Not every impressive watch has to carry a hefty price tag. For watch aficionados just getting started, there are a host of great watches for men that won’t break the bank. Here we take a look at 10 great watches that retail for less than $5,000.
Breitling SuperOcean II
If water sports are your thing, or if you just like the way a dive watch looks on the wrist, check out the Breitling SuperOcean II watch. The bold 44mm version in steel (especially with a blue dial) looks great and is highly functional. Not only is it water resistant to 1,000 meters, but also it has oversized hands and numerals with a luminescent coating for easy underwater reading. It is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement and retails for about $4,150.
Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch
For those who love the concept of a smart watch but want the look of a real watch, the Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch is the perfect piece. Deftly balancing classic watch looks with connected functions, the Horological Smartwatch is usually crafted in either stainless steel or rose gold-plated steel. The time indication is quartz-powered, while the additional features include connected hands, activity tracker, alerts, sleep monitory, world time, cloud storage, and more. It can generally be found for about $995 to $1,295.
Graham Chronofighter Vintage
Looking for a bold vintage style? The Graham Chronofighter Vintage with left-side crown and pushers recalls the pilot watches of yesteryear. The watch features an oversized crown guard protection system, luminescent hands and markers (with the 12 o’clock in Arabic numerals), day and date indication, and chronograph totalizers. This automatic watch has a lot packed into it, including 48 hours of power reserve—all for about $4,950.
Longines Conquest
With the tag line, “Elegance is an attitude,” Swiss-made Longines has a long tradition of creating classic timepieces with high-quality craftsmanship. If you like a polished look, this brand is for you. Of particular note is the Conquest collection that includes sophisticated and sporty looks. Crafted in steel or black PVD, these watches offer chronograph functions, generally measure about 42mm in diameter for a great fit on the wrist. They retail from $1,700 to about $1,950 new. Second-hand will be priced even better.
Stoic Pilot Watch
Created by master watchmaker Peter Speake-Marin, the newly launched Stoic collection is all about classic looks without the name-brand price. Because Speake-Marin is a stickler for perfection, when he decided to launch this highly affordable line, he turned to Seiko Precision Instruments, whose movements and craftsmanship could meet his demands. The new Stoic watches include a pilot’s watch, a panda-style chronograph, and a two-tone sport watch with chronograph. Utilitarian in nature, the watches are based on the philosophy of Stoicism and offer a lot of bang for very little buck, $290 to $490 new.
TAG Heuer Formula 1
If cars and racing is in your blood, you may just want the TAG Heuer Formula 1 watch on your wrist. There are a host of Formula 1 chronograph styles to choose from, including automatic pieces with the brand’s own Caliber 16. Each watch features colors and accents that recall Formula 1 racing and most feature tachymeter bezels for measuring speed. Best thing about these watches: they range in price from about $1,000 to $3,200 new.
Tockr Air Defender AD1
A new independent brand on the market, Tockr was founded in America and its radial-engine design accents are inspired by the founder’s military grandfather, who was a US Army pilot and flew a C-47 aircraft in World War II. The Tockr Air Defender AD1 watch is perfect for those who want a combination of vintage and cutting edge. The watch is powered by the very fine Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph caliber and offers day/date indications. It comes in host of colors, but don’t miss the steel version with blue dial and strap; it’s to die for, especially with a price tag of about $1,600.
Traser Officer Pro Automatic
If you like luminosity and being able to tell the time in the dark, turn to the highly affordable, super-bright Traser Officer Pro Automatic watches. Created specifically for outdoor use, these timepieces are offered in steel, black steel, bronze, and more. The automatic watch features a dial that uses the brand’s proprietary Trigalight ® tritium, self-illuminating markers. These watches range in price from about $785 to $895, depending on the model.
Tudor
The little brother of Rolex, Tudor has become an intriguing option for new collectors. The brand offers top-notch quality and their clean designs are beginning to attract a bit of a cult-like following. While the brand has a host of sporty lines, if you want the Rolex look without the price, check out Tudor watches with mechanical movement, steel-and-gold bi-color cases and bracelets, and an iconic-looking fluted bezel. They can be found new for about $3,350.
Tutima Saxon One Automatic Watch
For those looking for good classic German watchmaking, stop the search. Tutima has just the watch for you: the crisp, clean-looking Saxon One Automatic watch. Offered in a host of versions, including a classic black-strapped model with anthracite gray dial or brown alligator strap with silver/white dial, the automatic watch offers day and date indication. Its round bezel, set within an outer cushion-shaped case offers a great air of distinction. On strap, the watch can be found for about $3,400. Prefer a bracelet? No problem, that version is about $3,800.