09/30/2014 | Updated on: 02/01/2024
 6 minutes

Our Top 10 Best Watches Under $1,000

By Jorg Weppelink
Best Watches Under $1,000

Best Watches Under $1,000

When we talk about luxury watches, people often think of brands like Rolex, Omega, and Breitling with price tags in the thousands of dollars. But watches do not always have to cost an arm and a leg. There are plenty of amazing choices from brands big and small that won’t break the bank. We created a top 10 of our favorite watches under $1,000. There are ten different watches in different styles from different brands, all of which are great choices if you want an affordable watch.

1. Tissot PRX Powermatic 80

The most acclaimed watch under $1,000 is undoubtedly the Tissot PRX. The PRX is modeled after a vintage Tissot Seastar from the 1970s, with a modern, sporty case and integrated bracelet. The PRX comes in two sizes, with either a quartz or mechanical movement. Our favorites are the versions with the Powermatic 80 mechanical movement. Not only do they have a reliable automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve, but they also have a different dial with a beautiful embossed tapisserie pattern that is available in different colors. The Tissot PRX is the complete package and an immediate first pick for this list at $695.

Available in various colors: the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (here in ice blue)
Available in various colors: the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (here in ice blue)

2. Seiko Prospex SPB317

Another brand that immediately comes to mind for watches under $1,000 is Seiko. The Japanese brand has a wide selection of models that could make this list, so I suggest you check out the brand’s extensive collection. We have chosen the SPB317J1 from the Prospex collection of dive watches. This retro dive watch is nicknamed the “Turtle Origin” and has quickly become a fan favorite. The watch is a modern remake of the legendary Seiko 6105-8000 from 1968. It features a distinctive 41-mm C-shaped case with a black dial and a black diving bezel. The crown is characteristically placed at 4 o’clock, and the second hand adds a nice touch of color with a red dot. At $900, this is the perfect retro-inspired dive watch.

The Seiko Prospex SPB317J1 is a great choice if you are looking for an affordable, retro inspired watch.
The Seiko Prospex SPB317J1 is a great choice if you are looking for an affordable, retro-inspired watch.

3. Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38 mm

Hamilton is a brand known for its extensive collection of military-inspired field watches. The collection has more than 60 references, so there is a lot to choose from. We have chosen the popular Khaki Field Mechanical in 38 mm. It comes in no less than eleven variations. You can choose between a stainless steel, black PVD, or bronze case. There are also white, black, and brown dial variations and several strap options. The basic steel version costs $595 on a NATO strap, $615 on a leather strap, and $675 on a stainless steel bracelet. If you go for the bronze version, you get a very charming version for $895. You simply cannot go wrong with the Khaki Field Mechanical.

A perfect daily wearer in safari colors: Hamilton Khaki Field
A perfect daily wearer in safari colors: the Hamilton Khaki Field

4. Certina DS Action Diver 38 mm

Certina’s DS Action Diver is available in both 43 and 38 mm. While the larger version does not qualify for this list because it is over $1,000, the smaller version does. The 38-mm stainless steel case makes this Diver suitable for a variety of wrist sizes. It comes with a black, blue, or green dial and an Oyster-style bracelet with a dive extension. At $970, this is the perfect modern diver with the same movement as the Tissot PRX, which offers 80 hours of power reserve. If you want the lightweight titanium option, you pay just over $1,000 for a NATO bracelet. On a titanium bracelet, it will also just pass the $1,000 mark. But no matter which version you choose, this watch is a great choice.

5. Baltic Bicompax 002

French brand Baltic has a lot of different watches to offer under $1,000. We chose the Baltic Bicompax 002, a great classic chronograph for well under $1,000, which is quite rare. The watch has a modest 38-mm stainless steel case, and Baltic offers several colors. They all feature a 1940s-inspired design with two registers that offer great style. The watches are powered by the great manual winding Seagull ST1901 hidden behind the closed case back. At just over $700, this is the perfect affordable chronograph. And if you pay $32 more, you can get the stylish gold PVD version with a display case back that allows you to see the great movement in action and experience what makes a chronograph special.

A chronograph under 1,000 €: the Baltic Bicompax 002.
A chronograph under $1,000: the Baltic Bicompax 002

6. Traska Commuter

You love the style of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, but don’t want to spend Rolex money? Look no further than American microbrand Traska with its Commuter. The brand’s watches offer good looks, great specifications, and excellent build quality. The Commuter collection has recently been expanded and is now available in 34, 36, and 38 mm. So there is a Commuter for every wrist. The three sizes each come in four different dial colors, offering plenty of variation. The watches are powered by modern Miyota 9039 automatic movements, making these Traska Commuters perfect for everyday wear. They offer a familiar style timepiece with a unique twist at prices ranging from $580 to $635.

7. Mido Ocean Star Tribute

Mido is another Swatch Group brand (like Certina, Hamilton, and Tissot) that offers great value for money. The brand’s Ocean Star Tribute Gradient is the newest addition to the Ocean Star Tribute line. It comes with a 40.5-mm stainless steel case and two gradient dials. The first is a standard gray-to-black gradient, while the second model has a stylish red-to-black gradient that gives the watch a chic style. The retro-style diver features the same Powermatic movement as the aforementioned brands, with an 80-hour power reserve. A black rubber strap completes the look, and at $990, this is another great vintage-inspired diver.

Mido Ocean Star Tribute Gradient
Mido Ocean Star Tribute Gradient: another affordable option

8. Christopher Ward C65 Dune Automatic

If you’re a fan of adventure-style watches like the Rolex Explorer, Christopher Ward has the perfect affordable option with its C65 Dune Automatic. The brand’s Dune collection offers retro looks inspired by the great field watches of the past. The C65 Dune Automatic comes with four dial options: Black Sand, Marine Blue, Beachgrass and White Sand. Christopher Ward uses the trusted Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement inside the case for high reliability. Buy the C65 Dune Automatic on a beautiful leather strap or canvas strap for $910, and you’re buying the best in class for under $1,000.

9. Yema Urban Traveller

Another brand that is very popular for watches around the $1,000 mark is the French manufacturer Yema. The brand offers a wide variety of watches, often inspired by its great classics of the past. With the Urban Traveller, Yema has added a modern sports watch with an integrated bracelet to its collection. This puts it in the same category as the Tissot PRX. The Urban Traveller has a 39-mm case and a bracelet similar to that of the PRX. Yema offers the Urban Traveller in five different dial colors, and the dials come with a nice creative pattern that adds to the overall style. Inside the case, the watches feature Yema’s in-house YEMA2000 automatic movement. At $970, this stylish newcomer offers incredible style and modern specifications at a great price.

Not the Urban Traveller, but another luxury watch under €1,000: Yema Navigraf.
Not the Urban Traveller, but another luxury watch under $1,000: the Yema Navygraf

10. Serica 6190 Field

The last watch on this list of ten is the Serica 6190 Field. The French brand Serica has quickly made a name for itself by offering great, affordable watches that combine incredibly stylish looks with COSC-certified movements. This means that the accuracy is tested and certified to -4 to +6 seconds per day. For a small brand, offering only COSC-certified movements is pretty special. The brand’s 6190 is the successor to the 4512 field watch. The new version comes with an updated, slimmer case design, the option of three brilliant dial designs, and the new COSC-certified Soprod M100 automatic movement. At just under $1,000, this stylish, vintage-inspired field watch is the perfect addition to this list.


What do you think about this article?


About the Author

Jorg Weppelink

Hi, I'm Jorg, and I've been writing articles for Chrono24 since 2016. However, my relationship with Chrono24 goes back a bit longer, as my love for watches began …

Read more

Latest Articles

Top 10 Unisex Watches Bought by Women
03/07/2024
Top 10 Watches
 6 minutes

Top 10 Unisex Watches Bought by Women on Chrono24

By Elisabeth Schroeder
2-1-Top-3
12/20/2023
Top 10 Watches
 7 minutes

Top 10: Best Watches Under 10,000 €

By Jorg Weppelink
Top-10-Rechteckige-Uhren-2-1
12/12/2023
Top 10 Watches
 7 minutes

Top 10 Rectangular Watches

By Sebastian Swart