Top 10 Watches Under 500 Euros: A Lot Of Watch For Little Money

By Montredo in Lifestyle
March 31, 2021
Top 10 Watches Under 500 Euros: A Lot Of Watch For Little Money

It is no secret that you don’t have to spend a fortune on high-quality watches these days. Even with a budget of up to €500, you can purchase watches from renowned brands (or interesting newcomers) that will serve you faithfully for many years. However, you shouldn’t just go for it blindly, because especially in the price range between €150 and €500 there are many models that only deserve the title “fashion watch” and as such should be treated with caution.

We have therefore picked out 10 models that not only look great, but are also a perfect introduction to the world of high-quality watches. From quartz to automatic and from traditional Swiss brand to Kickstarter microbrand, this list leaves no one behind.

10. Timex Q Timex Reissue

Timex can justifiably be called a true institution of the US watch industry. Founded in 1854, the brand has been committed to producing high-quality and affordable watches for everyone since day one. This of course has not changed with the reissue of the Q Timex.

Timex Q Timex Reissue (Ref. TW2T807007U), 179.00 €
Timex Q Timex Reissue (Ref. TW2T807007U), 179.00 €

The reissued Q Timex – a classic from the 1970s – presents itself as a colourful quartz watch. Thanks to its rotating colour bezel, domed acrylic glass and slender steel bracelet, it is the perfect weekend watch with a good dose of vintage charm.

9. Lorier Neptune

Lorier is one of the most popular microbrands out there right now. The watch brand is based in New York City and is the brainchild of a husband and wife team consisting of Lorenzo and Lauren Ortega. Their goal was to bring classic designs of older watches back to life, but without sacrificing everyday practicality. Put differently, a daily rocker for all situations, from hiking to fine dining.

Lorier Neptune Series III (Black/Gilt), approx. 425,00 €
Lorier Neptune Series III (Black/Gilt), approx. 425,00 €

The Lorier Neptune in particular fulfills this self-claim perfectly. With its clearly laid out dial without any distractions, such as a date window or too much lettering, the watch draws the eye to the essentials. Aspects such as the oversized crown, the domed glass or the strongly tapered bracelet are borrowed from older watches, lending the Neptune a great deal of vintage vibes.

8. Tissot PRX

Tissot has really knocked it out of the park with the launch of the PRX (more on that here), as the watch perfectly captures the current zeitgeist: tonneau-shaped case, integrated bracelet and elegant sunburst dial. The formula for success can be so simple.

Tissot PRX 40 205 Quartz (Ref. T137.410.11.041.00), €350,00
Tissot PRX 40 205 Quartz (Ref. T137.410.11.041.00), €350,00

Thanks to its affordable price point, the watch is also perfect for starting (or expanding) one’s own collection. The watch was modelled on the original PRX from 1978, which was precise (P), robust (R) and water-resistant to 10 bar (X).

Do you have any questions about this brand?

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7. Baltic HMS 002

Baltic has been on our radar since the early days, as our Baltic Aquascaphe review shows. However, in addition to the well-known diving watch, Frenchman Etienne Malec’s brand also has an often overlooked collection of three-hand watches: the HMS (for Hour-Minute-Second).

Baltic HMS 002, 399,00 €
Baltic HMS 002, 399,00 €

The model HMS 002 is our favourite, as it successfully bridges the gap between vintage and modern. On the 38mm case sits a strongly curved acrylic glass, under which a silver, so-called sector dial has been mounted. Together with the blued hands, the result is a 1940s aesthetic that few other modern watches convey so successfully (and at this price).

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6. Casio G-Shock GA-2100-1AER

Casio is not only the world market leader in pocket calculators, but also produces some of the most rugged watches in the world. That’s why the brand has already made it into our Top 10 list of Japanese watch brands, and rightly so.

Casio GA-2100-1AER, 99,00 €
Casio GA-2100-1AER, 99,00 €

In particular, the watches of the iconic G-Shock series, of which over 100 million have already been produced, enjoy great popularity today due to their robustness and look. With the model GA-2100-1AER aka “CasioOak” (in reference to the Gérald Gentas Royal Oak), Casio has succeeded in offering the much sought-after case shape in a significantly more affordable overall package, which has opened up entirely new customer groups for the brand.

5. Les Montres Merci LMM-01

In January 2018, the first pictures of Emmanuel Macron during his trip to China surfaced. On his wrist: the LMM-01. Not only was the watch completely sold out shortly afterwards, but it also helped the Parisian fashion and decoration shop Merci to gain a lot of media attention.

Les Montres Merci LMM-H01, 500,00 €
Les Montres Merci LMM-H01, 500,00 €

The 38mm watch is a kind of French interpretation of a field watch, but it is made in Switzerland. Inside ticks the ETA hand-wound calibre 2801, boasting a power reverse of 42 hours.

4. Orient Kamasu

Orient is not only a true veteran of the Japanese watch industry. No, the brand is also a master at offering robust diving watches with great designs at a low price. However, anyone who thinks that Orient is cutting corners is mistaken. All movements are developed and manufactured entirely in-house – and of course in accordance with the Japanese drive for perfection.

Orient Kamasu (Ref. RA-AA0001B19A), approx. 200,00 €
Orient Kamasu (Ref. RA-AA0001B19A), approx. 200,00 €

The Kamasu model measures 41.8mm in diameter and takes its name from the Japanese word for barracuda, one of the most aggressive predatory fish on our planet. Accordingly, the triangular hour markers and the arrow hands resemble predatory fish teeth, according to Orient. Thanks to its unidirectional rotating bezel and 200m water resistance, the watch is also predestined for diving.

3. Furlan Marri “Havana Salmon”

Furlan Marri is a relatively young watch brand that was founded by the two friends and business partners Andrea Furlan and Hamad Al Marri. Their joint idea was to reinterpret the most sought-after and exclusive watches of the 1950s in a contemporary way – and at an accessible price point.

Furlan Marri Havana Salmon (Ref. 1031-A), approx. 280,00 €
Furlan Marri Havana Salmon, approx. 280,00 €

Our favorite is hands-down the model Havana Salmon, which is reminiscent of iconic Patek Philippe timepieces of days gone by. By combining two warm colors, in this case salmon and chocolate, the watch comes with a beautifully designed bicompax dial that pays tribute to Latin America. Under its hood, the chronograph makes use of a Meca quartz calibre, essentially combining quartz accuracy and a mechanical feel. In other words: the best of both worlds.

2. Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical

The Khaki Field Automatic is admittedly an obvious choice. However, we didn’t want to leave it unmentioned as it has everything you would expect from a perfect entry-level watch: high quality, reliable movement and a far-reaching history.

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Watch (Ref. H69439931), 370,00 €
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Watch (Ref. H69439931), 370,00 €

The 38mm case looks great on most wrists and the H-50 hand-wound calibre powers the watch for 80 hours. The olive green NATO strap and the uncluttered dial, which features both a 12- and 24-hour scale, also make this a field watch par excellence.

Do you have any questions about this model?

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1. Seiko 5 Sports

No list of entry-level watches is complete without the Japanese cult brand from Tokyo, or so the law would have it. And for good reason: Almost no other brand in the world gets you so much watch for so little money.

Seiko 5 Sports (Ref. SRPD73K1), 329,00 €
Seiko 5 Sports (Ref. SRPD73K1), 329,00 €

Whether SKX, Presage or Prospex, the watch brand founded in 1881 has helped several generations of watch lovers to a solid start in their collecting passion. The Seiko 5 Sports, essentially a successor to the legendary but discontinued SKX, is a perfect everyday watch with a date and day display, automatic movement and Hardlex crystal.


Did you know that many of the watches shown here are also available in our shop?


Previous comments (1)

  1. Exactly what I was looking for, nice list.
    Just one remark: I’d chose the original SKX over the new Seiko 5 Sport any day of the week. A genuine watch icon that is now discontinued, but can still be purchases for <500€.

    April 12, 2021

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