Best watches for men under £500

It’s not uncommon to see luxury watches selling for huge sums of money, but there are plenty of options out there for the man who’s looking for something more affordable.

And to prove luxury doesn’t have to come at a substantial cost, let’s take a look at some of the best watches for men under £500.

Rotary Heritage 'Sherlock' - £139

For a watch made moderately famous by Benedict Cumberbatch, the Rotary Heritage ‘Sherlock’ is extremely well-priced, especially when you consider how smart and refined it comes across.

A genuine black leather strap and sapphire glass complement the stainless steel case, with the roman numerals and black Breguet hands adding to the vintage, sophisticated appearance.

This is the sort of watch that screams ‘class’ without uttering a single word; it looks the part, and Rotary is a great brand for those who appreciate fine timepieces but don’t have a limitless budget.

Citizen Corso - £219

Clean lines and a timeless design — the Corso is one of the best watches for men under £500 because it has an underrated, professional look that works well with any smart or smart-casual outfit. It’s the finishing touch that adds an extra bit of class.

The elegant blue dial is adorned with baton hour markers, with a date complication, encompassed in a stainless steel case and mineral crystal glass.

The Citizen Corso is powered by Eco-Drive so you’ll never have to change the battery, and features a deployment clasp for added security.

Orient Bambino Sun & Moon - £365

How about something a little different for our next choice. Orient Bambino doesn’t come up much when discussing quality watches, but that’s a huge shame.

The Sun & Moon looks classy, and in our opinion, has a beautiful dial. For the price point, you’d be hard-pressed to find an automatic as good as this one.

With a moon phase complication, leather brown strap, and stainless steel case, this is one stunning watch you want on your wrist at any formal occasion.

Tissot PR 100 - £450

What makes the Tissot PR 100 one of the best watches for men under £500? Put simply, it stands out without requiring a huge amount of effort. The rose gold hands and hour markers pop beautifully against the black dial and stainless steel bracelet.

This also helps greatly with visibility, especially with the hands and hour markers being luminescent.

Three chronograph counters and a date complication complete this stunning timepiece.

Seiko Prospex Solar Diver’s - £500

The Prospex collection was designed to stand the test of time. Rugged, reliable, and tough enough to handle everyday life (not mention extreme environments too), the black dial Solar Diver’s from Seiko oozes style.

With a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass to protect the Lumibrite dial, and hands and indices to meet professional diving standards, this watch is perfect on land and underwater.

The case is a sleek and slim 11.3mm, housing a unidirectional rotating bezel.

You’ll also find the Prospex’s solar charging capabilities to be very impressive, recharging your watch in both natural and artificial light, with a 10-month power reserve on full charge.

Treat yourself to one of the best watches for men under £500

If you’ve learned one thing from this blog, we hope it’s this: a good watch doesn’t have to break the bank.

Speaking to GQ Magazine, vintage watch dealer Alan Bedwell even said, “The pleasure you get from buying and owning a watch should never be dependent on its price. One of the splendors of ownership is the bond that’s formed between you and the watch when you wear it.”

If a watch appeals to you, visually, in character, and in function, then it’s probably the right watch for you. Being low-cost doesn’t make it less special than a timepiece with a five-figure price tag, so find the right watch under £500 for you and treat yourself.