When we think of Swiss watches, we automatically assume ourselves with brands like Rolex, Omega, and Tag Heuer. While Swiss watches come with very high quality, they also can come with a very high price tag, which is why we’ve created a list of the 25 best Swiss watches under $500.

Best Swiss Watches Under $500

Whether you’re looking for a watch or just browsing the collection, this list will show you that high-quality Swiss watches don’t have to cost thousands. In fact, some of the best timepieces in the game are well under $500. Let’s get started!

How are Swiss Watches Made?

Swiss watches are labeled Swiss-made if the watch has been assembled in Switzerland, has Swiss movement (meaning half of the parts are made from Swiss manufacture), and 60% of manufacturing costs are domestic.

 Therefore, Swiss watches are made with high regard for quality. They’re considered some of the best automatic watches in the world. The production process can’t be outsourced for cheaper labor, high-grade materials are used, and the movement of the watch is kept in mind.

If you like watches, consider checking out our list of beater watches every man should own.

Are Swiss Watches Worth It?

Switzerland is one of the watch capitals of the world, meaning that its watch brands are some of the best. With the country home to brands like Rolex, Omega, and Tag Heuer, Swiss watches control the watch market.

However, there’s a misconception that people have to pay thousands of dollars for a high-quality Swiss watch when you can get a really nice timepiece from a Swiss brand for under $500. 

If you’re willing to pay a small sub-500 premium for a watch that will last you years, then yes. Swiss watches are definitely worth it. 

Affordable Swiss Watch Brands

In this list, we aren’t going to be focusing on luxury Swiss watch brands like Omega and Patek Philippe. We’re going to focus on more affordable names; and after heavy research, we’ve found 7 Swiss watch brands that are both affordable and high-quality.

• Tissot
• Swatch
• Hamilton
• Movado
• Glycine
• Timex
• Frederique Constant

These are the watch brands you want to check out if you’re looking for a sub-$500 Swiss watch. While these brands also offer timepieces that are above the $500 price point, some of their best watches go for as low as $100. 

Today, we’ll be focusing on these 7 brands, taking a look at the best Swiss watches under $500. From the Hamilton Jazzmaster to the Timex Expedition, you’re sure to walk away with some new favorites in mind.

Psst, interested in Japanese watches? We compared two of the biggest Japanese brands, Seiko and Citizen, to each other in this post.

Fan Favorites

These watches are certified favorites in the watch community. They’re timepieces that people will wear time and time again because each watch uses durable materials, has a sleek design, and is made with quality in mind.

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 

Hamilton’s Khaki Field Mechanical watch is quite possibly their most iconic sub-500 watch on the market. As a watch manufacturer, Hamilton has had a lot of experience developing watches during wartime.

Thus, their field watches are some of the best in the game. Before, Hamilton’s Khaki King Automatic used to be a great sub-500 watch, but since that’s gone up in price, the Khaki Field has now taken its place. 

The watch has the sleek design that every field watch should possess. Hamilton uses stainless steel for their Hamilton Khaki Field and the watch is water-resistant up to 50 meter. Pretty good for a watch meant for land. 

All of these features make the Hamilton Khaki Field one of the best mechanical Swiss watches one can get for under $500.

Tissot Heritage Visodate

If Rolex were a 10, I’d give Tissot a solid 6 or 7 in terms of look and style. Tissot is one of those brands where their watches help you elevate your formal outfits. Their Tissot Heritage Visodate is one of their most recognized pieces, thanks to its slim design and minimal look.

At its $300 price point, you’re getting:

• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Stainless steel casing
• Water resistance up to 30 meters

The only grievance I have with this watch is that it’s Quartz movement. If you’re willing to pay a little bit more, you can get a Visodate that has full Automatic movement. However, overall, Tissot makes a mean sub-$500 Swiss watch that every man should own if they want to upgrade their outfit. 

Swatch Sistem51

Swatch is the guilty pleasure of watch brands. While it doesn’t have the traditional design and appearance of most watches, Swatch embraces uniqueness and originality to create timepieces that people love to wear.

Their Swatch Sistem 51 is the perfect example. The watch has a uniquely starred dial design, tough silicone straps, and a beautiful color pattern–all while maintaining a mechanical automatic movement and water resistance up to 100 meters. 

This is the type of watch that you can wear with your gym clothes or your work attire, but never to a formal event. This is one of the best Swiss watches under $500 because while it may not adhere to traditional designs, you’re happy to have Swatch stand out on your wrist because they know how to catch the eye.

Glycine Combat Sub

Glycine makes a great dive watch. They’re best known for the Combat Sub, which is on-par with other sub-500 dive watches like Seiko’s famed SKX007. 

Some of its many features include:

• Sturdy, Automatic movement
• Luminous hands and dial
• Rotating bezel
• Sapphire crystal
• Water resistance up to 200 meters. 

This is not a watch meant for formal attire, just like the Swatch Sistem51. However, the Glycine Combat Sub is the perfect Swiss dive watch for under $500 because it holds all the traits of a great dive watch.

Seriously, if you’re looking for your first watch and you want it to be a dive watch, then go with the Glycine Combat Sub. It’s affordable with all the traits that a dive watch needs and it’s probably the most famous sub-500 watch that Glycine makes. 

Budget Options (Watches for Under $100)

So say maybe you don’t have $300 to spend on a Swiss watch. What do you do then? Luckily, we’ve found some budget options that you can buy today. They’re still really high quality and you’ll find that you’re getting more than you’re paying.

Timex Expedition

My personal favorite is the Timex Expedition. You could pay more for a pair of sneakers than this watch, but this watch will stick with you for years if you treat it right. At about $40, you’re getting a field watch that has features some $250 watches don’t have.

The Time Expedition has:

• Luminous hands and dial
• Mineral glass crystal
• Adjustable nylon strap
• Water resistance up to 50 meters
• Day-date window

The watch itself is very durable. It’s a watch that can be stepped on, submerged in water, and beat up and it still will tick on. The Timex Expedition rests comfortably on your wrist and the only issue one might have with it is the ticking sound that it makes. 

Timex Weekender

Another affordable piece from Timex is the Timex Weekender. Like the Timex Expedition, the Timex Weekender is a very durable and comfortable watch. This is priced around $50 and you get some cool features.

• Silver-toned casing with 24-hour time on inner dial
• Protective mineral crystal
• Quartz movement with analog display
• Indiglo night-light

The watch is 38mm so it fits most hands. When you push the crown, the dial lights up. This is something that the other watches don’t have since it’s patented technology by Timex. 

This is a watch that you can take on weekend camping trips or days down to the lake, making it truly deserving of the name “Weekender.”

Swatch Windy Dune

The best thing about Swatch is that most of their pieces are already affordable. The Swatch Windy Dune watch is a fine example of this. For $70, you’re getting a watch that you can wear to work, on dates, at the movie theatre–anywhere you want to go, this is the watch you can take with you.

Unlike the Timex Weekender , the Windy Dune uses a plastic casing, an interesting choice considering most watches use some type of metal casing. However, this also means that the Windy Dune will rest comfortably on your wrist. You won’t even feel it there because of how lightweight the watch is. 

So, whether you’re going to work out or going to dinner, consider taking the Windy Dune along with you. It’s a comfortable Swiss-made timepiece that does all the work a watch is supposed to do and it never breaks the bank.

Great Starter Watches

These are watches that you should consider buying if you’re just starting out. Some pieces are better for the office. Other pieces are meant for everyday use. Either way, these timepieces do a great job of introducing you to the world of watches.  

Hamilton Jazzmaster Thinline

The Jazzmaster Thinline is another classic timepiece made by Hamilton. The watch is clean, minimal, and fits cleanly on any wrist. The case itself is pretty thin, around 11mm, and the diameter measures to about 40mm. This makes the watch very comfortable to wear. 

If you’re someone who likes to dress more formally (think vests and crewneck sweaters), then the Jazzmaster Thinline will help you test the waters for the first time. 

Frederique Constant Slim Line Silver Dial

The Frederique Constant Slim Line is another watch catering to gentlemen who like to dress well. The best quality of this watch is its anti-reflective sapphire crystal. This crystal will ensure that the watch will be able to hold off any scratches or marks that might occur over time.

The Frederique Constant Slim Line uses a superior Japanese Quartz movement, the best Quartz movement in the game. Its dimensions are 5mm thick and 39mm wide, so the watch fits cleanly on most wrists.

The color pattern of silver, gold, and brown also gives the watch an elegance that you don’t find very much elsewhere. The Frederique Constant Slim Line is an excellent timepiece, noted for its comfortable fit and refined look.

Timex Classic Digital Watch

The Timex Classic Digital watch is an affordable timepiece for men who don’t like a traditional analog. The digital dial allows access to the time, day, and month with a start-and-stop timer that can be controlled by the crown on the side of the watch.

The watch can also glow in the dark thanks to Timex’s patented Indiglo technology. The electroluminescent panel lights up when you press one of the crowns on the side of the watch, allowing you to see in dark areas. 

The Timex Classic Digital watch is great for people who want a nonstandard timepiece that they can wear for both rigorous outdoor activity and casual nights out.

Timex Marlin Automatic

The Timex Marlin has been a fan favorite since the 1960s when the original version came out. The watch was designed to take on the shocks and exposures of water while also maintaining a trendy look that was popular in the mid-1900s.

Since then, the Timex Marlin has gotten both a technical and aesthetic refresh. The watch has a higher grade finish on the casing and the crystal while the leather strap is built to fit more comfortably around the wrist.

Timex has also switched the movement to a 21 Jewel Automatic. If you’re not a big fan of Automatic movement, Timex also offers a hand-wound version of the Timex Marlin. 

If you’re going to buy a Timex watch, then I’d highly recommend the Timex Marlin Automatic. Timex is considered to be a leader in the Quartz movement space. However, with their Timex Marlin Automatic, they’re showing watch fans all around the world that quality is their #1 goal.

Our Personal Favorites

These Swiss watches are some of our favorites. Some have an interesting design while others possess a unique characteristic in their makeup. Others are classics that are adored by both us and the watch community. 

Movado Museum Sport

Movado is in the same world as Swatch. This Swiss watch brand likes to keep their watches sleek and minimal, making it the perfect option for those who like to live a minimalist lifestyle.  

The watch does not have a second hand on the dial, but it uses a Quartz movement. Movado’s Museum Sport has a stainless steel casing and finishes with an all-black dial, except for the sleek detailed silver circle at the 12 o’clock position.

The great thing about this watch is that it’s a piece that caters to both people who like to wear suits and those who like to spend their days in jeans and a t-shirt. The Movado Museum Sport is a Swiss timepiece for CEOs, fashion gurus, minimalists, and everyone in between.

Hamilton Khaki Field Stainless Steel Watch

The Hamilton Khaki Field is a watch we’ve already covered before. However, I just couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to talk about their stainless steel option. The Hamilton Khaki Field stainless steel watch is something else.

The watch uses Automatic movement and has a 24 hour marking design. Despite being more of a dress watch, the Hamilton Khaki Field Stainless Steel watch is water resistant up to 100 meters, substantially more than most dress watches.

However, it’s the stainless steel aspect that really blows me away. This Khaki Field uses a stainless steel case, stainless steel bezel, and stainless steel bracelet. This is a shiny, sturdy piece that subtly flexes its look while also withstanding any elements thrown at it. 

Frederique Constant Men’s Classic Day and Date

Frederique Constant is an excellent Swiss watch company and their Classic Day and Date timepiece shows their expertise in the watchmaking field. The watch uses sapphire crystal, which is the most scratch-resistant material on the market.

The watch has two subdials, one for the days of the week and one for the day of the month. The dial uses a beautiful white silver and at a case thickness of 10 millimeters, the watch will fit comfortably on your wrist.

The Frederique Constant Men’s Classic Day and Date is a timepiece meant for the workplace and dinners. Unlike Hamilton’s Stainless Steel Khaki Field, this cannot be taken into water. This Swiss timepiece holds all the delicacies of a $1000 watch while maintaining a price point of under $500.

Glycine KMU 48 Kriegs Marine Uhren

The Gylcine KMU 48 Kriegs Marine Uhren is a field watch that can stand the test of time. Not only is it revered for outdoor use, but this Swiss timepiece has features that can help substitute as a dress watch.

It’s very durable, hosting an anti-reflective sapphire crystal casing. The hands and numerals are luminous, making it perfect for nighttime usage. And finally, the watch is enclosed with black PVD stainless steel and a fixed bezel.

When it comes to aesthetics, the Glycine KMU 48 Kriegs Marine Uhren has an open caseback so you can appreciate the beauty of hand wound movement. The leather is a mid-beige tone and the all-black dial keeps the watch subtle enough so that it can compliment any look. 

If you want a watch you can wear outdoors, but also use for dinner dates and formal events, then consider this Glycine field watch. It’s designed for the ballroom and built for the trails. 

Why You Should Own a Swiss Watch

Since the early 1700s, Switzerland has been designing watches for men across the world. With every timepiece made, the same level of quality and design is incorporated. Swiss watch companies are famous for making sure that their watches have the best movement, materials, and build possible.

 Therefore, every man should own a Swiss watch because when you buy a Swiss watch, you’re getting a level of excellence that you don’t find in many other watchmaking countries. 

The best part is that you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get a high-performing watch. Brands like Hamilton and Timex have made it possible to get an affordable luxury Swiss watch. In fact, they have some of the best Swiss watches under $500.

So, whether you’re looking for a good starter watch or buying a timepiece to add to your jewelry, consider getting a Swiss watch. They’re much more affordable than you might think and quality is never sacrificed for a lower price.