[toc]
Finding the best watches under 500 is much easier than you might think. There are literally hundreds of watches that fit the criteria, but we didn’t want to choose them at random. Instead, we’ve put together a list of watchers made with stainless steel links, a leather band, and a variety of other sought-after features to fit your liking.
After searching through countless review websites and customer feedback, we’ve come up with a list of the best watches for men and women, all of which are under 500 dollars. Whether you need a dress watch for an upcoming occasion or a casual watch to wear with any outfit, this list has you covered with the top-not choices that you’re looking for. Don’t forget to review the buyer’s guide at the bottom and share it with others who are in the market for watches as well!
This list has something for everyone, including watches with automatic movement, black leather, water resistance, Japanese quartz movement, and more. Enjoy!
Looking for bigger bargains? Check out these watches under $200.
View The Best Watches Under $500 Below
1. Citizen Eco-Drive Titanium Perpetual Chrono Atomic Timekeeping Watch
The Citizen Eco-Drive Watch is of the Japanese quartz movement with an analog display. It has titanium links that line the entire wrist, giving you some of the top durability that you could ask for in a watch under 500. It features a 60-second timer, a 12/24-hour timekeeping display, and a 42 mm face.
This atomic watch has a water resistance rating that goes down to 200 m (660 feet). This allows the wearing to go swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports without having to worry about water getting into the watch’s internals. Simply push in the crown of the watch to seal it.
The timekeeping on this Chrono watch is as perfect as it gets given the price range. Watches can be pesky to prevent from losing accuracy, but you won’t have any issues with this model. View through the window to see the time, month of the year, and the day of the week. There are also numerous other details spread across the black surface on this Citizen watch.
Pros:
+ Designed to submerge in water with a 220 m resistance rating
+ Best watch for a man who prefers versatile titanium watches
+ Perfect Chrono watch with day, date, and time displays
Why We Like It – We like this product because it’s one of the best watches men can get around 500. The materials are long-lasting and the appearance matches almost any wardrobe.
2. TISSOT T-Race Chrono T115.417.27.061.00
Next up on the list is the TISSOT T-Race Chrono Watch. This model uses a black silicone strap that wraps around the wrist for a comfortable, stylish appearance. It also prevents scratches and water damage to the watch. Clean it up in seconds without worrying about stains or scuff marks sticking around.
The luminous hands light up the time wherever you are. Day or night, you’ll be able to look through the glass window to view the 60-second timer, the time of day, and a few other features. It’s a Swiss-made watch, matching the high-quality standards for all products in the same category.
Along with the aforementioned silicone strap, the interior backing of the watch is also black. Matched with the silver hands, you’ll have no problem distinguishing the two from each other. Topped with scratch-resistance sapphire crystal glass, you’ll have a hard time finding anything that comes close to the quality under the same price range.
Pros:
+ Made with a stainless steel bezel and a black silicone strap
+ Sapphire crystal for a clear, glare-free window
+ Wear this watch in any situation, including on a rugged trail
Why We Like It – This is one of the top watches under 500 because it’s crafted to withstand harsh environments, unlike many other watches in the price range.
3. Tissot T-Lady Analog Display Swiss Quartz Watch
Two-tone stainless steel is a rarity if you’re trying to find a watch without breaking the bank. This one comes with a silver and gold bracelet to match well with a combination of outfits. Whether you want to wear it as a dress watch or a casual bracelet, you’ll find it to fit comfortably through a number of occasions.
The water resistance rating of this watch allows it to go down to 165 feet, making it perfect for washing hands, taking showers, and light swimming. The white display has bold Roman numerals stretching around the outer circle with Tissot coated in black in the top-middle section.
It shows the time and the day of the week, but you won’t find much else clouding the surface of the simplistic design. It’s definitely a minimalist concept when compared to the handful of fancy watches around the internet and in stores. However, the features that it has been well worth the investment for many wearers.
Pros:
+ Perfect choice for those who want a simple design
+ Two-tone stainless steel links
+ Roman numeral analog display
Why We Like It – We like this watch because it’s much simpler than other designs without sacrificing functionality and durability.
4. Garmin Instinct Tactical GPS Watch
The Garmin Instinct Tactical Rugged GPS Watch is a true contender for those who are in need of a tough watch. If you’re always working out, hitting the trail, or enjoying your favorite sports, you need something that can take a beating. Pair that with the functionality of GPS and you have yourself of the best choices available.
This digital watch for men displays your heart rate, the time (12 and 24-hour options), the battery life available, and much more. You can move through the options menu quickly thanks to the touchscreen window that responds in an instant. It also features 14 days of smart mode capabilities, 16 hours of GPS mode, and a route-tracking device inside.
If you decide to buy one of these new-age watches, you can select from a wide variety of colors. These colors include Flame Red, Graphite, Lakeside Blue, Sunburst Yellow, and all sorts of other unique options. Regardless of which color you choose, you’ll notice that they all come with a black and white screen for optimal contrast in any light.
Pros:
+ Comes with a quick-acting touchscreen window
+ Features the time, your heart rate, day, date, and various other details
+ The black and white screen is easy to view in any light
Why We Like It – We like this GPS watch by Garmin because it’s comfortable, affordable, and it has more than enough features for a product of this price.
5. Tissot T120.417.11.041.00 Seastar 1000 Chronograph Watch
The Tissot Seastar 1000 Chronograph Men’s Watch is a great choice for those who are in need of a chronograph watch that can be dressed up or dressed down. You don’t also want to buy a watch for only one occasion, so why not get something that you can wear any day of the week? The bright Royal Blue backing looks fantastic with the shiny stainless steel bezel and links.
There are a few luminous hands that roll around the face of this watch to show you the date and time whenever you need it. You can also set timers and access a few other useful features by using the knobs that fit around the right side of the watch. Press in the crown to seal it for water usage.
Speaking of which, one of the most notable features of the Seastar is the fact that it can be used down to 300 meters (1,000 feet), making it one of the top choices for people who enjoy water sports. Finding a watch that doesn’t get damaged at such a depth and pressure is rare in the price range.
Pros:
+ Stylish chronograph watch that fits well with any outfit
+ Uses a stainless steel bracelet
+ Can be worn down to 1,000 feet
Why We Like It – We like this watch because it has a seemingly perfect depth rating, durability, and style.
6. Michael Kors Camile Crystal Pave Dial Crystal Encrusted Ladies Watch
It’s no secret that Michael Kors is known for putting out some of the most beautiful, high-quality jewelry and accessories that money can buy. The Michael Kors Camile Crystal Pave Ladies Watch MK5869 is a top-notch example of the dedication and hard work that goes into building their timepieces.
While this watch is encrusted with crystals all over the surface, it has a stainless steel case to ensure that nothing can harm it. The band is crafted with detail, protecting it from scratches and other damaging possibilities. A single crown knob on this 5 ATM watch is used to change the time whenever you need to.
The face of this stylish watch is 43mm while the band is only 22mm wide. These dimensions make it one of the largest women’s watches that are currently on the market. Despite the size, they didn’t miss a detail. Even the window is coated in crystals from top to bottom, giving this a glamorous, elegant appearance.
Pros:
+ Crafted by Michael Kors, one of the best in the business
+ Larger than most women’s timepieces
+ Made with stainless steel
Why We Like It – We like this watch because it combines the durability of stainless steel underneath with the beauty of shiny crystals all over the top.
7. Orient Men’s ‘Ray II’ Japanese Automatic Stainless Steel Diving Watch
The Orient Men’s ‘Ray II’ Stainless Steel Diving Watch is a great choice for those who want a bulky timepiece that’ll certainly be known. It doesn’t hide away. Instead, this bold watch has a blue face behind the crystal-clear window to show the time, day, and date in a simplistic manner.
It’s an automatic movement watch, making it one of the easiest to use and wear for those who aren’t familiar with how manual watches work. The crown on the right-center of the black bezel is used to adjust the time whenever you need to, zero complications necessary. It also has a stainless still band with broad links.
Over six decades of perfection has led Orient to create this timeless classic. This automatic watch is as good as you’ll find for weddings, business meetings, and other high-class outings. Read the time and share it in an instant thanks to the brightened, 41 mm surface.
Pros:
+ Shows the day, date, and time
+ Comes with a bright face for easy viewing
+ Made with stainless steel links
Why We Like It – We like this watch because the style and ease of use is timeless and classic.
8. Seiko Women’s SUT116 Stainless Steel Two-Tone Watch
Another fantastic two-tone option is the Seiko Women’s SUT116 Stainless Steel Two-Tone Watch. Similar to the previous two-tone watch at number 3 on the list, this one uses silver and gold on a stainless steel band stretched around the wrist. However, it differs in the sense that the face is much smaller at only 25 mm, making it close to the same diameter as the band.
The background of this watch is slightly illuminated to make it easier for the wearer to view the time in any light. In order to charge it up, all you have to do is let it soak up the sun for a few hours. Wearing it outside on a bright day will be more than enough to always keep it charged for optimal brightness around the clock.
The water resistance rating of this watch goes down to 99 feet (30 meters). While it might not be the best for deep diving and other intense water sports, you can still wear it when showering or washing your hands. The black numbers are easy to view underwater as well.
Pros:
+ Displays the day, date, and time in bold black font
+ Two-tone gold and silver stainless steel
+ Small 25 mm diameter
Why We Like It – We like this stylish watch because the 25 mm diameter makes it fit well for women with smaller wrists. It’s also a nice watch to dress up or down with.
9. Orient “Charlene” Classic Automatic Pearl Dial Swarovski Crystal Steel Watch
Another watch with a small face is the Orient “Charlene” Classic Pearl Dial Swarovski Crystal Steel Watch. This watch is one-of-a-kind, featuring all sorts of stylish, throwback traits that make it a timeless choice for years to come. Why not choose a watch that’ll never get old when paired with any wardrobe?
21 jewels decorate the exterior of the watch’s face, giving it a beautiful glow that you’ve never seen before in such a budget-friendly watch. There’s a push-release crown on the right-hand side that allows you to adjust the time and seal it from water damage if you happen to submerge the watch. Speaking of which, it has a resistance rating of 50 meters (150 feet).
This 31 mm watch is slightly larger than the previous watch in comparison, but it’s still significantly smaller than most of the others. Whether you have a small wrist or you simply don’t want a timepiece that encompasses your look, this is a great choice. Regardless of the size, the day and time are both easily visible thanks to the bold black lettering and numbers.
Pros:
+ Includes 21 jewels across the surface of the watch
+ Beautifully designed for any time period and any wardrobe
+ Small watch face for small wrists
Why We Like It – We like this watch because it’s compact, decorated with stunning jewels, and it has more than enough information on the face. The stainless steel band is also a nice addition for those who want something more durable than the average watch.
10. Seiko Ladies Crystal Dress Japanese-Quartz Watch
Although the Seiko Women’s Crystal Dress Japanese Quartz Watch comes in at the bottom of the list, you’ll soon see why it shouldn’t be skipped over any time soon. The mother of pearl backdrop is as beautiful as it gets, naturally blending blue, purple, pink, and white together. It’s also surrounded by crystals on the face and band as well.
The golden stainless steel strap goes around the wrist easily, making it simple to adjust for anyone and everyone. It fits small wrists very well since it’s only 28 mm in diameter. The watch runs on solar power, which is just about as energy-efficient as it gets. Go on a short walk outside or lay the timepiece out to charge up quickly.
As with all Seiko products, this stylish watch is made with some of the best materials to achieve a long-lasting lifespan. You won’t notice any scratches, scuff marks, glares, or other damage as you might with cheap watches. It also has a water resistance rating that works well down to 30 meters (100 feet). The toughness value alone eclipses other watches of its caliber.
Pros:
+ Absolutely stunning design that mixes gold, crystals, and mother of pearl
+ Tough design for such a stylish watch
+ Perfect size at 28 mm, fitting well on all wrist sizes
Why We Like It – We like this watch because it has all sorts of colors, including the black Seiko logo in the center. Such an intricate design is only made better by the durable materials used throughout it.
Watches Under $500 Buyer’s Guide
As you can probably see, these are some of the most beautiful, tough, and long-lasting watches around 500 dollars. Some might even say that they outshine models of a much higher price. However, you might still be trying to find out which one is meant for you. After all, there are 10 top-notch options to look through! Let’s see what we can do to provide an in-depth review to assist you in getting your new watch.
What are the best affordable watch brands?
There are a countless number of watch brands that fall into the price category, but only a handful of them are worth mentioning. If you’re not familiar with the watch industry and you only want to rely on the well-known brands, then you should check out Seiko, Citizen, Orient, and Michael Kors. All of the watches on the list are fantastic, but these brands are definitely the best for most people.
What is the best quality men’s watches?
As far as quality goes, you should look for a watch with a titanium or stainless steel strap. Black leather and any other leather band look and feel great, they’re not always the best for intense activities. You might also prefer silicone bands. Swiss made and Japanese quartz watches are some of the top choices for many designs as well. In fact, Swiss timepieces seem to often exceed expectations due to the decades of craftsmanship and improved style.
What are the best watches to buy?
The best watches to buy depends on your personal preferences. If you want something that’s simple and straight to the point, you might prefer the Citizen Men’s Watch at number 1 on the list. On the other hand, advanced technology has given us wonderful touchscreens such as the Garmin watch at number 4. You should also consider the size of the timepiece, the various features, and so on.
Expert Tip
Clean the face of your watch with a soft microfiber cloth to remove smudges and dust without leaving marks behind.
Did You Know?
Taking good care of your watch by not letting water sit, dusting it off, and storing it properly in a carry case or a watch box is a great way to extend the lifespan of your new watch. Many watches can last upwards of 10 or more years through consistent use and proper care. You can spend only a couple hundred dollars on a timepiece that you’ll be wearing in a decade. How cool is that?
