Best Watch Brands Under $500 For Men – Full Guide 2024

In search of the Best Watch Brands Under $500 in 2024 then you will want to read this top tier list guide.

There are a lot of watch brands out there that feature good-looking timepieces.

However, not all of them create high-quality ones for an affordable price.

Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Hublot, Patek, Omega are highly desirable and brands with massive price tags that can turn any newbie watch collector dry.

We see this as a problem which is why we came up with a list of the best watch brands under $500.

We see this price as the sweet spot that presents the balance between quality, design, and pricing.

Watches sold in this range are budget-friendly but are of better quality compared to brands you can buy for less than a hundred bucks.

If you want to get bang for your buck without spending more than $1000 on a watch then this is the list for you.

If you are looking for dressier and contemporary watches like MVMT or David Wellington then you this is probably not the right list for you.

Without further ado, here are the best brands that sell men’s watches under $500.

Bulova

Bulova is renowned for the quality and elegant design of their watches.

Ever since its establishment in 1875 by Joseph Bulova, the company has been using high-quality materials on their products while maintaining the affordable price range.

They have homage watches and also unique designs that will surely appeal to anyone who sees their collections.

Their cheapest models are priced around $100, while their mid-range products can be bought around $500.

Casio

Casio is known as a manufacturer not only of watches but also all sorts of electronic gadgets like musical instruments, calculators, and cameras.

G-Shock is their most successful lineup and it’s still being produced today.

Aside from the G-Shock, Casio also has other product lines that cater to the mid-range market.

This includes the Pro Trek and Edifice which are some of the best men’s watches under $500.

Citizen

Citizen started a bit later than the other brands but their achievement as a watchmaker is as impressive as any other in the industry.

They were the first to produce a radio-controlled watch which resolves the accuracy issue watches typically face whichever engine they’re using.

By making timepieces that regularly connect to an atomic watch, their products are able to consistently tell the time accurately without fail.

Citizen is also known for its Eco-Drive technology which makes use of solar power to keep the watch running.

Their watches that utilize this feature are able to store reserve power for up to 80 hours.

Citizen has watches that cater to both men and women.

The prices of their products range from $135 to as much as $2,500, depending on the features incorporated in the timepiece.

Fossil

Fossil is known to be more than watchmakers.

They also have products like bags, jewelry, wallets, and other accessories that are all of excellent quality.

For those looking for an inexpensive but classic-looking watch, Fossil is definitely one of the best watch brands under $500.

Hamilton

Hamilton is an American brand that started in Pennsylvania back in the 1890s.

The company had several achievements throughout its history in the industry including the launch of the first electric watch in the 1950s and the production of automatic chronographs in the 1970s.

Hamilton became part of the Swatch group in the 1970s, giving them more resources to produce timepieces for the mid-range market.

Their most popular collections include the Jazzmaster, the Khalid Field, and the American Classic which are priced around $500.

Invicta

Invicta is an American brand but has roots coming from Switzerland.

Founded in 1837, the company has always believed since then that quality Swiss watches don’t have to be expensive.

To date, Invicta has over 250 different timepieces in their collection.

They all have attractive designs, good quality, and affordable price tags.

Their most successful timepiece belongs to the Pro Diver series and we believe it’s also one of the best men’s watches under $500.

Movado

Movado started in 1881 and was acquired by the North American Watch Corporation in 1983.

The company is known for creating mid-range watches that are well-designed and exhibit excellent quality.

The company has launched several collections but they’re most popular is the Museum Watch series which has a minimalist but elegant design.

Orient

Orient has a long history in the watchmaking industry.

They started in the 1850s and has been producing mechanical watches as their carrier products.

As part of the ‘Big Four’ watchmakers in Japan, Orient is known for producing high-quality products that are affordable and easily available.

Their impeccable designs can be seen in their Bambino, Defender, and Monarch collections.

For their affordability and quality, they’re no doubt one of the best watch brands selling products under $500.

Seiko

Seiko started in 1881 as a jewelry shop before it ventured into the watchmaking business in 1892.

The Japan-based company was the pioneer in creating quartz and automatic watches that revolutionized the industry at that time.

Seiko has a very huge collection of watches that range from $50 to more than $500,000.

It’s not surprising to see that they have a series targeting the mid-price range of $500.

Among their best men’s watches under $500 are the Seiko Core, the Recraft, and the Prospex.

Tissot

Tissot is one of the oldest watchmakers in the world that’s still in operation.

Having started in 1853 in the city of Le Locle, Switzerland as a small shop, they made a name for themselves by launching and mass-producing a pocket watch that features two time-zones.

Aside from being a first in this area, they were also the first brand to release products made of wood, plastic, and other materials that are not typically used for watchmaking.

After they became part of the Swatch group, they were able to release more products that cater to the mid-range market.

They also became the official timekeeper of several sports leagues which helped elevate their status as a brand that can be trusted.

As a watchmaker that targets the middle range market from the moment they were incorporated, it’s fair enough to include them in our list of the best watch brands that sell products under $500.

The Top 10 Stylish Watches Under $500

Still confused which brand to get your watch from?

Don’t worry because we’ve narrowed down the list to the best men’s watches under $500.

Seiko Sportura Chronograph Gold Tone

The 38mm Sportura Chronograph features a gold-tone stainless steel case, a mother of pearl tachymeter bezel, a sapphire crystal, luminescent hands, 3 subdials, a date window, and a quartz movement.

Pros:

  • Unisex design
  • Overall quality is good
  • Water resistant up to 100m

Cons:

  • Color combination makes the watch look cheap
  • Inaccurate hand movements
  • Watch looks too busy for its size

Invicta Grand Diver

The 52mm Grand Diver automatic watch doesn’t need batteries to run.

It also features a stainless steel bracelet, a date window, a blue dial window with luminescent markers, minute markers on the bezel, and a scratch-resistant sapphire.

Pros:

  • Hands and markers are filled with Trinite which can glow for 20 hours after being exposed to sunlight
  • Water-resistant up to 300m
  • Power reserve of up to 38 hours

Cons:

  • Color combination may not be that appealing to your taste
  • Loses around 10 minutes every day
  • Poor customer service

Momo Design Evo Meccanico

The 45mm Evo Meccanico features a playful dial design with a seconds subdial.

It also has a sapphire crystal, a see-through case back, a stainless steel case, luminescent hands, and an ETA Caliber Unitas 6497 movement.

Pros:

  • Overall design is great for casual wear
  • Power reserve of up to 48 hours
  • Water resistant up to 50m

Cons:

  • No date window
  • Leather strap is a little small for people with big wrists
  • It’s hard to replace the straps

Raymond Weil Toccata

The 42mm Toccata features a white dial with Roman numeral hour markers, a sapphire crystal, a stainless steel case, a date window, and a quartz movement.

Pros:

  • Classic look adds elegance to the watch’s design
  • Available in leather and stainless steel straps
  • Water resistant up to 50m

Cons:

  • No lume on hands or markers
  • Quartz movement is a little inaccurate in keeping time
  • The leather strap is too small while the stainless steel one is too large

Alpina Horological Smartwatch

The 44mm Horological Smartwatch features a stainless steel case, a sapphire crystal, luminescent hands and markers, a subdial, and an MMT-285 quartz movement.

It has an alarm and has sleep-tracking, activity-monitoring, and smart coaching features.

It’s also compatible with devices running either the iOS or Android system.

Pros:

  • Several smartwatch features packed in an analog dial design
  • Included battery has a lifespan of up to 2 years
  • Water resistant up to 100m

Cons:

  • Band is a little small
  • Date subdial is a little small to read in an instant
  • It’s a little bulky in size

Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80

The 39mm Le Locle Powermatic features a black dial with Roman numerals for hour markers, a date window, a see-through case back, a sapphire crystal, a stainless steel case, and a Swiss automatic movement.

Pros:

  • Black dial on silver bezel looks elegant
  • Available in synthetic leather and stainless steel straps
  • Power reserve of up to 80 hours

Cons:

  • Water resistant up to 30m only
  • Strap and buckle are flimsy for the leather version
  • Loses more than a minute a day

Citizen Eco-Drive Calibre 2100 Chronograph

The 44m Calibre 2100 features a sapphire crystal, a tachymeter, a date window, a genuine crocodile leather strap, a mineral crystal, luminescent hands and markers, 3 subdials, a power reserve indicator, an alarm, and a quartz movement.

Pros:

  • Available in different dial and case colors
  • Excellent timekeeping function
  • Durable leather strap
  • Power reserve of up to 8 months
  • Water resistant up to 100m

Cons:

  • Gets scratched easily
  • Date is hard to read
  • Watch face is too busy

Frederique Constant Classics

The 40mm Classics features a sapphire crystal, a leather strap, a stainless steel case, a silver dial with Roman numeral hour markers, two subdials showing the day and date, a moonphase function, and a Calibre FC-260 movement.

Pros:

  • Classic design is best worn as a dress watch
  • Pretty accurate movement for an automatic watch
  • Water resistant up to 50m

Cons:

  • Date subdial is hard to read
  • No lume on hands or markers
  • Strap is of low quality

Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic

The 40mm Jazzmaster Viewmatic features a date window, a sapphire crystal, a stainless steel case, a see-through case back, and an H-10 automatic movement.

Pros:

  • Classic design adds elegance to the overall feel of the watch
  • Power reserve of up to 80 hours
  • Water resistant up to 50m

Cons:

  • Gains more than 5 minutes every day
  • Band clasp is a little flimsy
  • Produces a grinding sound when winding

Movado Series 800 Watch

The 40m Series 800 has a chronograph feature, a stainless steel case, a scratch-resistant sapphire, luminescent hands and markers, a date window, a stainless steel bracelet, and a quartz movement.

Pros:

  • Lume shines brightly in low-light conditions
  • Very solid bracelet
  • Water resistant up to 200m

Cons:

  • Poor bracelet adjustment mechanism
  • Adjusting the date can be tricky
  • Gunmetal color may be unattractive to some users

Conclusion

You don’t have to spend a fortune to wear a classic watch with looks that are on par with luxury timepieces.

For less than $500, you can purchase quality watches from brands like Tissot, Citizen, and Movado, Casio, and Seiko that look sophisticated and expensive.

Choose from any of the brands or watches we’ve listed above and thank us later for giving you an excellent list of affordable timepieces.

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