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Not everyone wants to spend thousands on an automatic watch, and with so many more affordable watches on the market today, why would you? You can pick up watches under 1000 dollars from the likes of Tissot, Oris, and Hamilton nowadays – that’s just how within reach luxury watches really are.
Whether you’re searching for watches by brand on the internet to find the best dress watch or looking for something more complex, this guide demonstrates how watches can vary between style, functionality, and performance. We’re going to compare ten of the best watches under 1000 dollars to see which ones offer you the most in terms of affordability and performance.
View The Best Automatic Watch Under $1000 Below
1. Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Mechanical Watch
The Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X ticks all the right boxes. It’s one of the best watches under 1000 dollars. Its robust stainless steel case measures a confident 43mm, exuding an ultra-masculine, rugged look on the wrist. Inside this case is an automatic movement that’s put on show through a sapphire crystal glass caseback.
This engine guarantees accuracy and reliability, propelling the hands around a display adorned in a guilloche pattern that’s designed to look like a Swiss Army knife handle. The central second hand on the watch is highlighted in a vibrant red tip. It joins luminous minute and hour hands and a set of indexes along with a date aperture at 4 o’clock for perfect timekeeping.
Pros:
+ Swiss Army knife-inspired display
+ Powered by a self-winding automatic movement
+ Sapphire-backed case
+ 43mm case / 200m water resistance
+ Anti-glare and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass lens
Why We Like It – One of the most unique features of this automatic watch is its wooden strap, crafted onto a leather base for uncompromised comfort. It’s an edgy watch that will instantly get you noticed.
2. Longines Conquest Automatic Watch
Ready to face any challenge head-on, this Longines Conquest watch boasts an ultra-masculine aesthetic while on the inside of the case, the brand’s elegant manufacturing technique prevails. The timepiece features a 43mm case with chiseled integrated lugs and a stealthy-looking metal bracelet.
Inside the hardy case of this Longines Conquest model is an automatic movement, capable of delivering a 64-hour power reserve. It performs at a rate of 25,200 vibrations per hour and provides hours, minutes, seconds, and a date feature on the display.
Pros:
+ 30-meter water resistance
+ Powered by self-winding L888 movement
+ 43mm steel case
+ 64-hour power reserve
+ Black dial with luminous hands and hour markers
Why We LIke It – Like many Longines watches under 1000 dollars, this model has all the elegance and sophistication needed to elevate smart attire for work, leisure or travel.
3. Rado Diastar Automatic
Priced under a thousand dollars, this Rado Diastar packs in a lot for your money. Not only is it powered by an incredibly precise and hard-working self-winding movement, but it also comes in an eye-catching case shape crafted from stainless steel. The legendary watch features a large smooth bezel surrounding a black dial with a vertically positioned day aperture sitting above a date window.
The diamond markers around the hour track catch the light playfully as the wrist moves, creating something rare and special each time you wear it. The inside of the 30-meter water-resistant watch is powered by a self-winding movement that provides an impressive 80-hour power reserve for those periods spent off the wrist.
Pros:
+ Lady’s 35mm model inspired by 1960’s design
+ Black dial with luminous hands
+ Diamond dot hour markers / day-date feature
+ 30-meter water resistance
+ Reliable self-winding movement – 80-hour power reserve
Why We Like It – The dressy steel bracelet of this Rado watch priced under 1000 dollars will elevate an outfit, doubling up as a beautiful piece of jewelry.
4. Junghans Form A Automatic
This automatic Junghans watch is part of the brand’s Form collection. It’s the perfect statement piece to add to formal or smart attire but can also be paired with something more casual if you wish. A self-winding movement powers the hands of this watch. It’s encased inside a robust stainless steel body equipped with 50-meter water resistance.
A white dial boasts a set of slim hands and stick indexes, creating a refined look. For an automatic watch under $1000, this Junghans watch will promise you reliable timekeeping and a streamlined look on the wrist
Pros:
+ 39mm stainless steel model
+ White three-handed dial design
+ Powered by a reliable self-winding movement
+ 50-meter water resistance
+ Tan calfskin leather strap with traditional buckle
Why We Like It – This mechanical wristwatch from Junghans measures an unimposing 39mm case diameter, making it an ideal timepiece for the slender wrist.
5. Longines Conquest Automatic Watch
This self-winding watch from Longines’ Conquest collection is synonymous with elegance and superb performance. Imbued with several Swiss design features, the most important aspect of this watch is its in-house developed movement – the Caliber L888, which provides a 64-hour power reserve.
Its performance of 28,800 vibrations per hour is protected inside a 300-meter water-resistant case. If you love diving watches that combine sleek aesthetics with guaranteed accuracy, this Longines Conquest model, fitted on a robust metal bracelet, is the one to go for.
Pros:
+ 300-meter water-resistant steel case – 43mm
+ Black dial with luminous hands and hour markers
+ Metal bracelet with triple folding clasp
+ Date features at 3 o’clock
+ Screw-down caseback / screw-down crown
Why We Like It – The anti-glare treatment applied to the surface of this automatic watch’s sapphire crystal glass lens will enable you to reference the time at a glance, whether on dry land or underwater.
6. Oris Classic Swiss Automatic
Transcending time on a simple dial, this self-winding watch from Oris fits like a glove to the wrist, thanks to its robust yet elegant stainless steel bracelet. The watch is powered by a mechanical movement capable of providing a 38-hour power reserve. Its classic black dial is versatile enough to pair with any wardrobe, while the Arabic hour markers placed at 9, 12, and 3 o’clock donate a dress watch style for wearing day or night.
The dates throughout the month can be referenced at 6 o’clock – a feature that balances out the Oris lettering at 12 o’clock perfectly. Embodying the best of Swiss precision through a timeless design, this self-winding watch gets the thumbs up from us.
Pros:
+ Mechanical movement – 38-hour power reserve
+ Movement protected inside a steel case
+ 50-meter water resistance
+ Classic black dial with date feature
+ Metal bracelet with folding clasp
Why We Like It – Sometimes the best watches under 1000 dollars are the simplest. We love this no-fuss classic three-handed date watch from Oris.
7. Citizen Men’s ‘Signature’ Mechanical B071RRLJGJ
If you’re looking for the best conversation starter, the Citizen “Signature” mechanical watch is it. The model is powered by the self-winding Caliber 9040, which will provide you with a useful 42-hour power reserve. Aside from that, though, you can also make full use out of Citizen’s choice of supreme materials.
A rugged stainless steel case that spans 44mm in diameter features integrated lugs that lead to a supple yet sporty black polyurethane strap. To finish the dynamic look of this self-winding watch, a black ion-plated 8-sided bezel surrounding an open-heart dial exposes the balance wheel of this exquisitely crafted movement.
Pros:
+ 100-meter water resistance
+ 44mm stainless steel case
+ 42-hour power reserve
+ Open-heart dial design
+ Luminous coated appliques
Why We Like It – A section of this watch’s black dial exposes a slice of the internally fitted self-winding movement from inside its rugged case.
8. Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic
If you like retro-inspired automatic watches, this military watch from the Khaki Field collection presents the time on a brown-colored dial, adorned in beige-colored Arabic numerals. The watches from the collection also feature an inner 24-hour scale for you to keep on track of an additional time zone – a great feature if you’re a frequent traveler.
This self-winding watch is powered by one of the brand’s best Swiss-made movements: the H-10 caliber. For a mechanical watch under $1000, it will provide you with a useful 80-hour power source for those periods spent off the wrist. Plus, it comes on this stylish steel bracelet for pairing with formal attire.
Pros:
+ 42mm stainless steel case
+ Powered by a mechanical movement with 80-hour power source
+ 100-meter water-resistant
+ 24-hour track / date feature
+ Metal bracelet with a foldable clasp
Why We Like It – This military-inspired Hamilton watch features in our guide as one of the best mechanical watches because, for its price point, it promises durability, accuracy, and superb performance.
9. Tissot Gentleman Swiss Automatic
With an impressive 80-hour power reserve, you could technically take this watch off at the start of the weekend and come back to it first thing on a Monday morning to find it has kept perfect timing. But then again, why would you want to? It’s a self-winding watch that you’ll want to wear every day and to every event, thanks to its versatile dial in a captivating deep blue shade.
Faceted hands have been treated with luminescence, as have the indexes around the hour track. Inside the Tissot Gentleman’s 100-meter water-resistant steel case lies the impeccably built POWERMATIC 80.811, which performs beautifully through a sapphire exhibition window.
Pros:
+ 80-hour power reserve
+ Powered by the POWERMATIC 80.811 caliber
+ 100-meter water-resistant steel case – 40mm
+ Simple blue dial with three hands and date
+ Classic three-link bracelet with folding clasp
Why We Like It – Some of Tissot’s finest craftsmanship can be admired through this watch’s sapphire glass caseback, complete with anti-glare qualities.
10. Junghans Max Bill Automatic
Inspired by the Bauhaus movement, Junghans watches from the Max Bill collection are minimalist and timeless. Their crisp and clean dial designs, as seen in this mechanical watch, strip timekeeping back to the essentials.
If you like elegant wristwatches, this Junghans dress watch is the perfect timepiece to add to your collection. The watch is powered by an automatic movement. The mechanical J800.1 movement provides unfaltering accuracy inside a 38mm steel case equipped with a classic brown leather strap.
Pros:
+ Powered by an automatic movement
+ Elegant slimline design
+ Anti-reflective sapphire glass lens
+ White dial with minutes and hours
+ Stylish smooth brown calfskin strap
Why We Like It – We love how modern and elegant this minimalistic Junghans Max Bill watch looks. For its price tag, the brand’s choice in materials and superb movement make it one of the best watches under 1 000 dollars to hand down the family line.
Automatic Watches Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to watches under 1 000 dollars, there are two types of individuals: lovers of quartz watches and lovers of mechanical watches. If you’re making the transition from quartz to automatic, this guide will hopefully have pointed you in the right direction.
For under a thousand dollars, you’re sure to be able to find a watch design that suits your taste. You’re not only investing in a watch for yourself after all, but you’re also starting a family tradition – handing down an heirloom.
Just like a pair of best shoes or a universal tie that goes with all the best suits in your wardrobe, every man needs one or two mechanical watches. Some of the watch brands featured in our guide to the best automatic watches under 1 000 dollars are associated with Swiss craftsmanship of the very highest standards.
Other manufacturers are renowned for their technical prowess in creating watches for gadget-loving enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking on the 1000-dollar mark exactly or aiming a little lower, you’re bound to find something from this list that will tick all the boxes of a reliable and long-lasting automatic watch.
