The Highest-Quality Watches Under $500
Tissot
“This is an area in which you can feel comfortable with feature trade-offs.“
A man needs a watch, but most of us can’t justify taking out a second mortgage to finance our horological investments. Lucky for you, we’ve created a series of guides to help you get the most watch for your money. Whether you have a $250, $500, $1,000 or $1,500 to spend, we’ve got you covered.
In this installment, we’re looking at watches for $500. The emphasis at this price point is quality. But read on before parting with your hard-earned. And don’t forget to check out last week’s article on the $250 range.
Here’s what you should expect for $500
For a watch at this price point, expect an accurate Swiss or Japanese quartz movement (the inner workings). Jeweled movements will begin to appear (jewels are the bearings the gears ride on, reducing friction and increasing accuracy — yes, even a quartz movement has gears, just fewer of them than in a mechanical movement). You will occasionally see mechanical movements as well, especially with the Hamilton and Invicta brands.
Not all watches at this level will have a sapphire crystal (the clear “window” on the front of the watch). This is an area in which you can feel comfortable with feature trade-offs. Still, that’s not a reason not to look for sapphire. After all, you want some significant toughness to resist normal wear and tear. Just understand the rigors your watch may encounter.
Look for stainless-steel cases with good finishes — perhaps a combination of brushed and polished surfaces to add visual interest. The caseback (the part that rests against your wrist when you wear your watch) is of paramount importance at this price point. It’s removable to allow battery changes or other service. Don’t settle for a caseback that snaps into place. Look for one that’s held down with four to six screws or, better yet, one that actually screws into the case body. The indicator of a screwed back is a series of evenly spaced notches at the edge of the back that accommodate a special tool.
A push-pull crown (the knob on the side) should actuate firmly but smoothly. If the watch is going to see moisture beyond hand washings or crossing a busy street in the rain, then a screw-down crown is mandatory (see last week’s article for a discussion of crowns).
Bracelets should have folding safety clasps (called deployant clasps, sometimes mislabelled “deployment”) with push button releases. The bracelet should neither rattle nor sound “tinny.”
In the digital outdoor “tool watch” realm, look for more features (timers, alarms, 12/24 hour formats, world time, barometer, altimeter, etc.), exotic material construction and additional water resistance.
Finally, a word about warranties. You should see a minimum two-year parts and labour warranty. In some cases, you’ll find a warranty extending to three or even five years. Be sure you understand how to get warranty service should you need it.