Unique styling touches like a domed plexi-crystal give the Max Bill a premium and expensive look that set it apart in a crowded field of competition. The watches are slim, measuring 10mm thin, so they’re suitable for cuffs of all sizes and can manage dress watch duty as well as a casual night at the pub. Though the line is available in three sizes, it’s the 38mm size with an automatic movement that hits a sweet spot of functionality and value.

Junghans Max Bill Automaticīauhaus design and a modern Swiss automatic movement meet in the Junghans Max Bill. All three are powered by a Seiko 6R35 movement that has a 70-hour power reserve, and all have a cyclops date window at 3 o’clock. The Prospex Alpinist watches are available in three colors: Classic green, black dial on a bracelet and a cream white dial.

Last year, the company collaborated with Hodinkee, the online watch empire, to produce a limited edition blue version of the timepiece and now they’ve come up with a whole new line of variations on the classic theme. Seiko paid attention to the hype and has released a few updates to the line since the green model was discontinued. That watch was discontinued a couple of years back and has taken on a life of its own through second-hand and grey market sales since then. Many Seikos have worn the Alpinist name over the years, but it is the green SARB017 that has held a legendary place in the Seiko lineup and in enthusiasts’ collections for the longest. A stainless steel mesh bracelet is available for the Squale for an additional $150. The 500 Meter dive watch comes with a date window at 3:00, a sapphire crystal, a Swiss ETA movement, a 40-hour power reserve and a tan leather strap. The 316L stainless steel case is sized at 42mm across the round of the dial and 14 mm thick, which are modern and hefty measurements, but the watch isn’t awkward or too large. Check current priceĪt $900 before tax or shipping, the Squale is far from the cheapest watch on our list, but it’s also one of the most rugged and capable. Some of Squale’s designs lean too far into homage territory, but the company’s 500-meter dive watch has a unique and vintage aesthetic that is all its own.

Movement: Swiss ETA 2824-2 Self-Winding Automatic.

In no particular order… Squale 500 Meter Dive Watch Read on for more info and the complete list… The Best Men’s Watches Under $1,000 Short on time? Here’s our top pick for the best watch under $1,000: Luckily, we’ve researched the best budget watches choices on the market today, so let’s take a look at the best watches under $1,000. That said, the variety of choices on the market can make it hard to pick. Watchmakers are catching on, too, as the number of high-quality sub-$1,000 timepieces has exploded in recent years. New models from well established companies and microbrands alike are becoming more and more popular, to the point that many people are exclusively shopping at the lower end of the price spectrum. So many people think that if they can’t buy a Swiss watch with a five-digit price tag, there’s no use shopping at all, but that’s not the case. The good news is that there are dozens and dozens of options available in any price range, even more so on the lower end of the spectrum. Unfortunately for most of us, budgets are a very real hurdle to buying a watch, and even if we could afford the exact watch we want they may not always be available (looking at you, Rolex). You could walk out and buy the exact timepiece you want without worrying about the price tag, but that’s a fantasy in all but the most extreme cases. Here, three vintage watch specialists - Eric Wind of Wind Vintage, Nick Pardo, previously of Analog/Shift and Hamilton Powell of Crown & Caliber - opine on the best timepieces that can be realistically acquired for less than a grand.If money were no object, finding a watch would be easy. When doing so, you'll want to arm yourself with some basic knowledge on vintage watch shopping: do your research on the brand and watch you're considering, carefully read the description and examine the photos, see the watch in person when possible and, perhaps most importantly, remember to always 'buy the seller.' They'll often require more care and attention (read: servicing and repair) than modern watches.īut there's still a lot to explore, and you might find that the most daunting problem is picking something from that expansive lot.

There are still great deals to be found, but newbies should be aware that 'vintage,' 'pre-owned' or whatever you might call it means used. While the rising popularity of vintage means that some of the bargains of previous years can be harder to find, this is still a fascinating field to explore.

Fortunately, the vintage marketplace is teeming with undervalued timepieces from big names and forgotten brands alike.

Best automatic watches under $1000