The Highest-Quality Watches Under $1,000
Sinn
“At this level you’re buying a watch to make a statement about personal style as much you are to tell the time.“
You just signed on with a big accounting firm. You’ve bought your six suits, dozen shirts and four pairs of Italian shoes. Now on to the smaller accessories. A young professional like you needs a watch, and your budget is $1,000.
Here’s the information you need to get the maximum bang for those bucks. And don’t forget to check out last week’s article on the $500 range and our previous one on watches $250 and lower.
Here’s what you should expect for $1,000
You can expect to see specialty watches proliferating at this level. In fact, they’re one of the defining facets of this price point. Of course, you’ll find good dive watches, but you’ll also start to see dedicated pilot watches, possibly with second time zones indicated by a secondary hour hand. This is often called a GMT function (For Greenwich Mean Time). One variation of the GMT watch is a world timer, a watch that will let you read the time in 24 — or more — locations worldwide.
For a grand, there’s no sense in settling for anything besides a Swiss or Japanese quartz movement or a Swiss mechanical one (find descriptions of quartz and mechanical movements here). In fact, since at this level you’re buying a watch to make a statement about personal style as much as you are to tell the time, the author feels that a mechanical movement is the preferred way to go.
Stainless-steel cases are the norm here — nothing new about that. You’ll also see titanium in specialty watches and gold plating on some dress pieces. If the watch is plated with gold, make sure the core is stainless. And while we’re at it, if the movement is mechanical, make sure you get a display case back (that’s a case back with a window so you can see inside). You’ll want to be able to see — and show off — what all those gears and levers are doing in there.
A screw-down crown is imperative if you’re looking for a dive watch. Other tool watches — those for rugged outdoor work, paramilitary or police work, etc., can get away with a push-pull crown if the operation is tight and sure. The technology is available to seal a push-pull crown well enough for the light water exposure such a watch will likely see.
Unless you specifically don’t want it, a $1,000 watch will have a day/date function, although date-only examples are readily available.
Antireflective sapphire crystals are — or should be — standard at this level. Sapphire’s very tough but kind of shiny. Better to dull those reflections with a surface treatment so you can more easily read the time on the fly.
Bracelets should have a refined finish, with no rattles or sharp edges. The clasp will be positive locking, possibly push-button, and with a safety latch. If the watch is a dive watch, the bracelet should have a diver’s extension — an extra foldout link that makes the bracelet large enough to fit over a wetsuit.
If you’re looking at a leather strap — a good choice for the winter months — it should be of excellent quality, hand sewn and sport a solid, well-designed buckle or deployant clasp. You may even see some crocodile or other exotic straps at this level.
At this level, you need to demand some real style and refinement in your watch. Something that fits and looks right with your daily wear, whether that’s a suit and tie, a polo shirt and khakis or a wetsuit.
The warranty should be a minimum of two years, and remember to find out about recommended service intervals (especially important with mechanical watches) and how to obtain warranty repairs.
Watch models worth $1,000
As we mentioned above, there are numerous specialty watches at the $1,000 price point. Our selection features pilot and Special Forces watches and a dressy world timer. All the watches mentioned have two-year warranties.
Tissot Men’s T0474204420700 T-Touch II Black Chronograph (RRP $995). Swiss quartz multi-function movement in a brushed titanium case, antireflective sapphire crystal, four screws holding the back and a matching polished and brushed titanium bracelet with push-button safety clasp and diver’s extension. See it here.