An excellent watch transcends trends; it is remarkably versatile and can pair well with a wide range of clothing choices and color patterns.
While investing in a watch can be particularly challenging due to the overwhelming options available in the market, there are a few timeless pieces that won’t necessarily make a dent in your pocket. We know that getting as much bang for the buck is a major pot-sweetener, so we rounded up serious best watches under 1000 mark.
Read on to find out which ones they are, and why we picked them.
Product Name
Image
Mechanism
Overall Rating
Details
Hamilton Men’s Khaki Field Stainless Steel Automatic Watch
Automatic
10
Check price
Victorinox Men’s Analog Display Automatic Silver Watch
Quartz
9
Check price
Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Depth Meter Chronograph Dive Watch
Quartz
8.5
Check price
Raymond Weil Chronograph Black Dial Men’s Watch
Quartz
8
Check price
Tissot Men’s T-Touch Black Dial Watch
Quartz
8
Check price
Hamilton Men's Khaki Field Stainless Steel Automatic Watch
Automatic
9.5
Check price
Longines Men’s Hydro Conquest Dial Watch
Automatic
9
Check price
Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Alliance Sub-seconds Watch
When we test watches, we do the following procedures to choose the best ones. These tests are important because they create value in watches and make sure that they are functional.
Water-resistance Test
When doing this test, we check resistance to water pressure, as well as resistance to condensation. Many people do not realize that condensation can be a concern to the well-being of watches because we experience it on a daily basis. However, many watches do not sit well in condensation and can go bad very quickly. This is important for customers that live in humid areas.
Accuracy Check for Watches
For most users, the accuracy of a watch is the most important feature. Watches are meant to tell time, so we want to make sure that this is one hundred percent accurate information. We test the accuracy by checking that the time is the exact same down to the second 24 hours apart.
Battery Check
Batteries determine the lifetime of a watch before having to get it fixed. If the watch battery does not last that long it becomes an inconvenience to the user. We make sure that the battery on the watch is of good quality when testing.
Fatigue Test
Watches are meant to be able to work for long periods of time. However, this is not always the case for some watches. They can sometimes become “fatigued,” which means that they slow down over time. There can also be physical wear on the wristband from wearing it for long periods of time. We want a watch to be able to resist all of this even after a long period of use.
Hamilton Men’s Khaki Field Stainless Steel Automatic Watch
Hamilton Khaki Field Watch is a 42mm stainless steel watch with mechanical automatic movement. A great buy for the fortune hunter looking for an undying watch that can endure a bit of abuse. The price is convincing as it sits as one of the best watches under 1000.
Its design is what I consider to be exemplary. While most manufacturers attempt to show off their technological prowess by cramming as many technical complications as they can, Hamilton has stripped everything to the essentials. Its beautiful symmetry with clean numbers makes it a breeze to read at a glance, and the combination of a black matte silver dial under a dark background is remarkably striking.
Since the Hamilton is manually wound, it sits closer to the wrist thanks to its leather band with continuous stitching and clasp closure. It houses an analog display, which is not only pretty to look at but also entirely accurate due to its automatic self-wind movement.
Additionally, it boasts a water resistant tolerance of up to 100m. It is, therefore, suitable for swimmers and snorkelers, though it might not be suitable for scuba divers. All of this features are offered for under 400, which I consider being excellent value for cash. And because of its surge in popularity, the value of the Hamilton in its watches under 1000 category can only go up.
Product
Hamilton Men's H70555533 Khaki Field Stainless Steel Automatic Watch with Brown Leather...
view on Amazon
PROS:
High quality at an extremely low cost
Doesn’t lose time for quite an extended period
Durable design and finish
CONS:
As a 42mm watch, it might be a bit larger for women’s wrists
Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s Maverick Chronograph Watch
Since most of my collection of watches under 1000 falls below the 700 benchmark, I’m quite impressed by the heritage and quality of the Victorinox Swiss Army wrist watch. As a proud owner, it gets the most wrist time and occupies a reserved position in my heart.
With regards to display, it boasts an effortlessly cool blue dial with silver-tone hands as well as a stainless steel case and bracelet. Its Swiss Quarts Movement and anti-reflective sapphire dial window are definitely some features to beat in this price range.
Perfect alongside darker suits styles or trench coats, the Victorinox Swiss Army is versatile with a wide range of clothing choices and color palettes.
Its design is somewhat of a wonder to watch. It all begins with its luminescent hands and markers which are not only pretty but a classic addition to the piece. Then there is the fixed stainless steel bezel and the scratch resistant sapphire crystal push plus the skeleton case back.
Additionally, Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s Maverick Chronograph Watch has clear Arabic numeral hour markers with 24 hours markings that make it easy to use and read. It is only safe to say that innovation is at the heart of every Victorinox product with exciting hi-tech advancements as every piece unfolds, and the Swiss Army definitely satisfies the list of the best watches under 1000.
Product
Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Maverick Chronograph Watch
view on Amazon
PROS:
It has a top-of-the-model look and feel
Its 43mm size sits well among most men
Even with some nicks and dings from everyday wear, it still looks good as new
CONS:
It loses time after an extended period; which is so with most watches regardless of price
Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Depth Meter Chronograph Dive Watch
Citizen is unsurprisingly one of the watch companies trusted by many due to their reliability and affordable price tags. The Citizen Men’s Eco is particularly one brand that turns heads and will eventually become an envied piece among your friends and business colleagues.
This is why it is not just a piece of jewelry; Citizen Men’s BJ2115-07E Eco-Drive Depth Meter Chronograph Imperial Rubber Dive Watch boasts an incredible horde of features that will add value to your image. First, it features a casing diameter of 50mm, definitely not for people with small wrists. Secondly, it has an alluring high-end shiny stainless steel case that perfectly complements every kind of wetsuit or clothing for activities under water.
Its eco-drive technology assures that the watch is always fueled just by exposing it to light. This means that you will never need batteries. Its analog display along with Japanese Quartz movement is not only pretty to look at but also quite easy to read. The fact that it has a rubber band with buckle closure ensures that it will always be closer to the wrist. In fact, it is almost impossible to feel yourself wearing a watch.
It is also definitely worth mentioning that the watch is a finely crafted masterpiece with smart functions including power reserve indicator and guilloche dial for both regulars and divers alike. Citizen can withstand up to 200 m under water. As one of the best watches under 1000, you will definitely never go wrong with it.
Renowned for its elegant style, Raymond Weil’s tradition is a testament to the brand’s watchmaking dexterity, and this model evidences this superbly.
With a sleek stainless steel bracelet and a case made from the same material, it is clear that the manufacturer did not compromise on build or quality. Its dial plays host to an incredible array of functionality with three sub-dials at 3, 6 and 9 respectively, while the aperture for date stands at 12.
Additionally, its italicized Roman numeral markers are not only pleasant to look at but also easy to read. The sophistication doesn’t stop there — it is complimented by the automatic movement that powers it making it a sturdy, comfortable and compact case.
Impeccable alongside a wide array of clothing items and color patterns, the Raymond Weil is unquestionably a legendary movement and one of the best watches under 1000. At just 39mm, this watch is a real testament to the legendary movement it upholds as far as aesthetics are concerned. First is the black dial with silver-toned hands then there is the solid back case and deployment clasp.
Let’s not forget it has quartz movement and scratch resistant sapphire — further additions to its infinite list of beautiful features. With regards to water resistance, it can withstand depths of up to 50 meters or 165 feet. Inclusively, the Raymond Weil Chronograph is one of the best watches under 1000 that you should definitely look out for.
Product
Raymond Weil Tradition Chronograph Black Dial Stainless Steel Mens Watch 4476-ST-00200
Like many other watches under 1000, I have to go with the Tissot Men’s T-Touch Black Dial Watch. I really believe it is the perfect watch for all occasions as it satisfies both aesthetics and technical desires for a well-priced timeless piece. It is a fantastic and relatively new watch with well-defined and reliable additions.
Tissot features quartz movement which is the newest and most popular movement that tells time correctly. The clean and classic 43mm lines in diameter and 14mm thick backed up by a stainless steel make it the S.I. unit of all watches — not too casual, not too small, not too big and not too dressy.
The silver tone luminescent hands have the chromo timing of cumulative lines and intermediate splits with precision levels of up to 1/100 of a second. Additionally, it has absolute and relative barometer functions that show weather changes via the hands and absolute or digital pressure on the digital display.
Its adjustable altimeter display, on the contrary, shows altitude above sea level in feet or meters. Temperature is shown in Celsius or Fahrenheit as well on the digital display. With regards to water resistance, 100 M or 330 FT is its tolerance level. It actually elevates your sports style, especially when wearing it for its digital and analog combination.
You won’t regret it — its multiple functions and rubber strap are classed under versatile and durable to compliment your active lifestyle. With all said and done, it definitely satisfies our list of the top 10 watches under 1000.
Product
Tissot Men's T0474201705100 T-Touch Black Chronograph Dial Watch
view on Amazon
PROS:
An array of functions for the sports buffs
Ideal size, good feel and easy to use
Made with quality components
CONS:
Some customers complained that it lacked durability
If you liked this article, you’ll also be interested in:
Hamilton Men’s Khaki Field Stainless Steel Automatic Watch
Another watch that makes it to our top 10 list of the best watches under 1000 is Hamilton’s Khaki Field automatic watch. Without a doubt, one of the first names that come to mind when asked to recommend watches under 1000 is the Hamilton Men’s Khaki automatic watch.
The case is modernly sized at 42mm and only 12mm thick with short lugs, making it a seamless fit for the wrist. I have a soft spot for nicely furnished in-house features and Hamilton’s live to this end with impressive functionality.
Because it is manually wound, it makes for a tight fit thanks to its clasp closure and leather band. It hosts an analog display, which is great to look at and is also very accurate when measuring time. As if that’s not enough, it can withstand water up to 330 feet or 100M.
As such, it is suitable for swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers alike. As you can see, it is one of the best watches under 1000 which do not compromise on quality or functionality.
And all this at an incredibly affordable price?
Yes, you are assured of a good back for your buck.
Product
Hamilton Men's H70555533 Khaki Field Stainless Steel Automatic Watch with Brown Leather...
view on Amazon
PROS:
High quality at an affordable price
Doesn’t lose time for quite an extended period
Durable and sleek design and finish
CONS:
Quite pricey, but comes with all the right features
If you’re looking for one of the best quality watches under 1000, it doesn’t get any better than the Longines Men’s Hydro Conquest dial watch. This is one watch to look out for especially if you’re thinking about value. From an aesthetic viewpoint, the dial of the Longines is uncluttered.
The subtle Arabic numeral marks at the 6, 9 and 12 o’clock positions balance with the date at 3 o’clock position and minute markers are on the outer rim. One of the things that most appeals about this watch is its stainless steel case and bracelet which are made from the same material — it is super chic making it predominantly stand out.
Technically, it becomes really hard not to give due respect to its in-house automatic system. It features L263 quartz movement and an urban black dial option with luminous hands and dot hour marks which make reading time absolutely a breeze. The case is perfectly sized at 39mm with a thickness of a little over 10mm; you can bet it’s a natural fit for your wrist.
With regards to water resistance, it can tolerate well over 900 feet or 300M — a number that is yet to be beaten by other brands at its price range. As such, it is not only suitable for swimmers, but also snorkelers and scuba divers who are free to go to depths of 30 meters for 2 hours straight.
Again, for such a reputable brand, their integrity to innovation within the craft of watch manufacturing really stands out. And as one of the best watches under 1000, the Longines Hydro watch is unbeatable.
Product
Longines Men's L3.640.4.56.6 Hydro Conquest Black Dial Watch
view on Amazon
PROS:
It has a quality build
It has an elegant black finish which is so attractive
The dial has enough lume on the hands plus three numbers and dots
CONS:
The date window is small; but for the date wheel movement, it can’t get any larger
Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s Alliance Sub-seconds Watch
If you’re out to find something a little under the radar, something you might have to hunt for, then the Victorinox Infantry display watch is your best bet. Artistically, this watch screams retro cool with its fab round stainless steel case. Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s Alliance Sub-seconds Watch definitely checks all your boxes: trendy looks, great movement, quality build and of course, friendly price tag.
Its elegance makes it a top contender for the best watches under 1000. Regarding display, it boasts an effortlessly cool brown dial with leather calfskin band material. Its Swiss-quartz movement and anti-reflective sapphire are some of the high-end features to beat in its price category.
Perfect for darker suit styles, this watch is versatile and timeless complimenting a broad range of clothes and colors. Its case is perfectly sized at 44 mm in diameter. You can almost already see how it’s designed to naturally fit your medium–sized wrists.
Additionally, it can tolerate water well over 100M or 330 feet deep. As such, it is only safe to say that it’s suitable for swimming and snorkeling but not diving. As a Victorinox Swiss Army product and one of the watches under 1000, you can be certainly assured of quality as all pieces under this brand boast of attention to user’s quality needs.
Once you buy it, you can enjoy a 3-year warranty offer from the company.
Product
Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Alliance Sub-seconds Watch
view on Amazon
PROS:
It looks amazing and fits comfortably
It has a subtle movement at its price point
Its elegant brown straps are very attractive
CONS:
Some consumers complained of a big face, but this is by no means a deal breaker
First of all, Tissot Men’s watch is a fascinating brand. It was created in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile joined forces to set up Tissot in the small town of Le Locle. Arguably, it has entered its own watch group of elite quality and remarkable functionality. This brand of watches boast precise in-house movements, and when they call it in-house, it actually is.
At the tip of the 1960s, specific models for the young were added to the Tissot catalogue. the planning of Tissot collections bore witness to the influence of fashion, with colorful and stunning models. Furthermore, always on the lookout for the most recent trends, Tissot worked closely with international designers – like Pekka Piekäinen, who created the Tissot Design watch.
In the 1980s, Tissot developed its quartz collection and designed watches for both men and girls, suppressing boundaries between genders. It launched famous models, like the Tissot RockWatch, the world’s first watch with a case product of natural stone.
Moreover, its analog display with Swiss quartz movement makes it pleasant to look at and easy to read. All this under 1000, and you have pretty incredible value. There are a few things that I wish could be improved including the 100m deep water tolerance level. But this is a pretty minor point, and overall it is still one of the sweetest watches under 1000.
Product
Tissot Men's T0356171603100 Couturier Silver Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch With Brown Leather...
Hamilton ‘Khaki Aviation’ Stainless Steel Dress Watch
There are a variety of watches under 1000, but my favorite at the moment has to be the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Steel Dress Watch. Although there are a number of Hamilton models out there, none fits the bill quite impressively like the H64615135 model.
It’s the whole package honestly-the 42mm case, the top-drawer in-house movement and the drop-dead gorgeous luminescent hands over a stylish black dial — this is an absolutely fantastic level of quality for a watch at its price level, and you probably know this because you can find watched ten times pricier but with little to offer. The effect of the second hand contrasting against the minute and hour hand is worth the price by itself.
But what offers more bang for the buck is the attention to detail that accompanies this watch. At just 42mm, this watch is a true testimony to its historical movement as far as movement is concerned. It features Swiss automatic movement that makes it really accurate when measuring time. Its date display is at the 3 o’clock position and day of the week display is at the 12 o’clock position.
With regards to water resistance, it can withstand up to 330 feet of water and is, therefore, suitable for swimming and snorkeling. In short, it is only safe to say that it definitely fits the bill as one of the best watches under 1000.
Even though watch selection always comes down to personal preference, here are some of the main factors to consider when looking for a watch:
When Will You Be Wearing Your Watch?
If you’re buying a watch, you should first ask yourself when you will be wearing the watch.
For instance, a watch to be worn with a suit or tuxedo should be very different from a watch worn on a construction site or during a heavy workout. With that said, the world of watches is divided into three separate categories-dress, sport, and dive. The selection of any of these choices becomes much easier when you’re fully aware of the occasion you are going to wear it to.
Additionally, if the watch is going to be your only watch, then you should consider one that can transcend through various occasions. If you’re at the beginning of a watch collection search, then consider having a variety of different watches for different occasions, rather than an everyday watch. Let’s break them down even further:
The Diving Watch
A diving watch is primarily designed to function in the depths of water. It is characterized by luminous dial and hands, rugged construction and unidirectional bezel. Its case sits on top so that it can be easy to read and tell how much immersion time is left.
Most diving watches owe their design and functionality to the Rolex Submariner — the first 1953 watch to work at a depth of 100m. As far as aesthetics is concerned, this is one watch that will definitely win your heart. It is not only versatile but an all-rounder of sorts.
The Dress Watch
While many people associate dress watches with Roman numerals, simple faces, and minimal adornments, the dress watch is one of the trendiest timepieces available. It is specially designed with a super-thin leather strap so that it can remain unnoticed under the wearer’s clothing until the need arises.
As much as they are mainly used to perform only one primary function — to tell time, they tend to be the most precious jewels on one’s body. This is because many people love to have their everyday timepieces plated with expensive metals like gold and silver.
The Sport Watch
Sporting watches have an irresistible glamor that makes it irresistible for sports buffs not to own them. Sports watches usually have a chronograph complication — especially for those in motor-racing. Others have a tachymeter on the bezel — like the omega speed master.
A tachymeter is a device used to measure the amount of speed. Perhaps, most runners would appreciate such a device in their favorite timepieces. Sports watches range from below 20 on the lower end, watches under 1000 for the middle range to the extremely exotic pieces above 1000.
Furthermore, sports watches are famous for their incredibly attractive features. They are just seriously too damn good.
What Physique Do You Prefer?
Even though watch enthusiasts tend to go for the finer details of a watch rather than the physical look, other people will look at their watches from the perspective of how it looks.
While you would wish there were more people to scrutinize your watch and admire every single detail, the only four elements that will matter from a distance are — size, shape, dial color, and material of casing. So like the four items that define a diamond, these are the four features that describe most watches, at least from afar.
Shape
Most sports watches have a round case, but rectangular, square and cushion shapes can offer more distinct looks. The best advice when looking for a watch that fits you is to focus less on fashion trends but concentrate more on the look and feel of the watch after you wear it on your wrist.
Again, instead of paying much attention to the size of your wrist, you’ll do much better paying more attention to your height and weight, and therefore look for one that perfectly matches your size without looking dwarfed.
Size
Today, a watch is said to be large if its case measures 45mm and above, medium if its case measures something around the 40mm range and small if its case measures something around the 35mm range. The thickness of the case is also a great factor to consider when choosing a watch.
For instance, if you’re looking to find a slim watch, the thickness of the case should be around 8mm. For something bigger, you would want to consider case thickness of around 15mm.
Case Material
In the olden days, watches used to have two primary materials — gold and silver. Golden watches used to be gold plated, 14 karats or 18 karats; silver watches used to be stainless steel or chromium plated. Back then, golden watches used to be considered dress watches while silver watches used to be sports watches.
Today, materials range from titanium, black PVD, ceramics, and plastics. All of these materials are ideal for everyday use, but the choice lies squarely on aesthetic preference.
Dial Color
Gone are the days when dials used to either be black or white. In recent years, people have embraced more colorful choices with dial colors ranging from charcoal and chocolate gray and blue.
Sports watches, for instance, offer a broad variety of color options, with bright orange and yellow colors for dive watches.
Dress watches, on the other hand, have colors ranging from pearl, lacquered and guilloche.
Which Movement Do You Prefer?
Having determined how the watch should look like and what occasion you will be wearing the watch to; we should now advance to the finer details of the watch. Here, we are going to focus on the movement of the watch. This simply means understanding the basics of what makes it tick.
Movement is the mechanism inside the watch that powers it. There are two main types of movements — quartz and automatic.
Quartz
Quartz watches use an oscillator, regulated by a piece of quartz and powered by batteries to keep time. Most watches use quartz movements because they are cheap to make and are still very accurate. The second type of movement is the automatic movement. This is where things get a lot more interesting.
Automatic
An automatic watch works by utilizing movements of the wearer’s wrist to wind the mainspring which powers the watch. Great watch brands like Rolex and Omega all use this type of movement.
If you take off your automatic watch from your wrist, it will gradually stop. This is because it can no longer run without powered by the movement of the wrist. The time it takes for this to happen depends on the type of watch — others will take 48 hours while others will go up to five days.
A Quick Introduction to Straps
The thing that binds your watch to your wrist is also a tremendously significant thing to consider when choosing an elegant timepiece.
Generally, metal bracelets look great and scream masculinity while leather watches are an excellent choice for dressy timepieces. The NATO Strap is famous in the world of Esquire, mostly worn with Rolex Submariner. If it suits James Bond well enough, it might suit you too.
Accuracy Shouldn’t Be a Bother
A quartz watch is the best watch for keeping time accurately, but a good automatic watch should only lose about 30 seconds in a single week. If you’re out to get a super-accurate watch, then look for one that’s certified by a chronometer.
These watches account for only a small percentage of all mechanical watches, and that’s the main reason why their prices are a bit on the luxury end of the spectrum.
What About the Brand?
Some people prefer to buy a brand that is well-known, while others may want to have a particular brand name on their timepieces. If a brand name is widely known, then be ready to pay for the name.
But then again, is it really worth it?
If you really feel that the added benefit of a brand is well worth the cost, then go for it. I know how satisfying it gets to floss around a well-known flashy brand. Otherwise, it wouldn’t hurt to know that there are many other watches with a quality comparable to the leading brands, but at half the price.
Would You Prefer a Little Bling?
When choosing a watch, one of the most important criterions for selection is whether you would like it to be straightforward and clean, with minimal decoration or with something more elaborate. Perhaps, the most common styles of decoration include jewels, engraving, open dials that exhibit movement or those that let you see all the way through to the case.
If you’re a beginner, and you want to add some bling to your watch, you should ask yourself whether you will love the design five years later or you might become tired and bored with it. If the answer to the latter is no, then feel free to choose a design that you’re sure will endure the test of time.
How Pricing Works
Have you ever been in a situation where you see two apparently identical watches but one is 15,000 while the other is 200? Well, it all comes down to materials, brand heritage and length of manufacture. Quartz watches are generally cheaper because their movement costs a lot less. You can get one at just $10 or even below.
Automatic movements, on the other hand, cost more because they are made in-house and undergo a lot of rigorous tests to ensure they are functioning well.
Additionally, they are made of more valuable materials and come fully equipped with rave reviews; you dare not have an ounce of doubt when buying them. Many watches under 1000 have automatic movements.
Now You’re on Your Own
After reading through all of the above, you should now have a better idea of what watch to buy and why some watches demand a high status in terms of price tags. Regardless of your budget, you will be able to work through the maze of watch brands and select the watch of your dreams.
Of course, a chunkier budget will give you more choices and better quality, but no matter how much you want to spend you can get just the perfect choice that suits you. Soon, you will come to realize why you ditched a dream holiday with your partner in favor of a small thing on your wrist. Huh! No words to say.
The Sport Watch
