For your average Joe, the idea of spending 500 dollars on a watch will either seem like a substantial investment, or more likely, completely out of the question. With that in mind, I expect the list of the 5 best men's watches for under 500 dollars to be a list of watches that could easily become a family heirloom. I don't think that's an unreasonable expectation. I think all these watches should be from highly reputable watch makers, preferably have mechanical movements, and be made from high quality materials. Either that, or such a unique piece, that I am left with no choice but to add it. I want quality for such an investment, and expect my readers would want the same.
So, let us see what I was able to come up with for this installment of the best men's watches for under...
The 5 Best Men's Watches for Under 500 Dollars
Victorinox
Alliance MechanicalModel: 241668
Case: 40 mm, Stainless steel
Band width: Leather
Movement: Mechanical Self winding
Functions: HH, MM, SS, Date
Battery:N/A
Water resistance: 100 M/330 ft
The Alliance mechanical is a self winding mechanical watch. It is a stainless construction, 40mm case and has a black face with black leather band. The face has Arabic numerals at the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions, and it includes a date window. It also includes a see through back case, along with the Sapphire lens.
I like the Victorinox brand for a quality, reasonably priced watch. They are an old company, even though they have not been producing watches for that entire time. They are still a company that should stand behind their product.
In my previous Men's Best Watches Lists, I couldn't really find a Swiss made watch I felt would fit the bill, but this one definitely fits well in this under 500 dollar price range, falling in the 400 dollar range.
Orient
Explorer
Model: FDH00001W0
Model: FDH00001W0
Case: 44.5 mm, Stainless steel
Band width: 22 mm, Leather
Movement: Automatic hacking 48K40
Functions: HH, MM, SS, Date, Dual Time
Battery: N/A
Water resistance: 50M/165 ft
This Orient Explorer is a whole lot of watch. I really am attracted to this Orient watch, the value is solid. The watch has Dual time zones, it has a slide rule calculator on the Bezel, it has a Sapphire Crystal lens, and a power gauge.
Not to mention great looks, and a mechanical auto movement, which is made in-house. I like the Orient brand, for the appearance, as well as the fact that they are not using pieces from other companies. It's not something you find in many sub 500 dollar watches. In fact, its not something you will find for watches in general, but this Explorer does it for around 485.
The face is a bit busy for me, but I think it could be something I could get used to. Orient is quickly becoming a company I look at when looking at watches of any price. The watches are priced well, and they are not quite as mainstream as Seiko or Citizen, in the Japanese watch market. It gives them a uniqueness factor that you cannot get from the mainstream watch companies.
Not to mention great looks, and a mechanical auto movement, which is made in-house. I like the Orient brand, for the appearance, as well as the fact that they are not using pieces from other companies. It's not something you find in many sub 500 dollar watches. In fact, its not something you will find for watches in general, but this Explorer does it for around 485.
The face is a bit busy for me, but I think it could be something I could get used to. Orient is quickly becoming a company I look at when looking at watches of any price. The watches are priced well, and they are not quite as mainstream as Seiko or Citizen, in the Japanese watch market. It gives them a uniqueness factor that you cannot get from the mainstream watch companies.
Laco
1925 Pilot
Model: 861688
Model: 861688
Case: 42 mm, Sand blasted stainless steel
Band width: 20 mm, Leather
Movement: Laco 21 self winding
Functions: HH, MM, SS
Battery:N/A
Water resistance: 50 M/165 ft
German pilot watch. That is what this is, and nothing more. The Laco 1925 nearly the same watch the German pilots from World War II wore. You get a simple black face, big numbers and large, easy to read arms. It has big rivets in the bands and the sandblasted, 42mm stainless steel case has a nice finish, that is a nice break from all the polished and chromed cases we usually see.
On top of that, the watch also has a sapphire lens, and a see through back.
I love this watch. And if you spend any time in the watch world, you will see that a lot of people love these watches, and have loved them for a very long time.
It might be my first choice in this under 500 dollar list. I think there are a lot of nice possibilities in the German watch market, it might just be difficult to get them in the U.S sometimes.
On top of that, the watch also has a sapphire lens, and a see through back.
I love this watch. And if you spend any time in the watch world, you will see that a lot of people love these watches, and have loved them for a very long time.
It might be my first choice in this under 500 dollar list. I think there are a lot of nice possibilities in the German watch market, it might just be difficult to get them in the U.S sometimes.
Bulova
AutomaticModel: 97A109
Case: 45 mm, Stainless steel
Band width: 20 mm, Leather
Movement: Automatic movement
Functions: HH, MM, SS
Battery: N/A
Water resistance: 30 M
Bulova. What can I say, I love Bulova. But besides that, this watch has style. The gold plated stainless steel case looks great, the large, bold face and partial skeleton, black face with large gold hands, and brown leather band rounds this watch out quite nicely.
Bulova is a old watch name, and although they are no longer American made watches, they are still high quality, and more than any specific watch, I would almost always recommend you consider a Bulova, if you are looking for a quality mid ranged wristwatch.
At 338 dollars, this watch falls well under the 500 price limit set on this list, making it a bargain.
Vostok-Europe
Gaz-14 Limousine 2426/5601058
Specs:
Case: 43 mm, Stainless steel
Band width:
Movement: 2426 Vostok self wind mechanical
Functions: HH, MM, SS, Date, Dual Time
Battery: N/A
Water Resistance: 50 M/165 ft
If you have heard the name Vostok, it is important to know that Vostok-Europe is a completely different company, that makes watches in Lithuania. But, there is a business connection. And this particular watch actually uses a Vostok movement. It is why I consider this a great watch. The Vostok movements are known to be tough. And the watches look good. They have a very European look, and will definitely give you something unique.
The company itself is fairly new, opening its doors in 2003, but the looks and the fact that they use the Vostok movement or, in some cases Seiko movements, tells me the company is doing things right. They are not strictly fashion watches, they are watches built for quality.
The Gaz 14-Limo is a big watch. The case is 43mm stainless steel, with a gray metallic, 3 dimensional face. It has a crown located at the 4 o'clock position, and an additional crown for dual time functions at the 2 o'clock position. The watch has a sapphire lens, and a leather band.
It also has a Vostok, self winding, mechanical movement.
I see the watch on Amazon for around 360 dollars. And it looks to me that it is a great buy at that price point. Something I would consider a good investment, if you are looking for a Euro style watch.
If you have heard the name Vostok, it is important to know that Vostok-Europe is a completely different company, that makes watches in Lithuania. But, there is a business connection. And this particular watch actually uses a Vostok movement. It is why I consider this a great watch. The Vostok movements are known to be tough. And the watches look good. They have a very European look, and will definitely give you something unique.The company itself is fairly new, opening its doors in 2003, but the looks and the fact that they use the Vostok movement or, in some cases Seiko movements, tells me the company is doing things right. They are not strictly fashion watches, they are watches built for quality.
The Gaz 14-Limo is a big watch. The case is 43mm stainless steel, with a gray metallic, 3 dimensional face. It has a crown located at the 4 o'clock position, and an additional crown for dual time functions at the 2 o'clock position. The watch has a sapphire lens, and a leather band.
It also has a Vostok, self winding, mechanical movement.
I see the watch on Amazon for around 360 dollars. And it looks to me that it is a great buy at that price point. Something I would consider a good investment, if you are looking for a Euro style watch.
Wrap up
I hope you have enjoyed The 5 best men's watches under 500 dollars. I enjoyed searching through watches for hours, to put it together. And I hope you all come back for my future posts. I will be covering higher price ranges, and very specific types of watches in the weeks to come.
The best men's watches under blog will continue to also do brand specific posts, and hopefully will throw in a few other variations of the best under style lists. I hope to give you all as much information as you could possibly ever need, regarding men's watches.
The best men's watches under blog will continue to also do brand specific posts, and hopefully will throw in a few other variations of the best under style lists. I hope to give you all as much information as you could possibly ever need, regarding men's watches.
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