Buying a watch in this price range is an investment.
It may not be impractically expensive, but it’s also not pocket change.
If you buy smart, you’ll end up with a watch that is top of the line for 99% of people when it comes to features and aesthetics.
The watches in this watch buying guide are some of the most attractive, reliable, and high quality watches available in this price range.
Watch Buying Guide
1. Citizen Limited Edition Chrono Time A-T Rubber and Gold
Who it’s for: A stylish man looking to stand out with a luxury accessory.
Price: £530+
Type: Solar Powered
Take a good look at that picture above. If you didn’t know better, you might guess that this piece goes for over 4 figures. It’s a beautiful watch that features a gold-plated rubber strap, and a gold-plated case. The black dial completes a sleek luxurious look.
This particular version of the watch was produced in late 2014, so it’s relatively new. If you’re looking for a stylish watch that no one else has, this is your chance to stand out.
But this watch isn’t all about flash, it’s a chronograph with a complete set of features. To start with, it’s as accurate as watches come. It’s Citizen’s second generation watch in this line.
As with all other Citizen watches, it is powered by their famous Eco-Drive solar technology. A really nice feature to have if you ever dread changing batteries or winding other watches.
In addition, the watch has:
- 24 hour dual time display
- an alarm
- date display
- a charge indicator
- glowing markers and hands
If you’re on the edge about this watch, note that It comes with Citizen’s 5 year guarantee (6 if you register it).
Click here to see the Citizen Limited Edition Chrono Time A-T Rubber and Gold in our store.
2. Casio Premium RAF Hybrid GPS Radio Controlled Watch
Who it’s for: The adventurer looking for a top of the line timepiece for all situations.
Price: £850+
Type: Battery/Solar Powered
Not a bad looking watch, is it?
But if you’re interested in this timepiece, it’s probably not because of its aesthetics. It’s features, on the other hand, are top class.
Let me give you a quick background on this watch’s production. First off, there are only 500 in circulation throughout the entire UK, it’s a limited edition. It was designed to use technology that you could trust your life with, which is why it was developed alongside the Royal Air Force. This watch will work seamlessly in almost any extreme climate condition that you could find yourself in.
Let’s start with the timekeeping itself. The time is controlled by the GPS receiver, which means that it is extremely accurate. In addition, it has radio signal reception, which allows the watch to adjust automatically to any time zone changes.
Next up – robustness. The face is scratch resistant sapphire glass. The watch is both shock and vibration resistant as well. Finally, it has a carbon-resin wrist strap, which is about as durable as watch straps come.
Last up are the features, of which there are many. Here are the most important for all practical purposes:
- neo illuminating display
- shows date and weekday
- stopwatch (1/20th of a second accuracy)
- timer (up to 24 hours)
- daily alarm
- airplane mode function
- water resistant to 200 meters
Click here to see the Casio Premium RAF Hybrid GPS Radio Controlled Watch in our store.
3. Citizen Katherine Jenkins Sunrise L
Who it’s for: Any woman looking for a stunning watch accessory for business or formal events.
Price: £519+
Type: Solar Powered
The Katherine Jenkins Sunrise L watch is the second Citizen watch in this buying guide, and the first watch for women. Like all other Citizen watches, it is also solar powered, which helps to make it a low-maintenance accessory for special occasions.
While women may not have as many options as men when it comes to watch variety, there are still some beautiful options like this one available.
This watch stands out. Period.
But while it’s a bit flashy, it’s extremely stylish and stunning. The case and strap are both made solely of stainless steel, while the mother of pearl colored dial is protected by highly durable sapphire glass.
Look closely and you will see three diamonds attached to the bottom of the unique oblong ring design. In addition, there are seven more diamonds mounted on the watch face.
As long as you register the watch online, you’ll have a 6 year guarantee, which is a testament to the quality of the watch. However, keep in mind that this watch is designed for formal situations. Try not to wear it around water or while on adventures where it could be damaged.
Click here to see the Citizen Katherine Jenkins Sunrise L in our store.
4. Citizen Red Arrows Limited Edition With Helmet
Who it’s for: Someone looking for a casual watch that stands out in almost any setting.
Price: £895+
Type: Solar Powered
The final Citizen watch in this guide is a special one. This specific edition was only produced in a one-time limited batch of 1000 watches – worldwide – in honor of the Red Arrow’s 50th season (the Royal Air Force aerobatic team). What this means for you is that it’s not only rare, but it’s likely a good investment for the future as well.
One more bonus to note: When you buy this watch, you also get a custom designed watch case in the shape of a pilot’s helmet. A small touch, but pretty cool.
Let’s take a look at the watch itself now. It features a high quality stainless steel case and stainless steel strap with a clasp. Where it really stands out is the sleek red and grey dial, combined with the bold and stylish face design.
Want features? It’s got em.
Here are the most interesting features of the Red Arrows limited edition watch:
- chronograph
- atomic timekeeping (extremely accurate)
- world timer
- 24 hour subdial
- charge indicator
- glowing hands and markers
- date display
- 200 meter water resistance
- thin 13mm case depth
Overall, it’s a beautiful, versatile watch that will help you look great in nearly any casual or professional situation.
Click here to see Citizen Red Arrows Limited Edition With Helmet in our store.
5. Bulova Men’s Precisionist Chronograph (Model: 96B175)
Who it’s for: Men looking for a stylish, flashy diving watch.
Price: £509+
Type: Quartz Battery
It is extremely difficult to find a diving watch that also looks great, but Bulova have come up with a very solid option here.
Most watches that look similar to this one go for two or three times the price, and that’s without having underwater functionality. The strap and case are both made of rust resistant stainless steel. The tasteful blue and black dial not only add to the look of the watch, but make it easy to read at a glance.
The Precisionist Chronograph is rated for diving (>200 meters). On top of that important primary feature, it also has a few other features that makes it easy to read, no matter where you are or what lighting conditions are available.
The dial features a clean date display, along with glowing hands and markers, and it also has a chronograph for those situations you need to time something.
Bulova is known for their high quality watches, but just in case you’ve had a bad experience with other diving watches, know that this watch comes with a Bulova 3 year guarantee.
Click here to see the Bulova Men’s Precisionist Chronograph in our store.
6. Junghans Max Bill Automatic
Who it’s for: Anyone in search of a high-quality, minimalist watch that they can rely on in any casual situation.
Price: £725+
Type: Automatic
German companies are known round the world for their high-tech engineering and reliable, high quality products. Junghans is one of the best German watch manufacturers, and the Max Bill Automatic is arguably their finest in this price range.
This watch is all about simplicity on the surface, but complexity underneath the surface. Inside the watch, there is 25 jewel movement, which is part of the reason it will last for years without giving you any problems. The other part of that equation is the strong stainless steel case and the authentic calfskin leather strap. Finally, the face is made of convex hard plexiglass, perfect for resisting damage like scratches.
Like I said, this watch is all about modest minimalism. The case depth is a mere 10mm, and when you consider the thin leather strap, you’ll barely notice the watch on your wrist – in a good way.
The dial is extremely thin, which makes the face appears larger than it is. With a small, clean font on the white face, this watch is about as easy to read as they come.
Click here to see the Junghans Max Bill Automatic in our store.
7. Rotary Gents Gold Watch
Who it’s for: A simple, elegant watch for casual and professional situations.
Price: £649+
Type: Quartz Battery
This watch is similar to the Junghans option above in that it has a clean, simple design, but it stays truer to a standard watch design. The dial is thin, but thick enough to really outline the face, which some wearers will prefer.
The Gents line by Rotary is one of the most successful watch lines across multiple price ranges. This gold version, named appropriately for its 9 carat gold case, is middle of the line.
The Gents Gold watch comes with a Rotary lifetime guarantee, a tribute to how reliable these watches are. It doesn’t come with any fancy features, but it looks fantastic and is built to last. If you want a simple, watch that exudes class and just works, this is it.
Click here to see the Rotary Gents Gold Watch in our store.
8. Victorinox Swiss Army Chrono Classic
Who it’s for: Travellers looking for a robust, beautiful watch for a wide array of occasions.
Price: £525+
Type: Quartz Battery
Options: You might also like this watch with a stainless steel strap and case.
I wanted to finish off with a bang. This version of the Chrono Classic features a bold gold face and dial. However, it’s a tasteful champagne gold, and not that flashy. Combined with the leather strap, and classic stainless steel case, this watch comes together to form a classy watch with a bit of flare.
The watch itself is crafted beautifully. The chronograph is dead simple to operate, just tap the second crown to prepare it, and then tap it again to start or stop the timer. Otherwise, the third will function as a standard second hand while you are in “time mode.”
Victorinox is known for their high-quality watches, and nothing exemplifies that more than the Chrono Classic. It’s not meant for use in water, but does have a water resistance rating of 100 meters, so a little splash here and there won’t damage it.
Click here to see the Victorinox Swiss Army Chrono Classic in our store.
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