The 15 BEST Mens Watches UNDER $1000!

Introduction

The watch industry has rightfully gathered a very esteemed reputation over the years. The long road of continuous refinement and the never-ending search for innovation has attached a unique title to the industry, often placing it at the center of the luxury landscape.

In other words, people view luxurious wristwear as a privilege reserved for those at the very top. While it’s true that the market is full of pieces that are intentionally priced at mind-boggling numbers in order to get that grandeur appeal, sometimes it’s ok to admire the prices that are a little bit further down the ladder.

What I mean is that we’ve tricked ourselves into believing that only the top-of-the-line masterpieces are worth checking out, and anything below that would be mere peasantry.

While it’s true that (in most cases) you pay for what you get in the watch world, just because a piece costs less than you would expect doesn’t mean it’s worth ignoring altogether. 

Best Men’s Watches Under $1,000

All it takes is a little digging. There are plenty of absolutely gorgeous pieces out there waiting to be enjoyed, and it just might be the exact watch that truly speaks to you.

Today, we are narrowing down some of the best bang-for-your-buck men’s watches out there that truly encapsulate the ideaology that not everything has to cost a fortune to earn your respect. 

Timex Marlin

A watch that literally checks all the boxes while coming at a price everyone can afford, the Timex Marlin is a legend among collectors for a reason. When this watch was reissued in 2017, it sold out almost instantly because people recognized its effectiveness and simplicity.

This was Timex’s first mechanical release since 1982, which makes the price even more of an anomaly. The sunray dial (in the best possible way) hits you in the face, immediately drawing you in with its unusual texture that you can’t help but stare at.

The numerals are extremely elegant and reminiscent of an older, simpler time, and the leather strap that tightly holds all of the features together has more than enough detail itself.

This watch measures a minuscule 34mm in diameter, which may put some of you off, but I can assure you that the design and quality do more than enough to make up for the small size. 

The Timex Marlin costs $196. 

Orient Mako II

Upgrading the Mako was a guaranteed way to make the Orient diver fans happy. Very similar to the Seiko 5 Sports collection, the Mako essentially does the same thing, with a little bit of a more niche design.

It measures 41.5mm in diameter and fits comfortably on the wrist due to the hollow end links on the bracelet. The common consensus is that the Mako II takes all of the well-received features of the first and adds a more well-rounded performance that prioritizes efficiency and modern refinement.

The new F6922 movement breathes a newfound modern sense of life into the Mako, giving it features like hacking, manual wind, and much tighter accuracy overall, not to mention a 200m water resistance. If you like Orient divers, this is by all means a piece for you and definitely worth checking out. 

Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch

Perhaps one of the most culturally significant pieces on the market today, the MoonSwatch has become a household name and arguably the best collab in the history of watchmaking.

We all know how legendary the Omega Speedmaster is, so when you manage to emulate a mirrored design of the first watch to navigate space and combine it with Swatch’s stylish touch, you’re setting yourself up for absolute success.

I’d go as far as to say this is one of, if not the best, entry-level watches for those who are just getting into the world of timekeeping. There is just so much to appreciate even while peering in from the outside. 

The Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch costs $280. 

Hamilton Field Khaki

One of the most iconic field watches of all time, the Hamilton Field Khaki has crafted a very well-deserved reputation for itself as one of the best budget-friendly watches ever made.

The class case shape and dial have perfectly blended a sportier nature without losing any of the utility features that make it stand out as a high-performing device.

It is also quite slick-looking. The simple leather strap gathers all of the elements and presents them in a way that will generally appeal to everyone.

The dial comes in either striking black or sleek white, with a curve that provides a better fit and a more alluring look, blending classy elements with bolder-looking features.

Needless to say, the Hamilton Field Khaki is a certified classic that will undoubtedly continue to reign at the very top of the affordable timepiece market. 

The Hamilton Field Khaki costs $475. 

Xeric Regulator Automatic

 For those who are unfamiliar, Regulator dials feature separate subdials for the hour hand and minute hand. I’ll admit it’s quite strange when you first look at it, but the more you appreciate the idea, the more you can recognize the brilliance and swagger that these very unique pieces bring to the table.

The Xeric regular, in particular, is an incredibly cool design that tells the hour in 24-hour time. It’s very sleek looking, and the multiple dials allow for a subtle slickness that can go unnoticed if you are not looking for the right aspects.

Depending on what your preferences are, this kind of design can either turn you off completely or draw you in with its unapologetic nature. Either way, you cannot deny that this piece is exquisitely made and carries with it a unique presence that is not commonly felt in most pieces on the market. 

The Xeric Regulator Automatic costs $499. 

Furlan Marri Mechaquartz 

This is one of those designs you would expect to see from a pristine, ultra-rare, outrageously expensive watch that isn’t even available on most markets.

It mimics all of the Patek antiques that sell for millions of dollars, so I wouldn’t blame you for thinking this piece is right up there with the big boys.

It’s true that the watch takes direct information from Patek Phillipe pieces, but Furlan Marri has delivered its own voice to this gorgeous beauty that causes it to stand out even in a market so overcrowded with vintage-like pieces.

The reason the cost is so low is that Furlan Marri utilizes a very interesting technology called Mechaquartz, which combines both high-tech mechanical movements and simple, energy-efficient quartz movements.

It’s quite the creative way to avert your audience’s expectations while keeping it at a price that is appealing to everyone.

The Furlan Marri Mechaquartz costs $585.  

Wolfpoint Arctic Beast

The Arctic Beast is a great improvement to the standard designs from Wolfpoint, an underrated watch manufacturing company based out of Chicago.

In the past, they have primarily focused on fun, affordable designs. The Arctic Beast, however, as the name suggests, is a literal beast.

Extremely textured and refined, it captures a very Tissot-like looking aesthetic, playing into the sportier side more than anything. I really love it.

The dial has a gorgeous hexagonal pattern in the background, and the thin hands and indices are just subtle enough as not to take away from everything else.

The bezel is also extraordinarily polished and evens out the design in a smooth manner, while the automatic movement surprisingly does not affect the price half as much as you would expect.

While I could understand some having a negative opinion on this watch, I, for one, really love what Wolfpoint has managed to accomplish here and hope that it gets the recognition it so very much deserves. 

The Wolfpoint Arctic Beast costs $600.

Baltic Aquascaphe

The Baltic Aquascaphe will always strike a direct balance between a delicate vintage diver and a more traditional, modern piece.

It arguably combines the best features from both times to deliver an iconic look that is so widely praised for being so clean-cut and classic.

The simplistic nature of the dial has drawn many diver fans far and wide to relish in the very Seiko-like glory that the dial emulates, but it carries a lot of distinct features original to Baltic as well.

For example, the svelte shape is absolutely divine, making it clear that at its core, this is a piece heavily inspired by the 60s.

In addition, this watch measures 39mm in diameter but has an astounding 200m water resistance, so it’s true that this is an authentic diver’s watch made for those who greatly value underwater explorations.

What more can I say? The versatility and style are truly astounding, as the Aquaspache probably has a combination of all your favorite features from other watches piled up on one nice, steamy platter. I highly recommend. 

The Baltic Aquascaphe costs $630. 

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80

The steel sports watch space has a very diverse cast of characters that offer their own varying level of performance that blend countless different features.

The Tissot Powermatic 80 stands out as one of the most diverse and versatile sports watches simply because of the amount of life it has breathed into Tissot as a brand.

Every model is a masterclass in design, finishing, and quality. There’s a reason it is one of the most highly respected Tissot watches out there.

With a distinct waffle pattern on the dial and a uniquely bulky case, this watch exists in a realm of its own, defining what is possible in the world of cheap sports watches. 

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 costs $675. 

Longines Conquest 

The rich history of Longines should be more than enough to prove that it is a brand worth recognizing. Any Longines piece deserves to be stopped and studied, and the Conquest by all means is no exception.

Being a brand as big as this means that most of their pieces are outrageously priced, but the Conquest manages to appeal to budget-conscious fans, while not skimping on any of the details that make it a true Longines masterpiece.

The design is simple enough, a radiant blue dial, with thinner hands and larger indices, and numerals that take up a good amount of space without being too distracting.

The stainless steel shimmers under the light, delivering a smooth appeal that is particularly striking when considering the historical significance.

Being so budget-friendly, it would be a crime if I didn’t include this watch in the lineup, as you almost can’t go anywhere where people are discussing budget-friendly watches without hearing this name pop up. 

The Longines Conquest costs $695. 

Seiko Alpinist SPB121

I think we’re all thankful that Seiko re-released this beauty. The Seiko Alpinist SPB121 is fitted with a green dial and gold hands, immediately instilling that familiar vintage appeal that so many go crazy for.

This particular model has always been quite a popular enthusiast’s piece, which most likely led to the re-release. And oh boy, are we thankful for it.

The newly remodeled edition is much cleaner and more concise, while still maintaining that originality and vivid spark of creativity that so many Seiko models emulate. The unique mix of style and colors has drawn so many to this piece. What do you think? Can you see the appeal?

The Seiko Alpinist SPB121 costs $725. 

Bulova Lunar Pilot

One of the only watches to have ever been to space, the Bulova Lunar Pilot, is unfortunately overshadowed by the Speedmaster, the most famous space watch that accompanied Buzz Aldrin on the first trip to the moon.

The Lunar Pilot from Bulova, however, is just as capable of supporting interstellar missions while channeling those chronograph features to provide a flawless performance even while on Earth.

With a black dial and three little sub-dials, this watch is about as “chronography” as it gets in terms of appearance. And trust me, this is a good thing.

I, for one, love the complex nature of this piece and think it adds to the grand allure, establishing a sense of mechanical excellence that can even be felt by simply wearing it. 

The Bulova Lunar Pilot costs $775. 

Stowa Marine Classic 36

Stowa is a brand with a lot of history. They began by producing pocket watches with big movements that were designed to bring out the most in technological innovation before graduating to Marine Observation watches in 1939.

One thing that stayed consistent with Stowa as a brand was the ability to customize your piece with different dials or movements, and the Marine Classic 36 of today greatly benefits from that wide range of versatility at your disposal.

Stowa gives you the option of equipping your timepiece with the very same movements that were used in the handwound pocket watches of old, which I find quite a refreshing option and perhaps just what your piece needs to stand out amidst the same old designs and the same old movements. 

The Stowa Marine Classic 36 costs $850. 

Zodiac Olympos Automatic

Quite the slick-looking sports watch for a brand that (in my opinion) needs much more recognition, the Zodiac Olympos Automatic is a very symmetrically pleasing experience and captures quite a unique tone.

For starters, it has a manta-shaped case, featuring two extending wings pointing to the top of the strap, adding a subtle amount of curvy detail.

Then there’s the sunburst quadrant dial, which plays into the symmetrical allure you will undoubtedly feel when looking at this piece for the first time. Another important feature is the versatility.

The Olympos comes with a wide variety of strap and dial color combinations, ensuring that there’s something for everyone out there. 

The Zodiac Olympos Automatic costs $895. 

Christopher Ward C63 Sealander. 

High-quality steel sports watches that are reasonably priced are quite a rare find, I must admit. Those that are super cheap are undoubtedly poorly made, but those that cost a fortune are obviously out of so many people’s price ranges.

Fortunately, Christopher Ward has struck gold with this piece, landing right in the middle of the high-quality, good price scale.

Swiss-made and versatile, this watch is designed to be worn anywhere, and with an automatic movement that functions flawlessly, this watch truly feels like an anomaly when you throw in the fact that it’s under $1,000. 

The Christopher Ward C63 Sealander costs $945.

Conclusion 

In the never-ending pursuit to find a watch that matches your fancies, it can be a little overwhelming juggling all of the information you have to take into account. On top of that, finding a watch that won’t break the bank is easier said than done, especially given how the market seems to be moving right now.

But there’s always hope, and I promise you there is something waiting for you around the corner, you just have to be actively looking for it.

With how diverse the market is, you don’t have to be an expert to fully understand what you want, but it is important to stay educated and not to blindly make assumptions that could potentially set you back thousands of dollars.

At the very least, I hope this list provided a bit of insight into the potential that these watches hold, and if you didn’t see anything you liked, maybe you now have a bit of clarity on what exactly matches your taste.