Did you know your watch says a lot about you, and your style? Besides being used for practical reasons, the right watch adds a little something-something to your wrist, and allows you to make a statement. Similar to your favorite cologne or must-wear pair of sunglasses, sometimes you can never have just one watch. And if you’re looking for the perfect gift for him whether it’s his birthday or Christmas, you can never go wrong with one of these totally on-trend (yet, classic) options.
In your journey through the world of menswear, there are certain forks in the road you might tend to cross. As you search for the perfect Oxford shirt, the best pair of blue jeans or even the best men’s underwear, you might realize one thing: Your wardrobe is missing a little something extra, and that “something extra” is a stylish wristwatch. A watch, in this day and age, is an accessory that some might overlook, but it’s a crucial one in matters of purpose, functionality and style.
It’s easy enough to depend upon your phone to tell the time, but adding a truly stylish, affordable watch to your rotation is fun (yes, fun!) and intentional. It adds something extra to your look, it serves a purpose (whether diving or hiking), and there’s always something to be said for an accessory that even James Bond himself wears. But because we can’t all be 007, or dress on his budget, let’s set some parameters. There’s a wide range of watches out there available for under $500, with options for dress watches, dive watches and more. These are the best men’s watches under $500 to amp up your wrist game accordingly.
BROSTRICK'S TESTING CRITERIA
PRICE
Perhaps an obvious one, yes, but there’s also a vast array of differences among the best watches under $500. At the upper limit, even a somewhat more affordable men’s watch might use a different or more complicated movement or build, boast additional features (like a chronograph or a rotating bezel) or offer more in terms of style. All were crucial in building out this list of the best men’s watches under $500.
UTILITY
STYLE
OUR BEST WRISTWATCH WINNERS
SEIKO Men's Automatic 5 Sports Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch
best watch under $500, overall
PROS
- An affordable alternative to, say, a Rolex dive watch
- A best-selling option from a trusted watchmaker
CONS
- Some might prefer an authentic Rolex or a more expensive style
- Some might prefer a watch with a larger dial
Let’s get right into it when it comes to shopping for a men’s watch under $500. It’s a great baseline price if you want to start or bolster your watch collection, particularly when it gives you the opportunity to snag a finely made Seiko watch. But the real benefit to adding a Seiko dive watch – this particular one especially – to your rotation? It just so happens to mimic the look of the much, much more expensive Rolex Submariner, which is never a bad style move. While it features a smaller case size, it packs a punch in terms of water-ready capability, and it’s even refined enough to dress up with business casual looks when back on dry land.
SPECS:
- CASE SIZE: 38mm
- MOVEMENT: 4R36 caliber automatic
- STRAP MATERIAL: Stainless steel links
Timex + Todd Snyder Mk-1 Amalfi
best collab
PROS
- A refined option designed in collaboration with award-winning designer Todd Snyder
- A highly affordable dress watch with a retro design
CONS
- Some might prefer a watch with a nicer leather strap
- Some might prefer a watch with a larger dial
Let no one tell you a stylish, sharp men’s dress watch requires you to spend an arm and a leg.
And in a world where vintage leather watches are getting harder (and more expensive) to come by, there’s a quick and effective way to add a crisply designed watch to your wrist. The solution? Shop through Todd Snyder, where the famed American menswear designer has teamed with equally famed American watch brand Timex on a refined, old-school dress watch. With a throwback-sized 36mm case and a cream-colored dial, it should pair easily with your favorite navy blazer or an Oxford shirt (sleeves rolled, of course).
SPECS:
- CASE SIZE: 36mm
- MOVEMENT: Crown Mechanical Hand-Wound Movement
- STRAP MATERIAL: Genuine leather
PROS
- Offers triple-chronograph functionality at a sub-$100 price
- Uses a leather strap that can be dressed up or dressed down
CONS
- Some might prefer a watch with a nicer leather strap
- 44mm case size might be too large for some wrists
SPECS:
- CASE SIZE: 44mm
- MOVEMENT: Quartz movement with chronograph analog display and date window
- STRAP MATERIAL: Genuine leather
PROS
- Rugged field watch made with American craftsmanship
- Mimics the style of more expensive field watches
- Uses a solar-powered movement
CONS
- Some might prefer to invest in a more expensive field watch from a company like Doxa
SPECS:
- CASE SIZE: 38mm
- MOVEMENT: Epson VS-22 solar-powered movement
- STRAP MATERIAL: Woven nylon
PROS
- Stylish leather watch that blends a rugged and refined look
- Eye-catching triple chronograph design
CONS
- Dial numerals might prove too large for some style preferences
- Some might prefer a triple-chronograph watch with a stainless steel bracelet for greater utility
The great thing about getting into the world of stylish men’s watches is that there’s something to fit every taste. That goes for subtle dress watches as well as hard-wearing stainless steel watches, not to mention timepieces that are somewhere in the middle. In this case, a contrast-stitched leather strap plays nicely off a patterned grey dial – it’s a high-low sort of look that pairs well with, say, a rugged henley and blue jeans or else a soft-shouldered navy blazer and a chambray shirt. You see? A watch with a “high-low” design works well with other “high-low” styles. And for under $500, triple-chronograph functionality meets any demand from sunrise to sunset.
SPECS:
- CASE SIZE: 41mm
- MOVEMENT: Quartz
- STRAP MATERIAL: Genuine leather
PROS
- Navy-approved watch with plenty of functionality
- GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) design allows for accurate timekeeping across three time zones
CONS
- Some might need to adjust or remove links from the stainless steel strap
- Not every watch enthusiast prefers GMT functionality
SPECS:
- CASE SIZE: 40.8mm
- MOVEMENT: Automatic Seiko NH34 GMT movement
- STRAP MATERIAL: Stainless steel
PROS
- Field-approved design is built for durability
- Rugged nylon strap is fit for adventures on and off land
CONS
- Some might prefer a watch with chronograph functionality or additional dial details
- Field watch design might not suit every wardrobe preference
While the notion of shopping for a watch on a budget might call to mind cheaply made timepieces, there’s a plethora of brands that have made it something of a specialty – Citizen very much included. Its distinctive Eco-Drive movement ensures accurate timekeeping on the go (powered by the sun, of course). Plus, the durable design of the Garrison is also a casual style favorite. The green nylon strap contrasts nicely against a dark dial, but it’s really the durability of this nicely sized 42mm watch that should make it a rugged favorite for your wrist game.
SPECS:
- CASE SIZE: 42mm
- MOVEMENT: Eco-Drive
- STRAP MATERIAL: Nylon
PROS
- Vintage-style watch that can be dressed up or dressed down
- Highly affordable timepiece from a trusted brand
CONS
- Some might prefer a watch with a larger dial or strap links
- Some might prefer a watch without a two-tone bezel
It’d be surprisingly easy to compile a list of the best watches under $500 using only options from Timex, the revered American watchmaker first known for its clocks and pocket watches. That’s a lot of history for one brand, and that means Timex has quite the archive to draw on. Its Q Timex Reissue line has proven wildly popular in recent years, as the brand dives back into quartz styles from the 1970s. The result is a range of timepieces like this two-tone red-and-blue (“Pepsi”) watch, which is subtle enough to be dressed up and sporty enough to pair with a navy polo, tan chinos and white canvas sneakers. And yes, it’s well under $500 – put the cash toward the rest of your wardrobe.
SPECS:
- CASE SIZE: 38mm
- MOVEMENT: Seiko quartz movement
- STRAP MATERIAL: Stainless steel
