When we hear the term ‘luxury watch’ it’s pretty easy to get lost and overwhelmed by the often eye-watering price tags that spring up, particularly if you’ve not really delved into that world too deeply before.
It’s an industry that can be difficult to navigate for newcomers, the sheer variety of what’s on offer is a challenge in itself, and that’s before you try and familiarise yourself with the technical side of things—automatic vs quartz, water resistance, chronometer ratings—all of these important but potentially confusing considerations.
With that being said, knowing exactly what represents good value can be a little tricky. To help ease the process slightly, we’ve picked out some of the best watches under £500 and £1,000 available right now on StockX.
For both of those brackets, you can grab some seriously impressive pieces of kit that boast a variety of high-end features, but don’t completely break the bank like the super-luxe timepieces.
Best Watches Under £500
- Timex Reissue Falcon Eye Blue
- Casio G-SHOCK GMW Rose Gold
- Apple Watch Series 7 GPS Midnight Aluminium
- Seiko 5 Black
- BAPE Type 1 Bapex Gold
Timex Reissue Falcon Eye Blue
Dropping in a typically classy aesthetic we’ve come to expect from Timex throughout the years, the Falcon Eye stays true to the 70s vibe it seeks to recreate but kits it out with modern-day features in a delightful blending of eras.
Casio G-SHOCK GMW Rose Gold
Vintage style meets practical features in the Casio G-SHOCK. A high-capacity solar-charging system makes use of any light source, minimising the watch’s impact on the environment and it comes with the added bonus of Bluetooth connection capabilities.
Apple Watch Series 7 GPS Midnight Aluminium
Veering slightly from the rest of the list this might seem a slightly controversial inclusion to some. However, given how widely adopted the Apple Watch has become since its inception—100 million users worldwide—there was no way we could overlook something that’s become so ingrained in day-to-day life for so many.
Seiko 5 Black
First emerging back in 1963, the Seiko 5 Sport series has remained a firm favourite of the masses, merging timeless style with generous affordability. 50 years on the brand revisited the model, maintaining the familiar features that are behind the consistent popularity but bringing the technical bits back up to date.
Casio G-SHOCK x John Mayer x Hodinkee Grey
Another appearance from Casio and G-SHOCK, this time with a somewhat ‘out there’ retro piece from the mind of musician John Mayer. Inspired by the mid-1980s classic Casio PT-80 keyboard, all the colours that paint the unmistakable G-SHOCK face were present on that very instrument.
BAPE Type 1 Bapex Gold
A slightly cheaper version of the BAPEX 1, the golden iteration from the legendary Japanese streetwear brand can be picked up for just under £500, if this colourway is more your thing.
Best Watches Under £1,000
- Bulova Marine Star Blue
- Shinola Runwell Black
- Swatch x Omega Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to the Moon
- Casio G-SHOCK Master of G Black
- Gucci Dive Black
Bulova Marine Star Blue
A notable highlight from Bulova’s Marine Star Collection, it comes in stainless steel with rose gold accents and as its name suggests, has you covered with up to 200-metre water resistance. Other notable features include six-hand chronograph movement, luminous hands and markers for easy reading and an in-built calendar.
Shinola Runwell Black
Shinola’s ever-popular Runwell range gets a blackout makeover and we’re huge fans of the stripped-back simplicity of it all. Hand-assembled in Detroit, the Sandblast PVD Gunmetal casing ensures your investment is most certainly a long-term one, while simultaneously boasting painfully good looks.
Swatch x Omega Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to the Moon
The Swatch x Omega Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to the Moon version is the most like the original Speedmaster Moonwatch. The tachymeter scaled bezel of the Moonswatch Mission to the Moon model features the iconic Moonwatch “dot over 90” detail in the same colourway as the original Speedmaster and, like the versions worn by actual astronauts, comes with a velcro strap. You can pick up this sought-after collab for around £800 on StockX.
Bape Type 1 Bapex Silver Green
A Bathing Ape’s unique take on Rolex’s iconic Submariner brings the worlds of streetwear and premium luxury accessories colliding together in spectacular fashion. Encased in protective stainless steel with a scratch-resistant sapphire window, you’ll be plenty protected when it comes to everyday wear.
Casio G-SHOCK Master of G Black
In the market for something a bit more sturdy? You’d struggle to find anything more robust than this striking effort between G-SHOCK and the Toyota Auto Body Team Land Cruiser. Inspired by the Dakar Rally, the toughest race in the world, there are forged carbon bezel components and a carbon core guard structure that saves on weight, but maintains all the protection you could possibly need.
Gucci Dive Black
Few brands encapsulate luxury more so than Gucci, meaning their spot on this list was always a given. Most definitely a statement piece, the embossed adjustable strap meets a shimmering, standout symbolic motif of the fashion house, the Kingsnake.
