The horology world is a tough one to navigate, especially when you’re not willing to sell an organ to buy one of the ubiquitously known and astonishingly expensive designs every man would want in their timepiece collection - Cartier Tank and Rolex DateJust included.
Whilst these may be over budget, there are countless quality styles to choose from that sit nicely around the 1k mark - and there are a few important factors to consider before taking the plunge. Firstly, it needs to be a design that stands the test of time, come from a brand you’ll still admire years from now and, lastly and most importantly of all, it needs to be mechanically sound so it continues ticking along for decades to come.
Quiet luxury has taken over the worlds of fashion and jewellery, so in line with this movement to traditional, investment styles that transcend the notion of trend, an understated yet elevated rectangular face will keep your wrist game strong - as opposed to anything too statement or garish that will be quick to go out of style once the next trend arises.
Our number one tip would be to stick to the classics. A dress watch with a Milanese, oyster or leather bracelet is a versatile purchase that will form a staple part within any man’s accessories collection - just make sure you choose metal hardware to match your jewellery preference (silver for silver, gold for gold).
In terms of brand, the good news is that you can find a design by the industry giants within this price bracket, from Hamilton, which pairs exquisite Swiss craftsmanship with an American spirit, to Mondaine with watches inspired by classic Swiss railway clocks. Timepieces by these stalwarts certainly won’t let you down.
We caught up with Vivian Stauffer, the CEO of Hamilton, to get his insight on investing (up to) £1000 on a watch - and took the liberty of choosing our favourites in the list below.
What are your top tips for choosing a watch under £1000? What should you look out for?
“Choosing a watch is a very personal decision as it depends on the individual taste, the style and also the usage of the watch,” says Stauffer. “At Hamilton, you can find a high-quality watch below £1000 no matter what kind of style you are looking for, as we do have a very broad range of timepieces. If someone is looking for a sporty model, I would suggest our Khaki collection. If you’re looking for a timeless style, there are different variations in our Jazzmaster collection that fit this price category”.
Which type of movement would you recommend and why?
“Automatic pieces are a safe choice as they never stop running and remain precise for a very long time”, he explains. “That being said, we know many people enjoy a hand-winding movement and the emotional connection of winding up your watch every day”.
How do you choose a watch that retains its value?
Stauffer breaks it down. “Watches are made to be worn and used in your daily life rather than being stored. However, if your wish is to have a timepiece that retains its value over time, I would recommend getting your hands on a limited-edition piece. These are strongly requested from collectors and therefore are a safe investment”.
“More than securing the monetary value of a watch, the emotional value plays an important role”, he adds. “From that angle, I would suggest investing in a heritage piece like one of our unique movie watches, which have been featured in films, or in a revolutionary watch, like the PSR, which was the first digital watch”.
Are there any watch dress codes that you should follow?
“In my opinion, there is no watch dress code - you should wear what you like”, Stauffer stresses. “We see more and more people play with watches and use them to express their personal style. This is very visible in the amount of unisex timepieces that are being released or in the demand for NATO straps on our website, which allows the owner to personalise the watch”.
Keep scrolling for our edit of the best watches for men under £1000.
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Mondaine Classic Brushed Case Black Vegan Grape Leather 40mm
Taking inspiration from classic Swiss railway clocks, the origins of Mondaine’s signature face date back to 1944, when Hans Hilfiker invented the iconic railway design - but it wasn’t until 1986 that the watchmaker created a wrist-ready version.
Simple yet impactful, the monochrome colourway is punctuated with Swiss-red details for a stylish addition to any man’s wrist. Better yet, the strap is crafted using grape leather for a sustainable, vegan-friendly purchase that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Buy now £229.00, Mondaine
Hamilton American Classic
One of the most iconic watch brands of our time, you’d be hard -pushed finding a timepiece fan who’s not heard of Hamilton. Fusing Swiss-made precision with its American roots, the brand marries the best of both worlds for designs that are packed with both character and quality. If you’re in the market for a collegiate style à la Dead Poets Society (and, I mean, who isn’t?), this is the watch for you.
Buy now £675.00, Hamilton
Georg Jensen Koppel - 38mm / 1.5in, Quartz, White Dial, black Leather Strap
Quiet luxury is 2023’s most sought-after aesthetic, so Copenhagen-based accessories label Georg Jensen’s understated yet elevated pieces should be making their way to the top of the list of any chap who’d like to stay on trend. Scandi minimalism never looked so good.
Buy now £795.00, Georg Jensen
Vivienne Westwood Watches Seymour stainless steel quartz watch
If you’re a fan of the classic Rolex Datejust but you’re not prepared to sell an organ any time soon, perhaps Vivienne Westwood’s watch will hit the spot, instead.
Buy now £285.00, Selfridges
Frederique Constant Men’s Classics Chronograph Date Leather Strap Watch, Black/Silver
A watch for the elegant gent, Frederique Constant’s dress watch is classic through and through. Roman indices? Check. Leather strap? Check. Monochrome colourway? Check. Even better, it features a chronograph function and a date window too.
Buy now £795.00, John Lewis
Junghans Max Bill Quartz 38mm
This German brand may have begun wristwatch production in 1927, but it wasn’t until the 50s that Bauhaus-trained designer Max Bill came on board - and it’s his aesthetic that forms the basis of Junghans’ current offering, including this pared-back style. It’s the only proof you need that less really is more.
Buy now £775.00, Goldsmiths
Tissot Heritage Visodate
Every man needs a Milanese watch in their timepiece arsenal. The perfect accessory for any occasion, whether you wear a suit on the daily or just want to level up your casual holiday outfit, the chain strap will add sophistication to your look with the simple fastening of a clasp.
Brimming with vintage appeal, the archive Tissot logo set on the watch face of this design adds a touch of nostalgia to the otherwise classic design.
Buy now £330.00, Watchshop
Rotary Regent Skeleton Automatic GS05418/03
An automatic watch on a budget, Rotary has an unrivalled selection of timepieces powered by more intricate movement - and we love this skeleton design.
Perfect for craftsmanship aficionados, thanks to the openwork construction, you can see the complex mechanics that make the hands tick. A type of watch that’s been around since the 18th century, it’s certainly not going out of fashion any time soon.
Buy now £339.00, Rotary
Monofore M01 Gold 38mm / Black
2023 is the year of the rectangular face - so Monofore’s classic style should be going straight into your basket. A carefully considered design, the brand’s signature curve dial with domed glass eliminates the chance of shadows, while the dial’s matte texture delivers an elegant finish.
Buy now £220.00, Monofore
