph reset to zero. The Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz features oversized vintage-style chronograph pushers and a matte aluminium bezel with a tachymeter scale, and is presented on either a black leather strap or steel mesh bracelet. If the reverse panda colourway isn’t your style, there’s also a conventional panda dial as well as red, green, and blue interations.
Price: $369 USD on leather strap/$399USD on steel mesh bracelet (approx. $560AUD/$608AUD)
Model: Rallygraf Meca-Quartz
Movement: mechaquartz
Water Resistance: 10ATM
Case Diameter: 39mm
Enjoyed this article? Check out our Ultimate Guide To Watches here; covering everything from the types of watch movements to watch styles and complications.
Words by John Deckard
