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You’ve been putting a little of your money aside each month for a new luxury watch, but that’s not all you’ve been saving. You’ve also been saving ideas. You’ve been contemplating what the best watches are for under 5 000 dollars. One thing is for sure though – if you’re investing in a watch of this value, your search is going to be a lot different from finding the best men’s watches under 100 dollars, for example.
Watches 300 dollars or more will get you anything from a cheap and cheerful designer watch, to some of the most prestigious watch manufacturers on the planet. But finding the best watches under 5 000 dollars is much more specific. You can go from looking at a selection of 300 watches to narrowing it down to a top 10 – just like we did!
Here’s a list of the best watches under 5 000 dollars. We’ve considered style, brand, price, features, quality, design, looks, size and how each luxury watch is suited to a certain type of lifestyle.
View The Best Watches Under $5000 Below
1. Tudor Heritage Black Bay
Tudor updated the Black Bay watch in 2016, fitting in with a beautifully manufactured in-house caliber for around-the-clock precision. This Tudor model from the Heritage collection has been crafted from a 41mm stainless steel case integrated with 200-meter water resistance, making it the ideal timepiece to strap to your wrist with its sleek metal bracelet.
You can take it down to daring depths underwater. The dial of the timepiece is surrounded by a black anodized aluminum unidirectional rotating bezel and features luminous circular and baton indexes protected underneath a domed sapphire crystal glass lens. The watch is powered by the brand’s automatic movement – the Calibre MT5602, which provides a 70-hour power reserve.
Pros:
+ 3-link stainless steel bracelet
+ Tudor rose-engraved screw-down steel winding crown
+ 200-meter water resistance
+ Automatic movement – 70-hour power reserve
+ Stylish dive watch for underwater exploration
Why We Like It – This timepiece from Tudor looks stylish both underwater and when worn on dry land.
2. Breitling Navitimer Chronograph
The 41mm Breitling steel Navitimer wristwatch with a mercury silver dial features tone on tone counters that contrast beautifully with a vintage-inspired brown leather strap. A bidirectional rotating bezel powers the famous circular slide rule of this watch, enabling you to activate a whole host of pilot-appropriate calculations.
The brands’ Breitling 13 is a self-winding caliber – one of the best movements! It provides approximately 48 hours of power reserve and provides ¼ of a second, 12 hours and a 30-minute function that can be activated by the bold steel push-pieces at 2 and 4 o’clock on the case.
Pros:
+ Automatic movement performs at a rate of 28,800 V.P.H
+ 48-hour power reserve
+ Vintage-inspired stainless steel model
+ Innovative slide rule bezel
+ Date window at 3 o’clock
Why We Like It – This model’s brown leather strap sets the Breitling Navitimer 01 pilot s watch off with its elegant white contrast stitching.
3. Tissot Heritage 1948 Automatic
Despite its rather classical look, this watch from Tissot combines the best of the brand’s past and present technology. Its simple chronograph dial is crisp and legible. The counters are laid out 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, making room for a date window at 4:30. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass protects the dial which is home to a black second hand powered by the mechanical winding ETA 2894-2 movement.
Pros:
+ 39.5mm stainless steel case
+ Chronograph functions; 30-minutes, 12-hours, central 60-seconds chronograph hand
+ Sapphire crystal exhibition back
+ 42-hour power reserve
+ 30-meter water resistance
Why We Like It – For its appealing price tag, Tissot will let you catch a glimpse of the movement through the sapphire glass case back. Beautifully twisted steel lugs add unique detailing to this Tissot Heritage 1948 Automatic watch.
4. TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Automatic
The Calibre 16 movement that powers this masculine-infused Carrera wristwatch from the TAG Heuer brand is perfectly equipped to provide unbeatable precision whilst housed inside a rugged 43mm steel case. A vibrant sunray blue dial has received touches of red that match the red ring around the push-piece at 2 o’clock, used for controlling chronograph functions effortlessly.
A date, day and tachymeter scale have been incorporated into this bold wristwatch. The minutes represented in large Arabic numerals around the periphery of the blue dial, provide a unique way to keep track of time.
Pros:
+ Luminous coated central hands
+ Polished blue ceramic fixed bezel and matching blue dial
+ Day and date window at 3
+ 100-meter water resistance
+ Automatic movement – 42-hour power reserve
Why We Like It – This Carrera Calibre 16 automatic wristwatch is inspired by endurance racing – perfect for you if you lead an active lifestyle.
5. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Automatic
The Seamaster Aqua Terra watch from the iconic Swiss brand, Omega is a dressier diver’s tool, powered by their pioneering Co-Axial escapement.
The 41mm steel model features a grey dial adorned with a horizontal teak pattern reminiscent of the wooden decks of luxury sailboats. With Super-LumiNova hands and indexes, and a power reserve of 60 hours, the brand has clearly set out to develop a model that combines reliability with legibility in perfect balance.
Completed on a stainless steel bracelet, this comfortable and sophisticated Omega diving watch with sporty blue accents, allows you to appreciate the complexity of its movement through a sapphire case back.
Pros:
+ 15-meter water resistance
+ Domed sapphire glass lens
+ Date aperture at 6
+ Sporty blue accents
+ Automatic movement – Master Chronometer caliber 8900 in anti-magnetic housing
Why We Like It – Classic, elegant yet with a touch of “sporty” this Omega Seamaster is the go-to wristwatch for every occasion.
6. Baume & Mercier Clifton Watch
This 43mm automatic watch presents the time on a silver dial adorned with gilt Arabic and dash-style hour markers and comprises a number of interesting features. A date ring around the periphery of the dial joins a moon phase display at 6 o’clock. Inspired by elegant 1950’s design, this vintage-looking Baume & Mercier watch is a practical yet rare-looking watch for under 5 000 dollars.
The timepiece is powered by the Dubois Dépraz 9000 movement. It performs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour, visible through a sapphire crystal glass back. The watch boasts a classic black leather strap for you to style it with any outfit.
Pros:
+ Classic 43mm steel dress watch
+ Anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass lens
+ Gilt sweeping seconds hand
+ Blue date ring
+ Moonphase display at 6 o’clock
Why We Like It – If you’re looking for a wristwatch with character, this beautifully crafted 1950’s inspired wristwatch is a model to show off at every occasion.
7. Oris Aquis Date Automatic
The bold and dynamic Oris Aquis is a bona fide diving instrument with rugged, masculine appeal. Governed by an in-house developed engine, the wristwatch is able to withstand depths of 300 meters whilst keeping the movement free from harm.
A black display equipped with luminous hour markers and central hands is framed by a 43.5mm black ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel attached to a screw-in security crown. If you’re looking for the best watch for combining durable materials and water-resistant technology, the Oris Aquis Date watch, thanks to its smart stainless steel bracelet will fit comfortably to your wrist day-in, day-out.
Pros:
+ 300-meter water resistance
+ Date window at 6 o’clock
+ Broad 43.5mm diameter
+ Rotating bezel with polished ceramic insert
+ Legible three-handed dial
Why We Like It – Aside from luminous coated elements, what makes this Oris Aquis watch so legible is its anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass lens.
8. Bell and Ross Golden Heritage Automatic
Presenting the time in the most simplistic of forms, this Bell & Ross Golden Heritage watch features a distinct cushion-shaped square case with bolted steel screws decorating its four corners. A jet black dial is a home to slim gilt baton indexes and straight gilt skeleton central hands that taper to a point.
A discreet date aperture is located at 4:30, enabling you to keep track of your week. This Bell & Ross watch is powered by the brand’s Calibre BR-CAL.302 automatic movement. A beautiful and stylish dress watch that will attract attention for all the right reasons.
Pros:
+ Luminous coated central hands
+ 200-meter water-resistant
+ Iconic square-shaped steel case
+ Smooth brown leather calfskin strap
+39mm diameter
Why We Like It – This beautifully manufactured Bell & Ross Golden Heritage watch secures with a gold calfskin strap with a hot-stamped finish and satin-finished pin buckle.
9. Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph Automatic
The best feature of this Montblanc Timewalker automatic watch is its striking chronograph layout, with counters located at 12 and 6 o’clock bordered in a stealthy black trim. A red chronograph seconds hand (with a Minerva arrow tip) and matching colored 15-minute increments around the edge of the display, enhance a sporty twist to this design.
Readability during the day and night is made easy, courtesy of luminous central hands and distinct black Arabic numerals highlighting some of the even numbers of the hour track. The watch delivers precision timing via the brand’s caliber MB 25.07 which does a fine job of performing effortlessly from within a robust 43mm steel case. semi-skeletonized horns have also been used in this design, inspired by the aerodynamic lines of classic car profiles of the past.
Pros:
+ 30-minute and 12-hour counters at 6 and 12 o’clock
+ 100-meter water-resistant
+ Silver and black display
+ Rhodium-plated dauphine hands
+ Black ceramic bezel with a knurled flank finish
Why We Like It – Not only designed to enhance breathability and comfort (since its underside is fitted with a raised grip fasten), the black leather strap of this Montblanc Timewalker watch is inspired by the holes seen in racing gloves.
10. Longines Avigation Bigeye
Longines’ aviation watches have assisted many pioneers in their adventures through the skies. A legible yet classic dial and striking white Arabic numerals will enable you to read the time clearly and at a quick glance with this Longines Avigation Bigeye strapped to the wrist.
The timepiece is controlled via the L688 self-winding automatic movement, equipped with a column wheel and a 54-hour power reserve. The watch is completed on a supple brown leather strap with contrast white stitching and traditional buckle for 24/7 comfort.
Pros:
+ 41mm steel case
+ Screw down case back
+ Chronograph hours and minutes, plus small seconds at 9 o’clock
+ Silvered sandblasted hands
+ Stylish pilot’s dress watch
Why We Like It – This Longines Avigation Bigeye watch is water-resistant to 30 meters and features a sapphire glass lens for ultimate protection of the display.
Watches Under $5000 Buyer’s Guide
Sophisticated Options Under $500
One of the best things about buying watches under $5k is that you’ll likely find a model that you can wear every day of the week and still style it as a dress watch by night. The difference between finding the best watch under 100 dollars compared to one worth around 5k is that a men’s watch under 100 dollars will probably work for one scenario, and that’s it!
A luxury dress watch, on the other hand, will double-up as a classic watch for business meetings, a professional-looking wristwatch for attending an interview in and a timepiece for wearing to a night at the casinos. If you prefer the style of a dress watch, you’ll be looking for watches featuring a slim profile that will sit comfortably and appropriately under the cuff of a work shirt.
Minimal complications on the dial are also a characteristic of dress watches. Three-handed dial designs, as well as those models that forego the second hand, are common designs for a classic wristwatch. Bell & Ross watches are perfect for wearing to dressier situations, as are Grand Seiko watches and Nomos watches.
Baume & Mercier Clifton watches are elegantly crafted for wearing to memorable dressy occasions too, differing vastly from the bold and attention-demanding aesthetics of the diver-friendly Tudor Heritage Black Bay watches, for example. Tudor, who has perfected the art of creating modern dive watches that focus on robustness and reliability first and foremost, offer an alternative look on the wrist compared to a dress watch.
Dress watches are also characterized by supremely crafted leather straps, smaller case diameters (that normally fall between a width of 36mm and 40mm), and are often clothed in luxurious precious metals like platinum, 18k white gold, rose gold or yellow gold.
Underwater Watches Below $5000
Although diver’s watches were once developed solely for one purpose – to face extreme conditions under dark depths of water – many luxury watch manufacturers today are designing diver’s watches that can be worn as everyday timepieces. That’s good news for you if you’re seriously considering investing in one of these diver’s watches within this price range since you’ll want to be getting your money’s worth out of it. Rolex diver’s watches, especially the Submariner and the Sea-Dweller have increased the desirability and the popularity of a modern diver’s watch, becoming statement pieces that look cool with work attire as well as casual, sporty outfits.
There are a few features that you’ll want to make sure are present in a diver’s watch with this kind of price tag – water resistance for one. It needs to offer a water resistance of at least 200 meters, allowing you to submerge the watch without risk of it leaking.
Secondly, it needs to be easy to read, The Omega Seamaster and the Oris Aquis Date watch covered in our guide, both feature luminous-coated detailing on the dial to assist with referencing the time clearly and efficiently at a quick glance.
A robust movement produced inside shock-resistant technology is a fundamental feature of a diver’s watch. Also, a unidirectional rotating bezel that will enable you to keep better track of remaining dive time underwater without the risk of the time increasing.
This major safety measure has become an integral quality of a diver’s watch since the birth of the iconic Fifty Fathoms watches by the Swiss company, Blancpain. Always consider what strap you prefer on a diving watch before investing since there are options between a silicone strap or metal bracelet available on the luxury watch market.
Chronograph’s Under $5000
There is more than just one advantage of owning a chronograph watch. What’s more, there are plenty of top models that can be purchased for under 5k. Aside from letting a man know what time of day it is, chronographs also come with a number of additional features that a regular watch just doesn’t offer.
On a basic level it will provide stopwatch functions; a stop, reset, go and start again feature, but you can also calculate your average speed or measure your heart rate with one. Therefore, if you invest in a chronograph watch within this price range, you’re going to want to wear it every day, whether you’re doing business with it or recording personal bests at the gym with it.
Higher priced watches like this are developed by the elite of the watchmaking industry. IWC, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Omega and Montblanc to name just a few, have all dedicated years to perfecting these products in a timepiece, ensuring they run as smooth as anything. They’re a testament to the highest level of craftsmanship, to say the least, making you want to show them off at all those special occasions.
You can certainly get your hands on multi-scale chronographs under 5k. Built with innovative attributes like a tachymeter scale or pulsometer, and combined with a date window and an open case back. Watching the movements that power these beautifully crafted masterpieces is the crème de la crème of owning your own chronograph.
Consider strap options before you invest in one. Do you want something to feel ultra-sporty with a rubber strap? Something dressier and more professional with a metal bracelet? Or somewhere in between the two, with a leather band?
There are also several limited edition watches that combine sporty looks with cutting edge technology. But whether limited edition or not – a watch capable of this level of functionality is sure to leave you desiring very little else.
The best watches under 5 000 dollars are those that combine performance, materials, and style. Once you’ve figured out whether you want a watch for work, a sporty wristwatch for assisting with an active lifestyle, or a classic dress watch for elevating any outfit in your wardrobe – you’re sure to narrow your search down to one or two final favorites.
It’s then a matter of personal preference. Refine your list down to one or two credentials that will enhance your timekeeping experience on an aesthetical level and then simply enjoy wearing your watch with complete confidence that your money is well invested both now on your wrist and in the future.
