2024’s Best Watches Under $1000 For The Savvy Collector

When I first began my collection, I primarily focused on finding the best watches under $1000 – and I did so for good reason. With how far the industry has come, consumers have more power now than before with the advent of mass production and more accurate watchmaking tools. As such, we’re in a position of being able to spend less and get so much more for our dollar.

Are all brands offering the same quality and unique offerings on a level playing field? No – there are specific wristwatches that provide better value than those around them. Those watches are what I want to highlight and share with you below.

Please enjoy this selection of our favorite watches under $1000. This list is ever-growing and constantly undergoing updates. As such, please let us know your thoughts on our choices and if there are any watches you believe should be included.

Orient Mako II

Case Size:	41.5mm x 47mm x 13mm
Movement:	Orient F6922 (Mechanical Movement)
Power Reserve:	40 Hours
Accuracy:	+25/-15 seconds per day
Hand Winding	Yes
Hacking	Yes
Price Range:	$140 – $220

Orient is one of those brands that’s easy for most watch enthusiasts to dismiss. But I’ve learned over the years that those brands that people shrug off can sometimes be the ones that are the most meaningful to you. My experience with the Orient Mako II was so positive that it’s one of my most recommended timepieces. Presenting itself as an upgrade from the original generation Mako dive watch, the Mako II features a new movement, improved build quality, and updated case design.

The updated F6299 in-house movement features hacking and manual winding, representing an important milestone on their path to a vertically integrated watch manufacturing process. As such, that allows the brand to be more innovative and creative with its releases while not incurring significant costs to the consumer. That’s why, at under $200, the Orient Mako is perfect for someone looking for a dive watch with a traditional aesthetic, comfortable case, and automatic movement.

We have more photos and insights in our hands-on review.

Citizen Promaster Dive Eco-Drive (BN0151-09L)

Case Size:	43mm x 44mm x 12mm
Movement:	Citizen Eco-Drive E168 (Solar quartz movement)
Power Reserve:	6 Months
Accuracy:	+/- 15 seconds per month
Hand Winding	n/a
Hacking	Yes
Price Range:	$200 – $300

Most watch collectors don’t realize they need at least one GADA (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) watch. Even more watch collectors need to learn that the near-perfect GADA watch is available for between $200 and $300. The Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive presents itself as one of the best watches under $1000 available today and easily one of the best affordable divers on the market today. It features Citizen’s innovative eco-drive technology, which means this is a solar-powered watch with no battery changes and no movement winding.

The Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive is also ISO compliant, which means it’s tested to standardized and rigorous reliability and endurance tests to ensure it’s a dive watch that you can rely on. That’s a reliability engineering level that most other watches in this price point can’t match. With an eco-friendly movement, comfortable wearing experience, and robust dive watch compliance standards – this is easily one of our favorite timepieces on this list.

Check out additional insights and photos in the full Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive Diver write-up.

Seiko Turtle

In 2016, Seiko re-released what the Seiko diver community affectionately referred to as the Seiko Turtle. An iconic case shape and classic dive watch design, the original was released initially in 1976, and this modern reissue pays appropriate homage to its predecessor by being one of the market’s greatest and most influential vintage reissue timepieces.

An asymmetrical, cushion-style case houses bold and legible hour indices arranged with clean symmetry that draw your eye towards the interior. The no-frills but impactful design language of the Seiko Turtle contributes significantly to its lasting endurance. But more than that, it’s also an appropriately reliable and rugged tool when needed – the crown and caseback screw down, which support the 200m of water resistance. You also can’t go wrong with Seiko’s LumiBrite, their proprietary luminescent paint that is incredibly bright and long-lasting.

Prices range from under $300 to $700, with many variations encompassing a variety of case finishes, colors, and dial textures.

Want a more detailed look? Check out our full hands on review!

Seiko 5 Sports Field GMT (SSK023)

Case Size:	39.4mm x 47.9mm x 13.6mm
Movement:	Seiko 4R34 (Mechanical)
Power Reserve:	41 hours
Accuracy:	+45 / -35 seconds / day
Hand Winding	Yes
Hacking	Yes
Price Range:	$435

With the advent of Seiko releasing their in-house 4R34 mechanical GMT movement within the Seiko 5 line, we knew it was only a matter of time until we began seeing the movement iterated in new and exciting designs. Then, the Seiko 5 Sports Field GMT (SSK023) was released, and we were ecstatic. Featuring a balanced, informative, and classic 24-hour field watch dial, this GMT presents itself as a highly legible field watch that’s function-heavy but still refreshing.

A curved Hardlex crystal and very wearable 39mm diameter case would easily allow this to be a watch you throw on and forget about until you need it. That’s the essence of a field watch. Plus, the 100m of water resistance, drilled lugs (for easy strap changes), and added functionality of multiple time zone tracking push this release over the top for us (in a good way).

Baltic Aquascaphe

Case Size:	39mm x 47mm x 12mm
Movement:	Miyota 9039 (Mechanical)
Power Reserve:	42 Hours
Accuracy:	-10 / +30 seconds per day
Manual Winding	Yes
Hacking	Yes
Price Range:	$500 – $600

The Baltic Aquascaphe is one of the best-executed vintage-styled microbrand dive watches we’ve ever seen. Based in France, Baltic watches debuted in 2017 and very quickly defined their aesthetic ethos. Subtle but impactful, minimal but bold with a strong dash of vintage nuances, every Baltic watch is meticulously designed to fit the brand’s vision.

The Aquascaphe, in particular, is noteworthy for being an incredibly unique but still familiar entry into the otherwise oversaturated vintage-style dive watch market. The stainless steel case sits beautifully on the wrist at 39mm in diameter and 47mm lug to lug. This overall wearing experience is enhanced even further by the fantastic execution of the beads of rice bracelet.

The Miyota 9039 movement offers affordable reliability without incurring unnecessary and bloated extra costs for the user. The overall package on the Baltic Aquascaphe is near perfect, and this should be on your radar if you’re looking at a vintage-styled dive watch that’s under 40mm in diameter.

Check out the full hands on review for all the details and more unique photos!

Orient Star Contemporary Standard

Orient Star often gets overlooked outside of Japan – the Japanese watch brand is technically in a higher tier class of watches than those in the standard Orient line (like the Mako, Ray, and Bambino). Generally, what differentiates an Orient Star model from a standard Orient model are the materials used in crafting the timepiece and the high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. A fantastic entry point into the Orient Star collection is the Orient Star Contemporary Standard. This classic 3-hand dress watch features beautifully finished dauphine hands, baton indices (with an inwardly beveled edge), and an overall fit and finishes that would give most other watches in this price range a run for their money.

What tends to separate the Orient Star Contemporary Standard from other dress watches in this category is the user of mixed marker types and the iconic power reserve display. For Orient Star, the power reserve display has become a well-known design feature of the brand. It’s easy to include it since many of their in-house calibers have the power reserve designed into their base movement. The Roman numeral “XII” is another iconic inclusion specific to this Orient Star Contemporary series.

I’ll also note that the Orient Star models I’ve owned in the past have had excellent steel bracelets, whereas sometimes, in this price range, it’s easy for the bracelet to feel like an afterthought. Ultimately, with a stainless steel case diameter of 39.3mm and a lug-to-lug of 46.2mm, anyone who is looking for a very tasteful but subtle dress watch that’s right in the sweet spot of being appropriately sized and not small would be wise to check out these Orient Star models. You can find them ranging between many neutral color options like white dials and black dials, but there are also some varied color options (like blue dials) that you can discover as you explore the watches.

Seiko Presage Style60’s SRPG Collection

Initially released in 2021, the Seiko Presage Style60’s is a unique release from the iconic Japanese brand. This series pays homage to Seiko’s original “Crown Chronograph,” which debuted in 1964 and was the brand’s first mechanical chronograph. The watch featured a single-button chronograph pusher, a stacked double baton marker dial layout, and a dark/light contrasting visual tone palette between the dial and the bezel.

While this modern iteration is not a chronograph, it takes the iconic design cues from the original dial. It presents them in a way that pays tribute to Seiko’s past while offering refreshed and appropriate reinterpretations of the design. The two model iterations that we’re highlighting here are the standard 3-hander and the open-heart, 24-hour hand versions.

With a 40.8mm diameter and a 12mm tall case, the watch should offer an incredibly comfortable and balanced wearing experience. Ultimately, this will be perfect for anyone looking for an everyday watch that leans towards the vintage aesthetic with some modern contrast between light and dark to create a familiar, worn-in design.

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical

The Hamilton Khaki product line perfectly embodies affordable, readily available, and authentically designed field watches today. As such, any discussion about field watches or even watches under $1000 will inevitably include something from this series – we’re no exception here. The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is one of the best and most respected models in the Khaki product line, and it represents one of the best everyday watches you could consider.

What makes the Field Mechanical special among the entire Khaki product line is that it’s a hand-wound movement, meaning there is no automatic rotor. So when it’s time to charge the movement, you’re turning the crown to wind the mainspring (instead of relying on your movement to spin the rotor with centrifugal force tied into the mainspring). This hand movement also allows the watch to be incredibly thin at 9.5mm and 38mm in diameter and 47mm lug to lug; it just wears incredibly well compared to other models in the Khaki series (which can range from 42mm to 45mm).

As an everyday watch, the Khaki Field Mechanical would be ideal for someone looking for a timepiece on the smaller side and featured a vintage military aesthetic (especially when kept on the provided NATO strap). The Field Mechanical would also be a great watch to feature on many different straps, from leather to rubber straps and everything in between. So, if you’re looking for one everyday watch that can be versatile style-wise, the Field Mechanical, with a handful of different strap options, would take a long way.

Looking for more insights on the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical? Check out the full hands on review!

Mido Ocean Star Titanium

While various Mido Ocean Star models are available, I’m mainly focusing on the titanium version for our discussion. Hands down, this is one of the best titanium watches available for the price today.

The titanium’s lightness, the thinness of the case, and the 80-hour power reserve create a wrist presence and wearing experience that tends to leave a lasting impression. Also, Mido is part of the Swatch Group, and generally, most watches in this price range from the Swatch Group have very excellent QC as well as fit and finish.

Pictured above is the earlier generation version of the watch, which only had a single model available in orange with muted grey. In 2022, however, Mido released three more titanium models with additional colors. These newer models slightly depart from the earlier generation, featuring more polished surfaces and a wave-like dial texture. Plus, the price can push outside the budget for our discussion depending on where and how you choose to acquire the piece.

As such, I encourage you to go for the earlier generation if you don’t hate orange.

Bulova Lunar Pilot

The Bulova Lunar Pilot was initially made famous by U.S. astronaut Dave Scott, who wore the now iconic timepiece on the Apollo 15 Moon mission. The story goes that after his issued Speedmaster’s crystal popped off leading up to the Apollo 15 launch, Dave Scott decided to wear his Bulova Lunar Pilot in its place since it was technically his provided backup watch.

After the original watch was sold at auction in 2015 (by Dave Scott himself), Bulova reissued the modern Lunar Pilot in the same year. First impressions focused on the watch as an alternative to the Speedmaster, which it obviously bears a resemblance to. But quickly, the Bulova Lunar Pilot began to make a name for itself as the watch community began to appreciate its unique history in space and its incredible high-frequency quartz movement.

The movement sets this watch apart from most other chronographs on the market. The NP20 262kHz quartz movement beats approximately eight times faster than a traditional quartz movement, making it incredibly accurate (more accurate than most other wristwatches) at -10/+10 seconds per year. Bulova has made the Lunar Pilot available in two sizes, 43.5mm and 45mm in diameter (both of which are larger sizes).

If you’d like to learn more, be sure to explore our full Bulova Lunar Pilot write up.

Tissot Visodate Powermatic 80

When someone asks us for a recommendation for a simple “nice” white dial dress watch that can be dressed up or down and also has an automatic movement, we always include the Tissot Visodate Powermatic 80 in our list of recommendations. The Tissot Visodate debuted in 1953, and its overall design aesthetic has retained much of its 1950s DNA. Not overly designed with just enough restraint to not be gaudy but also designed just well enough to let you know it’s something special, the modern Visodate features a design that deftly strikes a chord that’s typically difficult to hit.

At 42mm, the watch would technically be on the larger side for a traditional dress watch. However, the restrained dial presents a manageable design with its somewhat short baton indices and thin dauphine hands. With this much negative space on the dial, the Visodate captures a sense of vintage simplicity that’s easy to fall in love with.

So, if you’re looking for a modern crafted dress watch with some authentic vintage watch design DNA, you’d have a hard time finding a better timepiece than the Tissot Visodate. Plus, the added benefit of 80 hours of power reserve from the Powermatic 80 movement is hard to top.

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80

Perfect for anyone who loves retro vibes, the modern PRX reimagines the original Tissot model released in the 1970s. By staying faithful to the design features of the original release, this automatic watch offers sporty 1970s design aesthetics with the added benefit of being a modern crafted watch.

The main thrust of the aesthetic ethos here is the characteristic case design. The case features a prominent flat surface accentuated by the rounded bezel and the slightly angled but still flat-featured lugs. The lugs themselves are the start of the integrated bracelet system, meaning that the bracelet itself doesn’t feature an end link that clicks into the case with the aid of a spring bar. Instead, the integrated bracelet features no prominent or visibly noticeable connection points to the case, which helps emphasize the clean, flat surface of the case by not interrupting it with the lines created by bracelet end links. The integrated bracelet and the flat surfaces of the watch are incredibly indicative of the timepiece’s 1970s origin.

Since its latest re-issue in 2021, the PRX line has expanded to feature a variety of dial and case options. Of particular note is the PRX Powermatic 80, which gives you all these iconic 1970s design cues with the bonus of automatic movement in a very thin and wearable watch (10.9mm). Ultimately, the Tissot PRX would be an excellent fit for someone with a nostalgic heart for all things 1970s-related, but on the flip side, this would be a great “wildcard” watch for anyone’s collection.

Yema Flygraf Pilot M2

Case Size:	39mm x 48mm x 13mm
Movement:	YEMA2000 (Mechanical)
Power Reserve:	42 Hours
Accuracy:	-10 / +10 seconds per day
Manual Winding	Yes
Hacking	Yes
Price Range:	$750 – $800

Yema has yet to be a household name amongst most collectors, but it should be. Based in France, the watch brand’s history spans back to 1948, and very quickly, from that inception, it was regarded as a provider of high-quality and affordable tool watches. It has been associated with French racing, aviation, and aerospace milestones and culture throughout its history. Despite this success, the brand experienced hardship due to the quartz crisis, which led to its acquisition by Seiko in 1988.

However, in 2004, Seiko sold Yema, and the brand became a French-owned business again. Since then, the Yema team has been working to revitalize the brand’s image and unique product offerings – such is the case with the Yema Flygraf. Initially created in 1969 as a pilot chronograph, the product line has changed in its current iteration. Yema collaborated with acrobatics pilot Sammy Mason to create a pilot’s style watch that combined WW2 field watch and pilot watch aesthetics, bringing us the modern Yema Flygraf Pilot M2, an incredibly unique take on the pilot watch design.

The Flygraf Pilot M2’s 39mm case diameter offers a wearing experience that shouldn’t overwhelm your wrist. But this is juxtaposed by the smooth fixed bezel being quite broad, meaning there is less dial visible, which can make the watch feel slightly smaller than the specs indicate. However, this is further complicated because the watch is 13mm thick, which will be somewhat bulky on smaller wrist sizes. Notably, the lug width on the Yema Flygraf PIlot M2 is 19mm, a nonstandard size.

However, despite these sizing nuances, the Flygraf’s unique design and niche nature as a legacy French brand make it a fantastic contender for someone in the market for a watch under $1000 that’s tough, uniquely designed, and features a bit of aviation history sprinkled into the mix. There is a black dial and a dark grey dial version available.

Citizen Promaster Mechanical Diver in Titanium

Citizen doesn’t often stray too far into the tumultuous waters of dive watches, but that’s been changing recently. They’ve been expanding their Promaster line with Eco-Drive and mechanical-powered divers. One of the more noteworthy and exciting releases was the Promaster Mechanical Diver in Titanium.

The Citizen Challenge Diver initially debuted in the 1970s, and that watch inspires this latest Promaster Mechanical Diver. As such, it offers a clean, legible, and not overly designed aesthetic. Its design allows it to function as a tool first and a fashion or lifestyle statement second – just like the original Challenge Diver.

Using titanium (a classic Citizen trademark) coupled with the 41mm diameter creates a solidly legible diver without an overly heavy wearing experience. The black dial includes a rubber strap, while the blue dial has a bracelet. The Promaster Diver in Titanium would be the perfect dive watch for someone interested in a timeless, no-fuss-designed diver.

Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80

You may be looking for a timeless dress watch under $1000 but with a bit less of a lean toward a vintage aesthetic with a clean, modern 40mm case diameter. You’re looking for a Tissot Gentlemen Powermatic 80. Initially introduced in 2019, the Tissot Gentlemen was Tissot’s answer to the need for a widely marketable, reliable, and visually appealing versatile dress watch.

Featuring styled baton hands, ever-so-subtly wedged markers, and various colors, the Tissot Gentlemen has enough dial options and iterations to make anyone happy if they want this automatic watch. The interplay between polished and brushed surfaces reinforces the timepiece’s ability to exist seamlessly between what I’d call a “formal” dress watch and a “casual” dress watch.

The Powermatic 80 movement featured here is also loaded with a silicium hairspring, making it less susceptible to the negative influences of magnetism. Traditional metal hairsprings can often become magnetized, which impacts their overall accuracy. silicium is based on silicon, meaning it isn’t magnetic – a nice bonus that elevates the Tissot Gentlemen Powermatic 80 as a very user-friendly and versatile dress watch.

Certina DS-2 Automatic

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Certina needs to be more popular as a watch brand for watch collectors based in the US. As a Swatch Group-owned brand, they have incredible access to other Swatch technologies (like ETA movements) and distribution. However, Certina is distributed primarily in European countries, which is why they aren’t a well-known name in the US. Thankfully, you can find most Certina models online, which is great because, for those willing to do the work and research, you can access a legacy Swiss watch brand that offers fantastic value, unique designs, and horological history.
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The Certina DS-2 presents itself as an excellent entry point to the brand for those in the market for a casual everyday watch. Initially released in 1968 as a follow-up diver to the popular Certina DS, the watch is redesigned today not necessarily as a diver but as a well-designed casual timepiece that embodies the vintage 1960s ethos.

Available in various dial colors, case finishes, and strap/bracelet combos, those who are remotely interested in the Certina DS-2 can find a model they’re attracted to. Plus, as we’ve seen a few times now in our discussion since the DS-2 is part of the Swatch Group family lineup, it features the Powermatic 80 movement, which offers a generous 80 hours of power reserve as well as high-quality precision and craftsmanship for which ETA is known.

Seiko Presage Sharp Edged “Date Display” Series

Case Size:	39.3mm x 47.2mm x 11.1mm
Movement:	Seiko 6R35 (Mechanical)
Power Reserve:	70 Hours
Accuracy:	-15 / +25 seconds per day
Manual Winding	Yes
Hacking	Yes
Price Range:	$950

The designers and marketers at Seiko are masters in finding the most creative and artistic ways of describing watch designs that you or I would say are “cool” looking. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the marketing didn’t still work for me. A case in point for this is the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged series. The Sharp Edged series is characterized most noticeably by its unique dial textures, modeled off of the Japanese hemp leaf pattern (Asanoha). The crux of the design motif is that this product series utilized flat and angled textures to create visual gradients on both the dial and the case. This design evokes a sense of freshness and intrigue as the light interplays along these textures.

Within the Sharp Edged series, I’m highlighting the “Date Display” models in particular. This Seiko features classic and elegant dimensions at 39mm in diameter and is very comfortable at only 11mm thick. But rather than being too under the radar or forgettable, these classic dimensions are elevated by the uniqueness of the dial. The Seiko 6R35 movement also offers a fantastic 70 hours of power reserve.

There is also a wide variety of dial colors and case finishes to suit almost anyone’s tastes. At its core, the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged “Date Display” models would be perfect for someone who wanted a watch under $1000 that was classic and timeless at its core but with a modern, fun x-factor design trope, which you’d get from the dial texture.

Doxa Sub-200

Case Size:	42mm x 46mm x 13.8mm
Movement:	ETA 2824-2 (Mechanical)
Power Reserve:	38 Hours
Accuracy:	+/- 12 seconds to +/- 30 seconds per day
Manual Winding	Yes
Hacking	Yes
Price Range:	$950 – $990

Only some legacy dive watch brands have embodied their ethos of offering vintage reissue timepieces like Doxa. With a history like theirs, it’s easy to lean into it. From their partnership with Jacques Cousteau to being one of the first watch brands to offer an affordable, purposeful dive watch, the modern Doxa Sub 200 presents itself as one of the best watches for anyone interested in owning an iconic vintage reissue.

They are drawing inspiration from the original ref. 11804-4 released in 1963, the modern Doxa Sub 200 is available in 7 different color varieties. A 42mm stainless steel case also creates solid wrist presence without necessarily being too large due to the vintage-inspired angle of the lugs as they taper inwards towards the steel bracelet. This piece also features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

If you’re looking for a modern diver with contemporary sizing combined with vintage dive watch DNA, the Doxa Sub 200 is worth your attention.

Junghans Max Bill Manual Wind 027/3700.00

Minimalist aesthetics with a bold but logical design ethos that also has a sense of playfulness – the Junghans Max Bill series has been a Bauhaus icon in the world of watch collecting for a long time. In 1956, the legacy German watch brand collaborated with Max Bill (a well-known artist and designer) to create a timepiece that embodied the spirit of Bauhaus design.

Bauhaus’s design approach characterizes the systematic practice of creating a balance between one’s artistic perspective and the growing popularity of mass-produced items. Also fundamental to Bauhaus is the need to emphasize the function of an item or space. That’s why you get Bauhaus-designed pieces featuring minimal and sparse space usage and angles on the design plane.

In the case of the Junghans Max Bill, the resulting creation was iconic, and while there are many iterations within the MB product line, the model I’m highlighting is the Max Bill Manual Wind. A minimalist manual wind timepiece with a case diameter of 34mm, the Manual Wind is an ideal choice for someone who wants something understated, design-forward, playful, and slightly nostalgic toward vintage tastes.

Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Automatic

Few watch brands like Christopher Ward have evolved, grown, and affected their image in the watch community. But truthfully, as I look back on everything – everything they went through was necessary for them to discover their unique but incredibly approachable brand aesthetic. An aesthetic that I can only describe as “it just works.”

Clean, without unnecessary elements, but still feeling designed to its maximum potential – that’s what Christopher Ward’s design ethos has always embodied for me. When I step back and analyze their entire product catalog, the C63 Sealander exemplifies this wonderfully.

A simple three-hand automatic timepiece featuring a very wearable 39mm case diameter and a tasteful wrist presence, the C63 may be one of the best everyday watches on the market. You can dress it down or dress it up. You can swap out the bracelet for a myriad of strap options, and no matter what you’re doing or how you’re pairing the timepiece, it’ll still embody that Christopher Ward ethos of “it just works.”