Best Watches Under £500 - Picks Packed With Personality

The budget required to get yourself a serious watch is lower than you think. £500 is enough to make choosing a watch interesting, whether it's your first big boy watch, or a collection filler. At this price point, a mechanical movement is in reach. Get yourself a distinctive piece of design, or a practical watch for your everyday beater.

Our selection of the best watches under £500 covers choices from well known Japanese stalwarts, as well as some more unconventional picks.

This is a research-led selection, based on specifications, design and UK list prices. Availability and pricing changes frequently, so please check the up to date information on their website before making a final decision.

Casio Vintage A168WEGG-1BEF - for the retro tech look

Listed price: £60 | Quartz | 39mm

We've gone for the snappy-titled A168WEGG-1BEF but frankly, anything from the Casio Vintage range looks great. For those of us of a certain age, we either wore one of these watches in our youth - or we had a mate who had one.

They're massively popular - maybe even more than they were in the 1990s and they can (and do) last a lifetime. If you need to be able to tell the time, take the odd scrape and maybe see in the dark, then this watch will serve you very well. View the watch on the Casio website.

Timex Marlin Jet Automatic - for a softer retro look

Listed price: from £280 | Automatic | 38mm

The Marlin Jet takes this shortlist away from angular steel sports watches. Its rounded profile and fabric-strap options feel well suited to relaxed clothes: think knitwear, an open shirt or a simple T-shirt.

It's a good direction if you want an automatic without the visual weight of a dive watch. Compare the actual dial and strap combination before buying, because the Jet collection includes several versions at different prices. Explore the Timex Marlin collection.

Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm - for colour on a bracelet

Listed price: £299 | Automatic | 37mm

The Tsuyosa often features in these "best watches" articles, and for good reason. It's a great entry-level watch and there's a range of dial colours and diameters to choose from.

It's the sort of watch that looks great when worn with a suit to a special occasion, but doesn't look over the top when you're just popping down the pub with your mates. Like most Citizen watches in this price range, you cannot go wrong with the Tsuyosa. Explore the Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm.

Elliot Brown Canford 202-004 - for a more substantial sports watch

Listed price: £425 on black rubber | Quartz | 44mm

The Canford's dark case, contrasting dial and internal rotating bezel give it a striking look. If the likes of Seiko, Citizen and Casio are too mainstream for you, then this offers an alternative - and it's just about striking enough to get noticed without being crazy. The rubber-strap version is an interesting alternative to the usual polished bracelet watch, and helps it dress down when needed.

Size is the important qualification. Elliot Brown lists a 54mm maximum length across the case shoulders, so this deserves a proper fit check. It is a stronger candidate for someone who actively wants presence on the wrist. View the Canford 202-004.

Orient Mako 40 - for a warmer take on a sports watch

Listed price: £379.99 for RA-AC0Q15Y | Automatic | 39.9mm

The brown-dial Mako 40 offers a change from the familiar black-and-blue palette. Its uncluttered date-only layout and steel bracelet make it a useful bridge between casual and smarter clothes.

The specification includes sapphire crystal and a 200m water-resistance rating. Orient describes the family as diver-style; don't assume that a depth rating alone establishes professional diving certification. Choose it here for its appearance and everyday versatility. Worth also noting that older versions of the Mako (or Kamasu) are still available and can be found even cheaper. View the Orient Mako 40.

Seiko 5 Sports SRPE55 - for an understated first automatic

Listed price: £260 | Automatic

Sometimes the best choice is the obvious one. We could've picked several Seiko's for this list but opted for the understated brilliance of the 5 Sports SRPE55. But if you fancy something a little more interesting, then Seiko has lots to choose from in this price range. We chose this one for its classic look and because black goes with any outfit. View the Seiko SRPE55.

How to choose between them

Frankly, we've picked six different watches here, but you could pick virtually anything by Casio, Seiko or Citizen and you will get a very good watch for £500. Start with appearance and fit, then consider the movement. Quartz suits someone who wants to pick up a watch and get on with the day. An automatic adds mechanical interest but can stop when left unworn and will eventually need servicing.

At this price point, you're probably buying your first watch, or something for every day. So the important question to ask is "will I wear this" - if it's not a resounding yes then pick another.

Is an automatic watch better than quartz under £500?

If you're going to wear the watch every day, then an automatic watch gives that true watch experience. For years, quartz watches were considered the lesser option. But day to day reality is different. If this is watch you'll only wear occasionally, then picking it up and having to adjust the time, date and get it running can be frustrating in a rush. But if you want a proper watch then that real experience is something to savour.

Should I spend the whole £500?

Probably, yes. Maybe with the Casio aside, spending £500 on a watch is going to get you a much better watch than £100. That said, the Orient Mako is a brilliant watch and punches well above its weight.

If you're considering a larger budget, read our guide to the best watches under £1,000. For help with proportions, our small-wrist and large-wrist guides look beyond the diameter on the specification sheet.