50 Best Automatic Watches Under $500

Can you get a quality watch for pretty cheap?

It’s the age old question that gets kicked around watch enthusiast circles all the time. Whether you’re a money-set seasoned collector or someone who doesn’t have deep pockets, every watch enthusiast is looking for a good deal on a quality timepiece. We at Wrist Enthusiast will have you know that they do exist - And are even more widely available than you would think. In fact, many of the interesting “Affordables” can be purchased with next day shipping on Amazon. Who would have thunk?

There are a number of quality aspects that you’d look for in an affordable automatic watch. Sapphire Crystal, Swiss movement, bracelet, lume, texture, finishing… We’ve tried to create a fairly complete list of some of our favorite watches that won’t have our readers selling a Kidney on the black market. With a goal of finding watches that are sub-$500, we set out to present our findings. So lets get to it.

Seiko Prospex SRPE39

It’s always going to be hard to argue with the value Seiko brings to the table - So you’ll likely see a number of them on the wrist. When it comes to sub-$500 divers, there’s a lot to look for in terms of feature-sets and quality - And the Seiko Prospex SRPE39 offers just about all of them. The extremely wearable “Turtle” style case is oversized but wears extremely well while still offering a whopping 300M of water resistance. The offset crown allows for easy setting of the date / time, and the rotating bezel makes timing your dives really simple.

But the real draw for this watch is the fact that it comes on an incredibly comfortable bracelet with micro-adjustments, and also has a uniquely textured dial. Since the watch was developed in conjunction with the Save The Ocean campaign, each SRPE39 comes with a textured manta ray motif that is well executed and doesn’t detract from the overall aesthetic. And the best part of all of it is, it can be had for around $385 USD if you look in the right places.

Baltic HMS 002

Baltic is a relative new-comer to the watch industry, but boy have they made some positive waves. The brand has some great offerings, but one of our absolute favorites is the Baltic HMS 002. The classic dress watch features a number of 40’s-inspired aesthetics and we simply love it. The indices and railway are a solid black finish against a silver dial giving the watch superb legibility. The hands have been heat blued adding a nice pop of color to match with the leather strap, and against the textured crosshair dial, it’s easy to see the old-world influence here. The stainless steel case measures in at a perfect 38mm in stainless steel making this one of the easier dress watch options for anyone looking for a modern take on vintage styling. Price for the Baltic HMS 002 is $382 USD.

Timex M79

We have to give credit where it’s due, Timex has really stepped up their game in the last 5 years. This isn’t Grandpa’s Timex anymore. The Timex M79 is one of the first automatic watches that really caught on in major collectors circles when it was initially released. Capitalizing on everyone’s favorite “Batman” design language, the M79 takes and elegant shot at producing something special. The watch mixes some old, and some new. The thick aluminum bezel features that classic black and blue split, while the red seconds hand adds a pop of color aiding the legibility. The lume filled “Mercedes” hand-set brings some of the classic, but still timeless design language, as does the 7-link bracelet. The day and date function is outlined in white, making it pop on the gossy black dial, and the minimal text is clean and funtional. Overall, it’s a simply, albeit timeless option from Timex. A little modern, a little vintage, but totally fun. Price for the M79 is $199 USD.

Unimatic U2 Classic

Unimatic is an interesting brand because it melds a slew of different influences into it’s design. The brand is based in Italy, and features some minimalistic, but also brooding design language - And we love it. The Unimatic U2 Classic may be one of the more simply options, however it offers a lot of bang for the buck. The three-hand watch features hard lines, and very bright lume, making the watch incredibly legible at night. The 38.5mm stainless steel case is brushed with a pronounced bezel in what the brand calls a “Two Slot” case, making the watch incredibly shock resistant. The watch comes on a really comfortable fabric strap with pin-buckle clasp. The Unimatic U2 is a utilitarian watch that can be dressed up or down, and for that, we love it. Price for the Unimatic U2 Classic is $425 USD.

Orient Kamasu

Orient has long been a fan favorite. Like Seiko, it’s very difficult to argue with what Orient offers as far as specs, quality, and pricing. In fact, the first watch I (Travis) ever bought with my industry earnings was an Orient Mako II. The Kamasu, while a little different, is a more contemporary upgrade that punches above it’s weight class when it comes to dive watches. It’s 41.8mm case fits superbly well, and comes on a well-finished stainless steel bracelet. The uni-direction bezel is high quality, with easily grippable teeth. It comes with a day-date and it’s lume is super bright. It is fastened with a sapphire crystal, and 200 meters of water resistance. It really does check just about all the boxes you’d want in a sub-$500 automatic watch. Price for the Orient Kamasu is $201 USD on Amazon.

Dan Henry 1975 Skin Diver

When it comes to vintage aesthetics in the affordable markets, Dan Henry often elevates above a lot of it’s competition. One of our favorites is the 1975 Skin Diver. Skin Diver watches tend to utilize bright colors, making them easy to read under the water. The 1970’s were a breakout time for Skin Diving, and the watches reflected some of the aesthetics encompassing the hobby. The 1975 Skin Diver features an easy to read dial with orange accents, in a stainless steel case. the 39mm case is extremely wearable, and we’d argue it’s a great frontrunner for an every-day casual watch. Price for the Dan Henry 1975 Skin Diver is $430 USD, but they also offer the watch in a quartz model for $250 USD.

Bulova Hack

Bulova is an extremely capable brand of producing some of the better everyday watches on the market. They have released a number of our favorite casual watches, but also have their fair share of utility watches. One of them is the Bulova Hack - A military-inspired field watch that looks great, packs in features, and doesn’t break the bank. The 38mm Stainless steel case comes on your choice of a leather or textile fabric strap. It’s a fairly traditional field watch dial with both a 12-hour, and 24-hour tracks and is filled with lume. It features cathedral style hands, and minimal text on the dial. One thing to pay attention to is that this is a field watch, and only features 30m of water resistance. You can find the Bulova Hack for under $300 USD.

Marathon General Purpose Mechanical

The Marathon General Purpose Mechanical (Or GPM for short) rocked the watch world when it was first released. It’s the funky shape and design language is tactical, and it packs a large feature set into the watch including Tritium tube lume. The watch was designed and created to be used in the field by soldiers, so it features some unique attributes. For one, it’s relatively small 34mm case is made from “Fibreshell”, which is incredibly light, but not delicate. It comes on a fabric strap, and because of the case material, it comes in a variety of color. Of course, with Tritium, the lume is very bright and easy to read at night. It’s overall a solid automatic offering from Marathon. Price for the Marathon (GPM) is $420 USD.

Tissot PRX 80 automatic

We’ve lauded the PRX Collection from Tissot for a long time here at Wrist Enthusiast. You can even read Travis’ review of the PRX Chronograph here. It’s not hard to say, we’re big fans. And the fact that you can get some of their Automatic PRX models for under $500 is an amazing value. If you’re in the market for a steel sport watch that doesn’t sacrifice quality that wont empty your wallet, the PRX is the model for you. The three hand watch features a Tappisserie textured dial, and measures in at 40mm x 10.9mm making it extremely wearable. And of course, a Swiss automatic movement. Price for the Tissot PRX 80 Automatic is a very modest $484 USD.

NOTE: At the time of writing, this watch was priced at $484, but seems to have increased a small amount. We believe in the PRX, and we feel the slight price increase to a little over the budget was worth leaving the Tissot PRX 80 in the list.

Undone Classic Original

Undone is a Hong Kong based microbrand that has made a name for itself creating highly customizable watches. More recently the brand has also been able to license the use of famous characters such as Mickey Mouse and Popeye for use on their watches. In addition to the customization and fun collaborations, Undone makes some affordable and good-looking automatic watches. We are big fans of the Undone Classic Original. In addition to being able to customize the Classic Original, we really like the mixture of vintage and modern dive charm. From the orange hour hand to the sterile bezel with single marker, there is a lot to like about the Classic Original. You can pick up the Undone Classic Original for $335 USD.

Vostok Amphibian

Vostok is a Russian watch company that was originally founded in 1942. The Amphibia (or Amphibian) line was released more recently in 2006. The Amphibian boasts numerous unique design elements, including steel bezel with red and black dots and dashes. Additionally, the blue dial features the image of a scuba diver near 12 o’clock. The watch runs on an automatic Vostok Caliber 2416B self-winding movement. Being a dive watch, the Amphibian is water resistant to 200 meters. At $130 USD on Amazon, the Vostok Amphibian is a lot of dive watch for your money.

Lorier Neptune

We have written in the past about the Lorier Neptune. The Neptune checks all the boxes if you’re looking for a retro-inspired diver at an affordable price-point. Lorier’s dive watch reminds us of the vintage Rolex Submariners of the 1950s, like the one worn by James Bond. We particularly enjoy the attention to detail by Lorier on the Neptune, as evidenced by the “period appropriate” straight lugs and big crown. Being a dive watch, the Neptune is water resistant to 200 meters. The Neptune has a slimmed down 39mm case and runs on the reliable Miyota 90S5 automatic movement. The Lorier Neptune SIV will set you back $499 USD at retail.

Citizen Promaster Marine

Divers is definitely one of the most popular categories for automatic watches under $500 USD. Another diver that we really like is the Citizen Promaster Marine. This no-frills diver has a more modern aesthetic than the Lorier. However, it has day and date supplies and blazing lume hands and indices. The Promaster Marine’s water resistance of 200 meters is more than enough for most collectors. We are particularly fond of the variation with blue dial, bezel and rubber strap. At 43 mm, the Promaster Marine is a bit on the larger size. However, at just $258 USD on Amazon, it is a pretty good deal

Martenero Edgemere Reserve

The Martenero Edgemere was a fairly popular model when the brand first released it in 2016. It was bold, fun, and features quite the feature set for the price point. The watch presented a certain amount of Nautical charm, that quickly caught on with enthusiasts. Recently, the brand revamped the Edgemere and released the Martenero Edgemere Reserve - A clever, even MORE Nautical-inspired piece of horological fun. The Edgemere reserve comes in 4 dial variations, that range in blues and reds to present a classic, well-made timepiece that doesn’t break the bank. Inside the Martenero Edgemere Reserve is the Miyota 9132, an updated automatic workhorse that brings a lot of bang for the buck. Aditionally, unlike it’s predecessor, the Edgemere Reserve features a sapphire case back so you can see the movement in all it’s glory. Price for the Martenero Edgemere Reserve is a modest $495 USD.

Zelos Hammerhead V3 Bronze

It’s no surprise that Bronze watches have caught on quite well in the last few years. Bronze Patina’s over time and gives the watch a unique aged look that ensures that every watch will look a little different. They’re especially popular in dive watches, because things like salt levels and sun levels can age the case differently. One of the kings in the affordable dive watch space is Zelos. A really cool brand doing really cool things. We’re particularly fond of the Hammerhead V3 Bronze - A chill take of lagoon vibes that works really well with the redish-brown bronze. The watch would be considered oversized at 44mm, but with the way the rubber wears, and the copious amount of lume on the dial, we find the case to work well despite it’s large size. Especially with the crown being at 4 o’clock, it wears really well, and won’t break the bank at just $449 USD.

Seiko Presage Cocktail Time

The Presage collection from Seiko has been the quintessential dress watch for affordable enthusiasts for decades. With the many high quality executed textured dials, it’s hard to argue with the value you can pull out of Seiko, and particularly the Presage Cocktail Time. Our favorite model happens to be the SRPB41J1 - Or the blue dial Cocktail Time. The depth of the dial texture is simply a sight to behold, and the fact that you can actually get the watch at a fairly steep discount edges a lot of competition out. The other leg-up the Cocktail Time has is that it comes on a factory 5-link bracelet - A rarity for dress watches in this pricepoint. Though, for more formal events, we would swap it out for a nice alligator leather (which is also available from the brand). It’s a modest size at 40.5mm, and won’t break the bank at only $359 USD.

Xeric Regulator

A “Regulator” watch is a watch that seperates the hour and seconds hand into two seperate axis’. The complication is typically and often found on much higher horological brands, and seldom are they affordable. Xeric created a Regulator that is both automatic, and attractive and doesn’t require you to sell a kidney. The watch comes in a number of dial colors, but our favorite is the green Fume dial. It’s a matte finish and feels like it’s punching above it’s weight class. It’s a nice size at 42mm, features a quick release strap system, and a decorated rotor. Overall it’s hard to as for more out of a watch Tthat only costs $499 USD.

Bulova Maquina

The Bulova Maquina is definitely one of the more brooding offerings from the brand. It’s semi-skeleton dial is shaped like a skull, and with it’s blacked out case and strap, it’s hard to feel some “The Punisher” aesthetic queues. The watch is pretty straight - forward, and definitely designed for those looking for a more tactical wrist presence. Now, “presence” you will have as the case measures in at a whopping 46mm in a black DLC coating. Regardless of the size, the watch does wear well on the wrist. The leather strap is soft and easy to buckle, and the skeletonized dial gives plenty to look at dialside. The watch comes in at a modest $433 USD.

CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series X Gorilla

If you’ve followed Wrist Enthusiast for any amount of time, you’ll know we are big fans of CIGA Design. You can even read our in-depth review of the recent GPHG Winner of the Blue Planet here. But you’ll be please to learn that CIGA has been doing fun and unique things for a long time. The CIGA Design x Gorilla adds a fun pop of skeletonized color to the brands ever-growing catalog. The watch is said to be modeled after the muscular nature of a Gorilla. And honestly, I don’t see that in any other sense except that it’s definitely masculine in design, and black DLC coated with Orange accents. Overall, for a skeleton watch it’s hard to argue with the $379 USD price point.

Boldr Venture Wayfarer-Admiral

If you’re looking for a quirky little field watch, look no further than the BOLDR Venture Wayfarer. The watch features some bold colors without losing the traditionally monotone field watch style. The Venture actually has a unique feature in that it’s Titanium instead of steel, making it incredibly lightweight on the wrist. The “Fauxtina” dial matches nicely against the muted blue-grey color of the dial, and it comes on a tan nylon strap. Price for the BOLDR Venture Wayfarer-Admiral is a modest $339 USD.

Nodus Retrospect III

Nodus is one of those brands that consistently creates some of the most ideal entry-level enthusiasts watches. The Retrospect III combines a number of features usually found on much higher-end watches. For starters, the sunburst fume dial is nice enough as it is, but it’s also a lume-filled sandwich dial, which means it includes layers with recessed indices. Second, the bezel is slightly concaved with a domed crystal, giving the watch a unique dimension. Lastly, it comes on a really well-made integrated bracelet, that fits the watch nicely. Price for the Nodus Retrospect III is $475 USD.

Carpenter M23 Field Watch

If you’re looking for some sweet vintage vibes that also kinda feel like it carries the inspiration of a classic car, look no further than the Carpenter M23 Field Watch. While technically lacking a lot of the “features” that make a field watch, well a field watch, the M23 carry a lot of high-end finishing that you don’t often see in these lower priced watches. For starters, the bar lugs and polished case are simply well executed and the sleek mirror polished black dial make the minimalist indices pop - Allowing for an easy to read at a glance timepiece. To add a pop of color, an orange second hand is prominent against the dial. Price for the Carpenter M23 Field Watch is $468 USD.

Timex Marlin

The second Timex on our list, is one of the most classic watches the brand has ever produced. Timex, while often associated with cheaper quartz watches, has truly stepped up it’s game in the last few years. Between the Q series, and the updated Marlin, Timex has some heavy hitters in the price point. The Marlin, being one of Timex’s most classic dress watches, come in a two piece polished case with a domed sapphire crystal. The leather strap is thick, and features a quick release strap system - Another rarity for the pricepoint. The simple grey dial can be matched with just about any outfit, and come with a matching day-date wheel - Yet an additional rarity. Price for the Timex Marlin is $259 USD.

Venezianico Nereide GMT

No doubt, we are a sucker for Turquoise, and Venezianico has a fantastic option for it in the Nereide GMT. We can’t stress enough how hard it is to find a GMT in a sub-$500 watch that isn’t quartz. Venezianico packs a lot of features in this watch. For starters, it runs on a Seiko NH34A GMT movement, which is a workhorse Japanese GMT movement. It’s stainless steel case measures in at 39mm, making it extremely wearable for a Diver with 200 meters of water resistance. And of course, the GMT function which allows for the tracking of two separate time zones. The best part is, you can pick one up for only $495 USD.

Sternglas Marus

One of the newer independents on the scene, Sternglas has made some really cool watches. The vintage inspiration is something we love about the brand and all of the models they create. Their first Automatic dive watch takes inspiration from vintage dive watches, and we love it. The brushed stainless steel case comes with a circular brushed green dial, and it simply jives together. Our favorite part of the Marus is the bracelet. Called a “Block Strap”, the bracelet uses singular links to create a super retro and comfortable bracelet - Which we absolutely love. . Price for the Sternglas Marus is $499 USD (recently increased to $529 USD).

Jack Mason Canton Day-Date

Jack Mason is a really cool Texas-based brand that specializes in leather goods and watches. So it’s fun to see the brand branch out and release a really cool sport watch on an integrated steel bracelet. The sunburst blue dial looks good with the applied silver indices, and the pop on the seconds hand ads some lovely touches to the dial. The hands are lume filled, and easy to read and the high polish bezel helps make the Jack Mason Canton Day-Date a statement watch. And it doesn’t require you to sell a kidney at only $399 USD.

Hamilton Khaki

We would argue that the Hamilton Field Khaki is probably the most classic watch on this list. It’s been many enthusiasts go to for many years. It’s a watch from a reputable brand that fits the staple “Field Watch” category without needing to sell a kidney to obtain one. The Hamilton Khaki features a textured black dial with printed white numerals for maximum legibility. It’s actually where “Field” watch gets its name - To be easy to read in the field. If you’re looking for a one watch collection, consider the Hamilton Khaki. Price for the Hamilton Khaki is $441 USD.

Geckota Pioneer

Geckota is a relatively new-comer to the watch industry, but packs a lot of goodness into its retro, 60s-inspired Pioneer. The cushion case is reminiscent of some of the Panerai models, but has its own DNA. The field watch style dial fit well with the overall theme, and the blue sunburst dial modernizes the look a bit. The watch features a Seiko NH35 Automatic movement and is housed in a 316L Steel case measuring in at 42mm x 14mm. Price for the Geckota Pioneer is $479 USD.

Vaer A5 Field USA Auto

Vaer has become a bit of a fan favorite when it comes to independent brands making affordable watches. Vaer truly has an eye for detail that is difficult to find when creating watches that make a lasting statement. However, Vaer has done just that with A5 Field USA. The tan accents are a classic feature of many field watches,and the Vaer A5 is no exception. Its wearable at 40mm in stainless steel (With integrated bracelet!) and 100M of water resistance. As is standard for a field watch, the A5 is superbly legible with strong lume for night time reading. And to top it all off, the VAER A5 USA Auto is assembled right here in the United States. Price for the watch is $499 USD.

Timex Waterbury

The Waterbury Clock Company dates back to the mid 1800’s and mostly designed clocks and such for higher-end clientele. With War becoming more inevitable, the company made a Pivot to making watches that soldiers could wear on their wrist during battle. And thus, the Waterbury was born. The old-world style of the watch is apparent right from the beginning, and the watch universally looks rugged, classic, but somehow still a little modern. The watch measures in at a very wearable 40mm, and comes in a variety of colors and strap options. Our favorite is the grey sunburst with 9-link bracelet - As it’s more closely aligned with the Waterbury timepiece heritage. Price for the Waterbury is a very modest $279 USD.

Sistem51 Petite Seconde

The Swatch Sistem51 is really an engineering Marvel, on paper at least. The Sistem51 gets it’s name from the fact that it’s movement is only composed of 51 pieces, held together by one central screw in the center of the movement. It’s truly a unique piece of horological composition, even if it may not last for generations. There are literally endless models in the Sistem51 catalogue, but one of our favorites (and widely available) is the Petite Seconde. While most of the Sistem51 cases are made of a plasticky “carbon” composite, the Petite Seconde comes in stainless steel with a nice leather strap. The blue-on-blue design is easy to read, functional, and simply attractive. You can’t beat the price either, at only $230 USD.

Fossil Everett

I know, I know - Many enthusiasts are about to be like “Really? A Fossil on this list?” But hear us out. While we certainly aren’t saying this is the nicest watch on the list, Travis has spend a lot of time with Fossil Everett, and it’s still ticking and keeping time all these years later. The Everett is actually an attractive offering from Fossil. It’s a comfortable leather strap, a black DLC case that’s actually well coated, a smoked crystal to tie in the leather strap, and a coherent skeleton dial that doesn’t sacrifice legibility. While, yes, the movement may be Chinese, but it’s got some decent finishing for a machine-finished movement and provides some visual interest through the case back. You can pick up the Fossil Everett for only $185 USD.

Glycine Combat Sub

Glycine often gets overlooked when it comes to talking about quality dive watches that are also affordable. In fact, Glycine is one of those affordable brands that’s actually got a lot of heritage. The brand first started out with its most recognized model, the “Airman” but quickly moved into creating “Combat” watches designed for military use and heavy sport activity. You can still obtain a modern “Combat Sub” today, although it’s been a bit more modernized. The stainless steel case measures in at a wearable 42mm with a sapphire crystal and a 200 meter water resistance. There are a number of colors available but we find the blue model to be the most attractive. Best of all, you can own a little piece of historical heritage for only $335 USD.

Laco Augsburg

Laco has actually created some really unique and refined wristwatches lately. They have some of our favorite field and pilot offerings, actually making many of our other lists. And while, typically, they are more expensive watches, they do produce a model that you can get at a really cheap price. The Laco Augsburg features all the unique DNA of their more expensive models, but at a lower price. The 42mm Stainless Steel case is solid and brushed with an oversized crown designed for pilots to use with gloves on. It’s definitely a unique watch, and can be obtained for $389 USD.

Bastion Nomad

Another solid entry into the Steel Sport Watch category is the Bastion Nomad. The integrated bracelet is high quality and comes in an H-Construction - a Rarity for the pricepoint. The octagonal bezel isn’t unlike the Royal Oak, but definitely keeps up with it’s own DNA. The alternating brushed and polished finishing looks great and the circular brushed step dial is high contrasting and attractive. The case measures in at 42mm and carries 100 meters of water resistance. Overall, if you’re looking for something that looks pretty flashy and has good specs for a steel sport watch, look no further than the Bastion Nomad - Priced at $397 USD.

Skagen Grenen

Skagen is often heralded as one of the thinnest and sleek quartz watch options that you can get in normal retail environments. In fact, many retailers like Wal Mart and Target have carried Skagen. But they also have a really cool line that features automatic movements. The Skagen Grenen features a really cool Milanese bracelet in a black DLC. The Danish watch brand brings in some really cool minimalist designs here, with the alternating white on Black design language, with a little pop of red on the seconds hand. The date window is circular, to not mess with the flow of the dial, and the 24-hour track is recessed into the dial, making an already thin watch look thinner. Price for the Skagen Grenen is only $157 USD, and comes in a variety of styles and colors.

Braun BN0278

When you think of the name Braun, wall clocks probably come to mind. The hyper-legible designs are all over the world. I (Travis) particularly rememember a Braun wall clock gracing the the wall of my high school home-room back in the day. What you might not know, is Braun has done a great job bringing that hyper-legibility to wristwatches with a variety of models. The Braun BN0278 is one of our favorites. It’s simple, minimal, and is designed to feel integrated into every facet of the watch. The circular design is very reminiscent of the brands wall clocks, and the sandblasted finish feels refined while still being masculine and rugged. The pop of color from the date pointer and the orange second hand adds a bit of fun to the already quirky design. Price for the Braun BN0278 is a modest $322 USD.

Deep Blue Deep Star 1000 Vintage Swiss Automatic

Deep Blue has been a staple in the affordable watch collectors circles because they pack a lot of features into a semi-cheap package. The oversized case features an electric blue color with alternating applied and printed lume-filled indices. A splash of red for the seconds had adds some unique legibility both underwater and on land. The rubber strap is crimped to allow the watch to slip over a wetsuit without major adjustments. Although, one of our favorite aspects of the Star 1000 is it’s large selection of straps and bracelets. The other mind-blowing aspect of the Deep Blue, is it truly is rated for the DEEP with a whopping thousand feet of water resistance. Price for the Deep Blue Deep Star 1000 is $399 USD.

Dryden Heartlander

Ever felt like you wanted to wear a rusted out old super car on the wrist? No cause that would be weird. But if you’re looking for a watch that shares the same design language and influence of motorsports of old, the Dryden Heartlander may be for you. The watch comes in many different colors and configurations, but our absolute favorite is the “Autumn Rust” pictures below. It’s vintage look with its 38mm size, harkens back to a time long gone, and cars long sitting in the garage. Dryden also prides itself in its Kansas City roots, and it’s assembly in the USA. Overall, its a fun little homage, and we are here for it. Price for the Dryden Heartlander is $500 USD.

Vario 1918 Trench

One of the coolest watches on this list comes from a little known independent called Vario, who set out to make a more modern take on a WWI Trench watch. The watch packs a ton of vintage features that we can’t help but love. The 1918 Trench comes on a really cool Bundt strap like it would have during the war in the early 1900’s. Another really unique feature is the Enamel dial, a feature mostly reserved for very high end dress watches. The laser orange indices and handsets are designed for seamless legibility at night and during the day. The crown was also moved to 4 o’ clock to present an ideal position for combat in the trenches. Overall, the watch feels ripped right out of the old wars, and comes with a modest price tag of $388 USD.

Jack Mason Seatrek

The second Jack Mason on our list is a well positioned dive watch that fits the bill for a lot of enthusiasts. Does the Jack Mason Seatrek feature a Solid Stainless steel bracelet? Check. Automatic Movement? Check. 300 meters of water resistance? Check check. One of the coolest features is actually the lume on the dial and bezel. Alternating between a tiffany-blue color and white, the watch is superbly legible both underwater and not. The watch comes in a box set with a choice of rubber strap that easily adjusts over a wetsuit. Price for the Jack Mason Seatrek is $499 USD.

Paulin Neo B

Scottish brand Paulin has released some seriously unique watches in their history. One of our absolutely favorites is the Neo B - A vintage inspired little retro timepiece that’s both unisex and wearable at 38mm. The watch literally feels like a mid century modern find at a second hand shop, and in the best possible way. The block handset, orange dial, drilled lugs, and 70’s font is beyond charming. The watch also comes on a variety of straps, or bracelets. Price for the Paulin Neo B is a modest $395 USD.

Nodus Sector Dive

We at Wrist Enthusiast have plenty of experience with Nodus watches. Their Diver's are difficult to match in the price point, and the amount of range they have in both colors and style feels unrivaled. Nodus has recently released a really unique and fun Dive Watch called the Sector Dive Automatic, and we simply love it. It get's its name from the alternating finishes from the bezel to the dial, as well as the rice-bead bracelet. The watch features a really good applied indice configuration that is lume filled and bright, as well as a stepped dial configuration to maximize legibility at night. The oversized angled crown makes the watch easy to set, and the lack of a date window doesn’t take away from any legibility. Overall, the Nodus Sector Dive Automatic is a fantastic option for a modern watch for only $500 USD.

Ratio Skysurfer

While you can read our more in-depth review of the Ratio Skysurfer here, we felt overall that the Ratio Skysurfer ticked a lot of great boxes and features a lot of bang for not so much buck. In fact, with what was included when purchasing a Skysurfer, we were pleasantly surprised at how much more Ratio offered over its competition. For starters, the Ratio Skysurfer is simply a great watch for less than $200. The blue sunburst dial comes with a few configurations. It has high contrast and provides great legibility - a major requirement for a Pilot watch in general. The watch features an automatic movement, and not two, but three straps in the package allowing for a plethora of different looks for only $185 USD.

Brew Retromatic

Brew Watches is definitely one of our favorite affordable microbrands currently on the market. Jonathan Ferrer has taken the espresso machine/coffee design inspiration and created some universally loved timepieces. Though there are many different options when it comes to Brew watches, most of the offerings are in quartz. The Brew Retromatic, however, is powered by a Seiko NH35A automatic movement. The perforated dial design is interesting and the watch boasts some very retro design elements (including the metal bracelet). Like most watches in Brew’s collection, the Retromatic has a rectangle dial. This adds a cohesiveness to the Brew lineup that we like. The Retromatic is currently sold out, but retails for $425 from Brew’s website.

Seiko 5 Sports Kosuke Kawamura Limited Edition SRPJ41

We at Wrist Enthusiast are big fans of Seiko. Seiko offers one of the best combinations of price and quality currently on the market. No matter if you are looking for a reliable diver or dress watch, there is always a Seiko for you. Indeed, we have already featured a couple of Seikos on this list. Seiko also, however, also offers some avant-garde timepieces. One piece we really like is the Seiko 5 Sports Kosuke Kawamura Limited Edition. Kosuke Kawamura is a Japanese artist who has collaborated with many big brands, including G-Shock and Uniqlo. The SRPJ41 has an orange and blue transparent dial that exposes the day (both in English and Japanese) and date. However, depending on whether you set the day to English or Japanese, the date window will only show the day in that language. This diver is sold out, but originally retailed for $440 USD.

AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon

Affordable and attractive skeleton dial watches can be difficult to find at under $500 USD. But the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon is a hit in our opinion. The watch actually reminds us of a more expensive skeleton dials we also really like: the Oris Big Crown ProPilot X. From the crown, to the fluted bezel, there are multiple similarities. The difference? The Oris retails for $7,600 USD while the AVI-8 is a mere $215 USD on Amazon. If you are looking for a skeleton dial pilot watch at a very affordable price, the Hawker Hunter Avon can’t be beat.

AIGI Satellite Ground Station

Fellow nerds unite. We saved a special watch for our last slot in the “Best watches under $500”. The Aigi Satellite Ground Station is one of our most exciting releases this year. Modeled after, well, Satellite Ground Stations, the Aigi packs so much texture and theme into a well thought out, and well-executed timepiece. For starters, the dial is texted in a “Randome” style - Small triangles emulating the domes that encapsulate antennas, while the second hand is literally a satellite orbiting the dial. The crown is modeled after a Satellite ground station, and as a bonus, is made of actual steel from an arctic Antenna. Flipping the watch over, you’ll find a nice motif of a Satellite in space, with a small window to display the rotor - Unique. Price for the Aigi Satellite Ground station is an easy-to-swallow $450 USD.

Junkers Professor

If you are looking for an authentic, no-frills pilot’s watch without paying the high price of an IWC or Breitling, the Junkers Professor is an attractive option. This 42mm watch features a black sunray dial and display caseback, showcasing the Miyota 821A automatic movement. The Professor may be a fairly standard pilot watch, but at €390 (around $414 USD) it’s a great, reliable option at under $500 USD

Boldr Odyssey Freediver

The final watch on our list is a unique diver from BOLDR. The Freediver’s case features a modern angular lines along with a frost white dial and bezel. The Freediver is a great option for serious divers as it is water resistant to 300 meters. While the watch runs on a Japanese Miyota 9015 automatic movement, BOLDR opted for a strong Swiss Superluminova for the dial and bezel. While the dial is heavy on light (white) colors, it is still very legible. You can pick up the BOLDR Odyssey Freediver for $499 USD on their website.

Or, if you'r budget is a little higher, be sure to check out our Best Watches Under $1000 Guide here.